420 with CNW — New York’s Cannabis Social Equity Program Faces Another Legal Challenge
New York’s cannabis industry faced another setback recently after a federal appeals court ruled that the state unlawfully discriminated against applicants from outside New York in a recent licensing process. On August 12, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued a 2-1 decision stating that the state’s choice to favor applicants with prior marijuana convictions under state law was unconstitutional. The case now heads back to a lower court for further action. Although the ruling may not immediately disrupt the state’s program, experts believe it could discourage other states from designing cannabis licensing systems that prioritize residents…