New York’s Cannabis Growers Face Challenges and Benefits
The cannabis industry in New York is growing, but it’s not without its challenges. Small marijuana producers are struggling to navigate the market and comply with changing state regulations. According to Zach Sarkis, director of operations at G-Flower, a small marijuana farm in the Finger Lakes Region, the new Seed-to-Sale tracking system is a major concern.
The system, which is expected to launch in early 2026, will track cannabis plants from seed to sale, reducing the risk of unregulated products entering the market. However, Sarkis argues that the system will increase costs for small producers, who will have to purchase RFID tags for each plant at a cost of at least a nickel.
Sarkis, who is also the president of the New York Craft Association, a non-profit that advocates for craft cannabis producers, believes that the state needs to offer rebates for small businesses and craft marijuana producers to support them. He fears that if they don’t come together and advocate for their interests, they will be driven out of business.
G-Flower grows marijuana on a half-acre of an organic vegetable farm, which is the other half of their business. Sarkis believes that the cannabis crop has helped to diversify their farm and has even helped to subsidize some of the vegetable production.
However, the industry is also facing challenges from large operators who were growing medical marijuana prior to the legalization of recreational marijuana. These operators have a leg up on the market and are able to produce high-volume, low-cost products, making it difficult for small producers to compete.
Sarkis also alleges that illegal marijuana is being brought in from other states and sold in New York dispensaries at a lower cost, which doesn’t reflect the true cost of production.
Despite these challenges, some farmers are finding success in the industry. Allan Gandelman, owner of Florist Farms in Cortland, said that cannabis has brought agricultural challenges, but it has also brought benefits. Florist Farms has a specific license to research and develop different varieties of cannabis that perform well in the state’s climate.
Gandelman believes that cannabis has kept his farm alive, and he is grateful for the opportunity to diversify his crops. He also notes that the federal designation of cannabis as an illegal Schedule I drug is a major challenge, making it difficult to access capital and other resources.
Overall, the cannabis industry in New York is facing many challenges, but some farmers are finding success and are optimistic about the future. Time will tell.
