WILLIAMSBURG, Brooklyn (PIX11) — Pablo Velez helps customers at the register of Flower Daddy, his new queer and Latino-owned cannabis dispensary at 539 Metropolitan Ave. in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Opened in December, the shop aims to serve as a safe space for immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community.
Velez, a Colombian immigrant in New York for 25 years, faced deportation after a cannabis arrest. “I did get arrested for a cannabis conviction,” Velez said. That led to immigration troubles despite his green card, but New York legalized marijuana, changing everything.
The state started giving cannabis store licenses first to people with past marijuana convictions in 2022. Velez seized the opportunity through this program.
Now, Velez wants to aid immigrants lacking legal resources amid the political climate, plus showcase immigrant artists at his store. “Being here and being able to have this opportunity wasn’t given to me, I fought to have this. But now that I’m here, I’d love to be able to pay back,” he said.
Flower Daddy stocks edibles, flower, pre-rolls and more. “Everyone comes and looks for the pre-rolls,” Velez said. The inventory is growing.
In five years, he sees expansion where the store will evolve in look, feel, and community mission, giving back while building a lasting brand in the city. “Ideally, I would love to open more locations,” Velez said.
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