The rollout of legal cannabis has been a disaster. First, we had the illegal shops pop up all over the place with unregulated product and with zero repercussions. We are still figuring out how to shut them down and new legislation has been introduced to facilitate enforcement, but the outcome is still unknown. Then we saw “justice involved” applicants be pushed to the front of the legalization line which resulted in a lawsuit from veterans who thought they should have been prioritized. Now it’s open to all applicants and it’s a free-for-all. There are multiple applications for locations without landlord agreements, in close proximity to schools, and without regard oversaturation. All while the illegal shops remain open. CB5 has so far rejected the fly-by-night operations proposed for our area, but they do not have the final say. This rollout has been a disaster at all phases and the state’s pursuit of money at the expense of people’s health is quite disgusting.