CannaBuff Issue 16

ISSUE 16 | SUMMER 2023

CA N N A B U F F.C O M

CANNABIS IS BET TER WITH THE RIGHT INFO

Hochul Takes Aim at Illicit Dispensaries

AMA Approves Psychedelic Billing Codes

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Go t o S

ISSUE 16 • SUMMER 2023

Publisher Geoffrey Brown Associate Publisher James Frisicaro Creative Director Justin DeLuca Distribution & Advertising Pavel Belov Design and Cover Design Deedee Clohessy

21

New York to Launch Cannabis Farmers’ Markets

Advisory Board Terrance Bellnier, RPh, MPA Maria Janda, PharmD Michael Monzillo, MS Jake Schecter, RN

Contents 9

12

American Medical Association OKs CPT Code for Psychedelic Therapies

Medical Cannabis Companies to Pay $20M Fees to Branch into Recreational Sales

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14

Can New York State learn from Michigan and Oregon’s mistakes?

Legislative Update: Equity Plans are Non-Negotiable for Adult-Use Applicants

11

22

Corruption in Cannabis: A Multi-State Saga

Local 338 is New York State’s First & Only Cannabis Union

Contact Us WEBSITE CannaBuff.com PHONE (716) 218-0624 EMAIL Geoff@CannaBuff.com MAILING ADDRESS CannaBuff LLC • PO Box 1170 • Buffalo NY 14213

Connect with Us

Governor Hochul and OCM Crack Down on Illicit Dispensaries

Publisher’s Letter Thanks for reading another issue of CannaBuff magazine. Since our last issue, Reuben McDaniel, a key regulator on the State’s cannabis control board resigned, and aside from our Native American friends, there are still no licensed dispensaries open in WNY. After attending our first CCB board meeting last month, it seems the state is determined to help farmers find a way to sell their product as soon as possible.

In this issue, we highlight a new initiative that would allow farmers to sell cannabis at farmers markets and festivals through grower

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showcases. We also share how the State

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hopes to rein in the illicit market, an update on psychedelic therapies, and much more.

24-26

TWITTER @CannaBuffNY

NEWLY EXPANDED Cannabis Business Directory

As always thanks for reading! Don’t forget to

Subscribe By Mail:

subscribe to our email list and follow us on social media. Visit CannaBuff.com to learn more and stay up to date on all the latest news and insights from CannaBuff’s team.

Age-Specific Content AGES

21+

CannaBuff does not promote or endorse the use of cannabis by anyone under the age of 21. Age specific content and ads are marked with the "Ages 21+" icon. Enjoy responsibly.

Geoff Brown | F O U N D E R , C A N N A B U F F

DISCLAIMER: The information and documents herein (the content) are intended for personal, noncommercial, general informational purposes, do not constitute medical advice, and are not a substitute for the advice of a medical provider or other licensed professional. CannaBuff makes no warranty, express or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, timeliness, correctness, suitability, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose of the content, and in no event shall CannaBuff or its employees be liable for damages resulting from reading or use of the content. References to specific commercial products, or services by tradename, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, do not constitute or imply an endorsement or recommendation by CannaBuff.

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American Medical Association OKs CPT Code for Psychedelic Therapies ALTHOUGH NONE ARE yet approved by the FDA, the American Medical Association has approved a Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code for psychedelic treatments.

CPT codes provide healthcare professionals a means to seek reimbursement for the delivery of FDA-approved medicines.

The new code is the result of a joint effort pursued

by Compass Pathways ($CMPS) and MAPS Public Benefit Corporation, who are both working on psychedelic-based therapies hoping to gain FDA approval.

Compass Pathways is evaluating a psilocybin therapy for treatment-resistant depression that is currently in phase 3.

Experts say the approval of psilocybin could be seen in the next few years, but not likely before 2025.

Peter Thiel-backed company Atai Life Sciences ($ATAI) holds a 20% stake in Compass Pathways.

MAPS has already finished two phase 3 trials of MDMA-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Compass officials stated that they decided to seek approval of the code after learning about difficulties experienced with reimbursement for Johnson & Johnson’s esketamine nasal spray (Spravato®), which is already FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression and requires 2 hours of monitoring after administration.

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The new CPT code is specifically for the time a provider spends with the patient, not the drug itself. AMA’s former CPT director Michael Beebe said the two parts of psychedelic-assisted therapy—the drug and the assisting healthcare professional—are what makes it a different type of treatment modality.

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The new code will cover the existing reimbursement gap for psychological support provided during psilocybin therapy sessions which are usually around 6 to 8 hours long. Psychotherapy given before and after treatment, such as preparation and integration sessions, would be covered by existing CPT codes for psychotherapy.

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To be clear, reimbursement of the new CPT code will not be mandatory. Payers will look at the published clinical data and decide if it can be replicated in real-world conditions, keeping in mind that it is directed to patients who have not responded to traditional therapies and have limited alternatives.

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Ultimately, it will be up to both public and commercial payers to decide whether they want to cover these codes and pay for psychedelic treatments. The approval of these codes by AMA is certainly a step in the right direction and helps bring psychedelic therapies one step closer to the patients who need them.

