Despite recreational pot still being illegal here, New Yorkers are helping fuel the trend.
“Business is up a good 50 percent,” said one Manhattan dealer (who asked to remain anonymous). “I work in every borough except Staten Island, and people are very happy that my service is running. Customers are saying ‘Thank you’.”
Vladimir Bautista, the Westchester-based CEO of marijuana lifestyle company HappyMunkey is certainly grateful.
“My consumption has gone up by 50 percent due to the extra time and stress. It is helping me tremendously during these crazy times to cope with the fear of unknown . . . and [to] prioritize what’s important in life.”
In New Jersey, where medical marijuana is also legal, patients are also using more.
Stu Zakim, president of Bridge Strategic Communication, has a prescription for marijuana to treat arthritis and chronic pain and said, “I’m smoking more because business is down and I’m stuck inside all day.”