The first legal marijuana shop in the United States reportedly opened in lower Manhattan on December 29 local time, as reported by the New York Times, the Associated Press, and many other U.S. media outlets. Due to inadequate stock, the store was forced to shut after just three hours of business.
Influx of shoppers | Source: New York Times
According to the information provided in the study, the shop, which can be found in the East Village neighborhood of Lower Manhattan, New York, and is situated in close proximity to New York University, is operated by a group known as Housing Works. The agency in question is a charitable organization with the mission of assisting persons who are without homes and who are coping with AIDS.
An opening ceremony was conducted for the marijuana dispensary early on the morning of the 29th, and it was attended by Chris Alexander, the executive director of the New York State Office of Marijuana, as well as Carlina Rivera, a member of the New York City Council. Chris Alexander became the first client at the first legally operating marijuana retail business in the state of New York. He made his purchase of a package of marijuana candy tasted like watermelon and a jar of smokeable cannabis flower while a number of cameras were rolling (see picture below).
Chris Alexander being the first customer | Source New York Times
The first 36 marijuana retail licenses were handed out by the New York State Office of Marijuana Regulation a month ago. The licenses were given to business owners who had been convicted of marijuana-related offenses in the past, as well as a number of nonprofit organizations that offer services to help addicts, including Housing Works.
According to the shop manager, there were around two thousand consumers that visited the store on the 29th, and the business will be completely out of stock on the 31st.
Post time: Jan-04-2023