CHICAGO and VANCOUVER – Green Thumb Industries Inc., a leading national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and owner of RISE Dispensaries, signed an exclusive, two-year partnership with The Salt Shed, a community-driven music venue in the heart of the Windy City run by hospitality collective 16” on Center. Effective January 1, the sponsorship deal marks The Salt Shed’s most extensive cannabis collaboration to date. Elements include an on-site retail experience from RISE Dispensaries, RISE at Salt Shed, opening soon and offering hemp-derived THC Delta 9 (HD9) products from Green Thumb brands like incredibles and Beboe, as well as branded merchandise and accessories. In addition, concertgoers and artists alike will experience immersive events from GTI’s best-selling flower brand, RYTHM Premium Cannabis, designed to amplify the powerful connection between cannabis and music.
The store will be situated in the Fairgrounds, an outdoor festival-style space nestled between The Salt Shed and the Chicago River. With a sleek, industrial design honoring the venue’s historic roots, RISE at Salt Shed will offer concert essentials such as lighters, water bottles, T-shirts and hoodies, in addition to HD9 THC products including Beboe and incredibles gummies, incredibles chocolate bars, and a variety of other popular HD9 brands including Señorita, the award-winning THC Margarita.
All products available for purchase are Farm Bill compliant, manufactured in certified cGMP facilities, and have transparent labeling including ingredients, potency, and a QR code linking to certificates of analysis from independent testing labs.
The new partnership will also include RYTHM-branded photo opportunities and unique design elements throughout the venue, allowing concertgoers to experience the RYTHM lifestyle. Select shows presented exclusively by RYTHM will offer a further elevated brand experience with on-site activations and additional surprises to Find Your RYTHM.
“Salt Shed and RYTHM are the perfect match. We are excited to bring our premier cannabis brand together with such an esteemed Chicago music venue as we look to the future of on-site experiences,” said Ben Kovler, Green Thumb Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Cannabis and music are inextricably linked, and the ability to purchase these products on site to elevate the concertgoing experience is long overdue. Thank you to our friends at the Salt Shed and 16” on Center for taking this step with us to break the stigma and share the power of the plant at this iconic venue.”
“From music festivals to artist-curated strains and unique experiences, Green Thumb is an expert in merging cannabis, culture, and creativity to fuel unique experiences and quality products,” said Victor David Giron, Chief Financial Officer of 16” on Center. “Our combined expertise will help us bring the Salt Shed live event experience to the next level, making this the perfect collaboration to kick off the new year.”
About Rhythm
RYTHM was built on the proven, positive connection between cannabis and music, and the brand has been elevating and innovating in the space ever since. In 2023, RYTHM was a co-creator and presenter of The Miracle in Mundelein, Illinois’ first music festival with on-site cannabis consumption, which celebrated its second year this past September. The brand also introduced Bud Ball, RYTHM’s premium music and cannabis event honoring the budtenders and other visionaries who keep the industry thriving with live music and high vibrations. In the fall of 2023, RYTHM brought consumers the RYTHM Artist Series, a collection of strains chosen (and enjoyed) by celebrated artists spanning several genres of music and empowering consumers to align their music and cannabis tastes.