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A MULTI-STATE SAGA RECENTLY, THE BURGEONING

cannabis industry in New York State has captivated the attention of entrepreneurs, investors, and consumers alike. Simultaneously, we are beginning to see examples around the country of alleged corruption and illicit practices which threaten that very potential. As NYS patiently waits to see how their marketplace unfolds, states like Michigan and Oregon are looking back at some potentially grave

network of individuals who allegedly sought personal gain by engaging in illegal activities.

missteps that many hope will not be repeated at home.

MICHIGAN

Key players, including influential politicians, business leaders, and industry insiders, have been implicated in the scandal involving kickbacks, and pay-to-play schemes, which have compromised the integrity of the state’s cannabis licensing process.

Michigan has emerged as a hotbed of bribery and illicit practices within the cannabis industry.

A federal investigation into corruption within Michigan’s cannabis industry has unveiled a web of bribery and misconduct starting with former House Speaker Rick Johnson. The investigation has revealed a

The scandal not only erodes public trust in the regulatory processes governing the industry but also casts a shadow over legitimate businesses operating in the state. The negative repercussions may extend beyond the immediate consequences of the investigation, potentially hampering the growth and development of Michigan’s cannabis marketplace.

OREGON

Oregon’s thriving cannabis industry, known for its progressive approach to marijuana legalization, is facing a major upheaval as allegations of corruption begin to cast a shadow over its licensing process too.

Shemia Fagan, former Oregon Secretary of State, finds herself at the center of a federal grand jury investigation due to her alleged ties to the cannabis industry, including providing consulting services while CannaBuff.com | S U M M E R 2 0 2 3

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still in office. Fagan signed a contract with Veriede Holding LLC, a subsidiary of La Mota, one of the state’s most prominent cannabis companies.

Fagan says she agreed to help Veriede research and understand cannabis laws and paths to licensure in states outside Oregon. As a former state senator, Fagan played a pivotal role in shaping Oregon’s cannabis regulations.

NEW YORK

A NYCI investigation published in January revealed the organizations tasked with raising and managing NY’s $200 million cannabis social equity fund were illequipped to do so. The investigation implicated former NBA guard Chris Webber and cannabis entrepreneur Jason Wild.

The rapid growth of the cannabis industry across the country has provided fertile ground for corruption to take root, as demonstrated by these recent high-profile cases in Oregon and Michigan.

As NYS’s own fledgling industry continues to take shape, it is crucial that stakeholders and regulators work together to ensure integrity and accountability, maintain the spirit of the legislation, and cultivate a level playing field for all those involved in this new marketplace.

Local 338: New York’s First and Only Cannabis Union Local 338 Retail, Wholesale, Department Store Union/United Food and Commercial Workers (RWDSU/UFCW) is New York State’s one and only cannabis workers union.

LOCAL 338 RWDSU/UFCW first introduced cannabis workers into their organization in 2015, soon after the introduction of NY’s medical marijuana program. With recreational (i.e. adult-use) cannabis sales off to a slow start here in New York State, Local 338 is actively advocating for higher paying jobs and fair treatment of workers throughout the cannabis industry.

Expectations for job creation in the state are massive with early studies projecting up to 30,000 new jobs will be created by legal cannabis. Local 338 is making sure NY’s cannabis industry evolves into the job-creation machine that’s been promised by fostering a pipeline of sustainable careers, and eventually secure retirement, for cannabis workers.

Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW organization

represents around 13,000 workers, and anywhere from 500-600 workers across both the medical and adult-use cannabis industry. Here in Western New York, they represent approximately 40 workers, many of whom work for the State’s registered organizations like Green Thumb Industries (RISE), PharmaCann, and MedMen. These companies run vertically integrated medical marijuana dispensary operations, and Local 338 represents cannabis workers employed along the full supply chain.

Local 338 covers a variety of industries with a strong focus on retail workers and has represented workers since the 1920s.

The cannabis business has close ties to retail, so it only made sense for Local 338 to bring cannabis workers into their umbrella.

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Local 338 is available for cannabis companies that are seeking a place in NY’s legal cannabis marketplace by offering Labor Peace Agreements (LPA), which are required for application regardless of which license type or how many employees a business will be employing. As an established labor organization, they can help fulfill this legal requirement for cannabis businesses who have been awarded a conditional license or who are hoping to win a license. A labor peace agreement is an agreement between a Union and an employer under which both parties agree to waive certain rights under Federal law with regard to workers’ right to form a union.

For more information, please visit cannabislpa.com or call Local 338 at 516-294-1338 ext. 1420.

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Medical Cannabis Companies to Cough Up $20M Fee CANNABIS WAS LEGALIZED in New York State more than two and half years ago and only 13 licensed dispensaries have opened since.

So far, the rising demand for cannabis has been partially filled by more than 1400 illicit cannabis stores that have opened across the state, more on this on page 21. Licensed cultivators are also stuck with hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of cannabis they can’t sell because there aren’t enough licensed retail outlets.

