Solaris Farms
Board Member
Michael Sassano
Green Rush Partners (Dir) Somai Pharmaceuticals (Founder, Chairman GR & interim CEO) Expertise: Global Cannabis, EU-GMP, Pharma Strategy
Green Rush Partners (Dir) Somai Pharmaceuticals (Founder, Chairman GR & interim CEO) Expertise: Global Cannabis, EU-GMP, Pharma Strategy
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Experience
Solaris Farms
Founder; Former Chairman and CEO
In four years, as CEO and Board member, Michael Sassano built Solaris from private equity out of an empty lot into one of the largest and most well respected cannabis cultivation... more operations in the state of Nevada. In July 2020, he further led its merger to become one of the top verticals in the state.
Michael Sassano broke ground on what would become Solaris Farms in 2016 after traveling around the world touring different types of agricultural greenhouses and observing the various technologies used to produce high-quality yields in harsh climates. From the get-go, he envisioned building a major cultivation company in Nevada’s business-friendly environment which he’d either sell or expand to maximum government approved canopy.
Michael continues to be involved with the merged company in an advisory role and will help guide decisions of expansion and mergers. He is actively seeking larger companies to merge with and/or be acquired by to further expand the reach of Solaris and The Sanctuary throughout the U.S. and internationally.
Today, Solaris remains one of the largest and the most technologically-advanced hybrid greenhouses operating in Nevada. Solaris has a rotation of 7,000 plants and bi-monthly 1000 plant harvests which are sold at every major dispensary in Las Vegas and throughout Nevada. Michael built Solaris Farms into a Las Vegas icon but also gathered global recognition which he plans to continue expanding. The grow exists on a portion of the land which is state-approved for cultivation space of over 300,000 sq ft. When fully built out, Solaris will be one of the 20 largest cannabis grows in the United States, according to Greenhouse Grower (https://www.greenhousegrower.com/crops/cannabis/cannabis-top-20-north-americas-largest-commercial-grows/)
Michael Sassano broke ground on what would become Solaris Farms in 2016 after traveling around the world touring different types of agricultural greenhouses and observing the various technologies used to produce high-quality yields in harsh climates. From the get-go, he envisioned building a major cultivation company in Nevada’s business-friendly environment which he’d either sell or expand to maximum government approved canopy.
Michael continues to be involved with the merged company in an advisory role and will help guide decisions of expansion and mergers. He is actively seeking larger companies to merge with and/or be acquired by to further expand the reach of Solaris and The Sanctuary throughout the U.S. and internationally.
Today, Solaris remains one of the largest and the most technologically-advanced hybrid greenhouses operating in Nevada. Solaris has a rotation of 7,000 plants and bi-monthly 1000 plant harvests which are sold at every major dispensary in Las Vegas and throughout Nevada. Michael built Solaris Farms into a Las Vegas icon but also gathered global recognition which he plans to continue expanding. The grow exists on a portion of the land which is state-approved for cultivation space of over 300,000 sq ft. When fully built out, Solaris will be one of the 20 largest cannabis grows in the United States, according to Greenhouse Grower (https://www.greenhousegrower.com/crops/cannabis/cannabis-top-20-north-americas-largest-commercial-grows/)
CIBC World Markets
Managing Director
One of the youngest Managing Directors in CIBC history and the firm's No. 1 sales trader. Led a 14-person team across institutional and prop desk trading. Over six years,... more the team executed more than $90 billion in trades. Personally grossed $10–15M+ annually — among the highest paid traders on Wall Street. During this period, co-founded and invested in Atlantique Capital, a $200M+ hedge fund, and ran trades for the proprietary desk. When CIBC sold its Oppenheimer division in 2003, he was offered the firm's largest retention package to remain with the newly independent Oppenheimer. Left in 2004 to return full-time to private equity and entrepreneurial ventures.
Oppenheimer & Co.
Executive Director
Joined Oppenheimer from Lehman Brothers and rapidly became the firm's No. 1 producing sales trader. Recognised as one of the earliest adopters of electronic and computer-based... more arbitrage trading on Wall Street. Received awards from multiple counterparties, mutual fund organisations and the firm itself. Built the institutional relationships and market intelligence that defined the next chapter of his Wall Street career at CIBC.
