Darryl Hilkert of High Points Dispensary joined the FLX Morning Podcast this week for his monthly cannabis industry segment, walking listeners through the growing world of cannabis brands — and what shoppers in the Finger Lakes should know before walking through the door.
High Points Dispensary, located at the Finger Lakes Geneva Plaza on Route 5&20 — directly across from the radio station — is approaching its tenth month in business and has grown to carry over 70 brands from more than 40 vendors. Hilkert said roughly 150 brands have sought shelf space since opening, and the field is still sorting itself out. “It’s going to take a couple of years for everybody to get settled in, see who makes it and who doesn’t,” he said.
Unlike beer or coffee, where consumers often have strong brand loyalty, most cannabis shoppers in New York are still getting acquainted with what’s available. Hilkert said the majority of brands carried at High Points are locally produced, with many cultivators and processors operating within 10 miles of Geneva. While larger national multi-state operators (MSOs) are entering New York, they must partner with a state-licensed cultivator, processor, or retailer to legally sell here — meaning even big names come through local channels.
New York’s regulatory framework requires rigorous testing of every product from seed to sale, including screening for heavy metals and pesticides, along with batch numbers, lot numbers, expiration dates, and sealed packaging. “By the time you purchase it from our store, you’re going to get a good, clean, safe product,” Hilkert said, comparing the traceability to pharmaceutical standards.
Hilkert also addressed common misconceptions, including the idea that higher THC percentages automatically mean a better product. He noted that everyone’s body reacts differently — particularly with edibles — and that New York uses a 10-milligram baseline dosage unit for consumables as a starting point for new users.
For first-time visitors, the store operates much like a doctor’s office check-in: customers show ID at the door, are welcomed onto the floor, and can browse at their own pace or work with one of at least three staff members on duty. “We just kind of pick your brain a little bit,” Hilkert said, explaining that staff help narrow options based on what effect or experience a customer is looking for.
More information is available at highpointsdispensary.net.