First Tribally-owned Licensed Cannabis Dispensary to be Opened by The Shinnecock Nation on Long Island

Coming to the east end of Long Island, the Shinnecock Tribal Nation looked opened their doors to the first tribally-owned and licensed cannabis dispensary (1). The new location called, the Little Beach Harvest dispensary, officially opened on November 15, 2023 and is a 5,000 square foot cedar facility located on their land.

This store has been years in the making, according to Chenae Bullock, managing director of the Little Beach Harvest (1). The WSHU reported that, “the dispensary is the result of an eight-year-long process,” (1). “The industry that's emerging in this state. For us to be able to do this, it just gives us a sense of pride and empowerment. It's a wonderful feeling,” Bullock said (1).

Additionally, Bullock mentioned how the tribe worked together by approving and creating a cannabis ordinance over three years. From there, the tribe needed to bring this to the state of New York’s attention (1). Once a licensing program was formed, the Shinnecock Tribal Nation’s first cannabis dispensary was able to come to fruition. Bullock assists in advocacy work at the state level by communicating with other tribe leaders (1).

“Far often people think that they know better than us and what is better for us,” Bullock commented (1). “Sometimes that means we kind of have to hold our ground and make sure that that vision that the tribe had collectively had is brought to fruition.”

The Little Beach Harvest cannabis dispensary will feature products that are traded from neighboring tribes and offer items from licensed Shinnecock tribe members (1). Bullock mentioned that 4% of their sales revenue will go back and benefit the Shinnecock community where it will “help to sustain the sovereign nation and create job opportunities for tribal members and other locals” (1).

“To have a tribally owned business and then to empower tribal members to realize, this is yours, this is ours,” Bullock explained (1). “This is not something that is loaned to us or something that someone can take away from us. This is absolutely ours to continue to build.”

The Little Beach Harvest dispensary held their ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 15, 2023 and is located at 56 Montauk Highway, Southampton, New York, 11968 (1).

Reference

1. Roman, J. Shinnecock Nation to Open First Tribally-owned Cannabis Dispensary on Long Island https://www.wshu.org/long-island-news/2023-11-14/shinnecock-tribe-cannabis-dispensary-long-island (accessed Nov 20, 2023).