The New York Cannabis Control Board on Monday approved a settlement in a lawsuit that has prevented more than 400 adult-use cannabis dispensaries from moving forward with the application process, LoHud reports. Under the terms of the deal, which require final approval from state Supreme Court Justice Kevin Bryant, a group of four military veterans will receive dispensary licenses and other legal protections given to social-equity licensees.
State officials did not admit to any wrongdoing under the settlement. In a statement to the New York Times, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said the settlement will allow the state “to move toward this worthy goal, expanding the number of legal cannabis retailers as we continue our significant efforts to shut down illegal storefronts.”
The settlement will allow 436 provisional licensees to open their dispensaries or delivery services once their applications are finalized but state regulators would be prohibited from issuing any new or additional licenses through the Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary program until April 1, 2024.
In an interview with Spectrum News, Chris Alexander, executive director of the state Office of Cannabis Management, called the settlement “a significant moment.”
“We’re hopeful that folks get out the gate running,” Alexander said. “We want to have a lot of openings as quickly as possible.”
There were 23 businesses that were ready to open before the injunction.
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