Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, middle, with Elevate Cannabis founder John Ruggiero, 3rd left, cut the ribbon for Westchester’s first cannabis dispensary
By Dan Murphy
On February 20, the owners of Elevate Cannabis Dispensary in Mount Vernon celebrated their official grand opening with Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard and other city officials. The opening by Elevate marks the first legal Cannabis dispensary in Westchester County.
While some elected officials in Westchester have opposed the legalized sale of Marijuana in their community, Mayor Patterson-Howard welcomed the new small business to Mount Vernon, located at 127 South Terrace Avenue.
“We are excited to be here today. The cannabis industry is an industry, and Mount Vernon is excited to be at the forefront. It is time for us to have the open and honest conversation about embracing the cannabis industry and the countless benefits that it can bring to the City of Mount Vernon.
“This is the unlocking of a significant opportunity for our city. We are recognizing the reality that it is here, and that the cannabis industry has great potential for creating jobs here in the City of Mount Vernon.”
“Elevate will generate much needed revenue for our community, and the tax revenues from the sale of cannabis will help to fund the mental health crisis that many in our community face.
“The cannabis industry has great potential for creating jobs here in the City of Mount Vernon, from cultivation to processing to retail and distribution. As well as on site uses, just like you have cigar bars and liquor stores. The cannabis industry is growing and comprehensive, and we want to make sure that we are securing opportunities for Mount Vernon residents to receive well paying jobs.”
Mayor Patterson-Howard said that she had contacted the Mayor’s of Denver, Colorado and Tacoma, Washington, which both legal marijuana sales and uses in their communities. “They told me of the challenges, but also about the economic advantages that those communities are now experiencing.”
Patterson-Howard also disagreed with the view of some that marijuana use, is a “gateway drug” that leads to the use and abuse of other drugs like cocaine and heroin. “Other states that have legalized cannabis have found that not to be true.”
“We will ensure that safeguards are in place, and we will work to protect the industry by dealing with illegal cannabis in stores that don’t have licenses,” said Mayor Patterson-Howard.
The process for Elevate, and all applicants before the NYS Office of Cannabis Management, to get their final approval took longer to obtain because of a lawsuit filed against the way in which the NYS OCA approved applicants. After a six-month delay last year, in which no applications were approved due to a restraining order, the OCA began approving licensed dispensaries to open earlier this year.
And Elevate became the first in Westchester to open. “We are delighted to celebrate our grand opening with the City of Mt. Vernon and New York State Office of Cannabis Management! Elevate is committed to providing safe, first-class cannabis products and rapid delivery services for our customers. We also look forward to enhancing the area and contributing to important social causes,” said John Ruggiero, Founder of Elevate Cannabis Dispensary.
Also in attendance were Mount Vernon City Comptroller Darren Morton, Mt. Vernon IDA Business Compliance Director Robin Mack, and representatives from the New York State Office of Cannabis Management.
The celebration also included food and beverages from Walter’s Hot Dogs and El Patio Food Truck.
Elevate Cannabis will provide residents with access to high-quality cannabis products in a safe and regulated environment. The store has pick up hours from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM and, from time to time, holds extended hours called “Elevate Nights”, where it remains open until 2:00 AM to support special entertainment, regional commerce, and tourism-based events daily.
For more information, visit www.elevatecannabisny.com.
