High tech, high finance and high times for U.S. pot industry

(Reuters) – Two years ago, Alan Gertner was head of Google’s Asia-Pacific sales team in Singapore, handling more than $100 million in business.

Pipes are displayed for sale in the cannabis themed cafe chain Tokyo Smoke in Toronto, Ontario, Canada November 29, 2017. Picture taken November 29, 2017. REUTERS/Chris Helgren

Now, he begins his day in a small Toronto office, building a cannabis brand that sells fancy smoking accessories such as vaporizers and bongs that cost up to $335 CAD ($261.72 USD).

Gertner is among a growing group of entrepreneurs and investors who are trading in high-paid corporate jobs in the technology and finance sectors to launch start-ups focused on the fast-growing marijuana industry.

Two decades after the first legalization of medical marijuana by a U.S. state, pot-based businesses are professionalizing their operations by luring top talent from other industries and billions of dollars in investments from Wall Street firms. A new commodity index even offers data on the going rates for greenhouse and field-grown weed.

Gertner still gets surprised reactions to his career change, as when his mother asked: “Can’t you just get another job at Google?”

Continue reading at Reuters.com

About Reuters

Since 1850, we have experimented, invented, and created content and news solutions to become the world’s leading international news agency. Always at the forefront of real-time breaking news and high-impact global multimedia content, we are constantly innovating our products and services to meet your business needs. Whether we are serving broadcasters, publishers, brands, agencies, or direct to consumers, Reuters provides award-winning coverage of the day’s most important topics, including: business, finance, politics, sports, entertainment, technology, health, environment, and much more.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *