Renaissañt NYC Celebrates Grand Opening of New York’s First Haitian-American Owned Legal Cannabis Dispensary
Renaissañt NYC, the first Haitian-American-owned legal cannabis dispensary in New York State, is proud to announce its grand opening celebration on Friday, April 11, 2025, in the vibrant neighborhood of Sunnyside, Queens.
Led by CEO and Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) licensee Jessica Naissant, Renaissañt NYC aims to ignite a culturally rooted cannabis renaissance in Queens, NY that honors community values.
“This milestone is significant on multiple levels. As an entrepreneur, I’m grateful to see my years of intentionality and hard work result in this historic opening,” said Naissant, a serial entrepreneur, and graduate of both NY State’s Cannabis Compliance Training & Mentorship (CCTM) program and Cannabis NYC’s Fast Trac® for Cannabis Entrepreneurs educational series. “I’m also deeply appreciative for the support I’ve received from both New York City and State. The technical assistance helped provide a path to success for justice-involved, small business owners like me who’ve been impacted by the War on Drugs.”
The grand opening festivities will begin with a press conference and ribbon cutting ceremony from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, featuring remarks from Naissant, Cannabis NYC, and other elected officials. The celebration will continue until 8:00 PM, welcoming the community to experience Renaissañt’s thoughtfully curated selection of legal cannabis products.
“The opening of Renaissañt NYC represents the kind of transformation New York’s legal cannabis program was designed to achieve—shutting down illicit operations and replacing them with licensed, community-rooted businesses, said Felicia A.B. Reid, Acting Executive Director, New York State Office of Cannabis Management. “It’s both fantastic and heartening to see how the Sunnyside community has welcomed Jessica Naissant and her team, and OCM looks forward to their bright future as part of New York’s locally owned, small business community.”
“Operation Padlock to Protect has been a success across our city for many important reasons. By shutting down illegal smoke shops—especially those near schools and houses of worship—we’re helping to create safer neighborhoods for our children and families,” said NYC Sheriff Anthony Miranda. “This initiative also reinforces the integrity of legal dispensaries, like Renaissañt NYC, allowing them to operate and grow within a fair, regulated market. It opens the door for new, legitimate businesses that want to invest in and uplift our communities. These businesses create jobs, boost the local economy, and offer safe, regulated alternatives for those who choose to consume. I’m especially proud of this grand opening, as this legal dispensary now stands where an illegal shop once operated. This is exactly the kind of progress we’re aiming for.”
Naissant’s journey in cannabis entrepreneurship reflects her commitment to both excellence and equity in the industry. Beyond establishing her own dispensary, she is a founding member of the New York Cannabis Retail Association (NYCRA) and is the founder of a non-profit organization that has provided technical assistance to dozens of license applicants through her non-profit organization, helping to build a more inclusive cannabis ecosystem throughout New York.
Renaissañt NYC invites media representatives, community members, and cannabis enthusiasts to join this historic celebration as they open their doors and begin a new chapter in Queens’ retail landscape.
