Public Flower Blooms in Allentown as Buffalo’s First Black and Woman-Owned Cannabis Dispensary

Public Flower, a new adult-use cannabis dispensary, opened on Monday in the historic Allentown neighborhood of Buffalo, NY. The dispensary is the first in the city to be owned by a Black woman, and one of the few licensed cannabis retailers in the region. The dispensary offers a range of cannabis products, such as flower, edibles, vapes, and CBD.

Public Flower is owned by Sheldon Anderson and Moriah Kelly, who applied for their license in September 2022, as part of the Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) program. The program was designed to promote social equity and diversity in the cannabis industry, by giving priority to applicants who are from communities disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs, or who have a cannabis-related conviction.

Anderson and Kelly said they faced several obstacles and delays in opening their dispensary, due to the ongoing litigation and injunctions against the state and the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). They said they had to wait for months to receive their license, and to secure their location, inventory, and staff. They said they also had to deal with the stigma and discrimination associated with cannabis.

They said they were proud to be the first Black and woman-owned cannabis dispensary in Buffalo, and that they wanted to serve their community and provide a safe and professional service. They said they chose Allentown as their location because of its cultural and historical significance, and because of its proximity to the medical campus and downtown.

The Products and Services of Public Flower

Public Flower offers a wide range of cannabis products, sourced from local and state-licensed growers and manufacturers. The dispensary has a contemporary and elegant design, with a spacious and comfortable waiting area, and a small and intimate sales room. The dispensary also has a security system and a staff of trained and friendly budtenders.

The dispensary’s products include flower, which is the dried and cured buds of the cannabis plant, available in different strains and potencies. The dispensary also offers edibles, which are food or drinks infused with cannabis, such as gummies, chocolates, and beverages. The dispensary also sells vapes, which are devices that heat and vaporize cannabis oil or concentrate, and CBD, which is a non-psychoactive compound derived from cannabis, known for its therapeutic benefits.

The dispensary’s customers must be at least 21 years old, and must present a valid ID before entering the sales room. The dispensary accepts cash and debit cards, and has an ATM on site. The dispensary also has a loyalty program, which rewards customers with points and discounts for every purchase.

The Future of Public Flower

Public Flower is one of the five state-licensed cannabis dispensaries in Buffalo, and the first that is Black and woman-owned. The dispensary’s owners said they hoped to expand their business and open more locations in the future, as well as to launch their own brand of cannabis products.

The dispensary’s owners also said they hoped to inspire and empower other Black and women entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry, and to contribute to the economic development and social equity of their community. They said they planned to offer educational and informational materials, as well as community outreach and engagement programs, to promote responsible and informed consumption of cannabis.

Public Flower is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. The dispensary’s website is publicflower.com, and its phone number is (716) 555-1234.