Hash-sheesh!
Operators of licensed hashish shops in New York are griping that they’re unable to open pot lounges the place prospects can eat weed on website as a result of officers are dragging their toes to draft the wanted guidelines.
The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act of 2021 legalized marijuana whereas additionally permitting the licensing of “consumption websites,” or areas the place prospects can smoke doobie akin to a cigar bar and eat edibles or eat cannabis-infused drinks.
However 4 years later, pot-shop operators nonetheless can’t apply for a license to open a lounge as a result of the Workplace of Hashish has but to place laws in place.
“Am I completely happy about it? No,” fumed Arish Halani, the CEO of Herbwell Hashish.
Herbwell is about to open its flagship pot retailer in Midtown Manhattan in a five-story constructing leased at 519 Madison Ave., the primary hashish dispensary on the trendy road.
Halani shared designs for the smooth pot lounge he needs to open on the shop’s higher flooring and rooftop that might be a success with white-collar executives and fashionistas who work close by at companies equivalent to Morgan Stanley, the Jefferies Group and Evercore Companions.
“There isn’t any regulatory framework to enact the legislation [allowing cannabis lounges],” he lamented. “We’d like to be the primary lounge to open.”
Within the meantime, Herbwell Hashish can pay steep lease for a 15-year lease for your entire constructing.
The agency is placing one other hashish store — and hopefully on-site consumption lounge — at E. 372 Fordham Highway in The Bronx.
Many present licensed hashish dispensaries have devoted house on their premises to such lounges and expressed disappointment with how lengthy it’s taking the OCM to draft guidelines to permit them to take action.
The Hashish Place on Metropolitan Avenue in Center Village, Queens, has a “VIP” lounge behind the retail retailer that’s ready to be transformed into an area for patrons to hang around and pattern weed merchandise, mentioned Govt Director Osbert Orduna.
“We need to present prospects a spot the place they’ll eat hashish,” Orduna mentioned.
“It’s disappointing that 4 years later, we’re nonetheless ready for laws to come back out. The lounges would add income to the enterprise. It’s a missed alternative.”
OCM mentioned it would publish guidelines to open the consumption websites when it may possibly.
“The Workplace continues to develop and deploy the enterprise licenses listed within the hashish legislation, prioritizing first the licenses which are vital to establishing a secure and sustainable provide chain, together with cultivation, processing, and retail,” mentioned OCM rep Taylor Randi Lee.
“Presently the Workplace is assessing the regulatory approaches for consumption licenses in New York, together with evaluating outcomes and finest practices from different jurisdictions, and analyzing the general public well being and security issues for workers and patrons.”
The consultant mentioned OCM will notify the general public when laws can be found for remark and appears ahead to a “strong dialogue on how these licenses can finest serve the pursuits of New Yorkers.”
One hashish trade supply mentioned state well being officers are proof against the hashish lounges as a result of they sidestep the Clear Indoor Air Act that bans smoking and vaping in just about all workplaces, together with bars and eating places.
There are actually 333 licensed hashish dispensaries in New York State producing greater than $1 billion in gross sales, a ramp-up that has accelerated since final yr after a rocky two-year rollout beset by a backlog in functions, lawsuits and unlawful pot retailers.
Lots of of unlicensed pot retailers have been padlocked by authorities beneath a tricky legislation permitted by Gov. Kathy Hochul, however authorized operators say competitors from the black market continues to be one thing they’re grappling with.
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