New York just approved 99 more recreational cannabis shop applications

NYC is about to get 53 more state-licensed recreational cannabis dispensaries!

On Monday, the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) awarded 99 more recreational cannabis dispensary licenses, including three in Brooklyn, nine in the Bronx, 21 in Manhattan, 17 in Queens and three in Staten Island.

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This means that there are 53 more legal dispensaries planning to open up across the boroughs in the coming year.

According to OCM, in order to be eligible for a license, each applicant had to either have had a cannabis conviction or be the family member of someone who has and has owned a profitable business. Nonprofits were eligible if they had a history of serving current or formerly incarcerated individuals; have at least one justice-involved board member; at least five full-time employees; and have operated a social enterprise that had net assets or profit for at least two years.

In late 2022, OCM issued just 36 licenses across the state. The first in NYC to be awarded licenses were The Housing Works Cannabis Co., Union Square Travel Agency and Smacked. 

This new batch of licenses is a burst of fresh air for those who were holding their breath, waiting for the next announcement.

“We are thrilled to announce the addition of 99 more CAURD provisional licenses as we continue to work swiftly and equitably to establish New York’s cannabis industry,” said Chris Alexander, Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Management. “The approval of these licenses will help expedite building a robust and diverse supply chain while also ensuring that individuals that have been disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition have meaningful opportunities to participate in the industry.”

Below are the new NYC licensees:

