KALAMAZOO, MI — The Woods, a cannabis cultivator and processor in Kalamazoo, has rebranded and is changing its name.
The business announced its new name, Ahki, in a news release. Ahki, or Aki, comes from the Ojibwe language and means “earth, land and territory.”
Company leaders wanted to rebrand with a name that “better represented the heart and soul of the company,” the release said.
The facility in Kalamazoo “has grown tremendously in the past few months,” the release said. “Sales are increasing, products are consistently high quality and have made it to shelves in over 40 new retail locations in the last five months.”
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“Our company has roots in Michigan and believes in developing the local cannabis industry,” said co-founder Trent Friske, who is part of the Ojibwe tribe by heritage.
“We view this area as a place with strong creativity, work ethic, and resourceful people,” Friske said. “We want to build our legacy here.”
Friske and co-founder Raphael Thurin grew up together in Saginaw. Prior to opening their own business, the pair were medical marijuana caregivers.
In August 2020, The Woods opened a 16,000-square-foot marijuana grow facility in Kalamazoo.
Related: See inside a cannabis cultivation and processing center in Kalamazoo
The facility is currently supporting up to 3,500 plants with plans to expand, adding an additional 15,000 square feet of grow space, the release said.
“Lots of positive change and growth ahead for us,” Friske said. “I couldn’t be happier about it.”
Ahki is soon releasing three new brands: Frondescence, dā faktō and Dimes, the release said.
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