Meet Mrs. Green!

The Full Story

The journey of Mrs. Greene's Cannary is deeply rooted in the entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to quality that began with Empire Hemp Co. In 2018, Shelly Wolanske and Chris VanDusen founded Empire Hemp Co., focusing on crafting premium CBD products with care and integrity. Their mission to deliver excellence led them to expand in 2019, moving to a larger processing facility in Batavia, New York.

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In 2021, Empire Hemp Co. brought its vision to life with the opening of a retail location at 204 E Main St., Batavia, NY. The store quickly became a community favorite, offering locally crafted CBD products and fostering trust and connection with its customers.

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In 2022, Empire Hemp Co. achieved a significant milestone by receiving conditional licenses to cultivate and process THC cannabis. However, New York's cannabis regulatory framework posed a challenge: vertical integration—operating as a cultivator, processor, and retailer—was not permitted. Recognizing this, Shelly made a bold and thoughtful decision.

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To continue providing safe, high-quality cannabis to the community, Shelly chose to divest her interest in Empire Hemp Co. This allowed her to transform the retail store into Mrs. Greene's Cannary, the first licensed cannabis dispensary in the area that is 100% woman-owned. While Shelly now steers Mrs. Greene’s Cannary, the dispensary proudly carries the exceptional Empire Hemp Co. products she helped create, ensuring continuity of quality and care.

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Mrs. Greene’s Cannary is more than a dispensary; it’s a testament to Shelly’s vision of fostering community, supporting safe cannabis use, and championing a business built on passion and purpose. The story of Mrs. Greene’s Cannary reflects a commitment to innovation, quality, and empowering the community—a legacy that began with Empire Hemp Co. and continues to thrive today.