The Big Apple Gets a Little Greener: New York’s Marijuana Makeover! By Michael “PoppaDukes” Serrano
Picture this, a sunny afternoon in the neighborhood park, me with a fine sativa strain and guess who joins me. My neighbor, a jazz maestro from the funky 70s and 80s, trumpet in one hand, bass guitar in the other sat there with me, basking in the new day of legal wake and bakes and chuckling over how times have changed. Back in his day, this musician and his bandmates ducked behind venues, taking paranoid peeks over each other’s shoulders, just to share a secretive puff. Now, it’s all out in the open! Let’s roll back the tape to the days when legends like Louis Armstrong (yes, Satchmo himself!) were bending the rules for a bit of herbal relief. Back then, Mary Jane was a hush-hush companion for many in the limelight, easing nerves and sparking creativity. Fast forward and everyone from old-school jazz cats to hotshot new artists are lighting up, freely, as they jam. It’s 2021, and New York has turned over a new leaf, literally. Since marijuana legalization, our city streets hum a different tune. Stroll down any sidewalk and you’re hit with the new, yet familiar, scent of what some call “devil’s lettuce.” It’s a fragrant revolution, masking even the less pleasant smells in subway corners, while weaving its way into the fabric of New York life. Cultural and economic shifts are sprouting up like weeds! The vibe is positively electrifying. Each puff seems to spark a bit of community with locals and visitors bonding over shared spliffs. And let’s talk about April 20, 2024, when 420 Day turns New York into a veritable pot paradise. Picture Washington Square Park, clouds of camaraderie floating above a sea of happy, coughing New Yorkers. What a scene! Now, a nod to the trailblazers making it big in the green scene. Coss Marte of CONBUD is a local hero who opened up shop and is setting records with two dispensaries in six months! His success is a beacon for minority entrepreneurs aiming to plant their flags in this budding industry. It’s not just about lighting up. It’s about lighting the way. Today’s cannabis culture isn’t hiding in the shadows; it’s about health, education, and the best strains your heart could desire. It’s about community. So, here we are, in New York, puffing our way to a brighter, greener future. Every concert, every festival, every little gathering could soon be 420-friendly (if it isn’t already). New York’s not just getting high—it’s riding high. And, hey, if you’re in the city, remember, you might not even need to light up to join the party. Just take a deep breath. Welcome to the new New York, where the community is just a puff away. PoppaDukes is an advocate and activist in the New York State cannabis scene. He hosts a bi-monthly podcast The OG Social Network Podcast streaming on YouTube and hosts monthly zoom conferences on various topics. He has been a dedicated pothead since 1978. PoppaDukes & Swandie Mitchell | theogsocialnetwork@gmail.com | 1-929-687-627 Please Follow Us On Instagram @nyctalentcollective @theogsocialnetwork genres of music, especially Bob Marley’s Exodus, Movement of Jah’s People.
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