1
Jazmin Hupp & Amy Dannemiller (aka Jane West)
Co-Founders
Women Grow
San Francisco, CA & Denver, CO
AB
Jazmin and Amy struck a nerve and mobilized the movement for female inclusion in the Green Rush when they launched Women Grow in 2014. Their idea blossomed into a multi-state, chapter driven, for-profit organization that today has monthly events in over 35 markets, a large e-mail subscriber base and brand recognized nationwide. Jazmin and Amy have leveraged their roles in starting Women Grow to personal success and have moved on to pursue other opportunities in the industry. They passed the organization’s leadership role to Leah Heise, a Maryland attorney, advocate and business woman. The brand these women built over the last two years is positioned to compete for a piece of the media market and CBE looks forward to watching the organization’s next steps.
2
Meg Sanders
Founder & CEO
Mindful
Denver, CO
PPR
Meg, along with her 2 managing partners, founded Mindful in 2010 and led its growth to nearly $18 million in 2015 revenue. In addition to the 4 dispensaries, cultivation, and processing facilities in Denver, Mindful most recently increased its footprint by opening a dispensary in Addison, Illinois With a count of more than 100 employees and a consulting operation (Marimind), the company is well-positioned to extend the brand into multiple states. Meg was a member of Governor Hickenlooper’s Amendment 64 Task Force and has been a vocal patient advocate.
3
Patricia Rosi-Santucci
CEO
Wellness Connection of Maine
Portland, ME
PPR
After a highly successful international advertising and marketing career, Patricia joined the firm in 2013 as COO and took over as CEO by the end of the year. Wellness Connection of Maine, along with four of the state’s eight vertically integrated licenses, operates medical cannabis dispensaries in Brewer, Gardiner, Portland and Thomaston. They were ranked as number 21 on the 2015 CBE Top 100 PPR list.
4
Nancy Whiteman
Co-Founder & CEO
Wana Brands
Denver, CO
PPR
Based in Colorado, Wana Brands (WB) is a manufacturer of infused products (edibles, extracts and medicinals) with more than 90 employees and product distribution in 90% in dispensaries the state. Under Nancy’s leadership, WB established Good Manufacturing Processes to ensure consistency and quality, while also being a key component of their domestic and international expansion through licensing plan. As you read, WB is increasing their footprint in Nevada and Oregon this year. Nancy is also the edibles chair for the Cannabis Business Alliance.
5
Dale Sky Jones
Executive Chancellor, Oaksterdam University
Oaksterdam University
Berkely, CA
AB
As a business woman, advocate, activist, educator, and mother, Dale has been focused on cannabis policy reform throughout the country. She became President of Oaksterdam University with a goal to provide education, help the Cannabis Industry, and offer quality training. Dale was Chairwoman of the Coalition for Cannabis Policy Reform, as well as the spokesperson for the Prop 19 California legalization initiative. She was a key player in shaping the debate for California’s 2016 AUMA initiative.
6
Jamie Perino
Founder & CEO
Euflora
Denver, CO
PPR
As number 25 and with more than $12 million in revenue on the 2015 CBE 100 Producers, Processors and Retailers (PPRs), Jamie launched the “Apple store of weed” in 2007. Euflora was the first dispensary to break into the Denver retail scene and now boasts three store locations in Colorado. A unique feature of the store is that it displays feature glass jars of cannabis with tablets next to them so customers can learn about each strain. Plans to expand include Chicago, Illinois among other locations.
7
Brooke Gehring
Founder & Partner
FGS,Inc. Patients Choice & Live Green Cannabis
Denver, CO
PPR
Brooke’s company ranked as 25 on the 2015 CBE 100 PPRs list, with more than $12 million in revenue. Her company has four locations across Colorado and two large-scale cultivation operations that employ at least 85 state-licensed employees. She is currently Chair on the executive board of the Marijuana Industry Group (MIG)—the largest industry organization in Colorado. Recently, Brooke was selected to be a Founding Board Member of the Council for Responsible Cannabis Regulation (CRCR) and a Founding Member of Women Grow.
