New York’s legal cannabis market is still writing its origin story. Licenses are rolling out, retailers are finding their footing, and brands are fighting to stand out in one of the most scrutinized adult-use markets in the country.
On March 13, the New York Cannabis Retail Association (NYCRA) is betting that progress won’t come from isolation—it’ll come from proximity.
The organization’s Fourth Annual Industry Event takes place at The Chocolate Factory in Brooklyn from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., bringing licensed retailers and brands together in the same room, face-to-face, where deals actually happen.
A Retailer-Centered Market Moment
For Britni Tantalo, president of NYCRA, the distinction this year is intentional.
“For me, this is more than just an event, it’s where business gets done. This isn’t a crowded trade show with 80–90 brands fighting for attention. This year’s event is curated and intentional. Brands like Dank and To The Moon are gearing up to make a major impact, joined by a powerful lineup of respected operators and influential voices from across the cannabis community. And of course, we can’t overlook High Times as our trusted media partner. Having High Times as part of this event adds tremendous value and credibility, amplifying the impact and strengthening what we’re building for the community.”
NYCRA projects more than 1,500 attendees this year, up from the 1,200 who showed up on one of last year’s coldest days. The guest list isn’t built for spectacle—it’s built for transactions: retailers, buyers, brand founders, and decision-makers looking to expand product lines and secure shelf space.
That distinction matters in New York, where retail operators are navigating regulatory hurdles, supply inconsistencies, and tight margins. A curated room carries a different weight than a convention hall.
Culture, Not Just Commerce
Jayson Tantalo, a longtime retailer with three decades in the game, frames the event in cultural terms.
“I want to talk about culture and what it truly means to be a cannabis retailer in New York. For me, this culture is personal. I’ve been doing this full-time for 30 years. Back in the day, success meant understanding the product and, more importantly, understanding the people. Access and relationships were everything, at least where I come from!”
He continued: “To be honest, that same principle still applies today. It’s critical that we connect, build with one another, and learn about each other’s businesses and brands. By strengthening those relationships, we can elevate the industry together and intentionally shape what legal cannabis culture in New York will look like for years to come”.
New York’s adult-use market is new on paper, but the culture behind it isn’t. Many operators come from legacy roots. Others are first-time licensees navigating compliance in real time. Events like this attempt to bridge that divide.
Jayson is direct about what national visibility represents for a still-developing market.
“The collaboration between the New York Cannabis Retail Association and High Times is a game-changer for the New York cannabis industry. This partnership puts New York cannabis front and center, exactly where it belongs. It creates powerful opportunities for our market to be showcased, amplified, and finally given the recognition it truly deserves.
He goes on to add, “High Times represents 50 years of cannabis excellence, culture, credibility, and nostalgia. It’s an iconic voice that has helped shape the industry nationwide. Meanwhile, the New York Cannabis Retail Association is built by and for licensed retail operators who are actively shaping the legal cannabis landscape right here in New York. Together, this partnership is more than collaboration; it’s history in the making. It gives us the opportunity to write our state’s legal cannabis story, elevate our operators, and solidify New York’s place in the future of the cannabis industry.”
In a state often compared to California, Michigan, or Colorado, national amplification can shift perceptions. It signals that New York isn’t just catching up, but it’s finally organizing.
What Retailers Can Expect
According to NYCRA, the March 13 event will allow retailers to connect directly with emerging and established brands, negotiate product placements, discover new launches, and build longer-term partnerships.
With more than 300 members statewide, NYCRA positions the gathering as a strategic checkpoint for operators looking to scale in 2026.
The association’s message is simple: collaboration over competition.
The Bigger Picture
Trade shows are easy to dismiss. They’re loud. They’re crowded. They’re often transactional in the most surface-level way.
What NYCRA is attempting is narrower and more focused: a room built specifically for New York’s licensed retail ecosystem to define itself on its own terms.
Whether that room becomes a turning point or just another calendar date will depend on what happens after March 13. Deals signed are one thing. Culture built is another.
For retailers serious about shaping the state’s next chapter, this is where the conversation moves from group chat to handshake.
Registration for the Fourth Annual Industry Event is available here.
Photos courtesy of NYCRA
