Speaker Spotlight

My name is Mike Lentz, and I’m the Vice President of Production Operations at Klutch Cannabis, where I oversee cultivation, processing, packaging, and facility operations across one of the largest licensed cannabis operations in Ohio.

I grew up in Illinois, where I spent much of my time skateboarding and filming, which gave me the opportunity to travel and connect with different communities across the country. Through skateboarding, I was introduced to Denver during the early days of its emerging cannabis scene, an experience that played a major role in shaping my path in the industry.

My passion for cannabis started at a young age and quickly turned into a lifelong pursuit of mastering the craft. I began growing indoors in 2007, at a time when a career in cannabis felt out of reach, but I stayed committed to learning and pushing my skills as far as I could.

My journey took me through Denver and Northern California, where I gained hands-on experience building and optimizing cultivation operations ranging from caregiver grows to large-scale facilities. Along the way, I invested time in learning the trades, becoming certified in electrical, mechanical, structural, plumbing, and control systems, which gave me a strong foundation for designing efficient, scalable cultivation environments.

Since joining Klutch in 2018, I’ve helped lead the design, expansion, and operation of multiple cultivation sites and processing labs, helping scale the company into a market leader. Today, my focus is on operational excellence, innovation, and building high-performing teams, managing all aspects of production from seed to oil.