The Grand Rapids cannabis industry continues to expand and diversify.
The Botanical Co. Middleville will open in October, the company said on Sept. 15. The Botanical Co. is a Lansing-based marijuana franchise with the Middleville location being led by Jarred Biggs, Dennis Weiss and Kirk Weiss.
The 33-year-old Biggs, who is lead on the project, said The Botanical Co. is one of two outlets selected for cannabis business in Middleville. Biggs said his retail outlet will include adult-use and medical products.
“I’m beyond excited to make a difference within the village and really help to provide jobs and opportunities in the area,” Biggs said. “Our team will emphasize helping customers become knowledgeable, by taking the time to educate patrons about their options.
“We’ve designed the space to provide comfort and a unique shopping experience that will accommodate the community’s cannabis-related needs.”
Biggs has been involved in the cannabis industry for more than 12 years, beginning as a licensed caregiver with the state in 2010. He’s been a medicinal user of cannabis as a result of an automobile accident injury sustained during high school and made worse through football.
He combined his passion for the health benefits of marijuana with his business degree from Davenport University and has become a serial cannabis entrepreneur. The first business is the base of a vertically integrated operation, Big Canna, a facility with 2,000 cannabis plants in Edmore. He also has a grow facility under construction in Manistee.
Those grow facilities will contribute to a national retail brand, Pablo, that will begin distribution in Michigan and California by early October and be featured as the staple brand at The Botanical Co. Middleville.
Along with Biggs and associates, Grand Rapids entrepreneurs and investors Jonathan Jelks and Willie Jackson, who are involved with a number of endeavors like Ambiance Kitchen & Lounge, Sip Coffee & Cocktails, Motu Viget Spirits and Motu Lakeshore Wine Bar, also are part of the team.
Jelks said The Botanical Co. is among the most innovative and “best kept secrets” in the Michigan cannabis industry and he’s excited to join Biggs and the rest of partners in bringing the concept to West Michigan.
“We are extremely excited to be partnering with a unicorn millennial generation talent, entrepreneur and visionary in Jarred Biggs,” Jelks said in a release. “His innate knowledge of the cannabis industry from the science and botany understanding of what it takes to create top quality products, as well as his keen insights into the consumer market, made us want to be a part of this project.
“What Jarred and Kirk were building before we signed on is a transformational, fresh take on an industry that has become highly saturated and extremely competitive.”
The Botanical Co., founded by Russ Chambers in 2019, has three other locations: Tawas, Kalkaska and Lansing.
SEPTEMBER 6 ISSUE
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