Grower Stories #1: Lindsey Holthaus

Tia Moskalenko
Tia Moskalenko

Tia Moskalenko, author of the AskGrowers blog, brings a unique blend of content to her readers. She is known for conducting insightful interviews with key figures in the cannabis industry, including brand representatives, manufacturers, and experts. In addition to her interview skills, Tia has a keen focus on CBD. She expertly curates product selections and reviews, offering her readers detailed insights into the various effects and benefits of CBD. Tia's ability to combine in-depth interviews with comprehensive CBD analysis makes her a valuable asset to the cannabis community, offering a well-rounded perspective on the industry.

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Grower Stories #1: Lindsey Holthaus

Plain Jane - How to Become a Successful Brand in Less Than 2 Years

We asked Plain Jane from South Oregon to tell us more about their business, their vision of the CBD World, their favorite strains and products. Started in 2018 Plain Jane quickly became one of the most popular and well-known brands with their beautifully packed CBD pre-rolls, oils, and flower of the highest quality. So take a smoke and get deeper into the world of CBD with Plain Jane and AskGrowers!


Julia (AskGrowers) : When did you start your business?

 

Lindsey (PlainJane) : April of 2018.


Julia : Why did you choose to invest yourself in the cannabis business? How long have you been harbouring this idea?

 

Lindsey : Mostly to solve a personal problem at the time: Lack of access to low cost hemp products.


Julia : What was the hardest thing you faced running your business?

 

Lindsey : Gaining traction. As a brand you have to figure out where to start and how to get your products into the hands of people.


Julia : How many people work at Plain Jane today?

 

Lindsey : We have around 15 full time employees and another 5 part time employees.


Julia : What is your production volume?

 

Lindsey : We fill anywhere from 200-600 orders a day.


Julia : Do you use Plain Jane products yourself/ your family? Which products are your favorite?

 

Lindsey : The best thing about owning a CBD company is that I have more CBD than I know what to do with. My family and I both use the products. I used CBD before we even started the company. It’s a good feeling when your own family members call you to get more of your product. I love the oil because it’s so quick and easy to use. I prefer the flower a few times a week and when I’m feeling super stressed, especially the twax joints that are potent.


Julia : What agricultural/ production techniques do you utilize that you are proud of/ feel make you stand out from other CBD brands?

 

Lindsey : We moved to Oregon, where some of the best hemp flower is grown. We partner with real farmers. We try our best not to use brokers because we like to know exactly where our flower is coming from and we want the money we are paying to go directly to the farmers. I think we stand out because instead of just having a few strains from our own farm (we do have a small indoor farm) we can hand select from the best farmers out there.


Julia : Which Plain Jane products are most sought after/ are bestsellers?

 

Lindsey : Our low odor hemp pre roll (cigarettes) are the best selling sku. Followed by sour space candy flower.

PlainJane pre-rolls 2plain jane pre-rollsPlainJane pre-rolls 3


 

Julia : Where do you learn to grow hemp? Books, Forums, Youtube? Conferences you attend?

Lindsey : It’s all about trial and error but its best to have someone who has experience show you. There are a lot of people moving from THC to hemp to get into a legal market so there are some great farmers out there to partner with.


Julia : How often have you had issues with people not knowing the difference between CBD and THC and applying stereotypes to your business?

 

Lindsey : Every single day. Mostly the post office but we have customers constantly ask the question: “Is this going to get me high”. There’s also still a stigma towards hemp flower because it looks and smells like weed and less of a stigma for packaged CBD products like edibles, even though they are from the same plant.


Julia : What is your stand on recreational marijuana (THC) and why did you choose CBD?

 

Lindsey : I think all drugs in general should be legal and regulated but the costs of regulation is a barrier to entry for many startup companies. That’s why we chose CBD, the barrier to entry and startup costs were much lower than THC. I personally use both but I prefer CBD to THC because you get many of the benefits but can still be productive. Some people can be productive with THC, I’m not one of them.


Julia : Your advice to people who consider starting their own cannabis business?

 

Lindsey : Don’t expect it to be a get rich quick scheme. I think the market for CBD has been tainted a bit by people jumping in and trying to get rich quick. If you want a sustainable, long term CBD business it’s going to take a ton of work and you may not see the return for a long time (unless you’re backed by a ton of money..we weren’t).


Julia : What are the key marketing channels for Plain Jane today? What other channels do you consider?

 

Lindsey : We use mostly social media and word of mouth. For the first year we didn’t spend any money on marketing other than samples.


Julia : Do you ship worldwide?

 

Lindsey : We quit international shipment because we’re not able to keep up with the changing laws quick enough and we can’t control customs outside of the US.


Julia : Who is your audience?

 

Lindsey : Anyone who wants the medicinal benefit of weed without the high.


Julia : Best way to consume cannabis?

 

Lindsey : Smoking is definitely the quickest way to feel it.


Julia : Top 3 strains to grow?

 

Lindsey : Kush, Charlotte’s Web, Any new hemp strain not already being grown.


Julia : Top 3 strains to smoke?

 

Lindsey : Golden Cherry, Sour Space Candy, Charlotte’s Web.


Julia : Best strain to smoke in the morning?

 

LindseyJack Herer or Sour Diesel.

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