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New York’s 500 first legal dispensaries need your support

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Rodney Carter show off the merchandise at Trends Dispensary in Long Island City, Queens. Trends carries brands like Chef For Higher (infused cooking essentials). (Meg Schmidt / Leafly)
Rodney Carter show off the merchandise at Trends Dispensary in Long Island City, Queens. Trends carries brands like Chef For Higher (infused cooking essentials). (Meg Schmidt / Leafly)

Here’s why Leafly is partnering with New York dispensaries to give you the best strains, brands, and events in 2024 and beyond.


In spite of strict regulations from the state, and endless competition from unlicensed stores, the members of New York’s Conditional Adult Use Recreational Dispensary (CAURD) program are going all-in. They were dealt delays, legal battles, and broken promises–so they formed the New York Cannabis Retail Association (NYCRA) to weather the storm together.

NYCRA is an organization that unites dispensary owners under the slogan ‘Collaboration Over Competition.” The association gives New York dispensary owners a private network to share resources and moral support through their odyssey to opening. The association is led by Jayson and Brittni Tantalo, owners of Flower City dispensary, as well as other CAURD license holders Coss Marte (ConBud dispensary) and Shanduke McPhatter, a nonprofit operator with his own license on the way.

New York is the first state to put citizens impacted by The War on Drugs first in line for dispensary licenses. By shopping with licensed brands and dispensaries in New York, you avoid untested products including mold and harmful toxins. You’re also supporting businesses that are majority owned by New Yorkers who were directly impacted by the War on Drugs.

New York’s history of criminalizing cannabis goes back to 1914, when the state first restricted everything except medical use. In 1927, possession and/or sales of cannabis were fully prohibited across the state. Federal prohibition followed in 1937.

Why is New York giving people with cannabis convictions the first dispensary licenses?

“Nowhere in this country was cannabis prohibition weaponized more methodically,” than in New York state, said former OCM chief equity officer Damian Fagon in 2022. According to the state, from 1980 and 2020, 1.2 million marijuana arrests occurred in New York, with almost 400,000 convictions.

In 2016, New York legalized medical cannabis. In 2021, former New York Gov. Cuomo signed the MRTA into law. The bill made cannabis legal across the state—promising no one would be arrested for the plant again—Not for selling it. Not for eating it. Not for smoking it on the street or inside their apartment building.

Where are you allowed to smoke cannabis in New York?

In New York State, smoking cannabis is now legal everywhere that smoking cigarettes is legal. Under the new cannabis laws, civil penalties (like fines) would be the maximum force the state could use to protect school zones, places of worship, and neighborhoods that voted against having dispensaries, farms, or smokers in their backyards or public parks and beaches.

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Since Housing Works debuted in December, 2022, 141 dispensaries have opened across New York. And dozens more are popping up every month–grinding to meet the massive demand for pre-rolls, edibles, and concentrates across the Empire State. From Wall Street to MSG to Washington Heights–New Yorkers can even roll up legally on the subway (although we don’t recommend it in most situations).

How does New York law protect cannabis users and employees?

Most employees in New York are protected from cannabis testing or discipline for using outside of work. New York budtenders are even unionized. And as of this summer, hobbyist and craft home growers can openly cultivate up to 6-12 plants per household.

Since March 2021, New Yorkers have been encouraged to celebrate legalization freely. NYC’s Mayor told New Yorkers to “Light up” in May of 2022. But New York’s 20 million residents and 290 million annual visitors weren’t given legal stores to shop in, or public lounges to kick back and consume in for over two years. And most zip codes still don’t have a legal shop within walking distance.

How did New York get overrun by fake dispensaries?

Thousands of unlicensed dispensaries opened from 2021 to 2023 to fill the void. And public seshes and private membership clubs became the norm for connoisseurs and craft enthusiasts looking for higher grade products. But as more dispensaries open, nearby unlicensed shops and trucks are being raided and padlocked, as part of a joint effort between the city and state.

In December 2022, Mayor Eric Adams promised to shut down unlicensed dispensaries without criminalizing the offenders. So far, the raids, fines, and the threat of never becoming licensed are the only thing discouraging unlicensed storefronts.

It took a long time for licensed dispensaries to open after cannabis was legalized. Most states have a 1-2 year gap between cannabis laws being passed and actually taking effect (California took 26 months).

The state had to create the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) to write and oversee regulations for the new market. Regulators had to review applications for licenses. So far, 141 of roughly 500 have been issued from the first round of CAURD applicants. Over 1,000 more licenses will be reviewed for existing medical dispensaries, large retailers from out of state, and common applicants who didn’t apply or qualify for the first round of licensing.

27-25 44th Dr, Long Island City, NY — recreational

Trends is New York’s 100th Legal Dispensary. They soft-opened in March, and are celebrating their grand opening with Leafly July 10, 2024 (RSVP here)

How many unlicensed New York dispensaries are there now?

