Marie Saloum, Founder of GreenPharms – Interview Series

Especially in the Grand Canyon State, cannabis professionals have had an interesting path that led them to work in the Arizona cannabis industry. Moreover, few Arizona cannabis professionals have developed not only one successful cannabis brand, but several more highly acclaimed brands that stand out in a billion-dollar industry. Marie Saloum, Founder of GreenPharms, is one of those very esteemed professionals.

So what academic subjects did you mainly study while attending Cal State Northridge? While a student, did you ever envision that you’d be a cannabis business owner one day?

I was deep into criminal justice courses and had my sights on forensic investigation. In fact, my long-term plan involved medical school so I could specialize in autopsy work. Back then, legal cannabis was still just an underground market supplied by the neighborhood dealer, so owning a dispensary never once crossed my mind.

What initially caught your professional interest about working in the cannabis industry? Were there sentimental or personal reasons for wanting to join the industry? 

Everything clicked after my husband survived a serious car accident. Doctors loaded him up with pain prescriptions, and I watched the risk of dependence grow by the day. We had always consumed cannabis recreationally, growing up in California, it was everywhere, but that experience was an “aha” moment that showed us how powerful the plant could be as an 

alternative to addictive painkillers.

What inspired you to create GreenPharms, and how would you describe the process of starting a dispensary when Arizona was medical-only? 

Before dispensaries were even legal, we founded one of Arizona’s very first medical-marijuana certification clinics and used those revenues to help fund the 2010 medical-cannabis ballot initiative. Because we were so involved with the campaign’s language and grassroots organizing, opening GreenPharms after the measure passed felt like a natural next step. The early days were hectic but being first also let us shape the market from day one.

GreenPharms’ site promises an “unwavering commitment to quality patient advocacy and service.” How do you keep that pledge alive inside the store? 

We’re still 100 percent family-owned and operated by actual patients who consume the products we sell. You’ll find me on the sales floor all the time, talking with guests and staff. That face-to-face feedback loop and our refusal to chase corporate-style investor money keep the culture personal and responsive.

What have been the most notable ways your cultivation and retail operations have changed since Arizona legalized adult-use cannabis? 

When adult-use launched in 2021, the medical program shrank fast. Demand shifted toward SKUs that meet recreational limits, and we saw an influx of first-timers who needed Cannabis 101 guidance. Operationally, we re-balanced inventory, refreshed staff training for beginners, and leaned into our grab-and-go shopping model to handle higher foot traffic efficiently.

During both the medical-only era and now, what team-building strategies keep harvests and retail sales running smoothly? 

We get everyone together monthly and make it fun: escape-room contests, private movie-theater nights, even a houseboat sleepover on the lake. Those shared experiences build trust that shows up later in our team’s performance.

What are some of the most popular brands you’ve created under the GreenPharms umbrella, and what makes them stand out? 

One of our most beloved brands is Cigaweeds. It was created as an alternative to tobacco. We wanted to make something that looked and felt like a cigarette but used cannabis instead. It’s discreet, familiar, and helps people transition off of nicotine. Another standout is our concentrates brand, Mad Terps. It has a really loyal following.

How does your love of fashion influence your work and your brand?

Fashion is a huge part of who I am. Whether it’s a Chanel bag or a shirt from Shein, it’s about wearing what makes you feel confident. You don’t need a crazy budget to have style; it’s all about how you carry yourself. That attention to style and vibe shows up in our dispensary, too. From the design of our Grab & Go store to the events we throw, I want everything to feel intentional and elevated.

What inspired you to create the Trap Culture event series and what has its impact been on the cannabis community? 

Trap Culture came from a need I felt in the cannabis space. There were plenty of events where you could medicate, but none where you could party. I wanted something that blended music, energy, and cannabis in a way that felt natural and fun. So I created a space where cannabis could be celebrated like alcohol is at concerts and festivals. One of our proudest moments was taking over an entire water park for a cannabis event, the first of its kind in the U.S. It wasn’t easy to get approval, but we proved the stigma wrong. The venue later told us we were the cleanest group they’d ever hosted. Trap Culture helped shift the narrative around cannabis by showing it could be part of a high-end, organized, and joyful experience. 

Which charitable organizations have you partnered with, and why is community service important for cannabis companies? 

We pick a new cause every month and raise funds with custom sticker sales or in-store raffles. Long-time partners include Toys for Tots, Salvation Army holiday drives, Bosom Buddies, and nonprofit shelters for LGBTQ+ youth. Many large charities still reject money from the cannabis industry, so we work twice as hard to find those who will accept the help, and to prove cannabis businesses can be model neighbors.

What have been some of GreenPharms’ most notable awards and their significance? Answer: I’m honored to have been named:

• Most Influential Executive of Cannabis 2025 
• Most Influential Minority in Cannabis 2024 
• Top 30 Women of Cannabis in AZ 
• Industry Blazer 

What noteworthy plans does GreenPharms have for the future, and how might federal rescheduling change store operations?

We’re breaking ground on a two-story flagship with a drive-through window slated for 2026, plus two additional Arizona licenses and a pair of Michigan storefronts in development. We’ll also roll out refreshed branding for Terps & Jerks and launch new product collaborations. If cannabis is federally rescheduled, the first big relief will be normal banking and fair taxation, freeing capital to expand our grab-and-go concept nationwide while keeping prices humane for patients and adult-use customers alike. 

Thank you for joining us, Marie! For more information on GreenPharms, please visit its website.