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Cannabis Business Insights: Specials Magazine
In a crowded cannabis market rampant with hype and headlines, Arvida Labs has carved out a unique identity, quietly mastering the science behind novel cannabinoids. With advanced chemistry and chromatography at its core, it has become a leader in scalable phytocannabinoid production, setting new standards for purity and precision. The 2018 Farm Bill unleashed a wave of excitement across the hemp and cannabinoid space, sparking a rush of startups chasing quick wins. “While many pursued fleeting trends, at Arvida Labs, we charted a different course. By committing to innovation and scientific rigor, we’ve grown from a small experiment into a leading name in cannabinoid production,” says Gerard Coombs Jr., CEO. The Spark: A Scholar with an Entrepreneurial Spirit Guiding Arvida Labs’ growth is Coombs, a pharmacy scholar turned entrepreneur. From advancing Delta-8 THC production to building an integrated supply chain, he combines scientific expertise with a strategic business approach. In 2015, Coombs moved from Florida to Colorado on a scholarship to pursue a doctorate in pharmacy. Growing up, he had always been fascinated by the cannabis industry. But it was when he got to Colorado that his passion ignited. While attending grad school, he nurtured his entrepreneurial spirit by running a small online business. It was just to make a little extra income, but it planted the seeds of something much bigger. With the money he saved, Coombs began buying lab equipment and experimenting with cannabis extracts. After finishing grad school, he immersed himself in the cannabis industry, attending networking events and selling vaporizer hardware and packaging to dispensaries. That’s when he met his two future business partners. Together, they developed an innovative automation technology for filling vaporizers with cannabis oils, something that had traditionally been costly and inefficient. Soon, they started building and selling vape-filling machines. While competitors relied on machines priced at $20,000, Arvida Labs engineered theirs to sell for just $500. At one point, its compact facility housed 15 machines, each operated by a single person, showcasing production efficiency far beyond most early-stage competitors.
Cannabis Co-Packaging Solution of the Year 2025
WherezHemp stands out in the hemp space by offering a fully integrated backend, which brings together sourcing, formulation, packaging, inventory, and fulfillment under one roof. In an industry where most brands still juggle multiple vendors and disjointed workflows, this unified approach eliminates the inefficiencies that often delay launches, increase costs, dilute quality, or put compliance at risk. This operational clarity is becoming critical. As several U.S. states tighten restrictions on Delta-9 THC, particularly in regions where recreational cannabis remains illegal, more brands are shifting toward cannabinoids like THCA to maintain consumer appeal while avoiding the legal scrutiny and psychoactive effects associated with THC. But making that pivot requires more than just a product tweak; it demands agility across sourcing, formulation, packaging and compliance. WherezHemp is built for such a shift. Its end-to-end model simplifies reformulation and production while assuring brands stay aligned with evolving regulations at every stage. The result is fewer missteps, faster time to shelf, and more room for brands to focus on what moves the business forward, product strategy, sales and marketing. “Our location is an added benefit,” says Ryan McFarland, CEO. “Being in North Carolina gives us a solid foundation to operate with consistency. A strong agricultural base surrounds us, we have reliable freight lines at our doorstep, and we benefit from a clear regulatory environment. It means we can source quicker and scale faster, and that’s exactly what the industry demands.” This positioning proved essential when WherezHemp partnered with a THCA brand struggling to scale. Despite strong demand and a loyal customer base, the brand faced persistent sourcing challenges and logistical delays. WherezHemp stepped in, tapped into its farm network to secure compliant THCA flower, and oversaw the entire transportation chain to its North Carolina facility. Leveraging high-speed systems, such as a three-way packer and PrimoCombi multi-head scales, production surged to 90 to 98 units per minute. Within three months, the brand had tripled its revenue and established itself as a top national player in the THCA space. Fueling the Brands with Market-Fit Products WherezHemp creates custom product formulations with a sharp, trend-sensitive mindset, constantly tracking what’s emerging, what’s fading, and what’s capturing consumer attention.