New York State and City officials said there were roughly 2,800 unlicensed dispensaries in the state before the recent crackdown. Instead of waiting for the state to roll licenses out, some New Yorkers took the opportunity to jump into the booming grey market.

From small bodegas and delis serving pre-rolls and eighth bags, to large brick-and-mortar stores that resemble real dispensaries from other states, it’s hard to walk two blocks without seeing a cannabis store or delivery flier.

Studies show that some stores sell reject products from other states that include heavy pesticides, mold, and toxins like aluminum. A group of unlicensed store owners who disagree with the licensing process and crackdown are challenging the state in court.

The OCM told Leafly in 2022 that legacy operators who use old fashioned discretion should have no problem from enforcement. On the other hand, advertising cannabis in a store or posing as a legal dispensary has never been part of the legacy game and will not be a viable business option under the current laws and regulations.

Why doesn’t NY shut down fake dispensaries?

Since the law now forbids arresting anyone for cannabis, the stores that chose to start selling don’t have much reason to stop. Some are being raided and padlocked by state and city officials. But the state doesn’t have much leverage beyond confiscating products, padlocking stores, and fining landlords, according to current laws and regulations. In May, state officials said they shut down over 233 illegal smoke shops out of an estimated 2,800.

Who are the Legacy operators and pioneers in New York cannabis?

While state regulators have said they intend to shut down all unlicensed stores, New York’s cannabis key-holders support the legacy market. The New York cannabis community takes pride in honoring the activists and pioneers who made legalization possible. They give flowers at events, and through product drops that empower pioneers.

NYC Cannabis Cazar Dasheeda Dawson coined the term legacy for cannabis pioneers who made legalization possible. NYC’s first grand marshal of cannabis Shiest Bubz explained to Leafly why he’s taken ownership of the term with his Legacy Adventures NYC experiences, including a stoner summer camp at the THC Museum, and a private 420-your around the city’s cannabis landmarks.

Here are some of the key legacy-to-legal players to follow in New York cannabis:

  • Juice bar legend and future dispensary owner Branson
  • Legacy Adventures NYC founder Shiest Bubz (first grand marshal of NYC Cannabis)
  • Happy Munkey co-founders Vlad and Ramon
  • Smacked Village co-owners Roland Conner and Patricia Conner
  • Chef For Higher co-founder Hawaii Mike
  • ConBud owner Coss Marte
  • GUMBO co-founders Luka Brazi and Alexis Major
  • 5Boro Cannabis founder Timothy Auyeung
  • La Marina Boyz co-founders Kev, Ivan, Joe, and Sharkbite
  • Trends co-owner Rodney Carter

What’s a fake dispensary and why don’t I want to shop there?

Since New York’s MRTA swore no one would be arrested for cannabis again, thousands of stores and brands have popped up to fill New York’s huge demand for cannabis.

These are not to be confused with the infamous juice bars of 80s and 90s Harlem that helped pioneer the modern cannabis trade. Unlicensed stores are not run by people who savvy New Yorkers taking advantage of a gap in the market.

“You wouldn’t buy your groceries from there,” points out an anonymous legacy-to-legal operator who said they would never buy bud from a deli or unlicensed store that’s posing as a real dispensary. “Look at what they sell in there. You think they’re selling you good weed?”

For decades, weed lovers worldwide have trusted Shiest Bubz to lead them to New York’s best bud. As the city’s first Grand Marshal of cannabis, Bubz speaks for many legacy operators who lobbied, invested, and waited for the opportunity to go legal. They are now losing margins to people who never sold weed in their life.

In December 2022, Bubz addressed critics who asked why a dealer was dealing with the Mayor and state officials at a press conference.

“The legacy [community] that was present was there to voice our opinions on how to protect and assist Black and brown people [looking] to succeed in this cannabis industry,” Bubz posted to Instagram. “I represent the Black market, and the Legacy to Legal motto,” Bubz wrote, “I want my equity, as should you!”

When will New York’s unlicensed cannabis shops be shut down?

Recent raids of 535 unlicensed city shops ($17.5 million in illegal cannabis products seized and $43 million in fines for store owners) and 114 unlicensed stores upstate sent many New Yorkers scrambling for a new plug. Licensed stores are now facing shortages of flower as a flood of new customers are coming from shuttered shops. According to OCM official John Kagia in a 2023 Business of Cannabis panel with Leafly, it could take up to 10 years for the thousands of unlicensed stores to be closed and replaced with licensed operations.

