By Michael “PoppaDukes” Serrano
Grand risings, cannabis community! Today we’re celebrating a trailblazer who’s literally rewriting the script on what it means to go from legacy to legal in New York’s cannabis revolution. Meet Sohan Bashar, the powerhouse entrepreneur behind Silk Road NYC who’s not just breaking barriers: he’s building bridges for his entire community.
Located at 166-30 Jamaica Avenue in the heart of Queens, Silk Road NYC isn’t just another dispensary. It’s a testament to resilience, cultural pride, and the transformative power of New York’s social equity program. When Sohan and his wife Marina Gerard (Marina Bashar) cut that ribbon on February 23, 2024, they weren’t just opening their doors: they were making history as New York’s 75th legal adult-use cannabis business and the first Bangladeshi-owned cannabis dispensary in the entire state.
From Rikers to Retail: A Journey of Redemption
Let’s keep it real about Sohan’s path to success. This isn’t your typical feel-good startup story: it’s something much more powerful. Back in February 2014, a cannabis-related felony conviction landed this Jamaica, Queens native at Rikers Island Correctional Facility for eight months. But here’s what separates legends from the rest: Sohan didn’t let that define his future.
“This is literally what the [Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act] was written for : for guys like Sohan to build stores in their own communities,” says Damion Fagon, chief equity officer for the Office of Cannabis Management. That’s not just recognition: that’s validation of everything the social equity movement stands for.
Through the Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensaries (CAURD) license program, specifically designed for individuals with marijuana-related convictions who had operated successful businesses for at least two years, Sohan transformed his legacy market experience into legitimate entrepreneurship. After navigating extensive documentation and legal hurdles, he received his provisional license in January 2023 and his full license in February 2024.
Breaking Cultural Barriers, One Customer at a Time
What makes Sohan’s story even more game-changing is how he’s reshaping perceptions within his own Bengali-American community. Cannabis carries heavy cultural stigma in many immigrant communities, but Sohan and Marina are fearlessly leading the conversation about education and awareness.
“We’re advocates for diversity, inclusion and social justice,” Marina shares, and you can see that mission reflected in every aspect of their operation. From their diverse staff to their commitment to community education, Silk Road NYC is proving that cannabis businesses can be powerful forces for positive change.
This Jamaica native didn’t just want to open a dispensary: he wanted to create a cultural bridge that honors his neighborhood’s rich diversity while challenging outdated misconceptions about cannabis use.
More Than Products: Building Community Legacy
With over 20 years of cannabis industry experience, Sohan brings serious expertise to every aspect of his business. But what sets Silk Road NYC apart isn’t just the premium products: it’s the community-first approach that defines everything they do.
The dispensary offers an impressive selection of premium flower, concentrates, edibles, vaporizers, tinctures, and topicals. Sohan personally tests every product before it hits the shelves because quality isn’t negotiable when you’re serving your own community. Plus, they’re making cannabis accessible with same-day delivery throughout Queens.
But here’s where it gets really exciting: Silk Road NYC regularly hosts educational workshops and community events designed to demystify cannabis consumption and keep folks informed about New York’s evolving legal landscape. They’re not just selling products: they’re building an informed, empowered community.
Recognition and Media Spotlight
The cannabis industry has definitely taken notice of what Sohan’s building. He’s been featured in NY Cannabis Insider’s “People to Know in NY Cannabis” and QNS – From “Legacy to Legal”, and has appeared on platforms like The OG Social Network Podcast, the Happy Munkey Podcast to share his inspiring journey from the legacy market to legitimate business ownership.
When asked about his personal preferences, Sohan’s favorite strain is Zizzle Super Silver Haze for its uplifting effects: perfect for someone who’s constantly elevating his community and breaking new ground in the industry.
Family Legacy and Future Generations
What makes this story even more beautiful is how Sohan, Marina and their daughters are integral parts of this family legacy. This isn’t just Sohan’s dream: it’s a multi-generational vision that’s creating opportunities and changing perceptions for countless families in their community.
The support system around Sohan includes key figures like Dasheeda Dawson from Cannabis NYC and Damian Fagon from the Office of Cannabis Management, proving that when community leaders unite behind social equity, real change happens.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters
Sohan’s success story represents everything that’s powerful about New York’s approach to cannabis legalization. The CAURD program isn’t just about business licenses: it’s about restorative justice, community investment, and ensuring that the people who faced criminalization for cannabis are the same people who benefit from its legalization.
When you support Silk Road NYC, you’re not just buying cannabis products. You’re investing in a movement that prioritizes community over corporate profits, education over exploitation, and cultural representation over business as usual.
What’s Next for Jamaica’s Cannabis Pioneer?
With Silk Road NYC firmly established as a community cornerstone, Sohan continues advocating for responsible cannabis use while expanding educational initiatives throughout Queens. His story proves that with the right support systems, determination, and community backing, transformation isn’t just possible: it’s inevitable.
This is what authentic leadership looks like in the cannabis space: someone who’s lived the struggle, learned from setbacks, and now uses his platform to lift up his entire community. Sohan Bashar isn’t just running a dispensary: he’s redefining what success looks like for entrepreneurs of color in the cannabis industry.
Whether you’re a longtime cannabis advocate, a curious newcomer, or someone interested in social justice entrepreneurship, Sohan’s journey from Rikers to retail represents hope, redemption, and the power of community investment.
Visit Silk Road NYC at 166-30 Jamaica Avenue in Queens, and experience firsthand how one man’s determination is elevating an entire community. Follow their journey and support a business that’s truly making a difference in Jamaica, Queens, and beyond.
Because when we celebrate pioneers like Sohan Bashar, we’re celebrating the future of cannabis: one that’s diverse, inclusive, and rooted in community empowerment.
Sources
- NY Cannabis Insider – Sohan Bashar Profile
- Office of Cannabis Management – CAURD Program
- Happy Munkey Podcast – Sohan Bashar Interview
- Silk Road NYC Official Information
- QNS – “From Legacy to Legal”
- Photos by Athena Dawson
Michael “PoppaDukes” Serrano is the executive producer and host of The OG Social Network Podcast. A life-long New Yorker and cannabis advocate, PoppaDukes is educating his community about cannabis, politics, and culture.
