Cannabis use has long been a part of Ithaca’s culture, even before it was legalized in March 2021, when New York State passed the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act. Since then, the cannabis industry has grown tremendously across the state and throughout Tompkins County. 

According to the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), there are currently 264 adult-use cannabis dispensaries across New York, with five of those located in Tompkins County. 

Thirty-eight licenses have been granted in Tompkins County, signaling a high level of interest and an expanding market for adult-use recreational marijuana. In Syracuse’s Onondaga County, which has over four times the population of Tompkins, there have been 35 licenses granted. Similarly, Tompkins is ahead of Broome County, which has nearly double the population of Tompkins but has 33 licences granted. 

With 38 cannabis licenses granted in Tompkins, the county is outpacing other regions, signalling a high level of local interest. Onondaga County, with more than four times Tompkins’ population, has only 35 licenses, while Broome County—nearly double Tompkins’ population—has been granted 33 licenses. 

Tompkins County has been a major player in New York’s cannabis market, helping generate more than $1 billion in tax revenue for the state in 2024. The county is home to the sixth licensed dispensary in the state and the first dispensary to be licensed for a drive-through pick up, making its mark with innovative approaches to cannabis retail. 

William Jane Dispensary

William Jane made history when it became the first legal adult-use cannabis dispensary in Ithaca and the sixth dispensary to be licensed by New York State. Located at 119 E State Street in the commons of downtown Ithaca, William Jane Dispensary was renovated last year and reopened in June of 2024. 

Jermain Thomas, manager of William Jane Dispensary, said that Ithaca was not among the locations that they had applied for a license in. He said their application included Binghamton and Vestal, which both currently have adult-use dispensaries in operation. 

Thomas said that they found this location through the DASNY Fund, New York’s Cannabis Social Equity Investment fund that helps individuals impacted by the disproportionate cannabis prohibition lease and equip suitable real estate for retail adult-use cannabis dispensaries. 

“They kind of found this location and asked if we wanted to be here,” Thomas said. “It’s right in the middle of Ithaca, it’s in the commons, they definitely nailed it.”

This $200 million public-private DASNY fund was proposed by Governor Hochul and adopted by the legislature to provide support for justice-involved individuals who have received conditional adult-use retail Dispensary (CAURD) license from the State Office of Cannabis Management, and is the first of its kind to be implemented in the nation. 

Thomas said that William Jane is licensed for adult-use on-site consumption, but that they are waiting for the state to fully access the consumption aspect of their business to the public.  

“Once all the red tape from the state is out of the way, customers will be able to buy products here and actually consume products here,” Thomas said. “I hope that that can happen quickly, because that will really separate us from everyone else.”

Thomas said that this is not specifically a William Jane Dispensary issue, and that there are dispensaries across the state licensed for consumption but are waiting for the state to allow on-site consumption.

Despite not being open for on-site consumption, William Jane is still open for business and currently sells marajuana for recreational use. Every grower and processor used by William Jane is located in New York state, and each product is tested to make sure it is free from harmful substances. 

Dryden Dispensary 

Dryden Dispensary is an adult-use cannabis dispensary located at 2207 Dryden Road in Dryden, New York. They opened in May 2024, and were the first dispensary in New York state licensed for a drive through pick up.  

Kevin Cossaboon, manager of Dryden Dispensary, said that being located outside of Ithaca was an intentional business strategy to bring in customers with less access than those in Ithaca.

“A friend of ours showed us the building and we ultimately chose that location because of the amount of traffic that goes by there everyday, which is a lot,” Cossaboon said. 

The drive through operates with efficiency as its focus, Cossaboon said that customers can order online and then pick up their order in the drive through line, so customers do not have to get out of their car. Although many dispensaries in New York state and Tompkins County have an online order feature for easy pick up, Dryden Dispensary is the only one in Tompkins County to offer drive through services. 

“I think a lot of our customers are commuters that just happen to drive right by everyday and it’s convenient for them,” Cossaboon said. “That’s kind of how we designed the whole dispensary to make it very simple with a large parking lot and a drive through pick up.”

Cossaboon also said that Dryden Dispensary works closely with New York State vendors and growers to make sure they are providing high quality cannabis products. 

“We work with the vendors we purchase our products from, they come in and do budtender training to make sure all of our bud tenders know exactly what they are selling and who to sell it to,” Cossaboon said. 

Collegetown Dispensary

Collegetown Dispensary opened in October 2024 at 105 Dryden Road in Collegetown in Ithaca. Rachel Mitchell, general manager of Collegetown Dispensary, said that ownership has been in Ithaca for a long time. 

“We have deep roots in the community and we decided to stay in Ithaca,” Mitchell said. “ It’s a beautiful place, it’s got a booming college town environment and we just thought it would be a great place with connections to the area.”

Mitchell said that Collegetown Dispensary is planning on working with local businesses and organizations to create stronger connections among the community. 

