Cannabis public relations firms

Jul 31 – Oct 25, 2026Updated Oct 25, 2026Reviewed by

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Questions and answers

  • Google AI ModeOct 25, 2026

    1. 1Grasslands
    2. 25W Public Relations
    3. 3CMW Media
    4. 4PufCreativ
    5. 5NisonCo PR

    Navigating the legal cannabis industry requires public relations partners who understand complex state-by-state regulations, marketing restrictions, and how to secure media coverage in both mainstream and trade outlets.

    Leading cannabis PR and strategic communications firms include:

    • Grasslands – Founded by veteran journalist Ricardo Baca, this agency specializes in "Journalism-Minded®" PR, content, and executive thought leadership for plant-touching cannabis companies, ancillary businesses, and the psychedelics space.
    • NisonCo – One of the pioneer PR and SEO firms in the cannabis sector, known for deep media relations, extensive journalist databases, and strategic advocacy and corporate communications for cannabis businesses.
    • 5W Public Relations – A major full-service PR firm with a dedicated cannabis and CBD practice area covering brand strategy, crisis communications, and influencer programs tailored to changing legal frameworks.
    • CMW Media – A prominent boutique PR and investor relations agency that handles mainstream visibility, corporate messaging, and financial communications for publicly traded and high-growth private cannabis corporations.
    • PufCreativ – A cannabis-focused creative and digital marketing agency providing public relations alongside branding, social media management, and design tailored specifically to the cannabis and hemp community.

    Sources cited in this answer5

    ChatGPTOct 25, 2026

    1. 1Grasslands
    2. 2NisonCo PR
    3. 3Rosen Group PR
    4. 4Maverick Public Relations
    5. 5Durée & Company
    6. 6MATTIO Communications

    The best cannabis PR firms depend on whether you want mainstream media coverage, cannabis-industry credibility, a consumer brand launch, investor relations, or help navigating the restrictions around cannabis marketing.

    For a U.S. cannabis company, I'd start with MATTIO, NisonCo, Grasslands, Rosen Group, and Maverick PR. These firms have established cannabis-sector experience, and each offers a somewhat different approach to communications.

    Best cannabis PR firms to shortlist

    • The Eighth Annual Cannabis LAB (CLAB) Conference & Expo

    1. MATTIO — Best overall for mainstream visibility

    Best for: established brands, multi-state operators, consumer products and executive visibility

    Combines mainstream and trade media relations with influencer programs, social strategy, events, search visibility and crisis communications. A strong first call if you want to make a cannabis brand more recognizable beyond the industry.

    Website and cannabis PR services

    • Mario Ramos - NisonCo PR | LinkedIn

    2. NisonCo — Best for PR combined with SEO

    Best for: emerging brands, cannabis technology, hemp and CBD businesses

    Known for cannabis-focused communications, media outreach and search engine optimization. Worth considering if you want press coverage to support longer-term online discovery and thought leadership.

    Visit NisonCo

    • Grasslands | Award-Winning PR & Marketing Agency in Colorado

    3. Grasslands — Best for earned media and storytelling

    Best for: founders, industry innovators, cannabis brands and B2B companies

    Founded by former Denver Post cannabis editor Ricardo Baca, Grasslands emphasizes journalist relationships and story-driven PR. A good candidate if your priority is credible coverage rather than simply distributing press releases.

    Visit Grasslands

    • Cannabis Public Relations Specialists — Rosen Group PR

    4. Rosen Group PR — Best for corporate reputation and policy

    Best for: regulated businesses, market expansion, public affairs and brand launches

    Has experience with cannabis and hemp companies, national publicity, strategic communications and policy advocacy. Particularly relevant when reputation, regulatory developments or public perception are central to the brief.

    Visit Rosen Group

    • Maverick Creative/Travel Public Relations

    5. Maverick Public Relations — Best for hands-on cannabis communications

    Best for: product launches, emerging brands, media training and executive thought leadership

    Its published experience includes cannabis and ancillary brands, product launches, market expansion, crisis response, speaking opportunities and investor relations.

