Brooklyn Get Its First Legal Cannabis Dispensary

Journal

Jan 18

Written By Damian Nicholas

Brooklyn receives first legal dispensary, amidst lawsuits stalling licenses approval for the borough.

Cannabis | New York

Words by Damian Nicholas

GROWTOGETHER

The Gravesend neighborhood of Brooklyn has received the first black-owned legal cannabis dispensary, the 36th legal adult-use cannabis dispensary to open in New York State.

Grow Together, located in the heart of Brooklyn, is a minimal-designed community hub promoting wellness and education. Grow Together site states “Our mission is to provide a safe and inclusive space where individuals can access high-quality cannabis products, explore their well-being, and connect with like-minded individuals.” The shop offers marijuana flower, pre-rolls, edibles, and potent oils and concentrates, as well as cannabis-related items like lighters and rolling papers.

Owners Christopher Ledlum and Steven Sapoznik received their state dispensary license through the conditional license program; the anticipated opening follows a months-long lawsuit that halted dispensary rollouts. Retailer statewide was prohibited from opening after a group of veterans prevailed in the lawsuit against the state. The suit argued the preferential treatment of the conditional license program, which gave preference to applicants with marijuana convictions before legalization in 2021 and their close relatives.

A second lawsuit against the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) settled in court, lifting the injection on the dispensary rollouts– Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a list of new dispensaries including Grow Together. Hochul said in a statement. “These new dispensaries continue our mission of strengthening our legal market while at the same time helping to push out the bad actors who skirt our laws and undermine all we are trying to accomplish.”

Follow Grow Together instagram for updates. Shop marijuana flower, pre-rolls, edibles, and potent oils and concentrates from Grow Together Store or online.