Where are they now? This month, NCIA’s editorial department continues the monthly Member Spotlight series by following up with three of our Social Equity Scholarship Recipients as part of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program. Participants are gaining first-hand access to regulators in key markets to get insight on the industry, tips for raising capital, and advice on how to access and utilize data to ensure success in their businesses, along with all the other benefits available to NCIA members.
First off, we have rebranded. We are now Cannvas Events. The name change was part of our evolution and maturation as a startup. As we scaled, more resources became available for things like branding. We brought in Greg Hill of Brand Birth to deploy the science of branding and the end result was a new name, new logo, and new understanding of where we were situated in the regulated cannabis ecosystem. The transformation led to the planning and production of our signature Cannabis Event 2.0 offering, the inaugural Saturnalia Canna Carnival, taking place at the Trinity Health Arena in Muskegon, MI on August 2oth. We are powering a traditional indoor/outdoor carnival – rides and attractions included – with a hassle-free, normalizing consumption solution. If you’re in the Midwest, come join us as we celebrate the first year of an iconic, perennial cannabis festival. Tickets and info at cannvasevents.com and follow us @saturnaliacannacarnival
Would you like to share anything that came out of being in the Spotlight previously?
The Spotlight feature presented tremendous value. The first year of the cannabis startup journey is devoid of financial revenue. Unless you’re needle-in-the-haystack lucky, it’s not even a consideration. The money is flowing in the opposite direction. So, the only available revenue, or currency, are the relationships. If you’re fortunate, these become renewable resources upon which you can draw repeatedly, and managed properly, they have no expiration date. You can bank them like any currency and you have much more influence on their stability, than on fiat currency. For me, that one relationship was with Michael Schwamm, who leads the Duane Morris cannabis practice out of New York. Michael opened doors for me and got me into rooms that I was previously unaware existed. That access has made all of the difference for me, personally, and for Cannvas Events. And had it not been for the Spotlight, I would have never been in position to enjoy that access.
Endo Industries
Since the last spotlight, you’ve joined the DEI Committee and its Regulatory Subcommittee. Anything you’d like to share about that experience thus far?
I’m impressed by the brilliant folks on the committee, and their dedication to making cannabis equitable. It takes time out of our grueling work days to contribute time on these committees but the contribution to making the industry better is crucial during these developmental years of cannabis. Perhaps our current misguided, harmful CA cannabis policies could have been prevented with more early participation from stakeholders who are stewards of the plant. However, there were many factors involved with the way CA policies were created, including special interest money from those who don’t care or want to see the industry fail.
It’s been a painful journey living through the consequences of these challenging policies as a cannabis operator. It takes a long time to change once it’s been passed. However, companies who are willing to work together in these important processes will survive and write a new path to move forward. Most of us can’t wait anymore for things to change so we need everyone’s active participation now, whether it’s writing an email to your constituents or being a part of NCIA!
California cannabis seems to be going through terrible challenges. Is there anything you’d like to share about what you’re seeing, or about some of the solutions our members can support with?
Overburdensome taxes and high barriers to entry for licensing throughout the state are most obvious right now. The lack of diversity and equity, consumer education, state and federal funding for further research and development also play a huge role in CA’s struggles. I’m frustrated that the State doesn’t understand that those who have been dedicated to the industry, collaboration and this plant are the only ones who can truly guide this industry forward.
NCIA members can lend support by truly including legacy, equity, and other diverse teams into your conversations and partnerships, and opening our eyes to value brought to the table by different communities. I would also encourage members to think about ways we can create awareness to our consumers to make better buying decisions. We have left all the medical properties of cannabis while legalizing, and that’s also why the industry is failing. Lastly, we need to keep pushing for more consumption lounges and events!
At Endo Industries, we built our company on principles of collaboration, science, equity and inclusion. Most notably, we offer critical supply chain support through our tissue culture services, and certified virus-free clean clones for growers, breeders and brands. If you know good operators who could benefit from our support, please send them our way. I cannot stress enough that the work Endo is doing is crucial for the success of the supply chain right now.
Would you like to share anything that came out of being in the Spotlight previously?
We’ve gotten great exposure for being featured in Spotlight. Endo and myself are more internet searchable, which in this day in age means we are real people!
People started sharing the link to the Spotlight to use as an introduction to Endo and myself as a founder. We’ve been told by clients who decided to work with us because they came across the feature when researching Endo. It solidified their desire to pick us because we are bullish about our values because our business model is strategic and collaborative.
It’s great to be co-signed by a credible organization like NCIA, and it goes a long way for a small business that doesn’t have an abundance of marketing and PR resources. I’ve hid in the shadows for far too long. My journey and passion for cannabis needs to be told and celebrated. Endo as a company needs exposure so we can reach a larger audience. I’m grateful for NCIA and look forward to our continued relationship.
Next Level Edibles
What’s new in the world of Next Level Edibles?
There is a lot new in the world of Next Level since our Equity Spotlight in September of 2021. In December, we had a booth, sponsored by the awesome team at The People’s Ecosystem, in Moscone Center at NCIA San Francisco. It was our first time attending an expo, let alone having a booth, and it was a great opportunity to grow our brand while creating relationships for future business opportunities. In the second week of the new year we launched our 1000 mg full spectrum coconut oil in Ivy Hill Oakland. And, later that month, we were welcomed into the Third Cohort of Momentum, Eaze’s Cannabis Business Accelerator. Two weeks before classes began, in early April, we launched our infused fast-acting brown sugar in 7 Star Holistic Healing Center. And in May, we attended MJ Unpacked NYC with other graduates of Our Academy.
California cannabis seems to be going through terrible challenges. Is there anything you’d like to share about what you’re seeing, or about some of the solutions our members can support with?
