Nearly 40 Adult-Use Dispensaries Will Have Opened in 2023, Including 12 Black-Owned Operations
Nationally, Less Than 0.2 Percent of Dispensaries Are Majority Black-Owned but In New York State, Over 20 Percent of Adult-Use Dispensaries Are Majority Black-Owned
Brooklyn, SoHo, Upper East Side, Westchester, Rochester, Troy, Amsterdam to Welcome Their First Adult-Use Dispensaries
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the opening of a dozen new adult-use dispensaries from Brooklyn to Buffalo as the State continues to expand the legal adult-use cannabis market and welcome new operators. By the end of December, New York State currently anticipates having at least 37 adult-use dispensaries open for business. At these legal adult-use dispensaries, New Yorkers will be able to access safer, licensed cannabis products produced, grown, and tested to meet the state’s rigorous safety standards, right here in the Empire State.
“As New York expands the most equitable cannabis market in the nation, my administration remains committed to building a safe industry for all New Yorkers that will grow our small business community,” Governor Hochul said. “These new dispensaries continue our mission of strengthening our legal market while at the same time helping to push out the bad actors who skirt our laws and undermine all we are trying to accomplish.”
Among these dispensaries, eight are majority Black-owned, five are Hispanic-owned, and nine are women-owned, highlighting New York's commitment to fostering a representative and inclusive cannabis market. According to recent industry research, fewer than 20 out of the 10,000 medical and adult-use cannabis retail shops across the country are majority Black-owned. Meaning less than 0.2 percent of all national dispensaries are Black-owned, while in New York over 20 percent of adult-use dispensaries are majority Black-owned.
New York State accomplished this, despite two different court-ordered injunctions slowing down the Empire State’s rollout. New York is not alone in experiencing legal challenges to cannabis social equity programs, but despite these challenges New York entrepreneurs have persevered, overcome obstacles, and are showing the benefits of equity in this industry.
New York State Office of Cannabis Management Executive Director Chris Alexander said, "This is going to be a busy and exciting month for New York cannabis as over a dozen licensees finally get the chance to open their doors for business. What's particularly heartening is not just seeing these stores open, but seeing who is operating them. Before the end of the year, we will have 12 Black-owned dispensaries operating and 5 Hispanic-Owned dispensaries. Considering the national landscape, where Black and brown ownership in cannabis is exceedingly rare, I am incredibly proud of this result. This isn't just about numbers; it's a clear indication of our dedication to creating a more equitable and inclusive cannabis industry.”
In May, Governor Hochul passed legislation intended to curtail storefronts selling cannabis without a license. Since June, enforcement officers from the Office of Cannabis Management and Department of Taxation and Finance have been inspecting shops, seizing products, and padlocking unlicensed stores. In total, the combined effort has inspected 350 locations, 88 of which have been re-inspected, yielding over 11,000 pounds of seized illicit cannabis worth more than $54 million. OCM and DTF investigators will continue inspections each and every week across the State.
Below is a list of locations who have either recently opened their doors or are set to open for business in the next few weeks. Reminder, these are independent businesses who are determining their own opening dates, any dates listed below may be subject to change.
Recent & Upcoming Openings:
New York City:
The Bronx:
- Hush – 2460 Williamsbridge Road Fl 1, Bronx 10469, (Opened on Thursday, December 14, 2023)
Brooklyn:
- Grow Together – 2370 Coney Island Ave., Brooklyn 11223, (Opening Tuesday, December 19, 2023), the first adult-use dispensary in Brooklyn, Black-Owned
Manhattan:
- Dagmar Cannabis – 412 W Broadway, NY 10012, (Opening on Friday, Dec 15, 2023), the first adult-use dispensary in SoHo, woman-owned
- THC Herbal Care – 1412 Lexington Ave., New York 10128, (Tentative opening, January 4, 2024), the first adult-use dispensary in Upper East Side
North Country:
- The Highest Peak – Village of Potsdam, 5 Market St., Potsdam 13676, (Opened on Thursday, December 7, 2023), the first adult-use dispensary in Potsdam, woman-owned
- The Firehaus – 7479 US Highway 11, Potsdam 13676, (Opened Wednesday, December 13, 2023)
Capital Region:
- 420 Bliss – 740 Hoosick St., Brunswick 12180, (Opened on Thursday, December 7, 2023), the first adult-use dispensary in Brunswick, Black-owned
- Capital District Wellness – 997 Central Ave Suite 200, Albany 12205, (Opened on Friday, December 8, 2023)
- Amsterdam Cannabis – 1451 State Highway 5S, Amsterdam 12010, (Opened on Friday, December 9, 2023), the first adult-use dispensary in Amsterdam
Western New York:
- Premier Earth Corp – 1297 Hertel Ave, Buffalo 14216, (Opened on Wednesday, December 13, 2023)
Finger Lakes:
- MJ Dispensary – 900 Jefferson Rd Ste 902, Rochester 14623, (Opened on Tuesday, December 12, 2023), the first adult-use dispensary in Rochester
Mid-Hudson Region:
- Elevate – 127 S Terrace Ave, Mt Vernon 10550, (Opened on Monday, December 11, 2023), the first adult-use dispensary in Westchester County and Mid-Hudson Region
Long Island:
- Happy Days – 105 Route 109, Farmingdale 11735, (Tentative Opening on Saturday, December 23, 2023)
