Business & Tech
Housing Works Opening First NYC Dispensary In Greenwich Village
The nonprofit will open the first marijuana dispensary in Manhattan on Dec. 29 at Broadway and Eighth Street.
GREENWICH VILLAGE, NY — Circle your calendars, the first legal marijuana sale from a dispensary in Manhattan will take place next week in Greenwich Village.
The soon-to-open dispensary operated by the nonprofit Housing Works at 750 Broadway on Eighth Street will make its first sale on Dec. 29, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday.
"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 in a news release. "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."
Find out what's happening in West Villagefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Housing Works is the nation's largest minority-controlled HIV/AIDS service organization and largest community-based HIV/AIDS service organization.
The first dispensaries opening in New York will either be owned by business operators, or a close family member, who have a cannabis conviction, or non-profit organizations that provide services to individuals who have been harmed by the unequal enforcement of cannabis prohibition.
Find out what's happening in West Villagefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Housing Works will be the first of this group to open its dispensary, and all profit from the sales will go toward the organization.
The storefront formerly housed a Gap store, and has 4,400 square feet of interior space.
"At our core, we're a healing community dedicated to providing housing, healthcare and vocational programs for New Yorkers," Charles King, the CEO of Housing Works, said in a news release. "This opportunity will not only give our team the resources to further our overall mission, but to feature and elevate products coming from LGBTQ+, BIPOC and women-led cannabis brands across the state."
As of Dec. 21, the New York State Cannabis Control Board has approved 36 retail dispensary licenses, including 28 for businesses and 8 for nonprofits.
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