Leif Olsen

With over 14 years of owner-operator-advisor experience working with plant-touching and ancillary businesses, Leif Olsen has become a seasoned and globally sought-after cannabis application & licensing specialist, operations expert, and a seasoned entrepreneur, focusing on retail, distribution, F&B, services, manufacturing, and real estate sectors.

Leif began his career in the cannabis industry in 2008. He co-founded, operated, and successfully exited Kind Love, one of Colorado’s first and most successful medical and adult-use cannabis companies. Since owning and operating the vertically integrated operation, Leif has logged over 20,000 hours of hands-on operational experience and advised on more than 5 million sq. ft. of cultivation, manufacturing, and retail operations.

In 2015, identifying an emerging demand for operational experience, innovative solutions, and genetic advancements, Leif co-founded Catalyst BC, a cannabis advisement firm that guides partners through the gauntlet of conceptualizing, funding, designing, building, and operating a profitable cannabis or hemp business. During the first year of operations, Leif helped a client obtain one of Maryland’s first fifteen cultivation and dispensary licenses. Since then, the team has helped secure more than 46 licenses for cultivation, manufacturing, and retail dispensaries in 8 states, including some of the most competitive and rigorous application processes to date.

Together with Catalyst BC, Leif and partners have developed multiple ancillary companies, such as Allele/303 Seeds, a genetics service and solutions company with an extensive portfolio of proven and proprietary cultivars, and Greenhaus Industries, the first commercial vertical cannabis cultivation company. Greenhaus Industries was acquired by Pipp Horticulture in 2018, creating the industry-leading vertical farming solution with over 2,500 grow rooms worldwide. In addition to his ancillary endeavors, Leif was Supply Chain Manager for FLRish Inc. and Harborside Health, one of the most prominent medical and adult-use cannabis dispensaries in the United States.

As Business Development for Pipp Horticulture and Chief Executive Officer of Catalyst BC, Leif combines industry experience, Lean methodologies, and heart-based leadership to serve prospective operators, startups, and publicly traded LPs and MSOs in existing and emerging markets through a unique Kaizen-like approach that drives continuous consumer-focused improvement while maintaining regulatory compliance. Leif’s passion for cannabis-based treatments and products that improve others’ lives provides the fuel to continue to lead individuals, teams, and companies through the ever-evolving gauntlet of the cannabis industry.

New Jersey Cannabis
Cannabis Licensing & Applications

Preparing To Win

/

In November 2020, New Jersey voters approved Public Question 1 to amend the State’s constitution to legalize the purchase and recreational use of cannabis for adults aged 21 and older. On February 22, 2021, Governor Phil Murphy signed three bills into law that would officially legalize the adult use of cannabis and decriminalize cannabis possession in New Jersey.

Association of Certified Commercial Cannabis Experts - Membership Spotlight
Leif Olsen, Media

ACCCE Spotlight – Leif Olsen

/

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.

cannabis business opportunities in Montana
Cannabis Licensing & Applications, Recreational

Montana Is Set To Begin Adult-use Licensing Fall 2021

/

Cannabis made a monumental impact on election day 2020 as five more states opted to legalize cannabis in either medical and/or recreational forms. Montana joined in on this historic occasion as voters approved Constitutional Initiative 118 and Initiative 190, making Montana the 14th state to legalize adult-use cannabis. Initiative 118 will amend the Montana Constitution to set the legal age for cannabis consumption to 21. Initiative 190 establishes a framework for licensing and regulating cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, and retail sales.

Statue of Lady Justice holding scales, symbolizing fairness in Michigan Cannabis 2020 regulations.
Cannabis Licensing & Applications, Medical Cannabis, Recreational

Michigan Cannabis Industry Set to Become an Open Market in 2020

/

The Michigan cannabis market is about to open its doors more widely in 2020, allowing a new wave of entrepreneurs to join the thriving industry. The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) made significant changes to the cannabis license application process, aiming to reduce the illegal cannabis market. On October 6, 2020, the CRA issued an advisory bulletin that revealed its plans to relax eligibility requirements for adult-use cannabis business licenses.

Scroll to Top