California Cannabis is facing challenges on many fronts. Countless unnecessary hurdles to legal entry, political red tape, and excess packaging waste to name a few. But the biggest challenges are around security. Every week there is news of a new dispensary, farm, distributor, and friend being burglarized. High tech security systems, gates, and cameras are no match for organized thieves and slow police responses. Until we can get a portion of our excessive taxes dedicated to funding police divisions that specifically targets cannabis thieves, the best solution to combat this is to support your favorite brands by purchasing their products through legal cannabis retail sources.
Would you like to share anything that came out of being in the Spotlight previously?
Being in the Spotlight helped our company tremendously. It allowed us to grow our cannabis network as plant-touching and ancillary companies reached out from all over the country. In addition, the visibility it provided us helped connect with the team at The People’s Ecosystem which led to our booth at NCIA’s Cannabis Business Summit and our new supply chain partners. It provided the traction we needed to help us get to the next level.
Member Spotlight: Défoncé Chocolatier
Meet Eric Eslao, CEO of Défoncé Chocolatier, based in Northern California. The company produces cannabis-infused chocolates, and proudly donates to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Cannabis Industry Sector: Infused Products and Extractions
NCIA Member Member Since: May 2016
Tell me a bit about your background and why you launched your company?
I’m a Bay Area native and I absolutely love living here. I completed my undergrad at USF and MBA at SFSU. And had a super fun career at iTunes. So I literally never left the Bay Area, which is very rare.
I started the company a few years ago as I felt consumers deserved a better edible. While the overall aesthetic is what people notice first, it’s really the elevated taste and the amount of care we put into the product that I’m most proud of.
What unique value does your company offer to the cannabis industry?
A great-tasting edible.
Cannabis companies have a unique responsibility to shape this growing industry to be socially responsible and advocate for it to be treated fairly. How does your company help work toward that goal for the greater good of the cannabis industry?
Edibles–historically–have had a bad rap. Whether it’s due to some of the insane dosing that was considered normal or issues with microbes, edibles were a crap shoot for even the experienced cannabis user.
As we move into an era where dosing is more normalized and regulations are more in line with normal food manufacturing, we’ll see more sophisticated products and operators. As a result, I feel the edible industry will start to have equal footing with well-respected food brands. This normalization will elevate our industry as a whole.
What kind of challenges do you face in the industry and what solutions would you like to see?
In California, we’ve had a medical market for 20 years. Going from two decades of quasi-legal businesses to a regulated market is a large hurdle–especially for operators that have been at it the entire time. To make sure we don’t leave behind the people that got us to this point, I would love to see veteran operators allowed more time and given more resources to be compliant–specifically the cultivators that have risked their livelihood to get us to adult-use.
Why did you join NCIA? What’s the best part about being a member?
It’s great to be part of a group with like-minded individuals: cannabis professionals looking to elevate the industry as a whole.
Member Spotlight: Simplifya
In this month’s Member Spotlight, we spoke with Marion Mariathasan, CEO of Simplifya. The company provides tools for scheduling, audit management, and tracking issues, giving users a 360-degree view of their compliance. The company was founded in 2016 by partners from Vicente Sederberg, the law firm that led Colorado’s Amendment 64 campaign, and investors with proven track records in tech start-ups.
Cannabis Industry Sector: Information Technology and Software
NCIA Sustaining Member Member Since: October 2016
Marion, tell us a bit about your background and why you launched your company?
I immigrated to Kansas from Sri Lanka when I was 9 years old. I attended both University of Kansas and Emporia State University studying Architecture, Computer Science and Computer Information Systems. After graduation, I took on my first technical role with a medical software company. Since then, I’ve been fortunate enough to have held management and executive level positions with incredible companies – large and small. In addition, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to have either founded or be involved with many new startup-ups over the years.
Most recently prior to Simplifya, I was one of the founders of a tequila brand. After years of building and distributing the brand nationally, in 2015, we took an exit from the tequila business.
Soon after the exit, I reached out to a good family friend to learn more about the cannabis industry. The good friend happened to be Christian Sederberg of Vicente Sederberg. After a few discussions with Christian and a few others at Vicente Sederberg, it became obvious that the burgeoning cannabis industry needed an enterprise-level software solution to help the highly regulated industry tackle the everchanging compliance needs in a cost-effective and efficient way. After months of discussions and planning, in early 2016, Simplifya was born.
What unique value does your company offer to the cannabis industry?
Simplifya’s Brooke Butler presenting
Simplifya distills complex state and local regulations into a straightforward simple series of yes-or-no questions to generate management and audit reports, identify areas of noncompliance, and hold employees accountable for remediation. Simplifya helps save business owners time and money while providing them peace of mind by staying current with ever changing state and local regulations in real time and streamlining the overlap between jurisdictions and license types.
Simplifya also gives businesses the ability to atomize and store their own customized checklists and SOPs and then assign out those checklists to specific employees enabling companies to monitor business activities and employee performance.
Cannabis companies have a unique responsibility to shape this growing industry to be socially responsible and advocate for it to be treated fairly. How does your company help work toward that goal for the greater good of the cannabis industry?
The cannabis industry at the state and local level has an opportunity to demonstrate that it is worthy of the changes it is seeking at the federal level. There are a number of ways to do this, but creating and maintaining a strong compliance profile is an essential building block. It’s true for regulators, who want to show they are effective with their regulations and enforcement; and for marijuana business owners, who need to overcome the stereotype of being underground operators that don’t care about compliance. By behaving like the best players in other highly regulated industries, and doing things like developing robust compliance programs, actively participating in the rule-making process, and ultimately placing a very high priority on compliance as a path to success, the industry can continue to propel itself toward federal legalization.
Simplifya wanted to be able to provide a simple and affordable tool the industry could use to be able to more easily comply with ever changing regulations and enable them to be able to spend more time focusing on their core business and perfecting their craft.
