Harlem Will Get Its First Weed Store After Legal Opposition Falls Apart
The initial state-licensed marijuana shop in Harlem is preparing to launch its operations at 248 125th Street, situated across from the renowned Apollo Theater. This development is happening despite significant opposition from local merchants and political figures.
Gotham Buds, under the management of individuals with deep ties to Harlem, is currently planning to open on September 5, following a successful defense against a lawsuit initiated by the 125th Street Business Improvement District. This information has been revealed by sources familiar with the matter.
The board of directors for the 125th BIDS includes a high-ranking executive from the Apollo Theater. However, the marijuana store’s plans remain unchanged, as Gotham Buds managed to overcome a separate legal hurdle as well.
Currently, a court order is in place, preventing the state Office of Cannabis Management from granting licenses or permitting the opening of additional cannabis retail stores. This injunction resulted from a judge’s ruling that regulators likely violated the law by favoring convicted marijuana sellers over disabled veterans and other applicants seeking social equity, when awarding the highly sought-after licenses.
Nevertheless, Gotham Buds, along with nearly twenty other cannabis operators, have been granted an exception from this injunction. This special allowance is due to their successful navigation of all regulatory obstacles and their imminent readiness to commence operations.
Since the legalization of recreational marijuana usage by the legislature in 2021, only 23 officially licensed cannabis retail establishments have started operating in the state, with merely nine of them situated in New York City.
Despite encountering fierce resistance from local business owners and politicians, Gotham Buds remains steadfast in its determination to open at 248 125th Street, directly across from the Apollo Theater. The co-founders of Gotham Buds, namely Omar Tejada and Gregory Gray, express their commitment to being considerate neighbors to the Apollo and other businesses on 125th Street, in addition to the broader Greater Harlem community.
Omar Tejada, one of the co-founders and a seasoned construction engineer experienced in restoring Harlem brownstones, shares that the company aims to integrate itself as a cultural landmark within the 125th Street legacy while striving to earn the community’s trust. Gregory Gray, another co-founder who has deep roots in Harlem, including attending local schools, emphasizes the personal connection he feels with this cannabis venture, as he believes in the potential of marijuana to provide healing and pain relief. He cites his own family’s experiences, including his son’s struggle with Renal Medullary Carcinoma and his elderly father’s battle with Alzheimer’s Disease, as driving factors behind his strong belief in the medicinal properties of cannabis.
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