About Blackleaf
Built from the retail side.
Blackleaf is a dispensary SMS and MMS platform built from firsthand multi-location retail operations. It gives cannabis retailers control over campaigns, automations, order alerts, conversations, and API-triggered messaging, with visibility into what happens after a message is sent.
Origin
A messaging platform built from a five-store problem.
Blackleaf began in 2017 as an internal texting tool for five ShowGrow dispensaries. The stores shared a brand, but each had a different ownership structure. Every location needed to manage its own billing, promotions, audiences, and send schedule.
The platform in use at the time offered too little visibility into whether messages were reaching customers. A small internal tool solved the immediate problem, then developed around the operational needs of the stores using it. In 2019, that system became an independent company: Blackleaf.
Principles
Retail requirements became product principles.
The original constraints were not edge cases. They became a practical framework for building messaging software for regulated retailers.
Location-level control
Each store can manage its own customers, campaigns, timing, and permissions.
Clear accountability
Billing, usage, delivery activity, and results should be visible at the level where decisions are made.
Delivery visibility
Sending is only the first step. Teams need to see delivery outcomes, failures, replies, and opt-outs.
Operational independence
Retailers should be able to use their customer data and messaging workflows without being trapped by a POS.
Blackleaf today
Dispensary messaging infrastructure, shaped by operators.
Today, Blackleaf supports independent dispensaries and multi-location retailers with SMS and MMS campaigns, automated messaging, two-way customer conversations, order notifications, integrations, and a regulated messaging API.
The company remains focused on the same operating questions that led to the first version: Can each location work independently? Can teams see what happened? Can the system adapt as carrier rules, regulations, and customer behavior change?
A texting tool is built for five ShowGrow locations with separate ownership and billing.
The internal system is spun out and Blackleaf becomes an independent company.
Retail experience continues to guide product, compliance, support, and deliverability decisions.
Common questions
About Blackleaf, in brief.
What is Blackleaf?
Blackleaf is an SMS and MMS messaging platform for dispensaries and other regulated retailers. It supports campaigns, automations, conversations, notifications, integrations, and API-triggered messages.
Why was Blackleaf created?
Blackleaf was created to give five independently operated ShowGrow locations store-level control over billing and messaging, along with better visibility into delivery outcomes.
When was Blackleaf founded?
The underlying internal tool was built in 2017. Blackleaf was established as an independent company in 2019.
Who founded Blackleaf?
Blackleaf was founded by Bradley Gude, who is also known professionally as James Gude. He is a software developer and dispensary operator with experience in telecom and advertising technology.
Does Blackleaf require a specific point-of-sale system?
No. Blackleaf is designed to operate independently and can also connect with supported retail systems through integrations and APIs.