April 11th 2023.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards made history by making the first purchase at the newly opened Good Grades cannabis dispensary in New York on Thursday, smashing stereotypes and showing the power of second chances. Michael James Jr., co-owner of the shop located on Jamaica Avenue, said Richards’ purchase marked a pivotal moment for the start of the business. Extasy James, the shop’s other co-owner and a woman entrepreneur, said the grand opening was “high-energy” and filled with love from family, friends, staff, and security.
The dispensary is a source of economic prosperity for Black and brown neighborhoods such as Jamaica, Queens, which had previously faced disproportionate cannabis criminalization. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul noted the importance of supporting entrepreneurs, ensuring consumers can purchase safe, legal products, and supporting their communities. The James cousins received their license through the state’s Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary license program, and are now the first woman-owned dispensary to be financially supported by the state’s social equity investment fund.
Good Grades has made multiple historical moments with its opening, being among the first six retail dispensaries in New York state, the first to open in Queens, and the first woman-owned dispensary to be financially supported by the state’s social equity investment fund. Extasy James said, “We want to inspire the community that there are second chances and that dreams can come true. Anything is possible.”
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