Industry Leaders Kris Krane, Mark Passerini and Shea Gunther Join HedgeRow

HedgeRow Analysis, the cannabis industry’s most innovative data analytics company, today announced three new industry veteran additions to their Board of Advisors.  Joining HedgeRow’s team of data, government affairs and cannabis experts are Kris Krane, Mark Passerini and Shea Gunther; together, they will bring added depth of experience and new industry connections and insights to HedgeRow during this unprecedented period of growth and innovation.

“HedgeRow helps cannabis industry leaders increase their profits, optimize their retail siting, accurately value M&A acquisitions and de-risk critical expansion decisions,” said HedgeRow Co-Founder & CEO Matt Walter. “We are thrilled that Kris Krane, Mark Passerini and Shea Gunther will lend their well-known industry expertise to our rapidly growing company, and together we’ll help the cannabis industry continue to innovate, mature and create record numbers of high-paying jobs.”

“HedgeRow removes uncertainty and adds valuable information for cannabis industry decision makers, by creating state-specific, data-rich projections and mapping for business growth,” said Steve Balogh, HedgeRow Co-Founder and Chief Data Modeler.  “We are proud HedgeRow’s CaMELOT model is the original and still-the-best mapping, valuation and targeting product to understand total customer demand and maximize market share.  Our Board of Advisors’ decades of experience will help us continue to support industry growth, expansion and sophistication.”

HedgeRow’s proprietary CaMELOT model (Cannabis Market Estimation & Location Optimization Tool) helps cannabis industry decision makers and investors expand their business, find their next breakout real estate and development opportunities and stay abreast of changes as the market evolves. HedgeRow’s custom analysis collects, manipulates and analyzes millions of data points in the hottest development areas, including local and regional customer demand, compliance and opt-out constraints, AI scrapping and ground-truthing of sensitive and restricted localities, current and future competitors, changing demographics, customer segment avatars and much more.

Kris Krane said: “HedgeRow’s cutting edge work is an amazing example of the cannabis industry’s development and increasing operational sophistication. Their accessible and valuable information helps cannabis companies understand and connect with their customers, while effectively optimizing their business for increasing competition and the entrance of global ‘majors’ following expanded legalization.” 

Mark Passerini said: “Hedgerow offers robust and power tools to help dispensary owners and investors defend their current investments and effectively prepare for growth and expansion.  Whether you have one shop or dozens across the country, HedgeRow provides a clear business edge.”

Shea Gunther said: “HedgeRow’s combination of innovative data analysis with mainstream and industry media coverage and analysis is a difference maker for growing cannabis companies and derivative industries,” said Shea Gunther.  “HedgeRow’s GIS and mapping technology is a unique and valuable offering for companies who want to scale rapidly and dominate the industry.”

For more information, visit www.Hedgerowanalysis.com

HEDGEROW ANALYSIS BOARD OF ADVISORS

Kris Krane is CEO and Principal of Kranewreck Enterprises, where he works as an independent consultant to the cannabis industry.  Recently, Kris joined the New York based public relations/investor relations firm KCSA Strategic Communications on a part-time basis, where he serves as Director of Cannabis Development and head of the Chicago office for the cannabis division of the company.  Kris is also a principal owner and President of Anderson Leonard Pharmaceuticals, a licensed cultivator, producer, and exporter located in the Republic of North Macedonia.  In addition to this work, Kris serves as an expert witness on the cannabis industry in litigation and arbitration disputes between cannabis businesses.

From 2011 through 2021, Kris served as the Founder and President of 4Front Ventures,  a cannabis company designed for long-term success and built upon battle-tested operating capabilities at scale, experienced and committed leadership, a strategic asset base, and a commitment to being a magnet for talent.  4Front is recognized as one of the leading Multi State Operators in the legal cannabis industry, operating cannabis dispensaries, cultivation and production facilities across the United States.

Prior to forming 4Front, Kris served as Director of Client Services for Cannbe, where he helped develop many of the best practices that have become the backbone of 4Front Advisors’ operations. Kris has dedicated his career to reforming the nation’s failed drug policies, having served as associate director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws from 2000-2005 and executive director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy from 2006-2009.

Mark Passerini – With almost 30 years of experience in all aspects of marketing, sales and sales management in a variety of industries including renewable and energy efficient technologies, Mark is the co-founder of the Om of Medicine, the longest continually operating dispensary East of the Mississippi River. He founded the Ann Arbor Medical Cannabis Guild which he served as president for its first two years, served as the government liaison for the Michigan chapter of Americans for Safe Access (ASA), and was the Founding President of the Illinois Cannabis Industry Association (ILCIA).  Currently, he is the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association (MiCIA) and the Chairman of the Board for the Redemption Foundation.

Mark was instrumental in crafting local licensing and zoning ordinances with the City of Ann Arbor and is currently working with various state legislators to further clarify existing Michigan laws to ensure patient access. He was an early member of the ArcView group, a private cannabis investment and market research firm. Mark had the honor of organizing and emceeing Hash Bash, the nation’s longest running cannabis reform rally between 2013-2019 and is often invited to speak at numerous industry events on the topic of responsible dispensary operations. He has made it his mission to reverse the numerous injustices that the prohibition on cannabis has led to. His interest in the cannabis sector stems from not only his love for the plant but also from his passion for the promise of a natural, holistic alternative.

In his spare time, Mark enjoys travel as a medium to learn and understand diverse human perspectives. When in the Midwest, he sits on the Board of Directors and is a volunteer hospital magician at Open Heart Magic, a non-profit organization dedicated to using the therapeutic power of magic and laughter to energize and strengthen critically ill children in area hospitals.

Shea Gunther is an experienced entrepreneur, writer, and publisher who first became active in legal marijuana in 1998 when he started the first chapter of the activist group Students for Sensible Drug Policy. He is the owner and publisher of the popular podcast ‘Marijuana Today’ and spent five years reporting on daily legal marijuana news as host and curator of the ‘Marijuana Today Daily’ podcast. Shea has a deep background in entrepreneurialism, design, marketing, and communications and lives on a small new farm just outside of Portland, Maine.