The opening of Good Grades cannabis dispensary in Queens, New York, on Thursday made many historic firsts. It is the first social equity dispensary to open in Queens, and one of only a handful to open in the state since recreational cannabis was legalized earlier this year. The pot shop is co-owned by former Ald. Ameya Pawar, Fifty/50 restaurant group founders and others. Like other social equity dispensaries, it is designed to give minorities and others who were disproportionately affected by the war on drugs a chance to participate in the legal cannabis industry.
Good Grades is also the first dispensary to open in Jamaica, Queens, a predominantly Black and Latino community that has been hard hit by the war on drugs. The dispensary will offer a variety of cannabis products, including flower, edibles, and concentrates. It will also offer delivery service to customers in the surrounding area.
The opening of Good Grades comes amid a wave of new cannabis dispensaries opening across the country. In Savannah, Georgia, the City Council recently voted 6-3 to approve a zoning ordinance for medical cannabis dispensaries in the state. But some members called it a "half-measure," saying it does not go far enough to address the needs of patients who rely on medical cannabis for pain relief and other conditions.
Meanwhile, in Cave Creek, Arizona, JARS Cannabis is attracting customers with its wide selection of cannabis and CBD products. Customers can browse the menu on Leafly, read reviews from other customers, and find just the right product to meet their needs.
But the legal cannabis industry is not without its challenges. Steep taxes and heavy regulation are making it hard for licensed pot sellers to operate in some states, driving more producers and buyers to the black market. Local cannabis growers say their business is being undercut by cheaper illegal imports from overseas.
In Wheeling, Illinois, a cannabis dispensary has been cleared to open the first recreational consumption lounge in Cook County. The lounge will allow customers to consume cannabis on site, a service that is not currently offered by any other dispensary in the county.
Despite these challenges, the cannabis industry continues to grow and evolve. Top cannabis stocks in May include SNDL Inc., TerrAscend Corp., and Curaleaf Holdings Inc., which together lead the industry in revenue and market share.
As more states legal cannabis, and more people turn to it for pain relief, relaxation, and other purposes, the industry is expected to continue to grow and change. Good Grades is just one example of how the legal cannabis industry is working to address the needs of consumers and communities, while also promoting social equity and economic growth.
