Who We Are
The Castetter Cannabis Group is an advisory firm that helps small and medium-sized businesses make well informed strategic decisions in entering and planning for long-term success in the New York cannabis industry.
OUR STORY:
Jim Castetter & Kaelan Castetter
circa 1998
It starts with hemp wine in 1997.
Jim Castetter founded the first hemp infused wine, Hemp Wine America, in 1997. The company enjoyed break-out success, with distribution from coast-to-coast. After two years of success, the federal government repealed his label approval citing the use of the word "hemp".
In 2015, Kaelan Castetter, Jim’s son, began exploring the legality of bringing hemp wine back to the market. He was also met with steep opposition from federal agencies. Undeterred, the duo successfully proved to New York State that according to the DEA's own rulings, non-psychoactive hemp ingredients were allowed in alcohol.
In 2017, the wine hit shelves once again and their company was awarded New York's first processing license.
New York strives to become a national leader.
In 2015, Assemblymember Donna Lupardo (D-123) recognized the potential of hemp and moved to create the Industrial Hemp Pilot Program. As one of the State's first hemp operations, Kaelan and Jim worked closely with Lupardo to help cultivate a vision of the Empire State becoming a global leader for hemp.
To help businesses, regulators, professional services providers, and the public understand the constantly changing regulatory environment - the Castetter Cannabis Group was formed.
Our small but experienced team has quickly become a leader in ensuring fair policy was implemented, working closely with lawmakers, regulators, and the Governor's Office.
In 2019, we became founding members of the New York Cannabis Growers & Processors Association (now CANY), a powerful voice in Albany on hemp and adult-use legalization.
Leading the Way.
Using our knowledge of the market, regulations, and the cannabis culture; we have become a trusted source of expertise for policymakers, entrepreneurs, and the community.
The Castetter Cannabis Group strongly believes in helping to solve the knowledge gap through our weekly newsletter, thought leadership in the media, publishing policy reports, and advisement of New York's industry leaders.
