The town of Canandaigua prohibited the legal sale of cannabis within its borders when it opted out of state legislation several years ago, but what about temporary pop-up sales of products?
Ian Boni, owner of Twisted Rail Brewing Co. and Twisted Cannabis FLX, wants the town to sign off on allowing state-approved Cannabis Showcase Events at Star Cider in Canandaigua on select weekends and coinciding with summer concerts at nearby Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center, or CMAC.
Members of the Canandaigua Town Board are expected to discuss and may vote on Boni’s request May 18.
Canandaigua Town Supervisor Don Cotter said he has no idea how a vote will go, but expects a thorough discussion.
“I’ve encouraged Ian to come prepared to answer any and all questions, and we’ll see how it goes,” Cotter said.
Designed around safety, regulation and community standards, the proposed showcase brings New York agriculture, tourism and licensed cannabis together in a professionally managed environment, Boni said in a text.
The proposed events are not intended to alter existing zoning or local retail cannabis policies within the town.
“You’re not allowing a permanent retail cannabis store,” Boni said.
What are the rules for a Cannabis Showcase Event?
Here’s what the state has to say about Cannabis Showcase Events, applications for which opened in early May.
According to the state Office of Cannabis Management, licensed adult-use dispensaries like Twisted Cannabis FLX are allowed to partner with licensed cultivators and processors to showcase and sell adult-use cannabis products at locations away from the licensed dispensary premises at pop-up events and places like farmers markets and public markets.
Twisted Cannabis FLX is partnering with Bristol Extracts, which is a hemp grower and processor in the Ontario County town of Bristol, Boni said.
A municipality, including those like the town of Canandaigua that have opted out of allowing retail cannabis operations, must approve the showcase events. Even then, the state office also must sign off on the application.
Permits are temporary, are specific for the approved location, and only allow for events to occur at the approved location for a maximum of 14 consecutive days from the start date of the permit, according to the state office. A location may be used for more than one event per calendar year but cannot be used for more than 45 days per calendar year.
Following New York’s Cannabis Showcase Event rules
Boni said all the regulations will be followed.
A self-contained, enclosed trailer with service window will be used and will be physically separated from alcohol service areas at the cidery, Boni said. The state requires the conrol of entry and exit points with security personnel and staff monitoring operations.
Only those 21 and older would be allowed to enter and purchase products. No free samples would be allowed.
Consumption of cannabis within the showcase event area is prohibited and signs must be posted announcing this prohibition. Consumption of cannabis outside the event area is governed by local laws.
Twisted Cannabis opened its first location in Geneva in 2024 and just opened a location in Manchester. Boni expects a third store to open in Bloomfield in early June.
Evidently, the showcase allows towns that made the opt-out decision to temporarily bypass that decision, said Cotter, noting that Boni otherwise has no opportunity to sell in the town.
Should the Town Board and state give the OK, “This showcase allows him to do that,” Cotter said.
Canandaigua Town Board to meet
The Canandaigua Town Board meets at 6 p.m. May 18 in the Onnalinda Room at Town Hall, 5440 sae Routes 5 and 20.
To livestream this meeting, visit the Civic Clerk Agenda Management Public Portalat https://townofcanandaiguany.portal.civicclerk.com/. To join by Zoom, register in advance of this meeting by following this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqc-GtqTotH92PBu15q7_hCirh9kEvA6VV. Afterregistering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. He can be reached at mmurphy@messengerpostmedia.com. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Canandaigua considers cannabis pop-up events, despite opt-out
Reporting by Mike Murphy, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
