State-Approved Cannabis Dispensary Opens in Soho, April 27

State-Approved Cannabis Dispensary Opens in Soho, April 27

New Business Supported by the NY Social Equity Cannabis Investment Fund, Headed by Justice-Impacted Licensee

Ribbon-Cutting and Grand Opening Party Scheduled for Saturday

Elevate Soho, a New York State-licensed cannabis dispensary, opens for business at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 27, at 481 Broadway, SoHo, Manhattan.

The public is invited to attend a ribbon-cutting at 4 p.m. on their opening day, and to join the owners for their Grand Opening Party Saturday night from 8 p.m.-11 p.m.

The dispensary is supported by the New York Cannabis Social Equity Investment Fund, a Public-Private Fund created to provide opportunities for justice-involved individuals who have received a Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) license from the State Office of Cannabis Management.

The dispensary is owned by Joey Merlo, Berkay Sebat and Nick Paris, all of whom are lifelong friends. They noted that the Fund was instrumental in helping them get the dispensary business started.

"The Fund is the only reason we're able to start this business," Sebat said. "They helped not just with the financing, but with all the support in inventory, training and so much. We wish it were available to more people."

Merlo, who also runs two auto body shops, said he was grateful for the opportunity to work in the new sector. "When I was younger, I sold cannabis to help support my family. Now, I'm happy to be able to sell cannabis legally."

Paris said that he has experience using cannabis to help individuals with cancer address the impacts of chemotherapy. "We hope to help customers seeking ways to use cannabis to be helpful for holistic care."

The dispensary will carry a full variety of products that are tested to emphasize public health and safety for adult use. Customers are able to place an order through the store's website, www.elevatesohocannabis.com, where more information can be found about the store and its offerings.

More information about the New York State Cannabis Social Equity Fund, and the entrepreneurs who are partnering with the Fund, can be found at https://www.dasny.org/Cannabis.

###