NEW YORK, Dec. 29, 2023 – PRESS RELEASE – Housing Works Cannabis Co. (HWCC), the first
licensed adult-use cannabis dispensary and delivery service in the state of New
York, reflects on its successful first year of operation as it approaches its
historic anniversary on Dec. 29 and the reinvestments made by parent organization
Housing Works. The entrepreneurial business—one of
10-plus New York City-based enterprises on Housing Works' roster—enters its
second year of operation with a focus on furthering advocacy and essential
support services for the LGBTQ+ community and those unjustly impacted by the war
on drugs.
“Since
opening our doors one year ago, we’ve been operating in somewhat of a pop-up
phase, but that hasn’t stopped us from continuing to push our mission forward,”
HWCC Retail Manager Sasha Nutgent said. "I think what differentiates us is
our roots in New York City—whether through our MJMondaze event series or the
brands we carefully select for our menu—people know what we're about, and our
work across the community.”
HWCC's
emphasis on education, harm reduction and advocacy for social, housing and
health justice solidifies it as the social equity model for America's cannabis
industry. In addition to providing formerly incarcerated individuals with
housing and health services, the team has partnered with Housing Works' own Ready for Work program to offer job training and career
development to those with chronic health conditions, including HIV/AIDS.
This
year, the Housing Works Cannabis Co. team also curated a menu of over 1,000
SKUs across 124 brands, with 20 of those being minority-led, including: Sheba Baby; Good Day Flor; Flamer; Tribe Tokes; Electraleaf; Hustle and Flo; Brelixi; Waahoo; Jam Master Jays; TICAL; Weekenders; Soft Power Sweets; MFNY; Rove; Hudson Cannabis; Halo; Tonic Vibes; Claudine Farms; and Chef For Higher.
"Learning
and growing together is really the cornerstone of Housing Works," Nutgent
said. "We do this by uplifting the voices of marginalized communities and
bringing awareness to the social injustices that impact thousands of people every
day. For us, it's in our DNA to shine that spotlight and to offer a space free
of judgment."
As
the first dispensary in the state, the HWCC team has prioritized sharing data on the New York cannabis market. The
dispensary garnered $24 million in sales in its first year. The 12-month data
shows that New Yorkers like to purchase cannabis products ahead of summer
holidays, with the largest sales day being the Friday before Memorial Day
weekend, accumulating over $100,000. The top sales week preceded Labor Day, Aug.
28 through Sept. 1, with store sales exceeding $500,000.
In
New York's first year of adult-use cannabis sales, the most popular consumption
category by revenue was flower, with edibles being the top-selling category by
unit. The team has also seen a steady uptick with online and pick-up orders,
which now represent 20% of sales, as well as delivery orders accounting for
roughly 12%.
With
plans to officially unveil its updated interior in early 2024, HWCC's remodeled space
will feature natural wood throughout, as well as its signature rainbow-themed
tones, bold mission statement and images of the nonprofit's three decades of
direct action. The new retail experience will include at least 10 highly
trained budtenders available at all times, along with an efficient
self-ordering area with four kiosks, and a dedicated space with expansive
lifestyle offerings.
Housing
Works Cannabis Co., located at 750 Broadway in Manhattan, is open from 11 a.m.
to 7 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through
Saturday. For more information on retail and delivery offerings, visit: hwcannabis.co
