The Sweet Success Story: Green Labs and Swifts Edibles' Rise in Washington's Cannabis Industry
In the evergreen state of Washington, a family-driven cannabis success story has been quietly revolutionizing the edibles market since 2014. Green Labs LLC, the producer behind the beloved Swifts Edibles brand, represents a perfect fusion of culinary artistry and cannabis innovation. Founded by the entrepreneurial couple Fabian and Cristina Toader, Green Labs has grown from a passionate start-up to one of Washington's most respected cannabis manufacturers, bringing together a talented team including Jordan McAulay, Erick Marcelo Salgado, Oliver Stannard, and Leticia Lacerda.
Confectionary First, Cannabis Second: The Origins of Green Labs
What sets Green Labs apart in Washington's competitive cannabis landscape is their unique approach: "confectionary first and cannabis second." This philosophy stems from Fabian Toader's deep interest in food science combined with Cristina's expertise in culinary arts. When Initiative 502 legalized recreational cannabis in Washington, the couple recognized an opportunity to merge their passion for quality confections with the emerging cannabis market.
The Toaders assembled a team of like-minded individuals committed to craftsmanship. Jordan McAulay joined as Director of Business Development, bringing strategic vision to the company's growth. Erick Marcelo Salgado, Oliver Stannard, and Leticia Lacerda rounded out the core team, each contributing unique skills that would help transform Green Labs into an industry leader.
"For us personally, it's simple business," Jordan McAulay explained in an interview. "You create a fair product, you charge a fair price for it, and you can carry your people. At the end of the day, that's all you need."
The Birth of Swifts Edibles
In 2014, Green Labs launched Swifts Edibles, a brand that would quickly become synonymous with quality and innovation in Washington's cannabis scene. The name "Swifts" represented the company's commitment to swift, consistent experiences for consumers. Their tagline—"Always Extraordinary"—wasn't just marketing; it was a promise of excellence.
The initial product lineup included handcrafted chocolate truffles that showcased the team's confectionary expertise. These weren't typical cannabis edibles; they were gourmet chocolates first, precisely dosed with cannabis second. This attention to flavor and quality immediately distinguished Swifts in the marketplace.
Product Innovation and Expansion
Over the years, Green Labs has developed an impressive array of products under the Swifts brand. Their portfolio now includes:
- Award-winning chocolate truffles in varieties like Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Cheesecake, and Tiger Butter
- Precisely dosed cannabis tablets
- Vegan, all-natural gummies
- Infused pre-rolls
- CBD mints (which won the 2016 Dope Cup Award for Best CBD Edible)
- Ruby Cannabis Sugar (through a partnership with DeepCell)
What makes these products stand out is the team's commitment to meeting diverse consumer needs. They've developed gluten-free, sugar-free, and vegan options, addressing niche market segments that had previously been underserved in the cannabis edibles space.
"We look to develop products that are unique to the market and serve niche customer segments that may not have as many edible cannabis options," Oliver Stannard noted in an interview with AskGrowers.
Craftsmanship and Quality Control
The Green Labs team prides itself on maintaining extraordinarily high standards. Every product is handcrafted in Washington using organic ingredients. The manufacturing process combines traditional confectionary techniques with innovative methods for cannabis infusion.
Fabian and Cristina Toader personally oversee quality control, ensuring each batch meets their exacting standards. Their expertise in food science allows them to achieve consistent dosing—a critical factor in the edibles market. The team has developed sophisticated techniques in several product areas, including hard candy, chocolate truffles, cannabis chocolate panning, and tablet pressing.
This attention to detail hasn't gone unnoticed. Swifts products regularly sell out at dispensaries across Washington, and customer loyalty remains exceptionally strong. The brand's distinctive packaging makes it instantly recognizable on store shelves, with Jordan McAulay noting, "Your branding is unmistakable, you walk into a store, you're like 'oh there's the Swifts.'"
Strategic Partnerships and Innovation
Green Labs' growth hasn't happened in isolation. The company has strategically partnered with other innovators in the cannabis space to expand their product offerings. One notable collaboration was with DeepCell, a technology development company focusing on material science and cannabinoid discoveries.
In 2016, Green Labs secured a licensing agreement with DeepCell to manufacture and distribute Ruby Cannabis Sugar throughout Washington State. This product utilized DeepCell's patent-pending Crystal Fusion technology, which fuses cannabinoids to sugar, creating a water-soluble product that could be used like natural sugar in various applications.
"We are extremely excited to be able to partner with DeepCell, a company whose vision aligns cohesively with ours," Jordan McAulay stated when announcing the partnership. "The scientific approach and quality standards that create each batch of Ruby products make Green Labs the perfect home for its production."
Geographic Expansion
After establishing themselves as leaders in Washington's cannabis market, Green Labs has expanded their operations to California, marking an important milestone in the company's growth. This multi-state presence positions them to become a significant player beyond the Pacific Northwest.
While the team remains focused on their core Washington operations, they have carefully planned their expansion strategy to maintain product quality and consistency across state lines. Their California operation brings the same attention to detail and commitment to excellence that made them successful in Washington.
Community Values and Industry Leadership
Beyond business success, the Green Labs team has consistently demonstrated their commitment to the broader cannabis community. They recognize the importance of collaboration within the industry, especially as regulatory challenges persist at the federal level.
When asked about the biggest struggle in the cannabis industry, Oliver Stannard identified "the federal laws surrounding cannabis" as a significant obstacle. Despite these challenges, Green Labs has maintained an optimistic outlook, focusing on building relationships and creating quality products.
Their advice to newcomers in the industry reflects this community-minded approach: "Recognize how relatively small the cannabis community is and treat everyone fairly and do good business." This philosophy has helped them weather industry fluctuations and build lasting relationships with retailers, customers, and fellow producers.
Navigating Challenges
Like many cannabis businesses, Green Labs has faced its share of challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Supply chain disruptions affected packaging and ingredient sourcing, while market uncertainties created additional pressures.
"There has been quite a bit of uncertainty caused by COVID," Oliver Stannard explained. "We have had to delay some new products and have seen impacts to packaging and ingredient sourcing."
Their response to these challenges exemplifies their business philosophy: "We have overcome it by just taking it one day at a time, putting our customers first while working as hard to navigate with this constantly changing industry."
Looking to the Future
Today, Green Labs stands as one of Washington's premier cannabis manufacturers, with their Swifts Edibles brand available in dispensaries throughout the state and expanding presence in California. The company continues to innovate, exploring new product categories while maintaining their commitment to quality and consistency.
The founding team of Fabian and Cristina Toader, along with Jordan McAulay, Erick Marcelo Salgado, Oliver Stannard, and Leticia Lacerda, remains dedicated to their original vision: creating extraordinary cannabis experiences through exceptional confectionary products.
As federal legislation evolves and new markets open, Green Labs is well-positioned for continued expansion. Their proven ability to develop innovative products, maintain strict quality standards, and build strong industry relationships suggests a bright future for this family-driven business.
For consumers across Washington and California, the Swifts Edibles brand continues to deliver on its promise to make each day #alwaysextraordinary—one precisely dosed, delicious confection at a time.
By Michael
Sources:
https://wa.swiftsedibles.com/about/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JRxhcGzQTc
https://askgrowers.com/blog/green-labs-interview
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."
