JARS Cannabis, which was founded in 2020 in East Detroit, has evolved into a large network of dispensaries, with locations in Michigan, Arizona and Colorado. Now, JARS has acquired Sonoran Roots, an award-winning craft cannabis brand that was founded in Tempe, that would eventually open its own dispensary chain, Ponderosa.
JARS and Ponderosa were amongst seven dispensaries ranked on Leafly’s Top 20 U.S Dispensaries in 2025. Similarly, JARS and Ponderosa were included in 10 of the 20 Arizona dispensaries that were featured on Leafly’s 2025 rankings.
This is not scale for scale’s sake,” said Ronnie Kassab, CEO of JARS Cannabis, in a recent press release. “JARS and Sonoran Roots have each built their businesses by focusing on great people, great products and the customer experience. What makes this combination so exciting is that we are bringing together complementary strengths. JARS has built a powerful retail platform, while Sonoran Roots has built an exceptional brand, product portfolio and vertically integrated operation. Together, we have an opportunity to build something much greater than either company could build alone, and at a much more aggressive pace.”
While all eight Ponderosa locations will eventually transition into JARS locations, the iconic legacy of Sonoran Roots, including Canamo Concentrates, will remain in place. If you’re an Arizonan, it’s hard to not resonate with Sonoran Roots. Branding often features sugar skulls and agave plants, with a focus on uplifting community.
“Equally important as our passion for the plant is our people — undoubtedly our greatest asset. Finally, we will never sacrifice quality or integrity for profit,“ their website reads. The acquisition of Sonoran Roots will allow JARS to honor Sonoran Roots’ original branding, and goals as a company, while offering an expansion into a larger audience.
“Sonoran Roots was homegrown in Arizona, and founded on an uncompromising focus on our people, our products and the communities we serve,” said Michael O’Brien, CEO of Sonoran Roots in a press release. “JARS understands the value of what our team has built, and sees the same opportunity we do to take it even further, giving us confidence that this transaction is right for Sonoran Roots. We are preserving our brands and relationships, expanding on what we do best, and pairing it with a retail organization that has the scale and ambition to take us to the next level. I’m excited to continue that work as part of JARS, which is now the preeminent vertically integrated cannabis company in Arizona.”
Following the acquisition, JARS will become Arizona’s largest cannabis retail network.
