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Imagine a world where every cannabis product feels as though it were crafted just for you—made with care, purpose, and a story as unique as the consumer holding it.
This is the future The 1937 Group, a minority-owned, vertically integrated cannabis company based in Chicago, is bringing to life.
In an industry saturated with competition, The 1937 Group stands out as a company prioritizing people over products. By fostering personal, authentic, and meaningful connections, the company embodies a movement rooted in innovation, transparency, and trust. It focuses on building a lasting culture that redefines how consumers experience cannabis.
“For us, cannabis is more than just a product; it is a transformative tool for healing, opportunity, and equity. Our mission goes beyond selling products,” says Ambrose Jackson, CEO and founder. “We’re here to create brands that connect with people’s values, build trust, and become part of their everyday lives.”
Brand Building Powerhouse
What sets The 1937 Group apart is its methodical and meticulous approach to brand development.
Alex Al-Sabah, Chief Strategy Officer, explains, “Our strategy is centered on creating brands that resonate deeply with consumers. We’ve deliberately catered to diverse demographics and developed a wide variety of products and SKUs.”
Further, the company’s dedication to quality and sustainability shines through in every stage of its operations. From cultivation to distribution, The 1937 Group ensures precision and care, offering products such as pre-rolls, edibles, vapes, and premium flower, all crafted to the highest standards.
One example is Kush League, a sports-themed cannabis brand that bridges the gap between sports culture and cannabis culture. Designed by athletes and wellness enthusiasts, Kush League’s products incorporate wellness ingredients such as vitamins C and B12, supporting physical recovery while promoting a healthy lifestyle. Even the packaging reflects the brand’s athletic aesthetic, resembling mini shoeboxes to evoke the excitement of an exclusive sneaker drop.
Other standout brands include Higher Self, which focuses on intentional cannabis consumption to improve mental health and wellness. The brand offers products like two-pack pre-rolls (available in infused and non-infused varieties), multi-pack minis, larger flower quantities for affordability, and showcasing new technology with its 1 and 2 gram Vape Stone device. Terp Kings highlights the importance of terpenes in cannabis, emphasizing aroma and the “entourage effect” over THC potency. The brand features flower with unique terpene profiles and disposable vapes in flavors like dessert, floral, fruit, haze, and gas.
Additionally, the company’s brand Outfitters offers products such as two-gram blunts and a five-pack of “Luckies” cigarette-style pre-rolls. Through its partnership with Potli, The 1937 Group also delivers pantry-style cannabis products, including infused honey, sriracha, and ginger chews.
A Culture of Innovation
The 1937 Group’s relentless pursuit of innovation extends to research and development. “Consumers are always chasing the next hot product,” says Jackson. “We’re constantly evaluating the market and bringing new, exciting products to consumers.”
The company recently launched the Higher Self vape stone, a unique design inspired by river rocks, aligning with the brand’s focus on wellness and intentionality. The 1937 Group has penetrated over 180 stores in Illinois, out of approximately 215-220 dispensaries statewide, showcasing its widespread consumer appeal.
Strategic partnerships play a crucial role in The 1937 Group’s success. Collaborations with local retailers and social equity operators have expanded its reach and solidified its position as a trusted name in the Illinois market. The company’s retail presence, which includes three stores, is set to grow significantly in 2025, further enhancing its market penetration.
Shaping the Future of Cannabis and Equity
Looking ahead, The 1937 Group plans to enter new markets and explore international expansion opportunities. By partnering with social equity operators and leveraging its fully developed brand suite, the company aims to replicate its success in Illinois on a global scale.
Beyond business goals, The 1937 Group is deeply committed to social equity through its not-for-profit The 1937 Foundation. By addressing disparities caused by the War on Drugs, the company is rewriting the narrative of cannabis as a tool for growth and healing.
A Legacy of Empowerment
The 1937 Group proves that profitability can coexist with equity and sustainability. Through its purpose-driven approach, the company is reshaping the cannabis industry while paving the way for a future grounded in fairness and opportunity. Its journey has only just begun, but The 1937 Group’s unwavering dedication to quality, innovation, and social equity positions it as a leader in the industry.
The 1937 Group remains focused on crafting a legacy defined by empowerment, sustainability, and purpose. Through its efforts, the company is shaping the future of cannabis and creating a world where business success aligns with social and environmental progress.
This is the future The 1937 Group, a minority-owned, vertically integrated cannabis company based in Chicago, is bringing to life.
In an industry saturated with competition, The 1937 Group stands out as a company prioritizing people over products. By fostering personal, authentic, and meaningful connections, the company embodies a movement rooted in innovation, transparency, and trust. It focuses on building a lasting culture that redefines how consumers experience cannabis.
“For us, cannabis is more than just a product; it is a transformative tool for healing, opportunity, and equity. Our mission goes beyond selling products,” says Ambrose Jackson, CEO and founder. “We’re here to create brands that connect with people’s values, build trust, and become part of their everyday lives.”Brand Building Powerhouse
What sets The 1937 Group apart is its methodical and meticulous approach to brand development.
Alex Al-Sabah, Chief Strategy Officer, explains, “Our strategy is centered on creating brands that resonate deeply with consumers. We’ve deliberately catered to diverse demographics and developed a wide variety of products and SKUs.”
Further, the company’s dedication to quality and sustainability shines through in every stage of its operations. From cultivation to distribution, The 1937 Group ensures precision and care, offering products such as pre-rolls, edibles, vapes, and premium flower, all crafted to the highest standards.
