UPDATE: Leafbuyer.com now providing listings for more states.

The cannabis industry is certainly a growing industry that will only continue to grow as marijuana moves mainstream and expands from state to state. However, competition is getting more fierce as those that have been working in the cannabis industry, whether in the black, gray or (state) legal markets, are seeing more and more competition from entrepreneurs jumping into the burgeoning industry following success in other industries. Leafbuyer works for cannabis business and consumers by consolidating the marketing tactics for businesses while saving consumers their hard-earned dollars by letting would-be customers know where to get the best deals.

I had the opportunity to speak with Mark Breen, Vice President of Business Development for Leafbuyer. This interview has been edited for clarity:

How and where did Leaf Buyer get started?

3 years ago myself and a group of entrepreneurs from the tech world saw a need for a service that could help consumers connect with the companies that sell and manufacture cannabis related products.

Other companies help cannabis consumers find nearby dispensaries and specials, what sets Leaf Buyer a part?

We focus on searchable offers.  Instead of just putting offers on a page, we allow the consumer to search for what they are looking for, first by area then by product.  We also allow manufacturers to post information about their products and where the consumers can find them.  Since there are a lot of consumers learning about cannabis for the first time we want to provide as much information on products, dispensaries and the industry as we can.

Which states do Leaf Buyer assist cannabis consumers? Where are the next states to expand?

California, Colorado, and Washington. Continuing to expand into California and other states is the main goal.  California from a market perspective is 5 times larger than the nearest state which creates a lot of opportunities.

Any new developments for the service on the horizon that you can discuss? In addition, or conversely, any other products or services offered currently or coming from you or the company?

Yes, the mobile app will be launching soon as it is in beta testing.  We are constantly making improvements and additions to the site based on the feedback from our clients.  We have Bi-Annual meetings with our clients to discuss new features and receive feedback from them on improvements or what they would like to see.

When and why did you see the cannabis industry as a viable industry to enter?

It is no secret that the market is a multi-billion dollar industry.  As an ancillary company we felt this would be a better fit for our backgrounds as well as offer a different perspective when it comes to marketing the products in this industry.

Do you see marijuana legalization spreading rapidly across the country over the next few years? If so, why?

Maybe not as rapidly as we would like, but as long as it is regulated properly I do see more and more states adopting the legalization of cannabis.  With public opinion polls increasing in favor and the tax revenue potential I only see this as a plus for the spreading of legalization.

Cannabis consumers and entrepreneurs should certainly check out Leafbuyer.com and see the services first-hand. When you visit Leafbuyer.com, you’ll notice that it is tailored to the state the consumer is in and that the site allows the consumers to search for dispensaries, products, head shops and grow stores, letting the potential customers know if there is a special deal in their area. Customers can even sign up to win free prizes and be emailed about latest specials and sales. Leafbuyer is the type of ancillary business that will succeed in the marijuana industry because it caters to the needs of businesses and price-conscious consumer. Whether you are an old pro or a newbie to cannabis or the industry, you should certainly check out Leafbuyer.com and see what the company has to offer; you can also follow the company on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

Anthony Johnson

Anthony, a longtime cannabis law reform advocate, was Chief Petitioner and co-author of Measure 91, Oregon's cannabis legalization effort. He served as director of both the New Approach Oregon and Vote Yes on 91 PACs, the political action committees responsible for the state's legalization campaign. As director of New Approach Oregon, Anthony continues to work towards effectively implementing the cannabis legalization system while protecting small business owners and the rights of patients. He sits on the Oregon Marijuana Rules Advisory Committee and fights for sensible rules at the legislature as well as city councils and county commissions across the state. Anthony helps cannabis business comply with Oregon's laws and advises advocates across the country. He also serves as content director of both the International Cannabis Business Conference and the Oregon Marijuana Business Conference, helping share the vision of moving the cannabis industry forward in a way that maintains the focus on keeping people out of prison and protecting patients. He was a member of the Oregon Health Authority Rules Advisory Committee, assisting the drafting of the administrative rules governing Oregon’s state-licensed medical marijuana facilities. He first co-authored and helped pass successful marijuana law reform measures while a law student at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. He passed the Oregon Bar in 2005 and practiced criminal defense for two years before transitioning to working full-time in the political advocacy realm. His blogs on Marijuana Politics are personal in nature and don't speak for or reflect the opinions of any group or organization.