The Sanctuary Garden Cannabis Dispensary Opens on NYC's Upper West Side, Rooted in Legacy and Local Impact

Founder Daron Hudson—the first justice-involved individual in New York's CAURD program to help launch the state's first legal dispensary—brings decades of advocacy and experience to New York's legal cannabis market with support from Indoor Treez

NEW YORK, Sept. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sanctuary Garden, an adult-use cannabis dispensary located at 2610 Broadway, officially opens its doors today on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Founded by longtime community organizer, social worker, and legacy cannabis operator Daron Hudson, The Sanctuary Garden is built on a mission of healing, education, and second chances. Through the new dispensary, Hudson aims to continue planting seeds of change through culture and community while bringing a legacy-rooted, people-first cannabis experience to the heart of New York City.

The Sanctuary Garden will host its soft opening today, Thursday, September 11, 2025, followed by a two-day grand opening celebration on Friday, September 26 and Saturday, September 27, 2025. The store will be open daily from 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM, providing Upper West Side residents and visitors convenient access to a welcoming and educational retail experience. Customers can explore a curated selection of premium products across flower, pre-rolls, vapes, edibles, and more, sourced from licensed New York State cultivators, processors, and vendors.

Hudson is the first justice-involved individual in New York's CAURD program and helped launch the state's first legal dispensary, Housing Works Cannabis, when adult-use sales began in 2022. His experience supporting the launch of the state's first legal dispensary shaped his perspective on equity, ownership, and what sustainable progress should look like in the industry. Now, as founder of The Sanctuary Garden, Hudson is focused on building a space that reflects both his personal journey and the community's needs.

"The Sanctuary Garden represents everything I've worked toward—an environment where people feel safe, seen, and supported," said Hudson. "Cannabis should be about more than transactions. It should be about healing, access, and building people up. I'm grateful to finally open these doors and create a place where community and legacy truly matter."

The Sanctuary Garden is opening in partnership with Indoor Treez, a cannabis operator with deep roots in New York City's legacy market. Known for crafting elevated retail experiences, Indoor Treez brings decades of persistence, resilience, and industry expertise to the partnership—tailoring a luxury environment for the adult cannabis connoisseur while honoring the culture and community from which it came.

"This partnership reflects everything we stand for at Indoor Treez—honoring legacy, elevating community voices, and creating standout retail experiences," said a spokesperson at Indoor Treez. "We're proud to bring our decades of industry expertise to this launch and support Daron's powerful vision for The Sanctuary Garden."

Future initiatives may include mentorship programming, local nonprofit collaborations, and education-driven activations to support justice-involved individuals and enrich the surrounding community.

For more information, visit thesanctuarygarden.co or follow The Sanctuary Garden on Instagram at @thesanctuarygarden.nyc

About The Sanctuary Garden:
The Sanctuary Garden is a licensed adult-use cannabis dispensary located at 2610 Broadway on Manhattan's Upper West Side. It was founded by justice-involved entrepreneur and longtime community organizer Daron Hudson and is rooted in care, community, and legacy. More than a retail space, The Sanctuary Garden serves as a neighborhood cannabis oasis, planting seeds of change through culture, education, and community. The store offers a welcoming and educational experience designed to promote healing and second chances, with a commitment to honoring New York's cannabis history while helping build a more equitable and inclusive future. 

Media Contact:
MATTIO Communications
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SOURCE The Sanctuary Garden