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by Natalie Calzetoni
Henrietta, N.Y. (WHAM) — As customers marked the unofficial cannabis holiday known as 4/20, a state-licensed dispensary in Henrietta highlighted how adult-use cannabis sales are generating millions in tax revenue for the Finger Lakes region and funding local projects.
Many customers walked through the doors of MJ Dispensary on Jefferson Road Monday to celebrate 4/20.
"4/20 is here," owner Ryan Martin said. "It's the biggest day of the year for all of us dispensary owners."
Martin opened the state-licensed shop in 2023, becoming the first legal cannabis dispensary in the Rochester-Finger Lakes region. Since then, the business has expanded to Spencerport, Honeoye Falls and. most recently, Geneseo.
“Friday we opened our fourth store, which I never would have thought after opening one that I’d have four currently,” Martin said.
According to the New York state comptroller’s office, as of April, the Finger Lakes region has generated $5.4 million in adult-use cannabis tax revenue since 2023.
Last year, the Town of Henrietta reported it generated nearly $1 million in cannabis tax revenue since opening several dispensaries.
MORE: Henrietta's cannabis success leads to tax rollback and community benefits
“Those funds help all around the town," Martin said. "Actually, I guess we fill potholes, according to Supervisor (Steven) Schultz here in Henrietta."
Customer Marisa Icaobelli of Webster said it's great to see the economic impact.
“I saw a couple of weeks ago that they fixed all the potholes," Icaobelli said. "I’m like, 'Yes, New York State needs the tax dollars to fix the roads, especially this time of year,' so absolutely it’s great."
MORE: New York launches statewide repaving initiative to fill potholes, fix roadways | State responsibility for pothole damage in NY may expand through proposed legislation
Martin said investing in the community is a priority and that he started a round-up campaign to benefit Rochester city youth.
“We donated to an inner-city school here in Rochester," Martin explained. "So, the first year we donated $12,000 to School No. 12, ironically, and then this year we donated to School (No.) 53 $6,000."
“To be able to give back to where I came from really means a lot to me personally," Martin continued.
Martin said he plans to expand to the city of Rochester this summer.
Meanwhile, the New York State Office of Cannabis Management continues to crack down on illegal cannabis shops across the state.
MORE: Four illegal cannabis shops shut down in Finger Lakes region | Unlicensed cannabis shop shut down in Henrietta | Orleans County store owner, employee charged for illegal cannabis sales
CLICK HERE for the full list of New York's licensed, operational adult-use cannabis retailers.
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