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Dragon Hemp Apothecary to Close in Sag Harbor as Federal Hemp Restrictions Take Toll
Kevin Menard’s Main Street wellness shop is preparing to close by Dec. 11, leaving loyal customers disappointed as he plans a new venture, Toad Elemental.
Customers who have turned to Dragon Hemp Apothecary for everything from chronic pain to sleepless nights now have a new reason to lose sleep: the Sag Harbor wellness shop is closing.
The Main Street store, nestled between the longtime Sag Harbor Variety Store and Madewell, is preparing to close by Dec. 11 as new federal restrictions threaten much of the hemp industry.
For founder Kevin Menard, a licensed acupuncturist who has spent years developing his own formulations of CBD and Chinese medicinal herbs, the decision is both a business setback and a personal loss.
“I’m crushed. This is my baby,” Menard told Spark Hamptons. “The carpet’s been completely pulled from under me.”
Menard, who opened the shop in May 2022, has spent nearly eight years developing Dragon Hemp products intended to address concerns ranging from sleeplessness and anxiety to chronic pain and inflammation.
His approach grew out of his acupuncture practice, which he established in Sag Harbor in 2012. Drawing on his training in traditional Chinese medicine, he began combining herbal formulations with CBD, eventually developing tinctures, gummies and topical balms.
But Dragon Hemp became more than a place to purchase wellness products. Customers could ask questions, discuss their concerns and receive guidance from the staff.
“We really became experts on CBD,” Menard said. “Customers came in and would trust us. We knew our stuff, and we knew the medicine.”
Why Dragon Hemp Is Closing
New federal restrictions scheduled to take effect Dec. 11 will sharply limit the amount of THC permitted in hemp products. THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis, but small amounts are also found in many hemp-derived CBD products.
Menard says the new limits will make much of Dragon Hemp’s product line impossible to sell legally, even though the products contain relatively little THC and are not intended to produce a high.
He believes the growing popularity of hemp-derived THC beverages, which compete with alcoholic drinks, helped drive the crackdown.
“The alcohol industry didn’t like that,” Menard said, pointing to Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who introduced new restrictions that Menard described as allowing “virtually zero THC,” effectively “wiping out the entire industry.”
With his lease expiring in January and much of his product line facing restrictions, Menard decided he could no longer afford to keep the storefront open.
The shop is holding a closing sale as it prepares to shut its doors.
Customers Wonder What’s Next
Store manager Jake Ruehl said customers have been upset by the news, with some buying enough products to last well beyond the store’s closing.
“People are coming in and buying a two-year supply,” Ruehl said. “No matter when we sell out, people are still going to be upset.”
Mary Sculley of East Hampton, a longtime customer, questioned the regulations and described what the shop has meant to her family.
“I have been lucky to have Dragon Hemp in Sag Harbor for these past years. Kevin and his team have helped me in so many ways, from surgery recovery to sleep to general health,” she said.
“It’s sad for our entire family to see the store close. It’s absurd that they’re keeping THC on the market but not hemp, which helps you heal and helps you sleep.” — Mary Sculley
Howard Williams of East Hampton said Dragon Hemp had become part of his nightly routine.
“I was finally getting consistently good nights of sleep from their gummies and sleep tincture,” he said. “I was like, ‘Oh no, now what?’ I’m going to stock up. This is a huge loss to the community.”
Rachel Gonzalez said her husband had tried numerous sleep products before finding Dragon Hemp.
“My husband has serious sleep issues and had tried upwards of 20 different places for sleep gummies, and this is the first one he’s ever gone back to for a subscription,” she said.
Gonzalez, who also uses the store’s energy gummies, plans to follow Menard’s next venture.
From Dragon Hemp to Toad Elemental
Menard is not leaving the wellness business, or Sag Harbor.
His next venture, Toad Elemental, is slated to launch in January with a line of functional mushroom gummies combining ingredients such as lion’s mane and reishi with Chinese medicinal herbs and other nutritional compounds.
The initial products are designed to support sleep, focus, and immune and gut health. Sales are planned primarily through Amazon, with local distribution at Provisions in Sag Harbor and potentially other retailers.
He will also continue seeing patients at Menard Acupuncture, his sports medicine acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine practice at 39 Division St. in Sag Harbor.
“Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are my passion,” he said. “I love helping people. I stay grounded in that. It’s the wellspring of where all these ideas come from.”
A Sag Harbor Connection
Menard’s relationship with Sag Harbor began unexpectedly.
A Louisiana native and LSU graduate, he initially pursued a career in media, working in advertising sales and business development before the financial crisis prompted him to rethink his future.
He returned to school to study acupuncture and was living in Tribeca when Hurricane Sandy flooded his apartment. He subsequently settled in Sag Harbor and established his practice there.
“I say that Sag Harbor found me,” he said.
Menard’s ties to Sag Harbor extend beyond his businesses. He has worked with local students and sports teams through his acupuncture practice and served as vice president of the Sag Harbor Chamber of Commerce.
“I love Sag Harbor. I love the community,” he said, praising the support he has received from residents, fellow shop owners, local officials and police.
Store manager Jake Ruehl also praised Menard’s commitment to his products.
“I really like the fact that he will not settle,” Ruehl said. “He keeps wanting to improve it some way, somehow.”
Menard hopes to maintain a presence in Sag Harbor through his new business and possible summer pop-ups. For now, he is preparing to say goodbye to the Main Street shop he spent years building.
“It’s been a great run. We had an amazing time,” he said. “It’s been a privilege to serve the community.”
CONTACT
Dragon Hemp Apothecary: dragonhemp.com
Menard Acupuncture: 39 Division St., Sag Harbor. menardacupuncture.com
