Cannabis Business Development
WHO WE ARE
Cannabis Business Development Consulting
We are a team of expert consultants with decades of combined experience in the legal cannabis industry. Our comprehensive expertise covers virtually all facets of cannabis business, including; Cultivation, Extraction, Product Manufacturing, Testing, Sales and Retail. We have opened, and actively operate dozens of successful cannabis businesses in highly competitive, regulated markets. Our services are available collectively, or à la carte, based on our clients needs. Learn about our team members below.
Michael Grasso
Founder & Lead Consultant
Michael Grasso is an industry vet who has worked every job in the business, from trimming and rolling joints to fundraising and executive management. His extensive experience and innovative approach have contributed to the growth and success of numerous cannabis ventures, from LA and Denver to Nantucket. Grasso brings to the table a first hand understanding of the process of cannabis cultivation and product production from start to finish, and a network of top shelf experts and associates who know how to get the job done.
EXPERTISE
Cannabis Business Development, Structuring, Cultivation, Extraction, Manufacturing, Facility Design, Construction, Project Management, Retail Management and Strategy
EXPERIENCE
- Directed design, construction, and operations of 20 million dollar, 110k square foot indoor cultivation and processing facility Orange, MA
- Facilitated development, opening and continued operations of Nantucket's only two vertically integrated cannabis businesses
- Oversaw the licensed production and sale of thousands of pounds of cannabis flower and products
Nicholas Obolensky
Lead Council, Licensing and Compliance
Nicholas is a licensed and practicing attorney with over a decade of cannabis industry experience. He is responsible for licensing the first recreational cannabis dispensary on the east coast. In addition to guiding dozens of cannabis business through the local and state licensing process to successful operations, he recently won a 1.2 million dollar cannabis impact fee return settlement for a dispensary client in Massachusetts, setting precedent for fair future cannabis legislation, free of stigma. A leader in compliance, licensing and legal strategy, Nicholas plays an integral role in the success of our clients.
EXPERTISE
Cannabis Law, Local and State Licensing, Tax, Business and Employment Law
EXPERIENCE
- Dozens of successfully licensed cannabis businesses
- Licensing and Compliance support for first east recreational coast dispensary
- First successful clawback settlement of unused municipal "community impact fees"
Karen Golden
Senior Professional in Human Resources
Certified S.P.H.R. Karen Golden is the founder and president of Hollis HR, a human resources services firm specializing in provisional and licensed medicinal and recreational cannabis businesses in highly regulated environments. Your go-to for anything and everything employee related, Karen is an experienced and talented industry veteran whose skills are integral when it comes to organization, corporate structuring and liability mitigation. She's expert in all things HR and headhunting, and brings an invaluable set of skills to our cannabis business development team.
EXPERTISE
Recruiting and Onboarding, Employee Relations, Job Description Creation, Policy and handbook creation, Compliance, Coaching and Leadership Development, Payroll and Staff Management Services, Software Integration, Benefits Program Management, Background Checks, Agent Registration and Notarization
EXPERIENCE
- Management recruiting and hiring for prominent east coast cannabis businesses
- Cultivation, processing, trim and packaging staff hiring for 60+ member facilities
Tom McMenemy
Extraction and Manufacturing Specialist
With twenty plus years working in operations and business development in finance, insurance, real estate, food technology, and cannabis, Tom McEnemy is a proven development jack-of-all-trades. For the last six years though, as owner-operator of Temple Hill Collective, Tom has become a master of cannabis extraction and product manufacturing. His licensed fifteen thousand square foot extraction lab and infused product production facility utilizes virtually every type of extraction and cannabis product manufacturing, from extraction and packaging to infused pre-roll production. Practiced in white label services and contract manufacturing, with over twenty million in revenue annually, Tom is constantly innovating and integrating technology and automation into his business.
EXPERTISE
Ethanol, Hydrocarbon, and Solventless extraction capabilities, Vape, Edible, Beverage, and Preroll Production, White Labeling, Contract Manufacturing
EXPERIENCE
- Owner-operator of premier contract manufacturer and white labeler in Massachusetts
- Grew cannabis manufacturing business from 0 to 20m+ in top line revenue over five years
Steve Chaisson
Regulatory Compliance and Inspection Lead
Former Director of Compliance and Investigations for the Massachusetts Medical Use of Marijuana Program, Steve is the leading compliance, licensing and operations consultant in New England. His firm AC3 provides compliance consulting services to dozens of successfully operating cannabis businesses in Massachusetts, and provides expert compliance and licensing assistance to cultivation, extraction, manufacturing, processing, retail, delivery and lab testing cannabis businesses nation wide. As a former inspector and law enforcement officer, Steve understands the intricacies of the legal cannabis system and is the best equipped consultant to handle complex regulatory challenges and projects in the business.
EXPERTISE
Compliance, Licensing, Regulatory Deficiency Management, Pre-Inspection Training and On-Site Inspection Assistance
EXPERIENCE
- Former Director of Compliance and Investigations for the Massachusetts Medical Use of Marijuana Program
- Directed and assisted in hundreds of regulatory inspections across all cannabis business practices
Holly Estrow
Design, Media and Brand Consultant, Photographer
With a background in fine art and photo-processing, Holly Estrow is a leading professional in the fields of photography, design and brand development. Her keen eye for effective brand design has generated attention and success for every business she has consulted for. Under Holly's direction, the development of your brands image, messaging and overall presence is in good hands.
EXPERTISE
Photography, Web Design and Development, Brand Development
EXPERIENCE
- Logo and Brand design for multiple Massachusetts cannabis dispensaries and cultivation brands
- Compliant packaging design and production management
- Massachusetts compliant print and static advertising and marketing campaign development
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OUR MISSION
At Grasso Cannabis Business Development, our mission is to empower cannabis entrepreneurs and businesses with the knowledge and strategies to thrive in the dynamic cannabis industry.
We are dedicated to providing innovative solutions and personalized support to help our clients achieve sustainable growth and success in the cannabis market.
CORE VALUES:
Expertise
Our team's deep expertise forms the foundation of our consulting services, ensuring that our clients receive the highest quality guidance and support.
Innovation
We embrace creativity and innovative thinking to develop unique solutions that drive the growth and competitiveness of our clients in the cannabis industry.
Integrity
We are committed to upholding the highest ethical standards, prioritizing sustainability, compliance, and the long-term success of our clients and the industry as a whole.