BATAVIA, N.Y. — Local cannabis growers are looking for ways to get products out to consumers
On Tuesday, Western New York had its first cannabis growers showcase in Batavia.
Several local cultivators, Empire Hemp and Dank, the first CAURD licensed dispensary in Buffalo teamed up to host what's called a cannabis growers showcase (CGS).
The showcase allows growers to sell their products out of pop-up shops in areas where dispensaries don't exist quite yet.
With so few dispensaries open statewide, it has been tough for cultivators like Mike Casacci of House of Sacci to make ends meet.
"And get a chance to meet the community every single day in a location like this in Batavia that doesn’t already have a store anywhere nearby and give them a chance to meet some of the cultivators and to check out some of our products," Casacci said.
The State Office of Cannabis Management proposed the showcase structure as a lifeline according to Empire Hemp Co. CEO Chris VanDusen.
Eight cultivators or processors like Empire Hemp Co. which makes cannabis gummies will take part in the Batavia showcase.
"We partnered with all of them and seven other cultivators to bring their products in to be able to sell it in a dispensary style atmosphere which makes it really great for consumers to come in and buy safe, legal tested cannabis products," said VanDusen.
Empire Hemp will continue to operate this pop-up through the end of the year. It will operate Tuesday through Saturday from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. at its location on Main Street in Batavia.