• CONBUD LLC: Owned by Coss S. Marte, Alfredo M. Angueira Jr. and Ramon Martinez in the New York State Borough of Manhattan. For eight years Coss S. Marte, a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated CONBODY INC, a fitness, health & wellness center in New York City.
• Robin Hood Cannabis, LLC: Owned by Jennifer Tzar and Tanya Hotton in the New York State Borough of Manhattan. For three years Jennifer Tzar, a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated Scrimshaw Scratchers a restaurant and bar with an attached retail store in Hudson, New York.
• THE HERBAL CARE THC LLC: Owned by Markel Bababekov and Abbas Bababekov in the New York State Borough of Manhattan. For five years Markel Bababekov, a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated S&M Planet Consulting Inc, a dry cleaning service.
• NC ACCIDENT REPORTS LLC: Owned by Joseph Merlo and Berkay Sebat in the New York State Borough of Manhattan. For nine years Joseph Merlo, a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated Wreck and Mend LLC Auto body shop, customer-facing repairing automobiles and other vehicles involved in accidents in Hempstead, New York.
• WEEDS R US INC.- Owned by Joshua J AHL and Jak Eisakharian in the New York State Borough of Manhattan. For five years Joshua J AHL, a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated IMA PLAZA Corp, a property management business.
• Flower Power NYC Corp.: Owned by Angelo Kitkas in the New York State Borough of Manhattan. For three years, Angelo Kitkas, a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated Bestco Electrical Corp, an electrical business in Long Island City, New York.
• ERUDITOHERBALS LLC: Owned by Fernando Leendof in the New York State Borough of Manhattan. For two years, Fernando Leendof, a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated Erudito Herbals, LLC, a hemp retailer in New York City.
• SOODAKS, INC.: Owned by Mitchell R. Soodak and Ellis S. Soodak in the New York State Borough of Manhattan. For 23 years Mitchell R. Soodak, a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated 33 Union Square West, Inc., a beer, liquor & wine store in New York City.
• Mighty Lucky LLC: Owned by Bernard Allulli Jr. in the New York State Borough of Manhattan. For 13 years Bernard Allulli Jr., a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated Beau Allulli Photografy Corp., a photography and production company in New York City.
• Organic Relief Leaf: Owned by Joseph Abramov in the New York State Borough of Manhattan. For eight years Joseph Abramov, a justice-involved applicant, owned and operated Hashem Echad Inc., a wholesale real estate business in the Bronx.
• Terrapin Greens 24-7, INC.: Owned by Christopher T. Concannon and Thomas P. Concannon in the New York State Borough of Manhattan. For 26 years Christopher T. Concannon, a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated a Network Financial Printing, Inc. a network financial printing company in New York City.
• CANNADREAMS INC: Owned by Jie Lin in the New York State Borough of Manhattan. For nine years Jie Lin, a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated King Kong Vape Inc a hemp and CBD shop located in White Plains, New York.
• Don Resources Unlimited LLC: Owned by Donnell Furlow in the New York State Borough of Manhattan. For four years Donnell Furlow, a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated DF SNACKS LLC a goods transport company.
• Actualize: Owned by Daniel Morena in the New York State Borough of Manhattan. For nine years Daniel Morena, a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated Redemptive Marketing LLC, a tech management company in Coram, New York.
• Euphoria Dispensary of New York: Owned by James Kelley in the New York State Borough of Manhattan. For five years James Kelley, a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated CHOP SHOP INC a hair grooming and facials service business in Areverne, New York.
• Gotham Buds LLC: Owned by Jeffrey Lopez, Omar A. Tejada, Gregory Gray, Brian Jones, and Malika Bellamy in the New York State Borough of Manhattan. For three years Jeffrey Lopez, justice-involved applicant, owned & operated J.D.G. Mobile Car Wash in New York City.
• APF Syndicate Corporation: Owned by Usama M. Elsayed and Moe Ashor in the New York State Borough of Manhattan. For 20 years Usama M. Elsayed, a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated L C M Network Inc.
• BlazinUp LLC: Owned by Matthew Ward and Miguel Bernard in the New York State Borough of Manhattan. Miguel Bernard, a justice-involved applicant, operated a financial strategy and advising firm for three years. 
• Smelly Nelly LLC: Owned by Nelson Cabrera in the New York State Borough of Manhattan. Cabrera, a justice-involved applicant, owns and operates MYLITE LLC, a firm offering consulting and training services to cannabis retail and cultivation operators in California and across the country.  
• Green Health LLC: Owned by Anthony Melchior in the New York State Borough of Manhattan. Melchior is a justice-involved applicant who has owned Melchior Productions, a theatrical production company that works with venues throughout New York State, for 17 years.
• New York Tetrahydrocannabinol Company LLC: Owned by Harold L. Baines in the New York State Borough of Manhattan. Baines, a justice-involved applicant, has owned and operated Manhattan Island Media, a filmmaking and media production company, for eight years.  
• Michael Pagan: Owned by Michael Pagan in the New York State Borough of Queens, New York. For two years Michael Pagan, a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated Npcsa, a real estate and marketing consulting business.
• Just a little higher LLC: Owned by Paul Pagan and Gregory Kornegay in the New York State Borough of Queens, New York. For seven years Paul Pagan, a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated a Large scale concert and event promotion, staging, and planning business.
• Kush Culture Industry LLC: Owned by Jeremy Rivera and Alessandro Cottone in the New York State Borough of Queens. For two years Jeremy Rivera owned and operated J & A Building Consultants an authorized OSHA and DOB construction safety training business.
• Buds “R” Us LLC: Owned by Benjamin Espinoza Jr. in the New York State Borough of Queens. For seven years Benjamin Espinoza Jr., a justice-involved applicant owned & operated Plaster Finish Interiors Corp an interior repairs business.
• Summit Canna LLC: Owned by Michael A Montas, Ronald Martinez, Jorge Jimenez on the New York State Borough of The Bronx. For five years Michael A Montas, a justice-involved, applicant owned & operated ALL IN ONE MOTORSPORTS INC, a retail auto sales business in Yonkers, New York.
