First-time Dispensary owner details his experience with the NY CAURD Program ft. Markel Bababekov

The NY CAURD program, intended to be a beacon of hope, turned into a myriad of challenges. Imagine relocating your family, investing your life savings, and building a dream, only to be met with a staggering injunction that brings the entire NY cannabis market to a halt. With countless unknowns, frequent regulatory changes, and surprises such as the NY cannabis tax, many entrepreneurs aspiring to enter the NY cannabis industry faced a daunting initiation that only the mentally strong could weather. In this episode, we delve into the heart of these challenges with Markel Bababekov, a CAURD applicant and seasoned entrepreneur. His story is a testament to the grit and resilience required to navigate the ever-shifting tides of cannabis regulations and market uncertainties. • Dispensary Opening Steps • Illicit vs. Legal Shops • Location & Funding Hurdles • Store Selection Process • And so much more 00:00 Introduction of Markel Bababekov 01:07 Markel Bababekov Background and Journey into Cannabis 04:35 Challenges in the Cannabis Industry 06:05 The Struggle of Finding a Suitable Location 09:04 The Impact of Injunction on Business 12:17 The Decision to Continue Despite Uncertainty 23:28 The Reality of the Illicit Market 25:03 The Importance of Legality and Regulations in the Cannabis Industry 25:29 The Challenges of Running a Legal Cannabis Shop 26:06 The Importance of Quality Control and Product Testing 26:39 The Unique Experience of Shopping at a Legal Cannabis Store 27:33 The Struggles and Triumphs of Opening a Cannabis Store 27:56 The Challenges of Navigating the Cannabis Licensing Process 30:20 The Importance of Community Engagement and Local Art in Cannabis Retail 31:54 The Importance of Product Knowledge and Customer Education 32:00 The Excitement and Overwhelm of Preparing for Store Opening 33:58 The Highs and Lows of the Cannabis Business Journey 35:14 The Future of Cannabis Retail and the Lessons Learned Guest Links: https://thctheherbalcare.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thc_theherbalcare?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== https://weedmaps.com/dispensaries/the-herbal-care-thc-llc #NYCannabis #Cannabis #CUARDProgram Follow us: Our Links. At Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry. 8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain The Dime is a top 5% most shared global podcast The Dime is a top 50 Cannabis Podcast Sign up for our playbook here: https://www.8threv.com/monthly-report/ 🎥 YouTube: The Dime 📸 Instagram: The Dime