With all of this going on, and NY’s cannabis industry in a state of crisis, many are wondering when New York’s 10 medical cannabis licensees, commonly called “registered organizations” (ROs), may get to expand to the recreational market.

Originally, the rollout of adult-use cannabis sales intended to prioritize 150 (now 300) social equity retailers, referred to in New York as Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensaries (CAURD), through the state’s “Seeding Opportunity Initiative.”

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As part of that plan, CAURD licensees were to be given a 3-year head start before the larger corporations, known as Multi-State Cannabis Operators (MSOs), that currently serve the state’s medical cannabis program could expand their dispensaries to adult-use.

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The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) 12

published a draft of revised adult-use regulations that would allow ROs to expand up to three retail locations to adult-use sales, including a first site in December, 2023—two years earlier than originally proposed. The businesses would then be allowed to open two more retail stores in June 2024.

However, ROs would also have to pay an initial one time “special licensing fee” of $20 million to New York State. OCM officials say these fees would be used to support NY’s Social and Economic Equity Plan.

Less than three months after adult-use sales started via the first licensed CAURD dispensary, the Coalition for Access to Regulated and Safe Cannabis (CARSC) filed a lawsuit in Albany, alleging that regulators overstepped their bounds based on the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA).

CARSC includes many of New York’s medical cannabis MSOs, such as Acreage Holdings, Curaleaf Holdings, Green Thumb Industries, and PharmaCann Inc. CARSC says that the OCM’s policies have delayed the availability of regulated cannabis products for recreational consumers and that locking out medical cannabis operators and other entrepreneurs with access to capital to quickly open retail dispensaries is contrary to the goals of the MRTA and the public health of New Yorkers.

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Empire State Cannabis Update: Social & Economic Equity is Non-Negotiable for Adult-Use Applicants

The MRTA will require all those who are awarded licenses to implement a SEE plan that benefits communities and people disproportionally impacted by the enforcement of cannabis laws.

THE SPIRIT OF THE MRTA: STRUCTURE BENEFITS SOCIAL EQUITY

War on Drugs through the New York State Community Reinvestment Grant Fund (the “Fund”). Qualified community-based nonprofit organizations and local governments could apply for funding through the Fund to support community revitalization efforts. Additionally, the MRTA establishes a goal to award 50% of all adult-use licenses to social and economic equity (SEE) applicants, including: (a) individuals who have lived in communities disproportionally impacted by the War on Drugs; (b) minority and women-owned businesses; (c) distressed farmers; and (d) service-disabled veteran-owned businesses.

When New York State passed the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) in March of 2021, legalizing the possession and use of cannabis by adults 21 and older, the state placed emphasis on incentivizing participation in the new industry for individuals and communities disproportionally impacted by cannabis prohibition. Building a fair, inclusive, and equitable foundation for the New York market was at the forefront of the MRTA. At its core, the MRTA seeks to accomplish two major objectives: (1) generate needed tax revenue for the state;

Pursuant to §64 of the MRTA, those that are awarded licenses are required to implement a SEE plan that benefits communities and people disproportionally impacted by the enforcement of cannabis laws and later provide evidence of the execution of such plan when prompted.

and (2) make substantial investments in communities and people most impacted by cannabis criminalization.

The MRTA aims to invest 40% of its newly generated tax revenue toward rebuilding communities harmed by the

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To implement the goals of the MRTA, the Cannabis Control Board (CCB), in consultation with the Chief Equity Officer and the Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), created the New York Social Equity & Economic (NYSEE) Plan. The 86-page plan provides relevant background information on cannabis prohibition and outlines the equity pillars for the cannabis industry in New York including: (a) prioritizing small, independent businesses; (b) building trust within those communities most impacted; (c) investing resources for SEE groups to get involved; and (d) educating the public on their rights in accordance with the Cannabis Law and regulations.

The NYSEE Plan also lists current social equity initiatives, with the Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) program being among one of the most well-known.

CAURD licensees are the first retail dispensaries to open for legal adult-use retail cannabis sales in New York State, and most of these businesses are owned by justice-involved individuals. Other current initiatives include the New York Social Equity Cannabis Investment Fund, the Cannabis Compliance Training and Mentorship Program, and various business support services to strengthen the operation of cannabis entrepreneurs. A glimpse into what the future of the cannabis industry will look like under the NYSEE Plan demonstrates the state’s commitment to SEE.

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As the first permanent market applications are expected to release around Labor Day, now is the time for cannabis businesses to formalize their SEE plans – and the sooner the better.

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CANNABIS BUSINESSES SHOULD HIGHLIGHT SOCIAL EQUITY The key takeaway for hopeful permanent (non-conditional) market applicants is that the strongest applications will be those that include a strong SEE component, which will need to be in the form of a written SEE plan. Given that SEE is one of the two major pillars of the MRTA and to date, the CCB and OCM have attempted to prioritize SEE groups in the initial stages of the market, a robust social equity plan with measurable initiatives is non-negotiable. Having a sincere plan to show how your cannabis company intends to benefit those communities disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs, especially for businesses that do not qualify as SEE applicants themselves, is a major advantage in the application process.

