Press Release: Tenacious Labs acquires Denver-based CBD brand Press Pause

Official Press Release, London, 6th April 2021: Tenacious Labs; a pioneering, international cannabinoid group championing scientific rigour, effective regulation, and product quality; is delighted to announce its global launch through the acquisition of Denver-based CBD brand Press Pause in a cash-and-shares deal. 

Designed by industry experts and founded by those with a genuine need for cannabinoid products, Tenacious Labs is embarking upon an exciting and ambitious buy-and-build strategy with ambitions to become the leading consumer-centric cannabinoid group in the world. Further acquisitions will be announced in the coming days. These will be supported by the forthcoming launch of two new UK focused brands: Walker & Morland, a CBD brand created to help those who suffer from chronic pain and anxiety; and Hoo Raa, a CBD brand designed to help manage mood.

Tenacious Labs is led by co-founders Nicholas Morland (Chief Executive), a qualified chartered accountant with significant experience in private equity, and Adrian Clarke (Chief Commercial Officer), who has extensive understanding of the international spirits and premium discretionary spend arena. The business is on a mission to bring clarity, understanding and unwavering trust to cannabinoid use and the opportunities it provides. 

The acquisition of Press Pause is a major milestone in the Group’s strategy and provides it with an established direct-to-consumer brand in the US. Co-founded in 2018 by Dawn Fable, Press Pause creates premium CBD products for women’s wellbeing, including CBD balms, bath bombs, tinctures and full-spectrum CBD capsules.  

With products available to consumers across the US via its e-commerce website, Press Pause champions clean, natural ingredients and effective formulations, and is certified by Cruelty Free International and the US Hemp Authority. In line with Tenacious Labs’ values, Press Pause is committed to transparency and consumer safety, going above and beyond its regulatory requirements to display all active ingredients and third-party tests on its website for consumers. 

Continuing to work out of Denver, Dawn Fable has joined Tenacious Labs as ‘Head of Pause Lifestyle Brands’ to drive international growth. In her role, she will be responsible for the continued development of Press Pause, creating new products in line with the brand’s mission to help promote the importance of self-care.

Nicholas Morland, CEO and co-founder of Tenacious Labs, commented: “I am delighted to welcome Press Pause to the Tenacious Labs group and look forward to working with Dawn and her team. Our first acquisition, this is a major milestone in our strategy of building and developing a global portfolio of consumer cannabinoid brands. It brings an established US brand to the UK as the market enters its next phase of growth and consolidation. 

Tenacious Labs is incredibly ambitious and we are working hard to identify and integrate exciting and emerging brands within the sector. We have a pipeline of acquisition opportunities ahead of us, and expect to announce further developments in the near future.”

Adrian Clarke, Chief Commercial Officer and co-founder of Tenacious Labs, commented: “This is a really important step in our strategy to become one of the world’s leading cannabinoid businesses operating an unrivalled portfolio of international brands. 

As consumer attitudes to cannabinoids change, we see enormous potential for value creation within the industry. We are calling on UK regulators to unite the industry’s stakeholders and build a transparent framework that not only protects consumers, but also allows the industry to flourish for years to come.” 

Dawn Fable, Head of Pause Lifestyle Brands at Tenacious Labs, commented: “We’ve been really encouraged by the levels of consumer interest and feedback that we’ve received to date for our female-focused products. I’m now looking forward to working with Tenacious Labs to take the Press Pause brand to the next level as part of its international growth strategy. 

We have seen significant growth in the US CBD market over recent years and were attracted by Tenacious Labs’ ambitions on both sides of the Atlantic. With Tenacious Labs’ funding, industry understanding and clear growth strategy, it was clear there was no better partner to help us realise Press Pause’s full potential.”