NY's Trusted Cannabis Voice

New York
Cannabis Reviews.

From Manhattan dispensaries to Buffalo grow-ops, we test, taste, and tell it straight. Independent reviews of New York's legal cannabis scene, strains, shops, edibles, and everything in between.

500+
Reviews Published
120
NY Dispensaries
100%
Independent
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About Us

Cannabis journalism for the new New York.

New York Cannabis Reviews Online was founded in 2023, the year recreational dispensaries finally opened their doors across the state. We're a small, independent team of writers, growers, and longtime advocates with one job: cut through the marketing and tell New Yorkers what's actually worth their money.

We don't accept pay-for-play. We don't run sponsored reviews disguised as editorial. Every product we cover is purchased anonymously at retail, tested over multiple sessions, and rated against a consistent 100-point rubric — flavor, effect, value, and consistency.

Whether you're a curious first-timer in Queens or a seasoned connoisseur in the Hudson Valley, we're here to help you find the good stuff.

JR
Jordan Reyes
Editor-in-Chief & Co-Founder
$
Bought, Not Gifted
Anonymous retail purchases
100
Point Rubric
Flavor • Effect • Value
NY
Local Focus
Empire State only
We review cannabis the way critics review restaurants — with curiosity, rigor, and zero free meals.
Where We Cover

Reviews from all five boroughs & beyond.

Our reviewers live and work across New York State — from corner bodegas in the Bronx to craft farms in the Finger Lakes. Here's where we're on the ground.

Our Coverage Area
NYC — 5 Boroughs
62 dispensaries reviewed
Long Island
14 dispensaries reviewed
Hudson Valley
18 dispensaries reviewed
Capital Region
9 dispensaries reviewed
Syracuse & CNY
7 dispensaries reviewed
Rochester
5 dispensaries reviewed
Buffalo / WNY
8 dispensaries reviewed
Finger Lakes
6 craft growers covered

Don't see your area? We're expanding monthly. Tip us off on a shop or strain we should review.

Send a Tip
Featured Articles

Reviews & reporting from our latest.

Hand-picked highlights from our review desk this month - strain breakdowns, shop visits, and the occasional rant.

View All Articles
Strain Review
94/100

Lemon Cherry Gelato from Silly Nice: Worth the Hype?

Harlem's craft brand turns out a citrus-forward indica that punches well above its $55 eighth.

Dispensary
88/100

Inside Housing Works Cannabis Co. - NYC's First Legal Shop

Two years in, the East Village pioneer is still the friendliest budtender experience in Manhattan.

Edibles
79/100

We Tasted Every NY-Legal Gummy. Here Are the Top 5.

From microdose mints to 100mg sleep chews — a blind taste test of every gummy on Empire State shelves.

Industry
99/100

The Legacy Market Isn't Going Anywhere - And That's Fine

Why NY's legal rollout still leaves room for the deli guys, and what the OCM should do about it.

Strain Review
91/100

Hudson Cannabis "Catskill Sour" - A Pine-Forward Sativa Standout

An organic, sun-grown flower that proves upstate craft can compete with anything in California.

Guide
19/100

Pastime Brands NY Debut has us wondering why they even bothered.

Sore throat from their almost flavorless AIO vape puts them #1 on our list of brands to AVOID.

FAQ

Questions, answered.

Everything readers ask us most - about our reviews, NY cannabis law, and how to actually find good product in the legal market.

Still stuck?

Email our editors directly. We answer most reader questions within 48 hours.

Contact the team →

Yes. Adult-use cannabis has been legal in New York for adults 21 and over since March 2021, and licensed recreational dispensaries began opening in late 2022. You'll need a valid government-issued ID to purchase, and consumption rules generally mirror those of tobacco - no smoking in indoor public spaces, workplaces, or vehicles.

Every product is rated against a 100-point rubric across four equally weighted categories: Flavor & Aroma, Effect & Duration, Value, and Consistency.

Each item is tested by at least two reviewers across multiple sessions before a score is published. Anything below a 70 we generally don't recommend.

Never. We don't accept paid placements, sponsored reviews, or "gifted" product in exchange for coverage. Every item we review is purchased anonymously at retail with our own money - that's the whole point.

If we ever run sponsored content (we currently don't), it will be clearly labeled and kept entirely separate from editorial reviews.

The NY Office of Cannabis Management maintains an official map of licensed retailers at cannabis.ny.gov. We also tag every dispensary review on this site by region — start with our Coverage section above.

If a shop isn't licensed, it isn't legal - even if it has a flashy storefront. Look for the "Cannabis NY" certification sticker on the door.

Adults 21+ can possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis flower or 24 grams of concentrate for personal use. Single-transaction purchase limits at licensed dispensaries follow the same caps.

Home cultivation of up to 6 plants per adult (max 12 per household) is also permitted, though local rules vary.

Absolutely - reader tips drive a big chunk of our coverage. Use the "Submit a Review" or "Send a Tip" buttons on this page, or email tips@nycannabisreviews.com. Include the product name, where you bought it, and what stood out.

We can't promise we'll review every submission, but we read every one.

Our reviews focus on the adult-use recreational market, but many products we cover are also available through NY's medical program. We are not medical professionals - if you're a patient, please consult your certifying provider about specific products and dosing.