I first discovered Carbon Cannabis through my massage therapist who had their Full Spectrum Hemp Extract for sale.
I fell in love with their CBD products, so when I was offered the opportunity to interview co-founders Max Weber and Austin Wszolek, I was eager to hear more about their business.
Through our conversations, I learned what was behind the high quality products; their commitment to wellness, transparency, and integrity.
Carbon Cannabis is a family owned Wisconsin craft CBD company which was founded in 2019 and has set a high standard for CBD products by ensuring that every step from the seeding on the farms to the final testing in the lab is done with the utmost care in alignment with their principles. These top shelf products begin with strong relationships with organic hemp growers in Wisconsin who cultivate indoor hand-trimmed hybrid strains for a superior balanced product. Once the hemp is brought in and tested, it undergoes a meticulous science-based process using APEKS CO2 extraction technology. Although ethanol extraction is the most common and productive method for pulling the medicinal qualities from the plant, it is also a harsh solvent and the guys at Carbon Cannabis wanted to try a relatively new carbon technology developed in Germany around 1945. Carbon extraction is a more selective and gentle process which preserves the natural terpenes, flavonoids, cannabinoids and other beneficial plant compounds as well as yields a cleaner solution, higher potency, and less waste. Choosing this method of extraction is truly a decision of quality over quantity.
Intentional sourcing and precision extraction are followed by rigorous product testing before inventory hits the shelf. The CBD is tested as flower, raw oil, and finished oil by a certified 3rd party lab registered with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. Every lab they partner with is also certified through ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) to ensure safety and purity. Their products are made in small batches and are tested organic, natural, vegan, and cruelty free, which customers can verify through QR codes on the box for traceability. There is an entire page on their website dedicated to the test results of each batch to allow for complete transparency.
Carbon Cannabis products come in 3 strengths and 5 flavors and include; extracts for both humans and pets, topical balms, vape cartridges, smokable flower, and pre rolls. They are also working on a Balanced Bodywork massage oil, but their most significant project lately has been the development of the popular CBD gummy, the Delta 9 CannaChew. While other CBD companies were hitting the market with Delta products and collecting on the strong interest in this trend, Max and Austin wanted to take their time in developing a safe quality product. Although they may have been behind others in releasing a Delta product, they are competing with companies who are not taking the same steps to ensure quality. The concern is that many consumers may not know what they are getting in poorly made Delta products. However, the leaders at Carbon Cannabis have carefully crafted these chews using the CO2 full spectrum hemp oil derived from Delta 9 THC without conversions or harsh solvents. The gummies contain 10mg of D9 THC and nearly 100mg of total cannabinoids and produce a pleasant euphoric effect wrapped in a delicious superberry flavor of blueberry, pomegranate, and acai. All Carbon Cannabis products also come in eco-friendly packaging, so you can feel good about the entire experience.
The one thing that Max and Austin wish other people knew about their business is that they are here for wellness and taking steps to make sure their products are done the right way. Research is discovering a long list of health conditions which CBD can help treat including chronic pain, inflammation, anxiety, insomnia, migraines, depression, epilepsy, and autoimmune diseases. Many people are starting to substitute Carbon Cannabis products for pharmaceuticals and gaining a higher quality of life without the jangling side effects of synthetic drugs. Of course, dosing of CBD products varies for everyone, so it is recommended to start at a low dose and listen to your body.
Max and Austin have been inspired by other companies in the CBD business like Charlotte’s Web and Pachamama and learn from the industry as a whole by gleaning a bit from each company’s approach to the market. On an average day, Austin and one other employee handle the day to day tasks of running the business. They talk to customers, run the extractor, and work on manufacturing, packing, and distributing products. They work with about 30 retailers including; Tree Huggers Co-op, the People’s Food Co-op, Cannabis Depot, and a number of massage therapists, vet clinics, and pet stores. They also speak at events and love getting out in the community to fight the bad stigma surrounding cannabis products. They practice grassroots advocacy through community events like the La Crosse Library panel discussion, the farmer’s market, and pop-up markets and are working on creating educational cards to distribute facts and dispel myths about cannabis products.
The Carbon Cannabis team is operating in an evolving market which is also pushing the envelope for cannabis use and legalization. So as you can imagine, they’ve been met with a lot of censorship and are often banned, blocked, or muted on social media which is a core advertising tool for most businesses these days. This censorship challenge has somewhat limited their reach, however there is no ban on ‘word of mouth’ advertising and customers continue to share their positive experience with Carbon Cannabis products and the customer base continues to grow.
At the end of our interview, I finally had to ask the question which all of the readers are thinking? So, what happens if/when Wisconsin legalizes THC? Max and Austin are ready. They are forming relationships for the future. They have already set up testing and have built relationships with farmers and retail partners. 85% of Wisconsin supports legalization, but tobacco, pharma, and the tavern league are blocking it from passing. When THC is legalized, Carbon Cannabis plans to grow their product line, but also stay in CBD products because they would never abandon their CBD customers. Their expansion is already cleared with the fire department and city planning, so when that vote comes through, they are positioned to deliver wellness, transparency, and integrity on a whole new level.
By Joy Miller