The Trends twins, Brandon (left) and Rodney (right) Carter are the first legal dispensary in Long Island City. Trends specializes in wellness, art, and brand-focused events that raise awareness about their store. (Megan Schmidt / Leafly)
The Trends twins, Brandon (left) and Rodney (right) Carter are the first legal dispensary in Long Island City. Trends specializes in wellness, art, and brand-focused events that raise awareness about their store. (Megan Schmidt / Leafly)

New York set out to be the first in the nation to give citizens most affected by the state’s harsh War on Drugs enforcement the first chance to profit from the new legal cannabis market. New York City arrested more people for cannabis than anywhere else in the world according to state data.

So a select group of about 500 business owners were granted the first dispensary licenses after meeting the state’s strict criteria. Many more licenses are currently in the pipeline. So far 141 stores have opened across the state.

How did New York dispensary owners qualify for licenses?

New York dispensary applicants had to meet a combination of these requirements:

  • Proof of non-violent cannabis arrest or charge for the individual or a family member
  • Residency in a NY zip code that was disproportionately impacted by state drug enforcement
  • Membership in protected minority groups including disabled veterans, women, Black, Asian, or LatinX
  • Applicant had to operate a legal business or non-profit that was in good standing with the state
  • Could not have more than 5-10% ownership in public or private cannabis business in another state that may create conflicts of interest

New York state wanted small business owners to have a leg up on large corporations from other states. The rules were made to prevent undue influence from impacting what brands a store owner chooses to stock and promote. That includes a strict separation between retail and supply licenses.

Regulators set New York’s dispensary guidelines after studying New York’s liquor store market, as well as the other states and countries that legalized first.

Since New York dispensaries are limited by zip code, having a license should be a solid path to generational wealth–as long as stores can stay open and curate the best products. Just like your local liquor store can’t be owned by a major distributor like Jack Daniels, regulators want a clear separation between retail store owners and the brands they choose to promote.

To avoid conflicts of interest, dispensary owners are not allowed to own significant equity of cultivation brands in New York, or other states. So a major California brand like Cookies must collaborate with local licensees to reach the New York market with their products. They can’t own a Cookies store, because regulators don’t want them to throw their weight around for shelf space or favorable deals from rival stores. That regulation led to a creative partnership called Culture House, which is currently open at Herald Square in the heart of Manhattan.

These regulations—though well-intentioned—have not all gone as planned. Lawsuits, restrictions on marketing, and inconsistent supply & demand have led to a beautiful mess for operators and consumers so far. But things are looking up as more stores open, and more brands hit the market.

When will New York’s adult-use dispensaries get indoor flower?

Trends dispensary in Long Island city (Megan Schmidt / Leafly)
Customers checkout during an event at Trends dispensary in Long Island City, Queens. (Megan Schmidt / Leafly)

Indoor is coming. Early regulations limited cultivators to outdoor and mixed-light setups. But brands like Dank by Definition, MFNY, and Lobo are rolling out fire flower that can now compete with the quality in other states. Heavy smokers were disappointed by the first wave of flower on legal shelves in 2023, but many old school, beginners, and moderate users appreciated the lower-THC options. By the end of 2024, more legal brands will be delivering dank on a regular basis.

Who are New York’s top homegrow and craft growers?

New York’s homegrow laws will soon allow hobbyists and craft growers to bring their underground brands to the legal market through grower showcases and licensing deals. Craft brands like Godmother’s Garden and Semper Frosty currently compete in local showcases like The New York Grower’s Cup. And at the PiffCon Haze convention last June, haze-enthusiasts gathered to celebrate one of New York’s most beloved strains.

Joe Lo Castro, aka Joe Grows, is a former lawyer who’s been growing since 2013. The Queens native applied for a micro license in the state’s second round of applications, but he’s not optimistic about his chances of getting selected among the thousands of applications.

“I’m an Italian guy from Queens, there’s no social equity box for that,”said Joe Grows. Instead of waiting around, Joe’s building a “how to grow for dummies” brand plus an affordable seed bank that will encourage more New Yorkers to take up the craft. “The name of my book is Grow Dumb: The Average Joe’s Guide to Growing Cannabis because I’ve never seen a simple, straight forward guide on how to grow indoors, in small spaces, at a low cost.” From there, Joe plans to release seeds and accessory kits for beginners and purists, while consulting cultivators who get licensed before he does.

What’s next for New York cannabis and how will it impact the national market?

Trends Dispensary budtenders shows off brands including Camino and Chef for Higher.
Trends Dispensary budtenders shows off brands including Camino and Chef for Higher. (Megan Schmidt / Leafly)

Since federal law still schedules cannabis as a controlled substance, every state is free to govern the plant how local lawmakers see fit. The fractured national market has played out like a science experiment. Local politics and national limitations on banking, marketing, and supply chain are the defining factors of each market. And they’re limiting everyone’s growth. That’s why Leafly stands with New York’s legal dispensaries and legacy cannabis brands grinding to stay in business.

With New York consuming more cannabis than anywhere else in the world, it will soon be the premier proving ground for growers and grinders from around the world looking to leave a legacy in the legal market. If a brand can make it here, they can make it anywhere, right?

