New York’s Medical Cannabis Industry Association Files Lawsuit Against Regulators
The New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association has filed a lawsuit against the state’s Office of Cannabis Management and the Cannabis Control Board, seeking a court order to compel regulators to address the growing issue of illicit cannabis products in the state. The association claims that the regulators have failed to fulfill their statutory duties, leading to an influx of illegal cannabis products that are undermining the legal market and posing a risk to consumers.
According to the lawsuit, the proliferation of illicit cannabis is not limited to unlicensed shops, but has also infiltrated the licensed market. This has resulted in a situation where adult-use consumers and medical patients are at risk, the financial viability of the regulated market is threatened, and communities impacted by the War on Drugs are losing critical tax revenue.
The association blames the botched rollout of New York’s retail cannabis industry for the current situation, citing regulatory and administrative missteps, poor decision-making, and a lack of communication and transparency. As a result, investors in the legal market are struggling to succeed, and the illegal market is thriving.
The lawsuit seeks a court order requiring the regulators to identify and sanction companies responsible for the illegal “inversion” of out-of-state cannabis products into New York, and to take steps to create a safe, regulated, and insular adult-use cannabis market. The association hopes that the lawsuit will prompt regulators to take immediate action to address the issue of illicit cannabis and protect the interests of consumers, patients, and the legal industry.