Lehman Brothers
Training program/trader
Completed Lehman Brothers' prestigious two-stage institutional training programme — beginning in brokerage and sales, then advancing into the newly transformed institutional... more division post-American Express spin-off. Training covered trading, banking, derivative creation, market making and early computer-based trading across all sectors. Awarded an institutional middle market desk in 1994.
Green Rush Partners
Director
Green Rush Partners is a specialist cannabis advisory and intermediary firm focused on regulated market entry across Europe, Australia and Asia-Pacific. The firm provides... more market-entry strategy, exclusive brand licensing, wholesale distribution structuring and M&A advisory to cannabis operators, brands and investors seeking access to regulated international markets.
As Director, Michael Sassano leads all advisory mandates — drawing on direct, in-country relationships built across 13 markets and two decades of transatlantic cannabis experience spanning facility development, regulatory affairs, brand partnerships and capital markets.
Retained by Somaí Pharmaceuticals as exclusive European brand and distribution advisor since 2022, Michael originated and structured Somaí's full global brand portfolio through direct negotiation with brand founders and ownership — not intermediaries. Partnerships include AiroPro, Sherbinskis, Jack Herer, Bedrocan, Iridescent Med and Kiseki.
Green Rush advises clients across the full market-entry lifecycle: regulatory strategy, product registration, licensing, distribution agreements and acquisition support. Counterparties include EU pharmaceutical manufacturers, US multi-state operators and internationally recognised cannabis brands entering regulated global markets.
As Director, Michael Sassano leads all advisory mandates — drawing on direct, in-country relationships built across 13 markets and two decades of transatlantic cannabis experience spanning facility development, regulatory affairs, brand partnerships and capital markets.
Retained by Somaí Pharmaceuticals as exclusive European brand and distribution advisor since 2022, Michael originated and structured Somaí's full global brand portfolio through direct negotiation with brand founders and ownership — not intermediaries. Partnerships include AiroPro, Sherbinskis, Jack Herer, Bedrocan, Iridescent Med and Kiseki.
Green Rush advises clients across the full market-entry lifecycle: regulatory strategy, product registration, licensing, distribution agreements and acquisition support. Counterparties include EU pharmaceutical manufacturers, US multi-state operators and internationally recognised cannabis brands entering regulated global markets.
Founder, Chairman GR and Interim CEO
Operating as Founder, Chairman (GR) & Interim CEO through Green Rush Partners, building Somaí Pharmaceuticals from concept to operating company.
Built Europe's... more only private, fully vertical multi-country pharmaceutical cannabis operator. Every milestone below was built, negotiated or driven personally — through intensive study of European pharmaceutical models, extensive in-country travel and hands-on execution across every market.
Facility: Personally designed, project-managed and delivered the Carregado EU-GMP Parts I & II facility in 1 year 8 months — 3,800 m², 60,000 kg/yr extraction capacity, in-house EU-GMP laboratory and GDP licence. Acquired the NovaSoma/RPK EU-GMP indoor cultivation facility in Sintra: 2,000 kg/yr flower, ~6,000 kg/yr post-harvest GACP-to-GMP capacity.
Product: 150+ stability study SKU's. 5 PT-authorised dossiers (20:1, 25:1, 50:1, 10:10, 25:25). 12-person in-house QP, QA and Regulatory team.
Licences: PT import + GDP (active). AU full sponsor licence. DE + UK distribution licences (in process). Direct sales: CH, IT, PT. 7 in registration: PL, IE, CZ, HR, NZ, CR, ES. Watch list: FR, SI, BR. DE clinic.
Markets: 6 active commercial markets. 1,400+ pharmacies, 1,100+ prescribing physicians, 95+ clinics, 40+ distribution partners — every relationship initiated personally in the field.
Brands: Exclusive global partnerships — Cookies, AiroPro, Sherbinskis, Jack Herer, Iridescent Med and Kiseki. House brands: Somaí, Soma OG and Tastee Bitz. All partnerships personally negotiated.
