Ric Flair Cannabis Brand Comes to NJ as Large MSOs Cannabist and Botanist Expand Footprint

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The wrestler Ric Flair debuted a cannabis product line in New Jersey as the Cannabist and the Botanist large Multi-State Operators (MSOs) increased their footprints with new products and locations.

Cannabist Expands Ric Flair Cannabis Products to New Jersey

The Cannabist recently announced the expansion of its partnership with the wrestler Ric Flair into the New Jersey cannabis market.

According to their website, it can be found in the following dispensaries:

  1. Monteverde in Red Bank.
  2. Cannabist in Vineland.
  3. Cannabist in May’s Landing.
  4. Indigo in Brooklawn.
  5. Castaway Cannabis in Delran.
  6. Zacate – Delanco in Delran.
  7. Sweetspot in Voorhees.
  8. ReLeaf Cannabis New Jersey in Williamstown.
  9. NJ Leaf in Freehold Boro.
  10. One Green Leaf in Gibbsboro.
  11. Mass Grown in Mount Holly.

Thus, they have no products in any North Jersey dispensaries.

According to their release, the products are “inspired by the charisma and larger-than-life spirit of the wrestling legend. The brand captures the essence of Ric Flair in every product.”

The Ric Flair brand features 1-gram disposable vape pens and vape cartridges or carts for pens or batteries in four flavors:

  • Banana Belts.
  • Mango Mania.
  • Strawberry Strut.
  • Woo Watermelon.

In addition, the collection introduces tasty cannabis-infused edibles available in bold new flavors:

  • Flairy Cherry.
  • Figure Four Orange.
  • Watermelon Wooooo.

So, they’re all very processed products versus more natural flower.

Ric Flair and the Cannabist

“We’re beyond excited to bring our partnership with Ric Flair Drip to New Jersey, building on the incredible momentum we’ve seen in Delaware,” said Jesse Channon, President of The Cannabist Company, in a release.

“Bringing the Ric Flair Drip experience to New Jersey is like stepping into the ring for the main event, baby!” said Ric Flair in a press release.

He claimed his products are part of a “lifestyle.”

“With The Cannabist Company in our corner, we’re ready to take New Jersey’s cannabis scene to the next level,” Ric Flair declared.

“Buckle up, New Jersey. The Nature Boy is here! Wooooo!” they wrote in a press release.

Adam Wilks, CEO of Carma HoldCo. who Ric Flair is working with, argued that he is an influential icon.

“We’re thrilled to continue this journey and elevate the Ric Flair Drip lifestyle in a market that’s primed for innovation and top-tier products,” he added.

According to IMDB, Ric Flair is 75 years old.

“The brand envelops extravagance and pushes people to never settle for mediocrity. With a commitment to quality and style, each product embodies the essence of the styling, profiling, limousine-riding, jet-flying Nature Boy himself. Ric Flair Drip is giving everyone the opportunity to live like the legend,” they said in a release.

They first debuted in Delaware.

He also has an energy drink.

Carma Company Celebrity Brand Deal

The cannabis brand co-founded by wrestler Ric Flair is part of Carma HoldCo Inc. They are a leading company of celebrity white labeling cannabis brands.

So, since people might have heard of this celebrity wrestler, they could buy the products associated with him. This is likely a pure white labeling deal where the brand label is slapped on the MSO’s products, which might vary widely in quality.

Some companies do bring seeds, baby plants, recipes, and ingredients when they do a similar deal with an MSO and avoid the struggle and honor of being a New Jersey cannabis license holder. Others just bring pictures and a name.

Carma Hold Co handled Mike Tyson’s white labeling deal to get his large MSO-made products into Jersey dispensaries.

A lot of MSOs like brand deals with celebrities.

Cannabist Opens 3rd NJ Dispensary in Mays Landing

The Cannabist Company recently opened its third NJ dispensary in Mays Landing in South Jersey. For now, it is medical only.

All the medical marijuana Alternative Treatment Centers (ATCs) were allowed to open three locations with their license. Most of the ATCs were bought by large MSOs.

The Cannabist was notable for taking its time opening its third.

Three was not enough for the large MSO Verano Zen Leaf. It opened a location in Mount Holly in Burlington County even though Fire & Oak, Voltaire, and Mass Grow dispensaries had already opened.

This is notable since MSOs usually like to avoid competition.

According to their press release, adult-use sales will begin soon, subject to NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) approval.

“This location reflects our dedication to providing patients with high-quality products, personalized services, and access to experienced retail associates. We are honored to be supporting our medical patients now. And, in the future, bringing our trusted brands and exceptional retail experience to adult-use customers in the region later this winter,” Channon said. “We’re proud to open our third Cannabist location in Mays Landing to help meet the growing needs of New Jersey’s medical cannabis community.

The Cannabist Company has established itself as a leading MSO in the New Jersey market, with 320,000 square feet for its growing and manufacturing operation.

The UFCW labor union has worked hard to unionize the company and help its workers.

Cannabist Company, Formerly Columbia Care

The Cannabist bought one of the original 5 New Jersey medical cannabis dispensaries known as Alternative Treatment Centers (ATCs).

They said they are one of the most experienced cultivators, manufacturers, and providers of cannabis products “with licenses in 14 U.S. jurisdictions.”

The Cannabist operates 89 facilities, including 70 dispensaries and 19 cultivation and manufacturing facilities which includes those under development.

The Cannabist holding company used to be called Columbia Care.

The company offers products spanning flower, edibles, oils, and tablets. They manufacture dreamt, Seed & Strain, Triple Seven, Hedy (not to be confused with Heady NJ), gLeaf, Classix, Press, and Amber brands.

Botanist Dispensary Moves to Collingswood from Atlantic City

The large corporate Multi-State Operator (MSO) the Botanist opened in Collingswood for medical and adult-use cannabis sales in Camden County in South Jersey after closing in Atlantic City.

They were not allowed to sell adult-use recreational cannabis from their location on the Boardwalk. So, they wanted to move.

The Botanist of Collingswood seems to have a limited selection of flower brands. Most of them are from large MSOs. But to their credit, they are selling an eighth of an ounce or 3.5 grams for $33, which is progress.

The consumer can pay and check the quality themselves.

The Botanist was fined in April 2023 for ignoring medical cannabis patients.

Notably, they made an effort to promote the fact that they support LGBT queer pride month in 2022. The Botanist is part of Acreage Holdings, one of the largest MSOs in the international cannabis industry.

While many of the faithful in the New Jersey cannabis community and industry dislike MSOs, the consumer newbies and normies don’t know or care that, in general, they usually sell overpriced mediocre products, cut corners at the expense of quality, mistreat their workers, and don’t support NJ adult-use cannabis home grow legalization.

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