The first licensed marijuana shop in Ulster County opens in New Paltz

Sales at the state’s 100th cannabis dispensary began just before noon, as New Paltz became the most recent community with a retail cannabis location. Big Gas Dispensary, located in the former Stewart’s building at 98 North Chestnut Street, was opened for business with a ceremonial sale to Chris Alexander, executive director of the state’s office of cannabis management OCM). That followed a press conference which, while standard fare for any event that promises a photo opportunity, was surely beyond the imagination of any pot smoker as little as 10 years ago. 

The shop is owned by Middletown residents Kareem Haynesworth and Zymia Lewis. Haynesworth’s life took a sharp turn in the ’90s when possession of a “tiny amount” of marijuana resulted in incarceration under the laws in force at the time. After being released, Haynesworth discovered that many opportunities are foreclosed for an ex-convict. Rewriting that kind of story is exactly why New York’s cannabis laws included licensing opportunities for individuals for reasons of social equity. While the process has taken longer than some stakeholders had planned for, Alexander exuded pride at what’s been accomplished through the office of cannabis management thus far. 

All hands were on deck for this opening. Dignitaries included Alexander, local mayor Tim Rogers, county executive Jen Metzger, representatives from the offices of state legislators, and also staffs from the state’s dormitory authority — which is where the construction planning took place. Owners Haynesworth and Lewis were also present, with what was likely their entire crew of employees. Once Alexander made that first purchase before the cameras — chocolate hearts and chocolate caramels, for which the executive director paid with personal funds, not tax dollars — some of those employees opened up all four registers to accept other customers while others circulated on the sales floor to explain the products. Despite first-day hiccups with the point-of-sale system, everyone waiting appeared to be in good spirits. Payment methods include debit cards and cash; one observer noted the irony of being able to pay cash for legal cannabis, but not be able to pay cash in the town court to settle a fine resulting from illegal cannabis. As with court fines, using plastic at Big Gas carries a surcharge. 

Illegal cannabis products were recently confiscated from several retail businesses where it was being sold illegally. Alexander clarified that this has been happening regularly throughout the state. Confiscation is the only power afforded to OCM employees at this time, but the executive director is anticipating a change as part of the state’s budget negotiations. “We’ll be able to padlock businesses where cannabis is sold illegally.” 

Mayor Rogers spoke about being very focused on the social equity dimension of cannabis law reform in New York, and was thanked for support that included hosting the first grower’s showcase in the state on village property. Essentially a farmer’s market for cannabis products, the grower’s showcase in New Paltz was the site of 20% of all legal cannabis sales during that time. 

Before becoming county executive in Ulster, Jen Metzger served on the state’s cannabis control board and worked closely with Alexander. “New York is leading the way in equity,” Metzger said. “Access to capital is the biggest hurdle.” To clear that hurdle, a cannabis equity fund was created from which new licensees can borrow money for startup costs. 

It was clear in Alexander’s remarks how important equity is to the executive director. Calling the story of Haynesworth and Lewis “unlikely, improbable, impossible,” Alexander added, “In New York, we do this every day.” 

There were too many product offerings to take in, but they run the gamut: flower for those who prefer to roll or pack for themselves, prepacked smoking options, and a wide range of edibles, vapes, oils, and waxes — even lip balm. Local brands were well represented, such as High Falls Canna and Soft Power Sweets, the cannabis arm of Lagusta’s Luscious. One variety’s description included the claim that it smokes like milk chocolate;” a staff member who was asked to explain how a wax pen works said that it was like “a hot glue gun for weed.” 

Big Gas will be open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The store’s web site can be found at biggasdispensary.com.