On sale at your local New York farmers market: heirloom tomatoes, less-traveled lettuce, the fanciest apples \u2014 and now, legally, cannabis products.<\/p>\n
Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday signed legislation authorizing licensed microbusinesses and dispensaries to sell cannabis products at approved events, such as farmers markets, a move effectively expanding sales venues to hundreds of locations across the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy opening the door for legal operators to sell at approved community events and farmers markets we are putting small entrepreneurs on a level playing field, expanding consumer access to safer, regulated products and strengthening one of New York\u2019s fastest-growing industries,\u201d Hochul said in a statement.<\/p>\n
The operative words are \u201clegal operators<\/a>\u201d as unlicensed weed merchants frequently can already be seen pushing their products behind stands set up at farmers markets and other outdoor events sure to draw foot traffic.<\/p>\n Through March, legal merchants reported sales at more than $400 million, according to a report<\/a> of the state Cannabis Control Board, but fewer than half of sellers \u2014 47% \u2014 reported they were profitable. In May, the total number of adult-use licenses<\/a> issued statewide stood at 2,259.<\/p>\n John Kagia, executive director of the state Office of Cannabis Management, said the new legislation \u201csecures a critical opportunity\u201d for the businesses to showcase their products.<\/p>\n