my story

Crafting the Cannabis Revolution

by Andrew DeAngelo

I’m a storyteller, film producer, and social entrepreneur who has spent over three decades on the front lines of the plant medicine movement, using every tool at my disposal to rewrite outdated narratives and build a more just, compassionate, and creative future.

It all began with a dream. As a nine-year-old boy visiting from the East Coast, I fell in love with California and vowed to make it my home. That dream became my north star, guiding me through an unconventional path that led from the stage to the center of a global revolution.

An Actor’s Training, A Storyteller’s Calling

My first passion was the theater. I earned an MFA in acting from the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, where I learned how to inhabit characters, command a stage, and, most importantly, craft a compelling narrative. That training wasn’t a detour; it was the foundation for everything that came next. It taught me that to change minds, you must first capture hearts.

While I was building a promising acting career, another calling grew louder. My brother Steve is a lifelong cannabis activist, and I watched him dedicate his life to the cause. When he asked for my help to legalize medical cannabis in Washington D.C., I didn’t hesitate. We poured our hearts into the campaign for Initiative 59, and in 1998, we won with a stunning 69% of the vote. That victory showed me the power of a well-told story to create real-world change.

Building an Industry Blueprint: The Harborside Saga

In 2006, my family and I finally made the move to California. On October 3rd of that year, we opened the doors to Harborside, a dispensary that would become a global benchmark for the cannabis industry.

We weren’t just selling a product; we were building a community and a new model for cannabis retail rooted in compassion, safety, and professionalism. As a co-founder and leader, I helped pioneer industry standards that are still used today:

The first lab-testing program for cannabis purity and potency.
Child-resistant packaging for all edible products.
A holistic approach to wellness with a wide range of services.
An inclusive, educational environment that de-stigmatized the plant.

Our work put us in the national spotlight, and I became a featured principal on the Discovery Channel’s hit reality series, Weed Wars. But it also made us a target. For years, we fought a high-stakes legal battle against the federal government—a fight we ultimately won, setting a crucial precedent for the entire industry. The Harborside saga was a masterclass in resilience, strategy, and crisis communications, proving that even in the face of overwhelming opposition, the right story wins.

The Story Continues: Producer, Writer, Advocate

Today, my mission has expanded. I’ve returned to my creative roots, channeling my experiences into projects that shape the culture of plant medicine.

As a film producer, I helped bring the critically acclaimed movie, Freeland, to life, telling a poignant story about the legacy cannabis community. My latest film, American Hemp Farmer, will premier on PBS in March of 2026. As a writer and content creator, my work has been featured in Forbes, Playboy, and other major publications, where I explore the intersection of cannabis, business, and culture.

And as a social entrepreneur, I remain a fierce advocate for justice. I proudly co-founded and served as board president for the Last Prisoner Project from 2018-2023, a non-profit dedicated to freeing every last person incarcerated for cannabis.

Let’s Co-Create the Future

My journey has taught me that a powerful story can launch a movement, build an iconic brand, and change the world. Now, I help other visionaries in the cannabis and psychedelics space bring their dreams to life.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur building a brand, an artist with a story to tell, or an advocate fighting for change, I’m here to help you make an impact.

Ready to write your next chapter?