The Empire State hopes to make an imperial impact with its cannabis market
Yesterday will be marked as an important date in the New York cannabis market. Located in lower Manhattan, the state’s first recreational marijuana dispensary opened its doors, welcoming consumers who were no doubt anxiously waiting for this day to arrive. The Empire State insisted that sales begin before 2022 went off the calendar and managed to do so in the last few days of the year.
The first dispensary to get the privilege of kicking off the sale is Non-profit Housing Works, and all proceeds will go to their charities. Kristina Lopez Adduci, executive director and founder of House of Puff, commented on the move, saying that for a long time, community members and cannabis advocates in New York have been working around the clock to achieve this momentous milestone. They have begun operations of the first adult-use dispensary, replete with brands and products grown, manufactured, processed and owned in the state.
“We are ecstatic that House of Puff will be one of those New York brands that will be available for purchase and thank Housing Works for supporting us and other local cannabis companies during this crucial moment,” she added. “The opening of their dispensary is just one embodiment of the vision set out by the MRTA and is a significant step toward establishing a fully operable and equitable legal cannabis industry built by and for New Yorkers and our communities most adversely affected by cannabis prohibition.”
Yesterday’s opening is undoubtedly an extremely important move for New York’s nascent cannabis industry and begins the process of rewriting the narrative about marijuana. As is well known, a few years ago, the state led the nation in marijuana-related arrests. Still, soon the landscape will change, leading the country in legal sales and tax revenue, says Jesse Campoamor, founder of Campoamor & Sons.