Ana Garcia

Ana Garcia is a seasoned leader in California’s cannabis industry with over 15 years of hands-on experience in dispensary operations, financial oversight, and regulatory compliance. As a founder and executive of multiple successful cannabis ventures, Ana has guided businesses from startup to profitability while navigating complex regulatory landscapes. Known for her leadership in team development, license acquisition, METRC compliance, and community engagement, Ana blends operational expertise with strategic vision to build scalable, compliant, and community-oriented cannabis businesses.

• C10-0000256-LIC (Better Health Group)
• C10-0000814-LIC (Rockaway Enterprises)
• C10-0010401-LIC (Lake Street Organic)
• C10-0001395-LIC (Fuego Crescent City)
• C10-0001558-LIC (Fuego Lucerne Cannabis Dispensary)
• Certified EKG Technician, CSU East Bay (2018)

• $2.5M Revenue: Grew Rockaway Enterprises to $2.5M in annual sales within 2 years
• License Wins: Secured multiple retail licenses across California through rigorous planning and community negotiation
• Record Growth: Led Lake Street Organic and Fuego Crescent City to record-breaking revenue and customer satisfaction
• Clean Audit Record: Maintained perfect audit results across all dispensary operations

• Maintained full DCC compliance across multiple jurisdictions and locations
• Personally secured and renewed several retail cannabis licenses
• Led zoning meetings, community board presentations, and planning approvals
• Conducted successful state/local audits with zero violations
• Oversaw METRC compliance for thousands of SKUs and daily reporting

• Managed day-to-day dispensary operations including staff scheduling, inventory control, and compliance tracking
• Expert in POS and inventory systems (Flowhub, Meadow)
• Created and implemented SOPs for cash handling, intake, vendor relations, and reporting
• Oversaw vendor partnerships and curated product offerings aligned with market trends

• Designed and executed compliant marketing plans in strict regulatory environments
• Launched customer loyalty and referral programs to increase retention and engagement
• Tracked KPIs including average basket size and conversion rates to optimize performance
• Developed staff-driven sales incentives to increase revenue and morale

• Created and managed multi-year financial plans, forecasts, and budgeting models
• Oversaw armored transport coordination and cash handling SOPs
• Reported to investors and regulatory bodies with detailed financial documentation
• Navigated high-risk banking environments and implemented secure financial workflows

• Recruited and trained dozens of retail employees across multiple dispensaries
• Designed onboarding programs covering METRC, POS, compliance, and customer service
• Led performance reviews, mentorship programs, and conflict resolution procedures
• Cultivated inclusive, compliant, and growth-oriented workplace cultures

• Developed security SOPs including surveillance systems, ID verification, panic button protocols, and theft prevention
• Coordinated with security vendors and armored transport services
• Led team in emergency response drills and compliance trainings
• Managed real-time incident response and mitigation strategies

• Built dispensary environments focused on education, inclusivity, and trust
• Ensured staff proficiency in cannabinoid/terpene knowledge to enhance consultations
• Participated in local cannabis events, job fairs, and nonprofit initiatives
• Promoted transparency in operations, hiring, and community outreach

Ana Garcia aims to build a statewide consultancy and operations group that empowers new cannabis operators—particularly women and minority-owned applicants—to launch, scale, and sustain compliant and profitable businesses. Her next phase includes expanding into new California markets, launching vertically integrated operations, and contributing to policy advocacy that advances social equity and sustainable business models in the cannabis industry.