Upstate Elevator

Founded in 2017 by Dylan Raap, Upstate Elevator emerged from a passionate gardening family with agricultural roots tracing back to 1800s Costa Rican coffee plantations. What started with Raap's first cannabis cultivation attempt at 16 evolved into a lifelong dedication to plant-human connection.The company began as Upstate Elevator Supply Co., focusing exclusively on premium CBD products derived from Vermont's pristine organic hemp. Their breakthrough came with the 2018 launch of their African Ginger & Mexican Lime CBD Sparkling Beverage, among the nation's first CBD beverages after six months of careful formulation.Now family-owned and operated from Burlington, Vermont, Upstate Elevator has expanded nationwide to over 1,000 retailers while maintaining their artisanal approach. Recent innovations include the groundbreaking Ruby Red Ranch Water, combining 10mg THC with adaptogenic mushrooms like lion's mane, cordyceps, and reishi. With 30+ employees and deep community partnerships, they've become a cornerstone of Vermont's hemp industry, proving that small-batch quality can scale while preserving integrity.

Upstate Elevator operates two distinct product lines: Upstate Elevator Supply Co. for CBD-focused wellness products and Elevator Operators for premium THC experiences. Their portfolio spans full-spectrum tinctures, nano-emulsion beverages, rosin gummies, vape cartridges, capsules, topicals, and specialized pet products.All hemp comes from their partnership with Earthkeep Farmcommon, a 600-acre regenerative farm in Charlotte, Vermont, ensuring USDA certified organic, pesticide-free cultivation. Their THC beverages utilize cutting-edge nano-emulsion technology for fast-acting effects, available in 1mg, 3mg, 5mg, and 10mg doses with various CBD ratios.The gummy line features sophisticated options like 5mg Rosin THC varieties (Blackberry Indica, Sour Starfruit Sativa, Strawberry Lemonade), plus specialized blends with CBN for sleep and CBG for balance. Recent innovations include their Happy Days & Dreamy Nights bundles and the viral THC Yuzu Lemonade Spritz. With $10 million in annual revenue and distribution across multiple states, they've successfully scaled while maintaining Vermont's signature craft quality standards.

Upstate Elevator's core mission centers on "revitalizing the connection between plants and humans," recognizing the millennia-old relationship between cannabis and human wellness. They're committed to creating products that offer "a moment of chill and a meaningful boost to your mind and body," understanding that modern consumers seek both recreational enjoyment and functional benefits.Their values emphasize clean craftsmanship using organic ingredients you can pronounce, eliminating preservatives, artificial flavors, and toxic pesticides. They prioritize customer retention over acquisition while striving to educate consumers about cannabis wellness. Sustainability drives their regenerative farming practices, aiming for carbon-negative hemp cultivation that actively improves soil health. By bringing Vermont's core business tenets—artisanal quality, ecological entrepreneurship, and northern pragmatism—to a national audience, they're reshaping cannabis culture around authenticity and environmental responsibility.