Executive Chef Jaime Lewis is a real Cannabis Industry veteran. After graduating from the California Culinary Academy, she went on to a successful culinary career before answering a higher calling and getting involved with a California co-op in 2006 to serve edibles to HIV/AIDS patients.
In 2009, Jaime joined forces with Matthew Huron to launch Good Chemistry and Mountain Medicines. As COO of the combined entity, she ran operations and set-up the Marijuana Infused Products (MIP) unit for the company, developing the recipes, branding, packaging, designing and building out their commercial kitchen in Denver’s capital district. Her product mix of baked goods and chocolates marketed under the Mountain Medicine brand, Billy Goat moniker, and “Graze Smart” tagline developed a cult-like following.
As part of the Good Chemistry management team, Jaime was part of their efforts to win licenses in Massachusetts and Nevada (they didn’t win in MA but were successful in NV). Jaime also learned a lot from the experience, and in March of 2015, Mountain Meds was spun off as its own entity with Jaime becoming CEO and the sole owner of Mountain Meds which generated a little over $600k in sales in 2014 — and is poised to double that this year.
Since taking over, Jaime has spent the first few months developing new products and gaining commitments from retailers in Colorado to carry their extensions as well as adding new outlets to distribute their product mix. With a goal of developing amazing products from high quality ingredients that are consistent and packaged to reflect the brand, Mountain Meds is in the process of expanding their product line to include beverages (coffees and juices) and healthier lifestyle edibles including a gluten-free offering. All products must meet the strict regulatory guidelines implemented by MED in Colorado. Currently everything they make is made fresh and by hand so there is a 24-hour turn around to stock retailer shelves.
Jaime can see Mountain Meds expanding nationally at some point. To date, she is debt free and financed through operations, and, is beefing up her sales and marketing efforts to expand her distribution in Colorado. She isn’t averse to taking on partners or outside financing to pursue national distribution, but she wants to fully penetrate her home market first.
Like many of the people CBE has interviewed over the last year, Jaime is motivated and driven to educate the market about the benefits that the non-toxic plant can provide consumers and patients alike. She originally got into the industry to become part of a movement she believes in and is passionate about doing so. She puts hours into the cause participating in several organizations — she was recently elected as the new chair of the National Cannabis Industry Association.
She is not sure that the Green Rush is attracting the right conversation and wants to make sure that the movement continues to grow for the right reasons, especially drug policy reform and the safe and responsible use of cannabis. In addition to her role at NCIA, Jaime is a founder of the Cannabis Business Alliance and has been a part of MIGS.
As the Mountain Medicine team shift to executing her new strategy to help more patients and consumers “Get their Goat on,” CBE looks forward to following their pursuit of additional distribution and market share in the state and becoming a national edible and infused brand.
Not baaaahhhhd Momma Billy Goat…not baaaahhhhd at all!
Company Name: Mountain Medicine
Year Founded: 2010
Ownership Structure: Originally owned by Good Chemistry, Jaime took over in March of 2015. The company is an LLC
Management Team/CEO: Jaime Lewis, Founder
Headquarters: Denver, Colorado
Website: http://mtnmeds.com/
Industry Segment/Category: Processed and Infused Products
Current Markets/States Served: Colorado
Current Number of employees: 10
Market Strategy/Goal: Develop and serve a consistent, high quality protocol ingredient product in accurate and consistent medicinal dosages.
2014 Revenues: $600,000
2015 YTD Revenues: Estimated to double to $1.2 million plus
Current Product Mix: Chocolates and baked goods
Expansion Plans: To add a new line of beverages and healthier products in 2015. Mountain Meds would like to eventually go national after maximizing Colorado distribution of existing and new product lines.
Financing strategy: To date from operations and limited seed capital