Why did you join NCIA? What’s the best part about being a member?
One of the first checks that Simplifya wrote when we launched in 2016 was membership dues to the NCIA because we strongly believe the cannabis industry needs strong representation and lobbying power on the national level. We are all working in our own ways to pave the way forward for the cannabis industry and being able to come together as a group of industry leaders with one voice is truly powerful and exciting.
My favorite part of being an NCIA member is the chance to meet all of the other interesting and accomplished men and women that are a part of growing and changing this emerging industry. Many of the NCIA members I met at my first NCIA event shared their own invaluable experiences and insights that helped guide me and Simplifya when we first started this adventure into the cannabis industry. It is so empowering to be a part of an organization like the NCIA that provides forums and regular opportunities for us to help each other grow and succeed.
Member Spotlight: Zippo
NCIA has seen an increase in mainstream companies joining the organization in support of federal cannabis policy reform. Zippo, known for their reusable metal lighters, is an example of one of those companies, so in this month’s member spotlight, we’re checking in with Don Lenny, Vice President of Sales, Americas division, at Zippo.
Cannabis Industry Sector: Cannabis Accessories
NCIA Member Member Since: 2017
Don, tell us a bit about your background as well as your company?
Don Lenny joined Zippo in 2006, and immediately became the force behind leading the North American Sales team. With more than 35 years of sales experience in gifts and accessories channels, Don serves as the VP of Sales, Americas, for Zippo, as well as both of Zippo’s sister companies, Ronson, and W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company. In his current role, he is solely responsible for managing Zippo sales in North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean; Ronson sales in North America, and W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company globally.
One of the most recognized brands in the world, Zippo was founded in the fall of 1932 by George G. Blaisdell in Bradford, Pennsylvania, where it has manufactured over 550 million windproof lighters. With the exception of improvements to the flint wheel and modifications in case finishes, the product remains unchanged and is backed by the company’s famous lifetime guarantee – “It works, or we fix it free.™” Zippo’s diverse product line includes lighters and accessories; butane candle lighters, and a robust line of heat and flame products for outdoor enthusiasts. Zippo markets in over 180 countries, and owns Bradford-based W.R. Case and Sons Cutlery Company and the Ronson family of brands.
What unique value does your company offer to the cannabis industry?
Zippo windproof lighters are backed by an unparalleled lifetime guarantee, and are stylish personal accessories. The lighter surface has been compared to an artist’s canvas, and Zippo offers a wide variety of finishes and designs, including custom, one-of-a-kind pieces on zippo.com. Zippo is internationally known as being a major player in the tobacco accessory industry, and we plan to bring those identical values of high-quality products, coupled with excellent customer service to cannabis consumers as well. Additionally, we are offering the Ronson line along with the Zippo line, ultimately opening the door for us to showcase a variety of products, at a variety of price points, to meet each consumer’s potential need.
Cannabis companies have a unique responsibility to shape this growing industry to be socially responsible and advocate for it to be treated fairly. How does your company help work toward that goal for the greater good of the cannabis industry?
Over the course of the last 85 years, without waiver, Zippo has prioritized meeting exceptionally high and rigorous standards in child safety testing on all of our products, without compromise. In addition, each piece of artwork that is featured on a Zippo pocket lighter is held to unremarkably high customization guidelines. We take pride in not using images, artwork, or slogans that could appeal to young children, as well as not using material that is offensive, including material that glamorizes illegal drug use.
What kind of challenges do you face in the industry and what solutions would you like to see?
As a company, venturing into the cannabis consumer accessory industry is exciting. We see enormous value in being able to offer the same unparalleled quality and customer service that we are historically known for to a new consumer base. However, with the cannabis industry being so new and immature overall, there are certainly a few challenges ahead.
First and foremost, Zippo strives to be a category leader for accessories at retail. Our biggest challenges include understanding what our displays, packaging, and point-of-purchase need to look like for the retail trade, understanding all aspects of distribution to ensure we have the right products in the right stores, understanding what types of product designs consumers want, and lastly, whether they prefer our pipe insert or classic insert when they use our lighter.
You recently joined NCIA, which supports reform at the federal level for the cannabis industry. Why did your company join NCIA?
We saw immense value in joining NCIA, a leading voice for this economically vital segment of consumers. As regulation and consumer attitudes continue to shift, being an NCIA member will allow us to stay well informed on trends and state-by-state policies. We also strive to be known for our excellence in delivering high-quality products and customer service. We hope that our partnership with NCIA will continue to offer us a platform that will allow us to connect with industry leaders, decision makers, business people, and consumers, to continue to aid in helping spread our brand awareness as we continue moving forward in finding our place in the cannabis industry.
In this month’s member spotlight, we check in with the team at Yerba Buena Farms, based in Oregon. Yerba Buena was recently named one of the top 100 green companies to work for in Oregon. Operations Manager Laura Rivero tells us more about their company and the way they manage their staff through self-care “wellness days” and volunteering for charitable organizations.
Yerba Buena Farms
Cannabis Industry Sector:
Cannabis Cultivation
NCIA Member Member Since:
May 2017
Tell us a bit about your background and why you launched your company?
We launched YB with the intention of bringing a holistic approach to the cannabis business. These include fair labor practices, research and innovation, organic practices, sustainability, and bringing a diverse group of people together to achieve a common goal.
What unique value does your company offer to the cannabis industry?
Our company is focused on consistency and quality in both our product and business practices while maintaining full compliance and integrity. We are helping to set standards across the board, elevating the cannabis industry as a whole and inspiring others.
Cannabis companies have a unique responsibility to shape this growing industry to be socially responsible and advocate for it to be treated fairly. How does your company help work toward that goal for the greater good of the cannabis industry?
