NEW PALTZ, N. Y. -- New York made history with legal cannabis sales at an adults-only farmers market in Ulster County to help address the surplus that many marijuana growers are dealing with.
This is not your typical farmers market. A showcase market for cannabis growers has opened in New Paltz, New York; and until there is a regular dispensary available locally to sell those products, the showcase market will continue to be open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday under tents in a parking lot behind Village Hall. This event is the first of its kind in New York, and judging by its success, more are likely to follow elsewhere around the state.
Rick Weissman, founder and owner of High Falls Canna and High Falls Hemp, who organized the weekly event, said there were some advantages to kicking off the legal sale of marijuana products in the state this way. "This provides a chance for our customers to get to know us, and for us to get to know our customers", Weissman said. "By contrast, when producers send their products to a dispensary, only the dispensary workers have the same direct contact with customers.”
On Friday, a state Supreme Court justice extended a temporary restraining order barring the issuing of new cannabis dispensary licenses for at least another two weeks. Meanwhile, products already being grown in anticipation of sales to the public have piled up, and the state authorized the weekly sales to start in New Paltz. In addition to pre-rolled cigarettes and marijuana flowers, vape cartridges, edibles, drink products, and topical ointments can also be sold at the market. Kevin Brumley of High Falls Hemp said a number of CBD products are also available at the market, as shoppers over the weekend perused items at his stand touted to help with sleep and stress, reduce inflammation, and improve mobility.
New Paltz Mayor Tim Rogers noted by spreading the event out over several days each week, the village could avoid causing congestion. "There's a good steady flow of visitors, but its not too overwhelming", Rogers said Saturday. New Paltz's Cannabis Growers Showcase is held from 4-8 p. m. Thursday-Friday and 1-8 p. m. Saturday.