The first batch of local farms and stores are growing against heavy regulations. While out of state brands are itching to join the new world capital of weed when regulations permit later this year.

What is New York’s homegrow and craft cannabis scene like?

In New York, a rich craft cannabis market has emerged post-legalization. Local legends and upstarts are branding their bud as New York’s finest hoping for a shot at the legal market.

“My favorite craft cannabis growers in New York right now are The Mechanic, Smokey’s Bodega , Odee Trees, EPIPHANY, and Fu’s Flower right now, but there is a lot of underground talent in New York that’s about to come to light on the legal market soon.”

Robb Reefa, The Reefa Report

Craft batches of cannabis (between 50 to 100 pounds at a time) are seen as superior by aficionados like Robb Reefa, a budtender and cannabis reviewer who recommends cannabis grown by local experts who’ve mastered the climate and energy management needed to grow New York’s very best flower.

“Growing weed is a 120-day performance. Your soul has to be in it. Even if it’s just a hobby.”

Joe Grows, author of Grow Dumb: The Average Joe’s Guide to Growing Cannabis

Leafly helps NY cannabis shoppers find the strains and brands they love

Since 2010, Leafly has stood with legacy cannabis growers, providers, and consumers who want to learn more about their cannabis. Leafly is an online marketplace that connects licensed operators with customers who want to buy the best, most reliable products. Each year, 70 million people visit our strain database, brand profiles, and dispensary reviews so that they can know what they’re smoking, every time.

Subscribe to What are you smoking?: New York for more of the latest info on New York cannabis. Only on Leafly.





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Former New York Knick Iman Shumpert debuts ‘TSA Approved’ legal cannabis brand

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Former NBA guard Iman Shumpert is releasing his own cannabis brand. Shumpert is partnering with Glenmere Farms cultivation company for the drop. Glenmere is run by Dr. Sha-Ron Pierre-Kovler, New York’s first Black woman with a cannabis cultivation license.

Dr. Sha-Ron Pierre-Kovler is New York's first Black woman with a cultivation license. Her Glenmere Farms brand is debuting with former New York Knick Iman Shumpert's TSA APPROVED line in April at TORCHES.
Dr. Pierre-Kovler is a South Jamaica, Queens native who saw the harm caused by the failed War on Drugs up close. Through her nonprofit, The Virtuous Women Organization Inc (501c3), Dr. Sha-Ron supports formerly incarcerated individuals and communities with historically high rates of cannabis arrests. In 2023, Dr. Pierre-Kovler told One37pm.com that she approaches research, “just like a trained sniper.” She added, “We go through years and decades of training to develop a sixth sense, and to think about things in a unique way. So I think outside the traditional methods of cultivating.” (courtesy of TSA APPROVED)

Dr. Pierre-Kovler teamed up with NBA Champion Shumpert to launch TSA APPROVED, a premium cannabis brand, with an in-store takeover at TORCHES by Polanco Brothers Dispensary on Friday, April 11th, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

Located at 42nd Street and 5th Avenue in Manhattan, this marks the first stop on TSA APPROVED’s New York dispensary tour. The event will feature the debut of two premium strains: “Jet Lag” (Indica-dominant hybrid) and “Frequent Flyer” (Sativa), both priced at an accessible $50 per eighth to ensure premium cannabis is available to all consumers.

“TSA APPROVED is about providing premium quality cannabis at an accessible price point. We’re focused on patient access and creating products that deliver a consistent, premium experience without the premium markup.”

Iman Shumpert

For Shumpert, the legal brand also represents growth from one of the most challenging moment of his NBA career. In 2022, Shumpert was arrested after TSA reportedly found six ounces of cannabis in his luggage. The name TSA APPROVED flips the unfortunate incident into an inspiring one for legacy cannabis users like Shumpert, who have had their freedom and employment challenged simply for using the plant.


12 E 42nd St, New York, NY — recreational

TSA APPROVED launch activation details:

• Date: April 11th, 2025
• Time: 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Press preview at 3:30-4:30 PM)
• Location: TORCHES Dispensary, 42nd Street and 5th Avenue, Manhattan; 12 E 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10017. T: 646-477-4110.
• Special Moment: First TSA APPROVED sale by Iman Shumpert at 4:20 PM
• Activities: Product showcase, meet-and-greet opportunities, raffle for autographed Knicks memorabilia,
• Products: “Jet Lag” (Indica-dominant hybrid) and “Frequent Flyer” (Sativa) strains at $50 per eighth

Join TORCHES and Leafly for the TSA APPROVED debut April 11

For Shumpert, Dr. Pierre-Kovler, and the TORCHES team, this launch is important for lighting the way for others like us to partake in this growing industry,” said Dr. Pierre-Kovler. The April 11 dispensary takeover at TORCHES will include TSA APPROVED branded merchandise, exclusive meet-and-greet opportunities with Shumpert, and a special raffle where customers who purchase TSA APPROVED products can win autographed Knicks memorabilia.