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To date, OCM has provided little guidance on what a social equity plan must include, but this is unsurprising; a SEE plan for a cultivator located in a rural community is likely (and should be) largely different from a SEE plan for a retail dispensary located in a suburban or metropolitan area.

Indeed, the lack of guidance from OCM properly allows companies to offer their respective communities unique benefits and collaborations such as sourcing products from minority-owned cultivators, providing financial support for local nonprofits, planning community programming, and providing workforce and business training.

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As the first permanent market applications are expected to release around Labor Day, now is the time for cannabis businesses to formalize their SEE plans – and the sooner the better.

The Lippes Mathias Cannabis Practice Team will continue to monitor developments in New York’s burgeoning cannabis industry, including any SEE developments and initiatives, as well as the timeline for the release of permanent market applications. If you have any questions, please contact one of our attorneys.

WRITTEN BY

Ryan V. Stearns, Thomas B. Hughes, & Joseph W. Schafer OF LIPPES MATHIAS LLP

R YA N V. S T E A R N S

THOMAS B. HUGHES

JOSEPH W. SCHAFER

Significant research and editorial assistance provided by Amanda Sauciunac, Paralegal at Lippes Mathias LLP.

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products. The farmers’ markets are also expected to create jobs and generate tax revenue for the state.

Despite these challenges,

The OCM plans to launch the pilot program in the summer of 2023. If successful, the program could be expanded to other parts of the state.

legal cannabis industry.

BENEFITS OF CANNABIS FARMERS’ MARKETS • Provide a direct market for cultivators to sell their products.

• Give consumers more options for purchasing cannabis.

NEW YORK TO LAUNCH CANNABIS FARMERS’ MARKETS CHALLENGES OF CANNABIS TO UNCLOG SUPPLY CHAIN FARMERS’ MARKETS

• Create jobs and generate tax revenue.

ew York is set to launch a pilot program for cannabis farmers’ markets this summer, in an effort to unclog the state’s legal cannabis supply chain.

Many people, including members of the Cannabis Association of New York and Cannabis Farmers Association showed support for these “Grower Showcases” at the OCM’s public meeting held in Buffalo at Roswell Park on June 15th.

The program, which was announced by the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) on May 26, will allow conditional cultivators and retailers to organize and sell cannabis products at farmers’ markets.

The move is a response to the fact that only 13 dispensaries have opened for business in New York since the state legalized adult-use

cannabis in 2021. This has created a bottleneck in the supply chain, with cultivators struggling to sell their crop.

cannabis farmers’ markets have the potential to be a positive force for the state’s They can help to address the supply chain challenges, give consumers more options, and create jobs and tax revenue.

CONCLUSION New York’s cannabis farmers’ markets are a promising new development for the state’s legal cannabis industry. They have the potential to address the supply chain challenges, give consumers more options, and create jobs and tax revenue. The program is

• May be difficult to regulate.

still in its early stages, but

• May be opposed by some communities.

it has the potential to be a

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The farmers’ markets are seen as a way to help cultivators offload their excess product and generate much-needed revenue.

The OCM has not yet released details on how the farmers’ markets will operate. However, it is expected that they will be similar to traditional farmers’ markets, with cultivators setting up booths and selling their products directly to consumers.

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HOCHUL TAKES AIM AT ILLICIT DISPENSARIES Under new legislation, Governor Kathy Hochul has given the OCM increased enforcement power to close illicit dispensaries and issue fines of up to $20,000 per day.

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Cannabis Management (OCM) has struggled to get dispensaries opened up throughout the state, they’ve continued to battle the pervasive problem of countless illicit dispensaries stealing market share from licensed or soon-to-be licensed dispensaries. Since decriminalization decreased penalties for possessing cannabis, the initial cease and desist letters the OCM mailed these operators were not very effective.

But in May, Governor Hochul signed new legislation giving the OCM new enforcement power to close and penalize illicit cannabis dispensaries.

By increasing penalties for unlawful cultivation, distribution, and possession, the state intends to send a strong message that illegal cannabis operations will face severe consequences including fines up to $20,000 per day.

Other details of the plan include granting the OCM the authority to seize product and shutdown shops for good. This measure aims to resolve the fact that many illegal businesses continue to operate and simply ignore cease and desist letters.

The biggest deterrent of all may be the ability of the Department of Taxation and Finance to pursue illicit dispensaries for unpaid taxes on cannabis sales.

The legislation defines a new type of tax fraud that includes failing to collect and pay required taxes on cannabis sales. This means illicit dispensaries may be liable for massive amounts in back taxes owed to New York State.

Now, with new laws in place, we’ll see if NY is able to enforce the legal market and fulfill their aim of safeguarding public safety while promoting economic opportunities for marginalized communities.

AS GOVERNOR HOCHUL AND THE OCM CONTINUE TO CRACK DOWN ON ILLICIT DISPENSARIES, SIGNS LIKE THIS WILL APPEAR ON THE DOORS OF BUSINESSES FOUND TO BE OPERATING WITHOUT A LICENSE.

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Help us grow and support the NYS Legal Cannabis Industry!

