Variscite Ruling: Residency Requirements and the Future of Intrastate Cannabis Markets
By Charles Alovisetti
Sep 12, 2025
The Second Circuit’s Variscite ruling is reshaping how courts view cannabis residency requirements and intrastate licensing systems. By striking down New York’s program as unconstitutional, the court signaled that protectionist rules are increasingly vulnerable. This article breaks down the Variscite ruling, how other courts are addressing Dormant Commerce Clause challenges, and what this means for social equity programs, sourcing requirements, and the future of interstate cannabis markets.
