Over the years, we’ve watched a number of self-made entrepreneurs come into their own via social media. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook have made it easy to instantaneously share posts with users from across the globe and self-promote in a way that’s accessible to any and everyone with internet access and a smartphone. One such creator is the owner of Cannabiscapes, Greg Welch.

Who Is Greg Welch, and what exactly Is “weed art”?
Greg Welch is a man who successfully grew a unique art-themed instagram account into a business. He’s becoming increasingly well-known among cannabis enthusiasts and the music industry thanks to his cannabis art. What sets his work apart from the rest is that his pieces aren’t merely cannabis-themed, but created using cannabis itself. They’re literally made of ground cannabis, cannabis flowers, and various cannabis-related products.

Cannnabiscapes items are great for any cannabis aficionado, since they’re a way of showcasing interest in cannabis & the lifestyle with zero risk of offending more conventionally-minded family members. Welch currently has hundreds of pieces available; his art can be found anywhere in art galleries, on t-shirts and other wearable merchandise — even on music album covers.

We All Start Somewhere
Surprisingly, Welch didn’t have any personal experience with cannabis to speak of until his 20s. He first started consuming cannabis after he moved to South Florida. The weed-smoking friends he made there were all responsible people that he described as “successful hustlers.” It was after this that he truly began to recognize the quality of possible connections cannabis could open up for him.

While some might think cannabis would be an expensive art form to experiment in, Welch used it as an opportunity to form a network. He found that people in the cannabis industry tend to look fondly on pioneers within the space, and he put that fact to work for him. To this day, Welch attributes his success to trades and collaboration.

When Welch saw new items or strains that caught his eye at shows or conventions, he’d propose a trade. He’d then create weed art using his bartered goods to post on Instagram. This gave companies exposure to relevant audiences, while Welch got something new to add to his portfolio at minimal cost. To boost audience numbers, he would create pieces that were relevant for the time or related to people he was a fan of. This included cheekily spun text in support of legalization, portraits of cannabis champion Snoop Dogg, and even Yoda images.

How Welch Expanded Beyond Being “Instagram Famous”
As he got better connected in the cannabis industry, Welch became more able to appreciate how hard many have been fighting for cannabis legalization. Welch found it humbling to see the risks and sacrifices those who have pioneered various aspects of the “weed game” have made.

Even after gaining considerable acclaim for creating the Berner album cover in 2017 — Welch’s first major commission — recreational cannabis use was still being hotly debated in Florida. This caused Welch to opt to remain anonymous a bit longer, minimizing the risk of running into both legal issues as well as negative public perception. It was only after 2018 that he finally moved to the weed-friendly West Coast.

From Hobby to Career
Today, Greg’s workload is no longer limited to creating cannabis art for his Instagram account, but also includes providing companies with design, aesthetics and even marketing advice. Through his artwork, he is able to continue networking, and is leveraging his connections to expand his business opportunities. He is now working on a podcast and web series about cannabis culture.

Welch’s continued success is largely tied to the fact that he maintains relationships with people he’s worked with in the past and is careful not to forget his friends. This personal authenticity is highly valued and appreciated in the cannabis industry, and has earned him trust and respect that makes him a creator musicians and companies are happy to work with.