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"We are having our second of many community conversations about the Flora Buffalo Cannabis Campus," said Flora Buffalo President Dasheeda Dawson. "We wanted to ensure that we were answering any questions that the community may have, but also, this is an opportunity to field any information and new ideas from the community as well."
Dawson added that an overwhelming majority of the feedback she has been receiving is positive.
"People are really excited about the opportunity, really excited about the chance to be a part of such a big project that would revitalize the Buffalo economy or contribute to it, because it's actually in revitalization right now, which is pretty awesome," she said. "But it would also make New York a leader in the cannabis industry."
Buffalo Common Councilman Chris Scanlon served as MC for the event, and he said it’s important that Flora is getting their name out there to help begin a relationship with the public.
"The more forthcoming you are with the public with anything - any sort of legislation or projects of this nature - it's imperative that you do that," said Scanlon. "Otherwise, people tend to be a little cynical or skeptical, or it seems like you're trying to sneak things in or jam things down their throat, so the more you're up front, the better for everyone."
However, they both noted that their meetings with the public are a little bizarre because marijuana is not yet legalized in New York, nor is it expected to be by the time the budget is supposedly finalized by April 1.
"It's a little different, obviously. This is a 'what if' scenario, and that's usually not how we do it," said Scanlon. "Usually, something is ready to go, already zoned that way or can fit in the community, or it's an accepted use and you're just discussing how it will impact the community as opposed to this 'what if,' so it's a little outside of how we usually operate."
"If it is the case that it doesn't legalize on [April> 1, but we know that there's an incredible interest in doing by the end of session, which is June," said Dawson. "That will just give us more time to fortify our relationships with the community and plan for the best possible rollout of the operations."