Top Alcohol Free Product in Minnesota 2025
The beverage industry is undergoing a radical shift, driven by a younger generation increasingly turning away from traditional alcohol in favor of health-conscious, functional alternatives. For many, the days of post-party regret and next-day sluggishness are being replaced by a cleaner, more intentional way to unwind. Riding this wave is Gigli, born from cultural insight and entrepreneurial instinct. It is a THC-infused beverage company offering a modern alternative to alcohol for those seeking balance, wellness, and enjoyment in every sip. Gigli centers its drinks around flavor, creating refreshing experiences with every sip. At the heart of its mission is a bold commitment to taste and enjoyment—crafting crave-worthy profiles that not only excite the palate but turn every moment into a feel-good ritual. This isn’t just an alternative to alcohol; it’s a new way to unwind, designed to be both functional and unforgettable. Scaling Up a Smoother Social Drink The founders of the company noticed a growing demand for beverages that offer the feel-good effects of alcohol without the harmful aftermath. With a background in hospitality—owning a chain of restaurants and a brewery—they were uniquely positioned to understand both the back-end of drink creation and the front-end consumer experience. As the shift toward more mindful drinking gained momentum, the founders of Gigli saw the change firsthand. Customers were still craving the joy of social drinking, but now with a twist—they wanted options that aligned with their health goals and values. “The realization sparked a vision to create drinks that deliver bold flavor, a balanced high, and none of the next-day regret,” says Jared Day, COO and co-founder of Gigli. What started as an experiment quickly became a movement. The early days were cautious, with the company producing only six pallets initially. But that hesitation quickly turned to validation as demand surged.
CXO INSIGHTS
Cultivating Innovations in Cannabis Agriculture
Michael Towey, Senior Vice President of Production and Infrastructure, Good Day Farm
Microbiological Considerations for Achieving Drug Manufacturing Excellence
Jessica Wilson Rayse, Assoc Director of Product Management, Accugenix, Charles River Laboratories
The Art and Science of Cannabis-Infused Drinks Using Nanoemulsion Technology
IIvan A. Salazar, Plant Packaging & Sanitation Manager, Organigram Inc
Overcoming Global Drug Safety Operations And Safety Reporting Challenges
Steven Beales, Senior Vice President, Scientific and Regulatory, WCG
Advancing Operational Efficiency and Retail Success
Hugh Horne, Regional Operations Manager, Perfumania
IN FOCUS
EDITORIAL
Shaping the future of Safe Cannabis
The cannabis industry is undergoing a transformative shift, driven by evolving consumer preferences and innovative business strategies. From the rise of alcohol-free cannabis products to advancements in copackaging solutions and cannabinoid business models, these trends are reshaping the market landscape and opening new avenues for growth. The rise of alcohol-free cannabis beverages is transforming social norms, with consumers, especially younger generations, opting for cannabis-infused drinks as a healthier, wellness-oriented alternative to traditional alcohol. This shift is not only disrupting the spirits industry but also expanding the cannabis market into mainstream social settings, despite regulatory hurdles. Cannabis co-packaging is also evolving rapidly, with brands embracing eco-friendly materials and smart packaging technologies to meet both consumer demand and regulatory requirements. Innovations such as biodegradable packaging and interactive features like QR codes are enhancing product appeal, ensuring safety and fostering brand loyalty. The cannabinoid industry is experiencing a surge in demand for comprehensive business solutions that address regulatory compliance, supply chain transparency and consumer engagement. Companies are leveraging technologies like blockchain and IoT to streamline operations, ensure product authenticity and build trust with consumers in an increasingly competitive market. This edition of Cannabis Business Insights brings recent developments in the cannabinoid and cannabis arena, along with perspectives on how organizations can adapt to disruptive trends to deliver transformative customer experiences. It features thought leadership articles from industry experts, including Jessica Wilson Rayse, associate director of product management, Accugenix at Charles River Laboratories, who discusses microbiological considerations for achieving drug manufacturing excellence. Chris O’Ferrell, senior director of cultivation at Deep Roots Harvest, shares insights into the evolving landscape of cannabis cultivation The edition also highlights Arvida Labs, a leader in scalable phytocannabinoid production. It has carved out a unique identity, quietly mastering the science behind novel cannabinoids. With advanced chemistry and chromatography at its core, it has set new standards for purity and precision. We hope this edition helps you forge the strategic partnerships your organization needs to thrive in the evolving cannabis industry and stay ahead of emerging trends.
