Clay, N.Y. — Lighting up for the holidays is taking on a whole new meaning this week for T.J. Lewis.
Lewis on Friday expects to open his shop, TJ’s Cannabis Co. He’ll become just the second legal, state-licensed recreational marijuana retailer in Onondaga County.
“I got the golden ticket and I’m ready to go,” he said. His marijuana retail shop, or dispensary, opens at noon Friday in the Longbranch Park Plaza off Route 57 in Clay.
For Lewis, it’s been a long and difficult wait. He’s had a preliminary state license to sell marijuana since May. But, like hundreds of other licensees across the state, his dream has been held up by lawsuits and other delays in the state’s roll out of marijuana sales.
In June, Onondaga County’s first marijuana dispensary, Flynnstoned Cannabis, opened at 219 Walton St. in Syracuse’s Armory Square. It has been the only licensed shop in the county, or anywhere in Central New York, since then.
Along with Lewis, 12 other preliminary licensees have been waiting for the lawsuits to be resolved, and then for the state Office of Cannabis Management to conduct a final “walk through” inspection so they can open.
Cannabis office inspectors checked out Lewis’ shop at 4205 Long Branch Road on Tuesday. They issued him a sticker certifying his compliance with all the rules and regulations at that time. He’s expecting the full license to be issued today.
He’ll open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but then close on Monday for Christmas. He said he’s spent so much money and time getting ready that he “can’t afford” not to open as soon as possible.
Lewis had operated a shop called TJ’s Hydroponic at the same location, but closed it this summer in anticipation of getting the green light to open sooner. That meant he’s had no income for months.
The shop will be stocked with a full array of products, from flower and pre-rolls to vapes, edibles and more. Depending on the strain, he expects to sell 1/8 ounce of flower in a range…
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