Farmers Choice New Paltz wins 2026 Cannabis Dispensary of the Year

Farmers Choice’s New Paltz flagship was named 2026 Cannabis Dispensary of the Year by the Consumer Ratings Institute, spotlighting a Hudson Valley store built around farm-stand style design and community education. The award underscores how the 9,000-square-foot location is aiming to redefine cannabis retail in New York.

Why it matters: - The award recognizes a Hudson Valley dispensary model that leans into local identity, education and nontraditional retail design. - Farmers Choice says the New Paltz flagship is meant to feel more like a farmer's market than a standard cannabis store. - The recognition could strengthen the brand's position in New York's adult-use market as consumers look for more experiential retail.

What happened: - Farmers Choice was named the 2026 Cannabis Dispensary of the Year by the Consumer Ratings Institute. - The honor centers on the brand's New Paltz flagship in New Paltz, N.Y. - The store spans 9,000 square feet. - The location was designed with Mercury Project Design. - The company unveiled the store's full story on its website.

The details: - The flagship replaces the traditional jewelry-store look common in cannabis retail with an open, farmer's-market-inspired layout. - The space features natural wood finishes and artificial turf flooring. - A signature barn shop is built into the experience. - A full-sized vintage tractor anchors the store as a reference to the region's agricultural roots. - The store includes dedicated “Grow Your Own” and “Apothecary” sections. - Farmers Choice says those sections support community education and local authenticity. - Creative Director Sharif Jamal led the store's creative direction and worked with Mercury Project Design on the architecture and fixtures. - Jamal said the goal was to build a store that feels like “a Saturday at a farm stand,” and credited New Paltz customers for shaping the final result. - Michael Benincasa, chief creative officer at Mercury Project Design, said the collaboration pushed the boundaries of traditional cannabis retail and helped translate Farmers Choice's local brand identity into the store. - The New Paltz store serves the Hudson Valley alongside Farmers Choice's Fishkill location. - The brand says its team of Farm Hands leads hands-on customer education and focuses on local sourcing transparency.

Between the lines: - The award highlights a broader retail trend in cannabis: stores are competing on experience, not just product selection. - Farmers Choice is using design, local symbolism and education to differentiate itself in a crowded category. - The emphasis on agricultural imagery and community roots gives the brand a more regional identity than a standard dispensary format.

What's next: - Farmers Choice is likely to keep using its New Paltz flagship as a reference point for the brand's retail strategy. - The company will continue operating its New Paltz and Fishkill stores under New York State Office of Cannabis Management adult-use retail licenses. - Customers must be 21 or older and present a valid government-issued photo ID.