In the wake of recreational marijuana’s legalization in New York, tacky (and unlicensed) weed stores have proliferated, scooping up what feels like every vacant storefront with a speed that puts Spirit Halloween to shame (RIP Mr. Berry, already replaced by one of these unsightly shops).
Now, Williamsburg locals can breathe a sigh of relief as an actually licensed storefront just opened up on 152 Bedford Avenue.
Meet Hii NYC, which opened last Friday. The store joins only a handful of licensed stores in Kings County, as a legal battle has stalled the rollout of licensed stores in Brooklyn.
A screenshot from @hii.nyc/Instagram
“The dispensary and its website is stocked with marijuana flower, pre-rolls, edibles and concentrates from several NY-based cannabis companies who have also teamed up with Hii NYC for product education,” Brooklyn Paper reports. “Reps for the vendors keep the dispensary’s bud-tenders highly-trained so they can pass that knowledge on to consumers — whether they’re experienced or green users.”
Previously, the closest legal dispensaries to Greenpoint and Williamsburg were located in Bushwick. The Bedford Avenue storefront used to be a Verizon store, though it sat vacant for the past couple of years.
Assemblymember Emily Gallagher celebrated the news
