Green Entrepreneur Summer 2019

This issue was hard. Narrowing down the thousands of cannabis companies to the top 100 (plus 20 honorable mentions) was like choosing a favorite child. Or I guess 100 favorite children (plus 20 honorable mentions). OK, that’s a terrible analogy. But you get the point. There are so many incredible and innovative cannabusinesses out there, and because the legal industry is so new and always changing, success is difficult to measure. So how does one pick the best? You can start by doing what we did—poring through thousands of applications, reading countless data reports and spreadsheets, and even maybe sampling a few products (hey, it’s research!)—all to help make the most informed decision possible. In the end, we were pleased with the result, and we think you will be, too.…

Cookies was founded in 2012 by Berner, the prolific Bay Area rapper and entrepreneur, and his partner Jai, Bay Area cultivator and breeder. The combination of new genetics, the internet, music and streetwear has solidified Cookies as a one of a kind brand that’s been established during a priceless time that may never come back. With the music industry backing Cookies and social media and YouTube vlogs documenting its growth and breeding projects, the community was able to take that ride with the brand which built a grassroots cult following. Today, Cookies is one of the most respected and top-selling cannabis brands in California and is globally recognized, amassing a stable of over 50 cannabis varieties and product lines including indoor, greenhouse and sungrown flower, pre-rolls, gel caps and vape…

The cannabis industry is hiring. To date, more than 211,000 people have full-time cannabis jobs in legal states, and more than 64,000 of those jobs were added in 2018, according to a special report from the resource site Leafly. This number will only continue to grow as new companies enter the industry and more states legalize. But having sold weed in high school doesn’t make you a shoo-in for a job. In fact, as the cannabis business has taken off, it’s also gotten much more competitive. If you’re heading for an interview, here are the mistakes to avoid—and the opportunities to take advantage of. MISTAKE ▸ Winging it. Surprisingly, many candidates assume they can cruise through the interview, according to Regina Rear-Connor, a talent acquisition leader at cannabis marketing agency…

Unless you’re a wealthy business genius who fully understands every aspect of the cannabis industry, you probably need some advice—and a little funding—to get your company off the ground. In the tech industry, this assist often comes in the form of an incubator, like Y Combinator or Techstars. These groups work with companies they believe have potential and help take them to the next level. Now incubators are starting to pop up in the cannabis industry, too. To help you decide whether to try one, here’s the lay of the land: What, exactly, is a cannabis incubator? It’s a company that gives selected cannabis startups a boost in their early stages. Generally, incubators provide expert advice on the direction a startup should take, helping it evolve from its earliest stages…

What does seed to sale really mean? Introducing Medterra – a Kentucky-based CBD company with a foundation built on quality, consistency and affordability. They are quickly defining the term “seed-to-sale”, as they personally oversee the growth of their own hemp, the entire manufacturing process and even the final sale of the CBD products themselves. “If you want to build something sustainable, you simply cannot cut corners”-Jay Hartenbach MEDTERRA CEO Medterra prides themselves on the quality of every single one of their CBD products, because they see people not only as customers, but as members of their own family – and family deserves the best. Medterra is committed to full transparency from seed to sale, from the cultivation of the hemp plant to the CBD product on your shelf, meaning customers…

There’s a lot of money to be made in cannabis. That’s why deep-pocketed venture capitalists and private equity funds are placing million-dollar bets on the most interesting companies. But how does the average investor get in on the action—or better yet, the average enthusiast with little money to spend? Sure, they could just buy stock in one of the many public cannabis companies on Wall Street and the Canadian Stock Exchange. We’ve seen plenty of exciting IPOs lately. But that’s not where the biggest (potential!) returns are. Those come by investing directly into companies. And how does the average investor do that? There are many ways that don’t require you to sell your home, all with the caveat of: Don’t bet the house, be cautious, invest only with money you…