The Rise of Blue Roots Cannabis: How Eben von Ranson Built a Washington Cannabis Legacy
In the competitive landscape of Washington's regulated cannabis industry, certain companies have distinguished themselves through their unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainable business practices. Blue Roots Cannabis, founded in 2013 and based in Spokane, stands as a testament to what vision, dedication, and expertise can accomplish in this rapidly evolving sector.
Humble Beginnings
Blue Roots Cannabis Co. began its journey in 2013, shortly after Washington state legalized recreational cannabis. Founder Eben von Ranson recognized an opportunity to create a cannabis brand focused on premium quality rather than mass production. Von Ranson personally designed the company's state-of-the-art two-story cultivation facility in Airway Heights, incorporating innovative multi-spectrum light fixtures that simulate different types of sunlight throughout the day and seasons.
"We strive to create conditions that rival nature's best days," von Ranson has stated about their growing philosophy, highlighting the company's commitment to mimicking optimal natural conditions for cannabis cultivation.
A Focus on Quality Over Quantity
From its inception, Blue Roots Cannabis differentiated itself by prioritizing small-batch, high-grade flowers over high-volume production. This philosophy permeates every aspect of their operation, from cultivation to processing. While many competitors adopted large-scale automation to maximize output, Blue Roots deliberately chose a more hands-on approach.
The company maintains several small rooms with limited batches of plants rather than cavernous growing spaces. This approach gives their team greater control over the growing environment and allows them to quickly isolate areas if necessary. Jerome Conlon, who joined Blue Roots to focus on branding, emphasized this philosophy: "We'll gladly sacrifice weight/quantity for a great terpene and cannabinoid profile."
Cultivation Excellence
Blue Roots Cannabis has earned its reputation through meticulous attention to every stage of the cultivation process:
- Each plant receives daily inspection
- All plants are hand-watered and hand-trellised by a dedicated four-person crew
- The grow team monitors environmental factors like humidity and temperature remotely
- State-of-the-art rooms alert team members through mobile devices if significant changes occur
- The company focuses on maintaining quality consistency from one harvest to the next
This careful approach has yielded exceptional results, with their signature strain Supermax OG consistently testing at 22-29% THC. The company deliberately seeks out unique varieties that differentiate them from competitors, always searching for exceptional strains with distinctive effects and flavor profiles.
Product Diversification and Innovation
While initially known for their premium flower products, Blue Roots has strategically expanded their product lineup to include a variety of cannabis goods:
Extracts and Concentrates:
- Shatter
- Distillate cartridges using cannabis-derived native terpenes
- Distillate cartridges with natural terpenes extracted from fruit
Edibles: Under the direction of Chef Stephanie Lamb, Blue Roots developed an impressive range of infused products:
- Six varieties of Cake Bites
- Five flavors of tinctures
- Cannachips in four savory flavors: Bar-B-Que, Sour Cream & Onion, Nacho Cheese, and Ranch
The introduction of Cannachips represented an innovative move into savory edibles in a market dominated by sweet options. "I'm not a huge sweet food person myself, and other people have also told me they wouldn't mind something more savory on the market," Lamb noted about the product development.
Brand Expansion: The Crave Cannabis Story
In a strategic move reminiscent of how Anheuser-Busch offers different beer brands at various price points, von Ranson expanded the company's reach by creating Crave Cannabis. This sister brand targets cost-conscious consumers without compromising on quality.
Crave Cannabis products are cultivated at a separate facility in Cheney but adhere to the same grow philosophies as Blue Roots. The brand launched with 13 strains blending classic favorites with contemporary varieties, including Santa Cruz Blue Dream, Mint Chocolate Chip, Hog, Cookies 'n Cream, Black Cherry Soda, and Bruce Banner.
"We have a lot of people's favorites," von Ranson said. "These are less exotic strains than Blue Roots, but they have amazing flavor."
The market response proved the strategy successful, with Stephanie Lamb, sales and assistant operations manager for both brands, noting, "We sold out in our second month of sales."
Team Loyalty and Expertise
A cornerstone of Blue Roots' success has been its dedicated team. Many team members have remained with the company for over seven years, creating a close-knit culture of expertise and shared values. This loyalty has allowed the company to maintain consistent quality while expanding operations.
By 2018, Blue Roots had grown to employ 45 people, with production capacity continuing to increase. The company has expanded from its humble beginnings to three locations while maintaining its foundational values of transparency, integrity, and passion for cannabis.
Market Presence and Distribution
Blue Roots has established a significant footprint in Washington's cannabis market. Their products are available in approximately 70 stores statewide, and the team continues to build relationships with retailers and customers. Between their flower, extracts, cartridges, and pre-rolls, these products have accounted for over 45% of total company sales since its establishment.
Future Growth and Expansion
Blue Roots Cannabis has ambitious plans for the future. Recent facility expansions include two new state-of-the-art growing rooms designed to increase monthly output while maintaining their commitment to quality.
The company also continues to innovate in product development. Chef Stephanie Lamb remains at the forefront of edibles innovation, exploring new flavor combinations and delivery methods. "The R&D part is my favorite," Lamb has shared. "I may try things one way and then have an 'ah ha!' moment and figure out how to do it better."
A Washington Cannabis Leader
Through their unwavering commitment to quality, innovative approach to product development, and strategic brand expansion, Eben von Ranson and his team have established Blue Roots Cannabis as one of Washington state's premier cannabis companies. Their journey from a small cultivation operation to a multi-brand, multi-state enterprise exemplifies the potential for success in the regulated cannabis industry when vision meets execution.
As the cannabis market continues to mature, Blue Roots Cannabis appears well-positioned to maintain its leadership position, guided by the foundational principles that have driven its success from the beginning: quality over quantity, meticulous attention to detail, and a passionate dedication to the plant and its potential.
By Michael
Sources:
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/sep/07/blue-roots-cannabis-continues-branch-out/
https://www.marijuanaventure.com/40-under-40-stephanie-lamb/
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/may/01/crave-cannabis-expands-choices-fans-blue-roots/
https://www.headset.io/brands/blue-roots-cannabis#brand-data
WA States Advertising Disclaimer. Just In Case.
- "This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming.";
- "cannabis can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug.";
- "There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product."; and
- "For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children."
