Farm-to-table dining is a bedrock principle of the Hudson Valley’s food and beverage culture, so it only makes sense that the region’s recreational cannabis industry—led in large part by farmers themselves—would follow suit. When licensing became available last year for micro dispensaries, Stacey Shurgin and Ben Weiner, owners of Hudson Valley Jane, jumped at the opportunity to open a dispensary in Beacon.
“We’re a New York micro-licenced business with a farm in Ancram and a dispensary on Main Street in Beacon, which means we can engage in the full range of the cannabis business from cultivation to processing to retail, and allow our customers to know exactly where their cannabis comes from,” Shurgin says. “This model creates transparency about what we grow, how we grow it, and what a consumer is ultimately buying and putting into their body. We even have a live video feed of our farm inside so the store shoppers can see first hand where their cannabis is coming from.”
Shurgin and Weiner, longtime friends with a shared background in the real estate industry, began dreaming of teaming up to enter the legal recreational market not long after Shurgin purchased a farm just before the pandemic. “It was 150-acres of farmland that hadn’t been used in years, and I wanted to bring it back into farming.” Shurgin explains. “Ben was a legacy grower and when we found out that cannabis was being legalized in New York, we decided to get a cultivation license for the farm—and then the idea of starting a cannabis microbusiness felt really manageable.”
The smaller-scale microbusiness license, designed for legacy and small growers, would offer them the ability to oversee everything seed-to-shelf. “Once we got the license, we were steadfast in creating the most sustainable type of business we possibly could,” she says.
Thanks to their backgrounds, the founders tapped into a network of friends and colleagues in engineering, textile design, sustainable heating, and more—bringing Hudson Valley Jane to life from the ground up in just 13 months. The result is a revitalized working farm with a state-of-the-art greenhouse that uses geothermal loops for year-round temperature control, a rainwater capture system for irrigation, and energy-efficient lighting to support healthy plant growth.
The storefront on Main Street in Beacon continues that thoughtful design—a warm, boutique space that blends modern barn charm with upscale finishes. “We’re not your typical dispensary—it’s peaceful and thoughtfully designed,” says Shurgin. “Think wood beams, lo-fi lighting, and reclaimed wood shelves Ben built himself.”
“It’s cozy,” Weiner adds. “There’s a warmth that makes it great for those who know what they’re looking for, but also those who are exploring and want to learn.”
In terms of products, the shop offers flower, edibles, and accessories. Shurgin notes that dosing education is a passion of hers, as a “late bloomer” cannabis consumer who found that the right dose of an infused gummy could take the edge off after a long day. For those who prefer flower or pre-rolls, their “Boujee Ben” and BB collections—ironically named because Weiner is notoriously down to Earth—offers a range of strains in various potencies, meticulously cultivated to the standards of what they call “craft cannabis.”
“What we’re doing is truly a continuation of the values of the farm-to-table movement,” Shurgin says. “It’s in our ethos to maintain transparency in our agriculture and education in our shop to ensure the highest quality products and experience, from our farm to your hands.”
For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children and pets. In case of accidental ingestion or overconsumption, contact the Poison Center. Consume responsibly. Cannabis can be addictive. Cannabis can impair concentration and coordination. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of cannabis. There may be health risks associated with the consumption of this product. Cannabis is not recommended for use by persons who are pregnant or nursing. Concerned about your cannabis use? Contact the New York State HOPELine by texting “HopeNY”, calling 1-877-8-HOPENY, or visiting oasas.ny.gov/HOPELine.
This article appears in July 2025.
