Less than two dozen state-licensed cannabis dispensaries have opened so far in New York, including only two in the Buffalo region. Chris VanDusen, CEO of the Empire Hemp Company, said processors and farmers had expected more like 50-100, and as a result are sitting on stock.

"They need to make money," said VanDusen said. "We're all hurting pretty bad trying to get through this."

It's unclear when the next shop may open due to a court injunction barring the state Office of Cannabis Management from moving forward with any licenses that didn't meet all necessary criteria before Aug. 7.

VanDusen believes he's found a temporary alternative in the state's Cannabis Growers Showcase program.

"Otherwise, we'd be dead in the water right now. We really have limited outlets, and it really gives us an opportunity to sell product," he said.

The program allows growers and processors to partner with a retail licensee to sell products outside the store. In this case, VanDusen and others will use his Batavia CBD store for the showcase starting next week from 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday through the end of the year.

"The growers can be there if they would like, but we'll have staff on hand to help people make selections and what not, and then the sales go through Dank's POS system," VanDusen explained.

The cannabis sales will be legal under the license of Buffalo dispensary Dank. Owner Aaron Van Camp believes the pop-up could be extremely successful.

"We possibly anticipate this being even bigger than Dank for the time being based on location, parking availability, just general traffic that's there and proximity to Rochester as well," Van Camp said.

He said he has applications out for six showcases around the region and state, including in Tonawanda, Springville and Ellicottville. He says while he feels bad other dispensary applicants are in limbo, he also believes he has responsibility to make sure the industry doesn't bottom out.

"We have to keep moving for the farmers. It's like there's going to be 400 people who might be mad at us because we're making money right now and they're not. But they have to think of the 250 people who might be out of business if we don't get these open and don't get these going and don't try to put the program on our back for a brief time until things get worked out," Van Camp said.

He says he expects to hire more employees soon to help staff the various showcases.