NECANN Founder Shepard Shifts Focus Back to Northeast Markets

Marc Shepard, who built the New England Cannabis Convention (NECANN) into one of the region's most established cannabis trade shows, is refocusing on Northeast markets as state-level policy battles intensify across the corridor.

The NECANN founder told High Times that current fights over licensing, home cultivation, and market access in states like New York and Connecticut echo the grassroots advocacy work that preceded adult-use legalization in Massachusetts and Maine. "We're seeing the same patterns play out," Shepard said, pointing to how local operators struggle against multi-state operators for market share.

Shepar founded NECANN in 2014, before any Northeast state had legalized adult-use cannabis. The expo series grew alongside the region's emerging legal markets, hosting events across New England and Mid-Atlantic states. At its peak, NECANN drew thousands of attendees and hundreds of vendors to convention centers in Boston, Portland, and Providence.

The Regional Approach

Unlike national cannabis conferences that focus on institutional investors and multi-state operators, NECANN positioned itself as a platform for local entrepreneurs and community advocates. That model reflected the Northeast's regulatory landscape—states like Massachusetts and Maine built their frameworks around social equity applicants and small business protections, at least on paper.

But implementation hasn't matched the promise. Massachusetts operators have faced years-long licensing delays, while Maine's market remains largely local despite strong cultivation capacity. New York's rollout has been plagued by legal challenges and slow store openings. Connecticut just opened its first adult-use dispensaries in 2023 after voters approved legalization in 2021.

Shepard argues these struggles make regional organizing more important, not less. "The MSOs [multi-state operators] have the resources to wait out regulatory delays," he noted. "Local operators don't."

What's Next for Northeast Cannabis

The Northeast cannabis market represents over $4 billion in combined annual sales across Massachusetts, Maine, New Jersey, and New York, according to data from cannabis analytics firm BDSA. But that revenue is increasingly concentrated among larger operators with access to capital.

Social equity programs—designed to prioritize communities harmed by cannabis prohibition—have struggled to translate into actual market participation. In Massachusetts, social equity applicants still represent less than 20% of licensed retailers despite making up the majority of initial applications. New York's licensing process has been tied up in court challenges from out-of-state operators.

Shepard's renewed focus on local markets comes as some industry observers question whether state-by-state legalization can deliver on promises of equity and local ownership. Federal rescheduling could change market dynamics dramatically, potentially opening interstate commerce and consolidating operations.

For now, though, the fight remains local—and Shepard says that's where NECANN has always worked best. The convention series continues to host events across the Northeast, connecting cultivators, processors, and retailers who might otherwise lack access to industry networks.

---

This article is based on original reporting by hightimes.com.