A street divided: Dazed brings change to Marshall Street

Walk down Marshall Street today and you can’t miss DAZED. The sleek cannabis dispensary sits among student staples, lunch spots, late-night cookie runs, and bodegas. Since its April launch, DAZED has become both a curiosity and a point of tension for the businesses around it. 

Many of the businesses spoke anonymously to the NewsHouse due to fears of resentment.

“It brings more people who aren’t usually local,” said the owner of a small Marshall Street restaurant. “But they’re not necessarily the people we want on the street.”

DAZED is part of New York’s new wave of state-licensed dispensaries following the legalization of recreational cannabis in March of 2021. The Syracuse location sits at 135 Marshall Street, just steps away from Syracuse University. Its arrival was marked by a high-profile event with former SU basketball star Carmelo Anthony, who promoted his cannabis line, StayMe7o. 

Dazed tries to position itself as more than just a shop, branding itself around community, safe consumption, and even hosting weekly events to build community. 

But on a street so closely tied to SU student life, not every neighbor is convinced. 

A bodega owner on the block said his sales have dropped since DAZED opened. 

“My store is getting less people buying drinks because everybody is getting high,” he said. “Overall, Syracuse University messed up.” 

Another nearby business echoed similar concerns about the new clientele. While sales have stayed steady, the owner described a shift in who walks the block. 

“Foot traffic is up outside, sure. But for business? No difference. And honestly, it’s not necessarily good for the street,” he said. 

At Insomnia Cookies, the dispensary’s arrival has been a net positive. Staff described DAZED as an “almost partner” and credited it with boosting sales.

“Foot traffic is up. People come for DAZED, then stop in here,” one employee said. 

Insomnia also praised the dispensary for its attempt to engage the community, pointing to events such as weekly Madden 26 tournaments that draw in students and locals alike

One owner described DAZED’s influence as a “mixed bag.” The business hasn’t lost customers, but the atmosphere outside has changed. 

“The employees are very nice people…they’ve been very understanding, great people to work with,” the owner said. “It’s just the difference between people buying it legally instead of illegally before.”

DAZED did not respond to requests for comment before publication. 

Five months in, the dispensary has already reshaped the conversation about what Marshall Street is – and what it could become. The divide among business owners reflects a larger debate about cannabis in New York: whether dispensaries bring growth and legitimacy, or new challenges to local communities. 

“At the end of the day, it’s still Marshall Street,” one business owner said. “Shops come and go, but the students keep this place alive. DAZED just added something new to the mix.”