Leading Edibles Brand Azuca Launches CBD Division

New Executive Sales Director and General Manager Join World-Class Team

NEW YORK (October 30, 2018) — Azuca—the line of all-natural cannabis edibles and ingredients founded by Chef Ron Silver—today announced the launch of its CBD division, with plans to offer hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) simple syrup direct to consumers as well as to restaurants, bars and coffee shops through a wholesale model.

To foster and support growth of the CBD business, Azuca has expanded its ranks with the addition of two new sales-savvy team members, enhancing the company’s experienced lineup of culinary and cannabis industry professionals.

Barney Stacher joins the Azuca team as Executive Sales Director, spearheading sales initiatives and leading the sales infrastructure process for Azuca’s CBD division. Stacher’s responsibilities will include driving both business-to-business and direct-to-consumer deals. He comes to Azuca with more than 20 years of experience in directing business development initiatives in sales, marketing, and product strategy. Stacher has worked closely with leading brands—including Hyatt and Macy’s—across the retail, food, hospitality and tech industries to analyze diverse information and produce valuable insights. Prior to joining Azuca, Stacher launched the iced tea brand Teany with electronic musician Moby. Stacher has a proven track record of facilitating teams to expedite innovation and generate revenue.

“I have always been motivated by a strong passion for communicating the value of emerging brands with unique stories to tell,” Stacher said. “When I first learned about Azuca, I was immediately captivated by the brand message, groundbreaking technology and delicious taste—all culminating in a truly innovative product that is distinct from any other CBD offering on the market. I’m eager to play an active role in making Azuca a national, household name by connecting consumers and business owners alike with Azuca’s high-quality and versatile ingredients and edibles that appeal to both cannabis experts and novices.”

Jonathan Teeters joins as General Manager of Azuca’s CBD Division and Director of Business Development. Teeters served on the Board of Directors for the Minority Cannabis Business Association and brings deep industry experience in the cannabis space, most recently leading a team in Washington to open the first dispensary on an Indian Reservation for a Native American tribe. Teeters previously served as Director of Operations at the prominent cannabis publication, DOPE Magazine, and founded NorthStar Therapeutics, an online marketplace offering CBD therapeutic products direct to consumers.

“As the momentum for widespread legalization continues to pick up speed, new cannabis startups are emerging left and right. In this increasingly crowded and competitive landscape, it’s imperative for brands to stand out and differentiate themselves,” Teeters said. “I’ve seen countless cannabis companies open and close their doors over the last half-decade, and I’ve developed an instinct for identifying the most viable products. Azuca not only demonstrates immense potential from both a consumer-facing and wholesale perspective, but it also represents the ‘gold standard’ that other companies should strive to achieve from a product development standpoint. It’s an honor to join a skilled and ambitious team that is going above and beyond to elevate the CBD sector with unparalleled precision and reliability.”

“With two accomplished new team members joining, Azuca’s CBD division is poised for unprecedented success,” said Kim Rael, Azuca CEO. “Barney and Jonathan’s experience in brand building and sales marketing ushers in an exciting period of growth for Azuca. As we continue to expand our team, product line and national reach, we look forward to providing both new and veteran customers with the comfort and relief they seek in our approachable, natural and trustworthy edibles and ingredients.”

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About Azuca

Azuca is a privately-held, investor-backed cannabis company which commercializes a line of edible products using patent-pending technology. This technology envelops cannabis molecules in order to make them more water soluble, increasing bioavailability and effectiveness and minimizing latency for more controlled, reliable edibles.

The Azuca CBD introductory product line consists of sweeteners and syrups which can be added to food and beverages as the building blocks of a sophisticated culinary cannabis experience. Additional CBD products are anticipated to be available nationwide in 2019, while THC products are launching through licensed partners and dispensaries in legal cannabis markets.

The Cannabis Market

Azuca is tapping into the burgeoning cannabis market with its edible line. According to industry estimates, the legal cannabis market is expected to grow to $50 billion by 2026. Currently recreational use is legal in nine states plus Washington D.C., while medical marijuana is legal in 31 states, with edibles representing a fast-growing segment.  New adopters are often health conscious and averse to smoking and vaping, making cannabis edibles the ideal solution.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Gabrielle Wesseldyk at gabrielle@rosengrouppr.com or 212.255.0945.