8
Dr. Sue Sisley
Researcher & Psychiatrist
Scottsdale Research Institute, LLC
Scottsdale, AZ
Researcher
After gaining approval from the National Institutes of Drug Addiction (NIDA) in 2014 to study the effects of marijuana for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at the University of Arizona, Dr. Sisley was unceremoniously fired before receiving a $2 million grant from the state. Thanks to the new amendment passed by the Senate, veterans can now get medical marijuana in any state that permits the use of therapeutic cannabis. Doctors at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are can prescribe or recommend the use of medical cannabis to patients.
9
Sally Vander-Veer
President
Medicine Man
Denver, CO
PPR
Under Sally’s leadership, Medicine Man was named the “Best Medical Marijuana Dispensary” of 2015 in Colorado’s highly competitive and innovative emerging market. Prior to becoming President of Medicine Man in early 2013, Sally spent 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry working for Parke-Davis and Pfizer—first as a research and development chemist, then later in sales and clinical trial development. Sally is an accomplished entrepreneur who has also successfully developed commercial and residential real estate with her husband. She also served as Senior Vice President for BioCritique, an online physician medical education program.
10
Dr. Cristina Gonzalez & Nicki Gonzalez
CEO
G FarmaLabs
Anaheim, CA
PPR
“Behind every great man is a great woman.” In the case of G FarmaLabs, the idiom should state
two great woman! Nicki Gonzalez, Co-Founder of the company, has been instrumental in establishing best practices that have helped the company grow. Ranked as 27 on the 2015 CBE 100 PPRs list, G FarmaLabs made nearly $12 million in revenue and expanded into Washington and other markets. Dr. Cristina Gonzalez now runs the the company as CEO.
11
AC Braddock
CEO
Eden Labs
Seattle, WA
AB
Like G FarmaLabs, the same idiom applies at Eden Labs where revenues have grown substantially since CEO AC Braddock assumed the reigns. In addition to establishing best practices that allowed Eden Labs to become one of the top extraction equipment manufacturers in the industry, AC has given her time and energy as a Board member of NCIA and as a Founding Member of Women Grow.
12
Kristi Kelly
Co-Founder & CEO
Good Meds
Denver, CO
PPR
After a successful career as an advertising executive, Kristi founded GoodMeds with her husband Nathan and their friend. She is CEO of CBE’s 30th ranked PPR in 2015 and has been heavily involved with several industry organizations over the last five years. She served the industry as Vice Chair and Board Member of the Marijuana Industry Group—helping to create Colorado’s medical marijuana regulatory framework—and as a Founding Board Member of The Fourth Corner Credit Union.
13
Kristi Knoblich
Co-Founder
Kiva
Bay Area, CA
PPR
Kristi is cofounder to one of the most recognized medical cannabis companies in California. During an interview with the Kiva founders, CBE learned that they distribute products to more than 700 dispensaries in California, has over 40 employees, and generates in excess of $10 million in annual revenues. The edible company was number 28 in the 2015 CBE 100 Producers, Processors and Retailers (PPRs), and we’ll see where they end up this year!
14
Cheryl Longtin
CEO
Nexus Greenhouse Solutions
Denver, CO
AB
Since Cheryl Longtin and her husband, Mike Porter, purchased the business in 1994, Cheryl has led Denver-based Nexus Corporation as the Chairman and CEO for more than 20 years. Under her leadership, the company was ranked as number 3 in the 2016 CBE 100 Ancillary Businesses list. Cheryl brought years of business and law experience as an executive and general counsel for Fortune 100 automotive companies, Borg Warner Automotive and ITT Automotive,
15
Jamie D’Agostino
CEO
Phytologie
Oakland, CA
PPR
CEO Jamie D’Agostino opened Phytologie to provide self service and full service options for patients, and the dispensary was ranked as number 34 in the 2015 CBE 100 Producers, Processors and Retailers (PPRs). She remains active in advocacy as a founder and current chair of the Cannabis Business Alliance chamber of commerce and by serving as board chair for the National Cannabis Industry Association.
