Curaleaf Celebrates Graduation of Inaugural New York Incubator Program Class, Announces Future Cohorts and Multi-State Expansion

Created in partnership with Terp Bros, the free six-module program provided independent New York dispensary owners with hands-on training in compliance, operations, marketing and finance

STAMFORD, Conn., Oct. 30, 2026 /CNW/ -- Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (TSX: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) ("Curaleaf"), a leading international provider of consumer cannabis products, today announced the graduation of the inaugural class of its New York Incubator Program, a free program designed to bring independent dispensary owners together and help them build sustainable, profitable and compliant businesses through practical education, open dialogue, peer-to-peer learning and continued access to Curaleaf's experts. Developed in partnership with Jeremy Rivera, CEO of Terp Bros, the program reflects Curaleaf's continued commitment to supporting independent retailers and contributing to the long-term strength of New York's cannabis community.

"New York is more than an important market for Curaleaf, it is home. As a born and raised New Yorker, I care deeply about building an industry here that creates lasting opportunities for entrepreneurs, consumers, and communities," said Boris Jordan, Chairman and CEO, Curaleaf. "Independent retailers are essential to the future of this market, and supporting their success is a commitment that requires action. Jeremy Rivera has become an influential voice in New York cannabis because he understands the realities facing independent operators and consistently advocates for a stronger, more collaborative industry. When Jeremy approached us with this idea, we saw an opportunity to combine that perspective with Curaleaf's operating experience and resources. We are proud of what this first class accomplished and look forward to continuing this work in New York and beyond."

The first class brought together owners and general managers from 13 independent dispensaries across New York. From April through September 2026, Curaleaf experts led monthly sessions across six areas:

• Compliance: New York regulations, METRC seed-to-sale tracking and OCM reporting
• Assortment, Pricing & Promotions: Balancing premium and value brands and developing promotional strategies
• Retail Operations: Staffing, productivity metrics, store layout, and back-of-house controls
• Retail Marketing: Local search visibility, customer communication, and loyalty
• Business Performance Reporting: Financial and operating KPIs, inventory health and competitive benchmarking
• Accounting & Tax: Internal controls, cash management, Section 280E and New York cannabis tax

Beyond the curriculum, the program was built on a simple principle: a no-strings-attached environment focused on sharing knowledge and building up New York's independent retail community. Each session created space for operators who often compete for the same customers to compare notes, trade practical solutions and build relationships that extend beyond the classroom.

The program concluded on September 23 with an in-person session at Terp Bros in Ozone Park, Queens. Participants leave the program with a network of peers they can continue to lean on and ongoing access to Curaleaf's experts, who will continue answering questions and serving as a resource as their businesses grow.

"When I brought the idea to Boris, he immediately understood what we were trying to build and was open to finding a meaningful way for Curaleaf to support it," said Rivera. "Curaleaf was willing to step up, put real resources behind the idea and engage with independent operators as partners. Having the largest cannabis company in the world on our side, sharing its knowledge and listening to what smaller operators are experiencing, sends an important message. Independent dispensaries do not have to build this market alone, and this program showed what can happen when different parts of the industry come together."

Participants were selected through an open application process available to independent New York retailers. The sessions were structured as open discussions rather than lectures, enabling operators at every stage, from first-time single-store owners to experienced multi-store groups, to learn from Curaleaf's experts and, just as importantly, from one another.

The inaugural class represents the latest step in Curaleaf's effort to translate its commitment to independent retailers into practical support. Through education, access to subject-matter experts, and an ongoing forum for collaboration, the program provided participants with tools they could apply directly within their businesses while strengthening connections across New York's independent retail community.

Curaleaf plans to open applications for the next New York class in December of this year and is exploring opportunities to expand the program and its community into additional markets. Retailers interested in joining a future class can contact [email protected] or [email protected].

About Curaleaf Holdings
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (TSX: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) ("Curaleaf") is a leading international provider of consumer products in cannabis with a mission to enhance lives by cultivating, sharing and celebrating the power of the plant. As a high-growth cannabis company known for quality, expertise and reliability, the Company and its brands, including Curaleaf, Select, Grassroots, FIND, Dark Heart, and Anthem, provide industry-leading service, product selection and accessibility across the medical and adult-use markets. Curaleaf International is powered by a strong presence in all stages of the supply chain. Its unique distribution network throughout Europe, Canada and Australasia brings together pioneering science and research with cutting-edge cultivation, extraction and production. Curaleaf is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol CURA and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol CURLF. For more information, please visit https://ir.curaleaf.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This media advisory contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward–looking statements or information. Generally, forward-looking statements and information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "proposed", "is expected", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information concerning the completion of an incubator program for independent dispensary owners in New York. Such forward-looking statements and information reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company with respect to the matter described in this news release. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which are based on current expectations as of the date of this release and subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Additional information about these assumptions and uncertainties is discussed in the Company's Form 8-K dated August 5, 2026 together with the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, attached as exhibits thereto, as well as the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, each of which documents have been filed on the Company's EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov/edgar and SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca, and as described from time to time in documents filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as to the date of this press release and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. We caution investors not to place considerable reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this news release.

Investor Contact:
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.
Camilo Lyon, Chief Investment Officer
[email protected]

Media Contact:
MATTIO Communications
[email protected]

SOURCE Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.