Legal Cannabis Stores On Hold Again As Judge Continues Weed Injunction
In a surprising turn of events, legal cannabis stores in New York are facing yet another setback as a judge continues a weed injunction. This latest development has left many license holders frustrated and anxious about the future of their businesses.
One such licensee, Carson Grant, had plans to open a cannabis store in Bayside, Queens. He had completed all necessary preparations, including interviews with potential staff members and setting an opening date. However, he found himself attending a court hearing in Kingston instead, where the fate of his business hung in the balance. Grant expressed his disappointment, stating, “The store is finished, we’re ready to go, and now this week we get hit with this. It’s just waiting, waiting, waiting.”
The injunction was the result of a lawsuit filed by military veterans who argued that certain designated groups, including themselves, were entitled to the same early consideration for retail licenses as individuals who had been incarcerated under previous drug laws. State Supreme Court Judge Kevin Bryant initially granted the injunction, halting the licensing program and preventing the approval of new store openings.
While the state had no immediate plans to issue more Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) licenses, which were intended to give designated groups early access to the market, the injunction dealt a financial blow to authorized retailers who had been working toward their opening for months.
Licensee Jeremy Rivera, who had been preparing to open his store Terp Bros in Astoria, Queens, expressed his frustration, stating, “We were on a super-heightened schedule. We didn’t take any outside funding. We were hoping to prove to the cannabis world that you can do this as a blue-collar man or woman coming up and wanting to start a business.”
The delay caused by the injunction has left many license holders with significant financial investments and uncertain futures. Licensee Christine Richardson, who had been seeking a license for months, wrote a letter to the judge expressing her concerns about potential bankruptcy due to the inability to pay rent obligations.
The court hearing in Kingston drew a crowd of licensees, lawyers, and stakeholders, with Judge Bryant acknowledging the emotional gravity of the situation. Both sides presented their arguments, with the veterans’ lawyer contending that the state’s program unfairly prioritized one social equity group over others, while the Assistant Attorney General questioned the logic of halting the entire program.
As license holders anxiously await a resolution, some remain optimistic that the situation will eventually turn in their favor. Others, however, express their frustration at the slow progress and financial instability caused by the injunction.
New York’s legal cannabis market has faced numerous challenges since its legalization in 2021, with delays in opening stores and difficulties securing funding and locations. The current injunction adds to the growing list of setbacks, prompting concerns about the future of the industry.
As the legal battle continues, license holders like Jeremy Rivera are determined to rebound and ensure that everything is perfect when opening day finally arrives. Despite the ongoing uncertainties, they remain hopeful for a resolution that allows them to move forward and contribute to the thriving cannabis industry.
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