Trulieve

Trulieve was founded in 2016 by Kim Rivers and Ben Atkins in Tallahassee, Florida, just as the state launched its medical cannabis program. Rather than spreading thin across multiple states like most competitors, Trulieve made a bold bet: dominate Florida first.

The strategy worked spectacularly. By 2021, Trulieve controlled over 50% of Florida's medical cannabis market — an extraordinary market share for any consumer product. With over 130 dispensaries in Florida alone, Trulieve became the most dominant single-state cannabis operator in US history.

Florida's unique regulatory environment — which requires vertical integration (companies must grow, process, and sell their own cannabis) — actually helped Trulieve. Their massive cultivation facilities in Quincy, Florida produce millions of plants annually, giving them the scale to offer consistently low prices while maintaining quality.

Trulieve's product portfolio is one of the most comprehensive in the industry, spanning flower, vapes, concentrates, edibles, tinctures, topicals, and capsules. Their TruFlower line offers dozens of strains, and their Cultivar Collection features premium genetics at accessible prices.

After dominating Florida, Trulieve acquired Harvest Health & Recreation in 2021 for $2.1 billion — the largest cannabis acquisition in US history at the time — expanding to 10 states. CEO Kim Rivers has become one of the most prominent executives in the cannabis industry, frequently cited as a model for sustainable cannabis business growth.