Legal marijuana dispensary opens in Manhattan; 1st in NY

Manhattan weed store opens

The first legal dispensary for recreational marijuana in New York is opening Thursday, Dec. 29. Housing Works Cannabis Co. is the first of dozens of recently licensed dispensaries to begin selling cannabis to the public.

NEW YORK – New York is turning a new leaf. The seeds have been planted for the Empire State to finally roll out its first legal recreational cannabis sales on Thursday.

The first legal dispensary for recreational marijuana in the state is set to open.

New York State Office of Cannabis Management Chief of Staff Axel Bernabe said history is being made at Housing Works Cannabis Co. on Broadway and 8th Street in the East Village.

"It's officially the first sale of cannabis after about a century of prohibition," he said.

Housing Works is the first of dozens of recently licensed dispensaries to begin selling cannabis to the public. It is minority-controlled nonprofit in Manhattan that serves people with HIV and AIDS, the homeless, and formerly incarcerated people.

The first official sale was set for right after a morning press conference. Then, the cannabis company plans to host a soft launch for public sales at 4:20 p.m.

After this grand opening, the shop will open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. It will operate on a cash-only basis.

It’s officially the first sale of cannabis after about a century of prohibition. Axel Bernabe, Chief of Staff/Policy Director, New York State Office of Cannabis Management

"We're putting a hiring preference to hire people who have been convicted of cannabis-related offenses," Housing Works co-founder and CEO Charles King said. "We have a whole training program to help move them up into the industry." 

Gov. Kathy Hochul made the announcement earlier this month shortly after the state's Cannabis Control Board took a monumental step in establishing a legal marketplace for marijuana by issuing the first round of licenses. 

"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," Hochul said in her announcement on Dec. 21.

New York legalized recreational use of marijuana in March 2021. The law allows people to have up to three ounces of weed or 24 grams of concentrate for personal use.

We’re putting a hiring preference to hire people who have been convicted of cannabis-related offenses. Charles King, CEO of Housing Works

New York is also the first place to reserve licenses for nonprofits. However, whether the licenses could affect the groups' federal tax status because pot is still illegal at the federal level is unclear.

The industry will face stiff competition, though, from black market retailers who have been sprouting up like weeds all over the city. Earlier this month, a joint task force commissioned by the Mayor's Office inspected more than 50 storefronts and seized more than 100,000 illegal products worth roughly $4 million. State and city officials said that crackdown would continue in 2023.

Compliance and enforcement teams will be on the ground to help ensure it is nothing but smooth sailing for fully licensed businesses, Bernabe said.

"We're making sure that everybody is over 21 who enters," he said. "There are limits on how much you can purchase. There are limits on the way products are labeled and packaged."

Housing Works Cannabis Co. | 750 Broadway, New York, N.Y. | hwcannabis.co

With FOX 5 NY Staff.