NXTLVL DELIVERY

If you’re going to start a Cannabis company, it never hurts to learn from the best.

In a sense, that’s exactly what Danielle Walton and Adrienne Mulligan were doing during the 12 years they worked together at Oakland’s Harborside. Founded in 2006 by Steve DeAngelo, the flagship dispensary of Harborside’s line of pot shops is recognized today as the largest nonprofit medical marijuana dispensary in California - if not the U.S.

Working for Harborside provided Walton and Mulligan with an extensive education on the ups - and numerous downs - of life in legal Cannabis. From the piecemeal rollout of a framework for recreational regulations, to numerous ever-shifting changes in state policies, tax rates and city codes, the two got a first hand look at what punches might eventually be thrown their way.

Such insights would later prove invaluable when Walton and Mulligan eventually decided to make a go of it themselves. Inspired by the success of 2016’s Proposition 64 and California’s subsequent

Meet the concentrate loving co-founders of the Bay Area’s first equity-licensed, woman-owned Cannabis delivery service.

implementation of a recreational market at the start of 2018, what once may have seemed a pipe dream quickly transformed into the makings of a business plan.

When a mutual business colleague made a delivery license within the city of Oakland available for sale, Walton and Mulligan knew it was time to turn their dream into a reality. The result is NXTLVL, a woman-owned Cannabis delivery brand serving the greater Bay Area in California.

CONCENTRATING ON CUSTOMERS

One point of emphasis for the co-owners of NXTLVL is the quality of the products they offer.

“At NXTLVL, we pride ourselves on having one of the best curated menus,” Walton said. “We only carry brands that we ourselves also consume.”

That’s another thing NXTLVL is all about: practicing what you preach.

In this case, that equates to Walton and Mulligan’s own affinity for getting high. More specifically, the pair are huge concentrate heads.

HAVING STARTED WITH LOCAL DELIVERY IN OAKLAND, NXTLVL NOW ADDITIONALLY SERVICES CUSTOMERS THROUGHOUT THE EAST BAY AND SAN FRANCISCO. With their menu, THEIR DELIVERY RADIUS ALSO COVERS PARTS OF THE SAN they hope to separate their company from competitors with a far

FRANCISCO PENINSULA, SAN narrower view of what

JOSE, AND THE NORTH BAY Cannabis products REGIONS OF MARIN COUNTY, NAPA, SONOMA, PETALUMA AND women want. Thus, if you expect NXTLVL’s menu to consist only SANTA ROSA. of bath balms and rose gold vape pens, think again.

For the strain snobs, award-winning local cultivators like IC Collective and Alien Labs are well-represented. Meanwhile, dabbers can rejoice at NXTLVL’s staggeringly deep concentrate selection. At present, the section for concentrates on NXTLVL’s site includes over 70 different products. Live resins, badders, frostings - you name it. The suggestion that extracts aren’t a category of interest for women is one that NXTLVL is happy to disprove with each new sale or customer they welcome.

NXTLVL’s curated menu also features a diverse array of product categories that seemingly offer something for every type of Cannabis consumer. That includes Kingpen vape carts, Kiva’s Camino gummies and three flavors from infused beverage maker Cann. Though generous in quantity, it’s the quality where NXTLVL says they’re still most chiefly focused.

Their strategy appears to be working.

Having started with local delivery in Oakland, NXTLVL now additionally services customers throughout the East Bay and San Francisco. Their delivery radius also covers parts of the San Francisco Peninsula, San Jose, and the North Bay regions of Marin County, Napa, Sonoma, Petaluma and Santa Rosa.

NOT LOSING SIGHT OF THE FIGHT

Even as NXTLVL grows in scale and strengthens its hold in a hyper-competitive Bay Area market, the company remains dedicated to pairing its economic aspirations with ones of an educational nature. This comes as no surprise given NXTLVL’s status as an equity-permitted operation.

Designed as a means of providing individuals adversely affected by past drug policy with the first opportunities to turn a legal profit from Cannabis, equity programs in cities like Oakland and San Francisco have been slow to deliver results, but continue to offer the only realistic means of entry for many Black and brown entrepreneurs without the resources of larger, more corporate-minded competition.

That’s why NXTLVL is hoping to help their customers make the connection between modern day protests over racial injustice, and the ramifications of past U.S. drug policy.

A visit to NXTLVL’s homepage, for instance, reveals a prominent link to the Last Prisoner Project. A nonprofit founded in part by Harborside’s DeAngelo, its mission is to see the release of all individuals incarcerated for Cannabis-related crimes in the U.S.

