Brandon Cavanagh is helping St. Louis rethink what a cannabis brand can be. A former venue owner, bottle shop operator and California cultivator, he joined Swade as a contractor in April 2023 and became full-time director of marketing that July. Now he oversees a team of six, managing marketing for Swade’s 11 Missouri stores, three cultivation sites, two manufacturing facilities and the Sinse product line, which reaches roughly 100 dispensaries statewide.
Brandon’s approach blends his hospitality roots with a vision for cannabis as a cultural touchpoint. “Coming from a food and beverage background, I believe in community-based marketing initiatives and tying into the neighborhoods you’re in,” he said. That philosophy drives projects like Swade’s Best Buds series, which pairs local chefs and restaurants with cannabis-infused meals, creating approachable experiences for both regular consumers and newcomers.
His creative and human-centered approach hasn’t gone unnoticed. Joey Pintozzi, chief revenue and strategy officer at BeLeaf Medical, Swade’s parent company, calls Brandon “one of the best creatives I’ve ever been around” praising his tenacity, forward thinking and ability to tie branding to real human connection. “He’s an amazing events guy, curating immersive experiences, and just a really good human,” Pintozzi added.
Brandon credits his eclectic background – from managing music venues and restaurants in St. Louis to observing cannabis cultivation in Northern California – for giving him a unique lens on hospitality and brand building. Even though he rarely consumes cannabis himself, he’s passionate about normalizing its use and fostering a culture that is inclusive, approachable and rooted in community.
As Swade expands across Missouri, Brandon Cavanagh is a clear “one to watch” – shaping the intersection of cannabis, food and culture in ways that hint at what’s next for the city’s ever-evolving culinary landscape.
This article appears in February 2026.