Housing Works New York sells weed to help clients quit smoking tobacco

Legal marijuana dealer Housing Works brags about “loving” addicts but doesn’t stop when it comes to tobacco-puffing addicts, a review of city records shows.

The organization, which helps New Yorkers with HIV and AIDS and promotes the controversial “harm reduction” for drug addicts, has received $80 million in taxpayer funding since 2018 for housing programs and services that include drug treatment.

But the group that has signs in his second-hand stores a statement that he loves “people who use drugs” is required by his city agreements to help his clients quit smoking.

The group’s city contracts for a 12-unit assisted housing program in Bedford-Stuyvesant and a semi-detached house in Harlem say Housing Works is to help tenants “access and navigate services to address nicotine product use.”

“Staff will conduct a cessation assessment on an annual basis, incorporate cessation goals into service plans, and refer tenants to appropriate services,” copies of contracts verified by The Post said.

Meanwhile, an offshoot of the Housing Works Cannabis Co. became the first state-licensed recreational weed store when it opened in Greenwich Village on December 29. The store sells edible gummies, as well as “flowers” and pre-rolled joints with names like “La Bomba” and “Wedding Cake” for easy smoking.

This is despite the fact that the marijuana sold today is considered stronger than in years past. A recent study found that cannabis-related emergency room visits increased by 1808% among California seniors.

“It looks like they’re trying to bypass the sensors in both directions,” R-Staten Island City Councilman Joe Borelli said.

Housing Works is one of three non-profit organizations that have received state licenses for cannabis, as well as offering drug treatment or requiring sobriety from their clients, which one legislator called “mind blowing.”

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In Bed-Stuy, Housing Works also requires the city to provide substance abuse services by hiring a counselor to use a “harm reduction” approach to treatment. This controversial approach, which includes safe drug injections, has led critics to say it does little to reduce addiction.

The City also requires Housing Works to offer on-site support groups for residents to assist them in their recovery, examples of which are Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Both groups are focused on abstinence.

Housing Works, addressing the irony of a health care provider selling marijuana, said “we respect the rights of people who use drugs.”

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According to data obtained from the city inspectorate, the city’s contracts with housing and communal services have ballooned since the start of the pandemic.

In fiscal year 2022, the organization received $37.3 million, up from $2.3 million in 2019. In the current fiscal year, she received $20.5 million.

In total, Housing Works has received $79.9 million since July 1, 2018, with the majority of that $56.6 million for pandemic-related work, including COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.

Housing Works did not respond to a request for comment.