Dark Horse Cannabis operates as a leading manufacturer and processor across Arkansas, Missouri, and Mississippi, specializing in value-added cannabis products including edibles, concentrates, vape cartridges, and topicals. Their state-of-the-art facility uses advanced butane and ethanol extraction methods, with processing capacity that has grown from 27 pounds per day to 27 pounds every half hour following a $1.5 million expansion.The company offers an extensive product portfolio including gummies, chocolates, pre-rolls, vape cartridges, concentrates, and innovative smokeless pouches through their partnership with Cannadips. Dark Horse products appear on shelves in 36 of Arkansas's 38 dispensaries, working with four of the state's eight cultivators. Their business model focuses on creating products for national brands while also manufacturing under their own Dark Horse label, positioning them as both a white-label manufacturer and branded product company. The company has expanded their retail presence through their Speakeasy Dispensary brand, recently acquiring Greenlight Dispensary in Arkansas and operating locations in West Helena and Brinkley.
Dark Horse Cannabis began as a friendship turned business venture between lifelong best friends Casey Flippo and Sean Clarkson, who started planning their cannabis business in Arkansas before the state had even legalized medical marijuana. The duo initially launched Natvana, a hemp processing company in 2018 in the small town of Roe, near Stuttgart, which became the foundation for what would evolve into Dark Horse Medicinals.Officially launched in 2021, Dark Horse quickly established itself as Arkansas's first operational cannabis processor when the state Medical Marijuana Commission approved their license. Within just three years, the company has experienced explosive growth, generating up to $500,000 in monthly gross revenue and expanding from a small hemp operation to a major regional player. The company expanded into Missouri's recreational market by 2022 and entered Mississippi, while establishing their corporate headquarters in Rogers, Arkansas in 2024. Since 2021, Dark Horse has achieved an impressive 400% revenue growth, largely driven by their strategic expansion into Missouri's recreational cannabis market.
Dark Horse Cannabis is dedicated to creating a nurturing community where each individual feels welcomed and accepted in their unique journey with cannabis, with a progressive and inclusive approach that invites exploration toward holistic well-being. Under CEO Casey Flippo's leadership, the company is deeply committed to community impact, specifically aiming to combat the opioid crisis by providing medical-grade cannabis as a safer, more effective alternative.The company champions values of empathy, acceptance, education, and commitment to holistic health, creating a space where everyone is welcomed regardless of their cannabis experience level. Dark Horse's mission extends to legitimizing the cannabis industry, advocating for results-driven regulation that prioritizes consumer safety while reducing administrative burdens that advantage illicit markets. As Arkansas's first cannabis processor, they remain focused on bringing innovative, quality cannabis products to the markets they serve through scientific excellence and passionate dedication.
Dark Horse Cannabis represents everything we appreciate in a cannabis company at Calm Effect. Their strategy of filling gaps not addressed by other industry players shows genuine innovation rather than just following trends. What impresses us most is their scientific approach - employing classically trained chemists, material engineers, and professional chefs who bring real expertise to cannabis manufacturing.The authentic partnership between founders Casey Flippo and Sean Clarkson, built on two decades of friendship, creates a company culture focused on collaboration rather than competition. Their late entry into Arkansas's market, followed by creative problem-solving to find their niche, demonstrates the scrappy determination our deal-seeking customers can relate to. For consumers looking for quality and value, Dark Horse's focus on value-added products means you're getting sophisticated manufacturing processes typically reserved for much larger brands, but at competitive pricing that makes premium cannabis accessible.