Last week, the first licensed recreational cannabis establishment in Long Island, Strain Stars, commenced operations, marking yet another development in New York’s burgeoning adult-use marijuana sector.
Strain Stars opened for business on Saturday in Farmingdale, New York, according to its co-owner Kamaldeep Singh, who expressed delight at the store’s opening in an interview with FOX5 New York.
Despite the scorching weather, there was a substantial customer turnout for the launch, according to reports.
News 12 Long Island noted that the grand opening was quite festive, featuring a DJ, food trucks, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Recreational marijuana for adults aged 21 and over was legalized in New York in the spring of 2021, under the governance of then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo. While some provisions were immediately enforced, such as the legality of marijuana consumption, the fully regulated market has been slower to develop.
Upon Cuomo’s resignation in August 2021, Kathy Hochul assumed the role of governor, making her New York’s first female governor. Hochul prioritized the establishment of the adult-use cannabis program.
Manhattan’s East Village saw the first legal adult-use dispensary opening late last year, with more retailers subsequently opening in Manhattan.
However, other boroughs in New York City and certain parts of upstate New York had to wait longer for their own legal cannabis businesses due to a federal injunction that initially prevented the state from issuing licenses in areas such as Brooklyn and western New York.
The partial lifting of this injunction in March enabled the issuance of licenses in Brooklyn and other places. That same month, the first legal cannabis dispensary in Queens opened, followed by the opening of businesses in Long Island and the Bronx last week.
Hochul, in a statement on the opening of the new stores, affirmed New York’s leadership in the establishment of a cannabis industry that promotes social justice and economic opportunities. She also emphasized the safety of the products being provided to New Yorkers and reiterated the state’s commitment to achieving equity in cannabis laws.
As per Hochul’s office, the new openings in the Bronx and Long Island increased the number of legal and licensed dispensaries in the state to 19.
Chris Alexander, Executive Director of the New York State Office of Cannabis Management, hailed the opening of the first legal dispensaries in the Bronx and Long Island as a significant step towards equitable access to safer cannabis and fostering a responsible and inclusive industry.
Tremaine Wright, the Chairwoman of the New York State Cannabis Control Board, attributed the openings to the leadership of Governor Hochul and highlighted their role in promoting a diverse and representative industry.
