Licensed Cannabis Store Dispenses CBD and Optimism in Port Jervis
By David Ofshinsky
Port Jervis CBD became the city’s first and only licensed adult use cannabis dispensary onn March 22. It joins only about 110 licensed adult use dispensaries in the state, and is only the second licensed dispensary in Orange County.
As of 2022, recreational cannabis can only be legally sold in New York by state licensed dispensaries. Adults aged 21 and older are allowed to possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis and 0.85 ounces of concentrated cannabis.
Devin Yorke, one of the proprietors, spoke about the store. “Legal cannabis provides a lot of benefits. We’re all about the community. We collect and pay taxes that go back to the city. We personally contribute to local groups, such as the Humane Society, Easter Seals and the Warming Station. All our products are from within the state, and they are tested and safe. We’re a female owned, social equity business.”
“People consume cannabis for many reasons” he continued. “For some, it’s recreational. Others have different aims. Some seek help with medical conditions. Others, including many of the staff, find it’s a way to avoid alcohol or more harmful and addictive substances.”
However, research has shown cannabis to be addictive and a potential “gateway drug” leading to use of other more dangerous drugs, such as opioids. Yorke said that the majority of the staff are recovering opioid addicts who use cannabis as a safer alternative.
Meanwhile, sales at the store put funds in the city’s coffers. The 4% local excise tax on cannabis sales from a dispensary is given back to local governments; 25% of the tax revenue goes to the county and 75% goes to the cities, town, or villages in the county as their portion of its cannabis sales.
Yorke says they are looking to move to a larger space elsewhere in Port Jervis.
“Port Jervis is a great place to be,” he said. The customers are wonderful and the local government is supportive. We’re looking forward to expanding and providing more for our community.”
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Port Jervis CBD and its staff go above and beyond to be an asset to our community. It’s so nice to find honest folks with great reasonably priced products who truly care about their customers! If you haven’t gone yet wait no longer you will be impressed!