LAS VEGAS (AP) — A Nevada judge has frozen the permit process for some new state retail cannabis stores siding with companies that lost bids to open recreational pot shops.
Clark County District Court Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez issued an injunction Friday afternoon halting several dozen new licenses where questions were raised about the owners compliance with the licensing requirements.
Losing bidders argued the process was so riddled with mistakes and bias that Gonzalez should void 61 licenses that were approved last December from among 462 applications.
Attorneys for Nevada and some companies that won retail dispensary licenses say the process wasn't perfect, but tax officials are fairly enforcing a voter-approved initiative that legalized recreational pot sales to adults.
All sides expect the judge's ruling will be appealed to the Nevada Supreme Court.