WINNER STORIES
BRANDS
Trucenta
AWARD:
Early Adopter
How did your company get its start?
“The “Cannabis Bloom” is positioned to be the next tech boom as the industry continues to expand and move towards federal legalization. The Michigan business community has the opportunity to optimize the impact of the cannabis industry. Trucenta was founded in 2015 on an idea and handshake to make such an impact.
Today, our privately held company employs over 200 team members in outdoor and indoor cultivation, processing, manufacturing, wholesale distribution and BREEZE retail locations. We have the ability to process close to 100,000 pounds of biomass per month utilizing both hydrocarbon and ethanol. The cannabis industry has its unprecedented challenges, but it's exhilarating and we are deeply passionate about being a caretaker of the Michigan cannabis industry.”
1906
AWARD:
Best Brand Profiles, Top-Selling Ingestibles, Fastest-Growing Ingestibles
How did your company get its start?
"We started 1906 because we believe cannabis is the greatest medicine on earth. Our goal is to make cannabis a trusted, normal part of daily wellness with products that are easy to understand and easy to fit into your life and offer the most healthful format of cannabis available.
1906 is named for the last time cannabis was widely accepted as a beneficial medicine. The Wiley Act was passed the following year, beginning nearly a century of misguided cannabis prohibition with devastating consequences. We say it’s high time to make cannabis accessible and understandable for all—for the greater good (and the greater fun)."
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Cannalicious Labs
AWARD:
Early Adopters
What sets you apart from the rest of the market?
”Cannalicious is always looking for new and innovative ways to improve the market as well as enhance the user experience. We incorporate a wide range of cannabinoids other than THC into our products and try our best to educate consumers on the benefits of cannabis as a whole. We also specialize in RSO and have the best-selling lineup in the state of Michigan.”
The Greenery Hash Factory
AWARD:
Best Customer Service
How did your company get its start?
“Our business was founded by Joel Cameron and Brian Capsay, who are both locals from Durango who wanted to see more traditional, solventless options on the wholesale market. Today, The Greenery Hash Factory is the only company in Colorado producing traditional, kief-based concentrates, and their products can be found in over 270 dispensaries across the state.”
Raw
AWARD:
Top-Selling Brands, Fastest-Growing Cartridges, Fastest-Growing Concentrates, Top Brand by Market - CA
How did your company get its start?
"John De Friel, a 4th-generation farmer and chemical and biological engineer, and Thomas Martin, a 5th generation farmer, both took an interest in understanding the genetics of cannabis and established Raw Garden in 2015.
De Friel studied the genomic sequencing of cannabis and created a sequence assisted breeding program applying next-gen DNA sequencing technologies, high-throughput phenotyping, and machine learning to identify and integrate sets of genes coding for high value traits in cannabis. Martin currently leads the R&D, agricultural, and manufacturing teams.
Today, Raw Garden relies on its PhD and MSc scientists to guide the organization’s plant breeding, genomics, biotechnology, integrated pest management, and data science programs. Tens of thousands of plants are evaluated each year with only the top 1% being selected, a nod to Raw Garden’s commitment to quality and innovation."
Mary's Medicinals
AWARD:
Top-Selling Ingestibles, Top-Selling Topicals
How did your company get its start?
”Mary’s Medicinals was founded in 2012 by two powerhouse women looking to offer a line of therapeutic cannabis products that offered consistency, accurate dosing and a sense of reliability that didn’t currently exist in the market.
Born in Denver, Colorado, Mary’s pioneered transdermal cannabis by way of creating the first ever time-release cannabinoid patch in 2013. At this time, the benefits of cannabis were known, but there were no delivery methods that offered an efficient and consistent way for regimen users to consume.
Thus, Mary’s was born, and the success of its cutting-edge delivery methods led to a comprehensive line embracing the versatility of the cannabis plant powered by science and innovation.”
Cookies
AWARD:
Fastest-Growing Brand
How did your company get its start?
”CEO and Co-Founder Berner started his cannabis career as a budtender in the Bay Area during California’s early days as a medical cannabis forerunner. He quickly realized there were not any “brands” and the cannabis itself was sold in very unappealing bags, so he wanted to establish a brand with appealing packaging.
And he didn’t just want in the game for himself, he wanted to bring up others too. Berner partnered with Bay Area cultivator and breeder Jai “Jigga” Chang to create Cookies, a strain of medical marijuana they formerly marketed as “Girl Scout Cookies.” In 2010, the cannabis strain was paired with a streetwear clothing line (Cookies SF) which gave birth to a cannabis company and clothing line, resulting in an entire cannabis enterprise.”
Michigan Organic Rub
AWARD:
Fastest-Growing Topicals
How did your company get its start?
"My name is Vince Volovlek and I'm the founder of Michigan Organic Rub.
In 2013, I was involved in a near death accident in a side by side ATV where I almost lost my arm and had my artery severed. After multiple surgeries, suffering numerous complications from the 10+ pharmaceuticals I was prescribed to take, I started to seek a more natural way of healing from my injuries.
After doing months of research, I came up with what is now known as Michigan Organic Rub. I had no intentions on creating a brand, I just wanted to get my life back. After passing it out to some friends and family, the feedback I was receiving was something I could not ignore. Thus "Michigan Organic Rub" was born.
