Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) — As people across the nation celebrated the unofficial 4/20 holiday Sunday, experts in travel, law enforcement and the cannabis industry urged individuals to enjoy responsibly.
Inside Rochester’s busy cannabis dispensary Good Life Collective, co-owner Jamel Young said business was “going great.”
“We’ve been seeing a steady increase and backing from our community, which we’re very grateful for,” Young said.
Good Life Collective opened in 2024 and was the city of Rochester’s first state-licensed cannabis dispensary. Edibles and drinkables are popular items on the shelves, according to Young.
While cannabis is legal in New York state, officials reminded the public not to drive while impaired and to have a plan in place.
“I would strongly advise that you get a sober driver, or if you’re planning on smoking, I would tell you to not get in a vehicle for at least 24 hours and sometimes longer,” said Officer Evan Bruckel from the Irondequoit Police Department, one of 400 certified drug recognition experts in New York state.
Bruckel helped introduce Irondequoit to SoToxa, a roadside drug detection device that has been made accessible to all Irondequoit police officers.
BACKGROUND:Irondequoit police deploy SoToxa for roadside drug testing; attorney weighs in | Rochester opens first state-licensed cannabis dispensary in 4/20 celebration | Brighton police deploy new tool to combat impaired driving ahead of 4/20
The tool, when used in conjunction with the opinion of a certified drug recognition expert, can help determine a subject’s intoxication, which had, in years past, been a challenge with regard to cannabis.
Over the 4/20 weekend, police agencies across Monroe County are participating in a special Stop-DWI campaign to curb cannabis-impaired driving.
A recent AAA survey of 2,000 cannabis users nationwide revealed several trends with regard to participants’ attitudes toward driving.
“Over half of the people surveyed said that they got behind the wheel less than an hour after consuming cannabis, and that’s very telling,” said Mark Gruba, communications expert for AAA of Western and Central New York.
“Almost 20% think that it makes them a much better driver,” Gruba added. “And of course, we know that that is not the case. The opposite is true.”
Gruba noted the desire for new safety messaging to reflect changing stigmas and times.
“There’s an opportunity for people like AAA, law enforcement and government agencies to partner with the cannabis industry to help come up with messaging that cannabis consumers will find that will be that they’ll be receptive to,” he said.
Young emphasized the importance of safety.
“If you’re consuming, especially on the holiday, call an Uber, you know what I’m saying?” Young said. “Make sure you’re keeping yourself in good spirits on the holiday.”
While cannabis is legal in New York state, it remains illegal at the federal level. County officials are working on a pilot program to make SoToxa more accessible to officers.
New York state offers a mobile app called Have A Plan to help people avoid impaired driving.
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