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Marijuana Dispensary to Open in Forest Hills This Summer

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.

email the author: news@queenspost.com

48 Comments

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Hootieo

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Responsiblesmoker

I cannot smoke in my house, the smell and smoke bothers my wife. My only option is to smoke outside with the risk of getting arrested. I have suffered from depression for many years until smoking the plant. The benefits of being off that “depressing shit” definitely out weighs the negative. In the need of a solution

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pliny

I’m sorry that you can’t smoke it in your house, but you’re not welcome to smoke on the street either. I basically think people smoke either cigarette or any type of drugs including the weed are not necessarily bad people, but very selfish people. If you drink, I don’t care. But if you smoke, you’re polluting the air for everyone around you. Also, as a psychologist, I believe the weed can’t cure your depression. It can, at best, hide the symptoms for you temporarily. If you seriously consider a treatment, take the real medical pills. Otherwise, you’re not addressing your problem by hiding it, and you’re bothering others.

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Anna MacGregor

Thanks, doc. Good advice and true wisdom. (I wish someone would apply it to boom cars and all-night raves.) MJ also has hallucinogenic effects. . .no wonder several people I know who I discovered to be potheads claim they “see dead people”.

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Responsiblesmoker

Good advise? really? She’s a Psychologist, of course she will recommend Opioids, prescription drugs “medical pills”. Psychologist does not have all the right answers. Also she does not have a problem with people that drink. red flag

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Responsiblesmoker

Hmmm, your response kinda bothers me. you don’t care if ppl drink alcohol? you’re recommending medical pills, Opioids, prescription drugs? of course you are a psychologist! you will be able to assess both mental and physical aspect of my psychological problems? REALLY?

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Mac

Your bothering others with your opinion based answer. Are you an expert in the field of medical can.?
No. Your a psychologist that thinks weed smoke is pulluting air for everyone.

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Anna MacGregor

i suffer from secondhand pot smoke in my apartment. It raises cardiovascular response and I feel as if a stroke is coming. I was a pot smoker in the 60’s but am now in my 70’s age-wise, and have recently been cured of HepC. . .however, that being said, I disagree with using marijuana as a “pain reliever”. The main reason I stopped smoking was that it INCREASED the pain of my fibromyalgia chronic myofascial pain syndrome, which had been diagnosed in the early 70’s and continues to flare up. Everyone knows that marijuana is a sense heightener, which is why people love to make love, listen to music, eat ten canolis, or whatever. My objection on personal grounds is I fought secondhand cigarette smoke in the workplace for decades and only kept getting fired for asking to breathe. Any “doctor” who “prescribes” smoking anything should have his license revoked. I am not, however, averse to trying some of the NON-THC oils as an alternative to anti-anxiety meds. . .however, having a licensed pharmacist on board will not mitigate the lack of actual doctors who may be willing to Rx any cannabinoids. AND, if “recreational marijuana” is to be legal soon, isn’t this whole topic somewhat ambiguous? I would like an answer to my own chronic pain issues, other than a $50 copayment for useless “pain management”, “physical therapy”, “neurology consults” etc. I am willing to try the CBD oil, but wouldn’t it benefit having also a medical professional, not jsut a pharmacist, on board, who for a reasonable fee, would be willing to offer the option to persons such as myself? However, this will not mitigate the fact that marijuana is still Federally illegal. . .I feel the Biblical view that all the green plants were given to us for healing. However, using same plants to intoxicate and/or party, if allowed, should result in the same penalties as those who commit crimes, vehicular slaughter, etc. under the influence of alcohol. Also, I seriously doubt that a taxable item will do much to eliminate the street dealers. The only benefit would be, it seems, that the product would be thoroughly screened. As far as losing Barnes and Nobles to Target, I am one of those upset that Queens County now no longer has a bookstore anywhere, which drives us all to Amazon.com. The last thing Austin Street needed was another Target Store. I do not shop there, and I hope they close after their current lease is up.

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Macon D

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170427130750.htm
In a few months DiBlasio will decriminalize marijuana in NYC.
This new storefront will then apply for, and be granted, a recreational vendors license. The purpose of all medical dispensaries to prepare themselves for the onslaught of customers following decriminalization. With Forest Hills high school in walking distance, the E, F, and LIRR allowing for easy access, not to mention the summer concerts, Forest Hills will be very attractive to those who make marijuana use a part of their everyday routine.

