LOS ANGELES, CA, April 25, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The founder of Verdant Distribution , Brian Blatz, proudly announced today that beverage distribution professional Nick Rinella was named Chief Operating Officer of Verdant Distribution. Despite Nick Rinella’s family legacy as a Midwestern beverage distributor for over 60 years with clients such as Anheuser-Busch and Dr. Pepper/Snapple, Nick left his position running the Rinella Company with his Father to enter the cannabis industry as Verdant Distribution’s COO.

Nick Rinella said, “After analyzing the size and scope of the national market for cannabis products and long discussions with my family, including my Grandfather who founded the Rinella Company, I knew it was the chance of a lifetime. Not to mention, working alongside Brian Blatz is an honor; he was instrumental in drafting and passing the state cannabis distribution law and regulations as part of a coalition that included labor, law enforcement and local government. In addition, Brian has been working in the cannabis industry for years researching, analyzing, and most importantly, networking with industry leaders.” Rinella continued, “The cannabis industry is maturing in ways identical to the beverage industry, which allows us to apply the procedures developed by my family over several generations. Verdant will use those same techniques and programs to capture market share for our brand clients in the emerging cannabis industry.”

When asked about the addition of Nick Rinella to the team and adding over six decades of beverage distribution experience to the cannabis industry, Brian Blatz said, “It’s a game-changer. I founded Verdant Distribution specifically to operate as an independent distributor because I knew we wouldn’t have to ‘re-create the wheel’ since independent distribution is such an integral part of so many industries that are much more mature than cannabis. To be able to work with Nick and utilize the business plan honed by the Rinella Family over generations takes so much of the risk and guesswork out of execution.”

In addition to working towards being the “gold standard” of cannabis distribution, Verdant Distribution continues its commitment to promoting cannabis industry compliance with state and local laws. As Nick states, “California requires that licensed dispensaries only purchase cannabis and cannabis products from a licensed distributor. It is illegal for brands to sell directly to dispensaries unless they have their own distribution license. Only a licensed distributor may coordinate with a state-licensed laboratory to test all products before they may be sold to a dispensary by a licensed distributor so a brand must use a licensed distributor for state-required testing unless they have their own distribution license.” Consequently, Verdant Distribution strives to only work with licensed cannabis operators who follow state and local rules and regulations.

In addition, Nick and Brian also strongly encourage any brands operating or looking to operate within the California cannabis industry to fully comply with state and local laws. In particular, with regard to distribution, Nick and Brian strongly urge anyone doing business with a cannabis distributor to take the following steps before jeopardizing their brand and personal freedom: 1) Verify local and state licenses , 2) Use an independent distributor , and 3) Confirm that the distributor is an experienced operator .

If you are a cannabis brand, dispensary, or company doing business in the California cannabis market and don’t know whether or not you’re operating legally and in full compliance, contact Verdant Distribution directly for more information and click here to educate yourself.

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About Verdant Distribution

Verdant Distribution is a licensed independent third-party distributor for cannabis products in California. The company was built on the existing beverage distribution model as governed by the State of California. Pursuant to state law, cannabis distribution companies must serve as the intermediary between cultivators, manufacturers, and dispensaries. Verdant strives to maintain an open, effi­cient, safe, and accessible marketplace for cannabis products that benefits growers, manufacturers, retailers, and consumers. Learn more at http://www.verdantdistribution.com or follow Verdant Distribution at @verdantdistro across social media.

Jed Wallace Brand Wagon Agency jed@brandwagonagency.com 310-403-0559