Meet Peter Marcus | VP of Communications, Terrapin Care Station

We had the good fortune of connecting with Peter Marcus and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Peter, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Boulder, Colo.-based Terrapin Care Station is one of the oldest family-owned cannabis companies in the world. Founded in 2009 — dating back to pre-licensing for cannabis — Terrapin has accomplished what most other cannabis companies have not; maintaining an independent spirit while leaving a positive impact.
The rapidly-evolving cannabis industry has resulted in watching the original actors in the market face mergers, acquisitions and consolidation. It’s rare to find a cannabis company that has stayed independently owned. But as Terrapin approaches its 15th anniversary, we are proud to say that the owner and CEO remains Boulder resident Chris Woods. Chris has done what other cannabis entrepreneurs have been unable to do; maintain total control of his business destiny.

Because Terrapin doesn’t answer to shareholders or corporate parent companies, we are able to forge our own path in this shifting cannabis industry. It was always important to Chris that Terrapin lead the cannabis industry in a socially-conscious movement that supports thriving communities through advocacy, innovative environmental practices, responsible policy-making and collaboration with hyper-local, social justice community programs and efforts. We call it “planting local roots.”

That means we are not only locally focused but we are also future oriented. We work with communities to achieve their vision, innovate alongside leaders to challenge old-world thinking and educate partners for mutual benefit. We aim to leave a positive impact, model authentic relationships and support local — both within communities and within our industry. Change requires purpose, courage and humility. And it requires that we practice these tenets together on a daily basis.

Terrapin’s corporate social responsibility mission is broken down into five categories:

· Justice Initiatives;
· Human Needs;
· Political Advocacy;
· Arts and Culture; and
· Veteran’s Services

From creating an anti-racism framework within the company, to picking up our veterans when times are tough, Terrapin has long led the cannabis industry by example. The Terrapin Anti-racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee advises corporate leadership to ensure that diversity and inclusion are core to our values. We recognize that cannabis prohibition and the War on Drugs has been used to disenfranchise and marginalize Black and brown communities. Therefore, it is our responsibility to recognize systemic racism and correct it. As such, we partner with nonprofits in the community to foster a culture that honors the diversity of thoughts, ideas, beliefs and experiences. Groups within the industry have included The Color of Cannabis and Cannabis Impact Fund, both working to advance social equity within the cannabis sector.

When it comes to those who serve our country, Terrapin wants to ensure support. The Terrapin Veterans Network is a committee of veterans and relatives of veterans who provide insights to community needs and enhance the Terrapin mission of supporting veterans with recruitment, retention and career mobility. We also work with nonprofits on this subject, including Veterans Community Project, which is building tiny homes for unhoused veterans who are in need of support and resources. In Pennsylvania, we work with Horses of Hope, a group that provides equine therapy to veterans.

Over the life of Terrapin, we have worked with more than 30 nonprofits, contributing more than $1.3 million in donations. In addition to anti-racism and veterans efforts, a lot of our focus has been on sustainability. As part of our work with Xcel Energy, we were able to reduce our energy consumption by 5,043,690 kWhs. As a result of that, we directly reduced our carbon emissions by 2,396 Metric Tons CO2e. That’s the equivalent of 459 homes powered per year.

Terrapin will continue to serve as a model for how a corporation can leave a social impact. As business leaders, we can help our local communities. We just have to continue planting local roots.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Founded in Boulder, Colorado in 2009 as Terrapin Care Station, the family-owned legacy cannabis company operates six vertically integrated dispensaries in Colorado. We largely produce our own products. In addition to its Colorado operations, Terrapin operates a grower/processor medical marijuana facility in Clinton County, Pennsylvania where its products are distributed to every dispensary in the state.

With a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility and advancing equity across the industry, Terrapin believes in “planting local roots.” We operate under the brands: Terrapin Care Station (retail locations), Double Bear (extracts and vape), The Woods (premium flower), Terrapin (whole flower), and Resolute Remedies (topicals in Pennsylvania).

Terrapin is a unicorn in the cannabis space, serving as one of the few remaining original legal cannabis companies to stay privately owned. Chris Woods founded Terrapin nearly 15 years ago with the intention of building a world-class brand that was affordable and accessible. He remains the owner and CEO to this day. Dating back to 2009, Terrapin served as a medical provider, so affordability was key to ensure that patients could receive critical medicine. These were the “Wild West” days of cannabis, before the state began licensing. We built a brand around intimately serving patients with quality medicine that was accessible.

