![]() Some residents are concerned that the proposed location is too close to several businesses and cultural centers that bring a lot of young people to the area. ![]() While some are celebrating the new addition to the neighborhood, other residents in Harlem think the 125th Street location should be reconsidered. "I don't think it's going to bother the community any kind of way because everybody smokes weed," Harlem resident Lemart Williams said. HARLEM, Manhattan (WABC) - Some community members are on the fence about New York state's latest cannabis dispensary location in Harlem.Īs New York state rolls out its legal cannabis distribution several dispensaries are set to open around the city. “But over time, that stigma does fade.Some community members are pushing back on New York state's proposed cannabis dispensary location in Harlem. “What we’ve seen in every other city that’s legalized cannabis is that there is that initial hesitation about where these businesses are located, and what they’re going to do and what it means for the community,” Damian Fagon, chief equity officer at the state Office of Cannabis Management, said at the public hearing. ![]() No licensed operator has been identified to operate the store, but the state’s Office of Cannabis Management says it’s soliciting interest, and officials seem to believe the plan will eventually win over the naysayers. “The worst thing we want to do is have these young kids find a way to get some weed out of these smoke shops.”Ī petition opposing the dispensary has attracted close to 800 signatures, and public speakers at a recent community board meeting voiced numerous concerns.įor now, the dispensary’s rollout appears to be on pause, despite the lease having been signed more than two months ago. “We’ve got kids going past here all day long,” said resident Kevin Watson. “I totally oppose them coming to the neighborhood.” “We were blindsided,” said Bob Derek, the general manager at Lazarus, a children’s clothing store one store down from the planned dispensary. “We want to be a great partner on 125th Street and bring a clientele to the street that may or may not be walking up and down the street now,” Reuben McDaniel, president and CEO of DASNY, said at a recent public hearing convened by Community Board 10.īut many business owners and residents fear the dispensary will have unintended consequences. Officials there contend the 125th Street dispensary will have a positive impact, potentially reducing crime and injecting the area with new economic activity. The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, or DASNY, is the state agency responsible for identifying dispensary locations and building them out. Kathy Hochul urging her to reconsider the location, writing: “This dispensary will not only derail the progress that we have made, it will also set us back in several areas.” Within days, the 125th Street Business Improvement District sent a letter to Gov. The planned dispensary is across the street from the historic Apollo Theater, on a busy stretch of 125th Street that has been plagued with quality of issues in recent years, including drug use and crime. “It wouldn’t be allowed, and we’re not going to allow that here.” “I do not believe that they would go into any other community and choose a site without having a dialogue with the local electeds,” said Harlem state Assemblymember Inez Dickens, who is now running for City Council. ![]() ![]() While the dispensary’s rollout appears to be on pause, state officials say they’re working to identify a licensed operator.Opponents fear the dispensary could exacerbate existing quality of life issues on 125th Street including drug use and crime.The plan was met with a fierce backlash from elected officials and community leaders who said they were not consulted.In December, the state announced it had signed the first lease for a legal marijuana dispensary at a vacant storefront on 125th Street in Harlem. ![]()
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