The Cannabis Equipment News team recently traveled to the Wisconsin Cannabis Expo held in Milwaukee on June 4. At the show, we had an opportunity to interview equipment manufacturers, cultivators and new product developers to learn more about what they bring to the cannabis industry.
Aroma Grow is a full-service grow shop located in Wheeling and Niles, IL.
While predominantly staked in the home grow retail market, Aroma Grow CEO, Brian Marks, focuses on education, teaching anyone who wants to attend his free classes how to grow cannabis from beginning to end. The company offers both in-house courses as well as virtual classes on the company's website.
Marks has only been on the industry's business side for about two years, but he's been a home grower for some 24 years. A soil grower, he likes being able to grow his own medicine.
Aroma Grow focuses on education to combat the lack of steady knowledge available for home growers. Marks says the amount of bad information published on the internet hurts growers, causing problems like nutrient burn and lockout.
The classes have also allowed Marks to witness the changing mentality and complexion of the cannabis industry. For example, two of his most recent students include a 40-year police veteran and a lawyer approaching retirement.
Marks has also become a bit of a product designer, developing grow lights produced by a third party and sold in his shops. Right now, the lights are marketed towards the home grower, but Marks hopes to soon move into the commercial side of the business.
The next Wisconsin Cannabis Expo, presented by the Shepherd Express, will be held Nov. 19, 2022, at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.
