Air City Cannabis is open for business and aims to provide a safe, educational and supportive environment for customers while eradicating the stigma surrounding cannabis overall.
Founded by Rome resident Courtney Forrester, Air City was the first licensed cannabis dispensary in the Mohawk Valley. “We weren't the first to open, but we were the first to be licensed,” Forrester said. “We're a woman-owned dispensary, and one of the few in the state.”
She added that the pharmacy's name is a reference to Rome and Griffiss Air Force Base, and that while Utica will be the location of its first retail store, there are plans to expand into Rome and the surrounding area.
This isn't Forrester's first foray into the business world: she owns i-Candies Fashion Boutique and has been working in the industry for 12 years.
“Although our retail product types are different, we've been able to use our experience to build a strong team that can serve the city and surrounding areas well,” Forrester said.
When asked why she chose to go into the cannabis business, Forrester said she felt there was a stigma attached to the business and saw an opportunity to create an environment that was “not normal” and “help people understand the benefits of the plant.”
Offering a wide selection of flowers, edibles, tinctures and drinks, Forester hopes to provide help to those suffering from pain, stress and more.
“We aim to be a welcoming, inviting, professional store with lab-tested, state-regulated products,” she said, “and we set ourselves apart from illegal operations, where you don't know what you're going to get.”
Responsible Use
As part of its efforts to educate and inform customers, Air City Cannabis is distributing lockboxes and encouraging people with children and pets to keep their cannabis locked up.
“We want to shine a light and raise awareness about the safe use of cannabis,” Forrester said. “Going about it the right way is the right way to go about it.”
Forrester said he doesn't use marijuana every day, but occasionally uses it about once a week.
“Some of my clients smoke every day to relieve stress, but for me, I smoke after a long week when my kids are in bed to relax my mind and release stress.”
Air City Cannabis is located at 1707 Oriskany Street West in Utica and is open daily from 10am to 9pm (closing at 8pm on Sundays). For more information, visit aircitycannabis.com.
