September has been a busy month for cannabis giant Columbia Care. On September 1, the company gained major bragging rights when it announced it had acquired The Green Solution (TGS), the largest vertically integrated cannabis operator in Colorado. In acquiring a network of successful dispensaries, Columbia Care succeeded where other major multi-state operators had recently failed, and the acquisition simultaneously established the company as the leader in the Colorado market, the second largest in the world.
The splashy Colorodo news was followed by the September 8 announcement that Columbia Care had purchased Project Cannabis, the LA-based cultivator, wholesaler, and retailer. Going forward, Columbia Care’s new 45,000ft² manufacturing facility in San Diego will manufacture and package all extracted products and concentrates for Project Cannabis. Leveraging its distribution network of more than 100 dispensaries throughout the state, Project Cannabis will continue to sell its entire brand portfolio while simultaneously cross-selling Columbia Care’s medically focused products, recently acquired products and brands from the TGS acquisition.
“Project Cannabis perfects our operating model in California, enables us to maintain supply chain continuity, optimize profitability and gives us the full suite of capabilities, products and brands needed to be a market leader in the state,” said Nicholas Vita, CEO of Columbia Care.
But Columbia Care hasn’t been neglecting Midwestern potential. Today the company announced the soft opening of its second adult-use cannabis dispensary in the Chicagoland area. Columbia Care Villa Park offers a full suite of products, with the option for express pickup. The dispensary will be supported by the Company’s 32,000 sqft. cultivation and manufacturing facility in Aurora, currently at full bloom capacity and producing flower with THC levels as high as 37%.
“We had our first sale at 11:15 a.m. this morning,” said Andrew Bayly, Illinois Market Director at Columbia Care. “As a team, we look forward to further building our relationships and providing greater access to premium cannabis products in the local community.”
