Cannabis Real Estate Consultants

What Cannabis Real Estate Consultants does

Cannabis Real Estate Consultants (CREC) is a privately held, San Diego-based (with Orange, California headquarters) real estate brokerage and consulting firm focused exclusively on the U.S. legal cannabis industry. Operating since 2009, CREC serves cannabis operators across cultivation, retail, distribution, manufacturing, testing, and delivery verticals nationwide, including enterprise customers such as Cookies, MedMen, Cresco Labs, Columbia Care, and Haven Cannabis. The firm runs a 1-10-person team and reports coverage across 30+ U.S. states, executed primarily through a distributed associate network rather than a large direct salesforce.

CREC operates three integrated divisions: CREC Brokerage (buy/sell-side brokerage for cannabis properties and licenses), CREC Technology (the CREC Portal mapping tool, proprietary Cannabis Listing Service (CLS) with automated matching algorithms built on six key data points, and Custom Cannabis Maps by municipality), and CREC Compliance (added via the 2019 acquisition of the ManifestSeven/MJIC compliance division, providing license applications, compliance audits, and business planning). The CREC Certified trademark marks properties verified for correct zoning and clearance of sensitive uses, and the CREC Network plus free CREC Directory aggregate vetted cannabis professionals (attorneys, accountants, architects, insurers, software vendors) and associate brokers who receive qualified leads.

The business model combines transaction-fee brokerage commissions (cannabis properties range $500K-$50M with 12-17% cap rates), subscription revenue from the CREC Network Associate Program, a freemium Directory (free for service providers), and professional services consulting. Go-to-market is sales-led direct brokerage supported by a nationwide channel-partner program. A single small funding round of $50,000 was disclosed in August 2021, indicating operations have been substantially funded internally.

Name

Cannabis Real Estate Consultants

Legal name

Cannabis Real Estate Consultants, Inc.

Website

https://cannabisrealestateconsultants.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cannabis Real Estate Consultants (CREC) is a privately held, San Diego-based cannabis real estate brokerage and consulting firm serving U.S. cannabis operators, property owners, and investors across 30+ states. It runs three divisions — Brokerage, Technology (proprietary CLS matching platform and regulatory maps), and Compliance — with a distributed nationwide associate network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Real Estate Brokerage

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial Real Estate Asset Management (BPAJAMAB)

Keywords

• Cannabis real estate brokerage
• Commercial property listings
• Cannabis licensing consulting
• Buyer seller matching
• Regulatory compliance services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Real Estate Brokerage Commissions: Traditional buy and sell side brokerage services for cannabis real estate transactions. The company earns commissions on property sales and leases for commercial cannabis properties including cultivation, retail, distribution, manufacturing, and testing facilities.
2. CREC Network Subscription: CREC Network membership with associate program providing access to matching tools, qualified leads, and technology platform. Directory membership is free, but associate program subscribers get full access to Cannabis Listing Service and matching tools.
3. CREC Directory Listing Fees: Free directory membership for cannabis professionals with profile and visibility. Revenue generated through directory visibility and network exposure for service providers.
4. Consulting Services: Cannabis consulting services including licensing support, compliance consulting, business planning, license application assistance, and compliance audits through CREC Compliance division.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CREC is a cannabis-focused real estate brokerage and consulting firm that buys, sells, and leases commercial cannabis properties (cultivation, retail, distribution, manufacturing, testing, delivery), matches buyers with sellers using its proprietary Cannabis Listing Service (CLS), and provides regulatory compliance and licensing support through its CREC Compliance division. The firm operates a CREC Certified property verification process, a CREC Portal with cannabis regulation mapping, and the CREC Network/Directory connecting operators, investors, and vetted cannabis service professionals across 35+ U.S. states.

Product overview

Cannabis Real Estate Consultants (CREC) operates as a unified platform offering three integrated divisions: CREC Brokerage (traditional buy/sell side brokerage), CREC Technology (mapping and identification tools), and CREC Compliance (regulatory support services). The core offering includes a proprietary CREC Certified property listing service, the Cannabis Listing Service (CLS) with matching algorithms, the CREC Portal for location identification, Custom Cannabis Maps for regulatory research, and the CREC Network/Directory connecting industry professionals. Supporting services include license application support, compliance audits, and business planning for cannabis operators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CREC Network: A professional network connecting cannabis industry professionals, operators, and investors with directory membership and associate program.
• CREC Certified
• CREC Portal
• Cannabis Listing Service (CLS)

