Fluresh
Fluresh is an American cannabis dispensary and retail brand based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Operating under parent company Tend.Harvest.Cultivate. (T.H.C.), Fluresh became the first licensed medical cannabis dispensary in Grand Rapids in February 2020 and the city's first recreational marijuana dispensary in October 2020.[1][2]
History
Founding and early years
Fluresh was founded in January 2018 by Thornapple River Capital LLC principals Brandon Kanitz and Genesis Guanga.[3] The company initially served as a medical cannabis operation, with Leah Bailey serving as CEO during the company's formative years from 2018 to 2020.[4] Bailey, who previously worked at Revlon, brought consumer products industry experience to the cannabis startup.[5]
Fluresh invested nearly $27 million to transform a former Benteler Automotive plant at 1213 Phillips Ave SW into its flagship provisioning center.[3] On February 7, 2020, the company opened Grand Rapids' first licensed medical marijuana dispensary.[1]
Expansion and recreational sales
In July 2020, the company expanded its Grand Rapids facility to include a 133,000-square-foot cultivation operation, creating approximately 100 local jobs.[6] Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new grow facility.[6]
On October 23, 2020, Fluresh became the first dispensary in Grand Rapids to sell recreational marijuana, nearly two years after Michigan voters legalized adult-use cannabis.[2][7] Tom Benson served as CEO during this period.[7]
Corporate financing and rebrand
In December 2021, Fluresh completed a notable cannabis industry financing deal, closing a $25 million senior secured note with a federally regulated commercial bank, alongside a $23 million debt refinancing of its Grand Rapids property.[8] The transaction was notable as one of the first major loans from a federally chartered bank to a cannabis company.[8]
In August 2022, Brandon Kanitz, who co-founded Fluresh and raised $125 million in capital to finance the company through Thornapple River Capital, assumed the role of CEO.[9]
In June 2023, the company rebranded its parent entity from Fluresh to Tend.Harvest.Cultivate. (T.H.C.), maintaining Fluresh as a consumer-facing retail brand.[10] The rebrand reflected the company's evolution into a multi-brand portfolio serving diverse cannabis consumers.[10]
Adrian facility closure
In November 2024, Fluresh announced the closure of its $46 million, 105,000-square-foot cultivation facility in Adrian, Michigan, laying off 46 employees.[11] The company cited Michigan's declining cannabis prices as the primary factor, with the average price for an ounce of marijuana flower having dropped 21% year-to-date to $73.99.[11] The Adrian facility had been producing approximately 20,000 pounds of cannabis annually.[12] The company maintained its Grand Rapids cultivation facility and dispensary operations.[11]
Brands and products
Fluresh operates as a vertically integrated cannabis company, controlling cultivation, processing, and retail operations.[9]
Brand portfolio
Under T.H.C., the company operates multiple brands:[13]
- Fluresh: The core retail brand focused on accessibility and value-oriented products[14]
- Carbon by Fluresh: A premium brand launched in October 2021 emphasizing terpene profiles and cultivation quality[15][16]
- Mr. X: Gummies and vape cartridges[17]
- Jasper: Flower and pre-rolls[13]
- newfrend: All-in-one disposable vapes[18]
Product innovation
In December 2020, Fluresh launched its first branded product line, including fast-acting drink enhancers designed to create cannabis-infused beverages with onset times of 10 to 20 minutes.[19][20] The company has been credited as the first distributor in Michigan to release cannabis-infused beverages.[21]
Social equity and community programs
MIVEDA agreement
When Fluresh expanded its Grand Rapids cultivation facility in July 2020, the company entered into the city's Marihuana Industry Voluntary Equitable Development Agreement (MIVEDA), committing to hire at least 15% of its staff from Grand Rapids residents working 30 or more hours per week.[14] The company prioritizes hiring individuals with prior cannabis convictions and applicants from high-unemployment or low-income neighborhoods.[22]
The company has faced challenges with MIVEDA compliance. In 2022-2023, Fluresh was among several dispensaries that struggled to meet the program's social equity requirements, leading to disputes with the city over enforcement.[23] In 2023, Fluresh was fined $60,000 after CEO Brandon Kanitz moved from Grand Rapids to Traverse City, violating the program's local ownership requirement.[24]
In February 2025, Fluresh and five other dispensaries filed a lawsuit against the City of Grand Rapids challenging the social equity program, claiming it constituted improper fees and taxes.[25]
Other community initiatives
