Two new Southern Tier cannabis dispensaries open

VESTAL, N.Y. — Two new Southern Tier cannabis dispensaries recently opened, bringing the total number of legal and licensed dispensaries in the state to 19.

Todd Hartman, a justice-involved applicant, opened Exscape INC, a full-service dispensary, at 1308 Vestal Parkway East in Vestal on July 7. For 21 years, he has owned and operated Designs by Pyramid, a wholesaler of tobacco and vapor products.

According to a release from Hartman, the dispensary operates under the name Sacred Bloom.

“We are incredibly excited to bring the first-ever dispensary to Vestal,” Hartman said. “Our mission is to provide a safe and inclusive space where individuals can explore and benefit from the myriad of cannabis products available.”

His 5,800-square-foot dispensary also has an educational section where customers can meet suppliers and farmers to learn more about the cannabis industry.

The Greenery Spot opened June 29 at 246 Main St. in Johnson City. Christopher M. Myers, Brandon R. Myers, and Gregory R. Myers own and operate the dispensary. Gregory Myers also operates Myers Security LLC.

The openings come on the heels of an investment of up to $150 million by Chicago Atlantic Group into the New York Social Equity Cannabis Investment Fund to support the acquisition, design, construction, and outfitting of locations for cannabis dispensaries to be operated by Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary licensees.

New York State says the dispensary openings help advance its goals of equity in cannabis licensing that prioritizes providing licenses to justice-involved individuals who have had a cannabis conviction or are a close relative of someone who has had one.