Illinois Cannabis Market Welcomes Arizona’s Grow Sciences Through Verano Partnership
CHICAGO, IL – Verano Holdings Corp., a leading multi-state cannabis operator, has announced a significant exclusive partnership with Grow Sciences, an acclaimed cannabis cultivator and producer based in Arizona. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment for the Illinois market, as it will introduce Grow Sciences’ highly regarded products, known for their craft quality and focus on elite genetics, to consumers across the state.
The partnership is set to commence on June 21st, with the initial rollout of Grow Sciences’ product line exclusively available at Verano’s network of ten Zen Leaf dispensaries located throughout Illinois. Following this initial phase, plans are in place to broaden distribution to include additional third-party dispensaries, significantly increasing accessibility for Illinois patients and adult-use consumers.
A Synergy of Quality and Reach
Grow Sciences, operational in Arizona since 2017, has cultivated a strong reputation within the cannabis industry for its dedication to cultivating elite genetics and producing high-quality, solventless products using a craft cannabis approach. Their methodology emphasizes small-batch cultivation and meticulous processing, resulting in products that have garnered industry awards and consumer loyalty in their home state.
Verano Holdings Corp., with its established footprint and operational expertise across multiple states, including a robust retail presence in Illinois via its Zen Leaf dispensaries, provides the ideal platform for Grow Sciences’ market expansion. The partnership leverages Verano’s extensive retail network and distribution capabilities to bring a new tier of premium, craft-focused products to Illinois.
George Archos, Verano founder and CEO, commented on the significance of the alliance, stating, “Collaborating with a legendary West Coast brand like Grow Sciences allows us to elevate the product offering for both our Zen Leaf shoppers and our wholesale partners in Illinois. This partnership introduces a compelling new selection of strains, genetics, and highly sought-after extract products to the market, enriching the cannabis experience for consumers here.”
Product Rollout Details
The initial phase of the product launch on June 21st will feature a diverse array of Grow Sciences’ signature offerings, designed to appeal to discerning cannabis enthusiasts. The first wave includes a selection of their popular flower eighths and joints, encompassing seven distinct strains:
* Prickly Pear
* Jelly RTZ
* Banana Cream Cake x Jealousy
* ZKTZ Cubed
* Tropical Cherry
* Florida Jack
* Pineapple Fruz
In addition to flower, the launch will also introduce live hash rosin cartridges, showcasing Grow Sciences’ expertise in solventless extractions. Six specific strains will be available in this format:
* Topanga x Mike Larry
* Tallymon
* Kush Mints
* Gary Payton
* Terp Daddy
* Bananaconda
The introduction of these solventless products is particularly notable, as hash rosin is derived using mechanical separation methods (like ice, water, heat, and pressure) rather than chemical solvents, a process often favored by craft producers for its ability to preserve the plant’s natural terpene profile and potency. Live rosin, specifically, utilizes fresh, uncured cannabis flowers, capturing the plant’s aromatic compounds at their peak.
Looking ahead, the partnership is slated to expand the product portfolio further. Future additions to the Illinois market will include hash rosin extracts in various forms and rosin fruit chews, offering consumers more ways to experience Grow Sciences’ solventless concentrates and edibles.
Enhancing the Illinois Cannabis Landscape
The introduction of Grow Sciences’ products through Verano’s distribution channels is poised to enhance the quality and variety available in the Illinois cannabis market. As one of the more mature adult-use markets in the United States, Illinois has seen increasing demand for premium, craft-quality cannabis products. This partnership directly addresses that demand by bringing a well-respected brand with a focus on genetic selection and solventless processing to the state.
For Verano, the exclusive partnership strengthens its position in the competitive Illinois market by diversifying its product offering and attracting customers specifically seeking high-end, craft concentrates and unique flower genetics. For Grow Sciences, it represents a significant geographic expansion beyond its Arizona base, establishing a foothold in a key Midwest market through a partnership with a major MSO.
The collaboration underscores a growing trend in the regulated cannabis industry where multi-state operators are partnering with acclaimed single-state or regional brands to introduce specialized product lines to new markets, combining the MSO’s scale and distribution power with the craft brand’s product reputation and consumer appeal.
The initial availability at ten Zen Leaf locations starting June 21st provides a focused launch pad before the planned expansion to a broader wholesale network, ensuring that a significant segment of Illinois consumers will soon have access to these previously unavailable, award-winning products from Grow Sciences.