We currently make 7 scents of our award winning rubs in 2 different ratios, an all Vegan "after sun" moisturizing lotion, "Chapstix" coming in peppermint and coconut flavor and Vegan THC capsules.
Thank you for healing with Michigan Organic Rub and choosing to "rub some MOR on it"."
Sunderstorm/
Kanha
AWARD:
Best Advertising
What sets you apart from the rest of the market?
”Here at Kanha, we pride ourselves in making sure every product out in the market surpasses the expectations of consumers by having the same great taste, consistency, and all natural ingredients that sets us apart.
We continuously strive to produce innovative products such as our Kanha Nano, which were the first fast-acting gummies in the industry. When you open a bag of Kanha, our goal is to make sure your experience with cannabis is a blissful and joyful journey.”
Indiva
AWARD:
Top Brand by Market - Ontario
How did your company get its start?
”Indiva is all about combining great things. Indica and sativa. Experience and expertise. Cannabis and the community. No matter what we do, Indiva honours the past while keeping our sights set on the future. Great things come in pairs, which is why we partner with established and much-beloved cannabis brands to bring Canadians the cannabis products they deserve. We’re passionate about uncovering the very best the cannabis industry has to offer. From flower and capsules to gummies and chocolate, Indiva’s dedication to providing innovative and exceptional cannabis products to consumers shines through.
Our mission is simple: normalize cannabis use while setting new standards for quality and creativity.”
WUNDER
AWARD:
Fastest-Growing Beverages
How did your company get its start?
”WUNDER began with three people who wondered a better way to socialize with friends and relax with family. Alexi, father of three, Phil, OG cannasseur, and Christian, former-finance canna-curious adventurer, wondered about a better alternative to alcohol.
This wonder turned into a mission, a movement that allows us all to embrace healthier choices while seeking joyful experiences—so that we can unwind when we need to, be present for what matters most, and show up as our best selves afterward."
Lime Cannabis Co.
AWARD:
Leaders in Social Responsibility, Fastest-Growing Ingestibles
How did your company get its start?
”Sergey called Giovanti one day in April of 2019 and said he had obtained a license in Los Angeles. Giovanti packed a backpack,hopped on the next flight out of San Francisco and the rest was history. We brainstormed for a week straight, night and day about the brand we wanted to build. We came up with the name Lime because the best things in life come with a Lime on the side. #itslimetime"
Source Cannabis
AWARD:
Fastest-Growing Flower
What sets you apart from the rest of the market?
”We only cultivate cannabis we are proud to consume ourselves. Every step of our Clean Green Certified process is sourced with love and executed with the highest standards. We continue to achieve this by growing indoor with the principles of nature: living soil and with all-natural fertilizers. We are proud to provide the cleanest green you’ve ever seen.”
RETAILERS
Nirvana Center
AWARD:
Top-Purchasing Retailers, Top Retailer by Market - AZ
How did your company get its start?
"With our first location being in Phoenix, we've been serving the Arizona community for the last 5 years! We are family-owned and operated, with a passion for cannabis and its powerful healing properties. Nirvana Center focuses on a true experience of tranquility and wellness, with educated budtenders that can guide patients through their transactional history.
Everyone reacts to cannabis differently, so it's our goal to curate solutions that work for every type of patient! Experience wellness with us every day at Nirvana Center, where you can find a wide variety of products and brands that will fit your cannabis needs."
3rd Street Dispensary
AWARD:
Top Retailer by Market - MO
How did your company get its start?
"We are a 100% local, veteran-owned and family-operated business. The Annens and Westhues, co-founders, first met as neighbors do. Fast forward to the day we discussed a marijuana business and partnership – there’s an icebreaker.
We recognized our fit immediately, all sharing personal experiences where marijuana did or could’ve positively impacted a loved one's quality of life. The work started right away on the grueling application process and while waiting with fingers crossed on the state’s scoring, the remodeling and forming our vison and operations from scratch began."
Thrive
AWARD:
Fastest-Growing Retailers, Top Retailer by State - IL
What is your company culture like?
"Thrive has amazing employees who all want the same thing- to help others have safe access to cannabis in IL. When everyone shares a common goal, its helps build relationships within our team which is the driving force of our business. Without such amazing , hardworking employees - this would not be possible."
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Preserve Oregon
AWARD:
Taste Testers
What is your company culture like?
"We all have a strong connection to family whether that's our own kids or just bring people together for a cause. We treat each other like family, our customers like family, and our vendors like family. This amazing plant we call a weed, puts food on our tables, brings people together and supports healing and reflections. That's family to us."
CannaVana
AWARD:
Top Retailer - MA
How did your company get its start?
”Mario started CannaVana in 2016 as a non-profit medical license holder. In 2014 Mario ripped his Meniscus while in a motorcycle accident. He did not want to take pain killers, so he turned to Cannabis. While at a trade show in Boston, his knee started to act up, to the point he could barely walk. He found a booth giving out CBD cream. He applied it, and minutes later he was able to walk. Mario turned to Ricardo and said "we can sell this because it works." CannaVana believes in the products that we are selling. We listen to our customer needs and concerns to continuously order the best products in the Massachusetts market, while keeping them affordable for everyone. CannaVana opened the doors on July 29th 2020.”
