Canandaigua Town Board Weighs Temporary Cannabis Showcase Event
On May 15, 2026, local entrepreneur Ian Boni brought a proposal before the Canandaigua Town Board that would allow short‑term, state‑licensed cannabis sales at Star Cider during select summer weekends. The request, scheduled for discussion and a possible vote on May 18, hinges on New York’s Cannabis Showcase Event program, which permits licensed adult‑use dispensaries to partner with cultivators and processors for pop‑up sales in municipalities that have opted out of permanent retail cannabis operations.
What the Showcase Event Entails
According to the New York Office of Cannabis Management, a licensed dispensary such as Twisted Cannabis FLX may work with a licensed cultivator or processor to showcase and sell adult‑use cannabis products at locations away from its primary storefront. The events must be held in a self‑contained, enclosed trailer with a service window, physically separated from any alcohol‑service area. Security personnel must control entry and exit points, and staff must monitor operations throughout the event.
Only individuals aged 21 or older may enter and purchase products. Free samples are prohibited, and on‑site consumption of cannabis is not allowed; signs must clearly announce this restriction. Consumption outside the showcase area remains subject to local laws.
Permits are temporary, tied to a specific location, and allow events for a maximum of 14 consecutive days from the start date. A single site may host multiple events per calendar year, but the total number of days cannot exceed 45.
Local Context and Partnerships
Canandaigua opted out of allowing permanent retail cannabis stores when state legislation first passed, meaning businesses like Twisted Cannabis FLX currently have no legal avenue to sell within town limits. Boni’s proposal would create a temporary exception by leveraging the showcase‑event framework.
Twisted Cannabis FLX, which opened its first location in Geneva in 2024 and added a Manchester store shortly thereafter, plans to launch a third outlet in Bloomfield in early June 2026. For the showcase, Boni is partnering with Bristol Extracts, a hemp grower and processor based in the Ontario County town of Bristol.
The proposed events would take place at Star Cider, a venue already hosting alcohol service, and would be timed to coincide with summer concerts at the nearby Constellation Brands‑Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC). Boni emphasized that the initiative is designed around safety, regulation, and community standards, and would not alter existing zoning or local retail cannabis policies.
Town Officials’ Perspectives
Supervisor Don Cotter’s Comments
Canandaigua Town Supervisor Don Cotter told reporters that he has “no idea how a vote will go” but anticipates a thorough discussion. He encouraged Boni to come prepared to answer any and all questions, noting that the showcase would give the business a legal opportunity to operate in the town despite the opt‑out decision.
“Should the Town Board and state give the OK, this showcase allows him to do that,” Cotter said, adding that the temporary nature of the permit respects the community’s earlier choice while still supporting regulated cannabis commerce.
Meeting Details and Public Access
The Canandaigua Town Board will convene at 6 p.m. on May 18 in the Onnalinda Room at Town Hall, located at 5440 State Routes 5 and 20. Residents can watch the proceedings live via the Civic Clerk Agenda Management Public Portal at https://townofcanandaiguany.portal.civicclerk.com/ or join by Zoom after registering in advance at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqc-GtqTotH92PBu15q7_hCirh9kEvA6VV. Registrants will receive a confirmation email with instructions for accessing the meeting.
About the Reporting
This article draws on information provided by the New York Office of Cannabis Management, statements from Ian Boni and Town Supervisor Don Cotter, and coverage by local reporter Mike Murphy, who covers Canandaigua and Ontario County for the Messenger Post Media. Murphy’s experience reporting on municipal affairs and the evolving cannabis landscape in New York adds authority to the piece.
For the original source, see the Democrat and Chronicle story: Here