• Cannabis Culture 1 LLC: Owned by Angela P. Stokes in the New York State Borough of Queens. For five years Angela P. Stokes, a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated APS Realty LLC, a real estate business in Saint Albans, New York.
• BigFlavor Entertainment Corp: Owned by Caesar Grandez Jr. in the New York State Borough of Queens. For nine years, Caesar Grandez Jr., a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated Bigflavor Entertainment Corp an events and marketing company.
• Clemencia E Meza: Owned by Clemencia E. Meza and Hector E. Echeverry in the New York State Borough of Queens. For 31 years Clemencia E. Meza, a justice-involved applicant, owned and operated Con-Sur Insurance Brokerage Inc. an Insurance brokerage firm in Elmhurst, New York.
• Best Sala: Owned by Best Sala in the New York State Borough of Queens. For four years Best Sala, a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated best consulting NY group Inc.
• Fignolecar LLC: Owned by Carrel Fignole, Anais Burrnett, Diana Lopez, Verlee Jones, Latoya Fignole in the New York State Borough of Queens. For five years Carrel Fignole, a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated Fignolecar inc.
• BudBiz LLC: Owned by Salvatore Pinto, Giancarlo Pinto, and Jon P. Pezzo in the New York State Borough of Queens. For six years Salvatore Pinto, a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated Pomidoro Inc, a pizzeria in Ridgewood, New York.
• Actualize: Owned by Daniel Morena in the New York State Borough of Queens. For nine years Daniel Morena, a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated Redemptive Marketing L.L.C in Coram, New York.
• Green Jungle INC: Owned by Robert Atkins and Marko Popovic in the New York State Borough of Queens. For 15 years Robert Atkins, a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated Osiris Media LLC, a Media and Cannabis Consulting business.
• Boxing Express LLC: Owned by Rodney W. Carter Jr. in the New York State Borough of Queens. For (10) years Rodney W. Carter Jr., a justice involved applicant, owned & operated a Boxing fitness center in New York City.
• Sean Kang: Owned by Sean Kang in the New York State Borough of Queens. Kang, a justice-involved applicant, owned and operated Upscale Consultant Corp for four years, a consultancy that helped direct-to-consumer clients develop and grow sales.
• Boom Factory LLC: Owned by Latrisha Wilkins, Natasha Mitchell, Shaniqua Anthony in the New York State Borough of Queens. Latrisha Wilkins, a justice-involved applicant, owned Natural Nature, a hair and beauty company selling both products and services, for two years. 
• Proper Prints LLC: Owned by Angel Pagan I in the New York State Borough of Queens. Pagan, a justice-involved applicant, has owned Proper Prints LLC, a screen-printing company, for four years. 
• David Hooper Jr.: Owned by David Hooper Jr. in the New York State Borough of Queens. Hooper, a justice-involved applicant, owned Rich League Collection, an online seller of men’s apparel for five years. 
• Smoking Scholars LLC: Owned by Zahir Brooks in the New York State Borough of The Bronx. For six years Zahir Brooks, a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated Venum Sound Music Group.
• ZIL ZAL INC: Owned by Wadah A. Abdulkader Brooks in the New York State Borough of The Bronx. For four years Wadah A. Abdulkader, a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated REEMY’S DISCOUNT & GROCERY CORP in The Bronx.
• Green Sun, Inc: Owned by Edwin Ripoll and Dragan Ristovski in the New York State Borough of The Bronx. Edwin Ripoll is a justice-involved applicant who owned ICU Mobile Detailing, a mobile car wash service for two years. 
• Common Courtesy Dispensary, LLC: Owned by Doreen Ekokobe, Tankrachap Asogna-Morfaw and George Tabi Jr. in the New York State Borough of The Bronx. Doreen Ekokobe, a justice-involved applicant, has owned and operated Lovtander Inc., an asset and property management company, for 18 years. 
• DNP-Z LLC: Owned by David and Marcia Nicponski in the New York State Borough of The Bronx. David Nicponski, a justice-involved applicant, operated a contracted software development and consulting firm for four years. 
• 420 NY LLC: Owned by Albert Cooks and Randy White in the New York State Borough of The Bronx. Randy White, a justice-involved applicant, owns and operates Ayenorf Enterprises, a general contractor with commercial, residential and municipal clients that specializes in windows, doors and window treatments. 
• Emmanuel E. De Jesus: Owned by Emmanuel De Jesus in the New York State Borough of The Bronx. De Jesus, a justice-involved applicant, owned Fresh Wey Juice Bar LLC, selling snacks and nonalcoholic beverages for four years. 
• Cannabis Emporium Corp: Owned by Denis and Levent Ozkurt in the New York State Brough of The Bronx. Deniz Ozkurt, a justice-involved applicant, has owned and operated Maximus Electric Inc. a wiring and electrical services company, for five years. 
• Evija Artworks Inc: Owned by Misha Morse-Buch in the New York State Borough of Brooklyn. For seven years Misha Morse-Buch, a justice applicant, owned & operated Evija Artworks Inc. a pet food and supply store in Brooklyn, New York.
• Level Up NYC Corp: Owned by Justin Boyer, Catherine Ouellette and John Rufino in the New York State Borough of Brooklyn. For six years, John Rufino, a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated High Off Kicks a retail sneaker shop in Albany, New York.
• Dank Heaven: Owned by Mark Shifrin, Leroy Dunn and Paul Shifrin in the New York State Borough of Brooklyn. Mark Shifrin, a justice-involved applicant, has owned Emerald Leaves, a state-licensed adult-use retail cannabis dispensary located in Tacoma, Washington for four years. 
• Big Dipper NY, LLC: Owned by Brian Kelleher, Natalia Thurston, Eric Velasquez and Michael Quintanilla in the New York State Borough of Staten Island. Eric Velasquez, a justice-involved applicant, owns Velasquez Specialty Design, a specialty design services firm in the retail industry that has designed and installed retail merchandise displays for Target and other major retailers over the last eight years.
• NugHub NY LLC: Owned by Michael Gertelman in the Borough of Staten Island. For (5) years Michael Gertelman, a justice-involved applicant, owned & operated Black Tie Auto Leasing, LLC, an auto leasing company.
• Green Empire Wellness LLC: Owned by John T. Ha and Paul T. Ha in the Borough of Staten Island. For 13 years, John T. Ha, a justice applicant, owned and operated City Wine Cellar Inc in Staten Island, New York.