Brooklyn residents are currently celebrating 4/20 with a variety of events, including weed festivals and sunset yoga. Many are visiting one of nearly 80 legal dispensaries to refresh their supplies, marking a stark contrast to the borough’s restrictive legal history.
A Century of Prohibition and Crackdowns
The legal battle over cannabis in New York City began in 1914. The state’s Boylan Act added cannabis to a list of prohibited drugs, requiring prescriptions for habit-forming substances like heroin, morphine and opium.
At that time, reports indicated that marijuana was viewed as having practically the same effect as narcotics. Still, this did not stop local cultivation.
By 1977, the state took its first step toward decriminalization by reducing penalties for small amounts of the drug. Despite this, possession in public view remained a misdemeanor that could lead to three months in jail.
For years, hundreds of thousands of people were arrested for nonviolent offenses. Black and Latino residents were disproportionately targeted by these enforcement efforts.
The Path to Legalization
A shift in policy occurred in 2014 when Mayor Bill de Blasio moved to reduce arrests. That same year, Brooklyn District Attorney Kenneth P. Thompson announced his office would stop prosecuting most low-level, nonviolent marijuana offenses.
The state later introduced a medical marijuana program in 2016. Brooklyn saw its first medical dispensary, Citivia, open in 2018.
Recreational marijuana was legalized by the state in 2021. The law specified that the first 150 licenses would be granted to “justice-involved” individuals previously convicted of marijuana offenses.
Overcoming Regulatory Hurdles
Legal recreational shops did not open in Brooklyn until late 2023 due to court battles. During this delay, unlicensed shops like Big Chief in Bay Ridge operated openly, leading to multiple raids and arrests.
Grow Together became the first legal recreational dispensary in Brooklyn, opening in Gravesend in December 2023. This paved the way for other shops, including The Travel Agency in Downtown Brooklyn and Matawana, the borough’s first Black woman-owned dispensary.
Other notable additions include Verdi Cannabis in Park Slope and All Solid in Flatbush, which emphasizes locally-grown products. Most recently, Hii Cannabis opened a second location in Bay Ridge.
The rollout has not been without conflict. Kaya Bliss faced community backlash in Bay Ridge, and Leeann Mata of Matawana is currently in a legal battle with the nonprofit Housing Works.
Regulatory shifts also put dozens of Brooklyn shops at risk when the OCM updated rules regarding distance from schools. However, Governor Kathy Hochul recently amended the law to allow existing dispensaries to remain in place.
Looking Forward
With nearly 80 licensed shops now active, the market may enter a period of greater stability. The resolution of school proximity rules could reduce the number of shops at risk of closure.
However, ongoing legal disputes, such as the one involving Matawana and Housing Works, may influence how nonprofit partnerships are structured in the industry. Future growth could depend on how the state continues to balance community concerns with legal requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the first legal recreational dispensary open in Brooklyn?
Grow Together opened in Gravesend in December 2023.
What was the Boylan Act of 1914?
The Boylan Act was a state law that added cannabis to the list of prohibited drugs and required prescriptions for habit-forming drugs.
How many licensed dispensaries are currently in Brooklyn?
According to the state’s Office of Cannabis Management, there are almost 80 licensed dispensaries in the borough.
Do you believe the current legal framework effectively addresses the history of criminalization in New York?