NY weed sales spiked during Knicks run

NY weed sales climbed sharply during the Knicks playoff run, and New York cannabis regulators say the same pattern showed up again during World Cup matches. The state’s data indicate that sports fans across the city were not just watching the games — they were also driving big spikes in dispensary traffic and product sales.

According to the Office of Cannabis Management, sales of weed and other cannabis products rose during 15 of the 19 playoff games tracked, compared with average daily sales for the year. In five of those games, the increases reached double digits. The biggest jump came during the Knicks championship parade along Broadway’s Canyon of Heroes on June 18, when sales were up 30%.

Chris Kuilan, who owns Stoops NYC cannabis dispensary in Manhattan’s Flatiron District, said the Knicks pushed business higher on game days. “Knick fans were going crazy. My sales were up 20% during game days,” he said. He added that customers were stocking up before tipoff, buying gummies, pre-rolls and drinks. “They racked up to get ready for the game. They were buying gummies, pre-rolls and drinks. They had a double high.”

The strongest single-game spike came during the Knicks’ second playoff game on April 20, when sales rose 95%. That date also matched the unofficial 4/20 cannabis holiday, which helped amplify demand. State officials still credited the Knicks with giving the market a boost, even though the team lost that game 107-106. The first home playoff game against the Atlanta Hawks on April 18 produced an 11% increase, and the Knicks won 113-102.