Brett Gelfand, Principal at Cannabiz Credit Association

As part of our “How It Started” interview series, we had the pleasure of chatting with Brett Gelfand, Principal at Cannabiz Credit Association (CCA), a cannabis credit reporting platform committed to helping companies make informed credit decisions and manage accounts receivable effectively.
What was it about cannabis that first piqued your interest, and when did that happen?

After graduating from college, I went on a ski trip with my dad to Colorado in 2014. As this was the first year of recreational legalization in the USA, it was an eye-opening experience walking into legal dispensaries in Aspen for the first time. During this trip, we met up with a family friend who was starting one of the first major vertical integrated operations in Colorado. Touring the operations, learning about the plant, and sampling some products, my interest was definitely piqued. After a short conversation with the owner about my career goals and future, I was offered an opportunity to move to Colorado and help build out the operation alongside the CEO.

How did CCA come to life?

Cannabiz Credit Association (CCA) was born from my experience as the CEO of a cannabis company in Colorado, where I constantly dealt with unpaid invoices. This frustration pushed me to start CannaBIZ Collects in 2017, the nation's first cannabis-focused collection agency. Through that work, I saw how widespread the issue of managing receivables was for cannabis companies. That’s why I launched CCA last year—to finally offer a proactive solution to the industry. By providing real-time AR data and credit reports, CCA fills the gap as the industry’s first dedicated credit bureau, giving businesses the insights they need to extend trade credit more confidently.

What is it about the company that makes it stand out?

CCA stands out since we are the only nationwide platform with real-time accounts receivable data specifically for cannabis-related businesses. We offer unmatched insight into the creditworthiness of cannabis businesses, which no other credit bureau provides. To date, the platform consists of over $1B+ of reported AR data submitted by members, with over $130M+ of collection data reported exclusively from CannaBIZ Collects. Our data-driven approach and deep understanding of the cannabis sector set us apart from traditional financial services.

What does your typical day look like and what do you enjoy most about your work?

My typical day involves a mix of strategic planning, meeting with clients, and working with my team to ensure we continue delivering value to our members. I’m heavily involved in product development and sales strategy. The most enjoyable part of my work is seeing how we’re helping cannabis businesses succeed by giving them access to the credit data and insights they need to grow confidently.

What has been the highlight of your cannabis career to date?

The highlight of my career so far has been witnessing the rapid growth of CCA and recognizing the direct impact helping to tackle the collection epidemic that has infected our industry in the last few years. Being at the forefront of developing credit and collection tools for the industry and making a tangible difference in how cannabis businesses operate has been incredibly rewarding.

Can you give us one cannabis trend that excites you?

The increasing legalization and normalization of cannabis across states and even countries is an exciting trend. This broader acceptance is opening up opportunities for more sophisticated financial services, which is exactly where CCA fits in. As the cannabis sector becomes more mainstream, the need for reliable credit tools and financial infrastructure will only grow.

Is there a product or service you hope someone creates to serve the cannabis community?

One area that I’d love to see develop is a fully integrated cannabis-specific financial ecosystem, where everything from banking to insurance to credit is tailored for the industry. I feel that many operators are forced to use multiple apps and solutions, and I am hopeful one day, multiple tools can live and integrate together in one space.

What is the biggest change you want to see in the sector?

I’d love to see more transparency and financial infrastructure in the cannabis industry, especially as it relates to credit and lending. As more players enter the space, reliable data and credit systems will become critical for ensuring the financial health of businesses.

Any advice you would give to someone looking to enter the cannabis industry?

Be ready for constant change and uncertainty, but also be prepared to innovate. The cannabis industry is evolving quickly, and there’s a lot of opportunity for those who can adapt and offer real value. It’s important to understand the challenges cannabis businesses face and find ways to help them overcome those hurdles. It is crucial to stay in your lane, and try not to drown in opportunity.

What’s next for you? What should we be on the lookout for?

You can expect CCA to continue growing and expanding our services, including new tools, dashboards, and insights to help cannabis businesses manage their cash flow more effectively. Our main focus is on data hygiene and ensuring clarity related to the companies you are searching for. We’re always looking for ways to improve the cannabis credit ecosystem, so be on the lookout for exciting new product developments in the near future.