HUDSON FALLS – High Society, the 200th legal cannabis dispensary in New York State and the first to open in the greater Glens Falls area, marked its milestone on Friday, September 27th by the Bureau of Cannabis Control, store owners, and New York State. celebrated. State Rep. Carrie Warner, a Democrat whose district includes Hudson Falls and Glens Falls.
Belinda McPhee and members of the Cannabis Control Bureau in front of Hudson Falls High Society.
Andrew Balenza
“All I'm saying is we're happy to be able to leave money in the hometown where we grew up,” said Belinda McPhee, owner of High Society. “We are excited to employ our neighbors, family and friends in full compliance with all local and state laws.”
Belinda McPhee stands in front of the high society of Hudson Falls.
Andrew Balenza
She added: “I would like to thank everyone in the community for this support.”
Congresswoman Carrie Warner said it was her first time entering a pharmacy when McPhee showed her around earlier that day.
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Belinda McPhee shows Congresswoman Carrie Warner around her cannabis dispensary, High Society.
Andrew Balenza
Woolner called the 200-store milestone “a sign that we are growing this industry in New York state, where it is legal and safe.”
“I'm not only happy to be here to celebrate that accomplishment, but I'm also proud of Belinda, her team, and their commitment to launching a brand new business that supports good people here in New York and here in Hudson Falls,” Woolner said. I'm happy to be able to celebrate the journey.” It would create jobs for local people and support the farms that grow cannabis and the producers who make the products sold in New York dispensaries. ”
She emphasized that new businesses like High Society are all about staying local and supporting New York's farms and small businesses.
High Society opening sign commemorating New York's 200th dispensary milestone.
Andrew Balenza
Taryll McGough, OCM's deputy director for legislative affairs, led a short ceremony in front of the pharmacy Friday afternoon.
He spoke about the importance of the Conditional Adult Retail Pharmacy Program (CUARD). CAURD's licensees were the first to open retail stores for legal adult-use cannabis sales in New York.
According to OCM's website, the state limits CUARD licenses to businesses owned by “law enforcement officials.” This means the license holder must be a person who has been convicted of a marijuana-related crime, or a close relative of someone who has been convicted.
Initially, OCM was supposed to handle only 150 stores, but McGough said it now handles about 400 stores.
Congresswoman Carrie Warner presents the award to Belinda McPhee.
Andrew Balenza
After the ceremony, McPhee said attendance on the opening day, Thursday, September 26, far exceeded expectations.
“We thought we'd probably have 100 (customers). 100 would be fine,” McPhee said. “And we ended up with 200 pieces.”
The success of the opening day gave McPhee a lot of confidence in his staff, calling them “amazing.”
“Last night, I literally ran around the store high-fiving everyone in the store that was open,” she said. “I was like, 'Great job!'” They were great. ”
High Society is located at 345 Main St., Suite 2 and sells a wide range of cannabis products from flower to edibles. At this time, we are a cash only store. An ATM was delivered while greetings were being made during the ceremony.
Andrew Valenza is the news editor. Contact him at 518-742-3245 or avalenza@poststar.com.
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