The first black owned and women owned, licensed adult-use cannabis dispensary has opened in the City of Buffalo. Public Flower is now operational at 232 Allen Street, situated inside a restored apothecary (origins: 19th Century Buffalo Business and Professional Directory City of Buffalo Building Permits, 1887-1906). The historic building and storefront – corner of Allen and Cottage Street – was more recently home of the Antique Man.
Public Flower is owned and operated by Sheldon Anderson and Moriah Kelly, who feel that the day has come, not just for legal cannabis sales, but for people who have been pushing for the legalization for quite some time. They feel that Public Flower’s duty is to “serve as a hub for education, wellness, and inclusivity – with a commitment to fostering diversity and equity.”
Not only will Public Flower offer flowers, edibles, and vapes, it will also be a hub for the neighborhood, as well as a historically preserved landmark on Allen Street.
“We are thrilled to embark on this journey and to share our passion for cannabis with the vibrant community of Allentown,” says Sheldon Anderson, who feels that Public Flower is poised to become a beacon of innovation and community empowerment. “By reclaiming this historic space and infusing it with our own unique perspective, we hope to inspire others to pursue their dreams and effect meaningful change in their own lives and communities.”
Welcoming cannabis enthusiasts and history buffs alike to experience the magic of this one-of-a-kind establishment.
Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, “When we passed the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, we set the state on a course to build a new cannabis industry centered on equity that works to undo the harms of the past. I am proud to see the opening of this Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary owned by a social and economic equity licensee. The Allentown neighborhood and adjacent Main Street corridor will be continue to have an advocate in Albany.
“Public Flower’s debut signifies a momentous milestone in Buffalo’s cannabis scene,” said Buffalo Common Council Majority Leader, Leah M. Halton-Pope, who wrote and negotiated the New York State Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act (MRTA), on behalf of New York State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, legalizing adult use of cannabis in 2021. “As the pioneering Black and Women-Owned licensed adult-use cannabis dispensary in Buffalo, Public Flower embodies innovation and community empowerment while also paying homage to our heritage and promoting diversity and equity within the cannabis industry. I commend Sheldon Anderson and Moriah Kelly for their visionary leadership and commitment to creating a space that enriches our city’s cultural landscape.”
For more information, please visit publicflower.co or follow Public Flower on Instagram.