Flash forward to 2012 when cannabis legalization was on the Colorado ballot. Mr. Woods became the largest individual donor to the campaign from the industry, working with proponents to ensure the first fully legal cannabis program in the world. In 2018, Mr. Woods expanded his company to Pennsylvania, where Terrapin products have become one of the most sought-after brands in the state. Over the years, Terrapin has operated licenses in Oregon, Michigan and Missouri in addition to Colorado and Pennsylvania. The company also secured licenses in New Jersey and Arizona. As the industry evolved, Terrapin made prudent business decisions to focus on specific areas of operation, which today include Colorado and Pennsylvania.

Terrapin has never been afraid to walk its own path within the cannabis industry, often finding itself on an island fighting for a balanced and equitable marketplace. In 2018, for example, the Colorado legislature took up legislation allowing for publicly traded cannabis companies in Colorado. Terrapin was one of the only companies to oppose the bill, arguing that it would crash the market through a takeover of the industry by large out-of-state hedge funds and shareholder-backed multi-state operators (MSOs). The bill passed despite our concerns. Today, the cannabis industry in Colorado is experiencing significant contraction, a result of these MSO takeovers. The industry has seen painful layoffs due to crashing prices and declining sales. Terrapin will continue to highlight the need for a balanced marketplace, despite the failure in Colorado.

Similarly, legislation this year in the Colorado legislature would have allowed Black-owned cannabis delivery companies to purchase cannabis wholesale and deliver it directly to consumers without having to be tethered to a dispensary. Terrapin viewed it as an opportunity to lift up social equity cannabis companies, while also having a new outlet for selling wholesale cannabis. Much of the rest of the industry opposed this legislation, suggesting that it would cut into their brick and mortar sales. The bill failed, but Terrapin will continue to serve as a voice for social equity entrepreneurs looking for an opportunity to succeed.

At the heart of Terrapin is a desire to serve our local communities. Like you, Terrapin Care Station makes Colorado its home and workplace. Stop in to any of our six locations in Denver, Boulder, Aurora, or Longmont. We have daily deals specifically targeted at encouraging consumers to shop local. Not all cannabis companies are equal. Shop with your heart; shop with pride.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Welcome to Colorado! After living in this state for 19 years, I have a few suggestions for you so that you can have the best time ever! Colorado is truly a colorful place, filled with incredible open spaces and world-class dining and entertainment. You should know where to shop, eat and hang out!

First, let’s stop by a Terrapin Care Station to gather supplies for this truly Colorado experience. Terrapin has six dispensaries across the Front Range, including in Denver, Boulder, Aurora and Longmont. We put a lot of pride into producing our premium cannabis products, so make sure you’re purchasing your cannabis where the locals shop. For more information, visit TerrapinCareStation.com.

Now that we’re stocked up, let’s head out for a day of adventure at Red Rocks! Even if it’s during the day, before a concert, Red Rocks is a great place to get a quintessential Colorado experience. Surrounded by the majestic rocks of this natural amphitheater, enjoy hiking while you soak up the inspiring musical history of this world-famous venue. It’s the best in the world.

You’ve probably worked up an appetite by now. In downtown Denver there’s a Mexican restaurant that truly stands above the rest. La Loma began as a family-owned Mexican restaurant more than 30 years ago. Today, it still features its famous menu of Tex-Mex and Mexican favorites that showcase the flavors of the Southwest. Their renowned green chili and fresh tortillas are some of the best in Colorado. The spot to check is in downtown Denver, located at 1801 Broadway, across from the amazing Brown Palace Hotel. While you’re at it, stop into the Brown Palace for a glass of whiskey and a cigar, or check in for afternoon tea. You won’t be disappointed.

made on display in the dining room.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Cannabis Doing Good and the Cannabis Impact Fund. Led by Kelly Perez and Courtney Mathis, these two bad-ass women have provided Terrapin with a moral compass for our Corporate Social Responsibility efforts. From organizing internal anti-racism discussions, to pointing us to meaningful nonprofits, it is fair to say that Terrapin would not be a social impact leader in our space without Kelly, Courtney, and their Cannabis Doing Good services.

Website: https://www.terrapincarestation.com/

Instagram: @instaterrapin

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/terrapin/

Twitter: @TerrapinCare

Facebook: @terrapincarestation

Youtube: @terrapin1873