About
Higher Consciousness Group
Higher Consciousness Group (HCG) is a veteran-owned and operated cannabis consulting company focused on Massachusetts based licensed retailers. Our scope of service is focused on Retail Performance Management (RPM) and ensuring your business can effectively and efficiently achieve Return on Investment (ROI) objectives. This is especially important in a dynamic market where your business aims to gain or maintain a competitive advantage; all while ensuring long-term organizational viability. HCG leverages unique methodologies that have been tried and trued by providing their clients with tools and solutions that enable mission success.
Our team is led by our Founder and Chief Advisor, Phil LaFountaine, a 12-year Army Veteran, whom served in both Law Enforcement and Special Operations capacities. During Phil's time in service he conducted five operational deployments in support of counterterrorism and national security objectives. Upon his transition from service to civilian life, Phil began to notice symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety, Depression, and Chronic Pain. A similar plot that many of our nation's veterans experience today. Some reports suggest, on average 20-40 veterans take their own lives each day, due to mental health struggles and PTSD.
Initially, Phil sought western medicine focused solutions. However, he was met with limited pharmaceutical success and decided to look into the healing properties and medicinal benefits of cannabis as an alternative. Phil highlights his journey with cannabis use in the DifferentLeaf Podcast, hosted by Brit Smith, episode "Pot for PTSD".
Not only did Phil have a personal and healing relationship with the plant, he also had a professional side. Phil's passion for cannabis and his thirst for knowledge has enabled him to learn and be successful while serving in multiple positions throughout the industry. Phil's career started "boots on the ground" as a Budtender for a local western Massachusetts vertically integrated cannabis company. After becoming the multi-licensed operator's Inventory Manager he transitioned to working for a large-scale Multi State Operator (MSO) to expand his knowledgebase and better understand cultivation and product manufacturing operations. When the opportunity arose to try something new, Phil joined the team over at 6 Brick's Recreational Dispensary in Springfield, MA, as the Retail Manager to help launch a local entrepreneur's stand-alone cannabis retail store. Phil served as Head of Retail and Security for 6 Brick's as the organization became recipient of New England Cannabis Convention- Boston (NECANN) Best Recreational Dispensary Award 2023 after only operating for eight months.
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Phil now utilizes his special operations background and cannabis industry experience to provide clients with high-end, data driven, retail focused, performance solutions.
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