What is the ideal atmosphere for a cannabis dispensary? For years, the answer leaned clinical or transactional—think bright lights and glass counters. It was as if you had to be prepared before entering. Seaweed RBNY turned that expectation on its head with a space that feels natural, not intimidating—familiar, not formal.
Seaweed Dispensary is located at Rockaway Beach in New York. It moves to the rhythm of the community. Many people stop by after surfing or as they head home. While some people know what they are looking for, others may be entering the dispensary to get their first dose.
Rockaway Beach was not difficult or far away, said the Ramones punk rock group, when referring to Rockaway Beach. Seaweed is no different.
The Oceanside Oasis
Seaweed’s “coastal magical” vibe wasn’t created by chance; the story behind it is as local as its storefront.
Adam Linet began investigating the newly legal cannabis industry in New York once COVID-19-related restrictions were lifted. Like many, he saw opportunity—but more importantly, he saw a chance to build something meaningful for the community after a period of isolation.
Conversations with colleagues, neighbors and friends helped shape the idea of Seaweed. The name clicked early, and  the project quickly became a collective effort. Linet’s wife Sam and other close collaborators began to shape what was going to become a community-supported venture. 40 investors eventually joined the venture. They were made up of neighbors, friends and family who believed in the vision—not sterile, outside capital or distant, faceless stakeholders. Seaweed has been built from the ground up by those it serves.
Linet remarks, “It was a long process to open Seaweed.” “There’s a rare sense of trust within the group—in large part thanks to time spent together at parties, weddings and, of course, warm days on the beach. After the COVID, neighbors are actually friendly and like to spend time with each other.
Opening was not a quick process. The creation of Seaweed was a four-year process, as it had to deal with New York’s ever-changing cannabis regulations and licensing requirements, along with construction timelines. The doors opened to the public in December 2025 after four years of hard work, perseverance, and patience.
The Wave of Legalization: Riding it!
Seaweed’s emphasis on New York-grown marijuana reflects the fact that a new market is still forming. New York has been working to create an industry that is based on equity since 2021, when the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act legalized cannabis for adult use. Legal sales will begin in 2022. It means giving priority to licenses in communities that were impacted by the prohibition, and investing tax revenues back into these areas.
The roll-out, however, has not been smooth. Early momentum was slowed by licensing delays and the strong illicit market. As the legal market expands, dispensaries like Seaweed play a role beyond retail—they help define how cannabis fits into everyday life. Seaweed uses a model that is familiar: retail wine. Customers ask questions, explore and learn over time—without needing expertise upfront.
Linet’s experience of 20 years in the boutique liquor and wine business has informed this approach. Staff guide, not push. Products are carefully curated. Customers are encouraged to understand the products they consume and their role in their lives.
Linet: “I believe we are moving towards a time where cannabis is less buzzed about and more commonplace.” Seaweed was created to normalize cannabis purchases. No one feels ashamed when they walk in.
The tide is rising, and so are the standards
Seaweed RBNY has a large selection of cannabis products you’d expect to find in a dispensary. These include top shelf flower, prerolls, edibles cannabis drinks, vapes concentrates, and topicals. With a wide range to suit both novice and expert consumers and a focus of high quality and sustainable products, the Seaweed RBNY product line is broad and diverse.
It’s the presentation of that choice which makes a real difference. Seaweed’s dispensary is not based around potency or trends, but rather on how you would like to be feeling. What experience would you like to have? How does cannabis fit in your daily life?
This philosophy is also reflected in the store experience. Seaweed’s knowledgeable staff explains things clearly and in simple language, removing the confusion that can arise when it comes to cannabis, particularly for first-time consumers. Seaweed encourages questions and does not rush anyone. People are more willing to explore and learn when they feel at ease.
Seaweed has one of the biggest cannabis collections in Rockaway – and possibly Queens – despite its “curated” feel. Seaweed intentionally strikes a balance of simplicity and diversity: a wide range of options without feeling overwhelming. New York producers and growers are behind many of the products. They emphasize careful formulation, transparency and small-batch production. The products are aligned to the new identity of the cannabis industry in New York.
Linet: I wish people would realize cannabis isn’t complicated. Seaweed is focused on making cannabis easy to use, so that people don’t feel the need to become experts first. We’re part of the larger mission to normalize cannabis—it should be no different than going to a bar or liquor store.”
The Real Life Experience
Seaweed Dispensary is a place where you will see that there are many different types of customers. While locals frequent the store, visitors may stop in after a long day on the beach. All consumers, including first-time shoppers and veterans, share the same area. Some visitors are even called “DFDs” or Down for the Day, who visit Rockaway for an escape.
The Seaweed app offers customers the same flexibility as in-store shopping. Seaweed allows users to order, browse through and place orders for pick-up or delivery locally where allowed. Poseidon Club offers rewards and incentives when customers return. The systems are part of a larger shift in the cannabis industry towards convenience and consistency.
Eyes On the Horizon
Since opening, Seaweed has become part of the rhythm of Rockaway Beach— both a neighborhood fixture and a destination. Visitors and locals alike enjoy the Seaweed experience, as well as its products.
Seaweed has plans for the future to strengthen its community connections through partnerships with local communities and increased education. They also have ambitions to create a dedicated space for events that will allow people to engage in cannabis socially and gather. Goal is to continue to be true to its roots, while still growing in a thoughtful way.
Linet: “The goal, in the end, is to build a dispensary people can trust that will feel like it’s a part of Rockaway.   Â
The cannabis industry is evolving and the companies that will endure are those who remove friction, make customers feel at ease, and provide a comfortable environment. Seaweed is a beachside, breezy dispensary that seamlessly integrates cannabis into daily life.
The Ramones advise you to hitch up a ride and head for Rockaway Beach. Seaweed must be at the top of your list.