2FIRSTS Scout on NYC's First Recreational Cannabis Shop

Reported by David Yu | Edited by Ellesmere Zhu

"I was prosecuted and sent to jail due to illegal procession of marijuana," said Guy (alias) to 2FIRSTS, "now it's all legal, I can sell marijuana myself because I am one of the individuals to get a retail license."

On Dec. 29, New York's first licensed recreational marijuana retail store, run by Housing Works Cannabis Co., opened on Broadway, Lower Manhattan. Some 2,000 customers queued to shop on that day and products were emptied within 3 hours. On Jan.2 local time, the 5th day of running, a long queue was seen outside and inside the shop. 

There are 4 counters serving customers, who need to register to be allowed in. Guy said that the shop sells everything about marijuana: weed, edibles, vapes, and more. Not only can you buy on-site but you can also buy online and pick it up at the store or use the in-town delivery service. 

All trades in the store are cash-only. Under federal law, cannabis possession and use in all forms remain illegal, so credit payment and apple pay are unavailable. 

In terms of price, 2FIRSTS correspondents learned from three consumers who visited the store and wished to remain anonymous, that the price of cannabis products in the store was generally about twice the price of the illegal street market, although this is currently the only legal channel. They said they would likely purchase cannabis products from the streets again in the future.

A net content of 1 gram, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) concentration of 85% of the electronic cigarette cartridge was sold for $84.8; compared to nicotine e-cigarettes, a box of a brand containing four 0.7ml cartridges for the bullet pack for only $16.99.

Guy said he no longer has to worry about acting illegally. After volunteering at the store for a while, he plans to open his own marijuana store.

Also read: 

Updates on marijuana legalization by state in the United States