In a recent conversation with Dutchie, Coss Marte, the pioneering owner of CONBUD, a dispensary in New York City, shared details about his journey in the cannabis industry and the upcoming event featuring boxing legend Mike Tyson.
Marte was one of the initial group of cannabis retail licensees under the Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) program in New York. CONBUD’s retail operations are powered by a full suite of Dutchie productions, including Dutchie Point of Sale, Dutchie Ecommerce, and Dutchie Pay.
Located in the vibrant Lower East Side of Manhattan, CONBUD stands out as one of the first licensed cannabis shops in New York under the CAURD program. Marte's journey to establish CONBUD was far from easy. He and his co-founders were all justice involved prior to joining New York’s cannabis industry.
As the market evolved in New York post-pandemic, Marte and his partners navigated New York's intricate licensing process, overcoming numerous challenges to finally open his dream dispensary with the mission “to normalize cannabis usage, provide education, and de-stigmatize the formerly incarcerated community by easing their integration back into society.”
On December 8, 2023, Mike Tyson launched three new strains at CONBUD, offering Tyson fans and CONBUD customers an opportunity for a meet-and-greet with the boxing icon. This collaboration is not just a business move, according to Marte, it was a statement of CONBUD's commitment to bringing unique experiences and products to its clientele.
Marte emphasized the importance of offering diverse and high-quality products to customers as something that sets CONBUD apart from the competition. The shop boasts an extensive selection of over two hundred cannabis products, catering to various preferences, from premium flower products to vapes to topicals to tinctures.
A significant aspect of CONBUD's operation, as highlighted by Marte, is their delivery service. In a city where convenience is key, CONBUD's delivery service within a four-mile radius of the shop is a game-changer. It reflects Marte's adaptability, evolving from street-level operations to a sophisticated delivery system.
Marte also touched upon the marketing challenges faced by legal dispensaries in New York as well as competition from unlicensed, unregulated cannabis shops in Manhattan. Despite these constraints, CONBUD's success is a testament to Marte's resilience and innovative approach.
Learn more about CONBUD and about Coss Marte.
