Dispensary will operate 7 days a week
April 12, 2023 | By Phil Pantano, Pantano & Associates, LLC
NIAGARA TERRITORY, NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. – The Seneca Nation rolled out its latest business enterprise on its Niagara Territory earlier this week on April 12th.
Nation leaders and officials gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony at Nativa Cannabis, the first Seneca Nation-owned cannabis dispensary. Nativa Cannabis is located in a 2,500-square-foot facility constructed at the corner of John Daly Blvd. and Niagara Street, next to the Nation-owned Seneca One Stop fuel station and convenience store. Seneca Nation President Rickey Armstrong, Sr. announced plans for the dispensary upon taking office in November.
“Over the past two decades, the Seneca Nation has been driving investment and development in Western New York and bringing new opportunities and experiences to the region,” said Seneca Nation President Rickey Armstrong, Sr. “Nativa Cannabis is being built on the same foundation of quality and focus on providing customers the best experience possible that has helped our other businesses stand out and thrive among the best in their industries.”
Nativa Cannabis is open to customers age 21 and older and offers a full variety of cannabis products, including prepackaged flower, pre-rolled joints, vape pens, concentrates and extracts, and edibles. Inside, customers will find an easily-navigable layout and four point-of-sale stations for convenient service. Existing customers will also have the ability to place online orders, which can then be picked up at Nativa Cannabis’ dedicated online order drive-thru pickup window.
The dispensary will be open seven days a week, operating from 10am-9pm Monday-Thursday; 10am-10pm Friday and Saturday; and 10am-8pm Sunday. Nativa Cannabis is also planning a special Grand Opening celebration for customers on Thursday, April 20, with specials and other promotions.
Officials anticipate expanding the product offering Nativa Cannabis later this year, once a Nation-owned cultivation facility comes on line. Work on the 90,000-square-foot facility, located on Seneca Nation territory in the Southern Tier, is currently underway.
“This is another historic investment and venture for the Seneca Nation and our people that will further diversify and strengthen our economy,” said Seneca Nation Councilor Josh Jimerson, Chairman of Seneca Development, which oversaw the development of Nativa Cannabis. “We are uniquely positioned to be at the leading edge of a dynamic new industry that is ready to take off.”
The Nation has been working for the last several months with Opus Consulting, a Portland, Maine-based company, to develop plans for a vertically-integrated cannabis industry. The adult-use cannabis industry is estimated to grow to $2.6 Billion in New York by 2027.
Nativa Cannabis is the Nation’s newest business enterprise, joining Seneca Gaming Corporation, Seneca Gaming & Entertainment, Seneca One Stop, and other Nation-owned ventures. The businesses provide critical revenues to help fund programs and services for the Seneca people, including healthcare, education, infrastructure, public safety and more.
Since opening Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in 2002, the Seneca Nation has invested nearly $1 Billion to develop, build and renovate its business operations on its Niagara Territory alone, creating thousands of local jobs, partnerships with local vendors, suppliers and contractors, and attracting millions of visitors each year. Between its three casinos, other businesses and government operations, the Seneca Nation provides an economic impact to Western New York or more than $1 Billion annually.
“We’re building for our Nation’s future and economic sovereignty, and supporting thousands of individuals, families and businesses across Western New York in the process,” President Armstrong said.
For more information on Nativa Cannabis, visit the store’s website at https://www.nativacannabis.com/.