One example is Kush League, a sports-themed cannabis brand that bridges the gap between sports culture and cannabis culture. Designed by athletes and wellness enthusiasts, Kush League’s products incorporate wellness ingredients such as vitamins C and B12, supporting physical recovery while promoting a healthy lifestyle. Even the packaging reflects the brand’s athletic aesthetic, resembling mini shoeboxes to evoke the excitement of an exclusive sneaker drop.
We’re here to create brands that connect with people’s values, build trust, and become part of their everyday lives
Other standout brands include Higher Self, which focuses on intentional cannabis consumption to improve mental health and wellness. The brand offers products like two-pack pre-rolls (available in infused and non-infused varieties), multi-pack minis, larger flower quantities for affordability, and showcasing new technology with its 1 and 2 gram Vape Stone device. Terp Kings highlights the importance of terpenes in cannabis, emphasizing aroma and the “entourage effect” over THC potency. The brand features flower with unique terpene profiles and disposable vapes in flavors like dessert, floral, fruit, haze, and gas.
Additionally, the company’s brand Outfitters offers products such as two-gram blunts and a five-pack of “Luckies” cigarette-style pre-rolls. Through its partnership with Potli, The 1937 Group also delivers pantry-style cannabis products, including infused honey, sriracha, and ginger chews.
A Culture of Innovation
The 1937 Group’s relentless pursuit of innovation extends to research and development. “Consumers are always chasing the next hot product,” says Jackson. “We’re constantly evaluating the market and bringing new, exciting products to consumers.”
The company recently launched the Higher Self vape stone, a unique design inspired by river rocks, aligning with the brand’s focus on wellness and intentionality. The 1937 Group has penetrated over 180 stores in Illinois, out of approximately 215-220 dispensaries statewide, showcasing its widespread consumer appeal.
Strategic partnerships play a crucial role in The 1937 Group’s success. Collaborations with local retailers and social equity operators have expanded its reach and solidified its position as a trusted name in the Illinois market. The company’s retail presence, which includes three stores, is set to grow significantly in 2025, further enhancing its market penetration.
Shaping the Future of Cannabis and Equity
Looking ahead, The 1937 Group plans to enter new markets and explore international expansion opportunities. By partnering with social equity operators and leveraging its fully developed brand suite, the company aims to replicate its success in Illinois on a global scale.
Beyond business goals, The 1937 Group is deeply committed to social equity through its not-for-profit The 1937 Foundation. By addressing disparities caused by the War on Drugs, the company is rewriting the narrative of cannabis as a tool for growth and healing.
A Legacy of Empowerment
The 1937 Group proves that profitability can coexist with equity and sustainability. Through its purpose-driven approach, the company is reshaping the cannabis industry while paving the way for a future grounded in fairness and opportunity. Its journey has only just begun, but The 1937 Group’s unwavering dedication to quality, innovation, and social equity positions it as a leader in the industry.
The 1937 Group remains focused on crafting a legacy defined by empowerment, sustainability, and purpose. Through its efforts, the company is shaping the future of cannabis and creating a world where business success aligns with social and environmental progress.
Building Cannabis Brands Beyond Vertical Integration
Retail access has become one of the harder problems in legal cannabis. In Illinois, large operators that entered early still control much of the shelf space through vertically integrated structures tied to cultivation, manufacturing and dispensaries. Smaller producers can secure licenses and build production capacity yet still struggle to keep products visible once retail priorities shift toward in-house brands. That pressure has changed what cannabis executives look for when evaluating operators and manufacturing partners.
Product volume alone no longer carries much weight. Many cannabis brands release flower, vapes and edibles at speed, only to discover that consumers see little difference between one label and the next. Packaging starts to blur together. Product menus become repetitive. Retail buyers notice quickly when a brand lacks a clear identity beyond potency percentages or temporary pricing incentives.
More attention is now placed on how cannabis companies shape products around specific consumer habits instead of broad recreational demand. Wellness-focused products, smaller-format pre-rolls and terpene-driven selections have created purchasing patterns that look very different from the early recreational market. Consumers who already understand cannabis tend to buy with more intention. They are looking at format, experience and consistency rather than simply the highest THC number on the package.
That shift has exposed weaknesses in many vertically integrated businesses. Owning cultivation and manufacturing assets does not automatically translate into stronger market presence if retail access remains limited or product development feels interchangeable. Companies that continue releasing generic formats into crowded dispensary menus often lose momentum once initial launch interest fades.
Retail ownership has also become more important than many operators expected. In markets where larger companies still influence shelf placement, independent brands can struggle to maintain consistent exposure. Operators with their own dispensary footprint have more control over merchandising, launch timing and product rotation. That control can matter as much as cultivation scale, particularly in states where consumers already have hundreds of products competing for attention.
The 1937 Group has approached the Illinois market with a stronger emphasis on brand development than many vertically integrated cannabis companies. Founded through the state’s social equity licensing program, it operates cultivation, manufacturing, transportation and dispensary businesses while using those assets to support a broader portfolio of cannabis brands. Its product lineup includes terpene-focused flower and vape products, wellness-positioned pre-rolls, infused pantry items and sports-inspired cannabis products designed around distinct consumer groups rather than broad market appeal. The company has also avoided rushing products into market before finalizing packaging, positioning and retail presentation. That slower approach stands out in a sector where many operators prioritize speed over product identity. Its next phase appears centered on retail expansion in Illinois alongside licensing and co-manufacturing partnerships in other markets. For executives evaluating cannabis operators, that combination of controlled distribution, varied product development and deliberate brand positioning offers a more grounded long-term model than competing mainly on scale or discount pricing.
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Company : The 1937 Group
ManagementAmbrose Jackson, CEO and Founder; Alex Al-Sabah, Chief Strategy Officer
