107-18 70 Rd (Photo: Google Maps)
May 29, 2018 By Tara Law
A medical marijuana dispensary will open in the heart of Forest Hills early this summer.
Curaleaf dispensary will offer “pharmaceutical-quality cannabis treatments” at 107-18 70 Rd, the former location of Santa Fe Steakhouse. The cannabis is intended to treat patients from across the city who suffer from illnesses such as chronic pain, PTSD, cancer and other conditions, according to the company.
The business will be the second medical marijuana dispensary to set up shop in Queens. Vireo Health opened a medical marijuana dispensary at 89-55 Queens Blvd. in Elmhurst in 2015.
Curafleaf dispensaries are operated by PalliaTech NY, a New York City-based medical marijuana manufacturer with dispensaries in Plattsburgh and Newburgh, New York and in ten other states. The company also plans to open a dispensary at Carle Place, Long Island later this summer.
A licensed pharmacist and counselors will be on-site to help patients decide on treatments for illnesses, according to Curaleaf.
The dispensary will sell cannabis capsules, tablets, tinctures, oils and under-the-tongue strips, according to Curaleaf. The company aims to begin offering ground marijuana flowers, transdermal patches and other products in the near future.
“Our focus is on ensuring patients facing serious medical issues have access to these important treatments, and we look forward to opening our doors and helping those in need,” said Michelle Bodner, president of PalliaTech NY.
New York has permitted medical marijuana since 2014, but is considered to be a “restrictive” state, according to marijuana trade organization National Cannabis Industry Association. Patients in New York are currently not allowed to smoke cannabis.
