The U.S. Supreme Court has granted a request to give marijuana companies suing the Justice Department in an effort to overturn federal prohibition two more months to file their petition with the justices.
Lawyers for the cannabis firms said the extension was needed due to the "significant and complex constitutional issues" that are being raised in the case, as well as the fact that state governments and other experts who plan to file support briefs need more time to "carefully craft their arguments."
The prominent litigation firm Boies Schiller Flexner LLP that's representing the companies—Canna Provisions, Gyasi Sellers, Wiseacre Farm and Verano Holdings—entered a request for a 60-day extension to submit its writ of certiorari last week. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson approved the proposal on Friday, pushing back the current deadline of August 25 to October 24.
The brief gave three reasons for the request: 1) the lead attorney on the case, David Boies, is "heavily engaged in previously scheduled matters" before other federal courts, 2) several experts who expressed interest in supporting their lawsuit with amicus briefs have said they need more time and 3) the case involves complex legal issues that require more in-depth consideration.
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