A judge’s ruling on Wednesday initially caused chaos in New York’s cannabis industry, seemingly invalidating all regulations on recreational marijuana. However, a correction was made on Thursday to clarify that the ruling was limited to specific advertising rules for cannabis dispensaries. The lawsuit brought by Leafly challenged the state’s ban on marijuana dispensaries advertising on third-party platforms. State Supreme Court Justice Kevin Bryant initially struck down the rules as unconstitutional, leading to confusion, but the decision was later amended to focus only on the marketing regulations related to third-party platforms. This update came after concerns were raised by cannabis stakeholders about the broader implications of the ruling.

The misunderstanding sparked backlash as news outlets wrongly reported that the entire regulatory framework for marijuana in New York had been nullified. State Sen. Jeremy Cooney criticized the decision, expressing concern about its potential impact on the legal cannabis market. New York’s rollout of legalized marijuana has been hindered by a slow licensing process, legal challenges, illicit marijuana shops, and a lack of regulatory oversight. Licensed marijuana businesses have faced challenges due to the limited number of stores and competition from unlicensed sellers, especially in New York City. Despite the confusion, Leafly remains committed to supporting the industry and consumers in New York, emphasizing the importance of providing choices and information to buyers.