Ready to Smoke WEED? Learn How to Shop Local

The widely anticipated opening of New York’s first legal dispensary for recreational cannabis made history just before the new year. Many expect the state to be one of the country’s most lucrative cannabis markets. It comes as great news for many in the industry, including Mike 

Flynn, owner of FlynnStoned Cannabis Company in Syracuse. Now, he says, it’s just a matter of licensing for him to officially open his doors. 

 It’s all part of the state’s plan but a few things have changed too. Originally the nearly 200 million allocated to the state was for individuals to begin the process to open a dispensary. Now, Mike says they’re looking to entrepreneurs like him, who already have dispensaries ready to go. 

“If I do receive this license, I’m ready to open immediately,” he says. “I have employees lined up and ready to roll.” 

The old Urban Outfitters store on Walton Street in Syracuse is home to his dispensary. Flynn calls it an event center that features 13,000 square feet dedicated to cannabis. The three-story building will offer an historic look at the industry on the first floor, a second-floor dispensary and a third floor consumption lounge and shop. 

“Our goal is to provide a safe product that everyone can consume without having to worry about what’s in it,” he says. 

Flynn adds that his staff is already trained and ready to go at a moment's notice. And when that happens, what does it mean for you, the customer? Flynn says the process will be very streamlined. First and foremost, steps have been put in place to ensure that rules are followed. 

From the moment you walk through the doors, you’re greeted by security for an ID check. This is to certify that you’re 21. The next stop is to the receptionist desk where you’ll be checked into the state’s database, he says. Your license lives in the database as a record to ensure that you’re following proper protocols when it comes to what you can buy. 

“You’re only allowed to buy a certain amount of product per day, so this regulates how much you can get as a consumer,” he adds. 

Once common protocols are taken care of, customers are then free to explore the dispensary any way they choose. 

The facility will feature information kiosks as well as budtenders so that customers can speak with a staff member or learn on their own. Flynn recommends that customers ask as many questions as they can and to also take advantage of the large space.

“Ultimately, you’ll want to explore based on how you want to feel and we have different types of Cannabis to help with that,” he says. 

FlynnStoned Cannabis Company will feature Sativa and Indica cannabis types in virtually every form you can consume it in. From oils, to vapes, flowers, edibles and even drinks, they’ll have the market covered, he adds. 

Mike also thinks that cannabis in liquid form will be huge for many people. The alternative to alcohol offers many of the effects of cannabis without the sugar and extra calories and there’s no hangover either.

“For someone looking to get away from alcohol, this is going to be a game changer,” he adds. 

Ultimately, the goal is to provide a safe way for everyone to consume and purchase cannabis in the Central New York area without any question of what you’re getting. Flynn adds that it takes the guesswork out of trying to uncover whether what you’re purchasing is safe or not. 

“You’re going to know exactly what the product you purchase is going to do to you and you can also take some time to enjoy it right in our lounge,” he says.

And as an extra added bonus, having a dispensary in a central location in the Syracuse area will bring great economic opportunities to the community too. Approximately 40 new jobs will be created because of Flynn’s latest endeavor and it means even more foot traffic to the Armory Square area too, which in turn feeds into the local economy on many different levels. 

“This is going to be a game changer for so many people here in Central New York and beyond,” Flynn adds.. “Tax money that comes from this is going to be great for the state and for Syracuse and for me, it’s a big part of why I wanted to do it. I’m looking forward to helping to feed into our economy and I’m just trying to do my part to bring it back.” 

As mentioned, Mike is still waiting for the ‘ok’ to open his dispensary. In the meantime, to stay up to date on his FlynnStoned Cannabis Company visit FlynnStoned.com.