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 Talk of the Tiers cannabis discussion
- Balance the supply chain. Cornwell argues New York approved farms faster than storefronts, leaving growers with unsold inventory and forcing discount fire-sales.
- Enforcement plus education. “If we ignore illegal storefronts, legal shops can’t compete—but enforcement must come with business-development support,” he said.
- Capital access lags. Traditional lenders still treat cannabis as high-risk; Cornwell calls for a revolving Cannabis Development Fund with low-interest loans and grants.
- Chamber of Commerce coming. A statewide cannabis chamber will give small operators “one loud voice in Albany” on taxation and zoning.
Why Talk of the Tiers matters for NY cannabis
Black and Brown entrepreneurs remain under-represented, even though New York’s law reserves 50 % of licenses for equity applicants. Cornwell notes that a truly balanced industry must:
- Open retail, processing and distribution at the same pace as cultivation.
- Funnel at least 40 % of tax revenue back into equity grants—mirroring the MRTA’s intent.
- Protect farmers with track-and-trace tech that keeps illicit inventory out of licensed shops.
“Without synchronization, one tier gets crushed while another thrives. Alignment is equity.” — Damien Cornwell
Next steps lawmakers should consider
- Fast-track retail licenses where zoning is already approved.
- Fund Cornell ILR’s Workforce Initiative to train budtenders and lab techs statewide.
- Launch the Cannabis Chamber before the 2026 legislative session to centralize advocacy.