“We take a very farm to table approach, and the businesses around us have been very excited, very welcoming, and were really looking forward to getting involved in the community.”

There is currently no state certification for cannabis bud tenders in New York state, but Mitchell said she has been certified through other states and has transferred that knowledge to their bud tenders to help them get a proper education. 

“We also go through education platforms as well, and as soon as the state sets up an education system we will be getting involved in that very quickly,” Mitchell said. 

An emphasis on education is among Mitchell’s plans for Collegetown Dispensary, for those who work at the dispensary and for those who are shopping. 

“Everybody reacts differently to cannabis, so we really try to work with our customers and pinpoint the effect that they are looking for to get them the correct product,” Mitchell said. “It’s not a one size fits all service.”

The Highly Connected Dispensary

The Highly Connected Dispensary is an adult-use cannabis dispensary located at 423 Franklin Street in Ithaca. Wendy Matesanz and her husband JP Toro opened the dispensary in August 2024. 

Matensanz said she has been in industry since the early nineties, and they also own Toro Glass, who makes functional, scientific and artistic borosilicate glass. She added that their involvement in different markets has made them well-known in the cannabis industry. 

“We’re world renowned for [Toro Glass], and through that my husband is incredibly respected in the industry. He does a lot of cannabis and hash judging throughout the world in Spain, California and New York.”

The Highly Connected Dispensary is focused on sustainability from all business angles, including the construction of their business site. By using healthier and less carbon-intensive materials, the Highly Connected is aiming to minimize the overall environmental impact of their business. 

Matensanz said that education and community are important values for the Highly Connected. Some of the bud tenders have experience in and around the world of cannabis, including a local herbalist and a Cornell graduate with a degree in horticulture and sustainable agriculture. 

Matensanz also emphasized the importance of having educated bud tenders, to be able to connect customers with the best product for their needs and desires. 

“We also have super easy access, and a lot of people also like the fact that it is somewhat discreet, meaning we’re not right on the side of the road. It’s the best of both worlds.”

Aspire

Aspire Dispensary is a not-for-profit dispensary owned by CWS Holdings I, LLC, and was among the first 36 dispensary licenses to be granted in New York state. They are located at 205 N Fulton Street in Ithaca and have been open since March 2024. 

Aspire is owned by Challenge Workforce Solutions, a non-profit organization in Ithaca that provides job training, placement and long-term support for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. They were selected for one of the initial non-profit licenses by the New York state Office of Cannabis Management. 

As a non-profit, part of Aspire Dispensary’s proceeds will go towards supporting Challenge Workforce Solutions mission to support those with disabilities. 

Aspire Dispensary has an adult-use license and offers an assortment of cannabis products and smoking accessories at their boutique-style shop in Ithaca. 

The Corner House

Ulysses will soon have its first legal cannabis dispensary, owned by Josh and Joan Friedman. Currently under construction, the dispensary is expected to open this spring. 

The Friedmans have lived in Trumansburg since 2012 and own the property at 1710 Trumansburg Rd., where Mama Said Hand Pies Currently operates out of. Josh Friedman, an entrepreneur with a background in nonprofit management, said that he purchased the property in 2019 with a goal to revitalize the space, which once was home to Rascal’s bar. 

Directly next to Mama Said Hand Pies sits a small single family home, which Friedman purchased with the former bar. The home is currently undergoing construction, and will soon be transformed into a New York State licensed cannabis dispensary- aptly named The Corner House, as it sits on the corner of State Route 96 and Van Dorn Corners Road.

Friedman said that he and his wife had always thought that the property would be the perfect location for a business, because it is along State Route 96 and is just three miles from Taughannock overlook, a popular destination for locals and tourists to visit in the warmer months of the year.

“In Trumansburg, we have everything here,” Friedman said. “We don’t have a lot of everything but we sort of have a little of everything. Living here, we kind of like to have the necessities close by.”

The home had sat vacant for several years while the Friedmans brainstormed what would fit best there. In 2023, New York State opened up a round of applications for legal dispensaries, and the Friedmans decided to apply.

They were approved and soon began planning the future of their dispensary. Friedman described it as “the perfect opportunity,” by doing what he loves -managing a business- and selling a product that he loves.

The dispensary will be the first one in the Ulysses and Trumansburg area. Friedman said he hoped that The Corner House would encourage cannabis tourism in the area while providing locals with a closer location to acquire cannabis products.

Friedman said he hopes to stand out from other dispensaries by working with local products and small producers. By working with small producers, they hope to have new products every time people come in.

“We’re going to focus on local growers,” Friedman said. “Our goal is to work primarily with small batch growers and people who are creating craft cannabis.

The town of Ulysses planning board has approved the change of use for the home, and the dispensary is expected to open in March or April of this year. 

Editor’s Note: Maddy Vogel was a contributing reporter on this story.