Jay Randolph Wright, Store Manager for Little Beach Harvest – Interview Series

While individual state cannabis industries can fluctuate a bit, one factor that’s almost a constant throughout all state industries is Indigenous-owned canna-businesses becoming innovators in such a huge industry. Whether that’s the White Earth Nation in Minnesota or the Paiutes across Nevada, canna-businesses owned by Natives throughout all markets are cementing themselves and showcasing the strength and versatility of their operations.

One such tribe in Eastern New York that greatly shows the success of their operations is the Shinnecock Nation through their store, Little Beach Harvest. For a deeper understanding of tribal-owned cannabis businesses and their possibilities, mycannabis.com had the pleasure of speaking with Jay Randolph Wright, Store Manager for Little Beach Harvest.

What was your introduction to cannabis overall? Had you previously witnessed any friends or family members impacted by cannabis, whether that be positively or negatively?

My first introduction to cannabis was a very enlightening experience, spent with a close friend of mine who was already engaged in cannabis. They showed me the art of rolling a Dutch and the social high you can achieve by smoking and enjoying it with friends. That early experience also showed me how cannabis can create community and connection when it’s used with good energy and intention.

A negative experience I encountered was watching my cousin get placed under arrest for just having a clip of a joint in the ashtray in a friend’s car. No one had smoked that clip in over two days, but they were still sent to booking overnight. Experiences like that stuck with me, because it shows how serious the consequences could be—and why it matters that people now have access to legal, tested products and safe spaces.

What industries and roles did you work in prior to joining the team at Little Beach Harvest? What were the most transferable skills you picked up during this time?

My experiences in the liquor industry, which I was a part of for 10 years, helped me transition into cannabis a lot easier. I was able to converse with customers and find products that worked for the consumer in any category.

That background also taught me how important it is to listen to the consumer, because people don’t just want products—they want guidance. Being able to explain options, set expectations, and make someone feel comfortable asking questions has been one of the most transferable skills for me.

What factors and aspects most caught your professional attention about working in the cannabis industry?

The level of marketing needed to propel the industry further each month and year has been very interesting to be a part of, and it’s built my strategy and my artistic side. What really pulled me in professionally was the chance to help shape a brand that uplifts my extended family, the Shinnecock Nation, and creates something rooted in culture, community, and real connection.

It’s also an industry where you end up wearing more than one hat—marketing, operations, event planning, compliance—and that challenge has pushed me to grow and see the bigger picture.

What are your regular duties as Store Manager for Little Beach Harvest and what have been the biggest accomplishments you’ve celebrated with the store?

I always make sure products are up to date, staying on top of current trends and new products. I tend to the building’s and staff’s needs, and I’m constantly thinking about brand identity, product sourcing, and how we build experiences for customers. A big part of the job is also education—making sure people understand the products and feel confident in what they’re choosing, because that’s what builds trust and loyalty.

My biggest goal I’ve accomplished has been developing the brand’s product list even further—not only with LBH products, but with other national brands as well—while keeping quality, safety, and compliance at the center of what we do.

What advantages and strengths does Little Beach Harvest bring to the table as a dispensary in a state industry that has grown significantly over the past few years?

The biggest and clearest advantage LBH brings to the table is the means of consumption available on-site. Stores in the NY area aren’t allowed to provide this experience yet, and we’re learning every day how to make the space available for people to come and relax, shop, and vibe. We’re focused on creating a welcoming space for education, exploration, consumption, and connection—something more interactive and engaging than the typical sit-down experience.

Second, we are a lab-tested, tax-free dispensary that offers quality-tested product at a cost that represents everyone’s wallet. And because we’re tribally owned and operated, we’re also building something that supports economic growth and opportunity for our community, with a bigger mission behind it.

What are the biggest differences in how tribal dispensaries are regulated and operated versus how non-tribal dispensaries operate in New York?

We operate almost the same in that we ID and test products, but we vary in the difference of allowing certain products to be a higher dose than some OCM stores allow, while also allowing consumption and events to take place on-site. We’re licensed through the Shinnecock Cannabis Regulatory Division, and we uphold high standards of quality, safety, and compliance while also creating a space that reflects our culture and sovereignty.

What have been some of the most groundbreaking or otherwise important events that Little Beach Harvest has attended? Why is it crucial that cannabis brands attend events like those?

MJBiz and Revelry, for instance, have been a great way for Little Beach to make its claim as the best dispensary in the area. These events have allowed us to spread the word and become more welcomed in a community that we’re just now getting into.

Events like these help build exposure around brands and dispensaries, and they help propel them into the market with more confidence and reassurance that we’re all here for one goal and one mission—and that’s to better the people around us (or ourselves) with great, legal medicine. They’re also a real way to build relationships in an industry where people and partnerships can change like the seasons, so showing up and staying consistent matters.

How has Little Beach Harvest and the store’s products proven to “highlight the creativity and craftsmanship of the Shinnecock Nation”?

Brands like Little Beach Harvest, Shinnecock Hemp, Eastern Botanicals, Big Boy Budz, and Peshaun Exotics have proven that my tribal members are ready and persistent in making things work for our people and building a better economy for our people.

These brands show that Shinnecock entrepreneurs and creators can lead with quality, culture, and connection, and that we can build something that’s ours while still collaborating with other brands and partners.

What are some unique and clever ways and methods that you’ve promoted Little Beach Harvest and the products offered there? How ultimately successful were those campaigns?

We’ve done a lot of different things in marketing. Great weekly deals have shown that they build buzz around the store, along with a lot of email and text blasts. We also create funny gimmick skits on social media to keep people entertained and drawn to the products around the store.

The biggest thing for us has been listening to the consumer’s voice and building campaigns around what people are actually asking for. When we combine the deals, the content, the events, and the education, we’ve seen great success with the brand and with the events that we host or are a part of.

Moving forward, what are some exciting plans for Little Beach Harvest and how will tribal-owned cannabis opportunities expand in the future as well?

As a consumption-friendly space, we’ll activate more shows—more music and comedy performances—along with food trucks and active events around the place: board games, mini golf, volleyball, smoke igloos, and much, much more.

We’re also excited about expanding what we offer—like new product drops (including beverages and signature vapes) and continuing to grow the brand beyond the store experience. And we’re building platforms that let us speak on culture and business too, like our podcast, Keeping Up with the Budz, where we can bring in guests, share stories, break stigmas, and keep it real. As tribal-owned opportunities expand, I see it creating more jobs, more entrepreneurship, and more long-term economic strength for our people.

Thank you for joining us Jay! For more information on Little Beach Harvest, please visit their website.