Dabber Hashery, Legal Dispensary Opens in Elmira
ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- The first legal cannabis shop has opened in Chemung County. Dabber Hashery, located at the corner of College and Roe Avenues in Elmira, is one of the first licensed dispensaries in the area since New York State legalized recreational marijuana in 2021.
New York legalized recreational cannabis in March 2021, and sales are strictly regulated. Only licensed dispensaries can legally sell cannabis products, and state growers must test all items.
Despite legalization, the rollout of dispensaries has been slow due to hurdles and legal battles, leading to a large number of unlicensed sellers also known as sticker shops. The state has been cracking down on illicit sales while encouraging the growth of the legal market.
"The licensing process was somewhat daunting in the beginning but, New York State they were pretty transparent from start to finish, letting us know what to expect in terms of timelines. So it's just like going in front of the liquor board or getting a license to operate a restaurant. You just have to jump through a few hoops. But as long as you're able to jump through those hoops, then the New York State welcomes you to open for business," explains Somostrada.
What sets Dabber Hashery apart is its commitment to local sourcing. Co-owner Sam Somostrada and his team not only operate the dispensary, but also cultivate their own cannabis on a small farm near Elmira.
"We operate a small farm where we're going to be growing the cannabis crops, and then we also grow some vegetable crops that we offer to the community in farmers markets. But it really is bare-bones agriculture. Chemung County is a rich agricultural society as well," says Somostrada.
The store plans to rotate products weekly, ensuring customers have a variety of options. Employees say they are focused on helping customers understand the difference between strains, products, and responsible use.
As New York's legal cannabis industry expands, licensed dispensaries like Dabber Hashery will play a key role in shaping the market and providing safe, regulated products.
The co-owners of Dabber Hashery all agree the mission of the store is about more than selling cannabis products, it's about providing legal options while building a relationship with the community.
"I think this is really a need that we need to fill in our community, so it's we're just happy to be here to be able to provide for those folks," shared Somostrada.
Dabber Hashery is designated with the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) as a "microbusiness" - meaning they grow, process, and sell their cannabis products.
Dabber Hashery is now open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 1051 College Ave in Elmira. They are joining numerous licensed dispensaries that are continually growing in New York as the state's industry continues to expand.