SHAWN CREDLE

Q. Thanks for interviewing with us, tell everyone who you are and what you do?

A. My name is Shawn Credle and I’m the CEO & President of Pineapple, Inc., a publicly traded cannabis corporation (Ticker Symbol: “PNPL”) which encompasses Pineapple Express (cannabis dispensaries and delivery in California) and Pineapple Wellness (nation-wide delivery of CBD-only health and beauty products).

Q. Who or what motivated you to want to be in the cannabis industry?

A. The founder of Pineapple saw that I am a Marine Corps veteran, college professor, I hold four master’s degrees, and many other attributes. He felt that I had the perfect body of work and accomplishments to be the CEO of Pineapple when the former CEO moved on from the company. Moreover, because I am black and brown (Puerto Rican), he felt that I was even more so a proper selection because black/brown leaders in the publicly traded legal cannabis space did not exist (now I am the youngest minority CEO of a publicly traded cannabis corporation in the country). He reached out and asked me to step in as CEO to rehabilitate the stock, restructure the organization, and to steer Pineapple in the right direction to be a leader in the cannabis industry. At first, I declined because I was involved in many entrepreneurial ventures and I did not want to move to California as I was living in Miami and Puerto Rico (still do), but I then decided that it would be a great opportunity to build a legal publicly traded cannabis corporation to its full potential and do it the “right way”. Moreover, to have a pioneering hand in shaping the industry overall seemed to be a great opportunity that I was more than prepared and qualified to take on.

Q. Let’s talk about “Pineapple Inc” and how it got started.

A. Pineapple started as a cannabis consulting and management company to help anyone (in and outside of California) entering the legal cannabis market do it the proper and legal way. Pineapple helped secure retail properties to lease back to potential cannabis startups that otherwise would not be granted retail space because of the negative stigmas that were and still do exist with cannabis albeit legal. Pineapple also prepared legal paperwork/documents and facilitated the proper contracts, deals, and city/ state filings to be a one-stop-shop for those looking to enter the legal cannabis industry that didn’t know how to do it themselves. Once California became legal for recreational use, Pineapple decided to do for itself that it has done for others in the industry and began to create its own brand of dispensaries. We secured multiple licenses from retail storefront, retail delivery, manufacturing, distribution, and cultivation, making us fully vertical. We were able to trademark Pineapple Express and THC and we took off from there to where we are today.

Q. Where do you see yourself in the next three years?

A. I see myself continuing to build Pineapple to be a mainstream cannabis brand across the country and abroad. On a more personal note, I am also a SAG-AFTRA actor and will be looking to explore more acting opportunities and possibly music. I am also interested in getting into politics in the future.

Q. How do you define your purpose?

A. My purpose is fueled by my inherent drive that has been apparent to everyone since my birth. My mom will tell you that I was potty trained, off of the bottle, and walking by the time I was nine months old. I’ve been told by many in my life that I’ve been here before and I fully understood my purpose when I became a U.S. Marine. I realized that a life of service, leading others, and doing my part to make this world a better place not only made me feel great and fulfilled, but that I am very good at it. Ultimately my goal in life (and I think it should be everyone’s shared goal) is to be dedicated to a life of philanthropy to help people and helping to heal our planet. I’m basically a modern-day hippy to spread peace and love; but without all the weird stuff you heard about back in the day. Ha-ha.

Q. What has been your biggest accomplishment you’ve received in your life?

A. If I had to choose one, I’d have to say becoming a U.S. Marine is my biggest accomplishment because that gave me the foundation and confidence to accomplish all of my other great achievements in my life thus far.

Q. How was your experience being in the U.S. Marine Corps?

A. Hard to describe being a Marine especially since I served pre and post September 11th (1999-2003). I loved it and realized that I was meant to be a Marine if nothing else. The best way I can describe my service is that it was the best and worst times of my life; and I wouldn’t change a bit of it. I feel that those experiences, being a member of arguably the most elite fighting force in the world, overly prepared me to face any obstacles life may throw at you. It is who I define myself as first and foremost every day.

Q. What advice can you give to the next generation of male leaders?

A. Not just for males but for anyone looking to be a leader, know that emotional intelligence and selfactualization is paramount. You need to really know and understand who you are, believe in yourself, and lead by example. The biggest attribute of any leader is to listen more than you talk. Listen to your gut and not what you and/or especially what others think. Lead with your heart in everything you do and with every decision you make because your decision not only affects you and your business, but they affect your employees and/or those that follow you; as well as their family/loved ones.

Q. Are there any events or upcoming projects you are working on?

A. We are opening two new dispensaries in Los Angeles by the end of this year. We are looking to franchise our dispensaries in Puerto Rico, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey by the end of 2023. We are also in talks with opening a cannabis lounge in Barcelona, Spain.

Q. Where can the readers follow you?

A. @shawncredleofficial @ pineappleexpresshollywood @pineapplewellness.usa @ pineappleexpressdelivers