Seth Rogen is known for being an actor, a writer, a producer and also a lover of cannabis. So much so that, with friends and investors including Evan Goldberg and Mikey Mohr, he started a company in 2019 called Houseplant, which not only distributes cannabis products through retailers in California, but also sells custom- made cannabis home goods accessories, from ashtrays to table lighters, with some of the items designed by Rogen himself.
Eighteen states have legalized cannabis for adult use but it is still considered an illegal substance under federal law and in half the country. So what’s it’s like starting and growing a business where its primary product is still largely banned? Both Rogen and Mohr – who serves as CEO of the company – shared their thoughts with me recently. Some of their responses have been edited.