Standing inside Trends in Long Island City, visitors are greeted by what owner Rodney Hurricane Carter describes as “the sweetest aromas, beautifully curated installations and friendly staff members looking to give customers the best experience in town.” This isn't just another dispensary—it's what he calls “a wellness shop and cultural hub” that embodies Queens' legendary diversity.
“Queens raised me, so I already know you can't fake it out here,” explains Rodney, whose no-nonsense approach reflects the borough's famously direct sensibility. “People don't want fluff, they want facts. That no-nonsense energy is part of our DNA at Trends.”
This authenticity drives everything from staff training to customer interactions. Rather than simply selling cannabis, Trends prioritizes education and connection. As Rodney explains: “Our staff goes through ongoing training that's about more than product knowledge. We focus on cannabis history, cultural context, conscious language, and situational roleplay. It's about creating a highly intentional, judgment-free space where people from all walks of life feel welcomed and empowered, whether they're seasoned users or complete newcomers.”
The innovation extends beyond traditional retail. Trends has collaborated with Canadian company Guide Rx, using AI technology to help educate consumers on which are the best products and strains for them to use based on whatever illness or ailment they may have. “Currently, we are the only dispensary in the country with this technology,” Rodney notes.
They host ongoing educational event series like “Meet The Brands,” bringing 20–25 brands together for community engagement, and “Shattering Stigmas,” forums where industry leaders share experiences. “We're still battling decades of misinformation, racialized policies, and social taboos,” Rodney reflects. “And as a Black business owner in Queens, I take that role seriously. Because if we do this right, we're not just building a brand, we're liberating the narrative.”
This consciousness-revolution philosophy permeates every detail in the shop. Located in what they call “the epicenter of NY in Long Island City,” Trends serves customers ranging from seasoned connoisseurs discussing terpene profiles to newcomers seeking relief. The approach is simple: “We don't push products, we offer guidance. We don't talk down to customers, we meet them where they are.”
Rodney recommends Sky World, Chunky Black, and Banzzy 1305—“brands that are NY and minority owned, but even more so it's fire. Top quality at all levels and a can't miss.” After your visit to Trends, grab dinner at nearby Han Dynasty for Chinese cuisine or Jungly, which “serves up a dope fusion between Indian and American foods.”
Looking Ahead
"The next five years is a race for locations and stores looking to acquire market share and brand visibility as the cannabis industry grows. Trends will certainly be one of the leading players as our store can easily be the flagship of Queens. We feel that New York is all about the culture, and we are in a great position to lead the wave."
