The immutable debate: New York City versus California. Food, cost of living, and the rest of the masses may be up for debate, but everyone knows that California unarguably beats New York when it comes to weed. Thus when adult-use cannabis sales started in New York, nearly five years after they did in California, the anticipation was well beyond built up.
So now that the market’s open, how does it compare? New York City beats California at many things, but can it exceed (or even touch) the sky-scraping bar set by the Golden State? Moreover, how does it compare to other markets, especially fellow new ones?
The Current State of the New York Cannabis Market
New York State has approved 280 cultivator licenses as of January. However, only about a couple dozen brands are present in dispensaries. There are only three dispensaries, so far… all within a few blocks of each other. The market is hot, and competition is fierce. Companies are working to deliver their best products, cement their name in the market, and keep up with demand while still in the early stages of operation.
We’ve all been waiting to find out just how NYC will compare to the West Coast, especially given the vastly different climates. Although NYC may surpass California in many ways, it could never compete with the West Coast’s remarkable climate— which is the main reason the weed is so damn good over there; not to mention the years and experience California has on New York when it comes to both the legal and legacy markets. Hell, most of New York’s black market weed comes from the West Coast, which has awarded the Big Apple a considerable reputation for cannabis. Can the legal market uphold this reputation?
First Impressions on New York City’s Adult-Use Cannabis Market
Enough about the New York City versus California debate. Legal weed can be bought in New York now. So, that’s exactly what I did, bought weed legally at a real NYC dispensary— a historical moment I’m sure I’ll tell my grandchildren. But as for many things, the anticipation was more exciting than the actual experience. Partly because the astronomical gray market made being a stoner in the city feel like being a kid in a candy store for the past couple of years. And also partly because the experience was a tad underwhelming.
First Trip to the Dispensary: A Taste of the Cheapest Flower Available
My first legal dispensary visit in NYC was to Housing Works Cannabis Co., owned by the non-profit it’s named after. The space looked roughly pieced together. There weren’t many products on display, the budtender couldn’t answer my questions accurately, many products were sold out, and those that weren’t made my wallet tremble. I chose the cheapest flower option for $40 plus around $5 in tax. I decided against the gram vapes that would cost a whole Franklin after tax. The flower, produced by Back Home Cannabis Co., was packed in a black mylar bag. The inner contents were what you’d expect if you bought a $25 bodega eighth in the same package. It wasn’t very strong; it was kind of harsh, and I was pretty disappointed.
Then I realized— I just bought legal weed in NYC. This was just days after history was made with the opening of the first New York recreational dispensary; cannabis that I know is lab tested and safe from contaminants. That peace of mind alone was worth paying nearly double for mids. While this flower wasn’t great for the price in the grand scheme, it’s impressive considering how new the market and companies are.
Back Home Cannabis Co. packaging for an eighth (3.5g) of Gorilla Glue
The costly prices are understandable for a new market. They reflect the prices of other new markets, many of which have since evened out as more companies emerged and new laws have been introduced.
As they say, comparison is the greatest thief of joy. What New York recreational cannabis has to offer at this point may be nowhere close to the opposite coast, but we’re barely three months in; it’s a solid and promising start.
The Next Trip: Newest Dispensary, Priciest Flower, and Cheapest Vape
My second visit to an adult-use dispensary in NYC two months later granted me even more optimism. Housing Works’ storefront was decently impressive considering its prompt opening. I was eager to see what an extra couple of months of preparation could result in, and it proved to be something fairly extraordinary. Visiting Union Square Travel Agency was a whole experience— a trip, one could say. It was evident that’s what they were going for with staff uttering on-brand phrases like “enjoy your flight!” The thoughtfully designed layout featured vibrant red structures, large product display cases, and tablets for self-ordering. The staff were knowledgeable, friendly, and full of life. Though I spent more money than I would’ve preferred, I was happy with my purchases and overall experience.
Florist Farms Banana Runtz 3.5g Review
After seeing Florist Farms all over social media and learning about their farming practices, I was beyond eager to try their products. All of their flower is sun-grown at an organic farm upstate, and the company is farmer-owned and operated. Their bud is hand-trimmed and presented in sustainable packaging: glass jars and reclaimed ocean plastic lids.
I reluctantly paid a tad over $60, post-tax, for an 8th of Banana Runtz flower. Soon after, I determined it was well worth the price. It’s no Jungle Boys, but it’s potent, flavorful, and smooth— everything I’d expect and hope for in this price range. The bud is nicely packaged in quality materials, but the jar doesn’t include much information other than state compliant verbiage, a QR code to lab results, and that the flower is sativa and contains 21% THC. Though I’m unsure which terpenes are dominant in this flower, the effects prove that they’re certainly abundantly present.
Banana Runtz nugs sitting on a table with its packaging from Florist Farms Flower NYC | Photo by Hannah Gershowitz
Jaunty Vapes Blueberry Kush Cartridge Review
I also figured I’d take a chance on the cheapest vape brand as it was sold out the first time I had visited a legal dispensary. I grabbed a one-gram Blueberry Kush cartridge by Jaunty for $55 plus tax, about half the price of most other vape options. It isn’t very flavorful, but it hits exceptionally smoothly. I tend to have to use the highest setting on my battery to get a solid hit. On lower settings, I have to draw much longer, but it ends up being a smooth, light, and pleasant hit. The lack of coughing and evident potency are the two main factors I look for in vapes, and Jaunty’s cartridges certainly passed the test. For this price point, these vapes are a no-brainer and I will undoubtedly be back for another in due time.
Blueberry Kush cartridge packaging from Jaunty Vapes in New York City | Photo by Hannah Gershowitz
A Promising Beginning
Everything considered, though the adult-use market has seen and is still seeing it’s fair share of obstacles, it’s off to a promising start. I believe it’s fair to say the market is flourishing and prices will even out in due time. New York City has the infrastructure, people, and culture to cement itself and the entities within as top players in the global cannabis landscape. And it certainly has the potential to change the whole climate of the city, for the better.
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