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Lauren Fontein
Lauren Fontein is co-founder and chief compliance officer at The Artist Tree, a cannabis retail and lounge brand with locations throughout California. She began her professional career as a corporate lawyer in Los Angeles and transitioned into the medical cannabis industry in 2009. Since then, she has founded several cannabis businesses, including The Artist Tree, which she launched in 2018 to promote the connection between art and cannabis. The Artist Tree is known for its unique, art-focused aesthetic and business model: Each location functions as a local art gallery and immersive cultural destination. Since 2018, Fontein has helped grow The Artist Tree into a network of eleven retail stores and two consumption lounges across California, with additional locations planned for opening in 2026.
Beyond Greenwashing: Why We Pursued State Green Certification
The cannabis industry has a waste problem. As the market scales, the inherent connection between the plant and nature is often buried under mountains of single-use packaging and non-recyclable vape hardware. While many brands claim to be “green,” true sustainability requires more than good intentions; it requires a roadmap. By pursuing official California Green Business Certification, one dispensary operator discovered structured accountability — from onsite assessments to supply-chain vetting — can bridge the gap between commercial success and environmental stewardship. Discover the five-step process to earning certification and why operational transparency is redefining the industry paradigm.