From the start, building Kolani has been about surrounding ourselves with proven experience & expertise, people who are consistently executing at the highest level.

I want to take a moment to recognize a few of the partners helping us bring this dream into reality…

Compliance – Cannaspire
Warren Harasz
Your early & ongoing guidance has proved invaluable.

…We’re just getting started.

Griffin Humphrey

Founder, Kolani (Minnesota)

Shared via LinkedIn, September 2025
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When we began planning our move to New York to start a cannabis business, we knew the process would be complex—especially with the way the state handled applications. Thankfully, we found Cannaspire. From the very beginning, Jim and the Cannaspire team guided us through the OCM process and everything needed to secure our spot in the application process. They connected me with legal support—Jim gave me three options for attorneys, and I chose one who was excellent. Together with Jim and our lawyer, we reviewed all the paperwork and got through what I call step one.

Once we received the award, Jim provided me with a couple of architects to choose from and also introduced us to security companies. We held weekly meetings as things progressed, which really helped me stay organized and on track. Jim helped with the architect’s design, the security plan, and Beck helped write our operations plan. I also worked with Tracy to get swag products for the store. Cannaspire even helped us get our website started.

I also appreciated that Jim helped with the interview process for our management team. There was a true team effort from everyone—Jim, Warren, Beck, Tracy—you guys were all great. Jim even showed up for opening day. It was a strenuous process, but I think we were successful because of the collaboration.

Peter – Northern Lights

Working with Cannaspire remains an exceptional experience. Their collective support from the first email to this current moment in time has been pivotal in my cannabis career path. They listened carefully to what my needs were and collaboratively carved a path forward towards reaching my goal. They took my ideas and realistically pull them together into a cohesive and seamless finished product that was necessary as a first step towards licensing. Our work together was critical in this exciting and burgeoning journey in the cannabis industry. They are all knowledgeable, passionate, intelligent and experienced. And this is just the beginning. My gratitude is eternal. I look forward to their continued support and expertise. Thank you!!!!!

Julie Becker – Lady Slipper Wellness – MN applicant

Andrew Melendez

Penn Health Group recently engaged Cannaspire for our retail application, and we were thoroughly impressed with their services. Cannaspire demonstrated exceptional organizational skills and provided comprehensive details that significantly enhanced our application process. Their extensive experience in the cannabis industry ensured a seamless and efficient progression from start to finish.

Cannaspire’s consistency and prompt responses were particularly noteworthy, as they ensured that all our inquiries and concerns were addressed swiftly and thoroughly, despite the time or day of the week. Additionally, their ability to integrate effortlessly with our team and maintain cohesive project management was outstanding. Their dedication to excellence and client satisfaction was evident throughout the engagement. We highly recommend Cannaspire to any organization seeking expert assistance with cannabis grow and retail applications.

Thank you, Cannaspire, for your outstanding support and expertise.

Brandon DaLonzo – Penn Health Group

From the moment we engaged with Cannaspire, we were impressed by their professionalism and deep understanding of the cannabis industry.

As a company seeking to acquire a state cannabis license, we found their consulting services to be invaluable. Their team, led by the remarkable Jim White, is truly second to none.

They have an uncanny ability to navigate the complex state cannabis license application process, ensuring a timely and efficient journey towards application approval.

One of the standout aspects of Cannaspire’s services is their financial acumen. Beck Selman, in particular, has a knack for producing top-quality business plans, pro formas and other required documents like standard operating procedures.

These documents not only meet the stringent requirements of state agencies but also serve as powerful tools to highlight the potential of our cannabis products to potential investors.

The quality of their work is a testament to their commitment to helping businesses thrive in the cannabis industry.

Beyond their expertise in cannabis licensing, Cannaspire also offers exceptional graphic and web design services. This holistic approach is crucial in helping build brand awareness and drive customer acquisition.

Their team has a keen eye for design and a deep understanding of the cannabis market, which will result in branding and online presence that truly resonates with our target audience.

Communication is another area where Cannaspire shines. They are prompt, responsive, and always ready to answer our questions or address our concerns. This level of communication has made the entire process smoother and less stressful. Moreover, their pricing is competitive and transparent, which we greatly appreciate.

In conclusion, Cannaspire is not just a cannabis consulting service; they are a partner committed to your success. Their expertise, professionalism, and dedication have been instrumental in our journey. We wholeheartedly recommend Cannaspire to any company looking to navigate the complex world of cannabis licensing and brand building.

With Cannaspire, you’re not just getting a service; you’re getting a team that is invested in your success.

Seth R – Cannamaxx

As the proud owner of Island Vibez, a family-operated micro-retail dispensary in Plainfield, NJ, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Cannaspire team for their invaluable support and expertise. From the very start, Cannaspire was more than a consult; they were our guide through the intricate journey of securing our NJ Class 5 micro-retail dispensary application.

