The Rise of Northwest Cannabis Solutions: How Two Entrepreneurs Built Washington's Cannabis Empire
In the evolving landscape of Washington's legal cannabis industry, few success stories stand out as prominently as Northwest Cannabis Solutions (NWCS). Founded by Leo Gontmakher and Vlad Orlovskiis, NWCS has established itself as one of the largest recreational marijuana producer/processors in Washington State, setting new standards for quality, innovation, and business excellence in this emerging market.
The Genesis of a Cannabis Giant
Northwest Cannabis Solutions was born during a conversation between co-founders Leo Gontmakher and Vlad Orlovskiis. From the beginning, they set an ambitious goal: to create the premier cannabis production and processing facility in the world. This vision would soon materialize into one of Washington's most successful cannabis businesses.
Leo Gontmakher, who grew up watching his father navigate a global seafood distribution business worth over $100 million annually, brought valuable experience in operating within highly regulated industries. As he noted in interviews, "I'm a strong believer that cannabis is headed toward national, and potentially global, legalization, and I wanted to take on the challenge of developing a business within the industry."
The state-of-the-art NWCS facility launched in February 2015. Within just six months, the company had established itself as one of the top-selling edibles manufacturers in the state, generating more than half a million dollars in revenue by July 2015. By September 2016, monthly sales had skyrocketed to over $2.2 million, more than doubling year-over-year.
Building a Cannabis Empire: Infrastructure and Operations
NWCS operates from two impressive facilities in Thurston County, Washington:
- A 70,000-square-foot production warehouse where cannabis is grown, harvested, and trimmed
- A 40,000-square-foot facility dedicated to producing retail-ready products
The production warehouse features an innovative design with a mezzanine and 44 grow rooms that maximize its 30,000 square feet of allowed canopy. A unique aspect of their cultivation approach involves rolling carts housing soil-grown cannabis plants. For watering and maintenance, each cart is wheeled into the middle of the warehouse where workers in white Tyvek suits (to limit contamination) meticulously care for the plants and hand-trim harvested flowers.
In 2016, NWCS expanded operations with an additional 50,000-square-foot indoor growing facility at the Satsop Business Park. This facility, housed in a converted building originally constructed for the canceled Satsop Nuclear Power Plant, underwent more than six million dollars in improvements. The company installed new transformers to provide 9,000 amps of power for 2,000 grow lights and a robust HVAC system.
The processing facilities include:
- Two commercial-grade kitchens
- State-of-the-art extraction laboratories
- Quarantine and storage rooms
- A massive assembly line for packaging and shipping
Their extraction lab features Cascade Tek vacuum ovens, Extraction Tek butane extraction machines, Eden Labs CO2 extraction machines, and Heidolph distillation units with rotary evaporators. All oils undergo winterization with 200-proof ethanol to achieve exceptional purity.
Powering this operation requires substantial resources—together, the original two buildings consume approximately 35,000 kilowatt hours of electricity daily, making NWCS one of Thurston County's largest electricity consumers.
The Team Behind the Success
The NWCS team expanded rapidly to around 150 employees at their Tumwater facility by 2017, with an additional 60-70 employees at the Satsop location. Many team members grew up together, creating a unique company culture summarized by their motto: "Teamwork makes the dream work."
As Gontmakher explained, "Implementing that team mentality from the start is a major factor in the success of any business, but especially a brand new business in a brand new industry like ours."
The company assembled a multi-talented workforce, including world-class European chefs for their edibles production and extraction specialists for their concentrate lines. Another team member, Matt Razore, expressed the company philosophy: "The only way to do great work is to love what you do."