16
Amy, Hillary and Keeley Peckham
Co-Founders, CEO, COO & CHO
Etain, LLC
Katonah, NY
PPR
The Peckham family won one out of five highly sought after New York licenses to run a vertically integrated operation with four retail medical marijuana stores in the State.
17
Anne Holland & Cassandra Farrington
Co-Founders & CEO
MJ Business Media
Providence, RI
AB
Cassandra is the co-founder, CEO, and former publisher of Marijuana Business Media. She is also the COO/CFO at Anne Holland Ventures, Inc., the parent company of MMJ Business Daily, which founder Anne Holland refers to as “the Wall Street Journal of pot.”
18
Nicole Smith
Founder and CEO
Mary’s Medicinals
Denver, CO
PPR
An Industry pioneer, Nicole is founder and CEO of Mary’s Medicinals, Mary’s Nutritionals, Mary’s Pets, and Mary’s Foundation for Caring, a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to patient education and outreach. She was recognized by the Denver Business Journal as an ‘Outstanding Woman in Business ‘ and ’Mile High Leader’ this year.
19
Kate Brown
Governor
State of Oregon
Salem, OR
State Government
Governor Kate Brown replaced John Kitzhaber, who was less than supportive of the state’s legalization efforts. Her administration oversees the implementation of Oregon’s legalization legislation. It remains to be seen how the oversight of Oregon’s Medical and Recreational programs will progress in light of the number of state regulatory agencies involved. But stay tuned, her leadership will be crucial!
20
Amy Poinsett & Jessica Billingsley
CEO/COO
MJ Freeway
Denver, CO
AB
Amy and Jessica are industry leaders, mentors, and advocates. They’ve built a successful software company to help states, local governments, and licensees track legal cannabis and run their businesses nationwide. Their company won the Nevada state tracking system software competition earlier this year.
21
Julianne Carrella
Founder & CEO
Auntie Delores
Oakland, CA
PPR
Bringing more than 20 years of culinary experience to the industry, Julianna founded Auntie Dolores and the Treatibles company. Auntie Dolores made it as number 99 to the 2015 CBE 100 Producers, Processors and Retailers. Inspired by customer requests, Treatibles incorporates CBD and can be sold all over the world.
22
Dr. LaKisha Jenkins
Owner
Kiona’s Farm’acy
CA
PPR
LaKisha’s company, which is divided as the Kiona Foundation and the Farm’acy, has provided holistic health services to Northern California since 2010.
23
Meg Collins
VP Public Affairs
Good Chemistry
Denver, CO
PPR
Meg was the executive director of the Cannabis Business Alliance (CBA) prior to joining Good Chemistry—one of Denver’s leading medical and recreational marijuana dispensaries—as the Vice President of Business Development. She was at the forefront of recreational legalization in Colorado with CBA and helped build the framework for Amendment 64.
24
Roshawn Reordan
CEO
GreenLeaf Labs
Portland, OR
AB
Rowshawn is CEO of Greenleaf Labs, which ranked as number 51 in the CBE 100 Top Ancillary Businesses of 2016. She is also an attorney for Loney Law Group, assisting in criminal defense and business transaction issues for the cannabis industry.
25
Allie McAboy
Owner
The Novel Tree
Bellevue, WA
PPR
Allie partnered with Chris to open Bellevue, Washington’s second recreational marijuana shop, the Novel Tree. The company has seen much success since launching and made it to number 49 on the 2015 CBE 100 Producers, Processors and Retailers (PPRs) list.
26
Peggy Moore
Owner
Love’s Oven
Denver, CO
PPR
The year of 2011 marked the beginning of Peggy’s cannabis advocacy, when she joined Love Oven as a partner. Love Oven is a bakery focused on serving patients through high quality Cannabis deliveries with small batch, home-style baked goods. As Executive Director of the Cannabis Business Alliance, Peggy is helping to develop the guidelines that protect and educate cannabis consumers, like product testing and warning labels.
27
Emily Cohen
Director of Business Development
The Clinic
Denver, CO
PPR
Part of the Cohen family team, Emily has played a key role in overseeing the company’s vertically integrated operation expansion to include six retail operations in Colorado, two retail operations in Illinois, and a location soon to open in Las Vegas.