The Knicks Film School podcast will also be on-site for a special segment with Shumpert, connecting with New York basketball fans while introducing them to his cannabis venture. TSA APPROVED products feature indoor-grown premium cannabis with complete testing certification. Each unit includes an accessible Certificate of Analysis that confirms the product’s quality and safety standards on the label.

Following the TORCHES launch, TSA APPROVED plans to expand to additional dispensaries throughout New York State, creating a series of branded takeover experiences that bring premium cannabis to communities across the region and provide a safe landing for cannabis consumers.



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How New York pot pioneers made it to legal dispensary shelves

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By: LMC


Legacy to licensed is the motto for authentic New York brands entering the legal market. Two years ago, I sat with some of NYC’s top legacy pioneers from the New York market. Many of them are now licensed to operate legally as brands or retailers.

Every time a state legalizes cannabis, there is a buffer period where the plant has been legalized or decriminalized—but the market hasn’t fully opened for recreational sales. In 2023, when I visited NYC from Washington, I saw people setting up stands and selling bags like they were running a hot dog stand. But with over 300 stores now open for business, and billions in future tax revenue on the line—things are changing fast.

The good news is that many of New York’s legal dispensaries and brands are run by real New Yorkers with deep legacy roots. Here are the brands that paved the way, and where you can find them on legal dispensary shelves in New York now or in the near future.


Branson

This legend is patiently waiting for his famous triangle bags to hit shelves later this year. Branson was a major conductor and distributor of high-grade marijuana and hash oils in NYC during the early ’90s. Operating in the thick of the War On Drugs, Branson was one of the rare standalone plugs that celebrity smokers visiting NYC could count on to deliver good gas. Hence the chronic name drops on songs from legendary rappers like The Notorious B.I.G., The LOX, Nas, and Redman.


Shiest Bubz

In 2022, Shiest Bubz told Leafly he is taking the term “legacy,” back. In cannabis circles, it’s become a buzzword. Its definition depends on who you ask. And if you ask Bubz, the wordplay is becoming condescending with zero majority-Black-owned brands available on New York dispensary shelves.

“They’re like, ‘Oh, we need to help legacy learn how to transition from here to there.’ Who are you talking about? Not White America. Can’t be talking about them. Impossible. You’re talking about Black people… At the end of the day, it’s not White legacy operators that they’re looking for with deals to capitalize on.”

That’s why Bubz said he hasn’t rushed to join the licensed game. Despite a limited release last year that sold out in days. Over the course of three decades, he’s sold more pounds of flower in New York than any partner he could hope to find. And that before it was legal. He did it without getting caught up in the state’s historically aggressive Drug War enforcement. So he’s understandably hesitant about rushing to market, despite being pre-approved by the state should he choose to pursue a license.

Shiest Bubz lights a blunt on a stovetop flame. (Instagram / @adonisisbored)
(Instagram / @adonisisbored)

But after giving it some time, Bubz is coming around on the hot-button ‘legacy,’ term. “I like the word legacy,” he told Leafly in January of 2023. He still questions the intentions of those using the term, holding strong that the cannabis landscape is not fertile terrain to be colonized and capitalized. Original members were buying and selling weed before it became regulated. And they will continue to, with or without the government’s permission, or the legal industry’s euphemisms.

Bubz was once a one-man dispensary. He remembers moving 20 pounds in three days. “My father’s from Trinidad so he was always smoking weed,” he told the High Design YouTube channel in a 2023 interview. “The scent of marijuana was basically in my nose since I was born,” Bubz added.

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Bubz is most known for popularizing Purple Haze through music. He’s widely-credited with coining the nickname “Piff” for the strain. But don’t ask him to pinpoint the original source of one of New York’s favorite strains. “I don’t know who brought haze to New York,” Bubz insists. “My contribution to the haze game is this – prior to me coming into the Haze game, that game was run by Dominicans and the Latin community. If you spoke Spanish, you had a better shot of getting plugged in with the haze than if you were just Black American. Weed, in the beginning, was a thing I would only get from Jamaicans. From the Yardies on 145th and Edgecombe Ave.”

“We didn’t even give a fuck about what a strain name was. We named the weed after the spot. Wherever you got the weed from is what you called the weed. We wasn’t asking what you call the weed. Go get ten bags of that 42nd street pack.” – Shiest Bubz

Shiest Bubz on pioneering Piff in New York

“The name Piff came into the universe because I wasn’t speaking Spanish. The Dominicans would be saying, “Pepper Head,” so we’d call it Pepper Head, not knowing that they’re mispronouncing Purple Haze. We don’t even care what that shit was. All we knew is that shit look like a caterpillar in a bag. And a .3 so small would have four or five of us high.”

