Courtney Beaupre, owner of Honey’s Cannabis in Gardiner, NY
The word “Cannabis” has never been on a business sign in Gardiner, ever, but it’s time has come. Cannabis has been legal in New York for medical purposes under New York law since 2016 and recreational cannabis since 2021. However, as of this writing, no recreational cannabis is, in fact, for sale legally anywhere in the state (outside of American Indian reservations). Locally, a public hearing was held on Tuesday, December 14th, 2021, and the Gardiner Town Board, with input from residents, decided to allow cannabis dispensaries but to opt out of having cannabis consumption lounges in Gardiner, meaning that dispensaries like Honey’s Cannabis may sell cannabis products but may not allow buyers to hang-out and use cannabis onsite.
Since then, the state’s roll-out of licensing cannabis dispensaries statewide has been very slow, and Honey’s Cannabis is still waiting for its license to sell it. In the meantime, you may buy non-cannabis CBD products at Honey’s Cannabis, and of these, they have quite an assortment. I asked Courtney Beaupre, the owner of Honey’s Cannabis, “Why is it taking so long to get a license?” So, when Lightsey Cycles vacated the storefront in Pasquale’s Plaza, Courtney felt it was a wonderful opportunity to take a leap of faith and open her new business in that location. By doing so, she’d be getting in line for a license since all applicants must have a site to sell out of before applying for a license. She has self-funded her business as well as enlisted friends and family investors to help her sustain it while she awaits a license. I asked, “What are customers most looking for when they first come to the store?” She answered, “Cannabis!” with a laugh. Courtney went on to say that most of her customers are not looking to “get high,” but rather, they are looking for relief from common ailments like arthritis, insomnia, anxiety, and pain. I asked, “What products are your biggest sellers?” Courtney replied, “There are 25 milligram CBD gummies that just taste really good, and we have a lotion that is used externally on painful joints that is also popular, mostly because they work and because it’s easy for customers to fit these into their supplemental routine.”
Courtney is committed to partnering with other local businesses, and the products that Honey’s Cannabis sells are locally sourced from hemp farmers like High Falls Hemp NY, a hemp farm that has been growing on land in High Falls, NY, since 2017. Community support and buying its current CBD products will ensure that there will be a cannabis store sometime soon in Gardiner. Honey’s Cannabis is currently open on the weekends: Friday 5-8 p.m., Saturday 11-5 p.m., Sunday 11-3 p.m., and appointments are also available. For more information: honeyscannabis.com, or text 845-337-8875.