Ascend: Better Living Through Cannabis

At Altalune Dispensary, we are always searching for brands that align with our values of diversity, well-being, and community. When we think about the journey from earth to the moon, we think about elevation in every sense of the word. That is exactly why we are proud to carry products from Ascend Wellness Holdings, a vertically integrated multistate cannabis operator whose mission of bettering lives through cannabis resonates deeply with everything we do. Their story is one of intentional growth, quality cultivation, and a commitment to making cannabis accessible and inclusive for everyone.

Walking into our space, you are greeted by warm lighting, refurbished wood, and comforting fireplaces that ground your experience. Say hi to Luna, our friendly host, as you enter and explore our bud bar. Every customer is thoughtfully guided in discovering and celebrating the transformative power of the cannabis plant. When you browse our shelves and encounter Ascend products, you are encountering the result of a company that has invested heavily in cultivation science, community engagement, and product integrity across multiple states.

The Ascend Story and Philosophy

Ascend Wellness Holdings, commonly known as AWH, operates with licenses and assets across Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. They own and operate dozens of dispensaries alongside seven state-of-the-art cultivation facilities where they grow award-winning strains and produce a carefully curated selection of products for both retail and wholesale customers. Annually, AWH moves approximately 143,000 wholesale pounds of cannabis, a staggering figure that speaks to their scale and the trust that dispensaries across the country place in their products.

What makes Ascend stand apart is their philosophy around accessibility and quality working hand in hand. AWH produces and distributes several in-house branded product lines, including Simply Herb, Ozone, Common Goods, Effin, and Royale. Each brand occupies a different space in the cannabis landscape, offering something for newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts alike. Beyond their own brands, AWH also produces and distributes products on behalf of well-known brand partners such as Miss Grass, Lowell Smokes, Flower by Edie Parker, and 1906. This versatility means they touch a wide spectrum of consumer preferences, ensuring that when you visit us and explore their offerings, there is likely something perfectly suited for wherever you are on your journey.

Cultivation Excellence and Commitment to Quality

Ascend operates cultivation facilities that range from 2,000 square feet of canopy in Monroe, Ohio to a sprawling 108,000 square feet of indoor and greenhouse canopy in Barry, Illinois. Their Massachusetts operations span facilities in Amesbury and Athol with 67,000 square feet of indoor canopy and a dedicated lab. Additional grows in Smithfield, Pennsylvania and Lansing, Michigan add further capacity. Each facility includes laboratories and kitchens where precise extraction, formulation, and quality control happen daily. This infrastructure allows AWH to maintain consistency across their product lines, which is something we value immensely when selecting what lands on our shelves.

A cornerstone of their strategy involves operating primarily in limited-license states, either adult-use or approaching adult-use status. Rather than winning their retail licenses through lotteries, AWH acquired them, giving them the ability to choose premier locations across the Northeast and Midwest. This deliberate approach mirrors our own intentionality at Altalune Dispensary, where every product and experience is selected with care and purpose.

Social Equity and Community Impact

Ascend has demonstrated a meaningful commitment to environmental, social, and governance principles. They recently partnered with NuProject to launch the ROOTS program, which stands for Readying Opportunities for Operational and Trade Sustainability. This initiative prepares cannabis businesses for corporate supply chains, directly supporting entrepreneurs who might otherwise face barriers to entry in the industry. At Altalune Dispensary, we are more than a dispensary. We are committed to our community and actively engage in events that uplift both the people and the city. We promote cannabis safety and education to support your well-being, all within a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. Brands like Ascend that share this ethos make our partnership feel natural and grounded.

AWH champions diversity and creates an inclusive and respectful environment, advocating for both customers and team members. They acknowledge the historical harm caused by decades of unjust cannabis laws, particularly in minority communities, and are making strides to address those wrongs. This alignment with social justice is something our staff feels strongly about as we connect with every person who walks through our doors, helping foster introspection and personal growth.

Explore Ascend at Altalune

Our staff is here to connect with you and help you discover brands that elevate your experience. Here are some of the key qualities that define Ascend and why we carry their products:

Vertically integrated operations spanning cultivation, processing, and distribution across six states
Award-winning strains developed in state-of-the-art facilities with dedicated labs and kitchens
Multiple in-house brands including Ozone, Simply Herb, Common Goods, Effin, and Royale to suit different preferences
Social equity initiatives like the ROOTS program that support underrepresented entrepreneurs in cannabis
Consistent quality standards maintained through rigorous testing and controlled cultivation environments

Stop by and lift off at Altalune Dispensary, where your ticket to the moon never ends and your journey is just beginning. Let us guide you through the Ascend collection and help you find the perfect product to get down to earth and lift off high over the moon. Every visit is a chance to explore something new, and with Ascend in our lineup, the possibilities for your cannabis journey continue to expand.