Jayson Tantalo is a legendary operator whose resilience was forged through adversity. Growing up in poverty, with an absent father and a mother battling addiction, Jayson was no stranger to hardship. He funded his college education through underground financial activity tie to the streets—a path that, while unconventional, laid the foundation for the lessons he now shares with others. Rather than teaching others how to navigate the illicit, Jayson is committed to guiding aspiring operators toward legitimate success, using both his academic knowledge and life experiences as a blueprint.

Jayson is the Co-Founder of the New York Cannabis Retail Association (formerly the New York CAURD Coalition), a statewide organization supporting over 300 licensed cannabis retailers. As Vice President of Operations, he plays a key role in shaping New York’s evolving cannabis landscape—advocating for policy reform, supporting licensees, and leading the charge to remove the regulatory barriers holding dispensaries back.

He is also the Co-Founder and COO of Flower City Dispensary, a New York State-licensed dispensary that was awarded a CAURD license in late 2024. With over 30 years of experience in New York’s cannabis scene, Jayson has embraced a “collaboration over competition” mindset, working closely with his peers to build a stronger, unified industry.

Beyond retail, Jayson co-owns and operates Flower City Hydroponics, a grow store where he teaches community members how to cultivate cannabis. A cultivator for over two decades, Jayson was arrested for growing in 2004, but he never gave up. Today, he uses that experience to fuel his advocacy efforts, pushing for legislative change and fighting to shift the narrative around cannabis in New York.

In addition to this he is also Co-owner of MetaVega Corporation is a manufacturer, wholesaler, and distributor focused on indoor growing equipment and cannabis extraction products, supplying hydroponic retail stores and smoke shops across the U.S. Jayson’s story is one of transformation—from the streets to the boardroom. Through education, community empowerment, and relentless advocacy, he continues to pave the way for the next generation of legendary operators.