ORISKANY — Stockdale’s Bar and Grill, 103 River St., has been awarded a Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary License from the state’s Cannabis Control Board and the Office of Cannabis Management.

 

The award was announced Thursday, as the state control board doubled the number of Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary Licenses from the originally planned 150 licenses to 300 licenses. “With this expansion, more entrepreneurs will be able to participate in the first wave of this industry, allowing them to capitalize on the growing demand for cannabis products,” said Tremaine Wright, chair of the Cannabis Control Board.

 

Carrie Moulton, co-owner and manager at Stockdale’s, said they became interested in getting a license when the village decided not to opt out of marijuana sales. “We applied for last week and the next day, we received our Cannabinoid Hemp Retail License,” Moulton said. “And right now, we’re selling seltzer beverages that contain THC.”

 

Stockdale’s is now selling Ayrloom seltzers, which are produced at Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards in LaFayette, just south of Syracuse. The 12-ounce drinks contain 5 milligrams of THC and CBD and come in three flavors: pineapple, pink grapefruit, and black cherry.

Patrons of Stockdale are allowed to drink these THC seltzers at the bar or purchase them to-go, Moulton said. “There’s definitely a future in cannabis,” she said. “It’s just like with craft beer — so many people said it was just a fad. And now that marijuana is legal in New York, it’s here to stay.”

 

When asked about future plans, Moulton said they plan to stock more products, depending on what is available to them. “We’re still learning, like how there’s all sorts of different forms and so many different uses,” Moulton said. “We’re learning as we go, but we’re excited. There may be some people who see it as negative, but I think there’s more positives. People are invited to stop in and try a can.”

 

Central New York saw the licenses in the region increase from seven to 14 and Mohawk Valley total increase from two to four. The additional Mohawk Valley licensee and list of other facilities in Central New York was not immediately available.

 

The Office of Cannabis Management received about 900 applications for CAURD licenses. To date, the Cannabis Control Board has issued 66 provisional CAURD licenses. The Office of Cannabis Management will make recommendations in April to the Board on the majority of the remaining applications in the areas of the state not impacted by a court-ordered injunction.

 

The goal of the New York State Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act of 2021 is to build an equitable market that helps overcome the impacts of the disproportionate enforcement of cannabis prohibition, including prioritizing licenses to individuals with cannabis convictions, or their close family members.

 

“New York is doing something special when it comes to launching our cannabis industry, and now we’re doubling the impact of our Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary program,” said Chris Alexander, executive director of the Office of Cannabis Management.

 

“It’s been truly exciting to see the positive energy around our efforts to support entrepreneurs who previously suffered at the hands of New York State. We will continue creating real opportunities for qualified applicants who’ve been shut out from legal cannabis markets across the country.”

 

“Doubling the amount of available Conditional Adult-Use Dispensary Licenses will help kickstart the growth of New York’s cannabis industry,” said Damian Fagon, chief equity officer of the Office of Cannabis Management. “More stores means more locations for New York farmers to sell their harvests, more convenience for New York customers to make the right decisions and purchase safer and legal products, and twice as many opportunities for New Yorkers harmed by over-policing during cannabis prohibition.”