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Cannabis Business Directory CANNABIS & RELATED BUSINESSES LOCATED IN UPSTATE & WESTERN NEW YORK

UPSTATE CANNABIS BUSINESS DIRECTORY SPONSORED BY ART OF GLASS WHOLESALE

wholesale

CANNABIS BUSINESSES NYS MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES The Botanist

192 Seneca St, Buffalo, NY 14204 (716) 322-4411

Columbia Care

200 W Ridge Rd, Rochester, NY 14615 (585) 678-8390

Říše

1150 University Ave B5-S7, Rochester, NY 14607 (585) 242-0203

MedMen

6850 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14221 (716) 954-8276

Verilife

25 N Pointe Pkwy #30, Amherst, NY 14228 (716) 210-9496

CAURD DISPENSARIES Housing Works Cannabis, LLC

750 Broadway New York, NY 10003 https://hwcannabis.co/

Smacked Village

144 Bleecker Street New York, NY 10012 https://getsmacked.online/

Just Breathe

75 Court Street Binghamton, NY 13901 https://justbreathelife.org/

Union Square Travel Agency

62 E 13th Street New York, NY 10003 https://www.unionsquaretravelagency.com/

William Jane Corporation

119-121 E State Street Ithaca, NY 14850 https://williamjane420.com/

Good Grades, LLC

162-03 Jamaica Avenue Jamaica, NY 11432 https://www.goodgradesnyc.com/

Upstate Canna Co

1613 Union Street Schenectady, NY 12309 https://upstate-canna.co/

Dazed

33 Union Sq. W New York, NY 10003 https://dazed.fun/

Gotham CAURD LLC

3 E 3rd Street New York,NY 10003 https://gotham.nyc

Flynnstoned Corporation

219 Walton St Syracuse, NY 13202 https://flynnstoned.com/

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**DELIVERY ONLY** **Elevate ADK**

RECREATIONAL DISPENSARIES ON NATIVE LAND Adlai’s Smoke Dispensery

Plattsburgh, NY https://elevateadk.com/

12689 Route 438, Irving, NY (716) 698-4671

**Essential Flowers**

Albany, NY https://legacydispensers.com

**Stage One Cannabis LLC**

Rensselaer, NY https://stageonedispensary.com/

Alien Greenz on I-Hill Dispensary

11035 Redeye Dr, Perrysburg, NY 14129 (716)-239-1752

CannaRawgus Dispensary

**Half Island Flavors LLC**

12789 NY-438, Irving, NY 14081 (716) 202-9961

**Social Equity CAURD JV LLC**

14411 NY-438, Gowanda, NY 14070 (716) 532-HIGH (4444)

Bronx, NY https://myseshnyc.com/ Richmond Hill https://thecannabisplace.org

PROVISIONAL LICENSEES: WNY REGION • Aaron Van Camp- Owned by Aaron Van Camp in Buffalo • AMSM LLC- Owned by Gina Miller & Glen Miller in West Seneca • Flower City Shop LLC-Jamie Donato-Rivera and Phetnakhone Duangtavilay of Rochester • Premier Earth Corp.- Owned by Joseph Wojciechowski in Buffalo • Empire State Gallery Holdings, LLC out of Brooklyn • Nickel City Green, LLC out of Buffalo Joel Giambra and Darcell Thomas • OCC WNY Ventures from West Valley in Catt. Co. • EK Green LLC from the Buffalo area • Canary Cannabis Co. LLC out of Rochester • ERIETREEHOUSE CORPORATION out of Syracuse • Devil’s Lettuce LLC from Tonawanda • Coronado LLC. out of Buffalo • New York Finest Luxury Car & Limousince Service LLC from Yonkers • Bradley | Kyler DBA Herbal I.Q. • New York Dispensary LLC • Jaylin M. Smith, (Niagara]

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GoodLeaf 716

GoodLeaf Salamanca

730 Broad Street, Salamanca, NY 14779 (716) 945-HIGH (4444)

Green Wolf Dispensary

12156 Brant Reservation Rd, Irving, NY 14081

HollyWeed

10951 Lakeshore Rd, Irving, NY 14081

The Lab Dispensary

10924 Old Lake Shore Rd, Irving, NY 14081 (716)-868-8694 • (716) 799-5446

T.H.Chiefs

12134 Rt. 438 Irving, NY 14081 (716) 934-5130

Top Shelf Dispensary

5062 Green Rd, Lewiston, NY 14092

TESTING LABORATORIES & SAMPLING FIRMS Biotrax Testing Laboratories

3580 Harlem Rd #2, Buffalo, NY 14215 (716) 651-0146

CONSUMPTION LOUNGES & EVENTS CannaHouse

Canna-House.com

The Roaring 420s Lounge

794 French Rd, Cheektowaga, NY 14227

PROVISIONAL LICENSEES: FINGER LAKES REGION • Loretto Non-profit Affiliate, Syracuse Area • MJ Dispensary LLC, (Monroe) • William J. Wheeler (Broome) • Mach Enterprises LLC (Monroe) • High Points of the Finger Lakes, LLC (Ontario) • Northfield Consulting, LLC (Monroe) • CannaLife, LLC (Tompkins) 24

Did you know...in the 1920s, cannabis lounges called “Tea Pads” began appearing in cities around the United States. Tea Pads became popular with folks who wanted to hang out and consume cannabis, usually for less than 25 cents. New York City had more than 500 such establishments by 1930.

