Yo, listen up, fam! There’s some crazy news coming out of New York City. So, like, there’s this judge who just dropped a bomb on the state cannabis regulators. He issued a temporary injunction that straight-up blocks them from handing out licenses for retail marijuana shops. And you know why? ‘Cause there’s a lawsuit that got filed by a group of military veterans, son!
These vets are like real heroes, man. They’ve served a combined total of over two decades in the U.S. military. And they’re arguing that the state’s rules for getting these lucrative licenses are whack and go against both the New York Constitution and state law. You feel me?
Now, let me break it down for you. Last year, Governor Kathy Hochul launched this program where the first licenses for retail cannabis shops were reserved for individuals who have been most impacted by the unfair cannabis laws. This includes those who’ve been convicted of marijuana crimes or organizations that support the formerly incarcerated.
But here’s where things get crazy, my dudes. To be eligible for one of these licenses, you either gotta have a conviction for weed or be a family member of someone who does. And non-profits that help out former or current inmates can also apply. So far, the state has handed out 463 licenses, but only a handful of dispensaries have actually opened their doors.
This attorney and legal analyst named Matt Morey says that according to the law, service-disabled veterans should also be given priority in getting these licenses. But so far, the state has only approved applications from those with past convictions. That ain’t right, man!
The veterans who filed this lawsuit are saying that the state is leaving out other potential applicants who should be considered for these licenses. This includes disabled veterans and people from minority groups. They argue that they’re being left out of this “first mover’s advantage,” which is totally unfair, bro.
One of the vets, William Norgard, who served in the U.S. Army, said that it’s totally out of character for a veteran to sue the state like this. They took oaths to defend the laws of our nation, but now they’re forced to challenge the government. It’s like they’re saying, “Yo, someone’s gotta hold the line!”
So, this judge came through with a temporary restraining order that basically tells the state cannabis regulators to chill. They can’t issue any new licenses until the court makes a final ruling on this. The Office of Cannabis Management ain’t too happy about it, but hey, they gotta follow the judge’s orders.
State Senator Jeremy Cooney ain’t feeling it either. He’s the chair of the New York State Senate Subcommittee on Cannabis, and he’s disappointed with the court’s decision. He wants to keep pushing forward and award licenses to social equity candidates so more businesses can open up shop.
But here’s the thing, my dudes. This whole situation is gonna cause even more delays in getting the regulated marijuana industry up and running in New York. And trust me when I say it’s been a real struggle already. The black market is still thriving, and these licensing problems ain’t helping.
Morey says that the licenses that have already been issued ain’t in immediate danger because of the judge’s order. But if it turns out that the licensing rules are unconstitutional, then things could get messy. We’ll have to wait and see what happens, fam.
So there you have it, folks. New York City is going through some major drama in the cannabis world. The veterans are fighting for their rights and trying to make sure everyone gets a fair shot at these licenses. Let’s hope for a quick resolution so we can all enjoy some legal weed without all this nonsense. Stay tuned for more updates!