On January 11th, the third annual Empire State Cannabis Cup brought nearly 500 cannabis enthusiasts, growers, and advocates together at the historic Clocktower Building on 31 Prospect Street in Amsterdam, New York. The event featured a dynamic lineup of educational booths, vendors, and innovators, all celebrating the progress of New York’s cannabis industry.
Organizers Robert Tambasco and Michelle Taylor have been instrumental in the event’s success and the broader growth of the local cannabis community. Robert, who started Yankee Seeds and an influential Facebook group several years ago, reflected on how his passion project has blossomed into a massive movement. Michelle provided insight into the competition, explaining the meticulous submission and judging process for the three categories: indoor flower, outdoor flower, and edibles. She personally handled the samples, ensuring every entry met the highest standards.
At the event, Mike Cohen from Kaycha Labs explained how every submission was tested for THC and terpene profiles, with extra points awarded for the highest ratings. Judges received packets containing samples, rolling papers, and instructions for using the Tetragram app, a popular, cannabis journaling tool created by Otha Smith, with support from CTO Julius Moore. The app replaced paper ballots used in previous years, allowing for a seamless, electronic judging process. Otha, who was on-site to assist, shared how the app helps patients track strains and their effects to better understand what works best for their needs.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Kevin Mercucio of Chronicle Gardens Educational Institute, who highlighted the importance of cannabis education. Alongside co-founder Matt Moller, Kevin teaches classes on everything from living soil to cloning. Chronicle Gardens also operates a retail space on the Clocktower’s first floor, offering Yankee Seeds, Tree Leaf soil blends (crafted with local compost and worm castings), grow gear, and products supporting local farmers. Kevin emphasized their mission to provide the cleanest and most sustainable products, with Kaycha Labs playing a key role in quality assurance.
The event was a showcase of New York’s thriving cannabis scene, with every contest entry grown and processed using state seeds and soil. I met inspiring entrepreneurs like Brandon Kolano, Kerry Smith, and Brian Brennan from Hashtag Honey, who introduced their stylish and innovative “Happier Meal” holiday gift set product line. Ryan Goodwin of The New York Nursery impressed me with his expertise in cultivation and cloning, while Rose Fera of Goldfinch Farms in Amsterdam wowed the crowd with fragrant flower and stunning display.
One of the most touching moments came when “Jonny Applekush” won second place for outdoor-grown cannabis with a strain gifted to him by the family of his late best friend, Jacob. Jonny shared that he grew the plant with love and dedicated the win to Jacob’s memory, leaving the audience in tears.
Outdoor Flower Winners:
1st: Rock City Farms with Dynamite Diesel
2nd: Jonny Applekush with GG1
3rd: Joe Porn with Joe Porn/Yankee Seed
Indoor Flower Winners
1st: Okie with Blicky
2nd: R&K with Death Star 2.0
3rd: Tork’d with Sour #7
Edibles Winner:
1st: Noelle and Frank Falvo
2nd: MILF
3rd: Steve Dilig
Frank Falvo, a former medical cannabis pharmacist, who was forced into the traditional pharmacy sector, highlighted the challenges facing the medical cannabis industry due to the state level legalization of recreational use. Federally, cannabis is still a Schedule I substance and the regulation is left up to the state. He’s working to pass two bills: A4713, which would require NYS health insurance plans to cover medical cannabis, and A10001, aimed at educating medical professionals to reduce stigma around cannabis use. Frank told me he will be going to Albany on March 11th to speak on the matter and invited everyone to come to the capitol that day to show support for cannabis law reform.
Robert Tambasco sees a renaissance for Amsterdam, citing its favorable real estate market, rich farmland, and industrious community. He believes the city is poised to become a hub for New York’s cannabis industry.
As I spoke with attendees and organizers, their passion and dedication were undeniable. Whether it was teaching about soil, sharing innovative products, or advocating for change, their energy was infectious. Cannabis is more than a plant—it’s a connection, a sacred medicine, and a movement.
If you haven’t already, make plans to visit Amsterdam and see the incredible things happening here. Stop by the store at the Clocktower Building and tell “High Kev” and Matt that Penny sent you! I also need to mention some of the largest sponsors of the event. Grove Bags sponsorship was crucial to the success of the event along with Kaycha Labs, R&K Gardens, Hashtag Honey, and several others. I want to thank Michelle Taylor for the VIP treatment and for educating me on not only the event but the industry in NYS and as a whole.
All the best,
Penny Piper
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