LICENSED CANNABIS CULTIVATORS

LICENSED CANNABIS PROCESSORS

ALLEGANY COUNTY Green Wells Venture LLC

ERIE COUNTY Chocolate Delivery Systems, Inc

Northeast Botanicals Distribution LLC

Morris Hemp LLC

MONROE COUNTY Empire Agricultural Services,LLC

New York Seed Laboratory LLC

ROC Dispensary and Hydroponics LLC

Paul’s Pottery, LLC

Patriot Farms

NIAGARA COUNTY One Hemp, LLC/dba One Hemp Holistics Niagara

Three Cord Ranch LLC

Glenna & Co. LLC

ERIE COUNTY Donald Spoth Farm

dspoth@verizon.net

kanapecollective@gmail.com

Hop n Hemp Tea DBA Buffalo Kind andrewtkrouse@gmail.com

frankmahns1212@gmail.com

Jeff.morris747@gmail.com

info@rochester420.com;

MichaelCasacci@gmail.com

patriotfarms1954@gmail.com;

paulmcohn@gmail.com

glenna.colaprete@gmail.com;

tdgiolando@gmail.com

Waterman’s Greenhouse LLC

ICH Industries LLC

Yager Farms Inc

Sparkle Holdings, LLC

mick@sparkleholdings.com

Agricultural Development Services LLC

NIAGARA COUNTY Akron Bloom LLC

cwildman@agtogo.com

Jeanette M Miller

WRFLLC@hotmail.com

jeanettemiller024@gmail.com

MONROE COUNTY Glenna & Co. LLC NOWAVE LLC

The Releaf Market LLC / DBA Releaf Market

N&M Farms, LLC

buster.isennock@gmail.com 402-983-7726

glenna.colaprete@gmail.com 585-435-9283

CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY Weaver Road Farms LLC

akronbloom@gmail.com

Trucann LLC

Gflower LLC

weissfarmseden@gmail.com mtyager@hotmail.com

Kari@onehempholistics.com 716-465-8787 paalelfstrum@me.com 917-502-1863

chriscflagg@msn.com; gflowerfloraculture@ gmail.com; seek4earth@gmail.com

Weiss Farms, LLC

716-259-9001 info@bisonbotanics.com

POWER LINE THC

preitschky@marnscda.com

watermansflowers@gmail.com

tthill@chocolatedeliverysystems.com

sales@nowave.com 585-201-8994

info@thereleafmarket.com

BOBQBI@aol.com

Fare Thee Well Farm, Inc.

Niagara Hemp Supply, LLC

jim@onehempholistics.com; Kari@onehempholistics.com; Miranda@onehempholistics.com

Singer Farm Naturals LLC

tom@singerfarmnaturals.com

craigsteven.cr@gmail.com

Tadt Services LLC

terpenealchemygrow@gmail.com

CATTARAUGUS COUNTY Rural Resurgence LLC

Trucann LLC / Trucann paalelfstrum@.com

farmerstew@gmail.com

For a complete state-wide list of licensed cultivators and processors, contact the Office of Cannabis Management.

Website: cannabis.ny.gov/adult-use Phone: 1-888-OCM-5151 (1-888-626-5151)

ANCILLARY BUSINESSES ADVOCACY & EDUCATION Colleges Cornell

College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Hemp.cals.cornell.edu

Erie County Community College (716) 851-1322

Public Officials

WNY NORML

Cannabis Science Minor Cobleskill.edu

Syracuse University

cannabisprograms@syr.edu

Non-profits

PoseidonAssetManagement.com

Upstate Strategic Advisors, LLC

Home Grow Consultants

716-830-1958 PO Box 61, Buffalo NY 14213

Sam.Hoyt@UpstateStrategicAdvisors.com

BUSINESS SERVICES

Influencer marketing @bfsbrand on IG

Banking & Payment Processing

JD Chapman Insurance Agency (585)-394-5482 jdchapmaninc.com

CannaBuff

Legal Representation

FLX420

PlantItExpressNY.com rbell@plantitexpressny.com

EMS NY

866-367-1818 420MerchantServices.com

Patrick J. Hines

New Line Processing

Bookkeeping

facebook.com/NYHempLab

Poseidon Asset Management

SLASolutions.com info@slasolutions.com

Insurance

Last Prisoner Project Hemp Lab NY

SLA Solutions

Plant It Express

7954 Transit Rd, Buffalo, NY 14221 (800) 865-6792

LastPrisonerProject.org

Panther Group

(716) 440-1560 wnynorml@gmail.com

TheWeldonProject.org/MissionGreen

Mission [Green]

