More and more executives from traditional Fortune 500 companies are giving up their secure, lucrative positions in favor of joining a growing cadre of cannabis companies. It’s a trend that both cannabis enthusiasts, as well as analysts alike, see as a good sign for the industry, as these moves help solidify the industries reputation as a legitimate, reputable sector. The world’s leading cannabis information platform Leafly announced that they had appointed 20-year amazon executive Tim Leslie as CEO.
Tim Leslie serviced as Vice President of Amazon’s Prime Video department, where he oversaw the launch of Prime Video in over 200 countries. For Leafly, which is an online, information-providing website, the addition of Leslie as CEO fits well with the company’s overall direction. Leafly currently has over 20 million monthly visits alongside a collection of 1.3 million reviews of cannabis product, strain, and dispensary reviews, making it the go to place for cannabis consumers.
“Leafly is the most trusted brand in cannabis, the authoritative source on cannabis, where everyone from consumers to potential consumers to dispensaries to growers go to discover the latest and best information about cannabis and cannabis products. Leafly has been at the forefront of shaping the conversation on cannabis and demystifying this rapidly evolving product and industry,” said newly appointed CEO Tim Leslie. “Whether it’s on the Leafly app or Leafly.com, our vision is to empower customers around the world to find and discover the best cannabis products for them. There is an ever-growing range of legal cannabis products, and as broader legalization gains global momentum, and new opportunities open up, Leafly will be there with its mainstream voice providing customers with the best cannabis information and content.”
Overall, the cannabis industry has been attracting a wide variety of celebrities and corporate veterans alike, something that hasn’t been seen to the same effect in other new industries such as crypto/blockchain. Just recently, Martha Stewart announced a partnership with Canopy Growth Corp (TSE: WEED)(NYSE: CGC) to develop a line of pet-centered cannabis healthcare products, joining hip-hop artist Snoop Dogg, who also had a previous agreement with the company.
“In addition to helping customers around the world make informed choices about cannabis, Leafly’s rapidly growing marketplace also empowers cannabis businesses to find and retain loyal customers,” added Leslie. “Today we are providing new and existing cannabis businesses with the broadest and deepest information in the industry; information that they can trust to provide a professional and personalized experience for customers in a regulated environment.”
Leafly, while still a private company, is backed by the well-known cannabis private equity firm Privateer Holdings. While there is little information of whether Leafly will ever intend to go public in some capacity, Privateer Holdings other well-known cannabis investment that went public included Tilray Inc (NASDAQ: TLRY), so some speculators like to think that there might be a possibility.
Leafly Company Profile
Leafly Holdings, Inc. provides online cannabis information resources to medical marijuana patients and seasoned consumers. The company’s platform provides information on cannabis flowers, topicals, edibles, concentrates, and other products; medical dispensaries, recreational stores, and doctors; and strains. It also connects with interested cannabis consumers and industry professionals. Leafly Holdings, Inc. was founded in 2010 and is based in Seattle, Washington. – Bloomberg