We do the right thing every day and with every decision. It is not always about the bottom line and the ability to cultivate a socially responsible organization is a key benchmark in our organization. We have been recognized in every sector of the industry and beyond for exemplary practices, and we are committed to pushing the envelope to increase the standards for other businesses, regardless of their industry. We were the first (and so far only) cannabis company to make the 100 Best Green Workplaces in Oregon, placing 9th, and shining a light on this industry as a potential leader in sustainable business practices.
We participate in organizations that are helping push forward positive change and standards, such as the Cannabis Certification Council (CCC), which is dedicated to setting national organic and fair labor standards for cannabis, the Oregon Cannabis Association (OCA), which is dedicated to protecting the cannabis industry on local, state, and federal levels, and we are part of the Resource Innovation Institute (RII), which leads in sustainable design and resource efficiency for the cannabis industry.
In addition to participating in other organizations that are making a difference, we understand that it all truly starts within our own organization. We are committed to paying our employees a family wage and provide excellent health benefits that are covered 100% by the company. We have monthly wellness days to promote self-care and teach personal wellness strategies, as well as regular get-togethers and team building events. Our team volunteers with many charitable organizations in order to give back to our community in a more meaningful and interactive way. We provide in-depth training to all of our employees on all areas of cannabis in order to increase the ambassadorship of our company. We take the opportunity and responsibility to be leaders in this industry and help to shape it to become a legitimate and respected part of the national economy, reducing the unfounded stigma, and allowing cannabis to change the world for the better.
What kind of challenges do you face in the industry and what solutions would you like to see?
Access to information both internally and externally. The industry does not have modern operating systems to adequately manage the business of cannabis production, forcing us to create our own solutions internally at great expense. Externally, banking and taxation are two areas where YB would like to see national solutions.
Why did you join NCIA? What’s the best part about being a member?
We joined NCIA because of the work accomplished and in progress on a national and state level. NCIA has represented this plant for years, and we are excited to support these efforts. The information provided by the NCIA regarding market trends, pricing, state-specific data, etc., is incredibly valuable.
This month, as we watch nine states vote on cannabis-related ballot initiatives on Election Day, we’re highlighting NCIA member CannaRegs, the company that is responsible for the data that appears on NCIA’s online State Marijuana Policies Map. Co-founder Amanda Ostrowitz prepares now to handle a flood of incoming data as new states begin to implement cannabis laws in the coming months and beyond.
Cannabis Industry Sector: Legal/Technology NCIA Member Since: 2015
Tell me a bit about your background and why you founded CannaRegs.
CannaRegs co-founder Amanda Ostrowitz
Prior to launching CannaRegs in May 2015, I was an attorney specializing in banking regulation. While serving in my position at the Federal Reserve Bank, I was engaged in several conversations regarding the issues of banking and cannabis. With just a few questions in mind, I began to research the rules and regulations of the cannabis industry. Although the questions seemed simple, it required several hours of research and more importantly, I noticed the answers varied by location, and at the state, county, and municipal levels. At that point I realized that I probably would not be able to fix the banking problem, but I had an idea to simplify researching the regulations into a user-friendly online database – CannaRegs was born!
What unique value does CannaRegs offer to the cannabis industry?
CannaRegs offers a unique value to the cannabis industry as the only cannabis-specific comprehensive research platform that aggregates state-, county-, and municipal-level law. Notable features of CannaRegs are:
Searchable Cannabis Rules and Regulations: The law on CannaRegs is searchable using three unique search functions—browse, smart search, and search laws. These search features were created by attorneys to address the difficulties encountered using conventional legal research tools. What previously took hours of research has been reduced to minutes.
No longer do you have to compile binders full of ordinances:CannaRegs’ technology and team of attorneys are constantly monitoring the law, keeping the database up to date. As new regulations and ordinances are adopted CannaRegs is the reliable source for a current amalgamated version of the law.
Rule-making Event Calendar: CannaRegs provides a consolidated schedule of rule and policy-making events happening around the U.S. In the month of October 2016, CannaRegs covered 82 municipal, county, and state-sanctioned meetings specific to marijuana.
Access to Official Publications: Where most databases provide access to the law, CannaRegs goes beyond by providing quick access to any official publications including forms, official guidance documents, industry bulletins, position statements, product recalls, etc.
CannaRegs Resource Tools: CannaRegs provides additional resource documents to help navigate the intricacies of cannabis rule-making.
CannaRegs & NCIA State Policy Map: This resource is the result of a collaboration between NCIA and CannaRegs that provides a detailed summary of each state’s cannabis market and regulations. This interactive resource is free to the public and is a great starting point for learning the basics about each state. CannaRegs keeps this map updated so that viewers are always looking at current information. Click on the map to see this unique member benefit or to sign up for a demo of CannaRegs.
With nine states voting for either adult-use or medical cannabis ballots on November 8, what does this mean in the larger scheme as it relates to your work?
The CannaRegs team of attorneys is prepared to begin monitoring laws and regulations for the nine state-level votes and more than 50 local marijuana ballot initiatives on November 8. It will be a busy time for the team, but it has also been exciting to see the growth in the number of CannaRegs users in anticipation of legalization.
In the larger scheme of things, the results of this election are likely to inform the trajectory of legalization for years to come. It is not just the number of states voting that is key, but also the states themselves.
California has the largest population of any state in the U.S., with nearly 12% of the entire country’s population living there. The results of California’s adult-use vote are likely to have a ripple effect throughout the country.
If California, Maine, Arizona, Massachusetts, and Nevada all approve adult-use, then nearly 25% of the U.S. population will live in states with adult-use cannabis.
If the medical initiatives in Arkansas, Florida, North Dakota and Montana all pass, then approximately 64% of the U.S. population will live in states with robust medical cannabis programs.
