NEW YORK – October 17, 2022 – Marino, a full-service communications firm with offices in New York and Los Angeles, today announced the addition of four women-led companies to its growing roster of cannabis clients.

The new additions, which include the Latina-owned puffware and smoking accessory brand House of Puff; the cannabinoid and cannabis education e-commerce platform, Poplar; strategic and social equity licensing specialist Cann Strategy; and end-to-end cannabis consulting firm Cannaspire; further diversify Marino’s cannabis portfolio after the firm was selected to lead media relations for Etain Health, New York’s only women-led and founded cannabis dispensary, one year ago. Leveraging its experience working with leading cannabis brands, Marino will carry out comprehensive strategic communications programs for each company.

“While the cannabis industry continues to expand and diversify, it is still a sector dominated by male voices. As Marino continues to grow and evolve our cannabis practice, we have made it a priority to uplift diverse voices,” said Samantha Qualls, vice president at Marino, who helps oversee the day-to-day direction of the agency’s cannabis practice. “For this reason, we are enthusiastic about the addition of these four women-founded and led cannabis brands to our portfolio. Our team is eager to collaborate with leadership at House of Puff, Poplar, Cann Strategy, and Cannaspire as they continue to make inroads and reach key milestones within the industry.”

A woman and Latina-owned brand, House of Puff is a creator of stylish cannabis accessories and puffware. Aimed at elevating the smoking experience, House of Puff’s products intertwine practical cannabis consumption with sleek and chicly designed glassware that introduce sophistication, artistry and empowerment to the cannabis experience. Marino is tasked with building brand identity and creating buzz around new product launches and establishing House of Puff’s founder, Kristina Adduci, as a leading expert voice in the cannabis and business world.

Poplar is an online CBD marketplace offering the best selection of must-have hemp-derived CBD products and educational resources and experiences to demystify plant medicine and the stigma around CBD, and the larger cannabis plant. While Marino will work to elevate the brand’s visibility through strategic media relations, the firm has also been tasked with positioning Poplar founder Beryl Solomon as a leader of the opt-in movement on Long Island, where cannabis business owners are hoping to convince local municipalities to opt into retail cannabis sales.

Cann Strategy has extensive hands-on experience in licensing and operations in legalized medical and adult-use cannabis markets across the United States. Through a team of strategists with decades of combined experience in the cannabis and marketing industries, the consulting firm specializes in social equity and competitive licensing and, alongside sister platform, Leafsheets, provides entrepreneurs the tools they need to win a license and build a successful brand and business. Marino will execute a communications strategy to build brand identity and visibility through creative initiatives and the positioning of leadership as expert sources.

A certified women-owned business, Cannaspire provides the products, services, and consulting business owners need to succeed in the cannabis industry. Starting as a cannabis security service, Cannaspire expanded its offerings and team to meet the growing needs of the market at large for dispensaries, process-manufacturers, growers, and state and local policymakers. Marino has been retained to expand brand awareness, thought leadership and overall media relations.

For more information about Marino’s cannabis practice, email cannabis@marinopr.com.