Driven Deliveries, Inc. (OTC: DRVD), a publicly traded cannabis delivery firm, has formed a strategic alliance with Dr. Greenthumb’s Dispensary in Sylmar, California, to handle its e-commerce and direct-to-consumer distribution. The partnership equips the dispensary—launched by Cypress Hill rapper B-Real—with on-demand delivery services and an online store, tapping into Driven's newly acquired distribution license. This move arrives as California navigates a maturing cannabis market, blending celebrity branding with logistical innovation to reach more customers.
A Rap Icon Enters the Legal Cannabis Arena
B-Real, whose real name is Louis Mario Freese, opened Dr. Greenthumb’s Dispensary in August 2018 as a fully licensed outlet for medical and adult-use cannabis, alongside accessories and apparel. The shop draws on Cypress Hill's long-standing promotion of cannabis culture, now channeled through marketing and social media to support this partnership. B-Real, once a full-time cultivator, now acts as brand ambassador and connoisseur, with childhood friends managing cultivation of signature strains like Insane O.G., a variant of OG Kush, and upcoming flavors.
Driven's Platform Meets Dispensary Growth Plans
Founded by technology and cannabis executives, Driven Deliveries provides on-demand marijuana delivery in permitted cities, ensuring full availability of Dr. Greenthumb’s products. The company will construct an online store to heighten visibility, simplify purchases, and drive sales. Dr. Greenthumb’s prepares to open a second location in Sacramento on June 30, 2019, with further sites eyed in California and other legal states.
Executive Optimism Amid Regulatory Hurdles
Chief Executive Officer Christian Schenk described the alliance as an ideal match for a rising brand, praising B-Real's stature in music and cannabis. B-Real called it a major inflection point, predicting growth in availability, brands, and revenues, with more projects ahead. Both emphasized community benefits like jobs and access to high-quality products. Yet B-Real voiced caution over California's bureaucracy, citing risks of shutdowns for dispensaries lacking complete paperwork—a catch-22 requiring full compliance before licensing. He referenced Tommy Chong's imprisonment for bong manufacturing as a cautionary tale, underscoring motives to avoid overexpansion amid ongoing scrutiny.
Cultural Momentum in a Evolving Market
The partnership fuses Driven's delivery expertise with Dr. Greenthumb’s cultural cachet, positioning both for sustained growth. B-Real shared anecdotes about his retired 7-foot bong, Excalibur Two—crafted by Roor as a "devastator" that demands precise handling—while noting plans for smaller glassworks like mini nanoscopes, approached carefully to evade legal pitfalls. As cannabis legalization spreads, such collaborations highlight how established figures adapt to regulated channels, balancing innovation with compliance in a landscape still prone to enforcement surprises.
