New York cannabis regulators expand licenses to disabled vets, women and minorities

Cannabis regulators in New York state gave the green light Tuesday to adopt updated and expanded regulations, signaling a broader shift in the application process for licensed cannabis stores. Previously, such licenses were primarily limited to “justice-minded” individuals with cannabis-related convictions, which occurred at a time when the drug was still illegal.

Under the updated rules, starting Oct. 4, “social equity” applicants, including disabled veterans, minority- and women-owned businesses, and struggling farmers, will also be able to apply for licenses to operate marijuana dispensaries, the New York reports Post Office. In politics, social justice aims to ensure fairness and justice by eliminating systemic inequalities and creating equal opportunities for all. It recognizes existing inequalities and works to eliminate them. But despite all the hardships vets face, that label doesn’t always apply to them. The new laws recognize the sacrifices veterans have made and the lack of support as they attempt to start a business after returning to civilian life.

In August, a group of four disabled veterans sued New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration and the state Cannabis Control Board. Their lawsuit challenged the exclusion of disabled veterans from applying for the first round of licenses, in which the agency focused on granting to people with prior marijuana convictions.

“The MRTA [Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act] had already set a goal of awarding 50% of all adult use licenses to social and economic justice applicants. “But rather than abide by the law, OCM and CCB created their own version of “social justice” and determined for themselves which individuals would have priority in entering New York’s emerging adult-use cannabis market,” said a statement on behalf of the Veterans who bring the lawsuit.

Many veterans have a passion and personal connection to cannabis because of its role in treating post-traumatic stress disorder. Back in June, the Senate Budget Committee approved a budget bill that includes an amendment allowing U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors to recommend medical cannabis to their patients in legal states. It is scheduled to move forward under approved legislation to fund the VA for fiscal year 2024.

“It’s time,” said Carmine Fiore, a disabled veterinarian and one of the plaintiffs in the case. “We finally have a level playing field. We are finally being prioritized – as we should have been by law.”

The potential impact of the new rules on the ongoing litigation remains uncertain. Following their meeting on Tuesday, the cannabis regulators involved in the lawsuit met behind closed doors for a board meeting. This private conversation could provide insight into their future course of action.

Fiore said that while he is now allowed to apply for a cannabis store license, that “has not prevented the harm” of being prevented from applying for a Conditional Adult-Retail Dispensary (CAURD). “They gave the judicial authorities involved an unfair advantage,” he said.

But now the Cannabis Control Board’s rules have dramatically expanded the eligibility requirements for entrepreneurs applying for a license. Cannabis farmers, breeders, retailers, processors and small businesses can now get a piece of the pie.

New York’s legal cannabis market got off to a chaotic and troubled start. While there are technically only 23 cannabis stores statewide, nine of which are in New York City, an estimated 1,500 unlicensed smoke shops sell weed. While these legal gray areas, often more affordable stores with easy access can be a dream come true for cannabis consumers. However, the bureaucratic situation has left farmers feeling abandoned as they end up with huge quantities of harvested cannabis due to limited options for legal sales.

But on Tuesday, state officials said they plan to fix the problem and expand the cannabis market.

“Today marks the most significant expansion of the legal cannabis market in New York since then

“We have advanced legalization and taken a giant step toward our goal of giving New Yorkers access to safer, regulated cannabis across the state,” Chris Alexander, executive director of the Office of Cannabis Management, told the New York Post.

“We are immensely proud to be building the fairest and most competitive cannabis industry in the country – one that puts those most hurt by prohibition first and gives all New Yorkers – not just big companies – a real opportunity to compete and to thrive,” he added.

Multi-state cannabis companies that currently only serve medical marijuana patients in New York will have the opportunity to expand their adult-use, not just medical, offerings to all New Yorkers starting later this year. However, several individuals and small operators raised concerns at Tuesday’s meeting. They fear that such larger companies would gain market dominance before they could even begin operations. Many in attendance called for state regulators to delay multistate operators from entering the market.

A group backed by medical cannabis companies hailed the opening of the application process as a positive first step. However, they also expressed concern that the state isn’t doing enough to speed up the process to allow them to sell recreational weed sooner.

“The rules adopted today are progress. But until the state actually grants these licenses and these dispensaries are up and running, New Yorkers will continue to be denied the promised tax revenue, safe cannabis and a fair system,” said Kirsten Foy of the Coalition for Access to Regulated and Safe Cannabis.