Ones to Watch 2020: Adolphus August Busch V
The inaugural Greenway Ones to Watch class were nominated by their peers as those will be some of the most responsible for setting the tone of Missouri’s newest industry. From activists to consultants to operators themselves, the following industry influencers are responsible for determining not only how the industry overcomes the obstacles of 2020, but how the industry will be better for it. The same questions were asked of all; submitted answers and related information edited for grammar and clarity.
NAME: Adolphus August Busch V
COMPANY: Teal Industries, LLC
OPERATING FROM: St. Louis
TITLE: Chairman, COO
BACKGROUND: Medical and Recreational Cannabis
Why cannabis?
I became passionate about the cannabis industry while attending Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado from 2009 to 2013. During my college career, I was able to watch the medical cannabis industry grow in Colorado. Shortly after I graduated, Colorado began recreational cannabis sales on January 1, 2014 after passing Amendment 64. I had always wanted to create my own legacy. At first, the beer and/or liquor industry seemed like the right path to take due to my family’s history in the beer industry; however, once I saw the true potential in the cannabis industry, I knew there was a different path for me. I have always been an avid fitness enthusiast and very conscious about my physical shape. Cannabis has always fit my goals more than alcohol does. For those reasons, I chose to start my path in the cannabis industry.
What is your vision of the industry in Missouri?
My vision for the cannabis industry in MO has always been to be one of the larger players in the great Show-Me State. It has been my dream to have our infrastructure based first in my home state of Missouri and then expand from there. We were fortunate to win Infused Product Manufacturing (IPM) licenses and plan to get them up and operational as quickly as possible in order to supply the patients of MO with the cannabis products they need and deserve. We are actively looking for partnerships in the Cultivation and Dispensary space in order to create a healthy supply chain for our company. It is our goal to be vertically integrated in the next year to two years utilizing greenhouses for our cultivation sites and customer-centric dispensaries focused on educating our patients.
What opportunity/opportunities does the industry create in Missouri?
From an economic standpoint, the medical cannabis industry in MO is projected to create more than $800 million in new spending dollars and almost 6,000 new jobs in 2021. Those numbers do not include the ancillary businesses working with cannabis companies which are projected to create more than $550 million in new spending dollars and almost 4,000 new jobs in 2021.
Additionally, the MO medical cannabis industry makes it possible for patients to gain access to natural medicine for their medical conditions instead of potentially harmful pharmaceutical drugs. For example, people who have struggled or are struggling with opioid abuse can now gain access to cannabis for their pain. Families with epileptic children or epilepsy patients no longer need to uproot their lives and move to a state that has legalized cannabis in order to get the medicine they need. It will all be right here in their home state of Missouri.
What is one thing you wish all Missourians knew about cannabis?
It is important to understand the chemical compounds found in different cannabis strains and how they affect the human body. Everyone’s endocannabinoid system reacts differently to these compounds and it is important to understand how you react to certain compounds so that you can find the right strain or product for your genetic makeup. The proper strain and/or product and the proper dosing are the most important elements to making sure that your condition is properly treated and you have a pleasant experience with the plant. Teal Industries is focusing on educating our patients so that they are able to purchase exactly what they need each and every time.