Kevin Menard Takes Us Inside Dragon Hemp Apothecary in Sag Harbor

Kevin Menard is the visionary and owner of Dragon Hemp Apothecary in Sag Harbor, NY. Kevin’s journey into the world of hemp and CBD began with personal experiences that sparked his passion for natural wellness. In this interview, he shares insights on the motivations behind starting Dragon Hemp Apothecary, including the thoughtful decision process for its location, the crucial role of sustainability in both the store’s practices and products, and a blend of some of his favorite locally owned businesses across the Hamptons.

CBD came onto my radar in 2018, and I was impressed with the research showing its ability to reduce inflammation and its many symptoms via the endocannabinoid system. I integrated CBD into my patient treatments and saw excellent outcomes. I had a sense that combining CBD with specific Chinese herbs to address conditions like injuries, trauma, sleep issues, anxiety, and Lyme disease could yield even better results.

Having a retail location on Main Street in Sag Harbor makes me feel like I’m finally playing on the varsity team, as opposed to JV when I was working alone in my acupuncture office on Division Street. Being in the heart of the village, I get to experience all its charm and meet incredible people visiting Sag Harbor and our apothecary. Unlike other CBD brands that are e-commerce only, Dragon Hemp has a physical presence, allowing us to engage directly with our customers, receive their feedback, and educate them about our products.

I’ve been practicing Sports Medicine acupuncture in Sag Harbor since 2012, and while I considered other areas like Water Mill, Bridgehampton, and Southampton, Sag Harbor’s strong pedestrian environment and year-round vibrant community made it the perfect fit

Kevin Menard: Our two most popular products are the Sleep tincture and Leisurehemp-derived THC gummies. All our products are effective because I did extensive research and testing. They also taste great and are easy to consume. The Sleep tincture is popular because it helps with both falling asleep and staying asleep, blending full-spectrum hemp, CBD, and Chinese medicinal herbs to calm the mind and increase blood circulation. It’s based on a classic Chinese herbal formula for menopausal insomnia, addressing symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, but tweaked to work for both men and women.

The Leisure hemp-derived THC gummies, featuring 5mg Delta-9 THC and 35mg of CBD per gummy, offer an enjoyable elevated buzz and are a great alcohol replacement, reducing hangovers.

Sustainability is crucial to both Dragon Hemp and our customers. We ensure all our product packaging is recyclable, using mostly paper and glass, and minimal plastic. Our ingredients come from organic, sustainable farms in North Carolina and Colorado, and our Chinese herbs are mostly organic and tested for impurities like metals and toxins. Weare committed to sourcing from reputable farms known for their sustainable practices.

Sag Harbor is unique and the perfect home for Dragon Hemp due to its rich colonial history and culture of inclusiveness, diversity, art, and wellness. It’s one of the last remaining strong communities on the East End, vibrant throughout the year, and we receive tremendous support from the local community. Dragon Hemp builds on the legacy of Sag Harbor’s diverse and economically robust history.

My perfect day starts early around 6:00 a.m. with feeding our four dogs, a big cup of coffee, and a Buddhist guided meditation with my husband. Then, I jump into some exercise—swimming laps, Tai Chi, Qigong, or kettlebells with Ed Cashin. I see patients until noon, have lunch at Provisions in Marine Park, then head to the store to work with my team and engage with customers.

In the afternoon, I enjoy nature, whether it’s the beach, a walk with the dogs, or boating. The day ends with a wonderful dinner in Sag Harbor or Bridgehampton, a little time enjoying the sky with my husband and one of my Leisure gummies, and then getting to bed early.

Kevin Menard: I support my friends and colleagues in Sag Harbor and Bridgehampton. Wehave amazing restaurants and fresh food at our fingertips, and I’m grateful for the supportBest restaurants near mefrom these friends over the years.

Here’s my list in no particular order:

• Sen: Jesse ensures that the sushi quality is the best and freshest, imported daily from Japan. Whether dining in or takeout, we eat there at least twice a week. Off-season, pork ramen is my go-to for lunch.
  
  
• Almond: Eric and his team are exceptional with seasonal farm-to-table dishes. It’sour neighborhood “Cheers” that we frequent year-round.
  
  
• Sagtown: Shane’s coffee is the best, and I love their breakfast items. I’m a huge Chagaccino drinker in the afternoon.
  
  
• Provisions: I eat there every day, enjoying their Freshly Green juice. The food is consistently tasty and fresh, perfect for a quick lunch. Susan’s curation of the wellness supplements is best of class.
  
  
• Bell & Anchor/Beacon: David Loewenberg always takes great care of us. The foodand cocktails are delicious and sizable, and I always try Sam’s special fish of the day.
  
