NY's first legal pot shop to open

A 4,400-square-foot corner building in Manhattan's Greenwich Village will become home to New York's first legal adult-use cannabis dispensary for recreational marijuana on Thursday.

"The local community members and stakeholders are really excited," Trivette Knowles, the official spokesperson of New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), told China Daily.

"Obviously, it takes a lot of responsibility on OCM to do informational campaigns and meet communities where they're at, and anybody who has any fear or hesitation. We are here and ready to communicate with you and go through any of those concerns," Knowles said.

Nearly two years after the law legalizing cannabis was approved in New York state, Governor Kathy Hochul announced last week that the social services group Housing Works will be the first licensed dispensaries to begin selling cannabis to the general public.

"We set a course just nine months ago to start New York's adult-use cannabis market off on the right foot by prioritizing equity, and now, we're fulfilling that goal," Hochul said. "The industry will continue to grow from here, creating inclusive opportunity in every corner of New York state with revenues directed to our schools and revitalizing communities."

Housing Works, a minority-controlled nonprofit in Manhattan, operates a dozen thrift stores and a bookstore, in addition to serving the homeless and those with HIV/AIDS.

The state's Cannabis Control Board last month issued the first round of licenses. Housing Works is one of eight nonprofits granted licenses last month by the board, along with 26 individual operators with past marijuana convictions.

In the coming months, the state is expected to issue an additional 139 licenses, with about 900 applications pending.

The cannabis law was approved in March 2021 by the state Legislature and former governor Andrew Cuomo.

New York's cannabis law is a "seed to sale" program, meaning the flowered product must be grown, cultivated, manufactured and sold in New York. So far, the state Cannabis Control Board has approved licenses for 280 New York farmers to grow cannabis.

Some local community residents are concerned about safety and if marijuana will be kept away from children, Knowles said.

"You must be 21 to consume or purchase in the state of New York," he said. "There's going to be measurements in place to make sure people of age are consuming safe, tested products and to make sure that people consume cannabis safely. That's the number one priority."

Other critics say the rollout could turn into a bad trip.

A study conducted by the New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association in November revealed that there are "likely tens of thousands of illicit cannabis businesses" currently operating out of bodegas, smoke shops and other storefronts in New York City.

Those illicit operations and their products represent a significant public health concern, the study said. From 2019-2020, more than 2,000 people were hospitalized, and 60 people died from illness caused by lung injury linked to additives in illicit THC vapes like those currently sold in illegal shops, according to the study.

The researchers surveyed products purchased at multiple illicit cannabis businesses in New York City and found several harmful contaminants, such as E. coli bacteria, pesticides, heavy metals, and salmonella in 40 percent of the illegal products purchased.

After reviewing the items under the state's proposed branding regulations, 100 percent of the products failed, the study found.

Meanwhile, many of the illicit weed sellers pay little or no taxes, while the 36 state retail operators that received licenses by the state last month will have to pay a steep marijuana tax.

A recent survey conducted by City Council Member Gale Brewer's office revealed that 26 of the 61 bodegas, delis and smoke shops checked were illicit cannabis sellers.

"I am concerned that the free-for-all environment will become entrenched and undermine the law's intent before the legal market takes shape," Brewer said. "There are public health risks such as underage use and contaminated products. The city and state miss out on tax revenue, which we need, and is used to fund the law's social equity programs. Leverage to reduce violent crime and limit participation in illegal markets goes away."