Green Monke Appoints Former Canopy Growth President David Paterson to Guide Expansion Strategy

Green Monke, an award-winning hemp-D9 THC beverage brand, has appointed David Paterson, former President at Canopy Growth Canada, as Special Advisor to the Board. This strategic hire comes as the company experiences significant growth in both U.S. and Canadian markets through new product launches and expanding retail distribution.

Paterson brings more than 15 years of experience spanning cannabis, beverage, and consumer packaged goods industries. His most recent role as President of Canopy Growth Canada involved overseeing commercial, operational, and go-to-market activities across recreational and medical brands. He previously served as Chief Commercial Officer at Indiva and VP Consumer Sales & Trade Marketing at Aurora Cannabis, with earlier leadership roles at The Beer Store, TravelBrands Inc., and Major League Baseball Canada.

"We are delighted to welcome David as Special Advisor at such an exciting moment for both Green Monke and the overall hemp THC beverage category," commented Pat Gleeson, CEO of Green Monke. "His expertise in scaling cannabis brands and his vision for the hemp THC category will be invaluable as we continue to expand across the U.S. and prepare for a future shaped by federal legalization."

The appointment signals Green Monke's confidence in the hemp THC beverage sector, which is rapidly gaining traction among consumers seeking flavorful alternatives to alcohol. Paterson described this market shift as transformative, noting that what drew him to Green Monke was how far ahead the company is of the curve in terms of product quality, branding, and retail success.

Paterson joins during a period of strong momentum for the company. Green Monke recently expanded its Green Monke Happy Soda portfolio to six SKUs with the launch of Orange Cream and Lychee flavors. The company has achieved continued retail success across convenience and grocery channels nationwide and is preparing for launches in both a nationwide convenience store chain and a leading grocery chain. Additional expansion includes iconic entertainment venues across the U.S.

"For retail alcohol distributors and on-premise venues alike, hemp beverages represent a complementary offering, giving customers new reasons to return, stay longer, and spend more without the downsides of alcohol," added Paterson.

Green Monke's disciplined approach to quality and compliance has established its leadership position in the hemp beverage market. Paterson's experience operating within tightly regulated frameworks, including his tenure at Canopy Growth, reinforces this foundation. He will also play a key role in advancing Green Monke's international expansion, supporting the brand's existing FSA authorization in the U.K. and pending approvals across Europe.

"David brings not only expertise but also a global perspective," said Gleeson. "His background in regulated markets will help Green Monke navigate new territories confidently while maintaining our commitment to excellence from product formulation to shelf experience." For more information, visit https://www.greenmonkehemp.com/.