NEW YORK — Fresh produce isn’t the only thing shoppers may find at some New York farmers markets. Licensed cannabis businesses can now sell marijuana products at approved pop-up events, including farmers markets, under a new law signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
The legislation allows licensed cannabis microbusinesses and dispensaries to sell at approved community events, expanding the number of places where consumers can purchase regulated cannabis products.
Hochul said the law supports small businesses and advances one of the state’s fastest-growing industries.
“This new law gives licensed microbusinesses and dispensaries a real chance to succeed in New York’s legal cannabis market,” Hochul said. “By opening the door for legal operators to sell at approved community events and farmer’s markets, we are putting small entrepreneurs on a level playing field, expanding consumer access to safer, regulated products and strengthening one of New York’s fastest-growing industries.”
A 2025 state report found 54% of New York adults use cannabis for nonmedical reasons, while 30% reported using it for both medical and nonmedical reasons.
New York legalized recreational marijuana in 2021.
“Cannabis microbusinesses are often small farms without big marketing budgets or easy access to retail markets. Showcase events, like farm markets, give these small businesses a perfect way to reach consumers with their homegrown products,” said state Sen. Michelle Hinchey, D-N.Y.
The expansion comes as new federal data shows marijuana use is becoming increasingly common among Americans, along with an increase in cannabis use disorder.
For the first time, more Americans report using marijuana on a daily or near-daily basis than drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes, according to newly released data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
About 21.4 million Americans ages 12 and older reported using marijuana daily or almost daily in 2025. That compares with 17.2 million who reported drinking alcohol every day or nearly every day and 19.9 million who reported regularly smoking cigarettes.
Marijuana use and cannabis use disorder have also increased among adults.
The 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found marijuana remains the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States. About 21.2% of Americans ages 12 and older, roughly 61.6 million people, reported using marijuana in the past year.
That’s up from 19%, or 53.2 million people, in 2021. The increase was driven largely by adults ages 26 and older, whose past-year marijuana use increased from 17.3%, or 38.2 million people, in 2021 to 20.6%, or 47.2 million people, in 2025.
