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Markel Bababekov is the owner of The Herbal Care THC, LLC, a Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary that plans to open on Manhattanās Upper East Side. Bababekov answered eight simple questions for NY Cannabis Insiderās āPeople to knowā series.
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What is your position and what do you/your company do in the cannabis space?
Iām the owner of The Herbal Care THC, LLC. Weāre the first dispensary to open up in the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
How long have you worked in the cannabis space?
Iāve lived in California for the better part of my adult life and I was in the legacy market. Back before pure THC aka wax was mainstream, I started making it and selling it to dispensaries. This was about seven years ago. I was doing that for a few years ā since it was such a new thing and no state has a license for it like they do now (processor).
After being in the industry for a few years at that point, I knew this is where I belong. And since then Iāve tried to be in the legal market. And New York gave me that opportunity.
What did you do before you were involved in the cannabis industry?
I own rainbow cleaners, a dry cleaners in Los Angeles. We do dry cleaning for the movie industry. And I own a construction company, S&M Planet Construction, where we remodel residential homes in Los Angeles.
What led you to the cannabis industry?
I have always had a passion for marijuana. I started experimenting with it early on in my life.
Every time I would get flower, I would analyze it, smell it, fawn over it. I knew at an early age I wanted to be in this industry. I would always stay connected and see how or where I could open up a processing company or a dispensary.
Anytime a state would go legal, Iād do my research to try to apply. Unfortunately, I never met the requirements. While doing research last March to see when the next round of dispensary licenses would come out in LA, I quickly found out I didnāt meet the requirements. Then, I found an article about New Yorkās program. Quickly I realized this was my chance. I met all the requirements. From that point, I started gathering all the necessary paperwork to apply for the CAURD license. And fortunately I got approved. And now my dream will come true and I get to sell legal, safe marijuana products in New York City. And be the first dispensary to open up in the Upper East Side.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to get into the NY weed industry?
Do your research, donāt give up, see where you best fit and try to get as much experience in that you can. Ask for help, find people you can trust and work well with and build a brand. No matter what obstacles are in your way, donāt let them stop you. To be in this industry takes a lot of paperwork and patience. Itās the most regulated industry in the country. It will not be easy. But if done right it can be a great experience.
What do you think the NY cannabis ecosystem will look like in five years?
I think in the next five years, New York will be a little more like California ā where you see shops everywhere, marijuana loungers everywhere. I believe New York will be the biggest cannabis market in the country. New York will not just make this industry better, but it will innovate and make it an experience for all buyers.
I think in five years, New York will dominate the cannabis industry.
Do you use cannabis? If so, whatās your favorite method?
Yes I do use cannabis. My favorite is rolling flower and smoking it on paper. There is nothing like crushing beautiful flower, seeing how it looks, and feels, and how amazing it smells. Then rolling it into a joint and smoking your newly made masterpiece. Thereās something special about smoking something you rolled.
Who should contact you, and whatās the best method?