Castetter Cannabis Group

info@csghemp.com CastetterCannabis.com

ThePantherGroup.com

Chuck Schumer

Licensing Consultants/ Advisors/Lobbyists

LaHoja.cc

La Hoja Capital Management

425 Michigan Ave. Buffalo, NY 14203 (716) 897-9714

Niagara County Community College

SUNY Cobleskill

BengalCap.com

Office of Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes

flcc.edu

3111 Saunders Settlement Rd, Sanborn, NY 14132 (716) 614-6222

Bengal Capital

280 E.Broad St. Ste 110 Roch.NY 14604 (585) 225-3650

Leo O’Brien Building, Room 827 Albany, NY 12207 (518) 431-4070

Finger Lakes Community College

Capital & Lending Companies

Jeremey Cooney

Hodgson & Russ, LLP (716) 848-1679 phines@hodgsonruss.com

Joseph W. Schafer

Lippes Mathias, LLP (716) 853-5100 x1394 jschafer@lippes.com

Canna Bookkeeper LLC

@cannabookkeeper CannaBookkeeper@gmail.com

25

Marketing & Advertising BFS Brand

Print and Digital Advertising Advertising@cannabuff.com Print advertising Flx420.com

Range Marketing

Custom Websites and SEO Rangemarketing.com

Spring Big

Text message marketing Springbig.com

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S U M M E R 2 0 2 3 | CannaBuff.com

Payroll Processing Wurk

Cannabis friendly payroll processing Enjoywurk.com

Product Design IV Thought

ivthought.com

Product Packaging CannaZip

958 Maple Rd, Williamsville NY 14221 716-400-7005 www.cannazipbags.com

Wholesalers & Distributors Art of Glass Wholesale

One Hemp Holistics

(716) 560-0908

MEDICAL CANNABIS PRACTITIONERS For a full list of practitioners who consent to being listed publicly please visit the NYS Department of Health’s MMJ program website.

Dawn M Springer FNP-BC

716-359-7457 dawn1008@gmail.com

Gerald Frisicaro-MS/ANP DBA

3911 N Buffalo St, Orchard Park, NY 14127 (716) 662-1795

Jarod Masci, MD of Landmark Health Systems

387 Franklin St, Buffalo, NY 14202 (716) 462-0284

Nerfis Elminowski, DNP-BC of Adult Health DNP PC

2234 Seneca St, Buffalo, NY 14210 (716) 331-3322

Sherry Verostko-Slazak, ANP-BC of Advanced Integrative Care

8207 Main Street Williamsville, NY 14221 (716)-277-0267

RETAIL BUSINESSES Cannabinoid Hemp Retailers Bison Botanics

1100 Military Rd Unit 1, Buffalo, NY 14217 (716) 259-9001

Buffalo Botanicals

Derby, NY 14047 (716) 200-7459

Buffalo Sport & Spine

100 College Pkwy, Buffalo, NY 14221 (716) 626-0093

CannaBuff.com | S U M M E R 2 0 2 3

Galaxy Glass

3047 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14214 (716) 768-3687

Golden Pipe Smoke Shop Cheektowaga

4154 McKinley Pkwy Suite 800 Blasdell, NY 14219 (716) 649-1940 8070 Transit Rd, Williamsville, NY 14221 (716) 458-0075 1971 East Ridge Road, Irondequoit, NY 14622 (585) 978-7441 129 W Commercial St, East Rochester, NY 14445 (585) 485-0105

4170 Southwestern Blvd., Orchard Park, NY 14127 (716) 648-1111

Local Smoke Shop

42 Allen St, Buffalo, NY 14202 (716) 881-0537

Buffalo Smokes

942 Maple Rd, Buffalo, NY 14221 (716) 906-3112

O’s Smoke Shop Lewiston

482 Center St, Lewiston, NY 14092 (716) 246-2241

Buffalo Smokes

394 Evans St., Williamsville, NY 14221 (716) 458-0460

O’s Smoke Shop Niagara Falls

1623 Pine Ave, Niagara Falls, NY 14301 (716) 371-2307

Buff City Smoke Shop

88 Lisbon Ave, Buffalo, NY 14214 (716) 464-3851

O’s Smoke Shop Town of Niagara

California Dreamin’ Smoke Shop

7806 Transit Rd, Buffalo, NY 14221 (716) 276-8714 18 Jamestown St., Gowanda, NY 14070

685 Dick Rd, Cheektowaga, NY 14225 (716) 901-7774

Oasis Smoke Shop 2

1567 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216 (716) 836-1111

7474 Transit Rd, Williamsville, NY 14221 (716) 529-6001

Decades Psychedelic Daze

Oasis Smoke Shop

2895 Seneca St, Buffalo, NY 14224 (716) 677-0311

1402 French Rd, Depew, NY 14043 (716) 608-6777

26

3173 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14214 (716) 602-3387

Terrapin Station

1172 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216 (716) 874-6677

Village One Stop Smoke Shop

11 Commercial St, Angola, NY 14006 (716) 549-0393

Yeti Vape

1385 Abbott Rd, Lackawanna, NY 14218 (716) 768-1017

Hydroponics & Garden Supply Stores Buffalo Roots Hydroponics & Organics 3231 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14214 (716) 240-9075

