{"id":10901,"date":"2025-11-07T21:03:48","date_gmt":"2025-11-07T21:03:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cannabisindustryjournal.com\/?post_type=news_article&amp;p=37870"},"modified":"2025-11-07T21:03:48","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T21:03:48","slug":"an-msos-perspective-on-the-new-york-market","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/an-msos-perspective-on-the-new-york-market\/","title":{"rendered":"An MSO\u2019s Perspective on the New York\u00a0Market"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"wp_fb_like_button\" style=\"margin:5px 0 5px 5px;float:right;height:100px;\"><script src=\"http:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/all.js#xfbml=1\"><\/script><fb:like href=\"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/an-msos-perspective-on-the-new-york-market\/\" send=\"true\" layout=\"standard\" width=\"450\" show_faces=\"false\" font=\"arial\" action=\"like\" colorscheme=\"light\"><\/fb:like><\/div><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">At the recent<\/span> <em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Business of Cannabis<\/span><\/em> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">event in New York, Robert Sciarrone,<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-37872 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/an-msos-perspective-on-the-new-york-market.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" \/> Chief Revenue Officer at Curaleaf, shared an MSO\u2019s insider view on why he believes New York is poised to become the best cannabis market on the planet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Sciarrone began by reflecting on his early years as a cannabis-focused venture capitalist. Through his firm, Measure 8 Partners, he has deployed more than $550 million across 20-plus cannabis companies globally, including dispensaries, delivery services, and technology platforms, with investments spanning California, Arizona, Nevada, Canada, and Europe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">After joining Curaleaf two and a half years ago, recruited by Executive Chairman Boris Jordan, Sciarrone transitioned from investor to operator, now overseeing revenue across 18 states in both retail and wholesale. He admitted the operational grind has given him a new respect for the business side of cannabis<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, but emphasized<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">that passion for the plant and its customers remains the heart of the industry.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Looking back on the \u201cfreewheeling\u201d investment era of 2019, when $100 million deals were<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">being done<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">daily, Sciarrone contrasted that speculative period with today\u2019s market. \u201cCalifornia\u2019s day is over,\u201d he declared, suggesting that the West Coast market\u2019s oversaturation and regulatory struggles have created space for New York to lead. With its cultural influence, economic strength, and growing consumer sophistication, Sciarrone believes New York can set the standard for how cannabis culture and business shape the global industry.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As a born-and-raised New Yorker, Sciarrone expressed deep pride in being part of that evolution: \u201cIt\u2019s my passion to be here and watch this market unfold.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Curaleaf\u2019s Early Bet on New York<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Sciarrone highlighted Curaleaf\u2019s early commitment to the New York medical market. The company was among the first Registered Organizations (ROs) to invest heavily in infrastructure, opening four medical dispensaries and building a state-of-the-art cultivation facility in Ravena, just south of Albany, in 2018. \u201cIt\u2019s one of the nicest cultivation centers I\u2019ve seen,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201c<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">he said, noting that Curaleaf \u201cbelieved in New York early.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">However, as the state prepared to transition to adult-use, Sciarrone recalled a divide that formed between corporate medical operators and new entrants under the CAURD program. \u201cThe market<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">was divided<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, and it never should have been,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201c<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">he said. Fragmentation, he argued, weakened the industry\u2019s collective voice at a time when it needed to work together to navigate taxes, regulations, and constant policy changes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Today, Sciarrone sees signs of progress. \u201cThe market is starting<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">to slowly come together<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201c<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">he said, adding that Curaleaf\u2019s approach in New York<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">is focused<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">on wholesale partnerships with other retailers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">He also acknowledged that Curaleaf had to<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">earn back<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">credibility<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">on<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">product quality.<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cWhen I came in, Curaleaf didn\u2019t have a lot. People probably remember that our product quality was lacking,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201c<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">he admitted. Like many MSOs in the early days, Curaleaf had relied on scale and storefronts to drive sales. But as the market matured, so did the company\u2019s mindset. \u201cWe\u2019ve had to think critically about our brands, about what we\u2019re putting in the jar\u2014the genetics, the nose, the story,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201c<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Sciarrone said.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h4><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cWe\u2019ve had a complete 180 in Curaleaf\u2019s journey, and it started with our efforts in New York.\u201d<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As operators unite around shared goals of keeping stores open, expanding access, and stabilizing supply, Sciarrone said New York\u2019s cannabis industry is beginning to find its footing. He believes collaboration between the different groups has made it one of the fastest-growing and healthiest markets in the country.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cIf we stay the path,\u201d he concluded, \u201cNew York will be the biggest cannabis economy in the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Potential of New York Brands<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Sciarrone also shared his perspective on the potential of New York cannabis brands. He noted that while West Coast brands<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">were once expected<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">to dominate, consumer preferences differ by region. New Yorkers are proud of their local products, and homegrown brands have a strong story that resonates with consumers, budtenders, and store owners.