Cannabis CEO Chronicles: David Spradlin’s Story (Part 1)
In this episode of The Goldenhour Podcast, David Spradlin, CEO of Goldenhour Collective, shares part 1 of his origin story through the early days of California's medical cannabis movement.
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When the 2007 economic crash left his construction business struggling, Spradlin never imagined cannabis would become his life's work.
"I never really fancied myself a cannabis guy," he explained. "I was raised at a time where that wasn't really like something well-adjusted adults did for a living."
But a chance reunion with an old friend and mounting financial pressures led him to try growing cannabis on his property. What started as a necessity soon became a calling after a transformative moment in an Oakland dispensary. Watching a cancer patient navigate a sketchy underground dispensary to access medicine changed everything for Spradlin.
"This lady doesn't belong here," he recalled thinking. "She's going to this extent to get her medicine... there's got to be a way better way. It has to be a better way."
That realization drove him to create a dispensary where he'd feel comfortable sending his family members.
With just $17,000 to his name, Spradlin opened his first dispensary in Sacramento County, focusing on education and patient care: "We had this classroom space where we'd do grow classes and cooking with cannabis classes, and we had this library where you could buy books... it was like a one-stop shop for weed."
The journey wasn't easy. From local law enforcement surveillance to federal raids, Spradlin faced constant pressure. When the federal government threatened landlords in 2011, many dispensaries closed overnight. But rather than retreat, Spradlin and his team adapted, rebranding their operation and becoming the first major retailer in California to unionize their workforce.
"Everything I could do to protect my workers and my staff, but also to paint a picture of, okay, from a PR standpoint, if we raid this group, it's going to be a bad, bad look," he said.
This strategic thinking paid off, helping them survive while others were forced to close. Perhaps most compelling is Spradlin's reflection on the transformative power of working in medical cannabis.
"Anybody that's attended for any period of time will tell you that you can't not be changed by that experience," he shared. "Even now that it's gotten really commercial and normalized, even now, the majority of people that we see are coming in for some what I consider medical use."
From implementing raid protocols to pioneering cannabis testing with the first analytical labs in the United States, Spradlin's story offers a unique window into how California's cannabis industry evolved from a grey market movement to a professional industry. At a time when corporate consolidation threatens to erase this heritage, stories like Spradlin's help us understand what's at stake.
Listen to the full episode and learn more about how Goldenhour Collective continues this legacy of patient-focused, community-oriented cannabis retail while supporting family-owned and legacy farms in Northern California.
DISCLAIMER: The Goldenhour podcast provides information about cannabis and related topics for general informational and entertainment purposes only. The content is intended for adults 21+ and should not be considered medical, legal, or professional advice, as cannabis remains federally illegal in the United States and laws vary by jurisdiction. The views expressed by hosts and guests are their own, and any discussions about health effects, business opportunities, or consumption should not be taken as recommendations. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that you are solely responsible for complying with applicable laws in your jurisdiction and that any actions taken based on the information presented are entirely at your own risk.
