Why CRAFT Exists

Our Role in the Cannabis Industry

CRAFT exists to establish cannabis compliance standards that protect lawful businesses, consumers, and the integrity of the industry. We provide independent education, training, and operational frameworks that help hemp and cannabis operators navigate regulation responsibly and demonstrate long-term credibility to regulators, financial institutions, and professional partners.

About

The cannabis industry is evolving faster than regulatory systems can adapt. CRAFT was created to close that gap — not through marketing or advocacy alone, but through clear standards, professional training, and practical compliance tools that operators can actually implement.

Our work focuses on alignment: aligning businesses with the law, aligning operations with best practices, and aligning the industry around shared expectations of professionalism and accountability.

Education, Alignment, and Accountability

Develops cannabis and hemp compliance standards
Provides professional training and certification
Supports retailers, brands, and professionals
Encourages industry-led accountability
Serves as a neutral platform for alignment and education

CRAFT is not a retailer, manufacturer, or lobbying firm. We are a standards and education platform built to support lawful participation in a regulated industry.

Our Story

CRAFT was born out of a need for clarity, credibility, and community in the Texas hemp industry.

Founded by Rhiannon Yard, a seasoned cannabis compliance expert and retail operator, CRAFT brings together decades of hands-on experience, policy insight, and a shared vision for a more responsible, sustainable hemp marketplace in Texas and beyond.

After navigating California’s tightly regulated cannabis system and launching Hemp Gaia, a licensed hemp retail and manufacturing business in Waco, Rhiannon saw firsthand the challenges facing Texas entrepreneurs. Confusing statutes, inconsistent enforcement, and a lack of accessible compliance education were putting well-intentioned businesses at risk.

So she got to work.

CRAFT was built to close that gap , not with shortcuts or hype, but with structure, standards, and education designed for real-world operations.

As the platform grew, so did the team.

CRAFT is strengthened by the leadership and instructional voice of Chasity Wedgeworth, Lead Instructor and Content Creator, whose work focuses on translating complex regulatory frameworks into practical, accessible training for operators, employees, and stakeholders. Together, the CRAFT team brings policy fluency, operational experience, and educational clarity to an industry that has long needed all three in the same room.

This is not a solo effort, it’s a purpose-built alliance of professionals who believe the hemp industry deserves better tools, clearer standards, and a unified voice.

At CRAFT, we believe compliance doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right education, practical systems, and a strong community, hemp businesses can thrive legally, ethically, and sustainably, and help shape the future of the industry as it grows.

CRAFT is proof that when smart people build together, with integrity and intention, an industry can grow up the right way.

Leadership Team

CRAFT is led by industry professionals who believe education, transparency, and accountability are the foundation of a successful cannabis and hemp marketplace. Through a combination of real-world operational experience, regulatory expertise, and workforce training, our leadership team is focused on helping businesses navigate compliance with confidence while elevating standards across the industry.

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Rhiannon Yard

Founder & Executive Director

Rhiannon Yard is a cannabis compliance strategist, retail operator, and systems builder with deep experience in highly regulated markets. After working within California’s mature cannabis framework and launching a licensed hemp retail and manufacturing business in Texas, she founded CRAFT to address the gaps she saw between regulation, education, and real-world operations.

Rhiannon leads CRAFT’s standards development, platform strategy, and industry alignment initiatives, with a focus on building practical compliance tools that protect lawful businesses while supporting sustainable industry growth.

Chasity Wedgeworth

Lead Instructor on CRAFT

Chasity Wedgeworth is an industry educator and advocate focused on translating complex cannabis regulations into clear, accessible training for business owners and employees. Her background combines lived industry experience with a strong commitment to ethical operations, workforce education, and accountability.

As Lead Instructor and Content Creator, Chasity plays a central role in shaping CRAFT’s educational programs, ensuring they are practical, understandable, and grounded in real-world application.

Meet the CRAFT Advisory Team

At CRAFT, we believe compliance should be practical, understandable, and built around real-world experience. Our advisory team brings together leaders in cannabis, hemp, education, operations, policy, and regulatory strategy to help businesses navigate a rapidly evolving industry with confidence.

We are committed to raising standards, supporting workforce development, and creating a more transparent and accountable cannabis and hemp marketplace. Every member of our team shares a common philosophy: educate first, lead with integrity, and build systems that protect both businesses and consumers.

Legal Counsel

Zach Crow

Zach Crow is an attorney at Bush & Ramirez, PLLC. Licensed to practice law in Texas and Colorado, he has advised cannabis businesses on regulatory compliance, corporate transactions, and complex commercial disputes since 2021.

Accounting & Finance Professional

Claire Rudy

Claire Rudy is an experienced accounting professional specializing in financial management, budgeting, cash flow oversight, reconciliations, and regulatory compliance. With experience supporting cannabis and hemp businesses, she helps organizations build strong financial foundations, improve operational efficiency, and support sustainable growth through sound financial practices.

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