Extasy James, a trailblazer in New York’s cannabis industry, made history by opening the state’s first woman-owned recreational cannabis dispensary in 2023. Known as Good Grades, the dispensary is located on Jamaica Avenue in Queens, an area with a rich history and diverse community. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the personal story that drives James—one filled with hardship, perseverance, and a desire to bring change to communities affected by the war on drugs.
Overcoming Personal Struggles to Pursue a Dream
James’ journey began at the age of three when her father was deported from the United States to Jamaica. He faced charges related to cannabis, which forever changed the trajectory of James’ family. “It impacted me greatly,” she shared in an interview with The Story Exchange. “My mother had four children, and I was the oldest, so I stepped up.”
The deportation of her father was just one example of how families, especially those from Black and Latino communities, were torn apart by cannabis-related arrests. Many families, including James’, were deeply affected by the harsh policies that criminalized cannabis. In an area like Jamaica, Queens, where racial disparities in cannabis arrests were rampant, James witnessed the devastation firsthand. In 2018, figures from NBC News showed that Black and Latino communities were disproportionately arrested for cannabis offenses, even though these groups made up only a small percentage of the local population.
The Birth of Good Grades Dispensary
Despite the hardships James faced growing up, she eventually channeled her energy into making a positive change. In 2023, James and her cousin Michael, a cannabis attorney, opened Good Grades, the first woman-owned cannabis dispensary in New York state. Located on Jamaica Avenue, the dispensary serves as a symbol of resilience and economic opportunity for people who have long been marginalized by the war on drugs.
At the grand opening, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards made the first purchase, signaling support for this groundbreaking business. “It was very ideal, and I think it killed a lot of stereotypes,” James reflected. The dispensary offers recreational cannabis products such as gummies, which were the first items bought by Richards during the opening.
How Social Equity Programs Played a Key Role
Good Grades was made possible in part by the New York State Social Equity Cannabis Investment Fund, launched in June 2022. This fund was designed to help those who have been disproportionately affected by cannabis arrests, offering support to minority communities looking to enter the cannabis industry. James and Michael took full advantage of this program, which provided crucial funding and resources to get their dispensary off the ground.
The dispensary’s success is not just about cannabis—it’s about economic empowerment. James’ cousin Michael explained it well: “Marijuana goes from being a tool to overpolice our communities to now a tool of economic prosperity.” This shift allows people from Black, Brown, and low-income communities to tap into an industry that was once used to oppress them.
A Vision for the Future
James’ vision doesn’t stop with Good Grades. After the dispensary’s success, she plans to expand the business and turn it into a franchise, opening doors for others who look like her in the cannabis industry. James is passionate about creating opportunities for people who were once sidelined and overlooked. As she continues to grow Good Grades, she hopes to provide a platform for others to succeed in an industry that is becoming increasingly mainstream.
For James, the opening of Good Grades was a bittersweet moment. The journey that led to this achievement was marked by challenges and sacrifices, but it also represents a full circle for James and her community. By turning cannabis into a source of economic prosperity, she is proving that adversity can be turned into opportunity.
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