NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 29: DJ StephCakes performs during the opening of Housing Works Cannabis Co, the first recreational cannabis dispensary in New York on December 29, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for Housing Works)
Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for Housing Works.
Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for Housing Works.
Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for Housing Works.
Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for Housing Works.
Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for Housing Works.
The much-anticipated launch of New York’s adult-use market finally came on December 29, 2022, with the opening of Housing Works Cannabis Co. and a throng of people who descended upon Manhattan, many waiting hours for the chance to buy legal weed.
Housing Works Cannabis is a subsidiary of the nonprofit Housing Works Inc., which provides support and numerous services to combat the HIV/AIDS crisis and homelessness in New York. All proceeds from the cannabis company are directed to the parent company.
The event had the feel of a red-carpet movie premier, with dozens of local politicians, entrepreneurs and industry regulators attending the extravaganza. However, if early indications are a sign, New York’s cannabis industry is still riding a S … L … O … W … rollout.
Nearly a month would pass before New York’s second adult-use shop would open. Smacked, also located in Manhattan, held its grand opening on January 24, with considerably less fanfare, but no less of a cultural impact as it also represents the state’s first cannabis business to be opened by an entrepreneur with a marijuana-related criminal conviction.
While 66 retailers had been licensed as of January 26, there’s no telling how long it will take for many of the shops to be operational.
First-person perspective
By the numbers
$6 billion
The estimated size of New York’s cannabis market upon maturity.
18.8 million
Population of the New Yok City metro area in 2022.
66
The number of cannabis retailers licensed in the state as of January 26, 2023.
$200 million
The amount reserved in a public-private fund to aid social equity applicants.
50%
The percentage of licenses reserved for social equity operators.
$68
The average retail price for 3.5 grams of flower at Manhattan cannabis retailer Smacked.
$50 million
The amount pledged to help social equity operators establish retail stores.
“When I moved to NYC a decade ago, there were many important things I needed to understand in order to integrate into this very fast-moving culture. Learning how to navigate alternate side parking, making sure you got on the subway going the right direction, mastering grocery shopping without driving, and finding the best places to get the best ‘stuff’ in the city.
“The day I discovered Housing Works was a watershed moment in my integration into city life. This iconic thrift store has outlets across the city and without a doubt had the best selection of items for a new apartment. Walking home with special finds too big to fit in a cab was a walk of pride. People would ask, ‘Hey, where did you get that?’
“And as of December 29, 2022, I can add weed to the list of things I can grab at Housing Works. My desire to support Housing Works and legal weed sent me down to the first legal dispensary opening in the city, owned and operated by Housing Works! To me this is the truest manifestation of social equity in the cannabis industry. I admit that the line turned me away — I am not standing in line for hours for anything, including cannabis — but I am thrilled that thousands of others were willing to do so. And it will be my go-to dispensary once the hoopla dies down and I can actually get in.”
— Susan Kimelman