Seemingly beating Kingston to the legal-weed punch, a Woodstock women-owned company is looking to be “among the first social equity-focused adult-use recreational marijuana retail outlets to open in New York State,” and open a dispensary in the heart of the village next year, a press release announced Tuesday.

The partners, Erin Cadigan, Eliza Kunkel and Lisa Montanus, own Illuminated Leaf, which will set up shop at 33 Rock City Road, the former Lotus Fine Arts.

Though the state has yet to announce a framework for dispensary applications, Illuminated Leaf President Montanus stated in the release that she’s confident the company is well-positioned to secure a license. "When we saw that New York's legislation was written to support and encourage local independent dispensaries over large, multi-state operators, we knew that we wanted to open a store in Woodstock that would exemplify our ideals,” stated Montanus. “Illuminated Leaf will serve locals and tourists alike, offer variety and value at every price point, prioritize customer service, education, and sustainability, employ area residents, and pay a living wage."

According to the release, Illuminated Leaf will apply for a cannabis retail license as soon as the state's new Office of Cannabis Management releases the framework for applications. If and when they receive a license, they will renovate their building to comply with all the state regulations. When renovations and inspections are completed, they hope to be one of the first dispensaries to open in the state. Jeff Collins, husband of Lisa Montanus, local Democratic Party operative and acting spokesperson for Illuminated Leaf, stated that he’s has reached out to local and state elected officials to let them know about Illuminated Leaf's plans. "We have been encouraged by their reactions and support for our community-focused vision and mission," he stated.

Eliza Kunkel, who according to the release expects to focus on social equity and inclusion as well as compliance and operations, stated that she believes "a cannabis dispensary in Woodstock makes sense for a lot of reasons, not least of which is the considerable local tax revenue it will generate. Giving back will be a central part of our corporate mission. We will contribute a percentage of our net profits to support the causes and concerns of our community, including affordable housing, food insecurity, and social justice."

Until they obtain a dispensary license, Marketing and Branding Manager Erin Cadigan stated in the release that Illuminated Leaf will begin selling CBD products and cannabis books, magazines and accessories, and host numerous cannabis education programs. "We will focus on educating — dare I say 'illuminating' — the public on both the recreational and medicinal properties of the cannabis plant. … We want to be a community resource with the latest and most reputable information and the best products."

Illuminated Leaf’s first educational event, “The NY State of Cannabis,” is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 11, from 1-6 p.m. at 33 Rock City Road. “Now that adult use cannabis is legal in New York, we need to discuss what that means,” Montanus stated. “How do we talk to our kids — and our parents — about cannabis? Where, when, and how will cannabis businesses operate in our state? How do we address legitimate community concerns about the cannabis industry while also dispelling the stigma and misinformation that have proliferated for far too long?”