Governor Kathy Hochul announced the opening of two cannabis dispensaries in the Capital Region – the first in the region to be supported by the New York Cannabis Social Equity Investment Fund. The fund was created to provide opportunities for those impacted by the inequitable enforcement of cannabis laws.
“As the cannabis market expands, my administration is focused on protecting the health and safety of all New Yorkers, helping small businesses thrive, and building the most equitable adult-use cannabis industry in the nation,” Governor Hochul said. “New York State is continuing to provide safe, legal products for consumers while we work to assist those targeted by the inequitable enforcement of cannabis laws in the past.”
In Troy, 420 Bliss opened December 7 at 740 Hoosick Street. 420 Bliss is owned by Al Attoh, Renee Lindo and Gregg Little, entrepreneurs with experience in the retail, real estate, construction and the music business, among others. Their goal is to create a stable, long-lasting business that offers a comfortable experience for their customers.
In Albany, Capital District Cannabis and Wellness, 997 Central Avenue, opened December 8. The dispensary is owned by Capital Region natives James Frese and Pasha Adams, longtime friends who bring to their enterprise diverse backgrounds in the restaurant industry, real estate, volunteering and more, as well as a strong commitment to community service.
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said, “New York State’s legalization of cannabis was a much-needed step to end the social and racial injustice of the criminalization of marijuana, and that is why the City of Albany has worked tirelessly over the past two years to prepare for the opening of our first cannabis dispensaries. Our Cannabis Advisory Committee helped solicit feedback, inform, and shape cannabis regulations at the municipal level including the time, place, and manner of adult-use retail dispensaries and on-site consumption licenses, public education, and protection of community health and safety through the lens of social and racial equity. I look forward to seeing how our advisory committee’s work helps positively impact our new dispensaries and our entire community. Thank you to Governor Hochul for executing on the framework to legalize cannabis and create opportunities for small business owners across New York State.”
420 Bliss Co-Owner Al Attoh said, “If it hadn’t been for the Fund, we would have likely had to take on equity partners, and give up part of the business. The Fund gave us the opportunity to build a business that we can own, one that will last for many years to come.”
Capital District Cannabis and Wellness Co-Owners James Frese and Pasha Adams said, “It means so much for us to have not just the opportunity to start a new business in our hometown, but to have the support from the state and the community. The New York Cannabis Social Equity Fund, DASNY, the Office of Cannabis Management, and of course the Governor all played such a huge role in helping make this store a reality. We couldn’t have done this without all of them.”
