Daniel Simmonds

Cannabis Operator * Product Formulator * Policy & Safety Specialist

Operator and product innovator with hands-on experience across formulation, sourcing, product development, and regulated market strategy. Combines real-world R&D, cannabinoid science, and industry-standard manufacturing practices with a deep understanding of consumer culture and market behavior.

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About

Founder of Georgetown Hemp and long-time operator in both hemp-derived and regulated cannabis markets. Built Georgetown Hemp into a multi-million dollar retail and wholesale brand with a focus on education, transparent sourcing, and scientifically grounded formulation.

Experienced working with labs, extraction facilities, cultivators, processors, and pharmaceutical cannabis manufacturers. Known for bridging the science, business, and cultural sides of cannabis - from formulation and bioavailability to branding and consumer experience.

Experience

Daniel Simmonds with Iron Chef Jose Garces in kitchen demonstration

Daniel Simmonds in Georgetown Hemp polo next to researcher at conference

Founder & CEO - Georgetown Hemp

*Built the company to $1.5M+ revenue by year two through education-driven retail and wholesale.
*Formulated and branded the full GTH Farms product line, including topicals and ingestibles.
*Conducted onsite sourcing and qualification of farms, labs, and processors.
*Developed new delivery mechanisms and optimized bioavailability with chemists and engineers.
*Brokered and sourced bulk CBD and botanical ingredients for national manufacturers.
*Collaborated with celebrity chefs, including Iron Chef Jose Garces on joint venture products.

CMO & Lead Formulator - Functional Health Group

*Led product formulation for pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoid lines.
*Collaborated with a pharmaceutical cannabis lab and WV medical cannabis grow.
*Managed genetics sourcing, including work with Maryland-licensed ForwardGrow.
*Developed commercialization, product positioning, and go-to-market strategies.

Science, Formulation & R&D

*Cannabinoid and terpene formulation
*Solventless and alternative extraction approaches
*Delivery mechanism design and bioavailability optimization
*cGMP-oriented scale-up processes
*Collaboration with global cannabinoid and psychedelic research labs
*Small-batch R&D through large-scale manufacturing workflows

Policy & Advocacy

*Court-recognized expert in cannabis chemistry, pharmacology, and identification.
*Testified before the Maryland General Assembly on cannabinoid safety.
*Participated in a legislative summer study on Delta-8 THC with state regulators.
*Founder & President of the Maryland Healthy Alternatives Association (501c6).
*Experienced in how regulated, gray, and illicit markets interact across MD, DC, and VA.

International Projects

*Supported an international RFP response to the Government of Grenada focused on the rollout of its national medical cannabis program, including product standards, compliance systems, and regulated commercial framework.
*Collaborated with Sensi Seeds Amsterdam as a core contributor to the legal and regulatory strategy enabling heritage cannabis genetics to be positioned for first-of-kind export into North America.

Awards & Media

Awards

National Cannabis Championship - Best Hemp Flower award belt

Winner - Best Hemp Flower, National Cannabis Championship.

National Cannabis Championship - Best Hemp Topical award belt

Winner - Best Hemp Topical, National Cannabis Championship.

Media

Cover Feature - Maryland Leaf (Insider Issue)

Collaboration with Iron Chef Jose Garces

Featured in Documentary - Weed Wars: Maryland's Monopoly & The Fight for Free Markets

Podcast Interview - Spotify

YouTube Video

Certifications & Training

Training across cannabis safety, regulations, budtending, cannabinoid science, medical cannabis therapeutics, and business operations in CO, WA, OR, and MD.