From Service to Cultivation: How David Loos Found Purpose in Cannabis

After serving as an Army Reservist, David Loos discovered a new sense of purpose in cannabis, a bridge between military and civilian life. His growing journey began commercially in Minnesota’s medical program, but when legalization arrived, he and a few friends took the leap into homegrowing.

Finding Purpose in the Plant

David’s professional path in cannabis began in the production department at Vireo. Over time, he realized he wanted to be even closer to the plant itself. So when a cultivation position opened, he went for it and he’s loved it ever since. At a personal level, David admits that legalization gave him the push to start his own grows. He’s quick to acknowledge the legacy growers who paved the way, saying they deserve recognition for what so many can now do openly.

Commercial cultivation gave David something deeper than just a job, it helped him find his passion, both professionally and personally. It also, as he jokes, “helped me avoid retail.” At home, the joy comes from growing high-quality cannabis himself, no more middlemen, no inflated prices, just a genuine connection to the process and the plant.

Rooted in Community

Beyond the grow room, David is deeply rooted in Minnesota’s cannabis community. He founded the Frontline Bud Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans start homegrows and prepare for careers in the industry. Every Wednesday, you can find him at the Canna Club at Earl Giles, connecting with other cultivators and advocates. While Vireo’s community involvement continues to grow, David takes pride in helping provide patients with legal medicine through his work. He also advises several recreational license applicants and remains eager to share his expertise with more organizations, driven by a genuine desire to serve and strengthen the industry.

Looking Ahead: Building Minnesota’s Cannabis Future

Looking ahead, David hopes to help multiple cultivators launch and sustain successful operations. Down the road, he envisions stepping into M&A work and potentially owning or acquiring his own cultivation or retail businesses, especially once interstate commerce becomes a reality. As for his home grow, he says, “I feel like I’ve got things under control there.”

Advice for New Growers

For anyone thinking about starting their own grows, David’s advice is simple: start small. Begin with just a couple of plants, learn the process, and connect with your local community, someone might even have a clone or two to share. Just be sure they come from a clean, pest-free environment. Once you’ve mastered a few plants, you can start thinking about automating your setup and experimenting with genetics.

Lessons from the Grow Room

The biggest lesson David has learned since he started growing? Cannabis plants are just like humans. “We all need certain things to thrive,” he says. “Good genetics help, but a good cultivator makes the biggest difference, even when the conditions aren’t ideal. When a plant fails, we blame the environment. But when humans fail, we blame them.”

Growing Forward

In all, David is excited to continue growing, both plants and community in Minnesota’s evolving cannabis landscape. He’s happy to help however he can, and he’s here for the long haul.

Looking to connect with David? Find him on LinkedIn

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  From Army Reservist to cultivator, David Loos is helping grow Minnesota’s cannabis community through his work at Vireo Health and the Frontline Bud Foundation.

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  Spotlight on David Loos of Vireo Health and the Frontline Bud Foundation, driving purpose, community, and growth in Minnesota’s cannabis industry.