Alice Kuo has always had a passion for design. 

© Courtesy of Caisson

After earning her undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of California, Riverside, she pursued a Master of Interior Architecture degree at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Upon graduating from UCLA, she worked for an architectural firm for a few years and received hands-on experience and training—leading her to eventually open her practice, Caisson Studios. 

Based in Los Angeles, Calif., Caisson Studios is an interior design company that specializes in residential, commercial and hospitality projects. In 2017, the company acquired its first cannabis-related design project.

"I had my first opportunity of working with a large cannabis group that was starting three [retail] stores," says Alice Kuo, Caisson Studios founder. "That was the beginning of getting into the retail [side] of the cannabis industry."

The Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI)- and woman-owned design firm has worked on roughly 25 cannabis-related design projects throughout California.

In this Q&A, Kuo discusses Caisson's cannabis retail design projects in California and the company's unique and cultural design approach in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month.

Andriana Ruscitto: Can you describe Caisson Studios' unique and cultural approach to design?

Alice Kuo: I think cannabis retail design is very similar to other retail stores, but [there is] even more regulation we have to follow. Just like any design for a commercial space, the most important thing is we want to understand the client's vision and who their target consumer is. Who are they selling it to? What's their vision? Brand identity? Demographic? What product do they offer? How do they sell? What's [their] sales strategy? [What's] their consumer volume? So, all of [that] is crucial. At the very beginning, we call it programming to understand those [elements]. Then, we provide some of our expertise by studying the site location and understanding the building codes and the site condition. 

Then we move on to the aesthetic. So, architecture [and] form, what does it look like? … We bring those elements in by choosing the right material, fixtures, graphics and textures for the store. Then we incorporate the appropriate lighting and layout. Circulation is another thing that we focus on because that is functionality. It's not just fine art. At the end of the day, it has to look good, and they have to make money. I spend quite a lot of time on the layout and circulation to ensure that they can reduce wait time and see as many patients as possible. Of course, there's always new technology coming into play, and it's constantly changing, so we are also incorporating all of those elements into our design approach.

© Courtesy of Caisson

AR: What cannabis-related design products does Caisson Studios currently have in the works?

AK: We are working on three dispensaries with a group called Emjay. Emjay started as delivery-only, [but] we helped open its first flagship store in La Mesa, [Calif]. Since then, Emjay has another retail store under construction in Riverside, [Calif]. We are also under contract review [to build a store] in La Brea, Calif.

AR: What is the process like in working with clients? 

AK: Some clients have a very clear understanding of exactly the aesthetic they want and what they're looking for. Some clients are very open. They come in without any branding or any ideas. So, if they have a strong vision, we help them execute it using a technical aspect. And if they don't, we help them work through the process of identifying a brand and then also understanding the neighborhood and looking at the existing site condition, and we take it from there.

AR: What are the biggest challenges of designing cannabis dispensaries in California's cannabis market? 

AK: I think [there are] a couple of challenges. Number one is the [industry] is ever-changing. ... I know it has been a few years now, but there are always rules to keep up with. I think that's really important. ... For example, the rules keep changing about how you can display your retail products and the inventory in your retail space. 

Products [in dispensaries] must be locked into a safe at the end of the day. So, for example, for a [dispensary with] lots of displays … how do we make sure that [they] can clear all the inventory at the end of the day … [but] also open up the store in a very efficient manner? Also, for example, how do you fulfill your orders to reduce wait time? … These things are constantly changing. [It's important] to be adaptable and have trial and error. Look at different [dispensary] case studies and see what works. 

AR: What are some of Caisson Studio's most significant accomplishments that you're most proud of from the past year?

AK: We have been able to work with many dispensary owners and work on so many different types of unique stores. That has been very exciting, and we feel really grateful to be able to work with so many different retail stores. For the last year, Emjay has been one of our very exciting projects that we are working on, especially when it comes to branding their retail stores as well.

AR: What are some of the company's shorter- and longer-term goals?

AK: To bring more of our experience, work and expertise to more stores in California. The long-term goal will be to branch out to other states hopefully. 

AR: What is some advice you would offer to new or even existing designers who are entering the cannabis design space, and how they can succeed?

