Photo by Dabian Canales. Ramon Roman (left) and Christina de Giovanni (Right) at the grand opening of The Emerald Dispensary in Brooklyn.
In February 2024, The Emerald Dispensary opened its doors as the first licensed dispensary in Brooklyn, with its heart firmly rooted in the Bushwick community. For Ramon Roman, it’s a chance to give back to the neighborhood that raised him by providing a safe, legal alternative to the illicit market. For Christina de Giovanni, it’s an opportunity to put her years of cannabis industry experience to work, creating a model for what a socially responsible, community-focused dispensary can look like.
When de Giovanni met Roman, both co-founders of The Emerald Dispensary, at a yacht party, she had no idea that a simple act of kindness would lead to a long-lasting friendship and business partnership in the heart of Bushwick, a northern neighborhood in Brooklyn. But that’s exactly what happened after Roman, in a display of the earnest and collaborative spirit the cannabis industry is known for, helped de Giovanni and her friends in a moment of need.
Blunt Beginnings
De Giovanni, CEO of The Emerald™ Media Group and this magazine, had spent years immersed in the cannabis industry, collaborating with cultivators, distributors, and enthusiasts. Her experience proved invaluable when she crossed paths with Roman at the 2019 CWCB Expo‘s after-party.
As de Giovanni and her friends approached the yacht, that’s when they noticed Roman, a lifelong Bushwick resident, smoking a blunt nearby. Without hesitation, Roman passed the smoke and gave it to de Giovanni’s group.
A couple of days after the yacht party, de Giovanni was walking her dog in her neighborhood when she unexpectedly ran into Roman.
Roman, who grew up on Suydam Street, was amazed to discover that de Giovanni resided just 30 seconds away from him. The two kept in touch, and eventually sparked their joint venture. Together, they founded The Emerald Dispensary, Bushwick’s first legal recreational retail cannabis shop, which opened in February 2024.
The Emerald Dream Team
In 2021, when New York State legalized recreational cannabis, de Giovanni and Roman saw an opportunity to turn their shared connection to Bushwick and their complementary skills into a business that could make a real difference in their community. De Giovanni, with her years of experience in the cannabis industry, approached Roman about applying for a retail dispensary license together. Roman, a lifelong Bushwick resident with a deep understanding of the local community, recognized the potential to create a dispensary that would provide a safe, legal alternative to the illicit market while giving back to the neighborhood that raised him. United by their vision for a socially responsible, community-focused business, they decided to partner up and make their dream a reality.
The name “Emerald” held special significance for both partners. Christina, who founded The Emerald™ Magazine, pitched the idea to Roman, who said, “[That’s a] no brainer… my granddaughter’s name is Emerald.”
A Dynamic Duo
Bringing the dispensary to life was no small feat, but de Giovanni’s experience in cannabis media had prepared her well.
“Running a cannabis media company, you get to know and learn many aspects of the industry,” she says. “From cultivation to retail, I’ve built relationships with people across the industry, which has helped with starting a dispensary.”
Meanwhile, Roman’s roots in Bushwick brought a deep understanding of the community to the table. He often reflects back on his experiences growing up, and how Bushwick was a tough place to live back in those days.
It’s through Roman’s experiences that allow him to connect with customers who are hesitant to leave the illicit market behind, as he knows what they’re looking for regarding product quality and variety.
Together, de Giovanni and Roman have created a complementary dynamic. Her organized, business-savvy approach perfectly balances Roman’s street-smart instincts, creating a solid foundation for The Emerald Dispensary.
“Ray and I joke that I’m the mom and he’s the dad,” de Giovanni laughs. “When you know mom is going to say no, you go ask dad.”
“I guess you could say I’m the fun dad,” Roman chuckles. “But don’t let that fool you—when it comes to the important stuff, Christina and I are always on the same page.”
High Aspirations
In February 2024, The Emerald Dispensary opened its doors as the first licensed dispensary in Bushwick.
They’ve built a loyal customer base, and have big plans for the future, including launching a consumption lounge, pending state approval. And while they’re not ready to reveal all the details just yet, de Giovanni hints that there’s always something in the works. “We’re constantly exploring new opportunities to grow and expand,” she says with a smile. “But for now, our focus is on making The Emerald the best dispensary it can be.”
The Emerald is expanding its reach with a new location on The Upper East Side, (pictured above) in Manhattan.
The Emerald Dispensary is expanding its reach with a new location on the Upper East Side, set to open in the coming months. Both Roman and de Giovanni are excited to bring their unique approach to a new neighborhood, introducing their vision of what a dispensary can be to a fresh community.
As they prepare to open the doors of their new location, Roman and de Giovanni remain focused on providing safe, legal access to high-quality cannabis products. The Upper East Side Emerald Dispensary is just the beginning of their plans to expand to new neighborhoods and push the boundaries of the cannabis retail experience.
With their second location on the horizon, The Emerald Dispensary is poised to make an even bigger impact on the New York City cannabis scene, marking the latest chapter in a partnership that continues to thrive.
As they reflect on their journey thus far, de Giovanni and Roman quickly acknowledge the serendipity that brought them together. “I mean, it’s just crazy how we connected,” de Giovanni marvels. “But I think it was meant to be.”
From a chance encounter on a yacht, to a thriving business partnership, The Emerald Dispensary stands as a testament to the power of hard work and the unwavering spirit of Bushwick.
This is a great story about the power of the plant and two people who both have a similar vision of making the industry more than just a business. It can bring together people from different backgrounds who find that cannabis can be a healer for all humanity. We are one family of humanity and we need to learn that our differences should be embraced not as a tool to separate. Find good in all people and develop a relationship around that. Happy they found each other and are setting an example for others. Emerald Strong!