Shiest Bubz on being targeted by the War on Drugs

“The era that we’re talking about is the War on Drugs. Being a target of the drugs, you can’t imagine what that feels like unless you’re targeted. Unless you’re Black or Latino. You can’t imagine what it is to know that you’re targeted. And you still gotta go outside and get your money but you know that you’re under binocular. It was dangerous times. Weed is not evil. But going to jail is.”

“My lawyer asked me how much weed do you move? I said, eh 20 pounds. He told me, keep it under 100 pounds in your possession and 20,000 to the side and you’ll never see jail. I just kept that vibe going and I pushed it to the limit on a lot of things. Then I got into music.”

Shiest Bubz on staying loyal to cannabis

“I made a dedication to myself that I wasn’t gonna be involved in anything that was gonna put me in the big house. I made a oath to myself that if I’m gonna do anything, it’s gonna be weed. I really had a passion for it. I used to read the weed cannabis bibles. From 1990 I was involved with the growers. The weed from upstate was really considered exotic in NYC.”


Happy Munkey

Happy Munkey is one of New York’s most visible and respected “legacy-to-legal” cannabis brands. The brand started as a speak-easy/consumption lounge, then evolved to throw events at 420-friendly venues across NYC while awaiting licensure to open legal dispensaries.

April 20, 2025 will be the first 420 holiday that New Yorkers can legally enjoy the full Happy Munkey Experience with a legal dispensary. Leafly is partnering with Happy Munkey for on-site activations on the big day. You can secure your ticket to the festivities by an item from Happy Munkey’s menu via Leafly starting April 10.


GUMBO

GUMBO CEO Luka Brazi, rap star Moneybagg Yo, and Cookies CEO Berner celebrate the grand opening of Cookies’ NYC flagship store. (Cookies)
GUMBO CEO Luka Brazi, rap star Moneybagg Yo, and Cookies CEO Berner celebrate the grand opening of Cookies’ NYC flagship store. (Cookies)

GUMBO is a strain with monster branding worldwide–from the Bronx to Bangkok. Legacy pioneer Luka Brazi and partner Alexis Major told Leafly about their plan to take over cannabis in 2022–and they’ve more than followed through so far. The Trends strain data shows that GUMBO has been hovering around the top 10 strains in New York since 2023, thanks in large part to Brazi and Major’s massive influence, including local events, merch, and content.



La Marina Boyz

Legendary cannabis breeder and grower White Boy Kev explained his origin story—including the roots of his memorable nickname. “I grew up in a Dominican neighborhood, uptown in Washington Heights,” recalled Kev, whose real name is Kevin O’Rourke. “It used to be an all Irish and Jewish neighborhood (until about ‘83). My family was the only one that didn’t leave… Everybody else was Dominican… It was just me—White Boy Kev, Un Blanquito. That’s how everybody knew me.”

Today, his old nickname is a premier brand name among NYC weed connoisseurs. And now that cannabis is legal in New York and New Jersey, Kev and his La Marina Boyz’ brand is positioned to be a smash hit. The only question is if he wants to deal with the headache of regulators, amateurs and opportunists after putting in decades as a pioneer.

Kev recently decided to dip into the booming legal business in New Jersey with Nick and Dane from the company Niche. And Kev’s longtime partners Cuban Joe the Hardway and Little Nelson (@BlockworkGrower) have a license in Florida. Kev shared, “I’m going to Florida through a licensing deal as a brand with them.” 

After that, only time will tell if NYC’s Haze King will bring his talents to New York’s legal market.

How Whiteboy Kev became a Haze legend

I started selling weed around 91. Then in 93 Haze came about… everybody’s a weed dealer now. Everybody with a backpack… some people looked at me like I was a crack dealer because I sold weed. 

How Kev’s Haze powered the infamous La Marina venue

I did a successful business with my brother in 99. We do La Marina. Probably the most iconic Dominican spot in NYC. But it was two Irish brothers who did it.

Booking music like Romeo santos from aVentura he would get 3,000 people to come out for a 12-12 party

That was his first legal transition.

“I cut off from being on the corners because I’m trying to transition. But I got put under federal investigation in a joint task forced with NYPD. They locked my brother up as a king pin. My brother never sold drugs in his life. I’m very lucky I never got caught. It’s so crazy that my brother goes to jail as a kingpin and he never sold drugs in his life. So I feel like it’s cause of me it happened to him. The unwanted attention.

How Harlem became the heart of the East Coast’s cannabis trade

“If you’re coming from Florida or Mass, you’re coming thru 1-95. So everybody coming from Jersey, anywhere, came thorough my neighborhood. So I Washington Heights back then, every block was a spot. You would drive by and see 500 guys on a block all hustling. It was almost an open air market.”