Building Recognizable Brands
Northwest Cannabis Solutions has established several successful product lines available throughout Washington:
Magic Kitchen
Their well-known edibles line featuring cookies, chocolates, and the top-selling Pebbles hard candies
Left-Handed Brand
An innovative line of cannabis-infused seasonings including Sugar, Seasoned Salt, Sugar with Cinnamon, and Ramen Seasoning
Mari's Mints
Cannabis-infused mints available in Sativa, Indica, CBD, and 1:1 blends with flavors like Raspberry, Watermelon, Wild Grape, Hot Cinnamon, and Peppermint
Hi-Burst
Infused fruit chews created with high-quality ingredients and natural flavors in varieties like Berries 'N Cream, Passion Fruit, Tropical Papaya Punch, Lemonade, and Pineapple Orange
Vape Products
Single-use EZ Vape pens available with both CO2 and BHO extracts, as well as high-CBD versions, and the Evergreen vape pen with changeable cartridges
Crystal Clear
A line of highly refined cannabis concentrates focusing on purity, consistency, and potency
Terp Stix
Premium infused pre-rolled joints combining Crystal Clear distillate with top-tier indoor-grown flower
Flower Brands
- Legends: Providing legendary cannabis strains at mid-level pricing
- Private Reserve: Top-shelf flower featuring rarer strains like Animal Cookies, Blackberry Kush, Pink Cookies, and Sunset Sherbet
Industry Leadership and Growth
By 2016, NWCS had established itself as one of Washington's top two producer/processors by revenue, generating over $2 million monthly and trading the top position with Spokane Valley's Grow Op Farms. Their year-to-date sales at that point reached nearly $15 million.
The company's success attracted attention from larger cannabis interests. Cannex Capital acquired Northwest Cannabis Solutions, with Gontmakher serving as chief operating officer of the parent company. In 2019, Cannex merged with 4Front Ventures, and Gontmakher was promoted to CEO of 4Front Ventures in 2020.
Under Gontmakher's leadership, 4Front Ventures expanded operations across multiple states, including California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Washington, with six Mission dispensaries nationwide.
Looking to the Future
As CEO of 4Front Ventures, Gontmakher has continued to push the boundaries of the cannabis industry. In 2022, the company prepared to expand significantly in California with the opening of a new 170,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Commerce, a Los Angeles suburb.
Gontmakher's philosophy on leadership in the cannabis space is clear: "The value of being a true leader in cannabis is pushing forward into the unknown, trusting your gut and allowing those around you to do the same."
This approach has served NWCS well as it has grown from a Washington State producer into part of a multi-state cannabis operation with over 600 employees. The company continues to focus on consistently producing top-quality products while developing national brands that can expand as legalization opens new markets.
Industry Recognition
The quality and innovation at NWCS haven't gone unnoticed. The company has received recognition from cannabis industry figures, including a visit from musician and cannabis entrepreneur Berner, who filmed an episode of Marijuana Mania at the NWCS facilities to showcase "how Washington does weed."
During his tour, Berner explored the state-of-the-art extraction lab, witnessed the processing systems that support $2 million in monthly sales, sampled products from the Magic Kitchen, and toured the massive cultivation spaces.
The Foundation of Success
The success of Northwest Cannabis Solutions stems from a clear vision and consistent execution. As Gontmakher noted, the company focuses more on its own growth by improving products and streamlining internal processes rather than paying attention to competitors.
"There are a bunch of great companies that are making good products that we have to compete with and just knowing that drives us to never get complacent and keep an underdog mentality," Gontmakher explained.
This mentality, combined with state-of-the-art facilities, a dedicated team, and a commitment to quality, has positioned Northwest Cannabis Solutions as a true pioneer in Washington's cannabis industry and established a foundation for national growth through 4Front Ventures.
From a conversation between two entrepreneurs with a vision to one of the largest cannabis operations in Washington State and beyond, the story of Northwest Cannabis Solutions demonstrates how innovation, quality, and teamwork can build an empire in an emerging industry.
By Michael
Sources:
https://imcannabess.com/marijuana-mania-nwcs/
https://cannabisnow.com/40-under-40-leo-gontmakher/
https://www.marijuanaventure.com/nwcs-gold-standard/
https://www.marijuanaventure.com/leo-gontmakher/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwest_Cannabis_Solutions_Satsop_facility
https://canna4life.com/northwest-cannabis-solutions-nwcs/
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."
