Collaborate. Partner.
Scale.
Sara Gullickson works with select investors, entrepreneurs, and operators to build and scale ventures in cannabis and other highly regulated industries.
Having secured more than 75 licenses across 30+ markets and five countries, Sara brings hands-on experience navigating complex licensing processes, launching compliant operations, and transforming early-stage concepts into viable businesses.
Whether you are entering a new market, pursuing a cannabis license, expanding an existing operation, or evaluating an investment opportunity, Sara provides the strategic insight and practical guidance needed to move forward with confidence.
Why Work With Sara
Sara offers more than traditional consulting. She works with investors, entrepreneurs, and operators as a strategic advisor, licensing expert, and hands-on business partner, helping clients identify opportunities, navigate complex markets, and build ventures positioned for long-term growth.
Proven Experience
Sara has secured more than 75 cannabis licenses across 30+ markets and five countries, guiding businesses from early-stage strategy through launch and operation.
Strategic Insight
Sara helps clients understand legislative and licensing developments, evaluate emerging markets, and identify opportunities aligned with their goals.
Licensing Expertise
From pre-application planning and application development to post-licensure preparation, Sara provides hands-on support throughout the cannabis licensing process.
Partnership Models
Engagements may include consulting, board or executive advisory roles, general partnerships, equity participation, or passive investment opportunities.
Strategic Execution
Sara helps transform opportunities into actionable plans, establish compliant operations, and create a practical path to growth.
Customized Guidance
Every engagement is tailored to the client, venture, market, and desired level of involvement.
Cannabis Investment and Partnership Opportunities
Whether you’re looking to enter the cannabis space or expand your footprint, partnering with Sara offers more than access to deals—it’s a seat at the table with a trusted advisor who’s navigated over 30 markets and secured licenses for clients across five countries.
- Proven Track Record
From first-in-market dispensaries to vertically integrated companies, Sara has led projects
from concept to operation with unmatched efficiency and strategic foresight. - Insider Access
Stay ahead of legislative shifts and licensing windows. Sara’s early-stage insight and
government relationships mean you hear about opportunities before they go public. - Tailored Investment Opportunities
Participate in high-growth projects aligned with your goals, whether through equity,
strategic partnership, or silent capital placement.
See Our Work In Action
Want to learn more about the results we’ve delivered? Download our featured case study to see how we helped investors secure $76M in licenses in a competitive market—and scale from concept to compliant operations.
Partner with Us!
Current opportunities include:
- Licensing & Application Partnerships in emerging and limited-license states
- Strategic Advisory Packages for investors looking to vet opportunities or build internal infrastructure
Explore Strategic Investment Opportunities
If you’re ready to invest in a thriving, fast-evolving industry, Sara offers the experience, insight, and proven track record to help you succeed. From early-stage strategy to full-scale execution, this is your chance to partner with one of cannabis’s most trusted business leaders.
Or contact us at 602-290-9424
Pre-Application Support
Receive in-depth market research and business preparation
Application Assistance
Navigate the writing, documentation, and submission process
Post-Licensure Guidance
Build operational plans to launch and manage your business
States with Current & Upcoming Opportunities
California
California continues to accept applications for commercial cannabis licenses, including cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, testing, retail, delivery, microbusiness and cannabis event licenses. Applicants generally must complete applicable city or county permitting before receiving state licensure.
Maine
Maine continues to accept adult-use cannabis establishment applications. Available licenses include cultivation facilities, products manufacturing facilities, cannabis stores, testing facilities and sample collectors. Licensure generally involves conditional state approval, local authorization and final active licensure.
Maryland
Maryland is expected to conduct an additional social-equity cannabis business licensing round under the state’s statutory licensing framework. Potential categories include dispensary, cultivation, processing, incubator-space and on-site consumption licenses. However, the Maryland Cannabis Administration has not announced the opening and closing dates for the next application round.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts continues to accept applications for adult-use Marijuana Establishment and Medical Marijuana Treatment Center licenses. Available adult-use categories include cultivation, product manufacturing, retail, delivery, transportation, testing, microbusiness and social-consumption-related licenses, subject to category requirements and municipal approval.
Michigan
Michigan continues to accept adult-use cannabis license applications. Available categories include grower, processor, retailer, secure transporter, safety-compliance facility, microbusiness, Class A microbusiness and event organizer licenses. Local authorization may also be required.
Nebraska
Nebraska is currently accepting applications for medical cannabis manufacturing licenses through August 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CDT. The cultivation application period is closed. Applications for transporter and dispensary licenses have not yet opened and are listed by the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission as pending legislative action.
New Jersey
New Jersey continues to accept conditional and annual adult-use cannabis business applications. Available categories include cultivation, manufacturing, wholesale, distribution, retail, delivery and testing licenses. Applications may be submitted for standard businesses or microbusinesses, subject to state requirements and municipal approval.
Ohio
Ohio is continuing to review and approve 10(B) dispensary applications submitted by eligible existing cannabis operators. The 10(B) process is not a general application opportunity for new outside applicants. The Division of Cannabis Control states that no additional general application period is currently open, though it is anticipated they will open a process for new licenses in 2027.
Rhode Island
Due to litigation, Rhode Island’s application window for 24 new adult-use retail licenses will be restarted. Because the original licensing process has been stopped, the timing and structure of any replacement application or social-equity verification process remain pending. The state has not published a new application schedule. Though it is anticipated to open in August 2026.
Vermont
Vermont accepts applications for adult-use cannabis establishment licenses through the Cannabis Control Board. License categories include cultivation, manufacturing, retail, wholesale and testing, subject to state requirements and any applicable local approvals.
Virginia
Virginia has approved the establishment of a regulated adult-use cannabis market. The Cannabis Control Authority must complete regulations and begin accepting applications by February 1, 2027, with initial licenses expected by May 1, 2027. Retail sales are scheduled to begin July 1, 2027. Expected opportunities include retail, cultivation, manufacturing, wholesale, testing and microbusiness licenses. The framework authorizes up to 350 retail stores.
If you are interested in securing a cannabis license to cultivate, manufacture, and or dispense cannabis in one of the states listed above, we recommend starting your business plan, financial projections and building your team now. Most of our clients that have seen success in competitive cannabis limited license processes worked on their Request for Proposal or Request for Application for 8-12 months. For more indepth information on available cannabis licensing opportunities, visit thecannabisbusinessadvisors.com