Dispensary Highlight: Housing Works Cannabis Co.

Housing Work's budtenders at our last training.

New York’s legal cannabis market started here. Housing Works Cannabis Co. was the first licensed dispensary to open in the state, and from the beginning it represented more than retail. As part of the Housing Works nonprofit, the shop connects cannabis directly to social justice, healthcare, and housing programs across the city.

A Mission Rooted In Service

Housing Works has a long history in New York, providing housing, healthcare, and advocacy for people living with HIV/AIDS and those impacted by homelessness or incarceration. Opening a dispensary was a natural extension of that mission. Every purchase helps fund programs that support the city’s most vulnerable communities, making a visit here bigger than a transaction.

Products Worth The Stop

The shelves feature some of the best New York-grown brands, including New York Honey and SpaceBuds. Blue Dream from New York Honey is a staple for smooth, functional effects, while Mimosa brings a bright, citrus kick. SpaceBuds Moonrocks in Blueberry Muffin and Strawberry Slushie deliver the heavy hits the brand is known for. For edibles, Moon Bites in Strawberry Slushie are a go-to favorite. And the menu goes further, with Moon Rolls, Moon Matter, and rotating drops that keep things fresh.

A Place With Purpose

What makes Housing Works stand out isn’t just that it was first — it’s how it continues to connect cannabis to community. The dispensary feels rooted in New York, run with intention, and aligned with the values legalization was supposed to uphold. It’s a space where picking up flower also supports real change in the city.