Despite the fact that American cannabis is a billion-dollar business, some insurance providers are still reluctant to deal with cannabis-related businesses. Finding a reliable and quality insurance provider can be difficult, whether it is due to federal prohibition of cannabis or internal insurance policies that determine which risks are insured.
It is essential to ensure that you have comprehensive and dedicated insurance. This is especially true with multi-million dollar manufacturing and cultivation operations and the subsequent wholesale trades, which are also lucrative but costly.
Guardians of Ganja, a top insurance company with an unforgettable name and whose policies and operations are tailored to meet the exact needs of cannabis business owners.
“One of the best things about cannabis is its ability to free your mind from the constraints of life,” says Jason Ascheman, co-owner of the agency solely focused on the cannabis industry. After some research we discovered that the cannabis industry is grossly underserved. Guardians of Ganja began with the idea of doing something unique and challenging that no one was already doing.
Billings is a great location for the primary agency office, from an agricultural and cannabis perspective. In 2020, the state (for the second time) legalized cannabis for adult use. The market has been thriving since then and sales will surpass $1 billion by 2024. The state has a massive agricultural sector, producing cattle, wheat, and other crops.
A Specialty Cannabis Insurance Company
Dalton Knutson’s first co-owner at Guardians of Ganja, had a number of honorable and interesting positions before entering the Insurance Industry. These included everything from selling Solar Panels to being a brave firefighter. Dalton Knutson’s childhood Crohn’s Disease diagnosis worsened. After major surgery, the firefighter had to give up his position.
“But it was after this that my belief in cannabis became stronger, the more I experimented with different treatment methods,” Knutson says. “It was something I wholeheartedly supported and believed.”
Knutson teamed up soon with Ascheman who had over eight years experience in the industry. Ascheman’s experience in the insurance industry, combined with Knutson’s entrepreneurial spirit and customer-focused nature gave them a competitive edge. Knutson says, “We realized that the cannabis market is underserved.” They both have a genuine desire to protect their businesses.
With the clever tagline of “Covering Your Grass for a Greener Tomorrow”, the services offered by Guardians of Ganja include policies that have been uniquely designed for every different plant-touching sector of the cannabis industry, along with ancillary businesses—everything from cultivation to manufacturing to retail to vital testing labs, even Lessors Risk policies for landlords with cannabis exposures. Guardians of Ganja is a team with many years of working in this highly regulated and nascent industry. Their policies are detailed, intricate, and offer a wide range of coverage options.
Liability coverage alone would cover a wide range of situations and circumstances that can arise during a cannabis operation. There is a full spectrum of service, from product liability to general liability.
Guardians of Ganja Covers What?
The policies of Guardian of Ganja also cover the delivery of products of any kind and vehicles for transportation. The policies cover all types of delivery, including individual deliveries at home, large-scale deliveries and deliveries from dispensaries to cultivation facilities. The Guardians of Ganja team understands how state regulators monitor and document every cannabis delivery via platforms such as METRC, no matter the size. They ensure that each element of the delivery procedure is thoroughly insured.
Even crop insurance—a vital safeguard that protects farmers’ investments from unexpected disasters—is available through Guardians of Ganja. Guardians of Ganja covers every stage of the cultivation process, including harvesting and vegetation as well as the crucial drying and curing phases.
“We pride ourselves in creating personal connections and relationships with our clients to not only be their agent, but a trusted confidant and partner that has their best interest at heart,” Knutson says with pride.
The American cannabis industry is evolving and expanding at an unprecedented rate. At Guardians of Ganja, our experienced team of professionals are committed to keeping up with all the constant changes.
We are constantly educating ourselves about the intricacies and nuances of our industry so that we can make informed, knowledge-based recommendations. Knutson states that it is our firm belief to put the client needs above all else. GOG represents so much, and is more than insurance. “It’s people with actual cannabis experience who want to make an impact, personally and in business.”