"Judge Strikes Down New York Cannabis Marketing Regulations, Impact on Legal Market"
A judge's ruling initially appeared to void all regulations governing recreational marijuana in New York, but was later amended to show that only rules dealing with third-party platforms were struck down. The decision came in a lawsuit brought by Leafly, challenging the state's rules barring marijuana dispensaries from advertising on third-party platforms. The amended ruling caused an uproar, with concerns about the implications for New York's adult-use cannabis market, slow progress, and combating illicit shops. The state's rollout of legalized marijuana has been defined by a slow licensing process, legal challenges, and a proliferation of illicit shops, while licensed shops have been insufficient to handle marijuana crops.