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Messer

Great! I direct your attention to the numerous bars and tobacco smoke shops within a few blocks of this spot. Both of those substances are proven far more dangerous, but are legal, accepted, and part of daily life. Neither have any health benefits to those with chronic conditions. Bring on the recreational marijuana.

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Macon D

Although tobacco is an addictive drug, and sadly destructive to health, it is not mind altering. As for the bars, and you left out the numerous liquor stores, there is a stigma to having evidence of alcohol use early in the day, at work, behind the wheel, etc. There is a stigma, and a very visible effect, of constant use. For Marijauna, maintaining the 24 hour buzz, and the 24hr reek, is a celebratory, common, even progressive presentation of disdain for all things conventional. Forest Hills has been too consistent since 1912. We need to be more like Haight & Ashbury in San Fransisco. Yes Messer, bring it on!

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Bobby

Are they kidding. The landlord kicks the original steak house owner out by raising his rent to put in a store for pot heads. And they all have bad backs. Sure. Thats America 2018!!!

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A-a

Not opened yet, but they working on it.
Barnes and Nobles closed so if you are looking for a place to enlighten your children and grandchildren you can take them to Target. Marijuana (medical) distribution center opens, lots of good stores on Austin street gone but cheap joints grow like mushrooms in a rainy season. But – to be optimistic – it seems that the neighborhood is still OK because all the benches in this small park between Queens Blvd and the Post Office are each night occupied by homeless people looking for a safe overnight shelter.
I would be sorry, if it turns to worse for them.

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Frances Michaels

To All MORONS…. a.k.a. POTHEADS !!!! …..DO YOUR RESEARCH !! Go get a CT and see how your brain function is doing ??? This Industry gives no damn about Treatments of Disease /Conditions….they know all impaired brains will jump on the band wagon …all they see is $$$$ !! Stop comparing Rx…with this STINKY CRAP ! I know people that are on Meds for years and they’re not hooked !! It’s every Pothead’s excuse to get high !!! Exceptions rarely apply !!

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Gerald

All one has to do is see the CAPS LOCK and your attitude and realize you’re not someone to be taken seriously, Frances Michael. I’ve been smoking responsible for 20 years, have a terrific job, do volunteer work, and engage in many different kinds of events in the city. It’s people like you, Frances Michaels, that tries to bottle up every marijuana user into one bunch and tag us in an unflattering light. But it’s ok, based on the number of dislikes your post got, seems there are brighter minds on this messageboard than your narrow-mindedness 🙂

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Neta

Why don’t YOU do YOUR research and stop spreading misinformation. This is not hard chemicals or hard drugs. Stop pretending like everyone gets addicted to cannabis. The only people who become addicted are people with the predisposition to an addictive behavior.

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Emily Burke

Relax people…i live in Oregon (we know the med values of cannabis). And we also know that the good outweighs the bad anyday. Please, for the sake of millions of mm users who are doing nothing but trying to feel better. Back off!

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Joseph Blenman

I am a retired certified Pharmacy technician,looking for a position in a Marijuana Dispensary.

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ROBERT H. BOMELY JR.

TO ALL OF YOU GOOD PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEGATIVE AND DEROGATORY REMARKS ABOUT M.M. I WOULD LIKE TO TRADE PLACES WITH YOU FOR ONE DAY. I HAVE HAD 5 NECK & BACK , 3 HIP REPLACEMENTS, MY LEFT LEG REMOVED DUE TO A BAD IMPLANT, AND I FIND OUT I NOW HAVE A.V.N. IN MY SHOULDERS 2 MORE SURGERIES I WOULD TRADE WITH YOU YESTERDAY!!!!! I CANT GET RELIEF WITH RX MEDS BECAUSE OF THE DUMB BUTT HEADS THAT CLAIM THEY GET ADDICTED TO PAIN MEDS. SO GO BACK & SIT ON YOUR COUCH AND HAVE ANOTHER BEER OR DRINK AND SHUT THE HECK UP………………

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Dolly

Robert, I doubt that everyone using the weed is having the same physical pain as you have. We are not talking about a homogenous group here.

