Colorado Company Plans Pot-Infused Skin Care Line
Early national coverage: Neelay Patil interviews James Kennedy about the emerging body-care line.
Background / A founder-built brand / 2009–2021
Apothecanna
Established in 2009, Apothecanna brought a considered approach to body care, pairing botanical formulations with thoughtful design. The brand became an influential presence in both regulated and consumer markets, helping introduce plant-based care to a broader audience. Its early work in licensing and supply-chain development extended that influence beyond the products themselves, contributing to the commercial foundations of an emerging industry.
James Kennedy and Joie Meffert founded Apothecanna together, bringing a considered approach to botanical body care.
The mission was to create a cannabis brand that belonged on the bathroom counter next to Kiehl's and Aesop — not locked behind dispensary glass. That meant clinical credibility, apothecary-grade botanicals, and visual design that treated the consumer as a sophisticated adult who understood plants.
Campaign Posters — Alex Wallbaum & Aleia Murkowski
The products and their visual identity grew together. Kennedy developed the Extra Strength, Calming, Everyday, Intimacy and Stimulating formulas in-house, and art directed the packaging across body cremes, sprays, oils and rollerballs.
Cannabis flower extract sat alongside botanicals including arnica, peppermint, juniper, chamomile and lavender. Scent, texture and application were part of the same body-care experience: something to reach for after a workout or at the end of the day. The clean packaging and botanical language gave that everyday ritual a recognizable form.
Rollerball Format — Calming & Extra Strength
Digital Presence — Web & Mobile
The brand extended beyond the bottle through campaign posters, film and editorial work. The poster series by Alex Wallbaum and Aleia Murkowski brings color, objects and movement into the product world. The “It Works.” spot brought another set of collaborators into the story: director Rhys Stover, BRYGHT YOUNG THINGS and performer Patty Guggenheim.
TV Spot — "It Works."
Director: Rhys Stover · BRYGHT YOUNG THINGS
Featuring: Patty Guggenheim
Patty has since gone on to star in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Twisted Metal, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and more.
Collaborations & Cultural Reach
Artist Collaboration
Kevin Lyons
Partnered with Kevin Lyons — the iconic designer behind some of streetwear and skate culture's most recognizable graphic universes — on a 420 campaign. Budder Creative adapted his artwork across web, social, and animated assets.
Artist Collaboration
Jeremy Dean
Collaborated with Jeremy Dean — illustrator and visual designer known for his work with Dead & Company, the Rolling Stones, and John Mayer — bringing hand-drawn, countercultural energy to the Apothecanna visual world.
Agency Collaboration
Green Street
Worked with Darren Romanelli and Rama Mayo — whose creative lineage runs from StreetVirus through Green Street Agency — bringing streetwear, culture, and lifestyle brand thinking into cannabis.
Retail & Product Collaboration
Partnered with CAP Beauty — co-founded by Kerrilynn Pamer and Cindy DiPrima, one of clean beauty's most trusted editorial voices — to co-create The Daily Hit, a functional wellness blend designed to anchor a daily ritual and introduced cannabis to a new consumer entirely.
Retail Partnership
One Gun Ranch
Established a Malibu presence working with Alice and Ann Bamford at One Gun Ranch — a Demeter-certified biodynamic farm in the Santa Monica Mountains — and their curated coastal shop, Ranch at the Pier on the Malibu Pier.
International Expansion
48North Canada
In 2019, signed an exclusive licensing agreement with 48North, bringing Apothecanna to Canadian consumers through the Ontario Cannabis Store in 2020.
“It Works.” also appeared in a MedMen in-house magazine advertorial. This advertorial format sits alongside a different kind of recognition: the independent design, beauty and business coverage collected below.
Advertorial — MedMen In-House Magazine · "It Works."
The brand earned early recognition from Cool Hunting (2014) and was later covered by Vogue, and featured by Ricardo Baca on The Cannabist.
Joseph Pavlick and Mike Klein later joined as co-founders. In 2019, Apothecanna expanded into Canada via an exclusive licensing partnership with 48North, bringing the brand to Ontario’s regulated market. In May 2021, the brand was the subject of a $15M acquisition agreement with HempFusion — as reported by Forbes.
In the Press
From an early design-world profile to national business coverage, these articles trace Apothecanna’s place in the development of cannabis body care.
Cannabis-Based Skincare by Apothecanna
Founder and design profile: David Graver connects Kennedy’s Aveda background with Apothecanna’s packaging and botanical approach.
High Fashion: How the Legal Weed Industry Is Becoming More Stylish
Industry design feature: Kristin Tice Studeman’s report includes a strategist’s praise for Apothecanna’s branding.
How the Legalization of Marijuana Affects Your Skin
Product mention: April Long’s feature includes Calming Body Oil as a CAP Beauty bestseller. Published online in January and in the February 2017 print issue.
How Topical Marijuana Can Save Your Skin (And Hair And Body)
Product recommendation: Brennan Kilbane includes Apothecanna’s Everyday Face and Body Oil in this historical grooming feature.
Cannabis Topical Trailblazer Apothecanna Inks $15 Million Acquisition Deal
Business profile: Katie Shapiro traces the brand’s twelve-year journey, national retail reach and announced agreement with HempFusion.
James’s role across the brand
- Co-Founder & Brand Architect — Built the brand from its beginnings through its growth
- Product Formulation (In-House) — Developed all formulas: Extra Strength, Calming, Everyday, Intimacy, and Stimulating lines from scratch
- Brand Identity System — Naming, visual language, tone of voice, and retail positioning
- Packaging Design — Art directed the full system across body cremes, sprays, oils, and rollerballs
- Campaign Direction — TV spot, campaign poster series, artist collaborations, and editorial assets
- Digital Presence — Website design and e-commerce architecture
- Retail & Wholesale — Led national dispensary distribution beyond Colorado; international via 48North Canada
- Press & Editorial — Built the cultural credibility that put a cannabis brand in Vogue and on the front page of Forbes
Across the Brand
01Brand Identity System
02Product Formulation — All Lines
03Packaging Design System
04Brand Voice & Copywriting
05TV Commercial — "It Works."
06Campaign Poster Series
07Digital Presence & E-Commerce
08Retail & Wholesale Distribution
09International Licensing (Canada)
10Editorial & Advertorial Content
11Artist & Cultural Collaborations
12Press & Editorial Strategy
Credits
Founder & Brand
James Kennedy / JKI
Co-Founder
Joie Meffert
Co-Founder
Mike Klein
Co-Founder
Joseph Pavlick
Art Direction & Photography
TV Spot Director
Production Company
Featuring
Campaign Posters
Campaign Posters
Artist Collaboration
Kevin Lyons
Artist Collaboration