Karma Koala Podcast 285: Sasha Nutgent Vice President of Retail, Housing Works Cannabis Co. What’s Going On In New York As We Enter 2026? | Cannabis Law Report

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I chat with Sasha of NY’s Housing Works a nonprofit organization that has been running a dispensary for a while in the wild east of cannabis.

Against all odds they are surviving and thriving and building the sort of approach to cannabis retail and social equity that many had hoped for .

We touch on the growth of the market, the OCM, METRC, the possibility of expansion, 280e and much more

Thankyou Sasha

Sasha Nutgent serves as Vice President of Retail for Housing Works Cannabis Co (HWCC) and oversees all aspects of the dispensary’s operations. Leveraging her skills as a gifted connector and relationship builder, Sasha has built the HWCC team from the ground up. Day to day, her responsibilities include not only recruitment and training but also inventory management, scheduling, customer service, cannabis education, creative problem solving and building both revenue and morale.

Prior to stepping into the Vice President of Retail role, Sasha enjoyed a long, rewarding relationship with the Housing Works team. She began her career at the Crosby Street thrift store and was promoted to assistant manager within six months. After a year, she was managing the whole store. From there, Sasha contributed her talents to the flagship Housing Works store in Chelsea and was invited to participate in the Miami Design on a Dime event as well as other special projects. Sasha also enjoys activism and advocacy with the Housing Works team, including taking part in demonstrations for affordable housing, safe consumption and AIDS awareness.

Housing Works is a New York City-based nonprofit organization, founded in 1990 by members of the AIDS activist group ACT UP . It is the largest community-based AIDS service organization in the United States, as well as the nation’s largest minority-controlled AIDS service organization. 

Mission and Core Principles

• Mission: To end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through relentless advocacy, the provision of lifesaving services, and social enterprise businesses.
• “Housing is Healthcare”: A core belief that stable housing is the first step toward living a healthy life and crucial for HIV prevention.
• Advocacy & Activism: A grassroots organization known for utilizing non-violent civil disobedience to fight for funding and legislation supporting people living with HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ+ rights, and the homeless. 

Services and Programs
Housing Works provides a comprehensive array of services to more than 30,000 homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. These services include: 

• Housing: Safe, secure, and stable housing for homeless individuals, including HIV-positive, LGBTQ+ youth, and families.
• Healthcare: Comprehensive, stigma-free healthcare, including primary care, mental health counseling, harm reduction, and syringe exchange services.
• Legal Aid: Support for housing discrimination and other legal issues.
• Job Training: Programs to help clients gain employment. 

Social Enterprises
To fund its advocacy and services while reducing dependence on grants and donations, Housing Works pioneered the use of social enterprise businesses: 

• Thrift Shops: A chain of well-known, upscale thrift shops in New York City.
• Bookstore Café: Located in SoHo, this venue hosts literary events and serves as a community hub.
• Cannabis Dispensary: In 2022, Housing Works opened the first legal recreational cannabis dispensary in New York City/State, with proceeds funding their mission. 

Impact and Reach

• Advocacy Impact: Successfully advocated for the “HASA for All” initiative, securing rental assistance for people with HIV.
• Legal Victories: Secured major settlements against New York City to provide proper housing for people with HIV/AIDS.
• Global Presence: Operates advocacy initiatives in Haiti, Puerto Rico, and New Orleans. 

Housing Works remains a leading advocate for health equity, social justice, and the intersectional fight against homelessness, HIV, and addiction. 

Source: Google