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Also known as: AWH · Ascend Holdings · Ozone (brand)

Ascend Wellness Holdings

US multi-state operator with retail and wholesale presence across East Coast and Midwest markets.

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↯ The honest take

Ascend Wellness Holdings is a publicly traded US cannabis operator, not a unique cultivar or breeder. Like other MSOs, it owns licenses in multiple states and sells house brands (Ozone, Simply Herb) through retail and wholesale. Because cannabis cannot legally cross state lines, the same brand name in Illinois versus New Jersey means different plants, different labs, and different teams. Awards are marketing signals, not quality proof. Always check state license databases and batch-specific lab tests before assuming a product is what the label claims.

What we could verify

Ascend Wellness Holdings is a publicly traded US cannabis operator that holds state licenses and operates retail dispensaries and wholesale distribution across multiple states [1]. The company trades on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE: AAWH.U) and the OTCQX (AAWH) [1]. It operates in a vertically integrated model common to multi-state operators: growing flower in licensed facilities, manufacturing concentrates and infused products, and selling through Ascend-branded retail locations and third-party licensed retailers. Like all US MSOs, it cannot list on major US exchanges because cannabis remains federally controlled [2].

The company markets products under house brands including Ozone, Simply Herb, and Common Goods. State-by-state operations, store counts, and specific licenses change frequently; current data is available through state cannabis regulator databases and the company's investor filings [1].

What this name does not tell you

"Ascend Wellness Holdings" is a corporate legal entity, not a breeder, seed bank, or strain producer. Products sold under the Ozone brand in different states are cultivated and processed separately under different state licenses, meaning they are not genetically or chemically identical even if they share the same name Strong evidence. The same cultivar name (e.g., 'Gelato') used across states or batches may be different plants entirely, as cultivar names are not trademarked or regulated for genetic consistency in US cannabis markets Strong evidence. Awards listed on packaging or marketing materials often come from non-blinded, pay-to-enter competitions and are not peer-reviewed quality measures Weak / limited. THC/CBD percentages, terpene profiles, and claimed effects depend entirely on the testing lab and batch; lab reports (Certificates of Analysis) can vary substantially between states and harvests.

What to check before trusting a product

If you encounter an Ascend Wellness or Ozone product at a licensed retailer:

  1. Confirm current license status — Use the state cannabis regulator's public license database (New Jersey CRC, Illinois IDFPR, etc.) to verify the retail location or producer license is active and in good standing [4].
  1. Request the Certificate of Analysis (COA) — Ask the dispensary for a batch-specific lab report showing cannabinoid content, terpenes, and contaminant testing. This is the only product-specific data you can independently verify at point of sale.
  1. Check financial and regulatory disclosures — The company's most recent quarterly filing on SEDAR+ or the OTCQX platform will disclose current state operations, licensing changes, and any regulatory issues [1].
  1. Verify cultivar/strain claims independently — The plant sold as 'GMO' or 'Gelato' in one state or batch may be genetically different from the same name elsewhere. Do not assume consistency across batches or states.
  1. Treat awards as marketing signals, not quality proof — Cannabis competitions generally lack blinded judging or peer review. A marketing claim of 'award-winning' does not indicate independent verification of efficacy, safety, or potency.

Similar documented operators

Other US multi-state operators profiled on Weedpedia include TerrAscend, AYR Wellness, Jushi Holdings, Verano Holdings, Acreage Holdings, Cresco Labs, and Sndl Inc.. Each operates under different state licenses, owns different retail banners, and markets house brands; none are genetically comparable across state lines.

How to report missing or corrected information

If you hold verifiable information about Ascend Wellness Holdings—including current licensing data, a breeder record, a company SEC or SEDAR filing, or a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis—please flag an error or send evidence to Weedpedia. Corrections are checked against primary sources before publication. Corporate structure, state footprint, and brand roster change frequently; this profile reflects information available as of October 2026.

Sources

  1. Government OTC Markets Group. Ascend Wellness Holdings Inc. (AAWH) — company profile and SEC/OTC disclosures.
  2. Government US Drug Enforcement Administration. Controlled Substances Act — Schedule I listing of cannabis.
  3. Government Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Adult-use cannabis licensees directory.
  4. Peer-reviewed Small, E., Pocock, T., & Cavers, P. B. (2003). The biology of Canadian weeds: Cannabis sativa L. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 83(2), 257–305.

How this page was made

Generation history

Oct 31, 2026
Fact-check pass — raised 7 flags
Oct 31, 2026
Revision
Jun 8, 2026
Fact-check pass — raised 2 flags
Jun 8, 2026
Initial draft

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