I want to start this blog by saying that I will not be discussing New York weed legality in detail. Weed is currently legal for medical and recreational use in the state of New York. I am writing this to detail my experience as a cannabis customer in New York City in January of 2024. I also want to acknowledge the fact that I will not be discussing any specific shops that I visited. This is due to the gray area in which the New York weed market currently exists.
As soon as I found my overpriced parking spot and checked into the hotel, a trip to the dispensary was made. It was hard to tell what was a legal and let’s say “street” dispensary. From what I understand, there are only a few fully legal dispensaries in operation in New York City. Depending on where you’re staying, you would really have to go out of your way to find them. Not to mention when you do, pay additional taxes. I ended up going to the closest “street” operation to my hotel.
It was essentially a traditional smoke shop. One with bongs, papers, pipes, and incense. But behind the counter, there were various weed products. Products seemingly from all over the country. (I’d guess mostly California) The first location I stopped, was not far from Times Square. I picked up a $15 Indica pre-roll. The price was definitely dictated by the location. The fact that there was no extra tax, I didn’t have to roll, and it was my birthday, I was willing to pay a little extra. At that shop, 8th’s ranged from $35-$70. They also had lots of oil and edible options as well. The smoke shop was not only a dispensary, but a well stocked one.
I smoked the joint on the way to a Bodega to find a chicken parm sandwich. It was frigid out and the wind was smoking half of my j for me. I’d just driven 2 hours from Delaware, and fought Lincoln tunnel traffic, I was trying to relax. The quality of the pre-roll was worth $6 I’d say. I was so happy to find it accessible and convenient, that I in no way felt scammed. I knew there would be chances to find more.
There was a smoke shop on almost every block from Times Square to Central Park. Some were next door to each other. I often think the same person owns both in these situations and is trying to capitalize on people’s need to feel choice. I could be wrong though. I cannot understate how many smoke shops I saw everywhere I went. There’re seemingly hundreds covering the island. I’d assume the other boroughs are in a similar situation. I’m sure fewer because of less tourism, but there have got to be a lot of them.
Over the two and a half days I spent in NYC I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was little the government could do. They legalized weed with no system in place for legal sales. Now there’re hundreds of dispensaries all over the city. They’d almost have to raid every shop to shut them down. How long would it take to raid over 200 businesses? How many could they do, until there would be a call for change? New York has a problem on its hands. A beautiful, convenient, affordable, problem.
Visiting shops around the city, I kept feeling like that’s how it should be. There’s no reason why more cities couldn’t be like that. I saw dispensaries of all types as I walked the city. In gyms, comedy clubs, and corner stores. I’m sure if you saw me, there was a twinkle in my eye from all of the options. Why can’t there be more walkable cities, with affordable weed everywhere? While also being able to smoke pretty much anywhere. Once again, read your local laws for where you’re allowed to legally smoke. I am not responsible for any public sessions ya’ll have.
I have little info on where weed can be legally smoked as a tourist. I’ve gone to two “private cannabis clubs” in the city, and really enjoyed one of them. Walking around, I never felt at risk smoking on the sidewalks in Manhattan. I do understand some may not be comfortable doing so though. The best advice I could give if you don’t know someone in the city, is to find a smoke friendly AirBnb. Or at least one with a balcony.
My trip to New York City was fantastic. Later in the trip I found some higher quality bud that was $40 an eighth, and had me stuck. I know one day things will certainly change. More than likely those changes will occur soon. I feel blessed to have expereinced the stage of NYC legality that I did. The types of stories I’ll tell my grandkids when they’re getting taxed at 46% on their bud, but they can buy it at Target.
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