New York's First Legal Shop for Recreational Marijuana Opens in Manhattan
New York opened its first licensed recreational marijuana dispensary on December 29, video shows.
The opening came nearly two years after the state legalized recreational use of the drug in March 2021.
The dispensary was opened at 4:20 pm by non-profit Housing Works in Lower Manhattan, according to the New York State Office of Cannabis Management. It is the first of 36 planned licensed dispensaries that will sell cannabis to the public in the state, the office says.
This video shows the first sale of licensed recreational marijuana to customer Chris Alexander, the first executive director of the New York State Office of Cannabis Management. Alexander was tagged in the original post and reshared it to his own Instagram Stories with the word “history”.
According to local media reports, at least 200 people waited in line at the opening.
Governor Kathy Hochul, said: “This is a historic milestone for New York’s budding cannabis industry, and I look forward to solidifying our state as a national model for building an industry that’s equitable and inclusive.” Credit: New York Office of Cannabis Management via Storyful
Video transcript
CHRIS ALEXANDER: --get some gummies.
- OK.
- You don't have time for those.
- I got these in stock-- kind of like these? Do you want the sleeping one?
CHRIS ALEXANDER: I'll do these. I'll do the [INAUDIBLE].
- OK. Cool. That's a great flavor.
CHRIS ALEXANDER: How about that? Those are mine, too.
- Perfect.
- Looks good.
- Oh, my gosh.
CHRIS ALEXANDER: My money good?
- Everybody's [INAUDIBLE].
- I got to check the money. I don't know.
CHRIS ALEXANDER: You got to check the money.
- [INAUDIBLE]
- Check the money. Check the money.
- [LAUGHS]
[BACKGROUND CHATTER]
- OK, Chris.
- I didn't say anything I was going to say.
- It's $96.05.
- Oh.
CHRIS ALEXANDER: Felt like [INAUDIBLE] second [INAUDIBLE] efficiency.
- And then let me know how you like it.
CHRIS ALEXANDER: Absolutely. Will do.
- [INAUDIBLE]
- Sorry, guys.
- [INAUDIBLE]
CHRIS ALEXANDER: Let's give a round of applause for the first sale!
[CHEERING & APPLAUSE]
- Yo, don't touch me, please. Thank you.
- We're going to check it at the door.
- The very first sale.
- Chris?
- Chris, hold it up.
- Hold it up.
- Yeah.
- Look at that licensed product.
- Yeah.
- Look at that licensed product.
[INTERPOSING VOICES]
- Chris!
[INTERPOSING VOICES]
- Look at that [INAUDIBLE].
- Yeah!
[CHEERING & APPLAUSE]
- Chris?
