Cannabi$ Expo Shows Breadth of Industry

Since being legalized for medicinal use in 2016 and recreational use in 2021, the cannabis industry in New York State has expanded rapidly into a billion-dollar industry.

The expanse of the field was put on full display at the 2024 Hamptons Cannabis Expo, held on the Shinnecock Territory on Thursday afternoon, August 1. 

Local residents and those in the cannabis industry flocked to Little Beach Harvest, the state-of-the-art dispensary on Montauk Highway on August 1 for a day of exhibitors, food and drink, and panel discussions at the seventh annual edition of the event.

It featured multiple cannabis-related businesses from across Long Island and New York State, whose proprietors talked to eventgoers about their products, offered a selection of products to sell and were able to connect with other businesspeople in the industry.

But the vendors set up in the front parking lot of Little Beach Harvest weren’t all specifically cannabis-related businesses. One of the noncannabis vendors there was Jen Stock, who has run the company Jen Stock Jewelry for 23 years.

The Lynbrook-based Stock makes what she calls “mindful jewelry,” her brand of spiritually themed jewelry that can be worn by both men and women. She also sells a series of soft bags, including pouch bags and sash bags.

Stock said that she has sold her products at cannabis-related events for many years now, but this was her first time set up on the East End. She noted that she enjoys the energy at events like the expo and getting to sell what she makes.

“I love what I make, and I’m always appreciative when somebody else likes it, too,” said Stock. “And it’s always fun to come to events like this.”

The event also featured a series of panel discussions focusing on brand success in New York and the role of psychedelics in the industry. The panels were highlighted by the appearance of Tremaine S. Wright, the chairwoman of the New York State Office of Cannabis Management.

The event was the brainchild of Gary Bierfriend, who has put together the expo for the past seven years. Bierfriend, who works as an attorney in New York and New Jersey, explained that he got involved in the cannabis industry when it became legalized for medicinal use in New York and he became enthralled with its benefits for both medicinal and recreational use.

“Around that time when cannabis became legal, I said, ‘Well, this is transformational for society and economics,’” he said. “I also felt that the plant was a better recreational alternative than alcohol or anything else that people have used, and that it was better for medical and wellness alternatives.”

Bierfriend described running the expo as a “passion project” for him to be able to connect with and help others connect with people in the cannabis industry, something that he’s taken pride in.