Addie Jenne, who spent a decade in the New York State Assembly, has become the first former state representative or assemblymember to open a legal cannabis store.
(Photo credit: Jonathon Wheeler/Johnson Newspapers).
Located in the small village of Theresa in Jefferson County, Jenne’s new business, High Falls Garden, recently opened its doors at 121B Commercial Street. The dispensary is licensed as a microbusiness, meaning it can cultivate, process, and sell marijuana products all under one roof, allowing for a vertically integrated operation on a small scale.
Jenne represented the 116th Assembly District from 2009 to 2019, advocating for rural communities across the North Country. Now, she’s made history as the first known former New York State lawmaker to open a cannabis retail store since the state legalized recreational marijuana in 2021.
High Falls Garden is one of the latest dispensaries to launch in upstate New York as the state’s adult-use market slowly expands. Jenne’s involvement brings a new level of political experience to the industry, setting her apart from the many other licensees with backgrounds in agriculture, entrepreneurship, or criminal justice reform.
While specific product offerings and hours have yet to be widely publicized, Jenne says they will be soon.
Jenne’s shift from policymaker to cannabis business owner reflects a growing trend of former public officials entering the legal market they once helped shape. Her presence in the industry may also lend additional credibility and visibility to New York’s evolving marijuana program—especially in more rural and conservative parts of the state.
As the retail landscape continues to grow, High Falls Garden will stand out not just for what it sells, but for who’s behind it.
