Not Pot was founded in 2017 by Kati Holland. Kati, just 23 years old when she launched Not Pot, was in her first year of college when she had a severe lymphatic reaction to a birth control pill. Kati had to drop out of college due to her health condition, and she spent the next year in and out of hospitals. It was during this time that Katie was first introduced to natural medicines including adaptogens and CBD. She was able to experience firsthand the positive effects of CBD — a huge support during her healing journey — on her own health and stress. Despite the lack of awareness around CBD at the time, Katie decided that she wanted to start a company in the space.

The first product that Kati launched under the Not Pot brand was CBD-infused chocolate, but Kati quickly discovered that they melted too frequently during shipment. As she researched alternative vehicles for CBD, Kati noticed that all of the tinctures and gummies on the market were full of artificial colors and corn syrup, and she couldn’t find a brand that truly resonated with as a consumer. Kati decided to pivot from chocolates to gummies, a more approachable form factor, and relaunched the brand. She tapped Ph.D. scientists and cannabis researchers for formulation support and reached out to Leslie David, the designer behind Glossier’s branding, to recreate Not Pot’s brand identity. Kati also wanted to institute a greater mission for the company, so she turned to an issue that she was personally passionate about: cash bail. Kati wanted to shed light on criminal injustice and advocate for a more humane incarceration system. She partnered with The Bail Project and the Minnesota Freedom Fund, nonprofits that pay bail for those who are accused of a crime (but not convicted or found guilty) and unable to afford bail. Today, Not Pot continues on its mission to destigmatize cannabis while abolishing discriminatory jailing.