Shinnecock Nation breaks ground on Long Island cannabis facility

The Shinnecock Indian Nation of New York on Monday began construction of a cannabis dispensary on its tribal lands in east Long Island. The new entity, a collaboration between the Shinnecock Nation and international cannabis company Tilt Holdings, Inc., will comprise Little Beach Harvest, a 5,000 square foot cannabis dispensary located on the Shinnecocks’ tribal estate in Southampton, New York.

“I am thrilled to begin construction of such an important project for the Shinnecock Nation,” Shinnecock Nation chairman Bryan Polite said in a statement from the joint venture. “Little Beach Harvest has worked hard with our partner TILT Holdings to ensure a premier dispensary for the New York market. This start of construction is a step forward for the Shinnecock Nation and I am delighted to be a part of such an amazing journey.”

Attendees at Monday’s groundbreaking ceremony included the Shinnecock Nation’s Board of Trustees, Chairman Bryan Polite, the Shinnecock Cannabis Regulatory Division and tribal members including Little Beach Harvest CEO Chenae Bullock. Dana Arvidson, TILT’s Chief Operating Officer, Brad Hoch, Chief Financial Officer, and state and local officials also attended the event.

Joint venture on tribal lands

The wholly tribal owned cannabis operation is a partnership between TILT and the Shinnecock Nation and is the culmination of six years of lobbying, outreach, development and planning by the two entities. Through a joint venture with Conor Green, the Shinnecock Nation’s cannabis economic development company, TILT funds, builds and provides management services for Little Beach Harvest.

The development of the vertically integrated operation will start this year with the construction of the dispensary and a cannabis cultivation facility. The dispensary is expected to be completed early next year, while construction of the cannabis cultivation facility is expected to begin by the end of 2022. Future projects planned for the site include a wellness and consumption lounge. The Shinnecock Cannabis Regulatory Division will regulate all operations for each component in accordance with the Shinnecock Nation’s tribal cannabis laws.

“It is incredible that almost a year ago we gathered here to announce our partnership. Now we are returning to the sovereign land of the Shinnecock Nation to begin construction on what is truly a significant milestone in our journey to bring social justice to the Shinnecock Nation,” Arvidson said. “Now we are moving forward together, building not only the physical structure of Little Beach Harvest, but also our plan to advance plant medicine as an economic engine for the Shinnecock.”

Courtesy of the press release

Dispensary Features Organic design aesthetic

Little Beach Harvest will have a 5,000 square foot pharmacy and will offer a drive-through service along Southampton’s main street, creating “a unique connection point between the First People and the Hamptons community” just minutes from Southampton’s CBD removed, according to a statement from the Shinnecock Nation.

Recent design plans for Little Beach Harvest by T-Arch Studios showcase an organic aesthetic that reflects the Shinnecock Nation’s connection to the region, with natural stone and light wood elements for both the pharmacy’s interior and exterior. The Shinnecock Nation’s Department of Environment, Department of Natural Resources and Department of Cultural Enrichment worked closely with Little Beach Harvest to ensure proper tribal protocols were followed before clearing the land developed for the facility.

Bullock, an enrolled member of the Shinnecock Nation, observed, “Everything we envision as the Shinnecock People must always apply to the next seven generations and beyond.”

“The Little Beach Harvest Pharmacy will be a place where we can share our culture with the world, honor this sacred plant, raise awareness and provide resources to the Shinnecock Nation,” Bullock said. “People who come to our traditional countries to shop at our pharmacy will contribute to our economic sustainability. For thousands of years, the people of the Shinnecock Nation have contributed to environmental sustainability, and we are now at times when we can develop economic sustainability through the cannabis industry to continue our stewardship of the earth.”