Just over a week after being sworn in as New York’s Governor, Kathy Hochul made two nominations for the State’s top cannabis officials. The Governor has made clear during her short time in office that moving the cannabis industry forward will be a focus of her administration. The New York State Senate’s confirmation of these …
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Welcome Matthew Rimkunas!
Matthew has joined the Firm as an Associate Attorney. He recently graduated magna cum laude from Albany Law School. While in law school, he served as a research assistant to Professor Patrick M. Connors, the author of New York Practice. Matthew also participated in the Domenick L. Gabrielli Appellate Advocacy Competition and was selected to …
The Wagoner Firm Exonerates Ten Correctional Officers from an Inmate’s Alleged Constitutional Violations
On August 2, 2021, The Firm secured another victory for its clients, ten correctional officers employed by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Service (“DOCCS”). An inmate alleged that the officers violated his constitutional rights. The Firm successfully argued in substantive summary judgment papers that no violation had occurred, and the United …
The Wagoner Firm Obtains a Defense Verdict for Crompton Greaves, a Publicly Traded Energy Conglomerate Facing a $10 Million Breach of Contract Lawsuit
The Firm successfully defended Crompton Greaves (“CG”) against breach of contract claims brought by a former manager who sought to purchase the division of the company he managed in what became a failed management buyout. CG’s potential liability approached $10 million. The case went to trial in September 2020 before Justice Roger McDonough in the …
The Federal Prohibition on Cannabis May Be Coming to an End
On July 14, 2021, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the lead sponsor, proposed the Cannabis Administration and Opportunities Act (the “Act”), which, if passed, will significantly change the landscape of the cannabis industry. Through the Act, the federal government attempts to join the 19 states, which have already legalized both medical and recreational-use marijuana, by …
What New York Businesses Need to Know About Lifted Covid-19 Restrictions
On June 15, 2021, New York lifted almost all Covid-19 related restrictions throughout the state. However, this has created some uncertainty and confusion as what business owners may require of their employees and customers as New York State returns to normalcy. Below is brief a summary of what businesses may require during the reopening process. …
The Carbon Footprint of New York’s Cannabis Industry
We have received many questions about what potential licensees can do to try gain an edge in the application process. One area in which license applicants can set themselves apart under the New York Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (the “Act”) is to demonstrate their “ability to increase climate resiliency and minimize or eliminate adverse …
Supporting the Cannabis Industry
While many individuals and entities are inquiring how to obtain the highly competitive adult-use marijuana licenses under the recently enacted New York Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (the “Act”), there also opportunities to participate in New York’s emerging cannabis industry by providing essential support services to the anticipated cannabis-related enterprises (“CREs”). We have provided a …
Adult- Use Marijuana Licensing in New York
The Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (the “Act”) authorizes the Cannabis Control Board (“Board”) to issue and regulate adult-use marijuana licenses to legally cultivate, process, deliver, distribute and sell adult-use marijuana products commercially. Many of our clients have inquired about the types of licenses under the Act and what a potential licensee are authorized and/or …
New York Promotes Social Equality in its Cannabis Industry
A key component to The Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (the “Act”) is the implementation of a Social and Economic Equity and Incubator Program (the “Program”), which is the most progressive social equity program among the states that have legalized adult-use marijuana so far. New York seems to have taken the best aspects of other state’s …