Chalice Farms – Oregon’s Largest Cannabis Company
Chalice Farms is one of Oregon’s largest cannabis businesses, specializing in cultivation, extraction, refinement, processing and retail sales.
Dispensaries at Green House offer a wide selection of products, such as flowers, tinctures, edibles, concentrates and topicals. Plus they provide delivery and express pick-up options.
Chalice Farms – The Company
Chalice Farms is a consumer-driven cannabis company that specializes in production, processing, wholesale and distribution. Its brands include Chalice Farms, Left Coast Connection, Homegrown Oregon and Cannabis & Co. In Oregon, it owns 16 dispensaries and manages four others. The Company primarily specializes in creating an exciting portfolio of cannabis products from well-known brand names with an emphasis on health and wellness. The Company is also engaged in research, development and production of medical marijuana products. Its operations are primarily located in Oregon and California.
As a rapidly expanding company, the Company has made waves in the consumer-driven cannabis market and become one of the premier marijuana businesses in America. Its products can be found at several retail dispensaries throughout Oregon as well as Fifth & Root, its national platform. The company has earned a well-deserved reputation for producing and selling top quality cannabis products, along with excellent customer service. All its items are infused with CBD for various health benefits. Since 2014, the Company has experienced rapid growth and is now a prominent retailer in Oregon state. Furthermore, they are actively seeking out dispensaries within that jurisdiction as well as expanding their cultivation facilities nationwide.
As the legalized cannabis industry continues to flourish in the U.S., the Company plans on expanding their presence into key markets like California, Florida and Washington. Furthermore, they have extensive cultivation and retail businesses as well as an impressive product lineup in the oil sector. Although its leadership team includes veterans of the cannabis space, the organization remains relatively young. Its leaders joined at various points during its history and share a common goal to build an impressive west coast U.S. cannabis company that will propel future growth for the business. Steve Simpson is the Company’s CEO and President. A veteran leader in medical cannabis, he boasts an impressive resume. Through his guidance of a diverse team, Steve has successfully brought Chalice brand to life while upholding high ethical standards.
The People
Chalice Farms employees share a passion for their industry and are a drive to see it succeed. They strive to be part of an organization that listens to employees and fosters an inclusive workplace. At Chalice Farms, employees are rewarded for their hard work; those who show up and contribute are rewarded accordingly. Chalice Farms employees have the unique opportunity to learn about cannabis, with ample training materials and career development programs. Furthermore, employees enjoy numerous benefits like health care coverage, 401k plans and free samples. Chalice Farms has earned a well-deserved reputation for customer service and product innovation. As an active member of the Oregon Retail Alliance, it has received numerous awards – including DOPE Magazine’s “People’s Choice” award for its in-house edibles.
William Simpson founded the company in 2014, but sold it to Canadian-based and publicly traded cannabis company Golden Leaf three years later. Although headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, most of their operations remain at their Portland offices. In Oregon, Chalice Farms has expanded to 14 outlets under their brand and four more under other labels. They sell marijuana-infused edibles, tinctures and concentrates. Though Chalice’s business model has been successful in the past, it is now facing a downturn as consumers become less confident when purchasing legal cannabis. To combat this decline, they have taken several steps to streamline operations and enhance their branding – leading to more earned media coverage.
Despite these obstacles, Chalice’s leadership team remains dedicated to serving Oregon customers and is actively exploring expansion into other states. Recently they secured licensing for a cultivation facility in San Jose, California as well as an expanding wholesale operation which distributes Chalice-branded items across California. William Simpson, the company’s CEO and West Linn native, has been active in the cannabis industry since 1999. He began as a medical patient and grower before transitioning into consulting, design and manufacturing roles. When creating Chalice Farms he wanted to create an environment that would shift public perception about marijuana; creating a “fire-lit cabin” atmosphere where customers could come learn about cannabis cultivation.
The Culture
Chalice Farms is a vertically integrated cannabis company that owns and operates four medical and adult-use retail stores in Oregon. Acquired by Golden Leaf Holdings last year, the Canada-based business cultivates, processes and manufactures various products. The brand takes a unique approach to cannabis, striving to provide customers with a relaxing and enjoyable experience. To accomplish this goal, they have constructed retail dispensaries around Oregon that resemble warm, cozy cabins. Chalice has seen success, expanding their business throughout Oregon since the co-op virus pandemic hit. In addition to their flagship Portland locations, they’ve opened five additional stores throughout the state since then.
In addition to its retail locations, Chalice also owns and operates its own cultivation and extraction facilities located in California, Nevada, and Oregon. Chalice cultivates cannabis for its own brands and stores, as well as purchasing from other growers and manufacturers in the state. Their dispensaries offer a vast selection of flower, edibles and oils. The company provides a selection of delivery and express pick-up options to accommodate customers’ hectic schedules. Additionally, its dispensaries have started offering online ordering for added convenience.
Though the company has made considerable strides in the industry, it still faces some obstacles. Chief among them is that it owes money to numerous small growers and producers. According to Willamette Week’s initial reporting in December, Chalice owes more than $100,000 to various Oregon farmers for flower, pre-rolls and other products they’ve ordered for its dispensaries. All those involved – all who spoke with WW under the condition of anonymity – have shared invoices demonstrating unpaid amounts with them. Due to this financial hardship, some small growers have had difficulty paying their bills and even had to close down. Mike Getlin of Old Apple Farm in Oregon City explained that due to being behind on his payments, he couldn’t pay his employees.
Chalice Farms – The Products
Chalice Farms provides a selection of products for medical and adult-use cannabis users alike. Its offerings include flower, extracts, oils, edibles and tinctures; additionally it offers full body care and wellness solutions. Established in 2014 by William Simpson, Chalice Farms quickly made a name for itself in the cannabis market. Now owned and operated by Canadian cannabis company Golden Leaf Holdings (CSE: GLH) (OTCQB: GLDFF), Chalice Farms continues to thrive today. According to Pioneer Intelligence’s Cannabis Brand Marketing Snapshot, Chalice Farms invested just under $1 million in advertising last year and experienced strong growth across their website and social media channels. Furthermore, the firm enhanced its web activities with an extensive SEO campaign that improved their visibility among search engines.
Chalice Farms also has four physical stores in Portland, Oregon: 13315 NE Airport Way, 823 SW Naito Pkwy., 1178 N Hwy 99W and 15252 OR-224. Chalice sources products from more than 20 Oregon cannabis farms and manufacturers for its 15 dispensaries. It also owns some of its own brands and product lines, such as CBD makeup. However, some of the businesses that supply Chalice Farms aren’t getting paid for their goods. The situation appears to be getting worse. A Medford-based manufacturer reported to WW that it is owed $48,000 by Chalice since October 2021. While a Corvallis wholesaler and producer is owed almost $70,000 dating back to March 2022.
Mike Getlin of Old Apple Farm in Oregon City estimates that Chalice owes him nearly $50,000 and has forced him to lay off nearly all his employees. Vincent Deschamps from 54 Green Acres Farm near Cave Junction estimates the same thing: Chalice owes him more than $50,000. In addition to legal battles, Oregon’s cannabis industry is struggling with an oversupply and falling prices. This, coupled with rising gasoline costs, threatens to reduce sales in the state. As a result, many Oregon-based cannabis businesses have had to reduce staff or close down altogether.