Marijuana Business Daily

Judge rejects New York challenge to suit delaying rec marijuana store openings

Published

2 years ago

February 1, 2023

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A federal judge rejected New York’s effort to toss a lawsuit that’s been delaying the opening of recreational marijuana stores across the state, including in Brooklyn.

That means the indefinite wait for the issuance of 63 of the state’s planned 150 adult-use retail licenses will continue.

In November, a Michigan man named Kenneth Gay sued the state Office of Cannabis Management on behalf of his company, Variscite.

The suit alleges that the requirement that cannabis retail applicants have both a “significant presence” in New York and a criminal record for a marijuana-related conviction under state law creates irreparable damage to the company.

It’s one of several marijuana social equity programs Gay is challenging across the country, including Los Angeles.

Would-be CUARD license holders in New York must choose from among 14 geographical regions across the state when submitting their applications. Variscite’s top choice was Finger Lakes.

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Will marijuana rescheduling happen under Trump? Industry’s doubts grow

Published

1 day ago

March 17, 2025

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President Donald Trump’s choices over his first 50 days in office, including appointments to lead the federal drug and health agencies, are sowing serious doubts that marijuana’s status under federal law will change anytime soon.

That’s the gloomy vibe lurking outside the U.S. Capitol and seeping into C-suites as the marijuana rescheduling process – begun in October 2022 by former President Joe Biden and put on indefinite hiatus in January – remains stuck in limbo.

For those remaining hopeful, the belief is that the Trump administration might do something before the end of the year.

But skeptics wonder if the administration will simply cancel the process to downgrade marijuana from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3 of the Controlled Substances Act.

All in all, “so far,

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Health Canada eases cannabis industry burden in regulations update

Published

4 days ago

March 14, 2025

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Health Canada has updated regulations governing the nation’s cannabis operators to address industry challenges while keeping intact public health and safety standards.

The updates to the nation’s Cannabis Act as well as the Cannabis Regulations and Hemp Regulations were published in the Feb. 26 edition of the official Canada Gazette.

According to the StratCann news outlet, five key areas are impacted by the changes:

Licensing. Packaging and labeling. Production. Recordkeeping. Security.

Pre-rolls are no longer limited to 1 gram for each unit, and the use of ethyl alcohol in certain cannabis products is now allowed as an ingredient in inhaled extracts up to 7.5 grams.

Packaging for dried marijuana, fresh cannabis or seeds now can have cutout windows and containers

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Maryland’s high demand market undermined by restrictions, delays

Published

5 days ago

March 13, 2025

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The rollout of Maryland’s social equity cannabis program has faced significant delays, with none of the businesses open nearly a year after they were awarded licenses.

Part of the issue is that it’s difficult to attract investors to a business and challenging to find real estate.

Maryland’s cannabis regulations require that the original social equity applicant retain 51% ownership in the company. A separate social equity partner can own 14% of the company, leaving just 35% for a non-social equity investor.

Further complicating matters is that the original social equity licensee must hold the license for five years, a measure taken after witnessing social equity applicants in other states flipping their licenses soon after they were awarded.

“It can be challenging to entice

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