When cannabis became legalized in New York, many saw this as a new beginning and a fresh start. However, some legal setbacks delayed permits from being issued for months. But there has been progress despite the many setbacks. The industry is still trying to make up for lost time, while also working to develop trust in the community and be seen as a resource.

Retail owners like Christine Richardson, CEO and president of Royale Flower Dispensary, are still trying to make up for lost time three years later while ensuring their businesses can continue to thrive.

“We have had exceptional customer support,” Richardson said. “I have to say our community has been fantastic. I think dispensaries are your community.

For the last few months, Royale Flower Cannabis Dispensary in Albany has been organizing various fall-themed events to attract shoppers and create activities for the community.

The owner also ensures that a level of education is included since many are still learning about the market.

“And when you look around at the store. You see all of the different people, just from every age. Young to old,” she said. “And I think we did phenomenal on that because everybody has come together.”

Dispensers in the area are now learning how to partner with other small businesses to increase foot traffic. They are even inspiring special cannabis-infused drink and food menus with local restaurants.

“I think as small businesses- as we all are. We need to stick together,” Richardson said. “I think it’s good to support everybody.”

Royale Flower hosted Harvest Fest, an event for industry professionals and cannabis enthusiasts to learn more about the regulated market in New York.

Melany Dobson, co-founder of Hudson Cannabis, partners with retail dispensaries like Royale Flower. But Dobson said she never thought the farm would get so involved with marketing opportunities like pop-up shops.

“Pop-ups and activations are totally new to us,” Dobson said. “At heart, here, we’re farmers, manufacturers, and we distribute. So learning how to activate in our community is the new wave of our company.”

And with ghost dispensaries continuing to be an issue, Richardson says retail owners now have a responsibility to make sure they are also educating the public about what it means to consume cannabis responsibly.

“For the future, it’s only going to get better as more and more people know they can come…can have safety, and can purchase safe cannabis,” she said.

Another issue affecting retailers is how the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) currently does not have a regulatory cap on the number of cannabis locations. 

For Part Two of the series, NewsChannel13 will share how this has affected the area and how the business owner’s equity licenses were supposed to help.