MSOs vs. Privately Owned Cannabis Companies

Lately, Multi-State Operator (MSO) cannabis companies have been making some major moves in Illinois and beyond. They’re not just lighting up Illinois; they’ve spread their roots across several states. Let’s break down the buzz and compare these MSOs to the private and local cannabis companies.

Multi-State Operator (MSO) Cannabis Companies

MSOs are the big dogs of the cannabis scene, like the Starbucks or McDonald’s of the weed world, but way greener. But why do MSOs turn heads in every state that legalizes cannabis for medical or recreational use? Here are a few reasons:

A Treasure Trove of Choices: MSOs have dispensaries and cultivation centers all over, offering an extensive selection of cannabis products. Whether you’re into specific strains, edibles, vapes, or more, they’ve got the reach to be able to source it all.

Trustworthy Consistency: Dependability is their middle name. When you shop at an MSO, you can count on top-notch products every time you walk into their shops.

A Lineup of Top Brands: MSOs have their own impressive brands, and some are famous for specific products. 

Professional Vibes: MSOs run their dispensaries like a well-oiled machine with precise standard operating procedures (SOPs) in place and resources for human resources and benefits that attract top talent. When you shop at an MSO, you can expect knowledgeable staff, clean and modern shops, and a friendly, professional atmosphere.

Let’s not forget the local cannabis spots:

Local Cannabis Companies

These are the OGs farmer’s markets of the cannabis world, and they’ve got their own charm:

Rooted in the Community: Local cannabist companies like EarthMed are all about supporting the locals. Buying from them means giving back to your neighbors and your hometown, not a faceless corporate machine. 

Wide Variety of Cross-MSO Brands: Since MSO dispensaries tend to carry more of their own brands, and less of their competitors’, shopping at an independent dispensary offers a wide range of options. The product prices might not be as low as if you were to buy directly from the MSO, but there are usually sales and discounts available. 

A Personal Touch: In these cannabis companies, you’re not just a customer – you’re part of the family. Budtenders might even know your name and give you the inside scoop on the perfect strain or product. 

Cozy Vibes: Family-owned shops have that relaxed, chill ambiance. It’s like stopping by a friend’s place to score some bud.

Pros and Cons

Let’s dish out the pros and cons of both:

MSOs

Pros: Enormous variety, consistent quality, renowned brands, professional setup.

Cons: Can feel a tad corporate, might lack that hometown warmth.

Family-Owned Shops

Pros: Local love, personal service, rare finds, laid-back atmosphere.

Cons: Can be more expensive, quality can vary.

Alright, here’s where it gets juicy. Let’s talk about the MSOs and their brands. 

Please keep in mind that this list is ever-changing as mergers and acquisitions happen in the world of cannabis all the time. As of the date of publication, with resources available to the public, these are the major Illinois MSOs and the brands under their umbrella:

Cresco Labs

  • Sunnyside: Dispensary
  • Cresco: Premium flower, vapes, concentrates, and pre-rolls.
  • High Supply: Vape carts, vape pens, flower, popcorn, shake, re-rolls, shorties, and concentrates.
  • Floracal: Small-batch flower, vapes, gummies, and pre-rolls.
  • Kiva: Infused edibles, chocolates, and gummies.
  • Good News: Gummies, rechargeable vape pens, and carts.
  • Wonder Wellness Co.: Low-dose gummies and mints.
  • Mindy’s Edibles: Award-winning chef Mindy Segal’s cannabis-infused edibles.
  • Remedi: Medicinal tinctures, capsules, and RSO.

Green Thumb Industries (GTI)

  • RISE: Dispensary
  • Rythm: Strain-specific flower, vapes, and concentrates.
  • Dogwalkers: Convenient pre-rolled joints.
  • incredibles: Artisanal chocolates, gummies, mints, and tarts.
  • Beboe: Sophisticated, socially-dosed vapes and gummies.
  • Good Green: The flower brand that gives back to the Black and Brown communities through a 501(c)3 foundation.
  • Doctor Solomon’s: Science-backed topicals.
  • &Shine: Budget flower, vapes, gummies, kief, pre-rolls, and shake.

Verano Holdings

  • Zen Leaf: Dispensary
  • Savvy: Budget flower, pens, Guap gummies, and vapes.
  • Encore: Hand-crafted gummies, hard candies, mints, caramels, and chocolates.
  • Bits: Low-dose, fast-acting edibles.
  • Verano: Curated collection of premium flower, pre-rolls, vapes, and extracts.
  • On The Rocks: Small-batch solventless live rosin vape cartridges and gummies.
  • Holy Union: Hand-crafted small-batch infused pre-rolls.
  • Avexia: THC and CBD lotions, body balms, bath soaks, and microdosing tablets.
  • MüV: Medicinal flower, vapes, extracts, topicals, concentrates, distillates, inhalers, patches, and tinctures.

Curaleaf

  • Curaleaf: Dispensary
  • Select: Premium vape cartridges, disposable vapes, and gummies (X Bites)
  • Grassroots: Craft grown flower, ground flower pre-rolls, and concentrates.
  • Find: Budget line of flower, pre-rolls, and pre-ground flower.
  • JAMS: Microdosable candies, chocolates, and gummies.
  • Zero Proof: Fast-acting THC beverage enhancer.
  • B Noble: Flower and pre-rolls for a cause.
  • Plant Precision: Wellness-promoting gummies and topicals.

Ascend Wellness Holdings

  • Ascend: Dispensary
  • Tunnel Vision: THCV-focused brand of flower and pre-rolls.
  • Ozone: Popular, everyday brand of flower, pre-rolls, concentrates, vapes, and gummies.
  • Ozone Reserve: Exotic Ozone flower, refined concentrated, purified oils, resins, and distillates.
  • Simply Herb: Budget friendly flower, popcor, shake, infused shake, vapes, and pre-rolls
  • Ascend also has partner brands that it produces and sells including Lowell Farms, Flower by Edie Parker, 1906, Airopro, and Miss Grass. 

Aeriz (FKA Wellness Group Farms)

  • Aeriz: Aeroponic-grown flower, pre-rolls, full spectrum hash oil, distillates, concentrates, and honey sticks.
  • 93 Boyz: Brand that gives back and offers flower, pre-rolls, and vape cartridges.
  • Daze Off: Cannabis blends in flower, pre-rolls, and vape cartridges.
  • Fig Farms: Boutique buds available in flower and pre-rolls.
  • Stiiizy: Award-winning vape pods.

The Cannabist Company (FKA Columbia Care)

  • Cannabist: Dispensary
  • Classix: Quality flower
  • Amber: High-quality concentrates
  • Triple Seven: Award-winning premium flower and pre-rolls.
  • Seed & Strain: Hand-harvested flower and compostable pre-rolls.

So, whether you’re cruising with the big players at an MSO or keeping it local and cozy at a family-owned pot shop, enjoy the journey through the ever-evolving world of cannabis!

Do you prefer shopping for your cannabis products at a locally owned Chicago cannabis company or an MSO? Personally, I like the locally-owned shops like EarthMed better. Hit me up on social media and let’s spark up a conversation about it!

By Canna Randa

Canna Randa has been a cannabis evangelist for as long as she can remember. She grew up with a hippie/biker dad and plant-loving mom and always knew the extraordinary benefits of using marijuana medically and recreationally. When cannabis became legal in Illinois, Canna Randa rejoiced and promptly became an EarthMed medical patient. Besides the sticky icky, Canna Randa loves to travel, as well as being outside, meditating, doing energy work on her chakras, and spending time with her family.