Farmers Choice Named Cannabis Dispensary of the Year 2026

Farmers Choice has achieved a significant milestone this year. Our New Paltz store was named Cannabis Dispensary of the Year 2026 by the Consumer Ratings Institute (CRI).

The recognition comes down to the approach that has made us stand out from other cannabis dispensaries in the region. Despite the win, we honestly were not chasing an award. We were just trying to build a store we would actually want to shop at.

We Wanted a Farm Stand Dispensary Model

If you have been in the cannabis space for some time now, you probably know that most dispensaries end up feeling the same.

Most of them have locked glass cases, dim lighting, and products that you can look at but never touch.

We didn't want that. New Paltz was our chance to build something closer to a Saturday morning at a real farm stand. We've got wood everywhere, honest signs, room to walk around, and actually look at things instead of pointing through glass.

So that's what we did. The products came out from behind the counter. The tractor and the barn also indicate where we are and who we're building this for.

We worked with the team at Mercury Project Design on the whole thing. Jeffrey Clark led the architecture side, Zuzanna Morgowicz, Lana Zaderetska, and Alexis Krenzel handled design, Katie Blaski did the graphics, and Michael Benincasa oversaw it all as Chief Creative Officer.

Fabrication came from McRae Imaging. Nine thousand square feet later, we had a store that feels a lot more like a market that everybody wants to shop from.

Beyond the Look: Grow Your Own and the Apothecary

While the farm stand design is what people notice first, that's really only half of it.

We built two dedicated sections into the New Paltz store: a "Grow Your Own" area and an "Apothecary," so there's room for people to actually learn something while they're here, instead of just grabbing what they came for and leaving.

That's where our Farm Hands come in, too. You can ask about how a strain was grown or where a product came from, and you'll get a straight answer. We wanted transparency to be baked into how the store works, and not just something we say in a mission statement.

If you like reading before you shop, our guide to your first dispensary visit and our terpenes guide cover the same ground the Farm Hands walk people through at the counter.

The Team Behind the Award

Awards like this never come down to one person. Our Creative Director, Sharif Jamal, drove the vision on our end and worked closely with the Mercury team to keep the farmer's market idea consistent everywhere, down to the smallest fixture.

Benincasa put it well:

Collaborating with Sharif Jamal was an inspiring creative journey that allowed us to push the boundaries of traditional cannabis retail and bring his unique vision to life. It was a privilege to partner with such a forward-thinking client to develop a brand identity that authentically reflects the local spirit and "farmer's market" essence of Farmer's Choice.

The CRI title is not the only nod we've gotten either. We also picked up a Business Excellence recognition from CRI and landed on the 2026 list for The 1% Award.

But honestly, what means more to us is watching regulars bring their friends just to show off the tractor, or hang around chatting with our Farm Hands about a new grower.

Rooted Here, and Not Going Anywhere

New Paltz was always meant to be the flagship, and it's shaped how we think about our Fishkill store, too.

Both locations carry lab-tested products from licensed New York growers, a staff that explains more than it sells, and a shopping experience that doesn't feel rushed. The shelves run the full spread, from flower and pre-rolls to edibles, beverages, and concentrates.

We're proud of what New Paltz turned into, and even more so that it's connecting with people outside our own regulars.

You'll find the barn at 1 Old Route 299, right where Route 299 meets NYS Thruway Exit 18, open every day from 8AM to 10PM. Browse the New Paltz menu before you drive over, or just come by. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID showing you're 21 or older.

If you haven't come by to see the tractor yet, stop in. Our Farm Hands would love to show you around.