Products and services

• CREC Brokerage Traditional buy- and sell-side commercial real estate brokerage services connecting buyers and sellers of cannabis properties, licenses, and business opportunities, covering cultivation, retail, distribution, manufacturing, testing, delivery, and lounge property types.
• CREC Technology (CREC Portal, Cannabis Listing Service, Custom Cannabis Maps) Subscription-based technology platform providing accelerated identification of cannabis real estate and business opportunities, including the CREC Portal with mapping, the proprietary Cannabis Listing Service (CLS) matching engine, and Custom Cannabis Regulation Maps for municipalities.
• CREC Compliance Regulatory products and services for cannabis operators including license application support, compliance audits, due diligence, business planning, and acquisition/financing structure assistance delivered through dedicated compliance consultants.
• CREC Network (Directory + Associate Program) Professional network for cannabis industry operators, investors, and vetted service providers (accountants, architects, attorneys, banking, insurance, software), offering a free Directory membership and a paid Associate Program with full CLS access and qualified-lead distribution.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30+ years combined cannabis industry experience
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ManifestSeven, Inc. / MJICcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 September 2019CREC acquired the compliance division of ManifestSeven, Inc., a leading distribution and retail operator in California. This acquisition enabled CREC to expand into three integrated divisions: CREC Brokerage, CREC Technology, and CREC Compliance, providing a fully integrated suite of brokerage, technology, and compliance services to the legal cannabis industry.
• WeCanncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCannabis licensing consultants providing support for license applications and compliance services. CREC works with WeCann to help clients navigate the cannabis licensing process.
• Nine Point StrategiesminorOthersCannabis insurance provider and strategic risk management partner. Offers insurance, HR, OSHA safety, benefits and technology solutions for cannabis operators. Partnered on cannabis security webinar.
• Sapphire Risk Advisor GroupminorOthersCannabis security consulting partner. Tony Gallo, Managing Partner, is considered a leading authority on cannabis security with over 9 years focused on cannabis and having worked with over 500 cannabis clients in 35 states.
• The Lake Forest GroupminorOthersSecurity consulting partner. Michael Verden, Founder/CEO, brings experience from United States Secret Service protecting the President and large-scale events to cannabis security solutions.
• Corbco Ventures, LLCminorOthersCannabis CRE Development & Investment firm listed in CREC Directory as a vetted partner.
• Temeka GroupminorOthersCannabis Architects and CRE Development & Investment firm listed in CREC Directory as a vetted partner.
• CannaDiligenceminorOthersCannabis attorneys firm listed in CREC Directory providing legal services.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Canna Property Group: A cannabis-specialized commercial real estate brokerage similarly focused on listing 420-friendly properties, matching buyers/sellers, and advising on cannabis property transactions across multiple U.S. states — directly overlapping CREC's core brokerage and listing services.
• CannaMLS: A cannabis-specific multiple listing service aggregating cannabis properties, licenses, and businesses for sale — directly competing with CREC's Cannabis Listing Service (CLS) and CREC Portal on tech-enabled buyer/seller matching.
• GreenStone Partners: A cannabis-focused commercial real estate brokerage offering brokerage, advisory, and site selection services to cannabis operators — closely comparable to CREC's brokerage division and CREC Certified property curation.
• Cannell, Hughes & Company: A real estate firm specializing in cannabis commercial properties including cultivation, retail, and industrial sites, with services spanning brokerage, site selection, and acquisitions across California — directly comparable to CREC's brokerage focus and California-centric historical core.

Broad incumbents

• Marcus & Millichap (Cannabis Real Estate Group): A national commercial real estate investment brokerage with a dedicated cannabis real estate team serving cultivation, retail, and ancillary cannabis property buyers/sellers — broader CRE firm with cannabis specialization, competing for similar institutional cannabis deals.
• CBRE (Cannabis & Controlled Substances Group): The largest global commercial real estate services firm with a dedicated Cannabis & Controlled Substances advisory practice — a broad incumbent offering brokerage, valuation, and advisory services that increasingly overlap with CREC's enterprise client engagements.

Emerging players

• PotNetwork Holdings / MJ Holdings: Cannabis-focused advisory and investment entities supporting cannabis operators with M&A and capital solutions; relevant partial overlap with CREC's compliance, due diligence, and business planning services.
• Cannabis Capital Group: A cannabis-focused advisory and M&A firm providing business brokerage, licensing support, and transaction advisory — overlapping with CREC's brokerage and license-application assistance offerings.

Others

• Dutchie: A cannabis POS and supply chain technology platform; CREC's partner and ecosystem participant rather than competitor, but indicative of the cannabis-vertical software ecosystem where CREC's tech platform competes for operator mind-share.
• LeafLink: A B2B cannabis wholesale marketplace and technology platform connecting brands and retailers; not a real estate peer but a prominent cannabis-vertical tech platform overlapping in operator tooling and ecosystem influence that brokers must understand and integrate with.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cannabis Real Estate Consultants