Marino, a full-service communications firm with offices in New York and Los Angeles, today announced its expansion into the cannabis tech and construction space with the addition of four nationally-recognized brands to its expanding portfolio. 

The cannabis practice’s newest clients include POS technology provider, Dutchie; workforce recruiting and hiring platform engin; drying and curing technology system, Cannatrol; and dispensary design, architecture and construction firm, Temeka Group. All four brands not only operate within the intersection of cannabis and technology and the built environment, but also play integral roles as ancillaries to licenses cannabis operators. Leveraging its experience working with leading cannabis brands, Marino will carry out comprehensive strategic communications programs for each company.   

“The emerging cannabis industry and booming tech sector are closely intertwined, with management systems, AI integrations, sales and data software, and growing, curing and processing technology being implemented all along the supply chain,” said Jordan Isenstadt, senior vice president at Marino who oversees the agency’s cannabis practice. “As our practice continues to expand, we have made it a point to collaborate with brands that are driving technological innovation in the industry forward. This is why we are eager to work with brands like Dutchie, engin, Cannatrol and Temeka – who are operating at the very center of the intersection of tech and cannabis – and support their growth within and alongside the industry.”  

Dutchie is a national technology brand that powers e-commerce, POS and delivery services for cannabis retailers. Dutchie was recently selected as a provider of technology and point-of-sale (POS) hardware solutions for the state’s Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) licensees. The partnership equips New York’s social equity licensees with powerful technology to streamline operations, service their customers, and create safe and easy access to legal cannabis. Marino has been tasked with elevating Dutchie’s presence in New York, including its work to support and prepare CAURD licensees to be successful, and highlight the company’s role in getting the adult-use market off the ground and operational.  

Engin is a recruiting software and management system focused on skyrocketing success in emerging industries, like cannabis. The brand specializes in helping companies hire the qualified talent they need to catapult toward success. Engin leverages AI integrations to attract the best talent and matches companies with employees for faster hiring and longer retention. Marino will launch a full-scale strategic communications plan to highlight engin’s innovative approach to HR and hiring, build trust and legitimacy in key local markets and establish engin’s founders as thought leaders in the areas of cannabis, HR technology and AI.  

Cannatrol is a product of Vermont-based technology brand VT Dry & Cure that provides superior drying, curing and storage technology to cultivators of all sizes, including home growers. The company’s Patented Vaportrol Technology levels out the curing, drying and aging/storage environment in every season, climate and geography. For Cannatrol, Marino will be focused on earned and owned media on the B2C and B2B sides, along with positioning the brand as a leading voice in conversations having to do with home grow, drying and curing and product quality.  

Temeka Group is a nationally-recognized design, architecture and construction firm that has been tapped by leading cannabis brands to design and build out retail dispensaries. Temeka has been entrusted by CAURD licensees in New York to help conceptualize and execute pop-up and permanent dispensary operations. Marino has been tasked to elevate these efforts to the media, position Temeka as a leader in cannabis retail design and support the launch of Temeka’s sister company, GreenSpacePro, a project management and compliance solutions software aimed at simplifying operations for dispensary owners. Marino will also be supporting Temeka’s national cannabis work and other non-cannabis projects.  

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