Working closely with our attorneys, Cannaspire ensured that every document, every submission, was perfect. Their attention to detail and deep understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks made a potentially overwhelming process manageable and successful.

We look forward to continuing our relationship with Cannaspire. Their team has not only helped us achieve our dream of opening our doors but has also laid the foundation for our compliance and operational success moving forward.

To anyone in the cannabis industry looking for guidance, support, and expertise, we cannot recommend Cannaspire highly enough. They are more than consultants; they are partners in your success.

Thank you, Cannaspire, for being an integral part of the Island Vibez story. Here’s to many more successes together!

The Island Vibez Team

Prior to working with Cannaspire, I engaged with another consultant and I was left doing all the work and the ownership team shelled out a ton of the money. Fortunately, for Queen City Wellness we were able to obtain the conditional license in the city of Plainfield, NJ. At which point, that particular consultant blind sighted us with asking for more money and furthermore equity stake in the company.

I knew at that time that we needed to make a change and fortunately for us, we were referred to Ellen, Warren, and the Cannaspire team!

First and foremost, I cannot praise Ellen Bolin enough. The first thing that stood out to me was her strong leadership ability and steadfast demeanor. I loved and always appreciated that whatever she said, she ALWAYS followed through and stayed true to her word. There were NUMEROUS times where we had to put Ellen and the Cannaspire team on hold. We had lost our location and had to pivot. It was evident that she really cared for our success and she would go above and beyond to help in our search. She referred us to several people and ulitmately (and thankfully) Queen City Wellness was able to land a location. And even after SIX MONTHS later Ellen and the team were not only ready to pick up the work they were eager and willing. They knew we were pressed for time as we already filed for an extension. The Cannaspire team worked day and night to make sure that we hit the deadline. To me that is a reflection of Ellen’s “Can do attitude”. She helped us get through the finish line in very tight window. Because of Ellen Queen City Wellness is on the brink of (hopefully next month) of securing the annual license.

The second individual I would like to shout out is Warren Harasz. In our first meeting, it was very apparent to me that Warren has an intelligence level that could rival that of Albert Einstein or John Nash. His knowledge of the industry quite frankly is mind blowing and to call him a subject matter expert would be insult because to me HE IS THE INDUSTRY. Warren has a unique ability to convey complicated messages in a manner that would be palatable to some like me (who does not have his IQ). Warren and his team crafted and drafted the SOP in a matter of weeks, again in a tight timeline and after several changes in locations. He was very organized using Microsoft BOX and was also willing to jump on calls at a drop of dime. One particular example, I can remember was a conversation I had with him that I expressed my future goals in the industry, which was to get a delivery and distribution license. He was the individual that pointed out that Queen City Wellness could still do deliveries if we wrote that into the SOP, which we did! Its these “out of the box thinking” in my opinion that sets him and the Cannaspire team apart overall.

There are individuals like Dr. Courey Averett and others that were also instrumental to our success and I would be remiss if I did not give them a shout out!

Overall, my experience with the Cannaspire team has been nothing short of phenomenal. I would recommend Cannaspire to ANYONE looking for help with getting into the industry. The team is organized, succinct, time conscious, and true to their word. But in my opinion was sets them are apart is they TRULY care for their partners/client’s success. As I said, words are not enough to paint the picture but, I hope this short testimonial conveys my sentiments, my experience, and my utmost admiration for the Cannaspire Team. I hope to model a team as effective once our Dispensary opens!

Thank you

Cannaspire did an excellent job converting our conditional license to an annual license with a fast turnaround time. They also helped us present to the city council, making the process efficient and smooth. This was the second time they assisted us with this process, and their knowledge of the procedures was evident. They helped us understand the state’s requirements, especially regarding policies and procedures, ensuring we were in line with regulations. Their assistance with security plans and layout was thorough, and we appreciate their attention to detail. Thanks to their expertise, we are building a positive reputation with the planning board, who are more receptive to our proposal. We highly recommend their services.

My team and I have been working with the Cannaspire team on our cultivation project for 1 year at this point. They designed our 150,000 sqft cultivation facility, wrote our business plan, security plan and cultivation application. We were awarded our license and we attribute that win to the work Jim, Warren and Dave did on our project. We have worked with other cannabis consulting firms on other projects and have to say by far we’ve had our best experience with the Cannaspire team. Their business plans and applications were customized and tailored to our team and our mission. They listened to our story during the interview process and translated it into a well thought out story on our application. The facility design work Warren did was incredible! They delivered on time and the revision process they offer was efficient and seamless. We are now in the process of facility buildout and they have been by our side every step of the way. We have contracted them to install our physical security, project manage the buildout and be our regulatory compliance consulting firm. We thank the Cannaspire team for the excellent work and look forward to a long term relationship with our business. This is truly a one stop shop for your cannabis business consulting needs.

