ACCCE Spotlight Leif Olsen

The key to any association is the people that make up the network. From lawyers and banking professionals to commercial cannabis business owners and all who fall in between, we are proud of the diverse and expanding network of professionals and experts who are our members. To show our appreciation for the exceptional individuals in our community, we are highlighting Leif Olsen this week. Please reach out and connect with Leif here!

Leif is a cannabis and hemp advisor as the managing partner and CMO for Catalyst BC. This Colorado-based global cannabis consulting and advisement firm specializes in guiding entrepreneurs, investors, and existing businesses in their entry into and successful navigation of the ever-evolving commercial cannabis industry. Leif is ServSafe certified and has over a decade of owner-operator experience working with plant-touching and ancillary businesses in both the public and private sectors. He has a Bachelor of Science in marketing from Clemson University and was the 52nd badged operator under the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division in 2010.

In 2008, Leif began his journey as a disgruntled medical patient looking for high-quality, medically focused products and experiences. He set out to create a retail experience that catered to women, seniors, and those in most need of real medical-grade marijuana, Kind Love. Kind Love began to develop and use internal mantras like “good to great” and “99 is not 100” to drive continuous improvement and focus on regulatory compliance. Today, Leif and his team at Catalyst BC leverage their hands-on operational experience and lessons gained to help their clients avoid catastrophic pitfalls and guide them through the gauntlet of funding, designing, building, and operating a profitable cannabis or hemp business; a term they have coined “planning to win”. Leif expects to use ACCCE to provide his team with a more comprehensive understanding of the fundamental processes involved in assessing and developing risk management programs. They will combine these strategies and practices with their in-depth knowledge of cannabis operations to better help their clients drive financial performance and mitigate risk.

Leif first heard about the Association of Certified Commercial Cannabis Experts through LinkedIn posts and is studying to become an ACCCE Certified Commercial Cannabis Expert (CCCE). Leif states that risk management is important to his team because one of the primary goals at Catalyst BC is to guide partners away from costly mistakes that can constrain or even cripple an operation. “ACCCE’s risk management framework enhances existing service offerings, allowing us to offer additional scopes of work to current and existing partners and prospective clients.” Leif knows that, in the commercial cannabis industry, miscalculations, downtime, non-conformance, waste, and other risks can cost businesses millions if not identified and mitigated through planning and controls.

Leif is happily married to his best friend of 15 years, with whom he shares a daughter, Olive. Leif was born and raised in Northern Virginia, spent 13 years in Denver, two years in Santa Cruz, and currently resides with his family in Virginia Beach where they have been welcomed into a fantastic community of compassionate and caring families. Leif is excited to explore upcoming opportunities east of the Mississippi as cannabis businesses continue to evolve and cannabis consumption becomes legalized in more states. As he puts it, “It’s great to have opportunities in my backyard again.” In his free time, Leif loves living vicariously through his seven-going-on-seventeen-year-old as she takes on new challenges and activities like surfing and skateboarding. He enjoys boating, strength training, collecting art, and has a knack for the culinary arts that has led him to cater events for groups as large as 300 people.

We are proud to have an esteemed member like Leif Olsen in our network. As our community continues to grow, we find it important to thank our members for their commitment to professionalizing the commercial cannabis industry. Thank you, Leif, for being such an important part of the cannabis community. Together, we are a part of something great.

Source: ACCCE

Additional Resources

Consulting Services For Cannabis, Hemp, Psilocybin, and Natural Medicine

Testimonials and Public Relations

Latest Articles

Cannabis Dispensary Compliance: Training, Inventory & Profitability
In today’s regulated cannabis market, cannabis dispensary compliance is not optional—it is the foundation of a sustainable and profitable retail business. Every dispensary, from boutique shops to multi-state operators, must follow strict dispensary regulatory compliance standards, maintain accurate cannabis inventory management systems, and invest in ongoing cannabis dispensary training programs.
The Indispensable Owner’s Rep for Cannabis Cultivation Facility Buildout: Expert Project Management to Prevent Cost Overruns
In this high-stakes arena, the Owner’s Rep for Cannabis Cultivation Facility buildout is the crucial strategic partner. They are the expert professional who ensures the owner’s vision is translated into a successful, operational, and profitable reality.
Cannabis Business Startup Commissioning Essential Steps and Best Practices
The journey from concept to operation is challenging and complex in the cannabis industry. One critical phase that determines the success of a cannabis business is Cannabis Business Startup Commissioning. This process, also known as the cannabis business launch process or cannabis business commissioning, ensures that every system and operation within your facility is designed, installed, tested, and ready for full-scale production.
The Fiduciary Mandate: Why an Owner’s Rep is the Key to 2026 Cannabis Retail Success
In the cannabis retail landscape of 2026, the era of “opening at any cost” has ended. As capital markets remain disciplined and consumer margins tighten, the difference between a profitable dispensary and a “zombie project” is determined during the buildout phase.
Open a Cannabis Consumption Lounge in New Jersey: 2026 Guide to Compliance and Success
As of April 2026, the New Jersey cannabis market has matured into a sophisticated $4 billion powerhouse. The initial “novelty” phase has passed, and the industry is now defined by “Hospitality 2.0,” where consumption areas are becoming social anchors for local tourism in hubs like Atlantic City, Newark, and Jersey City.
New York Cannabis Lounge License: Expert Guide to Compliance and Success
The New York cannabis industry has transitioned from a volatile implementation phase into a “Pharma-Grade” era of structural maturity. As of April 2026, the state has reached a monumental economic milestone, with total reported retail sales officially surpassing $3,000,000,000. For entrepreneurs, the current frontier is the “social hospitality” sector, which is defined by high-stakes technical compliance and rigorous municipal negotiation.

ACCCE Spotlight – Leif Olsen

Additional Resources

Consulting Services For Cannabis, Hemp, Psilocybin, and Natural Medicine

Testimonials and Public Relations

Latest Articles

Explore Our Articles

Free Ebook – Start Your Own Legal Cannabis Business