In a significant stride towards addressing the historical wrongs of drug policies and promoting legal cannabis sales, Brooklyn celebrated the opening of Matawana, its first Black woman-owned cannabis dispensary. This landmark event, highlighted by the presence of Mayor Eric Adams, underscores the city’s efforts to combat the proliferation of illegal marijuana storefronts, which considerably outnumber their legal counterparts.
AdvertismentBreaking New Grounds in Cannabis Industry
Matawana, named after its founding family, represents not just a personal achievement for CEO Leeann Mata but also a beacon of progress in the fight for equity within the cannabis industry. The grand opening, marked by a symbolic first sale at 4:20 PM, was the culmination of a challenging journey navigated with the support of Housing Works’ Cannabis Adult Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) Community Initiative. This program aims to guide underrepresented entrepreneurs through the labyrinth of legal, financial, and operational hurdles to opening a legal dispensary in New York City.
Challenges on the Path to LegalizationAdvertisment
The journey to opening a legal cannabis dispensary in New York is fraught with obstacles, from stringent state regulations to the capital and knowledge required to navigate the industry. The disparity between the number of legal and illegal dispensaries in the city is stark,