We found our call with them to be extremely helpful. The knowledge they have of an up and coming market is great and they really are a one stop shop for all your Cannabis Business needs/questions. We had a question that was answered within minutes. They even set up on a video call with the exact person to answer our questions! Highly recommend!

I recently had the pleasure of meeting with both Tracey Kauffman and Ellen Bolin from Cannaspire (formerly CannaBeSecure), and I feel like I hit the jackpot. They’re both incredibly kind and professional, and extremely knowledgeable! They’re dedicated to helping their clients succeed and are willing to guide me throughout the entire process of opening my retail store—which is no small feat. I’m very confident in their abilities and I have no doubt I’d have a much more difficult time navigating through this process without their expertise. Tracey’s husband, Jim White, also assisted in giving me helpful tips and information, for which I am eternally grateful. I guarantee you won’t regret hiring Cannaspire and I cannot express enough how much I recommend ALL of their many services. Thanks again! I truly appreciate all of your help!!

Working with Jim has been an amazing and smooth process, the project manager he assigned to us, Warren is the most professional impressive individual I’ve had the pleasure of working with. His work is phenomenal, his breadth of knowledge is amazing, and he’s charismatic and engaging with the customer. His service has been perfect thusfar in the process.

We met Jim White at a Cannabis event last year, we really liked what he had to offer to us.  We are new to the business thing so we didn’t want to go with just a lawyer to do our application.  Jim and the Cannaspire team offered much more than just an application service, and that’s what we were looking for.  For our first meeting we had Jim, Warren and Beck with us, and the level of support and experience we wanted we felt immediately.   Jim was able to get us in touch with a great real estate agent and get us into a spot really quickly.  This allowed us to skip the conditional license and go straight to the full annual application.  Beck has been absolutely wonderful, everything he writes is amazing.  He’s been supportive, and imaginative, he’s a wealth of information too.  Jim has also been dedicated to making sure that we are making the decisions that are best for us.  Cannapsire has been instrumental in starting our journey out right, and I know that we would not be where we are at without them.  As we progress into the build out phase we will be more in touch with Warren.  Warren has it on lock with compliance. He’s our go to person in making sure that our dream doesn’t turn into a nightmare.  Warren also has an extensive growing history, for us that is particularly important because we are growing organic.  Having his experience ensures that we are setting up our facility for success.  There are a lot of moving parts to this business, having the right people in the right places is crucial, and Cannaspire is that solid base.  I know that anything I ask them to do, it’s done right, and I don’t have to worry.

I had the pleasure of meeting Jim at a conference in New Jersey about a year ago. At that time, I only had a vague idea, a mere seed of a concept, and knew very little about the industry. Being new to both business and the cannabis field, I consulted with three or four other industry experts. When I shared a sample of my product with Jim, he immediately saw the potential in my idea.

Jim’s approach was refreshing. He was honest, straightforward, and truly listened to my vision. Despite my lack of experience, he treated me with the same respect and professionalism as he would a larger client. Every person that Jim has recommended me to through his company, Cannaspire, has been the real deal – legitimate and reliable. I have only heard positive things about Cannaspire’s services.

Jim has been instrumental in helping me develop my business plan and get all my ducks in a row. He never rushed me and always allowed me to proceed at my own pace. Thanks to his guidance, my application was one of the fastest to be approved in New Jersey. This meant a great deal to me, and I have continued to work with Cannaspire as I grow my business.

There was a time when I had a call with Jim that reassured me immensely. He connected me with brokers and attorneys who were not only knowledgeable but also exuded confidence. Jim’s expertise in cannabis law and bureaucracy surpasses anyone else I have spoken with. His knowledge has given me the confidence and peace of mind I needed.

Overall, my experience with Jim and Cannaspire has been invaluable. They have provided me with unwavering support, extensive industry knowledge, and a sense of assurance as I navigate the cannabis business landscape.

Cannaspire played a vital role in meeting our security needs efficiently and effectively, allowing us to successfully pass security inspections with exceptional results. As we embarked on establishing our first location, Cannaspire proved instrumental in our expansion into the New Jersey market. They facilitated valuable connections with partners, enabling us to address the necessary components of our expansion plans seamlessly.

Cannaspire provided us with a comprehensive package that encompassed all our requirements, from meticulous planning to the implementation of physical security measures, including wiring, cabling, cameras, door access controls, and safes. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, they demonstrated remarkable professionalism by completing the project on budget and on time for Iconic’s inaugural dispensary.

Based on our experience, I wholeheartedly recommend working with Cannaspire for their expertise and commitment to delivering exceptional service.