Today we’d like to introduce you to Blake Marchand.
Blake, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Prior to starting March and Ash, Blake founded, owned and operated a successful local real estate brokerage operating throughout San Diego County.
With a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Blake has applied his background in real estate to diverse local business ventures. In each of these ventures, Blake’s success is rooted in dedication to fostering positive relationships with clients and other business owners. Blake has a particular passion for engaging with fellow entrepreneurs who share his vision that pride of business ownership is rooted in shared industry values. These values include transparent community engagement, treating our employees well and never cutting corners.
Blake has developed a team of subject matter experts who are paving the way for the retail dispensary experience. He has appeared on numerous news programs to help educate pet owners on access to and safe use of CBD products, and March and Ash has numerous partnerships including VETCBD, a local animal shelter and rescue groups on both sides of the border (see https://www.kusi.com/cbd-oil-benefits-for-dogs/).
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The main challenges we face in the legal industry is the strength and continued proliferation of the black market. Consumers often opt for illegal dispensaries as they are more numerous and do not collect taxes. Local municipalities that have prohibited legal commercial cannabis businesses have allowed the black market to take its place.
Another challenge that we face is access to banking. Due to federal restrictions with regard to cannabis and banking, we are effectively a cash operation. This creates issues ranging from payroll to customer transactions.
Finally, every city is different. When Prop 64 passed in California, it gave localities the control to allow or disallow commercial cannabis. It also gave Cities the control to craft regulations in whatever manner they please. This has created somewhat of a disparity among the regulations in the Cities in which we operate. Remaining knowledgeable and compliant with the local rules and regulations is key challenge businesses face in this industry.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about March and Ash – what should we know?
March and Ash is a holding company for licensed cannabis retail outlets providing unparalleled customer experience.
March, in the Roman calendar, is the first month of the year. This is because it comes when Spring brings us a new season of life. Ash is what remains of a life once lived, used to fertilize new beginnings.
March and Ash represents a respect for the span of our lives and the role cannabis plays to improve and renew it
Consumers deserve a comfortable and confident cannabis experience and we prioritize customer education, safety and satisfaction at our dispensaries.
Teachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, artists, mothers, grandfathers, patients, and yes, even man’s best friend, are leading better lives by using cannabis responsibly.
We believe that with proper education and responsible retailing, cannabis can improve everyday lives.
We are a trusted community partner in every location we operate.
We engage community stakeholders in areas ranging from security and regulation to the development of programs to support building an educated workforce to partnering with Youth & other community organizations to support tighter restrictions on marijuana advertising.
With March and Ash, this is more than talk.
We understand that a community’s decision to permit commercial cannabis activities is a profound change and that there will be lessons learned along the way.
Our stores and industry-leading web-platform have garnered awards for their ascetic and functional design.
We match our investment and March and Ash brand with the specific community to deliver a high-end facility that incorporates elements of the local environment.
Our stores also meet sustainability targets and integrate leading technology.
We know cannabis, we know cannabis permitting and licensing and we know real estate development.
Our goal is to improve and revitalize the areas in which we operate.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2835 Camino Del RIo S.
San Diego, CA 92108 - Website: www.marchandash.com
- Phone: 6198904588
- Email: blake@marchandash.com
- Instagram: blake_marchandash
- Facebook: Blake Marchand
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