New York Cannabis Board Approves Lawsuit Settlement to Restart Marijuana Market

Over 400 Provisional Retail Licensees Await Judge's Approval to Open Stores

New York's Cannabis Control Board has approved a settlement to resolve lawsuits that have stalled the opening of recreational marijuana dispensaries in the state.
The settlement still requires a judge's approval before it can take effect.
The lawsuits were filed by a group of four military veterans and a coalition of large medical marijuana companies, challenging state rules that prioritized people with past drug convictions for the first dispensary licenses.
More than 400 provisional retail licensees will be able to proceed with their stores if the settlement is approved.
Regulators are also planning to issue more than 1,000 new licenses to grow, process, distribute or sell marijuana, in a bid to kickstart the market.