    Visit Maverick PR

    • Acclaimed South Florida Public Relations Firm Durée & Company Named Fort Lauderdale Magazine’s Best PR Agency of 2024 for the Second Consecutive Year

    6. Durée & Company — Best Florida-based option

    Best for: Florida businesses, corporate communications and brand awareness

    A Florida-headquartered, full-service PR and marketing firm with reported cannabis-sector experience, including work with publicly traded brands. Consider it if you value regional access alongside broader communications capabilities.

    Visit Durée & Company

    How I'd choose between them

    If your primary goal is…Start with
    National consumer and lifestyle pressMATTIO
    PR plus organic search visibilityNisonCo
    High-quality editorial coverageGrasslands
    Corporate reputation and policy communicationsRosen Group
    Launching products and building founder visibilityMaverick PR
    A Florida-based agency relationshipDurée & Company

    This is a shortlist based on publicly described services and industry experience, not a definitive performance ranking. Independent client references and comparable campaign results should determine the final choice.

    What should you budget?

    Agency fees vary substantially with seniority, deliverables and campaign scale. One 2026 industry guide lists indicative monthly retainers of approximately $4,000–$15,000 across its reviewed cannabis PR agencies, with some established firms and more comprehensive engagements costing more. Treat that as a planning estimate, not a quote.

    Before signing, ask each agency for three recent, relevant case studies; examples of actual earned-media placements; named team members who will work on your account; clear monthly deliverables; and experience with applicable state and platform restrictions.

    Let me narrow this down to the best three for you

    1. What type of cannabis business are you promoting?

    Consumer cannabis brand or product

    Dispensary or multi-state operator

    Hemp or CBD brand

    Cannabis technology or ancillary business

    Executive, investor or industry organization

    2. What's your primary PR goal?

    National mainstream media coverage

    Cannabis trade press and industry credibility

    Product launch and consumer brand awareness

    Investor relations and corporate reputation

    Crisis communications or public affairs

    3. What's your monthly PR budget?

    Under $5,000

    $5,000–$10,000

    $10,000–$20,000

    $20,000+

    4. Which market matters most?

    Florida

    California

    New York / Northeast

    National / multiple states

    International

    [Find my best three firms]

    Sources cited in this answer12

  • Google AI ModeOct 16, 2026

    1. 1MATTIO Communications
    2. 2KCSA Strategic Communications
    3. 3Marino
    4. 4NisonCo PR

    Navigating the heavily regulated, rapidly evolving cannabis sector requires PR partners who understand both mainstream media cultivation and compliance nuances. Several specialized public relations agencies stand out as top-tier choices for cannabis, CBD, and ancillary brands:

    • Mattio Communications — Founded by Rosie Mattio, this agency has grown into one of the most prominent names in cannabis PR. They specialize in integrated communications strategies for emerging and highly regulated markets, bridging the gap between counterculture origins and corporate credibility. Their core services include earned media, executive profile building, investor relations, and strategic digital campaigns.
    • KCSA Strategic Communications — A veteran PR powerhouse that was an early mover into the space, establishing a dedicated cannabis and investor relations practice over a decade ago. KCSA excels at financial communications, corporate positioning, crisis management, and translating complex market or scientific data into mainstream media narratives. They also host industry staples like The Green Rush podcast.
    • NisonCo — Established early in the legal marijuana movement, NisonCo focuses specifically on regulated sectors including cannabis, hemp, and psychedelics. They utilize a massive proprietary database of targeted journalists alongside modern digital approaches, offering a blend of traditional earned media PR, strategic SEO, and GEO/AI search optimization.
    • Marino PR — A prominent New York-based full-service agency that handles robust public affairs, corporate reputation, and creative media campaigns. They represent a diverse client roster that includes notable and women-led cannabis brands alongside mainstream commercial entities, delivering strong strategic visibility.

    Key Selection Factors

    • Regulatory & Compliance Fluency: Ensure the agency has a firm grasp on state-by-state marketing constraints and advertising restrictions.
    • Media Relationships: Look for firms with proven, active byline placements and established contacts across top-tier business, lifestyle, and trade publications (e.g., Forbes, MJBizDaily, MG Magazine).
    • Ancillary vs. Plant-Touching: Confirm whether your chosen firm specializes more in consumer packaged goods (CPG) and lifestyle branding or corporate/financial positioning for multi-state operators (MSOs) and tech suppliers.