28
Portia Simpson Miller
Prime Minister
Jamaica
Kingston, Jamaica
National Government
The well-respected, diplomatic leader led the charge in reforming Jamaica’s drug laws. Cannabis in small amounts was decriminalized during her tenure. She is also ranked as 66 on the 2016 CBE Political 100 Influencers in Cannabis list.
29
Noelle Skodzinski
Editor
Cannabis Business Times
Valley View, OH
AB
Noelle, co-founder and editor of Cannabis Business Times, has been in the publishing industry for more than two decades. She started the only national print magazine for legal marijuana growers with her partner in 2014. Most recently, she has been an advocate and speaker for legalization in New Jersey.
30
Amy Margolis
Executive Director
Oregon Cannabis Association
Portland, Oregon
AB
In addition to being Executive Director of the Oregon Cannabis Association and advocating for cannabis policy in the State, Amy has been representing people charged with marijuana related offenses for 13 years. She is also a practicing criminal defense attorney in both State and Federal court.
31
Debbie Bacon
Green-Theory
Green-Theory
Bellevue, WA
PPR
Debbie opened Green Theory, Bellevue’s first legal recreational cannabis store, with her husband in 2014. The shop made it to number 57 on the 2015 CBE 100 Producers, Processors and Retailers list. The couple is known for its philanthropic efforts in Washington with a focus on at-risk children.
32
Sage Peterson
CEO
Canuvo
Biddeford, ME
PPR
Sage started Canuvo with her husband in Maine, which serves as one of eight (medical) marijuana districts in the State with a population base of 190,000. Under her direction, Canuvo made it to number 82 on the 2015 CBE 100 Producers, Processors and Retailers (PPRs) list.
33
Meghan Walstatter
Co-Founder
PureGreen
Portland, OR
PPR
Meghan has been growing cannabis for more than 15 years. She and her husband own Pure Green, a medical marijuana dispensary in Portland, Oregon. She is a founding member of the Oregon Cannabis PAC and the Oregon Cannabis Association, as well as a member of the Retail Sub-Committee for OregonÕs recreational marijuana program.
34
Bugi Perrone
Owner/President
Gobi Analytical
Denver, CO
AB
As co-owner, Bugi opened Gobi AnalyticalÑthe first state certified lab to get the green light to start testing retail marijuana products for containments like bacteria and mold. The company was number 36 on the 100 Top Ancillary Businesses of 2016 list.
35
Jill Amen
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
House of Jane
California
PPR
Jill’s passion for cultivating cannabis and the desire to become a barista turned into House of Jane, cannabis infused coffee. The brand has received recognition from several media outlets and channels.
36
Kirsten Gillibrand
US Senator
New York
New York, New York
Federal Government
Listed as number 17 on the 2016 CBE Political 100 Influencers in Cannabis, Senator Gillibrand co-sponsored the Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States Act (CARERS) which seeks significant reforms in marijuana policy in the US, according to the Brookings Institute. She is an advocate for the cannabis community in Congress.
37
Susan Chikovsky
CEO
Harvest Green Trimmers
Denver, CO
AB
Sue is proud owner of the first medical marijuana harvest and trim company to be fully compliant with Colorado regulations. She started the “Trimmer Training School” and plans to go national. Green Mountain Harvest currently boasts four locations in Colorado with more than 75 employees. Championed as the “Queen of Best Practices” by CBE, we look forward to what she has in store next!
38
Wendy Robbins & Karen Paull
Producers, The Marijuana Show
The Marijuana Show
Denver, CO
AB
These two women helped cannabis businesses draw the attraction of traditional and non-traditional investors and venture capitalists with the online launch of the Marijuana Show in 2014. The duo has invested millions in budding entrepreneurs, and it doesn’t look like they’re stopping any time soon.
