Bronx's first recreational marijuana dispensary opens Thursday
NEW YORK -- The first legal recreational marijuana dispensary in the Bronx opened its doors on Thursday.
With a slower rollout than expected across New York State, officials say they anticipate the 20th dispensary to be open by Saturday.
Statis Cannabis Company co-owner Emely Chavez was the first customer to purchase anything at her brand new store in West Farms.
"Why not a Spanish woman getting the opportunity to do something that was taboo before and now legalized?" Chavez said.
Statis is making strides in the borough as the first legal recreational dispensary. The Office of Cannabis Management says Bronx residents have accounted for more than 20% of all cannabis-related arrests in the state since 1980, while only making up 7% of the population.
"The opening of the Statis Cannabis Company marks another step forward in writing the failed war on drugs," co-founder Angel Turuseta said.
But the owners said it wasn't a seamless process getting to the ribbon cutting on opening day.
"There's a lot of legalities and codes that need to go through," Chavez said.
READ MORE: Albany dispensary is first in state to start delivering recreational marijuana to Long Island
Chavez added Statis was met with roadblocks that delayed the opening of the business by a few months.
"We also have to find the location, make sure it conforms to the code and it's not near any houses of worship or near any education schools," Chavez said.
State officials acknowledged the challenges dispensaries are facing.
"Of course, because cannabis is still federally illegal, there are also restrictions for particular landlords who have particular mortgages to have a cannabis business on site," said Chris Alexander, the executive director of the Office of Cannabis Management.
Those in the industry say roadblocks like these have impacted the number of dispensaries that were set to roll out by the summer.
"The state expected 50 stores to be open by the end of last year, but it's 15 stores and it's July. You can just imagine how the numbers don't really align," said Omar Massoud, of Marijuana Farms NY.
Bronx residents say the wait was long enough.
"We're tired of getting the short end of the stick. We should've been open weeks months years," said Daniel Rivera of Baychester, who visited the dispensary.
State officials say they're hoping by September, 40 dispensaries across the state will be open. Right now, a dispensary in Hunts Point is acquiring a permit, which is about a six-week process.