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Neennna

It’s not a drug den you dope. You have to have a script before they even let you in the door. I know cancer patients who need this and it will help them tremendously.

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Paulina

They are licensed to kill you and all your illness… Permanently… BIBA MEDICAL MARIJUANA !!! @ one time in my life I was prescribed 18 different Medication..Methadone..OxyContin and came close to being permanently Disabled ..I am pharmaceutical FREE !!!!BIBA MEDICAL MARIJUANA

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Rick simm

More of the governors cronies getting licenses to sell , while those who know the product can’t get a license. I will never use any of the shops and any real new yorker wouldn’t either. This noting more then big pharma in disguise..

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Kenneth Klein

The people who work in the dispensaries are trained. Trulieve is the best company.

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Pepe the Incel Comic Frog

About friggin time! The west coast is eating our lunch w/r/t cannabis policy.

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Pepe the Incel Comic Frog

About friggin time. The west coast is eating our lunch w/r/t cannabis policy.

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Lor

Ignorant comment. If you read the article, you realize it’s for treatment of illness and not to get stoned right?

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Native New Yorker

How do you feel about Duane Reade and CVS? They’re the largest dispensary of narcotics n the city. That’s what hydrocodone, Percaset, and Vicadin are.

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Tom Johnson

Asshole. Would love to see how many empty Bud cans are in the back of your Jap pickup

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Concerned Citizen

Patients with Cancer, PTSD, and other debilitating illnesses are not happy with the treatment they receive and/or prescribed. Good for you for wanting safer neighborhoods. The tax dollars the medical cannabis program, as regulated by NY State, will certainly help keep you and neighbors safe.

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Lana

Medical professional – I would like for you to reconsider marijuana store as a drug den. Medical marijuana has extensive research backing which shows significant improvement in quality of life for cancer patients, epileptics and PTSD patients. More specifically cancer pain which is a pain most of us will never know and anorexia. Medical marijuana eases pain not controlled by opiates such as Fentanyl and morphine. Anorexia due to chemo and radiation. When you take MM you get the munchies which helps with muscle loss and weight gain. Epileptics have shown decrease in seizures especially for young children. The thought that MM is a recreational Class I drug equal to fentanyl and heroin is an outdated view without any Evidence Based Research. Please reconsider your position on this.

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Kenneth Klein

Do you approve of places that sell alcohol. After all alcohol is a drug that offers NOTHING HEALTHY.

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Robert McCArthy

Great Location! It should bring lots s of foot traffic to local businesses. Everybody should welcome the new business to the area

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countervail

Yeah, we have enough “foot traffic” with all the new homeless people wandering the streets and all the day shoppers and concert-goers leaving trash everywhere. If you want foot traffic, how about you suggest the greedy landlords lower their rents and encourage quality business for RESIDENTS and not trashy businesses for neighborhood tourists? We don’t need a dispensary, or another $.99 store, or a cell phone store, a “dress” store (the women in the neighborhood seem to dress a lot like Charo or RuPaul or… both).

How about an upscale gym like Equinox or a Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s or a Williams-Sonoma. The best we can do is a marijuana dispensary?

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belsn

Are you kidding me, the only trader joes in queens is a 5 minute drive from there. Also you seem to have an extremely narrow idea of what stores are worthy of existing. You should consider moving because you’re literally complaining about the best part about this neighborhood.

Also, congratulations on shaming people with serious medical conditions. This isn’t recreational marijuana that anybody with half a brain could get on the black market. It’s high grade medical quality doses that are prescription only, and only for those with difficult conditions like Cancer, PTSD, epilepsy, etc.

I wonder how many of those homeless vets everyone whines about actually wouldn’t be homeless if they had legal cannabis to treat their PTSD. You are contributing to the homelessness problem.

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Henry

“A five minute drive” if you have a car perhaps. I you do not, you are pretty much out of luck in going to TJ’s in a timely way.

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Bobby

Im calling your BS. All these people are not legit pain sufferers. They are pot heads going to get high legally. This is the biggest scam.

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