New York’s cannabis farmers are finally seeing the fruits of their years-long push for legal recognition and market access.

The Cannabliss in the Catskills festival, happening July 26 and 27 at Maple Shade Farm, will bring together more than two dozen small-scale growers, advocates, and community members for a celebration of New York’s growing cannabis industry. The two-day event marks a significant milestone for farmers who were once left with no legal way to sell their crops.

One of those cultivators is Joanne Kudrewicz, CEO of Ravens View Genetics and a former nurse, who received a conditional license in August 2022. But despite the state’s legalization rollout, Kudrewicz—along with many others—has had to wait more than two years to see progress on her application for a permanent license from the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM).

“In the first two years, when there were no dispensaries open and we were all growing a lot of weed with no place to sell it, we got very involved with advocacy and lobbying,” Kudrewicz said. “It was my committee that worked with the OCM to get the cannabis growers showcases mounted in 2023… this just seemed like a no-brainer.”

Her advocacy helped shape early solutions like the state-run cannabis farmers’ markets. Now, with the legal market expanding, organizers see the upcoming festival as both a celebration and a platform for education.

According to OCM, total retail cannabis sales have surpassed $1.7 billion, with adult-use sales increasing for five consecutive months. Dispensaries averaged $3.75 million in annualized sales this May—evidence of strong consumer demand and improved access. Since the start of 2025, OCM has issued 221 adult-use cultivator licenses.

But for Kudrewicz, it’s not just about business. “I come from healthcare,” she said. “What’s exciting about cannabis is that it’s a plant medicine… I always say this should be for New Yorkers, by New Yorkers.”

For more on the festival and the farmers behind it, visit the website for CannaBLISS in the Catskills.

Check out some of the coverage that has been done for 13Investigates: