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New York marijuana officials have announced that they have begun accepting applications from licensed dispensaries that want to host temporary cannabis farmers’ markets and pop-up events.
The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) on Monday launched the application process for what the state is calling “Cannabis Showcase Events.”
“Cannabis Showcase Events expand opportunity within New York’s regulated market in a thoughtful and deliberate way while keeping the guardrails firmly in place,” John Kagia, OCM’s acting executive director, said in a press release. “These events allow licensed retailers, cultivators, and processors to meet consumers where they are, at community markets and pop-ups—while maintaining strict safety standards, age restrictions, and local oversight. This is about creating flexibility for businesses while preserving public health safeguards and local authority.”
The launch follows the enactment of legislation signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) last year that built on an existing showcase program that was first created in 2023. The state Cannabis Control Board (CCB) adopted regulations for the events program that is now rolling out last May.
“The Cannabis Control Board’s responsibility is to ensure that new business opportunities are implemented with clarity and consistency,” CCB Chairperson Jessica Garcia said. “Cannabis Showcase Events allow licensees to take advantage of the summer season while maintaining strong public health standards, and the Board is grateful for stakeholder input throughout the regulatory process.”
Under state rules, cannabis events are limited to people over 21 years of age and need to have written approval from local officials; advanced application submission to OCM and compliance with distance requirements from schools, places of worship and designated public youth facilities. Organizers must also submit safety, security and incident reporting plans.
On-site marijuana consumption is not allowed, nor are free samples or giveaways of cannabis products.
Sales at events can only be conducted by the licensed retailer that holds the event permit, while cultivators and processors that participate can showcase products without selling anything directly to attendees or providing samples.
Cannabis events can last for up to 14 consecutive days under the rules, with each venue limited to hosting events no more than 45 days during a calendar year.
In March, the governor marked the five-year anniversary of adult-use marijuana legalization in New York, highlighting $3.3 billion in retail sales, the opening of more than 600 licensed cannabis shops and achievements in promoting social equity in the industry while taking steps to mitigate the illicit market.
In January, meanwhile, New York officials released a set of reports providing a 2025 end-of-year status update on the evolution of the state’s medical and adult-use marijuana markets—touting record sales, revenue hauls for state coffers, licensing approvals, equity initiatives and more.
The OCM annual report also notes that Hochul signed legislation into law that expands the state’s medical cannabis program by improving patient access and “updating the program framework to better meet patient needs statewide.”
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Meanwhile, New York senators recently approved a bill related to reciprocity for out-of-state medical marijuana patients and the availability of pre-rolled joints in the medical cannabis market—even though the state has already enacted those reforms separately.
In February, the sponsor of the bill separately introduced legislation that would allow New York liquor and wine stores to obtain a permit to sell low-dose cannabis-infused drinks at their businesses.
Also, the governor recently signed legislation into law that revises zoning requirements for licensed marijuana businesses, granting more flexibility to retailers located within certain distances of schools and places of worship.
Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 25-year veteran in the cannabis and drug law reform movement, he covers the policy, politics, science and culture of marijuana, psychedelics and other substances. He previously reported for Forbes, Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and was given the Hunter S. Thompson Media Award by NORML and has been named Journalist of the Year by Americans for Safe Access. As an activist, Tom founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority and handled media relations, campaigns and lobbying for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.
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