CHICAGO—Oct. 24, 2018—PRESS RELEASE—Medical cannabis patients across Illinois will soon have access to Wana Brands' infused edibles. The edibles producer has finalized an exclusive licensing agreement with Grassroots Cannabis, Illinois’ largest medical cannabis company. The partnership will bring Wana Brands’ medical cannabis products to Illinois dispensaries in the fourth quarter of 2018.
“Grassroots Cannabis is hands-down the most trusted provider of medical cannabis in Illinois. Its loyal patient base and a strong focus on compliance are why Wana Brands sought it out as a partner,” said Nancy Whiteman, founder and CEO of Wana Brands.
The agreement with Grassroots Cannabis marks another milestone in Wana Brands’ continued expansion from its Colorado headquarters. The company’s consistent and potent medical marijuana products are also available in Arizona, Nevada and Oregon dispensaries, with Florida among the states imminently coming online. Wana Brands expects to expand into California, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington and internationally in Canada through 2019. Wana Brands is the No. 1 infused cannabis brand in Colorado, selling more units and dollars than any other cannabis products company, according to an August 2018 report from point-of-sale tracking firm BDS Analytics.
“Illinois patients rely on Grassroots Cannabis for top-quality medical cannabis products,” said Mitch Kahn, co-founder and CEO of Grassroots Cannabis. “This partnership with an internationally recognized company such as Wana Brands further cements our role as the state’s leading medical cannabis provider.”
Products coming to the Illinois market in fall 2018 include Wana Brands’ gummies that deliver precise dosing for patients. Wana Gummies feature standardized dosing of 10 mg of THC per piece and two flavors, Mango (Sativa) and Blueberry (Indica). All Wana products are naturally flavored, vegan and gluten-free.
“Wana Brands is known for innovative and dependable products because of our strict quality standards, and this extends across all markets,” Whiteman noted. “The team at Grassroots Cannabis is equally dedicated, and we look forward to building on this partnership.”
Grassroots Cannabis is the largest medical cannabis provider in Illinois, serving 24 percent of the state’s patients. The company has grown exponentially since its establishment in 2014, when Illinois implemented the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program. It currently operates eight dispensaries across the state. Grassroots Cannabis has since expanded into Maryland, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio and Pennsylvania, with applications pending in four additional states.
“The dominance of Wana Brands in Colorado and other legal cannabis markets is a testament to the company’s focus on delivering only the highest quality, most consistent products,” Kahn continued. “Grassroots Cannabis shares the same objectives as we grow our company.”
The licensing agreement has been approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). More than 44,000 patients have joined Illinois’ Medical Cannabis Registry Program since it launched in September 2014, with numbers skyrocketing after Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a measure Aug. 28 aimed at strengthening the state’s fight in the ongoing opioid crisis, allowing doctors to prescribe medical marijuana instead of opioids to help patients with chronic pain, stemming from cancer or other medical issues. Qualifying medical conditions include HIV/AIDS, ALS, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, Crohn's disease, severe fibromyalgia, glaucoma, hepatitis C, lupus, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, spinal cord disease/injury, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
