New York's legal market is finally reaching every borough — including the one that usually gets overlooked. NugHub brings licensed, tested cannabis to Staten Island, operating on Forest Avenue in a borough that has had far fewer dispensaries than its neighbors across the harbor. For Staten Island residents, that means a legal option close to home instead of a trip off the island.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | NugHub |
| Address | 1350 Forest Ave, Staten Island, NY |
| Borough | Staten Island |
| License type | New York CAURD (Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary) |
| Known for | A licensed dispensary serving an underserved borough |
| Best for | Staten Island locals, delivery customers, first-timers |
Serving an underserved borough
Staten Island has trailed Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens in licensed dispensary count, which makes a shop like NugHub genuinely valuable to local consumers. For borough residents, having a reliable, licensed option on Forest Avenue means they don't have to travel off-island or fall back on the untested gray market. That gap is part of a broader pattern in New York's rollout, where some areas got legal retail long before others.
If you're comparing options across the city, our guide to the best dispensaries in Manhattan right now and the rundown of 5 best NYC dispensaries for first-timers help put a borough shop like NugHub in context. You can also scan nearby shops and delivery on the High Today delivery map.
Licensed and local
As a licensed New York dispensary operating under the CAURD program, NugHub offers the core assurance that matters: products that are lab-tested and tracked under the state's regulated system. Every licensed shop is overseen by the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), with products batch-tested for potency and contaminants before sale. For Staten Island shoppers, that's the central reason to choose a licensed shop over an unlicensed storefront claiming to sell the same thing.
Not sure how to tell the difference? Our guide to reading a New York dispensary label explains what a real, tested product's packaging shows — THC percentages, terpenes, and test dates — so you can shop with confidence. Every legal product carries New York's universal cannabis symbol and a batch number tied to its lab results, the clearest sign you're in a licensed shop.
The case for shopping legal on Staten Island
Staten Island has long been a target for unlicensed sellers, in part because legal retail was slower to arrive. That makes the choice between licensed and unlicensed especially consequential here. Gray-market products skip New York's required lab panels, so there's no guarantee on potency and no screening for pesticides, solvents, or heavy metals. A CAURD shop like NugHub sells only products that cleared those tests and are logged in the state's tracking system. For borough residents, that's not an abstraction — it's the difference between knowing what you're consuming and guessing. It also supports the broader goal of New York's rollout: pushing the gray market out by giving every neighborhood a legal, regulated alternative within reach, including boroughs like Staten Island that the early licensing waves largely passed over.
What to bring and expect
NugHub is a straightforward, legal place to start, especially for first-timers. Here's what to know:
- Bring a valid, government-issued 21+ ID. You'll show it at the door and often at checkout. Anyone under 21 can't enter.
- Carry cash or debit as a backup, since card acceptance varies under federal banking limits, and an on-site ATM may add a fee.
- Ask staff for guidance and start with low-dose products. Budtenders can match products to a goal like sleep, relaxation, or a social buzz.
- Know the limits. Adults 21+ can buy up to three ounces of flower or 24 grams of concentrate per visit. See how much cannabis you can legally buy and carry in New York.
For a primer, see our guide to New York dispensary etiquette, and if you're new to formats, indica vs. sativa vs. hybrid: what the labels actually mean.
Who it's best for
- Staten Island locals who want a licensed dispensary without leaving the borough.
- Shoppers prioritizing tested, regulated products over the gray market.
- First-timers looking for a straightforward, legal place to start.
Choosing the right format
If you're new to legal cannabis, a licensed shop's range can be a lot to take in. Here's a quick orientation to the main formats you'll find:
| Format | Onset | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Flower | Minutes | Traditionalists; flexible dosing |
| Pre-rolls | Minutes | Convenience, no prep |
| Vapes | Minutes | Discreet, portable |
| Edibles | 30–90 min | Long-lasting, smoke-free |
| Tinctures | 15–45 min | Precise, low-key dosing |
Starting with a low-dose edible or a small flower purchase is the smart move while you learn what works for you.
How to shop smart
With fewer shops on the island, it's still worth comparing prices and promotions before a bigger buy. Check the day's cannabis deals and other licensed dispensaries on High Today, and use our guide to saving at New York dispensaries to track drops and loyalty perks.
The bottom line
NugHub helps fill a real gap, bringing licensed, tested cannabis to Staten Island's Forest Avenue in a borough that waited longer than most for legal retail. For borough residents who want a tested, regulated option close to home — without crossing into another borough or relying on an unlicensed seller — it's a welcome and practical choice. Compare prices on bigger purchases, bring a valid 21+ ID, and shop licensed and local.
Editorial guide for adults 21+ — research-based, not a paid placement, endorsement, or point of sale.