Rolling out the green carpet for a blazing good time

Not too long ago, smoking marijuana in public could land you in jail and possibly serving some hard time. Then, on March 31, 2021, that all changed when New York state legalized the long-criminalized plant. Soon thereafter, seemingly every corner of NYC lived in a cloud of smoke and the skunky smell permeated the streets.   

Cannabis dispensaries – both legal and illegal – began popping up all over Kingsbridge, mainly along Broadway and 231st Street. Then, the city began cracking down on the unlicensed shops, leaving empty storefronts throughout the neighborhoods.

Last summer, the only legal shop in all of the 3.4 square miles of the greater Riverdale area opened its doors.

Frassbox at 3633 Kingsbridge Ave., derives its name from the Jamaican patois term Frass, meaning to be under the influence of pot.

“It makes the whole experience of buying marijuana so much more safe and comfortable,” said Stephen Garcia, lifelong Kingsbridge native who was arrested as a young twenty-something for possessing less than half a gram of weed.

Starting April 18 through April 20, Frassbox celebrates the infamous marijuana holiday, familiarly known as 4/20. Origins of the toking-day are hazy, but for decades New Yorkers have gathered at Battery Park and Washington Square Park to partake in the illicit activities.

Now, with the law on their side, Frassbox will honor the day with deals, discounts and consumption vans, where people can smoke off the streets.

“We will serve jerk chicken and rasta pasta along with hot dogs and hamburgers,” Daphne Borowski said, who co-owns the whimsical weed store with Rodge Archer who hails from Jamaica. “We’ll have lots of vendors and buy one get one deals.”

The Kingsbridge Social Club next door which will donate their specialty pizza pies to mark the ocassion.

A Riverdalian who wanted to remain anonymous started smoking when she arrived to NYC from North Carolina in 2001. She mentioned she normally gets her bud from Michigan. With Frassbox, she's only steps away.