If the Arkansas initiative passes it will be the first state in the South to have a robust medical marijuana program. Combine that with the more limited program in Louisiana and it will only be a matter of time before the rest of the South embraces medical cannabis.
Three of the four states voting on medical cannabis are historically red states (Arkansas, North Dakota, and Montana). This is notable because up until now only two historically red states (Arizona and Alaska) have created robust medical marijuana programs. Louisiana has a more limited medical cannabis program than other red states.
Why did you join NCIA? What’s the best part about being a member?
CannaRegs joined NCIA to be able to connect with industry leaders and other cannabis organizations that are committed to best practices in the regulated market. NCIA offers several ways to support the industry in its efforts to legalize marijuana federally. As the most important trade association to the cannabis industry, NCIA has helped CannaRegs to connect with industry peers at annual conferences, networking events, or quarterly caucuses. CannaRegs was also excited to collaborate with NCIA on the creation of the State-By-State Marijuana Policy Map. We always look forward to connecting with other NCIA members, and provide a 15% subscription discount to other member businesses.
Video Newsletter: Member Spotlight on Bryna Dahlin of CannaRegs
In this month’s Video Member Spotlight, we introduce you to Bryna Dahlin, a double-member of NCIA through her law firm Rollman & Dahlin, LLP, and as general counsel to CannaRegs.
CannaRegs provides enhanced access to all cannabis-related rules and regulations from state, county, municipal, and federal sources, and aggregates these rules and regulations. NCIA’s new State-by-State Marijuana Policies Map is powered by CannaRegs and provides a valuable overview of every state’s approach to cannabis and cannabis markets. (Click here to request a demo of CannaRegs’ services and save 15% if you’re an NCIA member.)
Watch this video to hear more from Bryna, and catch her speaking on two panel discussions at the Cannabis Business Summit and Expo next week in Oakland, CA, June 20-22. All NCIA Members save $150 on admission. Register today!
Video Newsletter: Member Spotlight on Eden Labs
In our latest Video Member Spotlight, NCIA introduces you to one of our Sustaining Members based in Seattle.
Eden Labs specializes in the design, manufacture, research, and development of a wide range of botanical CO2 extraction equipment. CEO AC Braddock also serves on NCIA’s Board of Directors.
Watch the video to hear AC describe the passion for plant-based medicine that brought her to Eden Labs and the commitment to advocacy and community that brought her to NCIA.
“Once you become a businessperson in this industry, you automatically become an activist…”
You can meet the Eden Labs team and more than 3,000 other cannabis industry leaders at the 2016 Cannabis Business Summit in Oakland, CA, June 20-22. Get your tickets today!
Want your voice heard in our nation’s capitol on issues affecting the cannabis industry? Join us for our 6th Annual NCIA Member Lobby Days in Washington, D.C., on May 12 & 13, 2016.
Member Spotlight: Cannabis Basics
To kick off 2016, we speak with Ah Warner of Cannabis Basics, whose company saw a landmark year in cannabis policies in her state of Washington. She also recently won ‘Best Topical Brand’ at the 2015 Dope Industry Awards in Washington. Many in the industry and movement look up to her involvement in both her community and her direct activism, setting a tone for others looking to create a successful and responsible business in the cannabis industry.
Cannabis Industry Sector:
Cannabis-Infused Products
NCIA Member Since:
February 2013
How do you uniquely serve the cannabis industry?
We are dedicated to true whole genus cannabis topical therapy.
Cannabis Creations, now Cannabis Basics, was founded in 1995. Back in those days, there were many hemp body care manufacturers working with hempseed oil because of its amazing nutritive value for skin care. Today there are a host of cannabis topical producers that focus on cannabinoids from the plant and also CBD-derivatives from hemp that speak to our CB2 receptors. Cannabis Basics is this rare and beautiful place where the essential fatty acids and anti-inflammatory properties of hempseed oil and the multiple cannabinoids and terpenoids from cannabis are blended together with an arsenal of other botanical constituents to provide natural localized therapy for symptoms brought on by a myriad of conditions.
Why should customers seeking cannabis-infused topical products use Cannabis Basics?
We never use animal products, man-made fragrance oils, or chemical preservatives. We buy locally and organically whenever possible. Supporting Cannabis Basics is also activism because it enables us to continue to work for the betterment of our industry and community as a whole.
On August 25th, 2015, the USPTO awarded Cannabis Basics the first federal registration to a brand/logo displaying both the leaf and the word “cannabis” representing an actual product that contains cannabis, not a service or institution. Cannabis Basics has two distinct lines, one that contains cannabis (industrial hempseed oil) that can be sold anywhere in the world, and the other that contains cannabis (I.H. and multiple cannabinoids including THC) sold only in the state of Washington.
It is important to note that the USPTO did not award federal registration based on my cannabinoid line of products. Federal protection was awarded for my cannabis industrial hemp products however, and due to same branding, will by default provide protection to the entire Cannabis Basics family of products.
What started out as stand-alone sister bills with bipartisan support actually passed on June 30th as Section 7 of HB 2136, an I-502 tax fixer bill, and was signed into law by Governor Enslee. This law was enacted on July 1st, 2015, and is the first of its kind in the country. The CHABA law defines Cannabis Health and Beauty Aids for the first time in our legal lexicon as “cannabis products for topical use only, non-intoxicating and contains less than .3% THC.” It defines these products as not marijuana and allows for them to be sold to any mainstream retailer in the state of Washington, i.e., any health food stores, salons, or spas. The much larger significance of this new law is that it is the first removal of anything cannabis from the Washington State Controlled Substances Act.
I would be remiss if I did not take this platform to thank all the legislators who played a part in moving CHABA through Olympia, especially Washington State’s Cannabis Champion Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles and my co-author/policy advisor Kari Boiter. The state of Washington and anyone who uses or produces CHABA are forever in your debt.
