Cannabis is part of his tumultuous past, but a year after New York legalized possession and use of marijuana, it could be his future.
Now, as New York develops regulations for how a person or business can apply for a dispensary license, the Guzmáns are studying the industry as they wait for an application to open a cannabis shop in nearby Queens.
They don’t expect to get one of the first 100 retail cannabis licenses the state plans to reserve for people with marijuana-related convictions.
Still, they’re not too concerned, since they qualify as “social equity” applicants.
He drove a taxi but also sold marijuana, cocaine, crack or ecstasy pills.
He was about to get married to Melissa, so she put up the deed to her family’s home to bail him out.
Their days are filled with working, taking their kids to after-school soccer practice and learning about the cannabis industry.
“Maybe we could help redo the parks nearby, or repair the sidewalk of a neighbor, make a street look better or provide for shelter homes that may be needed in the community,” said Melissa Guzmán.