Medical Marijuana Distributors Eye NYC Locations As State Prepares To Grant Licenses
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Could a medical marijuana dispensary be coming to a New York City storefront near you?
As CBS2's Hazel Sanchez reported, one company has already signed a lease to open up shop in Downtown Brooklyn, but not everyone in the neighborhood wants them to move in.
"Think Apple store meets pharmacy," said Andre Bogolubov.
Bogolubov, of marijuana producer and dispenser Palliatech, is hoping his company will be one of five dispensaries to be granted a state license to open up a medical marijuana store.
"It is like a pharmacy. It'll be quiet, secure business, and it will really help people who need it in the community," he said.
The medical marijuana dispensaries are part of the Compassionate Care Act passed in July, 2014.
The law ensures medical marijuana will be available to patients who need it.
One property on Fulton Street could be transformed into the first shop to exclusively sell the medical-grade drug in New York City.
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams said he supports it.
"This is not this thing that is being illegally drugged, that's being rolled up on bamboo, and all of a sudden you having this weird smell. No. This is a medical process. Government has examined it. It is safe," Adams said.
"There would be no public walk-in traffic," explained Bogolubov. "The customers would be patients who qualified for the state program, who've received a medical marijuana ID card."
Some people who live and work nearby said they are concerned about their potential new neighbor.
"At night, there should be security there because you might have people that are gonna try to run in and get whatever's inside," said Tinsley Whitney.
"People -- if they need it, they need it. But at the same time you have young kids around, so I'm not sure," said Dalila Hume.
The state will announce who gets the licenses next month. Each of the five companies that receives a license will be allowed to open four medical marijuana shops in the state.
The dispensaries are expected to be open for business in January of next year.