ROCK HILL — The first adult-use cannabis dispensary for Sullivan County officially opened its doors on Friday, April 19. Platinum Leaf, owned by Bernard and Chyna Gonzalez, held its grand opening ribbon-cutting celebration at its location at 196 Rock Hill Drive alongside the Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association (SCVA) and the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce on Friday. 

“We are so excited at the Visitor’s Association because it opens up different opportunities for tourism in Sullivan County,” said Lourdesa Hunt, Business Development and Administrative Operations at the SCVA.

New York State legalized adult-use cannabis over three years ago and there have been several dispensaries to open across the state since then, but Platinum Leaf is the first in Sullivan County. 

Bernard Gonzalez spent time in Orange County Jail for felony marijuana charges back when it was illegal. New York has given its first marijuana retail licenses to people like Gonzalez who served time for selling marijuana when it was illegal. 

“Sullivan County residents, myself and my team are happy to be able to provide a clean, presentable and safe space to fulfill your cannabis needs for the community,” said co-owner Chyna Gonzalez. “Whether it’s to ease your ailments or simply recreational [use], we here at Platinum Leaf will fulfill all your wants and needs.”

Gonzalez said that when shopping at their dispensary, customers can expect high-end customer service and a clean and friendly shopping experience. She also said that all of their products offered are hand-picked and confirmed to be the best offered by their colleagues in cultivating business. 

“We would like to thank everyone and our entity involved in the licensing brand, building and our opening process,” she said. “We did experience many challenges along the way but our vision stayed clear.”