Today, Governor Kathy Hochul made a big announcement. The first Adult Use dispensary in the Southern Tier is finally opening its doors in Binghamton! This marks a huge step forward for New York's Seeding Opportunity Initiative and its commitment to fairness in cannabis licensing. The initiative prioritizes providing licenses to those who have been directly or indirectly affected by a cannabis conviction and nonprofits that serve these communities. The Binghamton planning board gave the green light yesterday evening, and the store is set to open on February 10th.&nbsp;
"With the opening of new dispensaries like Just Breathe in Binghamton, we continue to expand the nation's most equitable and inclusive cannabis industry here in New York," Governor Hochul said. "New York remains committed to supporting independent business dispensary owners, New York farmers who poured their heart into their harvest, and every adult who wants to enjoy legally purchased cannabis in and from the Empire State."
The dispensary opening is Just Breathe, owned and operated by Damien Cornwell and the Broome County Urban League Non profit. Damien is a local entrepreneur who has been collaborating with the BCUL for the last two decades to provide justice-involved individuals with education, resources, and pathways to careers. This is exciting news for the residents of Binghamton as there will finally be a dispensary in the city. <img title="https://res.cloudinary.com/timj111/image/upload/v1675887593/articles/bturelbju6zkbbwzkfhl.jpg" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/timj111/image/upload/v1675887593/articles/bturelbju6zkbbwzkfhl.jpg" alt="Just Breathe Dispensary" width="400" height="400" /> 
<h2 id="0">Just Breathe Opens February 10</h2>
<a href="https://www.justbreathelife.org/">Just Breathe</a> is located at 75 Court Street and will be open for public sales at 3 PM on February 10. The operating hours will be Monday - Wednesday from 12 PM to 8 PM, Thursday from 12 PM to 9 PM, Friday from 12 PM to 10 PM, and Saturday from 12 PM to 9 PM. Any adult over the age of 21 can visit and purchase cannabis. There will be a variety of products such as flower, edibles, topicals, &amp; more.&nbsp; Here are a few quotes from associated members of this dispensary on what they have to say. President and CEO of the Broome County Urban League Jennifer Lesko said,&nbsp;"The legalization of marijuana presents an economic opportunity for all New York residents, and The Broome County Urban League is excited to be a part of it. The potential of this industry is vast, and unlike anything we have ever seen. Our mission has always been to help people become gainfully employed, and this industry can do just that. Specifically, it can change the economic landscape of Broome County, and we are certainly proud to be part of this promising future."
Chair of the Cannabis Control Board Tremaine Wright said, "New York States Cannabis Industry is growing, and by empowering local non-profits and individuals harmed by prohibition, we're showing the nation how to establish an equitable and fair cannabis industry. The Seeding Opportunity Initiative launched by Governor Hochul last year has enabled us to continue to expand our reach, bringing opportunities to diverse communities across the state. We're creating jobs, spurring economic growth, and providing access to quality cannabis products and education across the State."
Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Management Chris Alexander said,&nbsp;"Whenever Governor Hochul announces the opening of a new adult-use cannabis dispensary, a smile grows on my face, and with this store set to open soon, my grin is ear-to-ear. We have created an equitable cannabis supply chain that benefits everyone in New York who chooses to partake, either as a customer or an entrepreneur. This is only the beginning, and more great things are to come." Partner in Just Breathe, Damien Cornwell, said,&nbsp;"I am thrilled and honored to bring legal, safe, and locally sourced products to my community. The economic opportunities presented by this business in the form of new jobs and local tax revenue just build on the decades of work we've done with the Broome County Urban League to uplift the underserved communities in our area. 'Just Breathe' will offer, for the first time ever here in the Southern Tier, a safe and regulated place to buy cannabis."