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Charlie Bachtell
Founder and CEO
Charlie Bachtell is the co-founder and CEO of Cresco Labs, LLC, a leading cannabis company he established in 2015.13 With a background in law and regulatory compliance, Bachtell has become a prominent figure in the cannabis industry.
Career Background
Before founding Cresco Labs, Bachtell worked for a decade at Guaranteed Rate, where he served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel.1 This experience in the highly regulated mortgage industry prepared him for the challenges of the emerging cannabis sector.
Cresco Labs
Under Bachtell's leadership, Cresco Labs has grown into a major player in the cannabis industry:
- The company went public and raised nearly $400 million in debt and equity.5
- It has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing businesses in Chicago by Crain's.1
- Cresco Labs operates in multiple states and focuses on entering highly regulated markets.2
Industry Involvement
Bachtell is actively involved in shaping the cannabis industry:
- He serves as Chairman of the National Cannabis Roundtable.1
- He is a founding member of cannabis industry trade associations in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.1
- Bachtell was appointed to the Cannabis Legalization Subcommittee of Illinois Governor-elect JB Pritzker's transition team in 2018.2
Education and Teaching
- Bachtell holds a B.S. from the University of Arizona and a J.D. from DePaul University's College of Law.13
- He is an adjunct professor at Northwestern University's Pritzker School of Law, teaching a course on legal and regulatory issues in the cannabis industry.14
Recognition
Bachtell has been named one of the "Top 100 Cannabis Leaders of 2018" by Entrepreneur magazine and received the Captains of the Industry Award from the American Trade Association for Cannabis Hemp.12