Why did you join NCIA?
Our goal at Cannabis Basics is to make Cannabis Health and Beauty Aids accessible to all health-conscious consumers everywhere in the U.S. and to be able to export to any country that is interested in importing these types of products. Being a member of NCIA has given me access to the movers, shakers, and policy-makers so that I may work efficiently at this ultimate goal.
For this November member spotlight, we catch up with Cody Bass of Tahoe Wellness Cooperative, a patient-run medical cannabis cooperative in South Lake Tahoe, California. Cody talks with us here about his cooperative’s mission and values, his experience being raided earlier this year, and the new legislation in California. Cody currently serves on NCIA’s board of directors.
Cannabis Industry Sector:
Medical Cannabis Providers
NCIA Member Since:
2012
How do you uniquely serve the cannabis industry?
My life’s work is to free the cannabis plant. The perspective from working directly with the plant for nearly two decades has allowed me the vision to create a model that is unique. One thing that is unique about us is we use glass packaging at TWC for almost everything, which has created close to zero waste through our jar reusing program. We take a one dollar deposit on the jar when you purchase medicine and when you bring your jar back, you get your dollar deposit back. We installed a commercial dishwashing station and have virtually eliminated waste from our sales. This is one of many conscious standards and ethics you will find throughout Tahoe Wellness Cooperative.
Tahoe Wellness Cooperative
Why should patients seeking medical cannabis go to Tahoe Wellness Cooperative?
To get the highest quality, pure cannabis in California, in a safe space from a knowledgeable and compassionate crew. Our staff is very knowledgeable about cannabis and will ensure a patient has the understanding to choose the medicine they need. Your contribution is supporting a cooperative that is providing a variety of services to our entire community free-of-charge at our Community Center, which is open to all. TWC’s compassion program provides cannabis for terminally-ill patients at no cost. There is also a safe space for our patients to medicate, as well as a hash bar where we teach our patients how to make solvent-free hash.
Earlier this year in the summer, your cooperative in California was raided by local authorities. Can you tell us more about that experience, and how you’ve moved forward?
On June 1st, we experienced a SWAT-style raid on TWC from the El Dorado County Sheriff’s office. This came as a major surprise to all of our members and broader community. Even our local police department was shocked and unaware. We are licensed by the City of South Lake Tahoe and had gone through the renewal process with the city, with which we have worked cooperatively, hand-in-hand over the past seven years. We work and communicate well together. We operate under a local ordinance which has been effectively removing licensed operators that were operating illegally. When our local police department produced evidence that showed two operators were doing illegal things, both of their licenses were revoked and they were closed. So why would the Sheriff’s office raid a city-licensed dispensary that was current with all tax filings and the local ordinance’s current requirements? At this point we still don’t have all the details, and we are pursuing the District Attorney and Sheriff’s office to get our property and damages for their clearly unlawful action. However, I don’t have any other info at this time because I would only be speculating – better to wait for the facts.
As many know, I have been very opposed to the legislation signed by Governor Jerry Brown two weeks ago. I am not against regulations; in fact, Tahoe Wellness Cooperative has been operating under a local ordinance for over four years and paid all the required taxes. What I am so opposed to is what I see as a licensing scheme because of the distribution license. Having a license is great for producing and dispensing cannabis, but not for the distribution. Here in California, we produce half of the cannabis that America currently consumes. If we don’t create markets that are approachable by the buyer and the farmer, we are only further driving cannabis underground. In California, we must re-create the open market with an initiative in 2016 that allows for farmers’ markets, auction houses, or cooperatives, where distributors could exist, but not be the only choice. The distributor-only legislation is what would destroy the open market of cannabis, the biggest cottage industry that could ever hit America.
Why did you join NCIA?
NCIA was the first organized effort to step outside of the pure advocacy related to cannabis and form a membership of responsible cannabis pioneers that could see the need to change issues on a national level that are crucial to the evolution of cannabis. So really I joined NCIA for a unified effort. Since that time it has been remarkable to witness how many people NCIA has educated on pure cannabis knowledge, best practices, and compliance.
Returning from a very busy summer season, NCIA continues the tradition of featuring one of our members in a monthly member spotlight. For October, we chat with Brian Caldwell of Triple C Cannabis Club, based in Tacoma, Washington. Triple C is proud of their home state of Washington for being one of the first in the nation to recognize and respect the right of every adult to decide what is best for his or her health and happiness. As one of the first and most successful medicinal dispensaries in the state, Triple C continues to lead the way in the transition to adult-use by elevating the retail experience with award-winning selection, service and staff.
Cannabis Industry Sector:
Medical Cannabis Providers
NCIA Member Since:
2014
How do you uniquely serve the cannabis community?
Triple C Cannabis Club is completely dedicated to procuring safe, tested, and properly labeled medical-grade cannabis products for our patients. We take meeting the needs of our patients very seriously and refuse to compromise our standards. We are committed to only providing the very best to our patients. Additionally, we feel we must help be the voice for the patients we serve that otherwise could or would get lost in a bureaucratic system. Change, especially the legalizing of cannabis that has occurred in Washington State, has been quite intimidating. We are here to help and support our patients through this process while ensuring our state’s regulators have trusted professionals from our industry to work with.
Why should customers looking for medical cannabis go to Triple C Cannabis Club?
Patients who want to #ExperienceChronicWellness ® will find a wide selections of oils, edibles, salves, topicals and more at Triple C Cannabis Club. We pride ourselves on consistent medicinal product availability that has been rigorously tested and is produced by the state’s elite manufacturers. Triple C Cannabis Club staff is award-winning and very knowledgeable on a wide array of products and medicines. They ensure product safety and patient confidentiality and consistently perform to the highest standards of care. As the first union shop in Washington, I am proud to work with UFCW to advance the safety and wellbeing of all who come through our doors, regardless if they are a patient or staff.