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cCalifornia brands have cachet, but we have our own stories to tell in New York,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201c<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">he said.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">While the consistency and quality of California brands give them an advantage in some markets, Sciarrone believes that as New York cultivators and operators collaborate, local brands will thrive. He highlighted that formulated products, such as edibles and beverages, may be one area where California brands see success, but in flower, New York brands have the edge.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cThe more that cultivators open up their doors for brand partnerships, the more opportunity there is for some really great brands to merge, and we will see true New York brands make a run at it,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201c<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">he said.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Track and Trace, the Illicit Market, and the Path Forward<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Sciarrone also addressed the upcoming New York track-and-trace system, expected to be implemented in early 2026. He sees it as a crucial step for a fair and regulated market. \u201cAnybody operating in New York or any regulated market should be operating with a license,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201c<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">he said. Without track and trace, unlicensed operators have easy access to the market, avoiding taxes and regulations, which undermines legitimate businesses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The system, he explained, will provide relief to licensed operators, including microbusinesses, microprocessors, and outdoor farms, by helping them move products more efficiently and transparently. It will also give consumers confidence in the origin and safety of the cannabis they purchase. While he acknowledges that some will try to work around the system, he emphasized that track and trace is a necessary step toward maintaining a healthy, fair, and thriving market.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cListen, it\u2019s a step in the right direction,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201c<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">he said. \u201cIt will help us keep a really great economy going and prevent giving people a free swing in the market.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Price Compression and Market Equilibrium<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">On the topic of pricing, Sciarrone noted that predicting supply and demand in New York is<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">challengin<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">g<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The market is growing rapidly, but price compression is a reality in a sector where cannabis prices are not regulated. \u201cPrice is going to come down,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201c<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">he said, and any market that expects stable high prices has never existed because supply, investment, and competition constantly influence it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">He emphasized the importance of building confidence among local operators. Micro and outdoor farms in New York are producing good-quality products.<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As the local supply base stabilizes without<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">too much<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">out-of-state competition, operators may feel more comfortable investing in cultivation and expanding capacity.<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cWe\u2019re hopeful that people will see it as investable,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201c<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">he said. Curaleaf itself continues to invest carefully, weighing expansion decisions against market uncertainty.<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Stabilization of supply<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, he believes,<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">will ultimately support a healthier, long-term market.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Hemp Equation<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Sciarrone also addressed the emerging hemp space, where Curaleaf has begun experimenting with beverages and a small retail presence in Florida. While he does not oversee the hemp business directly, he emphasized its significance and complexity. The hemp market has reached $30 billion in value, growing faster than the regulated cannabis channel. It is widely available in convenience stores and major retailers, which means it is attracting new consumers who might otherwise enter the regulated market.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cThe hemp channel is stealing our new customers,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201c<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Sciarrone said.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Many consumers who are trying cannabis for the first time are turning to hemp beverages and edibles instead of licensed dispensaries.<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Large<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">investments and<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">strong<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">lobbying by farmers have accelerated this growth, creating a reality that<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">cannot simply be legislated away<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Sciarrone believes that the regulated and hemp industries will eventually converge, whether through national or state-level licensing. Curaleaf\u2019s strategy is to understand the hemp market while protecting the regulated channel, where its distribution assets and customer relationships reside. \u201cWe will fight to make sure we protect the regulated channel,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201c<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">he said, noting that brand work and product development, particularly in beverages, are ongoing priorities to maintain market share.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled\">\n<div class=\"robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-icon-text sd-sharing\">\n<h3 class=\"sd-title\">Share this:<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At the recent Business of Cannabis event in New York, Robert Sciarrone, Chief Revenue Officer at Curaleaf, shared an MSO\u2019s insider view on why he believes New York is poised to become the best cannabis market on the planet. Sciarrone began by reflecting on his early years as a cannabis-focused venture capitalist. Through his firm, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5062,10802,9290,8469,9,8569,50,8504,8471,8472,6845,1,3,8734,61,1736],"tags":[5063,10816,9295,8491,8591,2630,8530,8493,8494,6846,8739],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10901"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10901"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10901\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10901"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10901"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10901"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}