39
Whoopi Goldberg & Maya Elisabeth
Co-Founders
Whoopi & Maya Medical Cannabis
California
PPR
Whoopi is known for her acting in several films and has not been shy about her cannabis use. Now, she has paved a new path with founder of OM Edibles, Maya Elisabeth, to create cannabis products targeted toward women with menstrual discomfort.
40
Wanda James
CEO
Simply Pure Dispensary
Denver, CO
PPR
Wanda decided to get into the cannabis industry due to her brother’s 10-year prison sentence for marijuana. She now owns and operates the first black-owned dispensary in Denver, Colorado for recreational sales. Not limited to the borders of CO, James is also the president of Cannabis Global InitiativeÑan attempt to connect marijuana worlds in CO and abroad.
41
Cheryl Shuman
Entrepreneur, Business Woman, Columnist
Several
Los Angelas, CA
AB
Cheryl is a businesswoman who has promoted Cannabis products and advanced legalization efforts since surviving cancer and injuries from two car crashes. She’s developed partnerships with celebrities and speaks about the health benefits on national television.
42
Julie Dooley
CEO
Julie’s natural Edibles
Denver, CO
PPR
Julie’s diagnosis of celiacs disease led to her launch of Julie’s Baked Goods, which supplies products to medicinal and recreational dispensaries across Colorado. In 2014, she was featured in the MSNBC documentary, “Pot Barons,” and continues to see growth for the company.
43
Diane Stratford Czarkowski
Principle
CannaAdvisors
Boulder, CO
AB
Diane is Co-Founder and Principle at Canna Advisors, a Colorado-based cannabis consulting firm. She is a founding member of the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) and president of the Women’s CannaBusiness Network California chapter. Diane has 12 years experience in the tech industry and 10 years in real estate.
44
Jaime Lewis
Founder & CEO
Mountain Medicine
Denver, CO
PPR
Jamie is the founder and executive chef of Mountain Medicines, a medical marijuana-infused product manufacturer founded in 2009. Since 2006, she has managed the production of medical marijuana-infused products and lead medical and recreational dispensary operations. She first began making medical marijuana edibles for HIV/AIDS patients in California as part of a compassionate care co-op.
45
Melissa Etheridge
Musician & Advocate
Wine Tincture
California
AB
Melissa is among celebrities who has advocated for the plant since it was her preferred choice during breast cancer and chemo therapy treatment. She entered the business side of the industry by creating cannabis-infused wine. She believes “the cannabis revolution is being led by middle-aged women,” and she is highlighted as being among the most influential.
46
Celeste Miranda
Founder & CEO
The Cannabis Marketing Lab
CA
AB
According to her company’s website, Celeste’s goal is “to empower cannabis-related businesses to grow and succeed through digital marketing strategies.” Beyond the Cannabis Marketing Lab, Miranda works with Cannabusiness Attorneys in Florida and writes articles on cannabis marketing for CBE.
47
Chloe Villano
President / Founder
Clover Leaf University
Denver, CO
AB
Chloe has taken the industry by storm as founder of Clover Leaf Consulting and Clover Leaf University, the only cannabis education program and university approved, regulated, and licensed by the Colorado Department of Higher Educations Private Occupational School Board. She is executive director of the Cannabis Business Association and opened the first cannabis club in AmericaÑClub 64.
48
Karson Humiston
CEO
Vangst (Gradujuana)
Denver, CO
AB
Karson, the creator of Gradujuana—now Vangst Talent Network—began connecting great cannabis companies with college graduates as a cannabis staffing agency while she was still in school. Since starting in 2015, Gradujuana has helped companies employ candidates in California, Washington, Colorado, Oregon and Nevada.
49
Giadha Aguirre De Carcer
Founder and CEO
New Frontier
Washington DC
AB
Giadha started New Frontier, which provides Big Data to the cannabis industry through analysis and industry reporting. Her company’s services equip customers with the knowledge necessary to increase profits, identify opportunities, and navigate this nascent yet under served market.
50
Jen Gentile
Co-Founder & COO
SpeedWeed
California
AB
With her husband and his brother, Jen co-founded SpeedWeed, one of the most successful delivery services in Southern California. She is well-known as an industry advocate, reporter, and marketer.
