Gotham and Cultivated Media Successfully Launch ‘The Highrise’

On January 29th 2026, Gotham and Cultivated Media combined forces in NYC to launch The Highrise, a semi-annual salon (Google it. Nothing to do with hair!) designed to elevate the discourse amongst those who live and breathe the New York legal cannabis market.

When I first saw the two logos on the new event series’ website (shoutout to Madi at Trailblaze for always keeping me in the loop), I knew there would be a hell of an RSVP list and some bright minds in the room with green hearts. Gotham has become one of the City’s cannabis retail/delivery leaders and a creative marketing powerhouse. And in 2025, Cultivated Media emerged as the source where I get the majority of my cannabis industry news—that email is always opened when it hits my inbox.

The event was moderated by Jeremy Berke, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Cultivated Media, and Joanne Wilson, Founder & CEO of Gotham. The evening’s sessions were designed to move beyond predictable talking points — challenging assumptions, fostering camaraderie, and pushing the cannabis conversation into new territories. The night featured expert and passionate voices, and they were certainly candid.

The Greene Space (aka The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space) in Soho was the perfect venue for the night’s programming. New York City’s Public Radio’s (WNYC) street-level event space and broadcast studio is outfitted nicely for well-lit and well-mic’d panel discussions, and even a flawless streaming of the keynote speaker, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, into the conversation live from D.C.

Jeremy Berke led a powerful discussion with the Senator that explored rescheduling, banking reform, interstate commerce, and how federal shifts could reshape New York’s industry’s rollout. I can tell that she’s one of the real ones in Congress who has made an effort to understand the struggles that this new, growing constituency of business owners experiences.

“At its core, this conversation is about the future of our country’s economy, the health, the social equity, and public safety,” said Senator Gillibrand, “The American people have made themselves clear: most Americans support full legalization on a federal level. Unfortunately, Washington is always behind the eight ball and continues to drag their feet in getting anything done to do this one thing. Unfortunately, Washington has been unwilling to do the work that’s necessary. It’s creating confusion and disparities across all levels of government, as well as for our small businesses, our entrepreneurs, and Americans in general.”

Victorine Deych of Voice of the Plant and Dr. Ben Caplan, Chief Medical Officer at CED Clinic spoke on the “Science & Research: Advancing Medical and Consumer Understanding track. I appreciated the effort to have these two different voices, one focused on the medical research of the plant and the other on how that information can translate to the consumer.

“I find that all markets, recreational or even medicinal, everything is driven by THC percentage; however, that’s not an absolute, “said Deych, “When I look at the dispensary menu, a brand will mention their strain name, and then they’ll list all the various terpenes that are in it, but they are not listing the percentages of that, and they’re not explaining how that affects.”

I had seen Dr. Caplan speak at events prior, and I know how hungry he is to unlock another level of understanding of cannabis molecular science. “Look at the American culture right now,” said Dr. Caplan, “17.4 million people are consuming cannabis daily, as opposed to alcohol, which is lower than that. More people are consuming cannabis now, we’ve got to learn about these people, talk to them, and share what we are learning with the politicians.”

Tony Repanich, the CEO of Shield Bank, and Carter Lewis of Aquinnah Capital, spoke with Dan Frommer about “Making Cannabis Investable Again”. It was meant to explore the renegades and outliers currently investing and lending in the space right now, but not surprisingly, there wasn’t much for the guests to discuss in that regard. We wouldn’t need to search out the outliers if this country would finally deschedule the plant fully.

The continuing education we experienced in the studio was on point. The moments between the various panels were full of networking with others who are committed to the growth of cannabis in New York and the world. At the busy and buzzing after-party, Gotham CEO Joanne Wilson sat down with me for an interview.

What led you to create The Highrise? Why are events like this important?

In my prior life, I built a conference called the Women’s Entrepreneur Festival, which was a niche space at the time—women in tech. It became a true community builder, and I saw firsthand how powerful it is when people gather around a shared mission.

When I entered the cannabis industry, I went to a few existing events and thought, this isn’t elevating the conversation. Cannabis is shaping a new economy, and it deserves a platform that reflects that.

We need higher-level discussions—about research, banking, regulation, and the realities of operating in this space. We also need intimate rooms where operators, founders, and leaders can connect meaningfully and move the industry forward together.

That’s why I started The Highrise.

Why is it important that the rest of the world starts paying attention to this industry?

Unless you’re in it, people don’t understand how complex this business really is—state-by-state rules, heavy taxation, and constant regulatory hurdles. It’s incredibly challenging.

The more we educate, collaborate, and bring these conversations into mainstream culture, the stronger and more sustainable the industry becomes. Honestly, it’s the only way we rise up and get what we need as an industry.

If the tech industry were handcuffed the way cannabis is, they would’ve all walked away. That bubble never would’ve existed.

What are your thoughts on rescheduling, especially in relation to medical research?

Rescheduling should happen, 100%.

The narrative around cannabis has been shaped by decades of misinformation. It was weaponized to keep Black and Brown men incarcerated. That’s the foundation we’re dealing with.

Meanwhile, countries like Israel have continued massive research into this plant, which is incredibly complex and has real healing potential. It could help reduce reliance on pharmaceuticals that are literally destroying communities.

Rescheduling isn’t just about medical studies—it’s about education, access to capital, and empowering retailers to serve consumers responsibly with accurate information.

It also creates space to continue addressing social equity. The communities most impacted by prohibition should have the opportunity to help shape the industry’s future.

Gotham has expanded into lifestyle products beyond cannabis. Will we see more of that in 2026?

Absolutely. We’re building a brand, and that requires going beyond our four walls.

Creating lifestyle products and smoking accessories allows us to meet consumers in new ways—through ritual, design, and everyday objects that feel intentional. It helps normalize cannabis by placing it within a broader cultural and aesthetic context.

Gotham isn’t just a dispensary. We’re a design-forward retail experience rooted in New York culture. Expanding into lifestyle reinforces that positioning.

Are there any upcoming Gotham-branded products you can share?

We’re continuing to explore cannabis-adjacent accessories—grinders, pipes, bongs, stash bags—products people use every day, reimagined through Gotham’s lens of quality and design. It’s about elevating the essentials and enhancing the consumption ritual. 

Any predictions for New York cannabis in 2026?

The market will continue to consolidate. Unfortunately, some businesses won’t survive, which is difficult to witness in an industry built with so much intention.

New York set out to build a socially conscious framework, which is admirable. The challenge has been implementation at scale.

Long-term, I remain skeptical but optimistic. Federal legalization would provide meaningful relief, but even without it, the brands that prioritize creativity and community will endure.

New York is resilient. The cannabis industry will be, too.