Here's Where To Buy Legal Weed: First Indian-American In World Opens Shop In Chicago, NY Retailers Get Creative & More

New York's Cannabis Retail Footprint Grows Amid Market Blockage

In the wake of state Supreme Court Justice Kevin Bryant reversing his preliminary injunction that could have allowed 30 retail cannabis stores to open in the New York State, a store in Rochester launched cannabis sales.

How?

Herbal IQ-Rochester at 1749 East Ave., across from Wegmans, has been selling cannabis since Wednesday in a "pop-up" retail location, reported WXXI.

The operation is backed by an approval granted by the state Cannabis Control Board in July for already legal dispensaries to establish temporary outlets.

Named after Herbal IQ, a licensed dispensary in Depew, Erie County, the "pop-up" is being operated by the same business.

These outlets provide a platform for growers and processors to showcase and sell their products to consumers directly.

"In order to be a showcase, you need a licensed and operating dispensary, and there's none in Rochester," Mike Dulen, co-founder and CEO of A Walk in the Pines, said. "So, we have a good relationship with Herbal IQ and they said, 'Yeah, we'll do the showcase.'"

Meanwhile, according to CBS New York, Harlem's first legal marijuana dispensary at a building on 125th Street, across from the Apollo Theater, is slated to open on Tuesday.

"We want all of our Harlem businesses to thrive, so we will do everything in our power to help make this a success for Gotham Buds and our community," the business improvement district said in a statement.

Rapper-Backed Cannabis In New Jersey

Cannabis multi-state operator Cookies recently opened the doors on its new retail location in Harrison in Hudson County, reported HeadyNJ.

The store is New Jersey's 40th recreational and 46th medical cannabis dispensary.

Rapper and Cookies CEO Berner, once known as Gilbert Anthony Milam Jr., is thrilled with the new opening.

"I'm blessed to be touring on the East Coast and have the chance to visit the store prior to opening," he said. "I can't wait for our New Jersey community to experience our first Cookies store in New Jersey."

Meanwhile, Corey Woods, better known by his stage name Raekwon, unveiled an exclusive glimpse of Hashtoria on Instagram last week, reported HipHopDX. The shop, which will open in Newark, NJ features more than 17000 square feet of multi-level space slated to become "the flyest consumption lounge on the East Coast," said the Wu-Tang Clan member.

"We are located right in the heart of the city, so we want to create a space, employment for all community members to gather and witness the finest greenery on the planet," Raekwon explained.

Two New MMJ Shops In Florida

In Florida, a state where the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference gathered top cannabis minds nationwide and globally this past spring, two medical marijuana (MMJ) businesses launched recently.

RISE Dispensaries, a cannabis retail chain owned by Green Thumb Industries Inc. GTII GTBIF, opened its doors at Fruitland Park at 3295 US 441, its 8th retail location in the Sunshine State and 85th nationwide on Aug. 16.

Roughly a week later, Cansortium Inc. TIUM CNTMF a company operating under the FLUENT brand, opened its 33rd MMJ dispensary in the state and 36th retail location nationwide. FLUENT Jacksonville Cassat is located at 971 Cassat Avenue.

Illinois Celebrates Diversity Of Cannabis: Socíale 

In the Prairie State, where the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference returns Sept. 27-28  featuring Governor J. B. Pritzker as a keynote speaker, a cannabis dispensary owned by an Indian-American woman, will hold its grand opening ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 7, at 10 AM in the heart of Chicago's northwest suburbs located at 1036 W Higgins Rd, Park Ridge, IL 60068. Socíale, the first cannabis shop in the world owned by an Indian-American woman, will blessed by a Hindu priest when it launches on Thursday. 

Last week, another female-led, minority-owned Illinois-based cannabis company kicked off sales at its new dispensary. Apart from selling cannabis, High Haven's The Gas Station, at 8131 S Cass Ave, in Darien, also boasts an array of unique entertainment experiences that set it apart from traditional dispensaries.

New MMJ Stores In Four States

Last month, Columbia Care Inc. CCHW CCHWF 3LP celebrated the grand opening of its tenth of twelve planned dispensaries in Virginia. Cannabist Suffolk, located at 1238 Holland Road, Suite 111, is now serving registered medical patients.

Texas Original wrapped up August by opening a permanent pickup location in Plano, Texas. The location joins Texas Original's recently opened pickup location in Hurst, marking an expansion of access to life-changing medical cannabis for patients in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area. The Plano site will open every Thursday and Friday at 601 W. 15th St., Suite 102.

Herbal Aspect, the premier source for legal medical cannabis products in Wisconsin, opened its third store at 735 S Gammon Road in Madison last week. This new location features a custom pre-roll bar, where customers can personalize their pre-rolls from various strains and concentrates.

According to WSB-TV, Georgia's medical cannabis regulator gave the green light to three new retail locations, including:

• Trulieve Cannabis Corp. TCNNF TRUL, which currently runs in Marietta, to add a location in Evans, in Columbia County;
• Botanical Sciences, which operates a store in Pooler, Georgia, to add two more - in Chamblee and Stockbridge.

The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, the place where deals get done, is returning to Chicago on 27-28 for its 17th edition. Get your tickets today before prices increase and secure a spot at the epicenter of cannabis investment and branding.

Photo: Benzinga edit of Konektus Photo by Shutterstock