Supply & Sales: Personally sourced cultivators across Canada, Colombia, South Africa, Portugal and Thailand. Led in-field sales in every active market — walking pharmacies, meeting physicians and closing distribution agreements directly.
Operations: 113 employees hired. substantial amount raised
Built Europe's... more only private, fully vertical multi-country pharmaceutical cannabis operator. Every milestone below was built, negotiated or driven personally — through intensive study of European pharmaceutical models, extensive in-country travel and hands-on execution across every market.
Facility: Personally designed, project-managed and delivered the Carregado EU-GMP Parts I & II facility in 1 year 8 months — 3,800 m², 60,000 kg/yr extraction capacity, in-house EU-GMP laboratory and GDP licence. Acquired the NovaSoma/RPK EU-GMP indoor cultivation facility in Sintra: 2,000 kg/yr flower, ~6,000 kg/yr post-harvest GACP-to-GMP capacity.
Product: 150+ stability study SKU's. 5 PT-authorised dossiers (20:1, 25:1, 50:1, 10:10, 25:25). 12-person in-house QP, QA and Regulatory team.
Licences: PT import + GDP (active). AU full sponsor licence. DE + UK distribution licences (in process). Direct sales: CH, IT, PT. 7 in registration: PL, IE, CZ, HR, NZ, CR, ES. Watch list: FR, SI, BR. DE clinic.
Markets: 6 active commercial markets. 1,400+ pharmacies, 1,100+ prescribing physicians, 95+ clinics, 40+ distribution partners — every relationship initiated personally in the field.
Brands: Exclusive global partnerships — Cookies, AiroPro, Sherbinskis, Jack Herer, Iridescent Med and Kiseki. House brands: Somaí, Soma OG and Tastee Bitz. All partnerships personally negotiated.
Supply & Sales: Personally sourced cultivators across Canada, Colombia, South Africa, Portugal and Thailand. Led in-field sales in every active market — walking pharmacies, meeting physicians and closing distribution agreements directly.
Operations: 113 employees hired. substantial amount raised
420702 Partners
Managing Director
Managing Member behind 29 cannabis facility builds across the United States — spanning indoor cultivation, greenhouse production, dispensaries, extraction labs and EU-GMP... more pharmaceutical manufacturing. Facilities designed, financed, developed and delivered in partnership with Ronald Sassano as general contractor.
Portfolio includes:
· I35 Grow — 740,520 Sq Ft, Oklahoma
· MJ Holding — 130,000 Sq Ft, Nevada
· Curaleaf — 60,000 Sq Ft Greenhouse, Nevada
· Green Light — 60,000 Sq Ft, Missouri
· Forest Grove Cultivation — 40,000 Sq Ft, Oregon
· Green Leaf Farms — 30,000 Sq Ft, Nevada
· Solaris Farms — 38,000 Sq Ft Hybrid Greenhouse & Production, Nevada
· Nevada Green Organics NLV — 20,000 Sq Ft, Nevada
· GreenMart of Nevada — 20,000 Sq Ft
· MJNE — 24,000 Sq Ft Indoor + 3-Acre Outdoor, Nevada
· Med. Cannabis Healing — 24,800 Sq Ft, Nevada
· Nevada Green
· Highland Cultivation — 10,000 Sq Ft
· HoJa Santa — 15,000 Sq Ft, Oklahoma
· Left Handed — 16,000 Sq Ft, Oklahoma
· Buffalo Turf — 10,000 Sq Ft, Oklahoma l
· CNLV — 6,000 Sq Ft, Nevada
· Nevada Nutratech — 5,800 Sq Ft
· Greenway Health — 5,000 Sq Ft
· Park City Nursery — 4,800 Sq Ft
· Dosist — 3,800 Sq Ft
· Moon Dust — 4,000 Sq Ft, Oklahoma
· GreenLight Dispensaries (×2), Las Vegas
· The Sanctuary Dispensary
· 986 Pharmacy (×3 locations)
· Acres — 3.8-Acre Outdoor, Nevada.