Our business has evolved rapidly along with the changing legal landscape. As a result, people come to us for very different reasons. Many want to relieve pain and promote healing naturally. Others seek to ease stress, enhance experiences, or nurture creativity. The many wonders and benefits of cannabis are why it has been so beloved for most of recorded history.
Brian Caldwell, Triple C Cannabis Club
Can you give us some insight into the cannabis community in Washington, the challenges, upsides, and where you’d like to see it go?
As we have seen in other states, and in Washington’s past, the road to regulation of cannabis is a difficult one, but one that is desperately needed. The state has to balance federal jurisdictional issues, patients have fears due to years of persecution, and business owners are trying hard to be law-abiding, good corporate citizens. When Washington started the medical cannabis journey in 1998, we all shared the vision of a legal and safe environment for patients. However, with the veto offered by then-Governor Christine Gregoire, that was not the case. The laws have been interpreted in many different ways, hence the success of the black and grey markets. So here we are some twenty years later, trying to fix the regulations to create that safe marketplace we all had envisioned. I believe that if we work with state legislators on practical regulations and our congressional delegation on fixing taxation and banking, it will go a long way in bringing our industry into mainstream acceptance and small business success.
Why did you join NCIA?
I joined NCIA for numerous reasons, but first and foremost is their clear mission to advance the cannabis industry with a thoughtful and targeted approach. The leadership they are providing to our congressional delegation on matters such as banking and taxation is unmatched by any other groups. The cannabis industry needs a strong and professional voice to help solve these critical industry problems, which is exactly what NCIA has stepped up to do. The commitment that NCIA has to membership development, education, and networking is another reason why I chose to become a member. Triple C Cannabis Club supports the efforts of those that want to advance our industry in a positive and educated manner, and NCIA is a good reflection of those principles.
NCIA’s Member Spotlight for the month of May takes us up to Arlington, Washington, to speak with Fitz Couhig, CEO of Pioneer Nuggets, an indoor craft agriculture company that supports the adult retail consumer industry for cannabis in Washington State.
Cannabis Industry Sector:
Cannabis Cultivation
NCIA Member Since:
2014
How do you uniquely serve the cannabis industry?
We focus on the core competency of making a quality flower product for consumers. Focusing on a core competency and providing effective just-in-time inventory services are setting us apart. Our assembly-line work flow and perpetual production that supports our made-to-order inventory management system are unique as well.
Why should customers buy cannabis grown by Pioneer Nuggets?
Black Haze cannabis strain, grown by Pioneer Production and Processing, LLC
We serve consumers over the age of 21 that enjoy cannabis and visit an adult-use (+21) retail shop in the State of Washington. Adults should go with Pioneer Nuggets because they enjoy cannabis that is smooth and high in flavor profiles.
Can you give us some insight into the cannabis community in Washington, the challenges, upsides, and where you’d like to see it go?
The most unique challenge is being a wholesaler. No other taxed and traded system involves wholesaling and distribution, and we are required to do it without the help of any other organization. Serving retailers is what we do. We would like to see the industry move in the direction that allows retailers, processors, and producers to all thrive. We need tax reform and we need to be treated like normal businesses.
The Pioneer Nuggets team, based in Arlington, WA
How many employees do you have and how many customers do you serve?
We have 18 full-time employees and serve around 25 licensed retailers. It takes a lot of great people to continually make sensational products and provide excellent customer service.
Why did you join NCIA?
We joined NCIA for two reasons. One, the organization structure is well designed to develop a quality trade association for the cannabis industry we are a part of. Two, the team of people responsible for the NCIA and supporting its efforts and mission. We believe NCIA will succeed in creating the standards and forums industry professionals need, that our employees need, and that our organization needs.
NCIA Member Profile: The Giving Tree Wellness Center
This month, NCIA checks in with Lilach Power, Managing Director at The Giving Tree Wellness Center based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Giving Tree Wellness Center has been a member of NCIA since September 2013, taking an holistic approach in supporting their clients by offering a range of medical marijuana products along with alternative healing methods, including massage and acupuncture, to promote the best quality of life possible through both their North Phoenix and Mesa locations.
Cannabis Industry Sector:
Medical Cannabis Providers
NCIA Member Since:
2013
How do you uniquely serve the cannabis industry?
Lilach Power, Managing Director at The Giving Tree Wellness Center
When Gina and I started our business, we had a vision of creating a safe and inviting environment for patients, and I think we have succeeded. We have beautiful spa-like stores that are very inviting. We do not have the traditional pot shop that I think a lot of people think of when they envision a dispensary. There are no bars, bullet-proof glass or tiny bank windows. This is truly a place to get help and find quality medicine.
We understand that patients might be intimidated coming to a dispensary at first, so we like to make them as comfortable as possible. We have private consultation rooms where patients can really sit down and be comfortable discussing their medical issues and see what options we have for them. We encourage patients to schedule one-on-one consultations with our patient consultants or with our medical director (my business partner, Gina Berman, M.D.). We never up-sell or push patients to buy anything. Our goal is only to find the ideal medicine for each patient. We never rush patients – whether they are a first timer, or this is their hundredth visit.
Gina Berman, M.D. of The Giving Tree Wellness Center
The Giving Tree takes pride in its local community philanthropic endeavors. We participate in two big fundraising events annually. Our next one is on April 11th, the Take Steps for Crohn’s and Colitis walk. We match all donations and I am proud to say many vendors have been participating, so we are getting the industry involved in our community as well. Our other big annual event is the breast cancer Walk for the Cure in the Fall. In addition, we raise money and hold canned food drives during the holiday season to help local folks in need.
