My foot sinks into the damp soil on a rainy August day in Montana. I gaze out at the vast expanse of cannabis plants stretching before me, their jagged leaves glistening in the sunlight peeking through the clouds. This is no ordinary farm in southwest Montana. This is a cannabis farm, and the outdoor yield I am walking through is just a small portion of what is grown by the dedicated bud tenders at 710 Montana. In addition to this field, cannabis is also cultivated in greenhouses on the property, and even more is grown at their indoor warehouse a few miles away. 710 Montana has become one of the state’s largest wholesale distributors, supplying cannabis to over 90 stores. They are a powerhouse company, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the cannabis industry. And at the helm of it all is the unstoppable force of Stephanie Martino.
As I step into 710’s downtown Bozeman dispensary, a space that was once a popular dive bar and pool hall called The Scoop, I am greeted by Stephanie herself. She is wearing oversized square glasses and a colorful jumpsuit, exuding confidence, spunk, and warmth. She gives me a tour of the dispensary, pointing out the remnants of the old bar that she has kept as a nod to the history of the space. The original pool table, the mosaic “scoop” sign on the back wall, and a poster made of stickers from the bar top all remain, a testament to Stephanie’s appreciation for the spirit of the place. It becomes clear that she cares deeply about her work environment, her family, and her beloved cannabis plants. She also cares deeply about her employees and customers, and this is what sets 710 Montana apart. Laughter, family, dedication, and passion all come together to form the strong foundation of this business that continues to thrive.
But it all started as a side project. Stephanie’s neighbor, who would later become her partner in life, had a contracting business that was struggling after the 2008 financial crisis. They decided to take a chance on cannabis and set up a small grow operation in a section of their warehouse. While preparing to become a court reporter, Stephanie found herself spending more and more time at the grow house. “I couldn’t even keep a cactus alive back then. I didn’t have any house plants,” she laughs. “But there was something different about these plants; I loved them and cared for them in a way I had never experienced before.” Just three months into the venture, Stephanie took over as owner, budtender, and distributor. She would personally deliver pounds of cannabis to her clients, educating them on the different strains and providing them with what they needed. Her interactions with these people only fueled her passion for the therapeutic qualities of cannabis.
Stephanie’s journey with 710 Montana has been a natural evolution. What started as a small side project has grown into a thriving business, driven by her passion and dedication. She continues to push the boundaries and challenge the norms in the cannabis industry, all while maintaining a strong sense of family and community within her company. As she says, “Laughter, family, dedication, and passion are the healthy bones of this business, and we are only getting stronger.”