First officially licensed recreational cannabis dispensary in Rockland opens in Nyack

Treehouse Cannabis , Rockland's first officially licensed adult-use recreational cannabis dispensary, opened its storefront in Nyack Aug. 15.

"Needless to say, this has been an interesting journey," Owner Seth Marks said while recounting the "emotional rollercoaster" of a process it took to make the brick-and-mortar dispensary a reality.

Marks turned a former car dealership on Route 59 into a cannabis delivery service in February after months of legal battles over state cannabis licenses delayed his storefront opening.

Marks said his decision to open a dispensary came after a friend called him about the state's new Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary program in 2021, which allows existing business owners who have been previously affected by discriminatory marijuana-related incarceration to legally obtain a license to sell cannabis products.

Marks told the Journal News he went to jail for six months after selling marijuana in 1995. When he was released, he switched his focus to selling cars.

"My whole life had changed; I learned how to live a much more peaceful life," he said. "You know, everything started going really good."

In February, he used his CAURD eligibility to turn the former location of Palisades Auto Sales on Route 59 in Nyack into Treehouse Cannabis, Rockland's first and only marijuana dispensary delivery service with a state license. Now, after months of delays and with the help of Marks' stepson, Ricky Rojas, the storefront is now open.

Treehouse Cannabis is open Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

The store also has options for pickup and delivery services .

Being the first recreation dispensary in Rockland felt like an honor and privilege, Marks said. "We are just so blessed to be here today."

Lohud's Michael McKinney and John Meore contributed to this report .

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: First officially licensed recreational cannabis dispensary in Rockland opens in Nyack