Little Beach Harvest Cannabis Dispensary to open in Shinnecock Land

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. —Just in time for Native American Heritage Month, a new day is set to dawn on the Shinnecock Nation as the Little Beach Harvest Clinic celebrates its grand opening and ribbon cutting on Wednesday, November 15.

Little Beach Harvest is owned and licensed by the Shinnecock Indian Nation and is the first tax-free cannabis dispensary on Long Island, a release said, adding that Little Beach Harvest will also carry indigenous brands and products.

The grand opening will take place on November 15 at 10:30 am. at Little Beach Harvest Clinic, located at 56 Montauk Highway in Southampton.

In May, plans for the opening were first announced. Ground was broken in July 2022 on the 5,000-square-foot space.

According to the Shinnecock Nation, “Little Beach Harvest will be the first legal cannabis dispensary in the state to offer both medical and adult cannabis, serving the needs of both patients and recreational users.”

The practice was designed by Hamptons-based architects T-Arch Studios, the Shinnecock Nation said.

Shinnecock Nation's environment, natural resources and cultural enrichment departments worked closely with architects, real estate consultants J2H Partners and builders Rycon Construction, Inc. to ensure proper tribal protocols were followed before clearing lands and developing the Nation he said.

“Shinnecock is excited about construction and looks forward to officially opening its doors soon,” a release said.

In 2022, under bright blue skies, members of the Shinnecock Indian Nation welcomed the dawn of a new vision as ground was broken on the new Little Beach Harvest cannabis dispensary – which everyone agreed would not just be an economic generator, but serve as blessing to the whole community and beyond.

The Shinnecock Indian Nation and TILT Holdings hosted the official groundbreaking ceremony for the facility, the “first-of-its-kind fully Native-owned cannabis operation,” according to a release.

“Little Beach Harvest is located right along Southampton's main thoroughfare, creating a unique point of engagement between First Peoples and the Hamptons community,” the release added.

The Shinnecock Cannabis Regulatory Division will regulate all operations in accordance with the Shinnecock Nation's Tribal Cannabis Laws.

The event featured the innovative, traditional Shinnecock scribble, featuring the singers and drummers of YoungBlood, and featuring performances by Little Beach Harvest.

Chenae Bullock, member of the Shinnecock Tribe and CEO of Little Beach Harvest, addressed the assembled group, thanking her family, Shinnecock elders, tribal leaders and the Creator.

“It means a lot to our community, what we're going to do today,” he said. “This is a big deal for our tribe,” he said. “What we do with this sacred plant will heal not only the community of Shinnecock but so much in the world. And that's not just through trade, but through education and the energy given to give this plant a voice again .”

Shinnecock people have been on the land for years, he said. “There's such a rich history to what we've done and it's changed so many things in the world, from whaling, industry to how we plant. What we're about to embark on is something new to do not just community but the whole East End and the whole world”.

Tribal President Bryan Polite also spoke, thanking the Creator. “We've had so many losses over the past two years that it's truly a blessing to be able to be here today, marking this truly momentous occasion in the history of Shinnecock Nation.”

The journey began nearly seven years ago with Conor Green Consulting, trying to make inroads into the medical cannabis industry, he said. “It's been a struggle. Two years ago, in 2019, we were very close to advancing, but then the pandemic hit, and it basically changed everything. As Shinnecocks, it brought us closer, but it also brought us many challenges. Throughout the story us, we've shown resilience, and that's what it signifies today – the resilience of the Shinnecock Indian Nation in the face of adversity. To get things done and move our Nation forward.”

Polite thanked all past tribal chairmen and the Shinnecock Board of Commissioners. “This is not just an economic development project for the Shinnecock Indian Nation — this is community building,” he said. Revenue and revenue will greatly expand the Nation's social safety net and ability to provide programs, direct financial support and return to the Nation's rural roots, Polite said.

“The cannabis plant has been demonized over the years. But I've never seen it that way. I looked at it for what it is, a magical medicinal plant that has so many uses,” Polite said.

Also speaking was Dana Arvidson, CEO of TILT Holdings – which teamed up with the Shinnecock Indian Nation after an introduction from economic development firm Conor Green to see the dream come true.

“From the beginning it was very clear to us that it wasn't just a financial opportunity,” he said. “It provided an opportunity to grant a first-of-its-kind partnership that could be a force for good in the Indigenous community, a community that has been largely excluded from social equity in conversations happening across the country.”

He also thanked the Office of Cannabis Management and New York State for their cooperation.

Bullock also said the project is of great importance to the Nation: “We have a whole nation that we're building this for. And it's not just the money that's coming in. It's really ensuring that we protect and maintain sovereignty, which we've been able to maintain and protect for hundreds of years—for Shinnecock is still here. You are in Shinnecock's land.”

The project will provide not just jobs, but careers — with a business-to-business approach focused on working with tribal members, he said. “The wealth gap that we have in this particular area is so drastic, it's important not to forget that there are community members that we can help — to bring it all together.”

A previous signing event was held in 2019 on the Shinnecock Reservation for the planned “medical cannabis project.”

Former Shinnecock Nation vice president Lance Gumbs said at the time that the plan was for a medical cannabis dispensary.

Earlier in 2019 the tribe erected the first of two electronic signs on Sunrise Highway that sparked controversy.

It is critical to pursue a number of economic development avenues, Gumbs said. “We don't want the tribe to be based on one thing — like some tribes, who put all their eggs in one basket, like toys. We want to diversify our economic interests.”

Little Beach Harvest's mission is to provide access to an alternative, natural way of healing in a way that fits the needs of its clients, the tribe said. drawing on the Shinnecock Nation's knowledge of herbal medicines and natural healing methods, the dispensary is expected to offer a wide range of cannabis products.

Designed by T-Arch Studios, Little Beach Harvest will feature 5,000 sq ft of medical space and will also offer a shuttle service along Southampton's high street. A future wellness salon is also planned.

The Shinnecock Nation's environment, natural resources and cultural enrichment departments worked closely with Little Beach Harvest to ensure proper tribal protocols were followed before the lands were cleared, tribal leaders said.