Torches (powered by Polanco Brothers)

12 E 42nd St, New York, NY — recreational

One of New York’s most recognized names in cannabis, The Polanco Brothers already have two dispensaries open in New York with more on the way. Check out Torches (powered by Polanco Brothers) near Bryant Park next time you’re in Midtown, or hit their Ridgewood store in Brooklyn for one of New York’s most authentic legal cannabis experiences, including top brands, knowledgable budtenders, and immaculate vibes.


Budega

Budega founder Alex Norman has dealt with delays and copycat brands on his path to opening. Norman is now poised to transition his legacy brand into a licensed player on the market. His application to open in Brooklyn was delayed by a messy lawsuit in 2022. The plan was for New Yorkers with cannabis convictions, like Norman, to open the state’s first dispensaries. But that was complicated by a number of lawsuits and setbacks. Norman’s getting close to opening day. Follow the journey on Instagram as Budega prepares to go online.


Certz (coming soon to Manhattan)

One of New York’s most beloved cannabis lounges is finally licensed. They’re opening soon. So get familiar with this legacy-to-legal success story that specializes in breeding, selling, and hosting one of New York’s most essential cannabis experiences. Follow CEO Steph V. and the Voice of the Sesh Euro V for more updates on their plans for the licensed market.

Co-founder Steph.V explained how they became one of New York’s top legacy brands during a sit-down in 2023. “Music studios, that was my way of doing it,” he said. “I owned a music studio in The Bronx, Manhattan. I could bust my moves here, I could bust my moves there.”

The pandemic put things into overdrive. Steph.V remembers: “Everybody started getting money because of all the PPP loans and people getting money they never got before. So they was buying work. Before that, it was just blocks you went to to buy. You had to come to a certain block. Go in a building. Buy your shit. Weave police. The old-fashioned way.


5Boro

5Boro product

5Boro is one of New York’s most-respected legacy brands. Already on shelves at dozens of dispensaries, the distinct packaging and array of winning strains like Double Grape are favorites around the state. 5Boro is available now at Bleu Leaf in the Bronx or Travel Agency in Manhattan.

Try their hybrid of Sour Stomper and Grape Crinkle, showcases terpenes including B-Myrcene, Limonene, A-Pinene, and B-Caryophyllene. Its effects are lauded for inducing relaxation and happiness while stimulating appetite without diminishing motivation. With aromas reminiscent of sweet and sour grapes, accompanied by hints of oats and wood, it offers a complex flavor profile ranging from fruity sweetness to earthy notes, with a pungent, herbal aftertaste.


The Mechanic’s Farm

Recently featured in Leafly’s top NY flower brands list, this craft quality grower made a huge name for himself on the legacy market. Now he’s partnering with top dispensaries like Good Grades and Torches for limited drops. His first run sold out in a few hours earlier this month. Stay tuned to Good Grades and Torches on Leafly for menu updates and restocks from The Mechanic’s Farm.


Chef for Higher

Hawaii Mike and his partners at Fly Private Social in Brooklyn combine food, music, and cannabis to create some of New York's best experiences.
(Meg Schmidt / Leafly)

New York’s first culinary lifestyle brand was founded by BIPOC and women entrepreneurs well before 2021—legacy to legal. Chef for Higher launched April 19 last year on the adult-use market with the release of the Cooking Essentials (coconut oilextra virgin olive oilhoney, and ghee), the first of its kind in New York’s legal dispensaries. Chef for Higher also offers jellies, as well as B2B services and curated dining experiences.


Work’n’Roll

During New York’s grey market period (2022-2024), Work’n’Roll was known as the place where everything starts for legal cannabis brands. The cCulminate a scenario that always feels like the right place at the right time.

“This place really reminds me of Spain. It definitely has this Barcelona social club vibe to it. It has a community the same people are here often. There’s Great ideas being generated from it.” – I’m with RJ

For People trying to figure out where they belong in the industry. Work’n’Roll is a market incubator. The owners and operators are pioneers of the consumption lounge space. Now they are transitioning to legal offerings like Budtender XP events, marketing services, and more.

I asked co-founder Julia Deviatkina if New York regulators care about the small legacy cannabis businesses at the heart of the Work’n’Roll community. “These places are critical. Yes, (the regulators) care. But I would say the government should help us with monetizing these spaces. Being the community space, it doesn’t make a living, (so) it doesn’t allow you to have employees. There’s a lot of little parts to figuring out how this can be profitable for the government, too. To make their tax money, and for us to exist.”

Deviatkina believes that cannabis-themed businesses should not rely on the plant to generate magical value overnight. The key is building a solid business that makes money with or without cannabis. “A place must sell something, time or products,” she said. “It should already be a sustainable business without cannabis. Restaurant, coffee shop, co-working space, yoga and pilates studio — it should be sustainable by itself as a business. And then you add a little infusion.”





