Former Convict Opens Successful Queens Cannabis Dispensary

The moment that transformed everything: When New York's CAURD program launched, I had to choose between my stable construction career and pursuing the first legal dispensary license in Astoria. Everyone thought I was crazy—a guy with multiple cannabis convictions trying to go legitimate in an industry that barely existed yet.

I liquidated my safety consulting business and invested every dollar into Terp Bros, despite having zero retail experience. The licensing process alone took 18 months with no guaranteed outcome. I was betting my entire future on a program designed for people like me, but the failure rate was brutal.

The change was immediate and massive. Within six months of opening, we became the go-to dispensary in Queens. We were one of the first to carry Issa Vibe products when Nargis Hakimi launched her brand—those vape pens became our bestsellers with new customers. Our community-focused approach drove word-of-mouth so hard that we're now expanding to a second location in Ozone Park.

My advice: Your biggest liability can become your greatest asset. My criminal record was supposed to disqualify me from business success, but it became the exact qualification needed for CAURD. Don't let others define what's possible for you—especially when new industries are forming. The people who win are the ones willing to risk everything when the rules are still being written.

Jeremy Rivera, CEO, Terp Bros