East Coast smokers line up to taste the first batch of cookies
Dispensaries in Miami and New Jersey drew long lines from East Coasters hoping for a first train of legal cookies.
Cookies’ monster East Coast debut this August demonstrated the brand’s unmatched influence in the legitimate market.
Cookies is one of Weed’s biggest brands (check out its 3 million followers between the San Francisco store, clothing line Cookies and owner Berner). Other multi-state operations have more stores and larger market shares. But Cookies’ debuts draw boundaries that other dispensaries in most states only see on the first day of legal sale.
For two consecutive weekends in August, Cookies breathed new life into Florida and New Jersey by launching their much-loved products. Cannaseurs traveled thousands of miles and lined up before sunrise just to take part in the historic day and partake of strains like Jealousy, Gary Payton and special editions like Piece of Candy and Collins Ave.
Here’s what Leafly staff, Mikhail Harrison and Moses Augustine, experienced at Cookies Corner’s New Jersey debut at Lodi’s Apothecarium and the Cookies Miami store opening earlier this month, including time with Berner, Yung LB, Luka Brazi and many more.
Greetings from Miami
“This was our first store in Florida, it was only right that we did it right here,” Berner said before cutting the ribbon at his brand’s Miami location. By 2am, according to G’s Bud blog, there were already about 100 people there. At the end of the day, the site was said to be moving $500,000 worth of products.
Cookie lovers drove all the way to Oklahoma to queue, and VIPs flew in from across the country to show their support. That’s because cookies deliver more to customers than any other brand of their size. Its products, movements, and marketing are so intertwined with global cannabis culture that arriving in Miami felt like opening an exclusive nightclub.
Shortly before the doors opened, Berner thanked everyone who had endured the “insanely muggy heat” and made a promise: “I can guarantee one thing, the team did its thing. The weed here is absolutely amazing. Lots of great people in the building, lots of great energy.”
We deliver the best of Florida
Cookies’ Miami team was handpicked by Berner. Back in May, Cookies invited locals to bring their CVs to meet Berner in person on June 4th. At the grand opening on August 13th, we spoke to an employee named Sukki, who was chosen.
Sukki explained that Cookies pulls such crazy boundaries because “people connect to Cookies because they found a way to cross that boundary from a pharmacy to a culture.”
“It’s a family. Nobody is stuck. People are in their normal clothes. It’s all inclusive, there’s no discrimination… We have people from Texas, we have people from Tampa. It’s really an eclectic cast.”
Sukki, employee of Cookies Miami
The store opening also attracted VIPs such as Yung LB from Joke’s Up and Runtz, Smokers Club legend Shiest Bubz and GUMBO CEO Luka Brazi. Queens-to-Miami rapper NORE said, “I feel like I’m in LA, but we’re in MIA.” Both because of the star power and the stretch power. Atlanta GasHouse founders Felix Murry and Kingston were also in the building.
Cookie slices like bestsellers Madrina, Jealousy, Gary Payton were flying out the door. So also Cake Mix and Blanco from Lemonnade. At some point the pharmacy was so lit that the power went out for a few seconds.
Jealousy’s creamy purple exotic was the star of the show. Its incredible looks and smell lead you to a fast-acting hybrid effect. While most weed smokers are against $60 eighths out of principle, Cookies is the rare brand that makes the hefty price tag worth it in its multinational stores. It’s also one of the first legal offerings, significantly more loyal to the legacy market and the trailblazers that made legalization possible.
The Miami-edition Cookies merch has been curated to appeal to local tastes, and the handpicked authentic 305 flair comes shows an attention to detail that’s present in every part of Cookies products, from seeds to sales to marketing .
If they continue the hype, cookies will have a huge advantage in Florida, where limited licenses keep quality low and variety for medical patients limited. Though not located in South Beach or downtown, the new Cookies store would dominate the Miami cannabis industry until competition stepped up to keep up with Cookies’ offerings and the illicit market.
The Colombian restaurant Pueblito Viejo was right next door and according to Berner serves the best Colombian food in Miami. His new Miami dispensary now houses the best legal bud in the state.
As G Bud’s blog put it in its review, Cookies “has weed from space compared to other local offerings.” He adds that the high price is reflected in the quality and presentation. He says it’s similar to the difference between Panda Express and Benihana and I have to agree with him.
You need a health card to enter the Cookies Miami store, but if you’re in the area simply apply for one. It’s easier than you think, and you can use your email confirmation to enter before you receive your card in the mail.
Lodi’s new Garden Baked Drive-Thru
In April, Leafly spoke to Nick “NJ Gas Man” D’Amelio about his mission to bake the first batch of legal cookies in his home state of New Jersey. A limited version of Nick’s Cookies became available a few months ago at TerrAscend locations across the state. But Saturday, August 19th was the true debut of Nick’s full efforts.
Cookies CEO Berner was on-site for a meet-and-greet at the state’s first drive-thru pharmacy and NJ’s second Cookies Corner, a customized experience for Cookies customers that will offer “bud bars, branded wall displays, accessories, apparel and… a superb selection of flowers.” All three Apothecarium NJ locations (Maplewood, Phillipsburg) will soon feature Cookies Corners.
New Yorkers like legacy pioneer Branson and social influencer Pio La Dintingancia made the journey from NYC, along with GUMBO CEO Luka Brazi, who said his GUMBO brand will soon be available in both New Jersey and Miami will be. The hilarious Stoney Mama was also there, spreading joy and laughter wherever she went.
The event also saw the launch of Cookies vape cartridges and pre-rolls, available in Pink Rozay, Apples & Bananas, Gary Payton, Lemon Pound Cake 75, Cereal Milk, The Soap, Laughing Gas, Jealousy and Day Day.
Berner autographed copies of his new Forbes cover and showed his love to Jersey fans who have been waiting for a full legal cookie offering since the adult market opened on April 21. Berner explained that being in NJ is a life goal and that he’ll be doing it alongside the strip club made famous by HBO’s The Sopranos only makes it cuter.
“We keep ticking off life goals, having our second Cookies Corner in Jersey next to the legendary Bada Bing is epic. The customer journey at this location is special, we are ready for the East Coast.”
Berner, co-founder and CEO of Cookies.
Bada Bing!
More from the weed wild east
Mikhail Harrison
Trinidadian-born, New Jersey-raised content producer Mikhail Harrison has been a cannabis advocate and influencer for over a decade, working both on camera and behind the scenes to normalize the plant for everyone.
Check out Mikhail Harrison’s articles
The latest in varieties and products
show everything
By submitting this form, you are subscribing to Leafly news and promotional emails and agreeing to Leafly’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe from Leafly email communications at any time.
Post a comment: