Unity Rd. U.S. Cannabis Franchise Fuels 2022 Growth With New Market Expansion and Pending Transformative Acquisition

PHOENIX, Sept. 7, 2022 – Unity Rd National cannabis dispensary franchise in the U.S., has hit record-breaking milestones in 2022. From a pending acquisition that will expand the brand into the world’s second largest cannabis market to opening three new shops and being recognized as one of the ‘Best Cannabis Companies to Work For’ by a leading industry publication, Unity Rd. is set to close out the 2022 calendar year with remarkable growth throughout the U.S. and beyond.

“This year has been filled with impressive development milestones that have put us on the fast-track to becoming one of the largest cannabis retail franchisors in the world,” said Unity Rd. Chief Franchise Officer, Mike Weinberger. “Our goal is to keep dispensary ownership local by aiding passionate entrepreneurs in entering the complex space with confidence – ultimately, offering a trusted local cannabis source to their communities.”

The cannabis dispensary franchise accomplished the following milestones:

• Transformative Acquisition will Create the Largest, Global and Publicly Traded Cannabis Franchise Company: Recently, Unity Rd.’s parent company, Item 9 Labs Corp., signed a definitive agreement to acquire Sessions Cannabis (“Sessions”), one of Canada’s largest cannabis retail franchisors. Through this transformative deal, the Company will become the largest global cannabis franchisor. Sessions currently has 44 stores throughout the Province of Ontario with 15-plus multi-unit franchisees and has multiple openings planned for the remainder of the year in prime retail locations. Item 9 Labs Corp. anticipates closing the acquisition this fall.
• Unity Rd. Becomes First Non-Tribal, State-Licensed Medical Cannabis Establishment in South Dakota: In July 2022, the Unity Rd. team supported local entrepreneurs, B.J. Olson and Adam Jorgensen in making history by opening the first non-tribal, state-licensed medical cannabis establishment in South Dakota, located in Hartford near the state’s largest city of Sioux Falls.
• Colorado Expansion Continues With Second Shop Open and More in Development: Unity Rd. continues to expand its footprint in Colorado with development throughout the Denver market. In July 2022, the marijuana franchise opened its first shop in the market, located in the North Denver area, and shortly later secured license approval for a dispensary near the Cherry Creek neighborhood. In March, Item 9 Labs Corp. announced it signed an Asset Purchase Agreement (“APA”) to acquire The Herbal Cure, a medicinal and recreational dispensary and cultivator operating in the Washington Park neighborhood of Denver. The shop will be rebranded to Unity Rd. within six months of closing the acquisition and will eventually become the brand’s flagship location.
• Dispensary Franchise Signs First Partner in Local Alliance Program: In January, Unity Rd. signed its first partner through its Local Alliance Program – a program created for existing dispensary owners and license holders to gain direct access to the buying power, resources and supportive network of a national brand. Located in Oklahoma City, Okla., the shop is currently in the process of being fully rebranded to Unity Rd.
• Unity Rd. Named a ‘Best Cannabis Company to Work For’: Unity Rd. continues to prove it is a trailblazer in the cannabis industry through notable awards. The franchise brand was recognized in March 2022 as one of the ‘Best Cannabis Companies to Work For’ in the dispensary category on Cannabis Business Times‘ 2022 list. This was the company’s second time ranking in the top 10 of the list.

Industry newcomers have deemed Unity Rd. the go-to franchise opportunity for entering and navigating the complex $25 billion cannabis industry. The dispensary franchise is actively seeking qualified partners across the U.S. who would benefit from the systems, processes and ongoing support its team provides.

(This information is primarily sourced from Unity Rd. Highly Capitalized has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Read our Disclaimer here).