Featured Brand: LEVEL
At a Glance
Category: Tablets, Vape Cartridges
Type: Solventless, Vegan, Sugar Free, Gluten Free, Calorie Free, Unique Cannabinoid Formulations
Region: Santa Rosa, California
Heritage: Husband/Wife Team
People: Chris Emerson, PhD (Founder, CEO, Chief Scientist), Brie Emerson (Co-Owner and COO)
Ethos: Science-driven, Therapeutical Approach, Family-oriented, Veteran & Social Advocacy
Overview
LEVEL is a favorite among cannabis consumers who are looking for specific cannabinoid ratios and formulas in an easy to consume medium. Their products are all science-driven, offering tailored effects to the consumer.
The Heritage
Level was founded by husband and wife team Chris Emerson, PhD and Brie Emerson. Coming from a science background, Chris received his doctorate in small molecule chemistry. This would normally send a career into one of two directions; either developing new drugs for big pharma or training new chemists. Emerson opted for a third direction; “unlocking the true potential of cannabis to deliver brand new highs with targeted effects”. Chris realized that everywhere he looked, Delta-9 THC levels were rising, often at the expense of secondary cannabinoids that were just as beneficial to the consumer, if not more. He knew that in order to explore the full possibilities that lay within the cannabis plant, he needed to tap into the lesser known, yet equally important cannabinoids.
In early 2012, Chris made the decision to leave his post-doc fellowship at Stanford to truly dedicate his time to cannabis. He saw the great need in the industry for standardized products and new ways of thinking about cannabinoids and their impact on the consumer. After a failed attempt to enter the market via sublingual sprays in 2013, Chris continued to develop his thesis around effects-based cannabis and targeted effects from cannabinoid formulations not available in the plant alone. In 2015, Chris linked up with two co-founders who helped seed the company, and the rest is history.
Joining Chris on this mission was his wife Brie, who is the COO and Co-Owner of Level. Brie’s experience as a top-ranked national sales representative, along with her business acumen and deep understanding of people on a personal level, has allowed her to become an integral part of Level’s success. Her skills as a savvy negotiator, thoughtful communicator and experienced team builder, along with her tenacity and business knowledge are the perfect compliment to Chris’ vision and leadership. Together, they are transforming the industry and have created the number one cannabis pill/capsule brand in California.
The Ethos
The ethos behind LEVEL is simple; they use their science-based, proprietary cannabinoid formulations to deliver an authentic, clean, functional high that maximizes the targeted effects and therapeutic benefits. These ratios and formulas can not be found in the plant alone, leaving LEVEL as the only place a consumer can come into contact with these specific formulations. The folks at LEVEL understand that many cannabis consumers have had negative experiences using cannabis. That’s why they go to extreme lengths to ensure that all of their products deliver the same effect every time they are consumed. LEVEL has set the industry standard for consistency, purity and predictable desired effects.
In addition to providing quality cannabis products with the consumer’s needs in mind, LEVEL has gone above and beyond in giving back to the community. They have done this through engaging in volunteer work, making contributions and providing charitable support. As a veteran of the US armed forces, having served in the Navy as a Chinese Interpreter, Chris knows that the military community has a long history of supporting one another. Because of this, LEVEL is proud to do its part in supporting veterans with therapeutic cannabis products. Some of the organizations to which LEVEL contributes are Mercy Compassion, Santa Cruz Veterans’ Alliance, Veterans Cannabis Coalition, Operation E*V*A*C, Weed for Warriors Project and Veterans Cannabis Group of California, just to name a few. The leadership team at LEVEL also realizes that currently more than 40,000 people in the United States are in jail for cannabis, even in places where it is no longer a crime. To help with this social justice cause, LEVEL also contributes to the Last Prisoner Project, whose mission is freeing the tens of thousands of individuals still unjustly imprisoned and creating front-end systemic reform to our criminal legal system. Between their care for the consumer and their dedication to social justice causes, LEVEL is an exemplary cannabis company that genuinely does things the right way.
The Products
LEVEL’s product line is incredibly extensive and incorporates most major cannabinoids in various ratios and combinations, giving the consumer numerous options in finding the product that produces the optimal effect. They offer products across their several lines which provide a range of dosages and cannabinoids, providing various effects and supplying products for consumers with all different tolerance levels.
For their first line of products, LEVEL introduced their line of sublinguals, which they call Tablinguals. These are available in three different formulations. First is the “Stimulate” formula, which includes 4mg of THCv and 1mg of CBG per sublingual tablet and is meant to provide an energizing and focused effect. Next is the “Calm” formula, which includes 5mg of CBG per sublingual tablet and is meant to provide a non-psychoactive effect that will ease mental and physical stress. Finally, their “Sleep” formula includes 5mg of CBN per sublingual tablet and is meant to provide a non-psychoactive effect that can aid the consumer in getting a good night’s sleep.
After releasing the Tablinguals, LEVEL realized there was a huge gap in the market for high dose products as the regulations had just put the 100 mg cap for edibles. They released the Protab (falls under concentrate as there is no sugar, flavor and it is not meant to be chewed) to satisfy the high dose consumer and provide a much needed solution for the market and customers needing more than a 100 mg cookie or gummy. These are small tablets which come in a variety of cannabinoid ratios. LEVEL prides their Protabs on being discreet and consistent. The Protabs are available in nine different formulations: Sativa, Hybrid, Indica, CBD:THC 1:1, CBD, CBDa, THCa, CBG, and “Hangover” (a formulation of THCa, CBD, CBG, Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC). The tablets are all scored down the center, making dosing easy. A benefit of the THC Protabs is that they are extra strength (25mg of THC per Protab), making them an easily consumable, cost-effective option for the high dose consumer. For those consumers in need of something even stronger, LEVEL introduced their ‘Protab 100’ option, offered only in sativa and indica varieties, but containing 100mg of THC per tablet.
With more complex cannabinoid formulations offered for more specific use cases, LEVEL introduced their Protab+ line. This line includes three different formulations, all with specific effects. First is the Protab+ “Boost”, which includes THC, THCv and CBG, meant to provide the consumer with focus, energy and possible appetite suppression from the THCv. Next is the Protab+ “Lights Out”, which includes THC, CBN and CBG, formulated to provide maximum relaxation. Finally, they offer the Protab+ “Recover”, which includes THCa, CBDa, CBG and CBC, formulated to provide relief and help ease pain. These are cannabinoid formulations that do not occur naturally in any cannabis plant and are also not seen in many produced cannabis products as well.
Other products that LEVEL has released include their Hashtab and Hashtab 100, which are Protabs that are produced using cold water hash and come in both Sativa and Indica versions, as well as their Rosintabs, which are Protabs that are produced using live rosin and also come in Sativa and Indica versions. Venturing out of the tablet space, LEVEL’s newest line is a live rosin-based vape cartridge that comes in the same “Boost” and “Lights Out” formulas as their Protab+ line.
It is clear through their variety of formulas, dosages and use cases that LEVEL truly keeps every kind of cannabis consumer in mind when producing their products. From their 5mg Tablinguals to their 100mg Hashtabs, their “Boost” formula to their “Lights Out” formula, and their highly psychoactive products to non-psychoactive products, LEVEL has the entire tablet market covered.
Visit the LEVEL website to learn more!