Portfolio includes:
· I35 Grow — 740,520 Sq Ft, Oklahoma
· MJ Holding — 130,000 Sq Ft, Nevada
· Curaleaf — 60,000 Sq Ft Greenhouse, Nevada
· Green Light — 60,000 Sq Ft, Missouri
· Forest Grove Cultivation — 40,000 Sq Ft, Oregon
· Green Leaf Farms — 30,000 Sq Ft, Nevada
· Solaris Farms — 38,000 Sq Ft Hybrid Greenhouse & Production, Nevada
· Nevada Green Organics NLV — 20,000 Sq Ft, Nevada
· GreenMart of Nevada — 20,000 Sq Ft
· MJNE — 24,000 Sq Ft Indoor + 3-Acre Outdoor, Nevada
· Med. Cannabis Healing — 24,800 Sq Ft, Nevada
· Nevada Green
· Highland Cultivation — 10,000 Sq Ft
· HoJa Santa — 15,000 Sq Ft, Oklahoma
· Left Handed — 16,000 Sq Ft, Oklahoma
· Buffalo Turf — 10,000 Sq Ft, Oklahoma l
· CNLV — 6,000 Sq Ft, Nevada
· Nevada Nutratech — 5,800 Sq Ft
· Greenway Health — 5,000 Sq Ft
· Park City Nursery — 4,800 Sq Ft
· Dosist — 3,800 Sq Ft
· Moon Dust — 4,000 Sq Ft, Oklahoma
· GreenLight Dispensaries (×2), Las Vegas
· The Sanctuary Dispensary
· 986 Pharmacy (×3 locations)
· Acres — 3.8-Acre Outdoor, Nevada.
Private Equity Investor
Investor/Managing Director
Early-stage and pre-IPO investor across cannabis, technology and digital assets spanning nearly three decades. Participated in 59+ pre-IPO financings and backed approximately... more 32 startups across multiple sectors, and a range of emerging technology and cannabis operators.
Investment themes included: cannabis cultivation, extraction and pharmaceutical; Bitcoin and cryptocurrency (early adopter) through Exgate; blockchain infrastructure; telecommunications, mobile and beacon technology; media and entertainment; food, nutrition and biotech; pre-construction residential and commercial real estate across Europe and the United States.
Sourced deals through a global network built across Wall Street, US/European real estate markets and the US cannabis industry. Primary focus since 2008 has been cannabis — first as an investor in early-stage US operators, then as an operator building 29 facilities and developing Somaí Pharmaceuticals as Europe's leading pharmaceutical cannabis company.
Investment themes included: cannabis cultivation, extraction and pharmaceutical; Bitcoin and cryptocurrency (early adopter) through Exgate; blockchain infrastructure; telecommunications, mobile and beacon technology; media and entertainment; food, nutrition and biotech; pre-construction residential and commercial real estate across Europe and the United States.
Sourced deals through a global network built across Wall Street, US/European real estate markets and the US cannabis industry. Primary focus since 2008 has been cannabis — first as an investor in early-stage US operators, then as an operator building 29 facilities and developing Somaí Pharmaceuticals as Europe's leading pharmaceutical cannabis company.
Real Estate Development Projects
Managing Director/Owner
Owner, principal and managing director across a portfolio of residential and commercial real estate development ventures spanning Florida, Louisiana and Nevada. Projects ranged... more from luxury oceanfront condominiums and gated waterfront communities to commercial centres, hotel developments and large-scale land entitlements, executed alongside my brother Ronald Sassano as general contractor.
Entities owned and directed:
· Pegasus Development Enterprises (113-unit condo, Navarre Beach, FL)
· Zephyr Development Enterprises (Beach Pointe Town Homes — 38 town homes and 16 patio homes, Destin, FL)
· Apollo Development Enterprises (Mediterranea — 55-unit luxury condo, Destin, FL)
· Athena Development Enterprises (311 units, Watermark of Destin)
· Sass (220-acre Pine Oak Lakes development, Baton Rouge, LA)
· Olympus Development Enterprises I & II (Rosewood of Seacrest — 120 luxury condos; 82-unit hotel + 12,000 sq ft commercial, Destin, FL)
· Titan Development Enterprises (Estates at Indian Pointe — 13-lot subdivision, 12.2 acres, Destin, FL).
