The Cannavist Issue 6 B2C | Page 100

USA FROM CA TO THE UK California legalised recreational cannabis in 2016. But it’s the CBD and wellness markets that present the greatest opportunity for expansion beyond state and international borders. Words by Gordon Stribling Over the past 18 months, the UK’s legal cannabis space has grown from a niche concern to spanning multiple industries. Devin Ruzbasan - Air Factory 100 It can now be considered a formidable sector of its own and continues to learn f rom and work with brands across the US. One such experienced brand is Air Factory, which began life as an e-liquid f irm back in 2013. Over the past six months, the company, now based in its own facility in Irvine, outside of Los Angeles, has dived head-f irst into the world of CBD and branched out internationally. Air Factory’s Devin Ruzbasan recently moved to London so we thought we’d catch up and talk all things CBD. “Our company is pretty diversif ied, so not only do we do Air Factory and CBD, we’re also in the process of opening up a cannabis testing lab,” Devin says. “Most major cannabis companies are in Oregon, Washington or California, so we’re in the hub of the industry where it’s pretty easy to get accessories and the governance of the laws. “I mean, why wouldn’t you, right?” Recreational cannabis has been legal in California since 2016 and the state is now home to the world’s largest cannabis market, last year totalling close to $12 billion in estimated sales. But rather than capitalising on the thriving demand for legal THC-rich products, Air Factory has opted to go the broad spectrum route, which opens doors not just beyond state lines but also to those who could be penalised for consumption in a legal state. “Although cannabis is legal in California, if you go through a background check and you have THC in your body, you might not get the job. “We wanted to have the effects of the CBD oils f rom the highest producing companies and we