Two big names in New York’s cannabis cultivation scene have joined forces to bring a cannabis microbusiness to Peekskill. 

Kolektor and Sensei Cultivation – both legacy growers with deep roots in the state’s cannabis culture – have formed TKS Sensei NY LLC. After more than a decade cultivating in the black and gray markets and building loyal followings, the partners won a state cannabis microbusiness license in September 2024 to go legit.

Now, the partners have their eyes firmly set on the next step of their journey: opening a combined cultivation, manufacturing, and retail operation at 8 John Walsh Boulevard in the Atrium building.

At its September 9 meeting, Peekskill’s Planning Commission granted TKS Sensei final site plan approval and a special permit for the project. Current plans call for renovating three floors of a brick building adjacent to the Atrium entrance for manufacturing and extraction operations, while transforming 878 square feet of commercial space at the front entrance into a dispensary.

Under the layout, the first and third floors will house manufacturing and extraction operations, while the second floor will contain offices. Cannabis will be cultivated hydroponically on site, harvested, trimmed, and cured before being packaged and labeled – all under one roof.

Due to state laws, the cultivation and processing areas will not be open to the public and there will be no signage promoting the facility.

Tackling Odor and Perception

At the planning meeting, commission members questioned TKS Sensei on odor control – an issue that has drawn community pushback against other proposed cannabis businesses. CEO Matt Kachmar assured officials that his team is applying “best practices” learned from legal operators nationwide. Their pest and odor management plan includes double carbon filtration, closed-loop HVAC, rodent sweeps, and strict sanitation protocols.

“We’ve done plenty of research,” said Kachmar. “We’ve been growing for decades now at this point and everything that we’ve done to stay under the radar on the black market regarding odor control – is implemented at this level too, just on a bigger scale.”

Regardless, city staff added a condition to the project during the meeting: before a building permit is issued, the city’s consulting engineer will need to verify the odor mitigation plan for both the manufacturing facility and the dispensary.

For Kachmar, changing the perception of cannabis is one of the many goals he has for his business. “Everyone has their opinion about cannabis,” he said. “We like breaking down stigma.”

Retail Operations and Exclusivity 

As a microbusiness, TKS Sensei can only sell products it produces. Kachmar sees that exclusivity as a competitive edge.

“If you want TKS Sensei products, you’re going to have to come to us,” he said. “We’re known for extremely high-quality, craft indoor flower.”

The company also specializes in pheno hunting – selecting plants with the most desirable traits. “Besides just getting extremely high quality cannabis, you’re also coming to us because of particular flavors that you can only get from us,” Kachmar noted.

Retail plans include TKS Sensei-branded product, pre-rolls, edibles, and oils, along with wholesale distribution across New York State. The team hopes to open its retail doors by the end of the first quarter of 2026. In compliance with state law, the glass storefront will conceal products from view. The entrance area will display merchandise like clothing, while an inner section will hold product shelves and secure storage.

According to planning documents, the company’s mission is to “provide safe, compliant, craft-quality cannabis products while building a trusted, education-forward retail experience and responsible delivery service for adults in our community.”

Building a Cannabis Culture

For Kachmar, 37, who grew up in Yonkers and lives in Yorktown, launching in Peekskill is also about investing locally. Beyond TKS Sensei, he and his partners run community initiatives and cannabis culture events across the state.

One example is the New York Growers Cup, which Sensei and Kolektor co-created with another cultivator, Dr. Dankenstein. Now in its fourth year, the Cup is a grower-first competition showcasing the state’s best cannabis. The event highlights small-batch growers who often fly under the radar. “It’s about pushing local craft growers to the forefront,” Kachmar explained.

In addition, Kachmar and fellow license holders have also launched the New York Craft Association, a membership organization for small-batch growers and processors focused on sustainability, community reinvestment, and market-driven innovation. “We’re going to use it to push our own legislative agenda—and, more importantly, to not get lost in the sauce of New York State politics,” Kachmar said.

TKS Sensei’s founders also bring a playful side to their community outreach. Last June, they hosted “The Kolektor and Sensei’s Skate & Smoke” at 2nd Nature Skate Park in Peekskill, blending a smoke-friendly skatepark session with competitive video games and food from Benny’s Brown Bag. The event drew both pro- and semi-pro skateboarders along with some of New York’s finest cultivators. Kachmar says the idea grew out of his time running a jiu-jitsu school in White Plains, where he hosted monthly “roll and smoke” gatherings. “We’ll probably do it once or twice a year going forward,” he adds.

On top of that, Kachmar, The Kolektor, Dr. Dankenstein, and Ben Gilbert co-host the cannabis podcast “I Smoke New York,” sharing their perspectives as co-founders of the Growers Cup.

A Growing Industry in Peekskill

The mix of craft, culture, and community is exactly what Kachmar hopes to bring to Peekskill. Down the line, he envisions adding a consumption lounge once regulations are clearer—an addition that would require another round of Planning Commission approval.

As of September 2025, Peekskill already hosts two operating dispensaries – Valley Greens and Cloud 914 – with several more in the pipeline, including Peek Buds and Pifford’s. The city has also approved cannabis manufacturers like Art of Farm on Main Street, while Grand Street Cannabis is seeking permits for a Washington Street facility.

With TKS Sensei NY LLC joining the roster, Peekskill is cementing its status as one of the Hudson Valley’s hubs for New York’s legal cannabis industry – this time with a microbusiness backed by legacy cultivators.