Also served as Director of Affinity Building Systems, LLC — a multi-state certified 120,000 sq ft modular manufacturing facility in Lakeland, GA.
Entities owned and directed:
· Pegasus Development Enterprises (113-unit condo, Navarre Beach, FL)
· Zephyr Development Enterprises (Beach Pointe Town Homes — 38 town homes and 16 patio homes, Destin, FL)
· Apollo Development Enterprises (Mediterranea — 55-unit luxury condo, Destin, FL)
· Athena Development Enterprises (311 units, Watermark of Destin)
· Sass (220-acre Pine Oak Lakes development, Baton Rouge, LA)
· Olympus Development Enterprises I & II (Rosewood of Seacrest — 120 luxury condos; 82-unit hotel + 12,000 sq ft commercial, Destin, FL)
· Titan Development Enterprises (Estates at Indian Pointe — 13-lot subdivision, 12.2 acres, Destin, FL).
Also served as Director of Affinity Building Systems, LLC — a multi-state certified 120,000 sq ft modular manufacturing facility in Lakeland, GA.
Employee
Board Member
Education
Projects
2022 Benzinga Interview with Michael Sassano Somai
CEO · SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals is a large-scale manufacturer of cannabis products, concentrating on the highest quality medical-grade pharmacological applications.Ben...
Karma Koala Podcast Episode 67: This Week Michael Sassano, I
CEO · KARMA KOALA PODCAST EPISODE 67 MONDAY: MARCH 7 2022 … · More target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://open.spotify.com/episode/0XpRCXacRLFEuvV3V5G7fF?si=f8b4cd24db53474e INTERVIEW 1 Inesa Ponomariovaite Founder and CEO of Nesas Hemp Inesa talks about an Oregon study oncannabinoid compounds helping COVID and immune systems, live plants vs. dead plants, CBDa, CBDa treatment and results Inesa chooses as her song, Be A...
Spotlight Interview with Michael Sassano, CEO and Chairman o
CEO · Spotlight Interview with Michael Sassano, CEO and Chairman o
Grant Award
CEO · LISBON, Portugal, Nov. 10, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals Unipessoal LDA has received an innovative products grant of 2.7 million… · More euros by the Portugal 2020 committee. This award validates Somai's vision of and dedication to investing resources and introducing innovative technologies into the Portuguese market.
Work
Work
Michael Sassano – Somai Pharmaceuticals – Conforming to the
CEO · Michael Sassano is well known as one of the original investors in the cannabis industry. He is celebrated prominently in both mainstream business… · More and cannabis media as an international authority on large-scale cannabis cultivation and medical product development. Michael is also widely respected for consistently predicting long term market trends.
Canna World EXPO speaker on the EU cannabis market
Speaker · Michael talks to the CANNA WORLD EXPO and shares his insights about the EU Pharmaceutical Market (April 17, 2021). His experience with… · More U.S.-based grow operat...
Speaker Presenter
Speaker Presenter
Cannabis Cultivation
As the industry matures, prices diminish and quality requirements become more stringent. Indoors' quality becomes more difficult to produce at lower cost… · More in the desert, and outdoor lacks in quality and consistency. Enter greenhouses. At Solaris Farms, we traveled the world to learn and bring back best-of-breed knowledge that we incorporated in our greenhouse design and existing facilities.
Great interview with the CEO of Somai Pharma & Solaris Farms
CEO · Although his exciting career has led him to be involved in the fast-paced worlds of international real estate development, high-level banking,… · More and cutting edge tech-investing, it is the cannabis space where Michael Sassano has always shined the brightest. Michael is well known as one of the original
Interview
Interview
Data and sensors dominating hybrid GreenHouse Cannabis Grows
Contributor · Data accumulation and analysis is a key to the success of the Solaris model. Both inside and outside of the facility there are almost 100… · More different sensors which guide the various processes of cooling, heating, lighting etc. Mike Sassano, Founder and CEO | Solaris Farms Solaris is a high tech hybrid greenhouse designed specifically for desert environments.
Interview
Interview
Terpenes, Terpenes, Terpenes
Quotes · Terpenes - the naturally occurring substances that give sparkly cannabis flowers (and many other plants) their intense smell and flavor… · More profiles (plus boosting psychological effects) - are enjoying a bit of a heightened profile of late.
