A new dispensary in NYC is taking a different approach to marijuana law. It’s not just a regular recreational dispensary, but a membership-based club where members can purchase their cannabis legally and with the help of an expert concierge. The Empire Dispensary offers a membership that is centered around helping members find the best cannabis available legally.
New York’s First Recreational Marijuana Dispensary
In the East Village of New York City, the first recreational marijuana dispensary in the state opened on Thursday. It was located inside a former Gap store. The shop serves a variety of adult-use cannabis products, such as pre-rolled joints and tinctures.
This is the first in a series of stores that will sell cannabis in the Empire States. A dozen more are expected to open within the next month. By the end of the year, the state plans to have at least eight dispensaries in operation, and up to 150 businesses, including nonprofits.
Earlier this month, the New York Office of Cannabis Management announced that it had issued 36 retail licenses to individual entrepreneurs, nonprofits, or groups. Almost 900 applications were received, and the process was a long, drawn-out battle. However, officials have assured us that they will issue the remaining 139 permits quickly.
One of the licenses was awarded to Housing Works Cannabis Co. This organization, based in lower Manhattan, will be the state’s first retail marijuana dispensary. They will be serving people who are living with HIV/AIDS and are homeless.
Housing Works is also one of the first nonprofits to receive a retail marijuana license. The nonprofit will use the proceeds from its new business to support mental health and addiction services, as well as fund programs for people who are unhoused or incarcerated.
Housing Works’ Justice Initiative Tailors Its Services to Meet The Needs of Formerly Incarcerated Individuals
The Justice Initiative of Housing Works provides direct services and advocacy initiatives for justice-involved New Yorkers. In particular, the initiative focuses on the housing and health needs of people returning to their neighborhoods from prisons. Despite the obvious benefits of reentry, many incarcerated individuals lack the ability to access essential services such as food and medical care.
Using a holistic approach, the Initiative aims to help people reenter society with confidence. Through robust housing counseling, formerly incarcerated individuals can find housing opportunities that are affordable and in areas where they can thrive. The program also offers support to those with mental health and substance abuse issues.
Other notable features of the Initiative include its use of technology. Among its many initiatives is the IF Project, a program that encourages participants to share their experiences through video diaries. Another noteworthy feature of the program is its gender-responsive reentry model. For instance, women returning to the Seattle Police Department’s Washington Corrections Center for Women are provided with comprehensive services to assist them with employment, substance addiction, and other important factors in their reintegration.
The IF Project’s most significant contribution may be the fact that it engages participants in an interactive storytelling process. This is done through the creation of a series of video diaries, which provide a glimpse into the lives of incarcerated individuals. Using these video diaries as a springboard, a multi-sector collaboration has evolved into a program that aims to address all aspects of reentry.
Membership Model Puts it Squarely on The Right Side of The Law
Empire Cannabis Club claims to be the first legal marijuana dispensary in New York City. The business, which opened a flagship location in Chelsea in September, has a growing number of locations in the works. In addition to their brick-and-mortar stores, they have started offering a delivery service.
While the business claims to be the first of its kind in New York, it’s actually not. There are already a number of similar ventures in the Big Apple, including Street Lawyer Services and Beau. And while these enterprises may be doing something new, they are also ignoring old-fashioned business practices.
On top of its usual a la carte menu of weed and paraphernalia, the club offers members a free lounge. To access it, they pay a monthly membership fee of $35 or a day pass for $15. For customers who aren’t into membership, a simple one-time purchase is all it takes.
Of course, the company has a vested interest in maintaining its squeaky-clean image. According to the company’s co-founder Lenore Elfand, the best way to do this is to skirt around state marijuana laws.
In fact, the state’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) sent a number of cease and desist letters to the company, among others. It is a matter of time before state officials catch up with the plethora of illegal cannabis businesses operating in the city.
