EXCLUSIVE: Persistence Pays Off For Only Cannabis Distributor In Bavaria’s Developing Market
After seven years of navigating an uncertain landscape, Munich-based Drapalin Pharmaceuticals GmbH has emerged as the sole licensed cannabis distributor in Bavaria where 13 million people live.
Co-founded and co-run by Ivan Garev, Drapalin has grown significantly since cannabis was rescheduled as a non-narcotic. The company registered a 20-fold surge in sales over the past year.
We sat down with Garev in an exclusive interview, where he reflected on the evolving cannabis market in Germany as well as the determination and foresight necessary for Drapalin’s success.
Seven Years Of Challenges
Founded seven years ago, Drapalin has never experienced a surge in business as large as the one in recent months.
“When we started this business, it was just Holland and Canada. That’s all there was,” said Garev who noted that Bavaria’s strict rules presented an uphill battle for Drapalin.
“Our train went only one direction. If you can do it in Munich [the capital of Bavaria], you can do it anywhere,” he said. Persistence was key, especially as Drapalin had to prove its trustworthiness …