About our company
Cannaporium got its start in 2016. As a third-generation potato farmer, founder Andy Minor was no stranger to the idea of cultivating crops and running a company. He decided to try something new by applying his agricultural background to a new variety of crop – cannabis!
The more Andy learned about cannabis, the more interested he got in the science and research surrounding the plant. As soon as he saw how much people were helped by CBD and cannabis products, he knew he had to figure out a better way for non-cannabis people to get these life-changing products into their hands.
At the time, there were very few shops around that provided an open and inviting shopping experience. There were plenty of shady-looking vape and smoke shops, or health and wellness stores that didn't have high-quality CBD or accurate information. However, there weren’t a lot of stores that made cannabis accessible and simple for the average consumer.
With that in mind, Andy decided to put his mark on the industry with a new kind of CBD and cannabis venture: Cannaporium. At Cannaporium, we’ve worked hard to create a welcoming and inviting online store with a wide variety of brands and products. This way, everybody can find what they’re looking for when it comes to CBD and cannabis products!
As a growing business, there are many more great things in the works at Cannaporium. Stay tuned to hear more about our latest projects!
CBD and Cannabis Products for Everyone
Cannaporium carries a huge selection of brands and products. You can pick a tincture from one brand, a topical from a different brand, try some tasty CBD gummies, and select a new variety of artisan, small-batch-roasted CBD coffee – all with one secure checkout. You can find familiar, reputable brands and products and discover new ways to use CBD. You may just find a new favorite! Whatever you need, if it’s related to cannabis, we’ve got it.
Growing and Cultivation Equipment
Cannaporium is proud to be cannabis-centric in every category. While there are plenty of stores that sell cannabis cultivation equipment, none of them are outwardly supportive of the CBD and cannabis industry. Most of them skirt around the issue without discussing the topic of cannabis in their advertising or product descriptions. But at Cannaporium, we want to have an open discussion about all things cannabis!
At Cannaporium, we’re always here to help you with any questions you may have. Get in touch today! We love hearing from our customers!
A little bit about Cannaporium's Founder - Andy Minor
Pre-Cannaporium
Before I switched gears to cannabis, I was a third-generation potato farmer. Our family farm began in 1943, after my grandfather moved to California to escape the dust bowl and started the company with grit, hard work, and an $800 loan. By rotating around the different microclimates in Southern California, we were able to sell potatoes all year round to restaurants and grocery stores throughout North America.
Between working on the family farm, I got a BS in Environmental Management and returned for my MS in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). I went on to become a LEED Accredited Professional and started Geovironment Consulting, an environmental and GIS consulting agency, in 2011. As you can see, I am passionate about both agriculture and environmental/green practices. That’s what led me to where I am today – firmly rooted in the cannabis industry!
Getting Started in the Cannabis Business
I started getting into the cannabis industry in 2016 as an alternative business venture. Potato farming in California was getting to be difficult due to the competition from Idaho, so it seemed logical to start looking for a new niche.
As I researched CBD and cannabis, I started rethinking my views on health and wellness. Most modern treatments are based on plants and animals discovered in nature, but many times, these beneficial chemicals distilled into a pill with other ingredients that are later found to have harmful side effects. The amazing thing about cannabis and CBD is that it provides a variety of beneficial effects with very few side effects.
With all that in mind, I launched Cannaporium – a welcoming, inviting CBD marketplace that offers a huge variety of reputable brands and high-quality products. Customers can browse a wide selection of CBD tinctures, topicals, edibles, beverages, and more. We even offer cultivation equipment for those who are growing their own cannabis crop. The goal is for Cannaporium to carry everything CBD/cannabis-related. And, there’s always someone to answer questions and provide support.
My Personal Experiences with Cannabis & Natural Health
My own personal cannabis experience began just after I got into the industry. I was stressed out with work and drinking far more than I should admit. During this time, I lost about 25 pounds from stress and didn't sleep for more than 4-5 hours each night. I didn't feel good, I didn't eat well, and I was edgy all the time.
I knew something had to change with my health and lifestyle, so I decided to give cannabis a try. Once I started to replace vodka with cannabis, I started to sleep 6-8 hours each night. I was able to unwind better, I was able to think through problems better, I could engage with my kids more, and I started feeling better!
Now, after almost 4 years, I almost never have to take over-the-counter pain meds. I still enjoy the occasional cocktail now and then, and just smoke a small amount of high-quality cannabis daily. I don't get migraines anymore and my stress is greatly reduced. My wife has experienced similar benefits right alongside me.
The more I’ve dug into cannabis science, the more I’ve seen the need to blend modern medicine with natural alternatives. In my own family, we’ve been moving toward a more holistic, natural approach to health – starting with organic, nutritious food and healthy habits.
I love explaining to people how about the endocannabinoid system and how it works. Across the board, most peoples’ reaction is "I had no idea about that!" There’s something very rewarding about discovering, learning, and educating others about the uniqueness of the cannabis plant.
Going Green with a Suburban Homestead
As a part of our healthy, eco-conscious lifestyle, my family grows a huge veggie garden. My kids eat everything (octopus sushi, oysters, even the edible flowers in our yard!)
When we moved to our current home, our goal was to have as many edible crops as possible in our own yard. We have 17 citrus trees, 2 avocado trees, 2 pomegranate trees, 7 fruit trees, and 12 raised beds that produce a big chunk of our veggies. We also have 8 sweet chickens that supply us with all the eggs we need and even a bit of entertainment.
Our house has a solar setup that accounts for about 80% of our electricity, even while running the A/C frequently to stay comfortable in the SoCal summer. We’ve tried to put together a more natural lifestyle in a suburban area – kind of a suburban homestead. The idea is to go as "green" as possible without sacrificing any modern conveniences.
Future Plans for Cannabis Cultivation
My future plans for my cannabis cultivation will be to rely heavily on sunlight for grows, utilizing solar power/batteries and LED lighting for supplemental light for year-round operations.
I plan to build partially-buried greenhouses that utilize the earth's stable temperature to cut down on HVAC cooling. That way, I can cut energy demand by about 70% to grow cannabis indoors. California included requirements in Prop 64 to have cannabis growers reduce energy usage starting in 2023, so I’m working to create solutions that will be sustainable for the future.
I also run a test cannabis grow at home so I can test and review new products, and have plenty of bud on hand. My kids even help tend to the plants (we tell them it’s hemp!)
Personal Life
One of my motivations is to break the stigma around growing and smoking weed. I want to be living proof that you can be a good husband, father, and business owner and still be a "stoner".
I have a beautiful wife named Sarah, a son named Danny, and a daughter named Alice. When I'm not working, I enjoy hiking, camping, gardening, Jeeping, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, and watching cartoons with my kids.