Josh Schmidt stands at the forefront of the global cannabis industry, bringing with him a rich heritage of entrepreneurial spirit from the community-centric hospitality businesses of the San Francisco Bay Area where he was raised. His foundational experiences in a business-savvy family propelled him to Boston University's School of Business, where he honed the skills that would catapult him into cannabis industry leadership.After college, Josh established Trichome Healing Caregivers in Van Nuys, California, pioneering one of the state’s first licensed medical cannabis dispensaries. His tenure there set new benchmarks for success and community engagement, defining his early career. Josh’s ambition then steered him towards exploring the global cannabis genetics market, leading to extensive travels in India, Thailand, Nepal, Morocco, Spain, Canada, and Amsterdam. These expeditions allowed him to forge invaluable partnerships with leading cannabis breeders, bringing world-class cannabis strains back to the U.S.Josh’s professional journey continued at Natura Life + Science in Sacramento, California, where he currently excels as the Vice President of Business Development. At Natura, he oversees the operations of a sprawling 250,000-square-foot cultivation facility. His strategic acumen is also vital in shaping the trajectory of Natura’s in-house brands, Sluggers Hit and Dee Thai, positioning them for substantial growth and industry leadership.His leadership extends beyond operational management to strategic market innovation. As a co-founder of Pistil Point Cannabis, he helped establish it as Oregon’s largest indoor cannabis producer. His expertise also enriches his role on the board of Colcana, assisting in integrating Colombian local farmers into the global cannabis market.In 2019, Josh’s influence expanded further when he was appointed as the official Cannabis Advisor for Elevated Estate, tasked with merging Thai cannabis initiatives with global markets. This role underlines his capacity to bridge diverse cannabis cultures, promoting a unified global cannabis community.March 2020 marked a significant return to his roots in California’s cannabis scene with his role at Natura Life + Science. This position allows him to leverage his extensive network and insights to foster growth and innovation within the company and the broader industry. With his guidance, Natura’s brands are set to redefine quality and innovation in the cannabis market, promising exciting developments for Natura Life + Science.