A few weeks after a judicial restriction was removed allowing new legal marijuana shops to commence operations in the state, a third location is set to open in Western New York. Premier Earth is slated to commence operations at 4:20 pm this Wednesday at 1297 Hertel Ave., Buffalo, NY, in what used to be a post office building.
According to Mark Schlueter, sales director and general manager, the response from the community has been encouraging. He mentioned how locals, who were previously dependent on illicit sources for marijuana, expressed positivity regarding the opening of a licensed store in the area.
Joe Wojciechowski, the owner of the store and a native of the East Side, obtained his license in April and leased the venue in June. However, due to a lawsuit filed by a group of military veterans and medical marijuana shop owners alleging unconstitutional exclusion from the licensing process, the store's opening was postponed.
Schlueter noted the financial burden the delay put on the business, but also pointed out the encouraging support they've received from existing dispensaries and other license holders. As of now, two other licensed marijuana shops are operating in Western New York, located on Main Street and in Depew.