In this Damien Cornwell interview, CANY President and Just Breathe founder lays out how his path—from college courses to UPS logistics and social entrepreneurship—prepared him for cannabis leadership. Conducted on May 15, 2025, by Josh Kasoff, the discussion covers his educational background, career pivots, community work, and CANY’s roadmap for equity and growth. Key takeaways […]
It’s been 4 years since passing the MRTA is more than a milestone—it’s a chance to measure progress and chart next steps for New York’s cannabis industry. Assemblymember John Zaccaro Jr. and CANY President Damien Cornwell mark MRTA’s fourth anniversary by spotlighting where the law has succeeded—and where it still falls short. Read the full […]
The cannabis industry brink in New York is upon us, warns CANY President Damien Cornwell in a recent Times Union op-ed. Despite over 400 dispensaries and $200 million in tax revenue since legalization, social-equity operators face an existential threat unless funding and enforcement gaps are addressed immediately. Read the full Times Union op-ed → https://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/pull-new-york-s-legal-cannabis-industry-back-brink-20217297.php […]
A new New York cannabis budget blueprint could inject more than $10 million into the struggling legal market. City & State reports that both Senate and Assembly one-house bills earmark cash for farmers, software and workforce training—welcome news for cultivators still sitting on unsold flower. Read the full City & State article → https://www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2025/03/legislature-proposes-spending-millions-help-legal-cannabis-industry/403729/ Where […]
In a market dominated by multistate giants, Silly Nice cannabis proves that mission-driven, minority-owned brands can still break through. Founded by Harlem native and Army veteran LeVar Thomas, Silly Nice is now stocked in more than 90 dispensaries across New York, including Just Breathe in Binghamton and Sacred Bloom in Vestal. Read the full Pipe […]
On WETM-TV’s Talk of the Tiers, CANY president Damien Cornwell breaks down how the emerging market can work for everyone. The segment digs into licensing delays, supply-chain gaps and why talk of the tiers cannabis policies matter for growers and retailers alike. Watch the full Talk of the Tiers segment → https://www.mytwintiers.com/twin-tiers-features/talk-of-the-tiers/talk-of-the-tiers-damien-cornwell/ Key insights from […]