True Leaf Brands Inc. has appointed Legacy market veteran Andrew Gordon as vice-president of Strategic Growth of the True Leaf Cannabis Inc. division. Gordon will transition to CEO of the division upon security clearance and Health Canada approval. In a prepared statement, True Leaf officials said they believe the division will benefit from Gordon’s vast experience working with diverse stakeholders and regulators to build accountable, community-responsive, and financially sustainable business models in the cannabis industry.

Previously, Gordon was senior vice-president of Kiaro Brands Inc., a publicly traded omnichannel cannabis retailer with wholesale distribution and retail stores across Canada and e-commerce sales in North America and Australia.

As vice-president and co-chairperson of the membership committee for the BC Craft Farmers Co-op, Gordon led efforts to grow the membership base to more than 200 members and supporters from across Canada and the U.S. and has driven forward key community fundraisers promoting fair access and opportunities for medical cannabis patients and BIPOC communities.

"Andrew's wealth of industry experience, combined with his compassionate approach and advocacy for the destigmatization of cannabis, have made him a well-known and respected industry professional," said Darcy Bomford, CEO of True Leaf.

"He is committed to ensuring True Leaf Cannabis continues to work towards making a meaningful economic impact within the local community and is inspired to drive sustainable growth and set strong revenue targets to increase shareholder value through an authentic working relationship with craft canabis producers."

Added Gordon, "I believe bringing True Leaf's innovative services model to life will alleviate key bottlenecks and inefficiencies within the regulated supply chain, especially here in British Columbia where so many producers are shipping their products out of province to be processed. True Leaf intends to offer an innovative shared revenue model, along with integrated processing and market activation services.”

Gordon will lead customer acquisition and, once he has obtained security clearance and approval from Health Canada, operations at the company's craft cannabis hub facility in Lumby. Once Gordon transitions to the role, Bomford will step down as CEO of the division and continue to serve as CEO and director of the parent company, True Leaf Brands Inc.