Housing Works Cannabis Co. (HWCC), New York City's first legal cannabis dispensary, has officially resumed its popular “Weed & Read” program after a brief summer hiatus.
The initiative will provide participants with a curated cannabis experience and a handpicked selection of books, creating an inviting space for readers to unwind and enhance their literary journey.
SEE ALSO: New York's first legal marijuana shop celebrates Pride Month with drug events, fundraisers and new product launches
Speaking with amNY, Sasha Nutgent, HWCC's Director of Retail Cannabis, explained how the concept came about: “We quickly realized that the cannabis industry revolves around community, and one of the ways we wanted to engage with the community a little bit more was to understand what people's interests were.”
“One of our staff members suggested, what about coffee table books? What about reading? It's really cool to read while you're high. And so Weed & Read was born.”
Enhance your experience with visual choices
Originally, the books selected for “Weed & Read” aligned with HWCC's mission to promote LGBTQ+, BIPOC and female-led brands.
While this mission remains at the heart of the program, participants provided valuable feedback calling for more visually stimulating content, Nutgent noted.
“This year, we decided to incorporate more coffee table books, in response to feedback from attendees who wanted to see more graphic books and novels,” Nuttgent said.
In October, HWCC will feature “The Incomplete Highsnobiety Guide to Street Fashion and Culture,” a book that delves into the most influential figures in street fashion. In November, we will feature “Little Book of New York Style,” and in December, we will feature “A Weed is a Flower: Artful Cannabis Photography.”
Take your reading to the next level with handpicked cannabis books and curated bundles
The Weed & Read program allows authors to handpick cannabis products to accompany each book and highlight the book's theme. These curated cannabis bundles are immersive and fun, Natgent says.
“Depending on what strain you're drinking, it might spark your creativity or open your mind to slightly different opportunities and ideas,” she says, “so if you're drinking while you're high and looking at a photo book or reading a book, I think that might enhance the experience.”
Natgent is confident the program is a success, with past bundles consistently selling out.
“Overall it has been very well received and I'm really glad I chose this path because I don't think anyone else is doing anything like this,” Nutgent concludes.
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