Frequent Layoffs and Constant Direction Changes
Pros
Remote culture, almost no micromanagement.
Cons
Leafwell felt less like a structured company and more like an organization reacting in real time to the priorities and instincts of the CEO. Strategy often seemed inconsistent, with initiatives launching quickly and then disappearing just as abruptly. Leadership tended to frame the resulting chaos and operational instability as “normal startup culture,” but over time it became difficult to separate that from a lack of long-term planning. Layoffs appeared to happen regularly (sometimes multiple times per year), yet the company simultaneously maintained an active hiring presence online. HR also seemed to play a fairly limited role internally, with most of the company centered around either sales or operations. One of the more surprising disconnects was that, despite being a cannabis-friendly company, leadership often felt culturally detached from the actual cannabis community and plant itself. The business ultimately felt more like a traditional profit-driven startup operating in the cannabis space than a mission-driven cannabis company. That said, it can be a valuable place to gain experience and build your resume for 1–2 years, but probably not a place most people view as a long-term landing spot.
