Binghamton (WBNG) — The City of Binghamton may see two new cannabis retail locations on the east and west sides.
The former A&W restaurant on Court Street is set to become ‘Cotton Mouth Dispensary’ pending the approval of its cannabis retail license by the New York State Office of Cannabis Management.
The other location is at 242 Main Street in Binghamton, which was formerly known as Dianels Paint and Decorating.
These shops come in a wave of legal cannabis dispensary locations that have hit the City of Binghamton as officials try to close down illicit shops and promote the business of those following the legal requirements.
A part of the push for more legal cannabis retailers in the City of Binghamton is the amount of tax revenue that could be brought back into the city through the legal stores, as illicit shops do not provide any tax revenue to the municipality.
The City of Binghamton claims a 3% tax on all sales of cannabis at legal retailers in the city, a revenue boost that has led to a $175,000 allocation in the city’s budget according to Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham.
“The City of Binghamton in 2025, we have budgeted $175,000 in tax revenue for adult use cannabis,” said Kraham. “Now we’re getting that money from these legal dispensaries and the illegal dispensaries are not providing anything to the taxpayers really, they’re stealing from the taxpayer.”
Residents of Binghamton have had split positions on how they feel about the influx of cannabis shops regardless of the store’s legal standing.
Binghamton resident, Kaleb Carpinelli told 12 News he is in favor of the shops because it is a safer way for people to get cannabis products.
“I think it’s good, for the people running them,” Carpinelli said. “For the people who buy the products, it’s a safer way of doing it.”
On the other side, however, a Graduate Student at Binghamton University Myo Win said that he’s upset seeing the younger generations smoking so much.
“It’s really strange in you know Binghamton that this many young people are smoking. It was really strange when I came here it’s near here and near the school,” said Win. “Even high school students I saw every day they are smoking. Even marijuana which is worse than smoking you know? But I’m not really in support of that I’m really upset [about] that for the new generation.”
All needed approvals have been passed for Vivid Wellness LLC who are looking to occupy the location at 242 Main Street in Binghamton.
Cotton Mouth Dispensary is still waiting on approval for its vendor license from the Office of Cannabis Management before it can open doors at the former A&W.
H/T: www.wbng.com