  
• Bilboquet: For a fancy St. Tropez vibe, Bilboquet is the best. JB runs a tight ship,and we always have a blast.
  
  
• Duryea’s Montauk: The seafood is truly delicious with huge portions, and Stevenalways accommodates us well when we visit with a big party.
  
  
• Round Swamp Bridgehampton: Their preparations are sublime, with fresh ingredients, great staff, and the best cookies ever.

These places and the people behind them make the Hamptons a truly special place to live and work.

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Dragon Hemp Apothecary is located at 108 Main Street in Sag Harbor. They are currently open daily beginning at 10am. 

Our Apothecary in Sag Harbor, New York was conceived as a beacon of rejuvenation and wellness in the Hamptons. Much more than a dispensary, at the core of the Dragon Hemp Apothecary is a commitment to education and understanding the benefits of time-honored herbal remedies synthesized with today’s advancements in cannabinoid research. 

Offering an array of products designed to align with the wellness needs of the Hamptons community, the store seeks to bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and modern applications, making herbal medicine more compatible with our lifestyles today. Our unique apothecary in Sag Harbor not only represents a physical space but also embodies Dragon Hemp's ethos of premium, all-natural, effective wellness solutions, drawing from the rich heritage of the Hamptons and the innovative spirit of New York.

Not your conventional dispensary, our first-of-its-kind retail location, harmoniously balances tradition and innovation with an emphasis on experience and education. We invite you to step inside and let our herbal experts guide you on an exploration of the rejuvenating power of cannabinoids and traditional herbs in a setting that feels both timeless and contemporary.

Designed in collaboration with renowned Alfredo Paredes Studio, the apothecary embodies a sophisticated fusion of old-world tradition and contemporary application. Known for his 33-year tenure as Ralph Lauren Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Alfredo Paredes, a master of crafting memorable retail experiences, helped transform the space into a shining gem of Sag Harbor. Reflecting the premium, natural, and therapeutic essence of Dragon Hemp, every aspect of the store, including the unique furniture pieces from Paredes' line, contributes to an ambiance of refined tranquility and wellness. The design echoes a classic herbal pharmacy blended with a modern aesthetic, mirroring our brand ethos of contemporizing ancient herbal medicine for today’s applications. Read more about our Apothecary design in Forbes.

Standing out on Main Street in Sag Harbor with the glow of our distinctive neon sign, our unique retail store has become a design destination of its own -- beyond just wellness -- in one of the Hamptons’ most popular villages. Whether you’re looking for potent natural therapeutics to tackle pain & inflammation or legal THC products to enhance mood or improve sleep, our apothecary is your safe haven at 108 Main Street.

Our products are formulated to serve the four crucial daily needs most often seen in Kevin’s practice—Essential Wellbeing for comprehensive health, Rest & Restoration to foster rejuvenation, Aches & Pains for relief from discomfort, and Liniments for body care that enhances both physical and emotional wellbeing.

Available in four versatile forms—swift-absorbing tinctures, targeted balms, discreet gummies, and moisturizers—we ensure a suitable choice for every lifestyle and wellness routine.

Dragon Hemp is the practitioner-founded apothecary that produces plant-based therapeutics formulated with a proprietary blend of next-generation botanicals and time honored herbal remedies.

For people seeking treatments that give relief & address the root cause.

Our herbal remedies are innovative and user-friendly, with wellness benefits that are effective & accessible to everyone.

So you can feel like yourself again.

Kevin Menard, LAc., is the leading practitioner in Sports Medicine Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine on the East End of Long Island, with clientele ranging from business executives and fitness professionals to wellness gurus and weekend warriors.

As he cultivated his practice, Kevin began integrating CBD & other cannabinoids, native botanicals, and herbs into his treatments, addressing conditions like pain, musculoskeletal injuries, insomnia, and more. 

Following the promising results from his herbal and CBD-infused treatments, Kevin expanded his work, introducing Dragon Hemp to support patient wellness beyond his clinic's walls.

We carefully select our organically grown ingredients, emphasizing sustainability to protect Earth's biodiversity. 

We believe in transparency in all our processes, from ingredient selection to the methods used by our CBD farmers, who lead the sustainable agriculture charge and concentrate on ecosystem restoration and carbon sequestration.

We're not just about products but about nurturing an understanding of traditional herbal practices and helping people make healthy decisions. 

With respect, we introduce newcomers to the benefits of age old herbal wisdom. 

Our aim is a future where well-being stems from nature, combining timeless knowledge with today's research.

Discover the distinctive characteristics of each herb in our Ingredient Index.