AK: I think number one is to keep up with the law and regulation of the cannabis industry. The second would be to keep up with case studies on different dispensaries. …The aesthetic of the store affects revenue; it really does. I think that is something that a designer has to be very aware of because it's not just executing a beautiful design. If you don't understand the demographic and you design a store that is for the opposite of your targeted consumer when they come in, they feel uncomfortable in the space, and they're not coming back. … As far as designers, sometimes we focus too much on aesthetics, especially personal aesthetics. At the end of the day, we need to realize that you design for the public and your client.

Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited for style, length and clarity.

Shoppers have spent more than $3 billion at 216 licensed Massachusetts adult-use cannabis dispensaries and 11 delivery businesses since sales first launched on Nov. 20, 2018.

The first state east of the Mississippi River to establish a commercial adult-use retail program, Massachusetts first joined the likes of California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington in the billion-dollar sales club in October 2020, according to data from the state’s Cannabis Control Commission’s open data platform.

It took Massachusetts adult-use retailers another 10 months to hit the $2-billion benchmark in August 2021. Since then, 54 more adult-use dispensaries and five more adult-use couriers opened for business to help push the cumulative total past $3 billion, according to a CCC press release. 

“These sales figures illustrate the steady growth Massachusetts residents expected when they voted to legalize adult-use cannabis in 2016, and the commission was appointed in 2017,” Commission Executive Director Shawn Collins said in the release. “I’m proud our staff continue to work diligently to ensure applicants move through our licensing process efficiently, marijuana establishments operate within a safe, accessible, and effective regulated market, and our work to ensure equity in the industry and the agency remains front and center.”

The $3-billion milestone comes on the heels of Massachusetts retailers generating a total of $5,986,186 on April 20, 2022, representing a 41.7% increase from last year’s roughly $4.2 million in 4/20 sales, according to CCC.

In addition, adult-use cannabis establishments generated more than $1.3 billion in adult-use sales 2021—the first time the state surpassed $1 billion in gross sales in a calendar year.

RELATED: These 8 States Sold $12.8 Billion of Adult-Use Cannabis in 2021

While the state recorded $122.2 million in sales for April 2022, representing a 14.6% increase from the $106.7 million in sales from last April, month-by-month figures have leveled off from last year’s peak of $130.4 million in December sales.

With $523.3 million in 2022 sales through mid-May, Massachusetts is on pace to hit $1.4 billion in adult sales this year.

BOCA RATON, Florida, May 18, 2022 - PRESS RELEASE - Jushi Holdings Inc., a vertically integrated, multi-state cannabis operator, announced that Campbell Hill Ventures, LLC, the company’s 100% owned subsidiary, has been awarded a provisional medical cannabis dispensary license by the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program. The license is designated for 693 Old State Route 74 in Clermont County, Ohio, located just 17.5 miles east of Cincinnati. The new store will operate under Jushi’s retail brand, BEYOND / HELLO, and marks the company’s first retail location in the Buckeye State. This will be the company’s fifth vertically integrated state, accompanying Pennsylvania (by way of its affiliated subsidiaries), Virginia, Massachusetts and Nevada. This summer, the company plans to begin construction on the BEYOND / HELLO Cincinnati store and expects the store to be open by Q1 2023.

“We are very pleased with the outcome of the lottery selection, which allows Jushi to open its first licensed medical dispensary in Ohio and establish our fifth vertically integrated market. Along with this win, we intend to pursue additional retail dispensary licenses through opportunistic acquisitions to expand our Ohio retail store base,” said Jim Cacioppo, CEO, chairman and founder of Jushi. “We look forward to bringing the full Jushi retail experience to Ohio, including our new retail design system, which will provide patients with an efficient, accessible and safe experience that goes beyond the traditional cannabis retail environment. With this newly awarded retail license, along with our existing state-of-the-art cultivation and processing assets, Jushi is well-positioned to support the rapidly evolving Ohio medical market.”

The new dispensary location is a five-minute drive from the Cincinnati Nature Center. Additionally, the new site is a five-minute drive from EastGate Mall and situated close to two major routes, Route 275 and Route 32, as well as several big-box stores along Route 74. Surrounded by local museums, historic sites, parks, breweries, wineries and golf courses, the new store is also approximately 20 miles east of major tourist sites such as Paul Brown Stadium, Newport Aquarium and Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens.

Currently, three of Jushi’s in-house brands are available in the Ohio medical cannabis market, including Sèchè, a flower line, Tasteology, a brand of premium, real fruit, cannabis-infused gummies and The Lab, a vaporization line. In Q2 2022, Jushi expects to launch additional Sèchè flower product lines, along with its flower brand, The Bank, in Ohio.