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Since New York State legalized marijuana two and a half years ago, its effort to set up the industry has been a slow and bumpy ride.
By now, there were supposed to be more than 150 licensed dispensaries in the state selling products like edibles, smokable flower and vapes to everyone 21 and above. But — and this may come as a surprise to anyone seeing the bevy of smoke shops that have cropped up across the state — there are only 23 legal dispensaries, and many of them only offer deliveries.
The latest setback for the expansion of the retail program occurred this month when a state court order temporarily barred regulators from awarding and processing licenses for new stores. Even stores that were just waiting for the final green light to open have now been prevented from doing so.
Here’s why a state judge put the rollout on hold, and what it could mean for the future of the industry.
Why Is the Rollout Delayed?
Earlier this month, a group of veterans who became disabled during their military service filed a lawsuit challenging how the state awards dispensary licenses.
To qualify, individuals had to have been convicted of a marijuana-related offense before legalization, or have a close relative, like a parent or spouse, who was. They also had to have owned a profitable business for at least two years.
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