New York is seeing green as it wades further into legalizing cannabis. Medical marijuana was legalized in 2014, and in the years since more conditions are covered, allowing more people to get their medical marijuana cards. More recently, the push for recreational legalization in New York reached a turning point in April 2021, when Governor Andrew Cuomo passed the bill to legalize recreational weed for people ages 21 and up. But, even though the use of cannabis is now legalized, sales through licensed dispensaries(new ones and existing medical marijuana ones extending their businesses) won’t occur until sometime in 2022.
Even so, both new and existing cannabis companies have made moves to set up in the Empire State, recognizing that it will become a $4.2 billion market.
Below we call out some of our top picks and innovative weed products from a variety of cannabis companies operating in New York state.
It Pays to Have a Green Thumb Growing Weed in New York
About 60 miles north of Manhattan, at the foothills of the Ramapo Mountains lies the long-shuttered Mid-Orange Correctional Facility in Warwick, New York. This is where Green Thumb Industries, one of the largest marijuana companies in America, is creating a $150 million cultivation and manufacturing site on 40 acres of former penitentiary lands.
By 2023, Green Thumb’s “cannabis campus” will start producing tens of thousands of pounds of marijuana, millions of THC-infused gummies, and vapes to fill the shelves of its dispensaries throughout New York state.
Among its different dispensary chains around the country, the $5.7 billion company runs FP Wellness in New York, with locations in Manhattan, Clifton Park, Rochester, and Nassau (coming soon). The dispensary chain prides itself on its “patient-focused approach,” served by professional cannabis pharmacists. All of its medical marijuana products are tested and approved by the New York State Department of Health for safety and quality.
Some of the products its Manhattan dispensary carries (from different suppliers) include:
Green Thumb Products
Etain 1:1 Balance Powder
This edible powder aimed at humans features equal amounts of THC and CBD, as well as Isomalt derived from beets. It may provide benefits such as pain relief and relaxation.
Columbia Care Disposable Vape
The 1:1 THC/CBD products are commonly used for, but not limited to, mild pain relief, neuropathic pain, nausea, vomiting, appetite stimulation, inflammation, anxiety, and muscle spasms.
Other Big Players in the New York Weed Market
Curaleaf is a national weed dispensary chain that has four locations in New York: Carle Place, Newburgh, Plattsburgh and Queens. It is the largest multistate operator in the country. For a long time, the company focused on providing quality cannabis for health and wellness. As well as selling fresh cured flower, it also makes quality, lab-tested cannabis products. Their cannabis grow facility supplies all of the cannabis for their innovative product lines.
Curaleaf Products
Our Curaleaf top picks:
Curaleaf WPA Ground Flower Refill
Curaleaf Ground Flower Bulk Refill Indica contains all-natural cannabis flower and cannabis plant terpenes for vaporization, with 21.35% THC and 0.125% CBD. One slow, measured inhalation lasting two seconds delivers approximately 2.5 mg of active cannabinoids with effects often occurring in 90 seconds.
Select Watermelon Squeeze
Select Squeeze allows you to instantly infuse any beverage with THC and flavor enhancements, using nanotechnology to deliver a fast zero to 15 minute onset time.
Curaleaf CPE 20:1 Liquid Concentrate
Usually taken by experienced weed users, this indica product with 90% THC is made in a process that isolates and removes cannabinoids from plant material via extraction, agitation, compression, or other methods, making the product very potent.
Verilife Products
One of the most trusted dispensary chains in New York is Verilife. It currently has locations in Albany, Liverpool, Bronx, and Onondaga counties, with a commitment to add more, especially to cater to the new, expanding recreational market when legal sales can begin.
The chain is owned by PharmaCann, one of the country’s largest vertically integrated cannabis companies, committed to producing safe, reliable, top-quality cannabis products, delivered through dispensaries in different states.
Some of our top picks sold by Verilife New York dispensaries:
Matter Green Oral Solution
This tincture with a 1:1 ratio, offers perfectly balanced THC to CBD. It’s manufactured with cannabis oil, medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), vitamins E and C derivatives.
Matter Inhale Ground Premium Cannabis Flower
The premium ground flower products are known for their strong and uplifting characteristics, while also promoting a more clear-headed experience for users. Matter takes a disciplined approach to producing some of the highest-grade medical cannabis on the market.
Matter Hybrid Cartridge
The Aqua 2:1 TXC distillate vapeis a “winning combination of cultivation and extraction that delivers a unique excipient-free oil.” Pair this formulation with Matter’s premium cartridges to ensure you enjoy delivery of the highest volume of extract with a pure smooth flavor.
You Still Need a Medical Card in New York
To buy medical marijuana from a New York dispensary, you must have a medical marijuana card.
It’s fast, easy and cost-effective to do this through HelloMD, talking to an experienced practitioner online who will answer any questions you may have.
