Propelling Cannabis to a Marketable Commodity: Zoned Properties^®

The consumption of cannabis has long since been propagandized as a plague on our society. It has been portrayed as a severe narcotic and having adverse effects on the people who use it. However, recent studies have revealed tantalizing evidence that cannabis may not only be harmless, but also has shown some promise in alleviating chronic pain, helping cancer patients deal with symptoms, and combatting the effects of anxiety, insomnia, autism, and other disorders.

In the wake of the new revelations, various activist groups in the United States and other countries successfully campaigned for the ban on cannabis to be lifted and numerous lawmakers in many regions did pass legislation to make it legal. This ushered in a new industry with its own set of regulations. A company named Zoned Properties^® has emerged to be one the leading real estate and sustainability services providers for the newly minted multi-billion dollar global cannabis industry.

When someone talks about cannabis, most people only assume that it is all about cultivation. However, growing the actual thing is just one part of a wider system. Its distribution, sales, and an efficient organizational structure are what transform it into a sustainable industry.

Zoned Properties® has cultivated in-depth expertise in all the nuances related to the cultivation, processing, packaging, retail, and distribution of cannabis. The real estate industry is inherently complex, and becomes even more so with all the zoning and permitting laws involved for regulated cannabis. This is one of the reasons why a lot of direct operators fail, and that’s where Zoned Properties® comes in.

Zoned Properties^® provides advising and consultation related to the development of regulated cannabis properties and facilities, in addition to developing its own portfolio of real estate projects that are leased out to licensed cannabis operators. However, things were extremely tough in the initial stages. There is a significant conflict between federal laws, state laws, and then there are issues arising out of complexities surrounding state regulations and local municipal regulation. Moreover, it is an enormous challenge to navigate the meandering corridors of the vast labyrinth of regulation to acquire, develop and lease property for the cannabis industry, thanks to nearly seventy-five years of Nixon era propaganda that has portrayed cannabis as a bad thing. This makes public perception another hurdle for budding enterprises like Zoned Properties^®.

When someone wants to develop a piece of real estate, it usually involves at least a couple of million dollars to bring it to operational status. In light of all the regulatory hurdles, it is very important for investors to know everything about the business model and its feasibility.

When Zoned Properties^® enters a community with sustainable practices, it prioritizes good financial and economic development practices, good social equality and social justice principles, and good environmental stewardship. Such practices would limit the impact on the utility grid, limit the impact of waste materials and wastewater. These measures would ensure that clients get the maximum bang for their buck. Furthermore, Zoned Properties^® offers a comprehensive sustainability assessment for free, in order to discern what’s best for their clients. This is a crucial step since every client would have varying requirements and the solutions offered by Zoned Properties^® are not one-size fits all.

The marijuana industry requires expert feasibility solutions to develop and a whole lot of other efforts to build its reputation. This is the main reason why Zoned Properties^® invests a great deal of social and political capital in surrounding communities. This cultivates an excellent rapport and earns direct support from planning commissions, from city council and from the local community groups. These factors play an integral role in helping companies capitalize on the new and upcoming market.

Meet the path-breaking entrepreneur behind

Zoned Properties’^® Rise: Bryan McLaren

Mr. McLaren is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Zoned Properties^®, a strategic real estate development firm whose primary mission is to provide real estate and sustainability services for the regulated cannabis industry. McLaren has a strong professional background in the social, economic, and environmental development of complex business organizations. For more than a decade he has successfully implemented programs and projects for corporate and community organizations.

McLaren holds a Bachelors of Business Administration and Ethics Studies from the University of San Diego, a Masters of Sustainable Development from Northern Arizona University, an Executive Masters in Business Leadership from Arizona State University, and an MBA from Marylhurst University. Throughout his graduate education, McLaren devoted time to community development and philanthropic efforts earning a number of honors and awards including Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society Membership and the Distinguished Walton Scholarship. Mr. McLaren has also been certified as a Licensed REALTOR, Green Roof Professional, LEED Green Associate, and is an active Forbes Contributor. Prior to his role at Zoned Properties^®, McLaren worked as a Sustainability Consultant for Waste Management where he led the strategic development and operational implementation of zero-waste programs for Higher Education clients. McLaren has worked as a Sustainability Program Manager in the Higher Education industry and has been appointed as a City Sustainability Commissioner. Sustainable development has been a life-long passion for McLaren, who strives to create a global impact by forging a strong foundation for principles of sustainability in emerging industries.

“We are building for an industry that does not yet exist. It’s our responsibility to make sure it gets done right.”