Jamaican brothers score cannabis dispensary in the Bronx
Published:Friday | March 29, 2024 | 12:57 AMLester Hinds/Gleaner Writer -
The Bronx is poised for a historic moment as the Miller brothers, hailing from Jamaica, hold the grand opening of their state-of-the-art cannabis retail store in New York State.
Known as Two Buds Dispensary, the store is located on East 241 Street at White Plains Road in the heart of the Jamaican community in Wakefield.
The store officially opens today, marking a groundbreaking milestone in the Caribbean community and local cannabis industry, as the Miller brothers emerge as trailblazers in the burgeoning world of legal cannabis in New York State.
Owned by Howell and Christopher Miller, entrepreneurs with a resilient spirit, Two Buds is set to redefine the landscape of cannabis retail in the Bronx.
Howie was born in the United States of Jamaican parents while his brother, Chris, was born in Jamaica. Their journey, from overcoming challenges to embracing entrepreneurship, has brought them to this occasion.
Howie spent 10 years in a federal prison on trafficking marijuana charges after previously serving an 18-month sentence for possession.
Howie told The Gleaner that, while in prison, he came in contact with former US Congressman Anthony Weiner who alerted him to the fact that he could apply for the dispensary when he was released.
On leaving prison, Howie said he came in contact with Senator Charles Schumer who also spoke with him about applying for the dispensary licence.
According to Howie, he was assisted in completing and submitting the application by the Bronx Defenders office.
The Miller brothers have meticulously designed a cutting-edge retail space that offers a unique and immersive shopping experience for cannabis enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
Diverse Product Selection
The dispensary will feature a curated selection of high-quality cannabis products, including flowers, edibles, concentrates, and more, catering to a diverse range of preferences.
Chris told The Gleaner that customers will not be allowed to touch the products and will not be able to use the products on the premises, but rather, like at any retail store, they purchase the products and go.
The Miller Brothers are deeply committed to community engagement and plan to host educational sessions to inform customers about the benefits and responsible consumption of cannabis.
In 2005, Howie faced legal troubles after shipping a package of marijuana from Arizona to New York. Pleading guilty to possession with the intent to distribute, he endured an 18-month prison sentence and three years of probation.
This conviction later qualified the Miller brothers for the New York State Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensaries (CAURD) programme.
Following his release, Howie displayed resilience by founding a construction company that flourished, employing 23 individuals. However, adversity struck again in 2012 when a federal conviction led to his return to prison. This time, he faced charges for smuggling over 11 tonnes of marijuana from Mexico to New York over a decade.
While incarcerated in New York State, Howie found himself walking laps around the track with an unexpected companion, Weiner. During one of these walks, Weiner shared a crucial piece of information with Miller: the initial dispensary licences were slated to be granted to individuals with prior marijuana convictions. This revelation sparked a realisation in Miller, prompting him to look into this newly revealed information.
Out of New York’s 1,520 municipalities, 753 have opted out of dispensaries, and 877 opted out of consumption sites.