Welcome to NY Cannabis – An Xperience Column

Welcome to NY Cannabis – An Xperience Column – by Ri Tokes.

Hi friends — and welcome.
I’m Ri Tokes, and I’ll be your guide through the ever-evolving world of New York cannabis.
I’ve been in this game a long time. My journey with the plant started nearly 30 years ago, when I was just 13 and living in Troy. What started as curiosity turned into the best night’s sleep I’d ever had. From that moment, cannabis wasn’t just something I used — it became something I understood.
What began on the streets — serving Hudson Valley students and locals alike — has grown into a lifelong mission: to destigmatize this plant and get it into the hands of every person who needs her, or simply wants her.
These days, I’m an independent contractor running up and down New York, working with brands I believe in and dispensaries that are doing it right. I was on the ground floor when the legal market launched. I had the honor of opening Upstate Canna for the Jaunty brand, and later became Director of Sales for Highline Brands.
I’ve watched this industry transform — from no shops to hundreds, from pipe dreams to brick-and-mortar realities. I’ve seen brands launch, rise, fall, and pivot. I’ve seen dreams come true … and I’ve seen heartbreak. But what I’ve seen most is community. A real, raw, resilient community, pushing this plant forward with love.
This column is my love letter to that — and to you.
I want to show you what’s really happening behind the scenes. I want you to feel like you’re part of this. Because you are.
Much of my recent work — both legacy and legal — has centered on health and wellness. Clients ask me:
How can I use this plant to feel better?
How can I use her to shift my energy, find balance, and make the day a little smoother?
Helping people answer those questions — that’s my specialty.
But we’re not stopping at wellness.
I’ll also be bringing you industry events, legislative updates, and commentary on what’s happening behind the curtain at OCM and beyond. There’s a lot going on that the public isn’t aware of — and I don’t just want to lift the veil. I want to rip it off and light it up.
This space is dedicated to the plant.
To cultivation. To consumption. To restoration.
To understanding how cannabis works in harmony with our bodies and our communities.
Thank you for being here. Ask your questions — all of them. Every single one deserves an answer, and I promise I’ll do my best to respond.
See you soon,
Ri