2025-06-27
Tired of brokers underpaying growers and dragging out payments? Avery Leveston, founder of Cowboy Kush, built Massachusetts’ first cannabis co-op distributor to flip the script. He buys bulk flower at premiums, handles every step from de-stemming to storefront pop-ups, and guarantees growers get paid on time. No middlemen, just fair, profitable partnerships. Episode Highlights: ✅ The “farmers first” co-op structure ✅ How Cowboy Kush offers 7 g full-flower pre-rolls at $10 wholesale ✅ Building brand champions through pop-ups and staff training ✅ Vetting partners on order size, communication & payment reliability ✅ Scaling from three farms to statewide coverage Chapters 01:15 – Avery’s Journey Through the Supply Chain 04:50 – Hitting the Growth Ceiling in Distribution 08:10 – Inspiration for a Co-op Model 11:30 – Partnering with Farmers: Fair Upfront Pricing 15:00 – Manufacturing & Full-Flower Quality Control 18:45 – Packaging, Branding & Retail Presentation 22:20 – Selective Distribution: Vetting Partners 26:00 – Onboarding Playbook & Pop-Up Demos 30:15 – Empowering Budtenders as Brand Ambassadors 34:00 – The Stetson™ Brand Identity Story 37:45 – Pricing Strategy: High Quality, High Value 41:10 – Collections, Cash Flow & Payment Terms 44:50 – Planning for Scale: Team & Capacity 49:20 – Service Standards & Cooperative Culture 53:00 – Looking Ahead: Expansion & Vision 57:15 – Key Takeaways & How to Join the Co-op 61:00 – Outro & Where to Tune In Whether you’re a cultivator, distributor or brand builder, this episode lays out a win-win path for the entire supply chain. 🚨 Disclaimer: Adult-use topics discussed. Intended for 21+. Please consume responsibly.