Driven Deliveries, Inc. (OTC: DRVD), a publicly traded cannabis delivery firm, has formed a strategic alliance with Dr. Greenthumb’s Dispensary in Sylmar, California, to handle its e-commerce and direct-to-consumer distribution. The partnership taps into the dispensary's celebrity backing from Cypress Hill rapper B-Real, whose brand draws on decades of cultural influence in hip-hop and cannabis advocacy. This move positions Driven to deliver products in legal markets while building an online store to enhance accessibility and sales.
A Celebrity Brand Meets Delivery Expertise
B-Real, born Louis Mario Freese, launched Dr. Greenthumb’s in August 2018 as a fully licensed outlet for medical and adult-use cannabis, accessories, and merchandise like apparel. Cypress Hill's promotion through music channels and social media will amplify the partnership. Driven, founded by technology and cannabis executives, brings on-demand delivery in permitted cities and a newly acquired distribution license to guarantee product availability.
Chief Executive Officer Christian Schenk described the fit as ideal for a growing brand led by B-Real, a fixture in California's music and cannabis worlds. B-Real called it a major inflection point, predicting increased availability, brands, and revenues, with more projects ahead. He shifted from full-time cultivation to brand ambassador, relying on childhood friends to develop strains like Insane O.G., a variant of OG Kush, alongside upcoming flavors.
Online Growth and Physical Expansion Plans
Driven will construct an e-commerce platform for Dr. Greenthumb’s to raise visibility, simplify purchases, and drive sales. The dispensary plans a Sacramento location opening on June 30, 2019, with sites eyed in other legal California areas and states. This aligns with cannabis retail's shift toward digital channels, where convenience meets regulatory allowances for delivery.
Navigating Regulations and Cultural Legacy
B-Real emphasized quality delivery to communities, creating jobs and revenue amid California's evolving rules. He cautioned against bureaucratic pitfalls, citing raids on under-licensed dispensaries and Tommy Chong's past imprisonment for bong manufacturing, which spurred reforms despite targeting a senior citizen. Dr. Greenthumb’s avoids overextension, producing mini glass pieces like nanoscopes without mass plans for items like the retired Excalibur Two bong, known from Cypress Hill tours for its potency.
The alliance reflects broader trends in legal cannabis: brands blending entertainment heritage with tech-enabled distribution to build momentum. As B-Real noted, sustaining operations demands full compliance to evade shutdowns, ensuring long-term benefits in a market still ironing out permits.
