Why New York Cannabis Should Be New York Grown: Local Weed, Safer Buds, Stronger Communities

Written by Shannon Riley, co-owner of All Good Cannabis, a Veteran and female-owned dispensary in Flatbush, Brooklyn.

Introduction: Why This Conversation Matters Now

New York’s cannabis industry was built on the promise of safe, tested, local weed—and I firmly believe and advocate for Cannabis consumption be rooted in the same values as the farm-to-table food movement. At All Good, we call it “flower-to-people.” We believe the cannabis you smoke should be grown just like the food you eat: locally, ethically, and transparently. Supporting small, regional growers isn’t just better for the environment—it’s better for the economy, for equity, and for quality.

At All Good Cannabis, we believe cannabis should be traceable, tested, and grown right here in New York. We’re a Brooklyn-born, veteran- and female-owned dispensary that works exclusively with local farms we’ve seen and trust. If you can’t show the grow, we won’t sell it. That’s our promise to our customers and our community.

I’m Shannon Riley, co-owner of All Good Cannabis, and I wrote this to speak directly to the people who care about where their cannabis comes from. This isn’t just business for us—it’s personal. We’re here to protect our community, support local farmers, and preserve what New York’s cannabis culture was always meant to be.

What the New York Times and Others Are Reporting

According to an April 2025 New York Times investigation written by Ashley Southall, New York regulators are actively investigating some of the country’s largest cannabis brands for illegally selling marijuana grown out of state. Among those being investigated are Stiiizy, Grön, Mfused, Waahoo, and others. These brands are suspected of laundering cannabis through a Long Island processor, Omnium Canna, allowing them to sidestep New York’s regulations and safety protocols. All Good has not and will never carry these brands in our store. All Good maintains strict vetting policies for each and every brand we bring into our store. It’s the All Good Guarantee: Good Plants, Good People, Good Life.

Farm to Table Isn’t Just for Food — It’s for Flower

We’ve embraced local food for years. Now it’s time to think the same way about weed. Just like a tomato tastes better when it’s grown close to home, cannabis is completely different when you know where it came from, how it was grown, and who grew it. And that it didn’t travel 1000 miles to reach your bong.

Farm-to-table principles matter in cannabis. Shorter transport routes mean fresher bud, fewer emissions, and less packaging waste. And when you know your grower, you’re part of something real that contributes to our local New York State and City and community’s economy —not just another transaction in a billion-dollar supply chain from a failing state’s Cannabis industry.

The “If You Can’t Show It, We Won’t Sell It” Policy at All Good

All Good has not and will never carry brands who bring in out of state cannabis in our store. And trust us, they have tried! All Good maintains strict vetting policies for each and every brand we bring in. It’s the All Good Guarantee: Good Plants, Good People, Good Life.

At All Good, we don’t play guessing games when it comes to sourcing. Every brand on our shelves has to prove its roots. We meet the farmers. We see the flower. We walk the grow. If we can’t verify where it came from, we don’t put it on our menu.

Our customers trust us to curate safe, clean, legal cannabis grown right here in New York. That’s why we don’t sell products from brands that are all marketing and smoke and mirrors. If you can’t show the grow, we won’t sell it.

Supporting New York Farms Is Supporting New York Families

Behind every eighth we sell is a New York farmer putting in real work. These aren’t faceless corporations—they’re family operations, community growers, legacy cultivators, and small businesses hustling to build something lasting in this new legal market.

When you shop at All Good, your dollars go directly back to New York soil—to people we know, trust, and respect. You’re helping parents pay rent, supporting regenerative agriculture, and keeping this industry rooted in the communities that deserve it most.

Conclusion: Keep It Local. Keep It Honest. Keep It New York.

We’re at a crossroads in New York cannabis. Big brands and Multi-State Operations from out of state are moving in fast—and they’re cutting corners while claiming shelf space that should go to local, legal, tested growers. The result? Inversion, lost trust, and small farms left behind.

At All Good Cannabis, we’re proud to stay local, stay loud, and stay honest. We’ve never carried the brands under investigation—and we never will. We believe New Yorkers deserve cannabis grown here, by people who care. We don’t sell what we haven’t seen. We don’t partner with brands that don’t play by the rules. Let’s all work together to preserve the New York industry and prevent it from turning into a playground for outsider multi-state operators looking to cash in without putting roots down.

Support your local family owned dispensary. Ask where your flower comes from. Choose New York-grown. Together, we can build a cannabis culture that’s strong, proud, and rooted in New York culture.