Item 9 Labs Corp. Honored as a 2023 “Best Cannabis Company to Work For” by Cannabis Business Times

Vertically integrated cannabis dispensary franchisor and operator recognized on prestigious list for third year in a row with its dispensary franchise, Unity Rd.

Item 9 Labs Corp. (OTCQX: INLB)—a vertically integrated U.S. cannabis franchisor and operator that produces premium, award-winning products—has been ranked No. 3 on the 2023 “Best Cannabis Companies to Work For” list in the dispensary category by leading industry publication and cannabis conference producer, Cannabis Business Times. This award, which Item 9 Labs Corp. has received for the third time with its dispensary franchise Unity Rd., and moved up three spots from last year, identifies and recognizes the best employers in cannabis cultivation and dispensary markets, honoring cannabis companies that excel in creating quality workplaces for employees.

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Item 9 Labs Corp. is powered by a talented team of professionals across its Unity Rd. and Item 9 Labs brands, who have a diverse set of skills and deep experience in the cannabis, franchising, and capital market sectors. Guided by a leadership team with extensive industry expertise, the Company consists of multiple teams – retail, cultivation, manufacturing, and production – with the mission to inspire confidence in the benefits of cannabis for all. (Photo: Business Wire)

Headquartered in Arizona, the Company is powered by a talented team of professionals across its Unity Rd. and Item 9 Labs brands, who have a diverse set of skills and deep experience in the cannabis, franchising, and capital market sectors. Guided by a leadership team with extensive industry expertise, Item 9 Labs Corp. consists of multiple teams – retail, cultivation, manufacturing, and production – with the mission to inspire confidence in the benefits of cannabis for all. Each team is committed to transparent communication, efficient functionality and providing the highest-quality product and guest experience. The Company has received nearly 50 awards for its achievements across franchising, cannabis, and thought leadership since 2017.

“We are honored to be recognized by Cannabis Business Times as one of the ‘Best Cannabis Companies to Work For’ once again in 2023. It is extremely gratifying when a light is shone on the healthy company culture you have built together with your team from the ground-up, one based on transparency and trust,” said Mike Weinberger, CEO of Item 9 Labs Corp. “We take our time to recruit the best of the best – we consistently hire for what people can do and stand for, not what they have done. We have created a team, full of good and passionate people, who not only have the skillsets but a true moral compass and live by a code of ethics.”

The "Best Cannabis Companies to Work For” awards are based on a comprehensive evaluation of each participating company’s workplace policies, practices, and demographics – accounting for 25% of the evaluation. Company employees also were anonymously surveyed, and their aggregate responses were used to assess their workplace experiences and attitudes – accounting for 75% of each company’s total score.

Cannabis Business Times developed the awards in partnership with the Best Companies Group (BCG), a global research organization that conducts employee survey engagement and satisfaction surveys. Through this work, Cannabis Business Times and BCG identify and recognize employers in the cannabis cultivation and dispensary industry and provide organizations with valuable employee feedback.

“For the past four years, Cannabis Business Times has published ‘The Best Cannabis Companies to Work For – Cultivation and Dispensary’ rankings and features, which recognize businesses that have created environments where employees feel valued, are celebrated for work well done and have opportunities to grow,” said Michelle Simakis, Editor-in-Chief of Cannabis Business Times. “The companies that ranked on this year’s list are engaging their teams despite the particularly challenging time and the regulatory and economic pressures straining the industry.”

Weinberger added, “With every local entrepreneur that we support, team member we onboard or neighborhood cannabis shop that we open, we strive to build a brighter future for the cannabis industry. Recognition from a highly respected publication such as Cannabis Business Times reaffirms that we are on the right track.”

For more information about Item 9 Labs Corp. and its brands, visit item9labscorp.com. For those interested in a career opportunity with Item 9 Labs Corp., contact careers@item9labscorp.com.

ABOUT ITEM 9 LABS CORP.

Item 9 Labs Corp. (OTCQX: INLB) is a vertically integrated cannabis operator and dispensary franchisor delivering premium products from its large-scale cultivation and production facilities in the United States. The award-winning Item 9 Labs brand specializes in best-in-class products and user experience across several cannabis categories. The company also offers a unique dispensary franchise model through the national Unity Rd. retail brand. Easing barriers to entry, the franchise provides an opportunity for both new and existing dispensary owners to leverage the knowledge, resources and ongoing support needed to thrive in their state compliantly and successfully. Item 9 Labs brings the best industry practices to markets nationwide through distinctive retail experience, cultivation capabilities and product innovation. The veteran management team combines a diverse skill set with deep experience in the cannabis sector, franchising and the capital markets to lead a new generation of public cannabis companies that provide transparency, consistency and well-being. Headquartered in Arizona, the company is currently expanding its operations space up to 640,000-plus square feet on its 50-acre site, one of the largest properties in Arizona zoned to grow and cultivate flower. For additional information, visit item9labscorp.com.

ABOUT UNITY RD.

Unity Rd. is the first national cannabis dispensary franchise model in the U.S. Since launching in 2018, Unity Rd. has always had one mission and vision in mind for the cannabis industry: to inspire confidence in the benefits of cannabis for all. From consumers to entire communities and investors, Unity Rd. was founded on the belief that everyone has a place in the budding $28 billion industry. The result is high-quality cannabis products guests can rely on that are sold in shops run by local entrepreneurs who are backed by Unity Rd.’s collective 200 years of legal cannabis and franchising experience. An industry pioneer, Unity Rd. is the retail franchise from Item 9 Labs Corp. (OTCQX: INLB). The franchise has been named one of the top cannabis retail leaders in the nation by MJBizDaily, became the first concept of its kind to become a member of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and was named one of the “Best Cannabis Companies to Work For” in the dispensary category of Cannabis Business Times’ 2023, 2022 and 2020 lists. Unity Rd. currently has four shops open and multiple agreements signed with 20-plus entrepreneurial groups who are developing the brand across 10-plus states. For more information, visit unityrd.com.

ABOUT CANNABIS BUSINESS TIMES

Cannabis Business Times is an award-winning trade magazine founded in July 2014. Its focus is to help accelerate the success of legal plant-touching businesses in medical and adult-use markets by providing actionable intelligence in all aspects of the business, from legislation, regulation and compliance news to analysis of industry trends and opportunities, as well as expert advice on cultivation, marketing, financial topics, legal issues, business management and more. Cannabis Business Times produces Cannabis Conference, the leading event for professionals from plant-touching cannabis businesses. Now in its 7^th year, the educational, expo and networking event draws thousands of attendees from throughout the U.S., Canada and nearly 30 other countries. With guidance from an advisory board that includes cultivators, dispensary professionals and other experts, the conference is known for its industry-leading educational program. Learn more and register here: cannabisconference.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, risks and effects of legal and administrative proceedings and governmental regulation, especially in a foreign country, future financial and operational results, competition, general economic conditions, proposed transactions that are not legally binding obligations of the company and the ability to manage and continue growth. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this news release include the introduction of new technology, market conditions and those set forth in reports or documents we file from time to time with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to revise or update such statements to reflect current events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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With every local entrepreneur that we support, team member we onboard or neighborhood cannabis shop that we open, we strive to build a brighter future for the cannabis industry.