Realizing that there are patients for whom the cost of this medicine is a burden, we started our own program for discounted medicine for patients on SNAP or long-term disability. We also deliver for patients with physical hardship, with no delivery charge.
Why should patients looking for medical cannabis services go to The Giving Tree Wellness Center?
Service and quality: We have an elite team of patient consultants (PCs) and we are patient-focused. Our PCs are truly passionate and have a fund of knowledge – I am so proud every time I walk into the dispensary and see how much they really care. Our patients really do become part of The Giving Tree Family.
Our medicine: We grow a majority of the medicine we offer. We stress quality over quantity and grow strains based not on their yield but on the merits of their quality and variety. We do not use pesticides, and we always use an independent, third-party lab to test all our medicine. We definitely have learned a lot during this process and our goal is to make each harvest better than the last. We are proud each time we harvest and cure and see our medicine on the menu.
The Giving Tree Wellness Center – Arizona
Can you give us some insight into the medical cannabis community in Arizona, where it’s been and where it’s headed?
Arizona is a really unique cannabis community. There are not many medical marijuana dispensaries operating and there won’t ever be, per statute. That really takes the competition out of the equation for the most part and we can really just focus on creating and maintaining a well-regulated and upstanding industry where the focus is truly just on the patients.
Also, as time goes on and more and more Arizonans are helped by cannabis, our communities will hopefully embrace us as offering a much-needed service instead of being thought of as the criminal-laden underbelly of the cities. The regulated stores are dramatically different than any black market operation. I think this will become more apparent as time goes on as more people in the community are exposed to state-regulated dispensaries.
We see the need for an organization to bring us all together and represent us on the national stage. There is no other organization that does that. We see the importance in supporting it, becoming part of it, and hopefully being more involved in the future. It is the only way to move our industry forward.
If you are a member of NCIA and would like to contribute to the NCIA blog, please contact development officer Bethany Moore by emailing bethany@thecannabisindustry.org.
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Where are they now? This month, NCIA’s editorial department continues the monthly Member Spotlight series by following up with three of our Social Equity Scholarship Recipients as part of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program. Participants are gaining first-hand access to regulators in key markets to get insight on the industry, tips for raising capital, and advice on how to access and utilize data to ensure success in their businesses, along with all the other benefits available to NCIA members.
First off, we have rebranded. We are now Cannvas Events. The name change was part of our evolution and maturation as a startup. As we scaled, more resources became available for things like branding. We brought in Greg Hill of Brand Birth to deploy the science of branding and the end result was a new name, new logo, and new understanding of where we were situated in the regulated cannabis ecosystem. The transformation led to the planning and production of our signature Cannabis Event 2.0 offering, the inaugural Saturnalia Canna Carnival, taking place at the Trinity Health Arena in Muskegon, MI on August 2oth. We are powering a traditional indoor/outdoor carnival – rides and attractions included – with a hassle-free, normalizing consumption solution. If you’re in the Midwest, come join us as we celebrate the first year of an iconic, perennial cannabis festival. Tickets and info at cannvasevents.com and follow us @saturnaliacannacarnival
The Spotlight feature presented tremendous value. The first year of the cannabis startup journey is devoid of financial revenue. Unless you’re needle-in-the-haystack lucky, it’s not even a consideration. The money is flowing in the opposite direction. So, the only available revenue, or currency, are the relationships. If you’re fortunate, these become renewable resources upon which you can draw repeatedly, and managed properly, they have no expiration date. You can bank them like any currency and you have much more influence on their stability, than on fiat currency. For me, that one relationship was with Michael Schwamm, who leads the Duane Morris cannabis practice out of New York. Michael opened doors for me and got me into rooms that I was previously unaware existed. That access has made all of the difference for me, personally, and for Cannvas Events. And had it not been for the Spotlight, I would have never been in position to enjoy that access.
I’m impressed by the brilliant folks on the committee, and their dedication to making cannabis equitable. It takes time out of our grueling work days to contribute time on these committees but the contribution to making the industry better is crucial during these developmental years of cannabis. Perhaps our current misguided, harmful CA cannabis policies could have been prevented with more early participation from stakeholders who are stewards of the plant. However, there were many factors involved with the way CA policies were created, including special interest money from those who don’t care or want to see the industry fail. 
Overburdensome taxes and high barriers to entry for licensing throughout the state are most obvious right now. The lack of diversity and equity, consumer education, state and federal funding for further research and development also play a huge role in CA’s struggles. I’m frustrated that the State doesn’t understand that those who have been dedicated to the industry, collaboration and this plant are the only ones who can truly guide this industry forward.
There is a lot new in the world of Next Level since our Equity Spotlight in September of 2021. In December, we had a booth, sponsored by the awesome team at The People’s Ecosystem, in Moscone Center at NCIA San Francisco. It was our first time attending an expo, let alone having a booth, and it was a great opportunity to grow our brand while creating relationships for future business opportunities. In the second week of the new year we launched our 1000 mg full spectrum coconut oil in Ivy Hill Oakland. And, later that month, we were welcomed into the Third Cohort of Momentum, Eaze’s Cannabis Business Accelerator. Two weeks before classes began, in early April, we launched our infused fast-acting brown sugar in 7 Star Holistic Healing Center. And in May, we attended MJ Unpacked NYC with other graduates of Our Academy. 
California Cannabis is facing challenges on many fronts. Countless unnecessary hurdles to legal entry, political red tape, and excess packaging waste to name a few. But the biggest challenges are around security. Every week there is news of a new dispensary, farm, distributor, and friend being burglarized. High tech security systems, gates, and cameras are no match for organized thieves and slow police responses. Until we can get a portion of our excessive taxes dedicated to funding police divisions that specifically targets cannabis thieves, the best solution to combat this is to support your favorite brands by purchasing their products through legal cannabis retail sources.
