The Revelry Buyers’ Club cannabis industry trade show wrapped its third year in New York’s Hudson Valley, set in the quiet charm of farm country and lush greenery. The event pulsed with passion and gritty entrepreneurship. OGs shared favorite strains, sun-bitten farmers hawked their flower, extractors showcased their craftsmanship, and out-of-state brands brought hard-earned experience to a growing but volatile New York market. Across the board, brand founders were focused on making connections and finding ways to stand out.
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New York’s legal cannabis market has grown significantly over the past year, with more licensed retailers and brands entering the space. As competition increases, many of the entrepreneurs are still finding their footing. But the entrepreneurs who show up for Revelry aren’t just here for the hype; they’re in the trenches. They’re the grit-and-grind type: growers, makers, and risk-takers with their hands in the soil and their sights on staying relevant. While challenges remain, the event carried a sense of shared purpose and mutual support, reminding everyone that collaboration over competition is necessary for all boats to rise.
Craft and Concentrates Lead the Charge in New York’s Evolving Market
There was a noticeable uptick in rosin and resin products compared to last year’s show, signaling a consumer shift toward higher-quality, solventless options. Exhibitors included a balanced mix of established out-of-state brands known for their extraction expertise and New York’s own craft producers, each bringing their twist to the market.
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Colorado-based Olio, recognized for its premium concentrates, is steadily gaining traction in the New York market with its cold-cure live rosin gummies and vape cartridges. Dime Industries, a California vape brand, used its booth to highlight proprietary hardware specifically engineered for rosin and resin concentrates as a way to differentiate itself in a saturated vape category. Among the local offerings, MFNY stood out as one of the favorites. According to Headset data, MFNY’s sales figures in concentrates remain robust, indicating a strong foothold in this segment.
Also generating buzz was newcomer Alibi, a female-led craft grow originally from Oregon’s extremely competitive cannabis landscape. Co-founded by Marianne Cursetjee, Alibi is entering the New York market with a line of premium flower and concentrates. The brand partnered with Nanticoke Farms and debuted with infused prerolls with standout strains like Caramel Cream, Cherry Diesel, and Dream Star.
Small Craft Farmers Band Together at Revelry Buyers’ Club
The newly formed New York Craft Association made its debut at Revelry, aiming to rally support for small-scale cultivators and processors operating under micro licenses. The organization’s mission is to give craft operators a strong voice and a fighting chance in a rapidly evolving market.
“We’re up against large companies and big money from out of state. So, we’re banding together to share resources and best practices to help us compete in the rapidly growing marketplace,” said Cody Koch, owner of Forest Flower Cannabis, and one of the association’s founding members.
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One of the group’s first priorities is advocating for dedicated shelf space in dispensaries for New York’s craft cannabis brands.
“Otherwise, it’s not immediately clear to consumers which products are craft-grown,” Koch explained. “We want to educate consumers on the value of locally grown, small-batch cannabis and help our brands stand out in stores.”
Fluent Opens Its Operations To Other Brands
At the show was Fluent CEO Robert Beasley, whose company operates vertically integrated cannabis businesses in Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, and now New York, following the acquisition of medical operator Etain in 2024. Beasley was in attendance to spotlight Fluent’s newly launched wholesale division, Entourage, which he described as the growth engine for their New York strategy.
“Entourage is distinct and separate from our retail program, with different staffing and resources,” Beasley explained. “Production and cultivation are allocated specifically for Entourage, rather than our dispensaries.”
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Under current New York regulations, Registered Organizations (ROs) like Fluent are limited to just four retail locations, making wholesale a key revenue lever. Fluent’s three-part model includes the wholesale of its in-house brands, bulk flower sales for manufacturing partners, and white labeling for emerging or existing brands that want to scale without the heavy investment in infrastructure.
Fluent is preparing to officially open its new 50,000-square-foot cultivation and manufacturing facility in Buffalo this June. Several brand partnerships are already lined up, with additional leasing opportunities available—an appealing option for the many bootstrapped entrepreneurs eager to break into the market without massive overhead.
The Fight to Protect New York’s Legal Cannabis Market
Despite the enthusiasm around New York’s legal cannabis industry, businesses continue to face significant challenges from regulations, bad actors, competition, and market saturation.
A recent report revealed that the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is conducting a major investigation into possible supply chain violations. The agency ordered licensed dispensaries to quarantine approximately $10 million worth of products suspected of being made with cannabis sourced from outside New York’s legal system. Among the brands named were national players like Stiiizy and Mfused.
Stiiizy, in particular, has long faced accusations of maintaining a presence in the illicit market. Their products have been widely available for years through unlicensed storefronts and underground delivery services. And yet, despite ongoing concerns, the OCM granted them a brand license to operate within the legal market, a move that has sparked frustration among local operators.
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For small businesses already operating on razor-thin margins, the introduction of inexpensive, out-of-state oil-based products is a disruption to the supply chain and the New York cannabis economy. These underpriced products undermine the investments made by compliant cultivators and manufacturers committed to meeting New York’s strict regulatory standards. More importantly, this illegal activity can jeopardize consumer safety by bypassing testing protocols and quality controls.
“It can be challenging to see some of the brands from other states come into New York with questionable operating ethics and practices and still get prime placement on shelves in licensed stores,” said Natalia Kaminskaya, co-founder of MFNY. “We’re really excited about the future of New York cannabis and proud to be one of the brands helping to shape the industry.”
“A thriving ecosystem…”
As New York’s cannabis industry navigates growing pains, shifting regulations, and fierce competition, events like Revelry remain critical for building the connections and momentum needed to move forward.
Kaminskaya attributes Revelry Buyers’ Club’s success to having built the cannabis community in New York before adult-use was even legal.
“Now we have a thriving ecosystem of brands and retailers that will continue to evolve with regulations and consumer buying behaviors,” she concluded.