Sadly, the Last Prisoner Project’s work has only grown more urgent in scope as COVID outbreaks at facilities like New York’s Rikers Island and the Bay Area’s own San Quentin State Prison underscore the need

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for immediate action.

For Walton, linking their business with an organization like the Last Prisoner Project isn’t a no-brainer as much as it’s a moral imperative.

“Education and activism are extremely important to us at NXTLVL,” she explained. “We are living in a world of uncertainty and we need to continue to educate the public about social injustices and the inequalities of the world. The Last Prisoner Project is near and dear to our hearts. Way too many people are incarcerated for life for something that is now legal in many states.

We need to work together to bring those prisoners of the ‘War on Drugs’ home.”

JUST KEEP GROWING

Along with the bad has come some good in the form of NXTLVL’s success thus far. Since their official launch last November, Walton reports that business has grown by approximately 400%. The operation also now boasts a staff of 11. As NXTLVL’s employee pool has grown, so has the operation’s need for new digs.

As a result, NXTLVL will soon be upgrading from what Walton terms a “tiny location” to a space three times larger in size.

The company has reported that their volume of business has notably increased as a result of the shelter-in-place restrictions put into effect across six Bay Area counties in mid-March. The status of legal Cannabis as an ‘essential service’ has allowed NXTLVL to continue operations during a time when many sectors of the local economy remain shuttered and reeling.

By happenstance, the nature of NXTLVL’s business is one perfectly suited to adapt to pandemic times.

“With everyone switching to ‘delivery-only’ and curbside pick-up models,” Walton said, “NXTLVL naturally started to grow and expand. Since March, we’ve hired on more drivers and dispatchers to keep up with the crazy demand during COVID.”

Things are cooking at NXTLVL. However, no matter how much Walton may have on her plate, she’s never too busy to give a quick plug for her current concentrates of choice.

At the moment, “anything from Kalya or 710 Labs” is Walton’s recommended move, but the beauty of NXTLVL’s concept is that maybe that will change. The gift of NXTLVL’s dedication to constantly refining their menu comes in the form of the freedom it offers customers to evolve their Cannabis palettes in conjunction with industry innovations and trends. Whatever happens, however, you can always count on the ladies of NXTLVL to deliver the best of the best.

MANGO SORBET

In the bowl of a food processor, combine all the ingredients. Process until smooth. Pour the mixture into a bowl. Cover and chill for 2 hours. Pour the mixture into the freezer can of an ice-cream freezer and freeze according to manufacturer’s instructions. Spoon sorbet into glasses immediately and serve or keep in the freezer in a freezer safe bowl or container. Serves 4.

2 medium ripe mangoes, about 2 cups, cubed 1 cup fresh pineapple, in chunks 3 tablespoons pineapple juice 4 teaspoons canna-oil 1 tablespoon lime juice 2 tablespoons agave

ANGELBERRY FROZEN TRIFLE

REFRESH & RELAX

MAGICAL BANANA SUNDAE

3 medium bananas, peeled and sliced 1 tablespoon lemon juice 4 teaspoons canna-oil 2 tablespoons canola oil 2 tablespoons cocoa powder 1 teaspoon agave nectar or honey ½ teaspoon vanilla 4 tablespoons walnuts, chopped

In a blender combine the yogurt, oil and blueberries. Place 1/3 of the blueberry/yogurt mixture in a bowl and keep in the fridge. Divide the angel food cake among the 4 bowls. Pour 2/3 of the blueberry mixture over the cake. Freeze. Remove from the freezer and top with the sliced strawberries. Top with the remaining blueberry/yogurt mixture. Freeze again until firm. At serving time allow the dessert to sit at room temperature for about 5-10 minutes. Serves 4.

12 ounces nonfat vanilla yogurt 4 teaspoons canna-butter or oil 1 ½ cups blueberries 1 cup angel food cake, torn in small pieces 1 cup strawberries, thinly sliced

Isn’t this just nuts? Honestly, I am in a constant state of shock, and more than ever,

Cannabis is my friend. And for a little extra support, I am adding some CBD oil to my morning coffee and nighttime warm milk. It’s delicious - just warm the milk, add CBD oil, a teaspoon of honey, some vanilla and cinnamon. If you want to make some CBD oil, follow the recipe for THC infusions - you won’t get high, but you will feel better. And who doesn’t want to feel better? These icy treats will refresh! And if you make a bunch, they will be ready in your freezer at a moments notice. Think of all the possibilities in the fruit department. The superb CBD is from East Fork Cultivars and the strain Life Coach is from Noble Farms, where they grow some serious herb. Last week I made a blueberry almond pie with their Blueberry Kush. It made me a tiny bit happy that we didn’t really have to share the pie. #sixfeetapart #Dontfeartheedible