A Note to CANY Members: As the administration prepares to potentially reclassify cannabis to Schedule III, the implications for our industry—specifically regarding Internal Revenue Code §280E—are profound. However, relief may not be automatic for past years. Our partners at Bowers Accountants & Advisors have prepared the following urgent guidance regarding “Protective Refund Claims.” We urge […]
OCM has extended the retail inventory deadline to Jan 12 following pressure from CANY. It’s a vital win for the holiday season, but the fight isn’t over. The supply chain still faces a Dec 17 cliff, and we have discovered a hidden “vertical tax” in the Metrc system that quadruples compliance costs for small businesses. Read about the Metrc monopoly and take action. […]
New York’s cannabis market has topped $2 billion in sales, but many small businesses are being left behind. In his latest piece, CANY President Damien Cornwell calls on state leaders to fulfill the promise of legalization by delivering real support, stable leadership, and clear rules for equity operators. From chaotic system rollouts to confusing regulations, […]
The Cannabis Association of New York (CANY) teamed up with BioTrack to deliver a free, in-depth webinar on rolling out seed-to-sale compliance in New York State. Whether you’re a cultivator, processor, or retailer, this session unpacks the step-by-step implementation, from inventory tagging through invoicing, with Q&A from our experts. What You’ll Learn […]
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 […]