Interview
Interview
Green Entrepreneur with Michael Sassano on Cannabis tips
Founder and CEO · In order to prepare to be successful today, one must recognize a few important factors involved in this increasingly competitive… · More landscape: history, government ambiguity, taxes, the unlicensed market, management approaches, and now, COVID-19.
Writer
Writer
Green Entrepreneur Article by Michael Sassano
Founder and CEO · 6 min read Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. The turbulent market in 2019 has been a wake up for public… · More cannabis companies. As we approach the end of another quarter, investors with a lot of skin in the game are telling the industry to hit their promised numbers and be profitable.
Writer
Writer
The slow crawl toward federal cannabis legalization
Writer, Microsoft Word · Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. The slow crawl toward federal cannabis legalization has been… · More occurring in the form of scattered decriminalization and medical efforts for decades. The last 5 years, in particular, can provide cannabis entrepreneurs with valuable insight into mistakes made.
writing
writing
Equities Article on Europe Cannabis
CEO and Founder · Lucas J. Wentworth Follow | iStockphoto.com, Cineberg The European cannabis market, in the most general sense, is still in its… · More earliest stages, but it's already shaping up to be the largest. The European Union (EU) - the political and economic union of 28 countries - has a population which far exceeds the USA and Canada combined, and affluent spending power to match.
Article
Article
Inside workings of a Hybrid Greenhouse and Mike's mind
Founder and CEO · One word to describe your cultivation style: Data Indoor, outdoor, greenhouse or a combination: Hybrid greenhouse
Interview
Interview
Yahoo talks about Solaris Farms + Culture and Cannabis Launc
Founder and CEO · As the cannabis market expands, it's hard to keep track of the many products that launch every week. Kiva Confections announced… · More the introduction of CBN into its line, through the launch of Camino Midnight Blueberry ("Sleep") gummies, which offer a unique combination of THC with CBN, relaxing terpenes
Deal maker
Deal maker
Business Article by Michael Sassano
Founder and CEO · If you're watching the marijuana sector trying to anticipate your entry (or for early adopters, your exit), nobody can miss the… · More carnage that the cannabis industry is experiencing. However, most investors can agree this will be a roughly $180 billion industry in the future and the industry is growing.
Vision
Vision
Equities on Turbulent Markets Michael SASSANO
Contributor · Lucas J. Wentworth Follow | Source: Pixabay, RexMedlen Public cannabis companies have already struggled under competition and excess… · More inventory for the past year. It was a commonly held belief a couple of years ago by investors that cannabis companies would go straight up once legalization was a reality, but now these companies are facing some genuine issues.
Quote
Quote
Industry professionals weigh in on how they're adapting.
Interview · Fortune Magazine video featuring Michael Sassano of Solaris Farms, Derek Peterson of Terra Tech, and Boris Jordin of Curaleaf
New… · More Normal: Can the cannabis industry survive the coronavirus crisis?
Industry professionals weigh in on how they're adapting and planning for the future.
Interview
New… · More Normal: Can the cannabis industry survive the coronavirus crisis?
Industry professionals weigh in on how they're adapting and planning for the future.
Interview
About
Achievements
Business of Cannabis Leader of the Year 2025 — London
Member of 69 cannabis industry organisations globally
400+ published articles
100+ podcast appearances and conference keynotes worldwide
Skills
Q&A
What's the most useful business-related book you've ever read?
Liars Pocker
What's your favorite non-business book?
Great Gatsby
If money were not an issue, what would you be doing right now?
Same Thing
What words of advice would you give your younger self?
Don't waste time with mistakes in the past. Learn and move on quickly...
What's the most creative thing you've ever done?
Life
Which founders or startups do you most admire?
Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos
What's your super power?
Lazer Focus
What's the best way for people to get in touch with you?
Rarely
What words of wisdom do you live by?
Honesty
What aspects of your work are you most passionate about?
All
What was the most impactful class you took in school?
Japanese Literature and Cinema
What's something you wish you had done years earlier?
Did it all at right moments
What's an obstacle you've overcome?
Many
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