New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation on Aug. 6 to clarify that cannabis microbusinesses can sell their products at farmer’s markets and fully participate in other approved community events.
The new law clears up ambiguity in March 2025 legislation that Hochul signed, which established Cannabis Showcase Events, allowing licensed dispensaries to partner with licensed cultivators and processors to showcase and sell their cannabis products outside the normal retail setting, at places such as pop-up events and public markets.
Local municipalities are responsible for authorizing and approving these events in coordination with the New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM).
The law that Hochul signed into effect on Thursday establishes that vertically integrated microbusinesses don’t need to partner with standalone cultivators or processors to participate in these events. Instead, they can sell their own products as a retailer who also serves as their own cultivation or processing partner. In addition, they can serve as a cultivation or processing partner for standalone retailers.
Hochul said she signed the legislation to support small businesses and advance one of the state’s fastest-growing industries.
“This new law gives licensed microbusinesses and dispensaries a real chance to succeed in New York’s legal cannabis market,” the governor said in a press release. “By opening the door for legal operators to sell at approved community events and farmer’s markets, we are putting small entrepreneurs on a level playing field, expanding consumer access to safer, regulated products and strengthening one of New York’s fastest-growing industries.”
After recording roughly $900 million in adult-use sales in 2024, New York’s licensed dispensaries reported nearly $1.7 billion in sales in 2025 and are on pace to eclipse that mark in 2026, according to the OCM.
OCM Executive Director John Kagia said the regulated marketplace provides an economic engine for the state.
“But the strength of this market lies in the businesses operating across the supply chain,” he said. “The governor signing this bill secures a critical opportunity for the microbusinesses building New York’s craft cannabis ecosystem to showcase their products at events across the state. This bill advances equitable, inclusive opportunity for our small businesses.”
The state’s Cannabis Showcase Events provide meaningful opportunities not only for sales but also for small businesses to market their brands, meet face-to-face with the public and solidify their relationships with town, city and county leaders.
Sen. Michelle Hinchey, D-Saugerties, who sponsored the legislation, elaborated on the significance.
“Cannabis microbusinesses are often small farms without big marketing budgets or easy access to retail markets,” she said. “Showcase events, like farm markets, give these small businesses a perfect way to reach consumers with their homegrown products. With summer here and New Yorkers excited to shop outside, it’s critical that cannabis microbusinesses can participate in showcase events alongside retailers and other licensees – and our legislation makes that possible.”
Assemblymember Donna Lupardo, D-Binghamton, who also sponsored the bill in the lower chamber, said, “They need every competitive advantage in order to market their products, build brand awareness and develop long-term community connections.”
Under state rules, Cannabis Showcase Event (CSE) regulations include the following prohibited activities:
- Persons under the age of 21 must not be allowed access to the CSE sales area, and no cannabis sales can occur to persons under 21.
- Consumption of cannabis within the CSE area is strictly prohibited, and permit holders must have conspicuous signage around the event area announcing this prohibition. The consumption of cannabis outside the event area is governed by local laws.
- No cannabis products may be given away for free. Free samples are not permitted.
- Sales of cannabis products may not be conducted by anyone other than the authorized employees of the permit holder and may not be conducted outside the cannabis sales area that is within the event area.
Alcohol and tobacco sales are also prohibited at these events.
Nicole Ricci, the president of NY Small Farma Ltd., a nonprofit organization of independent cannabis farmers, said the communities she represents are grateful to Hinchey, Lupardo, Hochul and the OCM.
“This collaborative effort demonstrates New York State leadership’s commitment to ensuring that small-scale growers can build economically viable businesses, connect directly with consumers and fully realize the seed-to-sale model envisioned under the microbusiness license tier,” Ricci said. “NY Small Farma looks forward to continuing this collaborative partnership as this important legislation is implemented so that all microbusinesses can have meaningful market access.”