Fluresh operates a Cannabis Entrepreneurship Program (C.E.P.) to help aspiring cannabis industry professionals enter the field.[14] The company is a member of the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce.[21]
Fluresh has partnered with the Black and Brown Cannabis Guild (BBCG) and sponsored the National Expungement Week Drive-Up Clinic in Grand Rapids to provide expungement resources for individuals with low-level cannabis convictions.[26]
Recognition
Fluresh was named a 2020 Newsmaker of the Year by Crain's Grand Rapids Business for being the first cannabis retailer in the city and its community-focused approach.[26]
In 2023, the Fluresh Artist Series packaging received a Clio Cannabis Shortlist Award in the Brand Design category.[27]
Facilities
Fluresh's headquarters and retail dispensary are located at 1213 Phillips Ave SW in Grand Rapids, Michigan.[1] The Grand Rapids cultivation facility spans approximately 133,000 square feet.[14]
The company previously operated a 105,000-square-foot cultivation and processing facility in Adrian, Michigan, which closed in November 2024.[11]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "'Fluresh' opens as Grand Rapids' first medical marijuana shop". Michigan Public. February 7, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "1st recreational marijuana store opens in Grand Rapids Friday". WGVU News. October 23, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "First medical marijuana provisioning center opens in Grand Rapids". Crain's Grand Rapids Business. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ "Faces: Leah Bailey". Marijuana Venture. April 21, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ "A Veteran CPG Executive on Building a Cannabis Brand". InterimExecs. December 6, 2021. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Cannabis company growing in Grand Rapids". Cannabis Examiners. July 30, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Fluresh is Grand Rapids' First Recreational Marijuana Dispensary". Michigan Canna Trail. October 28, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Press Release: Fluresh Completes Historic Cannabis Industry Financing With $48 Million in Engagements From Federally Chartered Bank". Brennan Manna Diamond. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "New Leadership at Fluresh Signals Community-Focused Direction" (Press release). PR Newswire. August 4, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Cannabis Company Fluresh Announces Name Change to Tend.Harvest.Cultivate". Yahoo Finance. June 22, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Dustin Walsh (November 19, 2024). "Fluresh to close $46M marijuana grow in Adrian". Crain's Detroit Business. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ Dustin Walsh (January 3, 2025). "Michigan's cannabis industry will face a reckoning in 2025". Crain's Detroit Business. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Tend.Harvest.Cultivate". Fluresh. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 "About Fluresh Grand Rapids Dispensary". Fluresh. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ "Leading Michigan Cannabis Company Launches New Carbon by Fluresh Brand" (Press release). PR Newswire. October 6, 2021. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ "Carbon by Fluresh". Fluresh. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ "Mr. X". Fluresh. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ "newfrend". Fluresh. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ "Cannabis retailer Fluresh launches first product line". Crain's Grand Rapids Business. December 7, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ "Fluresh Elevates The Standard For Michigan Cannabis Market With New Collection Of Designed Offerings" (Press release). PR Newswire. December 3, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Member Spotlight: Flureshing With Innovation". Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce. June 30, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ "About Fluresh Grand Rapids Dispensary". Fluresh. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ "GR cannabis operators 'cautiously optimistic' as city officials amend social equity requirements". Crain's Grand Rapids Business. September 20, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ "Grand Rapids equity cannabis regulations create confusion". Crain's Detroit Business. August 11, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ "Dispensaries sue city of Grand Rapids over social equity policy". WOOD-TV. February 20, 2025. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 "2020 Newsmaker of the Year: First cannabis retailer networks with community allies". Crain's Grand Rapids Business. January 22, 2021. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ↑ "Fluresh: Fluresh Artist Series". Clio Cannabis Awards. 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
External links
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