ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A federal judge has rejected a challenge to New York state’s licensing program to sell legal marijuana, a system two California applicants say unconstitutionally discriminates against out-of-state residents. The ruling Friday by Albany Judge Anne M. Nardacci may spur New York into issuing hundreds of licenses in a state where most marijuana is sold by unlicensed businesses. She said the main purpose of the dormant Commerce Clause plaintiffs argued should allow them to access New York's market doesn’t apply to the federally illegal cannabis trade. Critics blame New York’s slow retail growth partly on bureaucratic issues, like delays in setting up a $200 million “social equity” fund to help applicants open shops. The rollout also was hobbled by lawsuits on behalf of people and businesses excluded from the first wave of retail licenses.

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Persons: Albany Judge Anne M, Nardacci Organizations: —, New York, Albany Judge, Lawyers, New Locations: ALBANY, N.Y, New, California, York, New York, Los Angeles