Following a nearly four-month hiatus that left the City of Ithaca without a single licensed cannabis dispensary, the grand opening of Aspire, a not-for-profit cannabis dispensary owned by CWS Holdings I, LLC, has finally filled the marijuana-shaped hole left in Ithaca’s local economy.
That marijuana-shaped hole was created by the temporary closure of William Jane, which opened in March 2023 as Ithaca’s first cannabis dispensary. After ten months of operating a bare-bones storefront at the former Trader K’s location on the Commons in downtown Ithaca, the dispensary temporarily closed in December 2023 to undergo major renovations. The reopening date has been set for April, but it remains uncertain.
The opening of Aspire on March 25 has brought the marijuana retail industry back to the City of Gorges with an emphasis on serving the local community with high-quality, locally sourced products. Led by President Ashley Burke, the dispensary aims to prioritize community engagement and social impact while providing top-tier cannabis offerings to its patrons.
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“At Aspire, our mission is clear: to give back to our community and support local businesses while offering the best cannabis products available,” states Ashley Burke, President of Aspire. “We’re not just another dispensary;