State fairs are the ideal place for an honest conversation about cannabis

Herb Barbot (Courtesy photo)

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For the first time in its nearly 200-year history, The Great New York State Fair will have a place dedicated to cannabis consumers and the rapidly growing industry that serves them.

Almost one million people attended the fair last year, making it one of the largest public gatherings in the state. There is simply no better place to engage New Yorkers from every region in a necessary and ongoing conversation about cannabis consumer safety, responsible use and the importance of supporting New York’s regulated cannabis marketplace.

And that’s why the Empire State Green Standard Alliance is proud to become the first cannabis consumer advocacy organization to ever host a booth at the Fair.

What the New York State Fair can do for New York cannabis

The New York State Fair has always been where New Yorkers come together to celebrate agriculture, innovation, small businesses and the industries that shape our state’s future.

Cannabis is now one of those industries. Millions of New Yorkers consume legal cannabis. Sales exceeded $1.7 billion last year and are off to a record start in 2026. But many important concerns and questions remain as the industry matures.

To be clear, having an advocacy booth isn’t about encouraging cannabis use. It’s about ensuring that adults who do choose to consume cannabis have access to accurate, fact-based information that helps them make informed decisions. It’s also ensuring the legal industry is highlighted and emphasized in the face of illicit competition.

To that end, throughout the Fair, we’ll be speaking with consumers about product testing, labeling, responsible consumption, and how to identify products sold through New York’s regulated cannabis market. We’ll also be inviting consumers to join our organization, free of charge, so they can help shape the future of cannabis policy and consumer protections in our state.

What can be done about the illicit cannabis market?

This effort comes at an important moment for New York.

While the legal cannabis industry continues to mature, too many consumers remain confused about what’s legal, what’s safe, and how to distinguish regulated products from those sold through the illicit market. At the same time, hundreds of licensed cultivators, processors, manufacturers, and dispensaries have invested millions of dollars to comply with some of the nation’s strictest regulations.

Consumer education is one of the most effective ways to strengthen confidence in the legal marketplace while helping consumers make safer purchasing decisions.

Where does the cannabis consumer belong in the cannabis industry?

For too long, cannabis policy has been discussed primarily through the lenses of politics, business, and criminal justice. Missing from many of those conversations has been the consumer.

Just as organizations advocate for patients, homeowners, veterans, and taxpayers, cannabis consumers deserve an independent voice dedicated to protecting their interests. That’s the mission of the Empire State Green Standard Alliance: to advance consumer safety, education, transparency, and fair public policy for all New Yorkers.

We’re also inviting New York’s licensed cannabis businesses to become part of this historic effort. Cultivators, processors, brands, dispensaries, and ancillary businesses can support the booth by providing educational materials, promotional items, or sponsorships that will help us reach thousands of Fair attendees.

This is an opportunity for the legal industry to demonstrate its commitment to public education, responsible business practices, and consumer trust.

Making New York cannabis history

History isn’t always made inside the halls of government. Sometimes it happens where everyday people gather.

This summer, inside the Horticulture Building, we hope hundreds of thousands of Fair visitors stop by our booth, ask questions, challenge assumptions and leave with a better understanding of New York’s legal cannabis market.

That’s what public education is all about.

And that’s why becoming the first cannabis consumer advocacy organization in the history of the Great New York State Fair is more than a milestone for our organization—it’s a milestone for New York’s cannabis consumers.

Herb Barbot chairs the Empire State Green Standard Alliance (GSA), a New York statewide organization dedicated to protecting and empowering cannabis consumers. He previously served as director of operations at the New York State Office of Cannabis Management and as deputy commissioner at the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. He is also the host of the Joint Session podcast, where he explores cannabis policy, regulation and industry trends.