The Empire State’s adult-use cannabis market delivered another compelling month of data in August 2026. Powered by Lit Alerts’ proprietary weighted index, which integrates estimated unit sales, total dollar volume, share of retail shelf, active distribution points, and promotional discount frequency, the latest Brand Power Rankings showcase a market defined by two distinct forces: entrenched local dominance at the absolute top, and an aggressive push from multi-state powerhouses in the upper-middle ranks.
Comparing August 2026 directly against July 2026 reveals that while the apex of the market remains frozen, national brands with deep capital and massive consumer recognition are mounting systematic campaigns to claim top-tier shelf space in New York dispensaries.
The Top Tier Fortress: Six Local Pioneers Remain Untouchable
For the second consecutive month, the top flight of the New York market demonstrated astonishing stability. In July, industry observers noted an unprecedented freeze across the top of the board, and August extended that trend at the very peak. An impressive six out of the top six brands held their exact positions, refusing to yield a single inch of market share:
An extraordinary 8 out of the top 10 brands held their exact positions from the prior month without shifting a single spot. The top six market anchors remained completely frozen:
ayrloom maintained its long-standing reign at #1, continuing to set the benchmark for multi-category distribution and brand loyalty across New York.
Florist Farms comfortably defended the #2 spot, anchoring its position as one of the state’s most reliable high-volume flower and pre-roll suppliers.
Off Hours held firmly onto #3, cementing its status in the top tier following its breakout performance earlier in the summer.
Jaunty (#4), Ruby Farms (#5), and MFNY (#6) all held perfectly static, proving that early-mover advantages and deeply rooted dispensary relationships continue to protect these local champions from short-term market fluctuations.
Lower down in the top ten, however, minor friction appeared. Revert Cannabis pulled off a +2 spot gain to reach #7 (up from #9 in July), while MSO giant Rythm (GTI) edged up +1 spot to break into the Top 10 at #10 (up from #11 in July). This upward push nudged Fernway down a single position to #11, showing that even top-ten mainstays must continuously optimize velocity to avoid being bumped out of the premier tier.
The National Giants Charge: Stiiizy and Jeeter Accelerate Upward
While the top six remained locked, the single most significant trend in August was the powerful, multi-month surge executed by two national powerhouses: Stiiizy and Jeeter.
Both brands entered the New York market with immense West Coast brand equity, sleek proprietary hardware, and specialized product formats (pod-based vapes for Stiiizy and infused pre-rolls for Jeeter). After spending early 2026 building out state-compliant distribution and securing key retail partnerships, both powerhouses are now reaping the rewards of scaled operations:
Stiiizy Knocks on the Top 10 Door: Following a massive +5 spot leap in July (rising from #19 to #14), Stiiizy continued its relentless march upward in August, climbing another +3 spots to reach #12. Stiiizy’s momentum highlights the power of hardware loyalty and high brand recognition among vape consumers. With its current trajectory, Stiiizy is now poised to challenge the long-standing local dominance of the top ten in the very near future.
Jeeter Gains Momentum in the Mid-Tier: Pre-roll juggernaut Jeeter executed a parallel charge, leaping +3 spots to reach #23 (up from #27 in July). Jeeter’s rise underscores the growing consumer appetite in New York for high-potency, flavor-forward infused pre-rolls backed by high-visibility retail displays and aggressive promotional marketing.
The steady ascent of both Stiiizy and Jeeter signals a broader market shift: as dispensary menu capacity expands across New York, national players with proven marketing playbooks and streamlined supply chains are successfully converting casual consumers into brand loyalists, putting intense pressure on regional mid-tier brands.
Mid-Tier Fireworks: Huge Comebacks and Volatility
Outside of the national brand push, the mid-tier rankings (positions 25 through 45) experienced sharp adjustments as retail buyers rebalanced their menus heading into late summer:
The Botanist (Canopy USA) Leads the Climbers: After dropping -3 spots to #40 in July, The Botanist staged the single biggest recovery on the entire board, rocketing an astounding +9 spots to land at #31. This massive rebound indicates a major distribution expansion or promotional campaign across licensed storefronts.
House of Sacci Continues Its Rise: Boutique cultivator House of Sacci built on its July momentum (+4 spots), climbing another +6 spots in August to reach #40.
Bodega Boyz Validates Market Staying Power: Cultural favorite Bodega Boyz continued its steady, unbroken climb up the rankings. After making a splashy debut at #39 in June and rising to #35 in July, the brand gained another +2 spots to hit #33 in August. This consistent upward trajectory proves that Bodega Boyz’s brand identity is translating into real, repeatable retail sales velocity rather than short-lived hype.
Sharp Mid-Tier Corrections: Conversely, several established names felt the sting of mid-tier competition. To The Moon took a sharp -6 spot drop to #39 (down from #33 in July), while Select (Curaleaf) dropped -5 spots to #29 (down from #24 in July), and Back Home Cannabis Co. fell -5 spots to #37 (down from #32 in July).
Lower-Tier Expansion: Three New Brands Enter the Arena
In stark contrast to July, which saw a severe market bottleneck with only a single brand-new entrant breaking into the board (Harney Brothers at #50), August welcomed a fresh wave of competition at the tail end of the Top 50:
PUFF made its debut at #47.
High Peaks entered the rankings at #48.
Eaton Botanicals secured the #49 position.
The arrival of three new entrants demonstrates that while cracking the top 30 requires immense capital and established velocity, dispensaries are still actively testing niche, craft, and regional brands to fill specific menu gaps in the bottom 20%.
Analyst Observation: A Bifurcated Market Structure
The comparison between July and August 2026 illustrates a New York market that is rapidly splitting into two distinct speed lanes. At the very top, pioneer local brands maintain a tight grip on consumer habits through early brand trust and wide distribution. Meanwhile, directly beneath them, national powerhouses like Stiiizy and Jeeter are capitalizing on scale and brand equity to rapidly climb the ranks.
As we transition into the autumn months, the central question for New York operators becomes clear: can local craft leaders hold off the disciplined, highly capitalized expansion of national giants once they reach the Top 10 threshold?
Sign up for a free trial today or book a personalized demo to start receiving real-time, actionable market signals for you and your entire team.