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Vladimir Bautista is leading Happy Munkey’s legacy-to-legal takeover

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For cannabis entrepreneur and New York City native, Vladimir Bautista, it all begins and ends with his neighborhood. You can call him the Mr. Rodgers of Harlem. His long, enviable career in the cannabis legacy space has given way to legal success, with two dispensaries opened last year in Manhattan and Brooklyn under his Happy Munkey brand. 

“I believe that things are going to go the way they’re supposed to go,” he says. “You ever heard that saying, ‘Man makes plans and God laughs?’”


151 Dykman St., New York, NY — recreational


Bautista grew up in Sugar Hill in a Dominican family, back when the community was mired in the crack epidemic of the 1990s—a far cry from its Columbia University affiliations now. He discovered cannabis as a consumer at a young age, taking those first puffs with his middle school friends.

“There was a lot of doom and gloom around,” he says. “It was helping me mentally compared to all the other substances. It just created good vibes and energy around me and my friends.”

Happy Munkey owners Vladimir Bautista, and Ramon Reyes
Happy Munkey co-founders Vladimir Bautista (left) and Ramon Reyes (right) (courtesy of Happy Munkey)

Despite cannabis being much safer than other drugs on the market—heroin, crack, cocaine—it was harder to find. By 16, Bautistia realized there was a market gap, and figured he could be the one to fill it. 

“I remember having that ‘aha’, entrepreneur light bulb moment,” he says. “I’m gonna buy an ounce, and if it doesn’t sell, I’ll smoke it. I have everything to gain, nothing to lose, but this could be my lane.” His instincts proved correct. “After I purchased that ounce, I never had a job again.”

For years, Bautista serviced the city’s legacy market, scaling up his business and reputation. And, of course, fielding multiple arrests by the NYPD. The name Happy Munkey comes from his business partner, Ramon Reyes, whose spirit animal is a monkey. There’s also a story of the Hindu deity Hanuman, a monkey god, who ascended a mountain in search of healing herbs for the god Rama. Plus, it’s playful. In a city of gangsters, the idea of a happy, cheeky monkey feels welcoming. 

“I remember having that ‘aha’, entrepreneur light bulb moment. I’m gonna buy an ounce, and if it doesn’t sell, I’ll smoke it. I have everything to gain, nothing to lose, but this could be my lane…After I purchased that ounce, I never had a job again.”

Vlad Bautista

Legalization out west changed everything. As states like Colorado, Washington, and California launched adult-use markets, Bautista knew that Happy Munkey needed to switch gears. Reyes had traveled to Amsterdam and recognized the potential in safe, private spaces to light up and meet like-minded people.  He tapped a contact many other cannabis entrepreneurs in the city have met on their way to the legal market, International P. Through their network of contacts, they established an underground space for consumption events in 2017, and within two years Forbes dubbed the “Studio 54 of cannabis.”

Still, there was more growing to do. Before the COVID-19 pandemic would shutter their events arm, Bautista began attending cannabis conferences and festivals across the country, meeting industry legends like Steve DeAngelo and learning about the economics of the emerging business, like stocks.

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“That was the moment of ‘there’s something here, this is coming to the East Coast,’” says Bautista, “when we [began] pursuing the legal cannabis market as a business. We understood that we were advocates, because we had a platform, we had influence.”

Bautista, Reyes, and Happy Munkey were instrumental in pushing for the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) and insisting on the bill’s social equity components. They mobilized their podcast, magazine, and merchandise while the city was under quarantine, and hosted an event at Wall Street’s Bobby Van Steakhouse for the first 4/20 post-legalization, in 2021.

As they waited for license approval, they continued hosting events that drew on the vast spectrum of the cannabis community, including an afterparty of the Van Gogh Immersive Experience and their 2022 symposium at Columbia University that featured scientists, entrepreneurs, and government officials. 

“We brought out a lot of big people from the industry—politicians, doctors, lawyers. We attracted a really eclectic crowd; I think we were the first ones in New York to bring Main Street to Wall Street, with the rapper sitting next to the politician, the billionaire sitting next to the gangster.”

They hope the same can manifest in their two legal stores, serving two major hubs of people in two boroughs. They emphasize customer service, situating customers within their neighborhoods, and a wide selection of brands like Kiva Confections, Rolling Green, To The Moon, and Lobo.

“I think we were the first ones in New York to bring Main Street to Wall Street, with the rapper sitting next to the politician, the billionaire sitting next to the gangster.”

Vlad Bautista

While they can’t open an adult-use version of their beloved lounge just yet, they see 2025 as an opportunity. And it’s an opportunity that, Bautista says, was fated to them.

“The irony is that I bought that ounce on Sherman Avenue in 1998. And now, 27 years later, we just opened our first licensed store around the corner from where I bought that first ounce.”



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