Gramps Garden

Green Zone Hydroponics

Oasis Smoke Shop

Cloud 9 Smokes & Vapors on the Boulevard

10255 Main Street, Clarence 14031

Oasis Smoke Shop

1330 Niagara Falls Blvd, Tonawanda, NY 14150 (716) 931-9117

476 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222 (716) 881-1100

1050 Harlem Rd, Cheektowaga, NY 14227 (716) 931-5545

7820 Porter Rd, Niagara Falls, NY 14304 (716) 400-8698

Oasis Smoke Shop

Cloud 9 Smokes & Vapors on Elmwood

Shoot the Moon Headshop & Wholesale

2027 Military Rd., Niagara Falls, NY 14304 (716) 236+7367 4212 Union Rd, Cheektowaga, NY 14225 (716) 428-3567

Cannacopia

5150 Broadway, Depew, NY 14043 (716) 257-8138

Tasty Clouds Vape & Smoke Shop

Headspace Glass & Gifts Orchard Park

3154 Niagara Falls Blvd, Buffalo, NY 14228 (716) 712-5347

Shake N Daze Depew

Headspace Glass & Gifts Buffalo

5989 Transit Rd, East Amherst, NY 14051 (716) 428-5730

Art of Glass Smoke Shop on the Boulevard

929 South Park Ave, Buffalo, NY 14220 (716) 257-8138

The Stash Jar

Headspace Glass & Gifts East Amherst

3497 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14217 (716) 712-5347

Shake N Daze

174 Orchard Park Rd, West Seneca, NY 14224 (716) 541-0790

920 Niagara Falls Blvd, Buffalo, NY 14223 (716) 837-0201

Art of Glass Smoke Shop on Delaware

1079 Union Rd, W.Seneca, NY 14224 (716) 671-8006

Smoke World Smoke & Vape Shop

Headspace Glass & Gifts Tonawanda

Head Shops & Glass Retailers

Prism Smoke Shop

Golden Pipe Smoke Shop Lackawanna

67 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14201 (716) 844-8907

Your CBD Store East Rochester

3125 Walden Ave, Depew, NY 14043 (716) 800-9323

2273 Saunders Settlement Rd, Sanborn, NY 14132 (716) 462-2605

Greener Mile

Your CBD Store Irondequoit

Pot Patrol

3770 Harlem Rd, Cheektowaga, NY 14215 (716) 833-7473

2540 Hamburg Tpk #3 Lackawanna, NY 14218 (716) 824-7473

Your CBD Store Williamsville

Cloud 9 Smokes & Vapors on Hertel

712 Main St, East Aurora, NY 14052 (716) 930-4073

7 Kelly Drive, Cheektowaga, NY 14227 (716) 322-6499

Your CBD Store Depew

The Kokoro Way Clarence

The Kokoro Way East Aurora

Elevated Smoke Shop

3191 Delaware Ave, Kenmore, NY 14217 (716) 768-2020

1856 Colvin Blvd, Tona., NY 14150 (716) 930-4073 10255 Main St #2, Clarence, NY 14031 (716) 930-4073

4514 Camp Rd, Hamburg, NY 14075 (716) 202-1953

Your CBD Store Kenmore

1594 Niagara Falls Blvd, Tonawanda, NY 14150 (716) 831-8273

The Kokoro Way Tonawanda

Decades Hamburg

19 Main St, Tonawanda, NY 14150 (716) 260-1324

Your CBD Store Hamburg

MEBCO

2855 Sheridan Dr, Tonawanda, NY 14150 (716) 322-5631

Sativa Remedy

FireGlassCo

(716) 775-7969

Decades III

7224 Buffalo Ave, Niagara Falls, NY 14304 (716) 538-8001

50 French Rd, Cheektwga, NY 14227

Ground Level Distribution

6053 Transit Rd, Depew, NY 14043 (716) 681-4420

Remedy Hemp Boutique

5319 Transit Rd, Depew, NY 14043 (716) 393-3400

@fireglassco

Decades Too

2023 Military Rd, Niagara Falls, NY 14304 (716) 362-9499

2928 Southwestern Blvd.

Orchard Park, NY 14127 (716) 677-9663

Harvest Moon Hydroponics

4204 Union Rd, Cheektowaga, NY 14225 (716) 634-8290

Indoor Gardens

3385 Harlem Rd, Buffalo, NY 14225 (716) 844-8375

Yeti Vape

1385 Abbott Rd, Lackawanna, NY 14218 (716) 768-1017

OPE

WALK-IN CIGAR HUMIDOR

AILY

(BROADWAY LOCATION ONLY)

GLASS  DETOX

10:00 A.M

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0:00 P.M. –1

AGES

21+

ND

BUFFALO'S LARGEST KRATOM SELECTION

CBD  VAPORIZERS

DIGITAL COUPON

SCAN CODE FOR

20% off ONE GLASS ITEM MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER DISCOUNTS. PRESENT COUPON IN STORE.

ShakenDazeSmokeShop.com 716-257-8138 1380 FRENCH RD. DEPEW 14043

Shake N Daze

1929 SOUTH PARK AVE. BUFFALO 14220

5150 BROADWAY ST. DEPEW 14043