    Sources cited in this answer7

    ChatGPTOct 16, 2026

    1. 1MATTIO Communications
    2. 2Grasslands
    3. 3NisonCo PR
    4. 4Durée & Company

    If you're looking for a public relations agency with real cannabis-industry experience, I'd start with firms that understand cannabis media, regulated-market communications, brand reputation, and the challenges of earning mainstream press coverage.

    I reviewed current 2026 industry lists and agency information. These are the firms I'd shortlist, depending on whether you're promoting a cannabis brand, a dispensary, a multi-state operator, a hemp/CBD business, or a cannabis technology company. Industry-specific experience matters more here than a general PR rating alone.

    Cannabis PR agencies to consider

    • The Eighth Annual Cannabis LAB (CLAB) Conference & Expo

    1. MATTIO Communications

    (Strong all-around candidate)

    Best for: Established cannabis brands, dispensaries, multi-state operators, and companies seeking mainstream visibility.

    MATTIO combines earned media, influencer marketing, executive thought leadership, social media, event strategy, and crisis communications. Its dedicated cannabis practice emphasizes industry relationships and navigating advertising and regulatory restrictions.

    Website:

    • Grasslands Headquarters

    2. Grasslands

    Best for: Consumer brands, cannabis lifestyle companies, B2B businesses, and founders building industry authority.

    Founded by journalist Ricardo Baca, Grasslands focuses on cannabis-specific PR, media relations, news releases, crisis communications, and executive thought leadership. Its services span mainstream, trade, digital, print, and broadcast media.

    Website:

    • Mario Ramos - NisonCo PR | LinkedIn

    3. NisonCo

    Best for: Cannabis and CBD startups, product launches, dispensaries, and ancillary businesses.

    NisonCo has operated in cannabis communications since 2013. Its services include earned media, press releases, product-review outreach, executive positioning, and integrated SEO. Its published offerings include different service tiers, making it worth contacting if you want a tailored scope.

    Website:

    4. Durée & Company

    Best for: Cannabis, hemp, and CBD companies seeking brand awareness and consumer-facing publicity.

    This full-service PR agency has a dedicated cannabis and hemp practice. Its industry positioning includes media relations, event promotion, influencer relationships, and communications for businesses operating in emerging markets.

    Website:

    How do their ratings compare?

    One useful independent comparison source is Clutch, which publishes client reviews and service information. Its October 2026 cannabis-industry rankings also include agencies with strong general PR ratings, but a high overall rating doesn't necessarily mean deep cannabis specialization.

    I'd use these four as an initial shortlist, then compare their cannabis-specific case studies, client references, team experience, and proposed deliverables rather than relying on rankings alone.

    What to ask before hiring

    • Relevant experience: Can they show successful campaigns for companies similar to yours?
    • Media reach: Do they have relationships with cannabis trade publications and mainstream business, lifestyle, or local media?
    • Compliance: How do they handle state-specific rules, product claims, influencer disclosures, and restricted platforms?
    • Measurement: Will they report earned media placements, quality of coverage, referral traffic, brand visibility, and business outcomes?
    • Pricing: Is the proposal a monthly retainer, project fee, or a combination? What is excluded?

    I can narrow this down further

    One question: What type of cannabis business do you need PR for?

    Business type

    Cannabis brand or products

    Dispensary or multi-location operator

    Cannabis technology or ancillary business

    Hemp or CBD company

    Publicly traded cannabis company

    Cannabis startup or industry executive

    Target market

    Arizona / Southwest

    United States nationwide

    Canada / international

    Approximate monthly budget

    Under $5,000

    $5,000–$10,000

    $10,000–$25,000

    $25,000+

    Project-based / flexible

    Main objective

    Mainstream media coverage and brand awareness

    Cannabis trade press and industry credibility

    Product launch and consumer publicity

    Investor relations and corporate reputation

    Crisis communications or reputation repair

    [Find my best-fit agencies]

    Sources cited in this answer17

Also asked as

  • I need a list of top-rated public relations agencies that focus on the cannabis sector.