Mrs. Green's CANNAry Launches $2,500 Annual Scholarship for Genesee County Women in Cannabis

BATAVIA, N.Y. - May 15, 2026 - PRLog -- Mrs. Green's CANNAry, Genesee County's first adult-use cannabis dispensary, today announced the launch of the Mrs. Green's CANNAry Women in Cannabis Scholarship a $2,500 annual award supporting Genesee County women pursuing cannabis education at any SUNY or CUNY institution in New York State.

Applications open May 1, 2026 and close July 1, 2026. Eligible applicants must be women who are residents of Genesee County and enrolled or accepted in a cannabis-related program at an accredited SUNY or CUNY school. Full eligibility criteria and the application are available at mrsgreenscannary.com/scholarship.

"I am a firm believer that education serves as a gateway to new possibilities," stated Shelly Wolanske, the founder of Mrs. Green's CANNAry." My own journey began at Genesee Community College as a non-traditional student, where I obtained my associate degree. That foundational experience provided the momentum to obtain my bachelor's degree from SUNY Brockport and eventually my Master's from Medaille University; each academic milestone was instrumental in my personal and professional growth. Prior to establishing Mrs. Green's CANNAry, I dedicated years in the public health field and the service sector. I also was the co-founder of Empire Hemp Co., a business deeply connected to our local community."

This scholarship is about supporting the next generation of women pursuing careers in cannabis and helping create more opportunities for local women to grow, lead, and succeed in this industry." Mrs. Green's CANNAry opened in June 2025 at 204 E. Main St. in Batavia, becoming Genesee County's first OCM-licensed adult-use cannabis retailer. Wolanske co-founded Empire Hemp Co. in 2018 before divesting in 2022 to comply with state cannabis regulations, and has since built the CANNAry into a community-oriented neighborhood business.

Despite rapid growth in New York's legal cannabis industry, women — particularly those outside major metropolitan areas — remain underrepresented in cannabis business ownership and leadership. The Mrs. Green's CANNAry Women in Cannabis Scholarship aims to lower one of the most concrete barriers to entry: the cost of education. "Batavia has always been a community that lifts people up," Wolanske added. "I want this scholarship to reflect that and to show that a small dispensary on Main Street can invest in something that matters beyond our four walls."

About Mrs. Green's CANNAry

Mrs. Green's CANNAry (Cannary LLC) is Genesee County's first licensed adult-use cannabis dispensary, located at 204 E. Main St., Batavia, NY. Founded and operated by Batavia native Shelly Wolanske, the dispensary is 100% woman-owned and committed to providing a welcoming, knowledgeable retail experience for the Batavia community. OCM License #OCM-RETL-25-000310. Learn more at mrsgreenscannary.com.

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