SYRACUSE, N.Y- When it came out that Marshall Street’s New York Exotic was allegedly selling illicit cannabis products, questions began being raised about what was next for marijuana in Syracuse. And when a Syracuse University student found their cannabis from New York Exotic laced with fentanyl, consumers started fearing that what they were smoking was not safe.
“Especially after the allegations started coming out about it being laced with fentanyl and stuff like that, it definitely could’ve been me,” said Akshara Singh, a former New York Exotic customer.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, harm reduction is defined as “a public health approach that focuses on mitigating the harmful consequences of drug use, including the transmission of infectious disease and prevention of overdose.”
There were a reported 56 overdoses in Onondaga County this past week, and 127 reported so far in November. A total of 2,115 overdoses were reported in Onondaga County since the start of 2023.
Central New York has done multiple things to increase harm reduction in the region. There are designated places for needle disposal located all throughout, including Crouse Hospital and Upstate Medical University. Additionally, there is a hotline number that can be called to request fentanyl test strips completely free of charge.
“It can only help in terms of saving lives,” said Professor Dessa Bergen-Cico of Syracuse University’s department of public health. “And then the key is hoping that people will be able to make an informed decision to alter either how they use them or perhaps choosing not to use them once they find out what’s in them.”
Two dispensaries called Flynnstoned have opened up in the city of Syracuse, one on Marshall Street and the other in Armory Square.
Former customers of New York Exotic have found that having a new, more trustworthy place nearby takes some of their stress away.
“Having the dispensary open up on Marshall Street, it feels a lot safer,” said Singh. “You know what you’re smoking, and obviously knowing what you’re putting into your body is very important. Having a safe option sort of mitigates those risks.”
New customers share the same sentiment.
“Flynnstoned is really nice,” said customer Philip Kravitz. “They’ve got actual stuff in it… just trustworthy product. I like the fact that I don’t have to worry about what I’m smoking.”
Experts agree that safety is the number one priority for markets like these.
“How do you ensure that there’s some safety to the product?” said Professor Bergen-Cico. “As long as it’s contained in such a way that doesn’t encourage an underground market and facilitates people who want access to it to have tested, safe product, then it works.”
As we head towards a less stigmatized future for cannabis and opioid use, harm reduction is expected to evolve right along with it.
