Member-only story
Everybody Must Get Stoned (in NYC)
Manhattan’s Metastasizing Marijuana Mayhem
“My stash is in a wooden cigar box in a dresser drawer — but so dank I can smell it in the room” — Zĕna Kōan
Hello folks.
Glad to see some of you joining me here today who were along for my recent “Bon Appétit—Glory and Salivation Through Gastronomic Nomanclature” tour. Welcome.
Let me start with a brief history before we begin.
In 2022, it became legal to sell recreational cannabis in New York State— through state-licensed dispensaries—of which to date there are only 146 in the entire state. Recent statistics reveal total adult use cannabis sales has surpassed $183 million in the state. That’s a lot of high.
As cannabis possession was decriminalized a proliferation of diverse, small, not-quite-legal cannabis shops began filling many of the previously empty retail spaces created by the pandemic. These boutiques also sell other consciouness altering substances like nicotine vapes (Juul), bongs, Kratom, CBD, Zaza, caffeine, sugar, etc.
Estimates for the number of these boutiques—usually gaudy and eye catching with neon marijuana leaves or bongs in the window—are in the thousands. Six hundred and thirty have been shut down so far.
The latest batch have begun rebranding themselves as convenience, exotics, novelty, or snack shops—with a facade of snacks and drinks.
As we go along, let your mind wander to the numbers of people, in every neighborhood around the city, whose daily shopping for and consumption of these consciousness altering goodies is redefining the term High Society.
You will certainly come across the smell of cannabis in the air on our journey. And so it will become apparent that this city is pretty mildly or wildly buzzed at all times. And that’s before we take into consideration the four thousand Wine & Liquor—and the caffeine shops on almost every corner.
Anyway . . . let’s get started.
