08/24/2026
With the power of technology, we can all get together on the last Wednesday of each month at 6:00 pm pacific time from anywhere in the world for these interactive hangouts on Zoom!
From Mendocino to Madrid to Mumbai, and beyond! You can join us for free from anywhere you get an internet connection. So, sit back, spark up, and join Nikki, Swami, our monthly special guests, and all of your fellow Club Swami companions for this month’s virtual members’ meetup!
Club Swami Virtual Club Meeting – July 2026
Wednesday, August 26th, 2026
6:00 pm pacific time
Special Guest:
Eli Melrod of Solful
Eli Melrod has been an entrepreneur in the California cannabis industry since 2015. His interest in the health and wellness benefits of cannabis began in 2006, when his father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and discovered the power of cannabis to help manage pain, nausea, appetite, anxiety, and sleep. While studying economics at Wesleyan University, Eli became increasingly interested in cannabis and inspired by the opportunities presented by the end of cannabis prohibition in California. In 2014, he left school to pursue his passion and quickly immersed himself in the emerging adult-use cannabis industry.
Inspired by his father’s experience, Eli dedicated himself to bringing high-quality cannabis to people whose health, wellness, and happiness could be improved by its responsible use. He began his career at an established cannabis testing laboratory, where he learned the science of cannabis, gained firsthand insight into the industry, and built relationships with pioneering cultivators, producers, and entrepreneurs throughout Northern California.
In 2017, Eli and his co-founder launched Solful, a mission-driven cannabis company founded in Sebastopol, California. Solful was built around a commitment to education, personalized guest experiences, and supporting small, independent craft farmers—particularly the legacy sun-grown cultivators who have shaped Northern California cannabis for generations. Since then, Solful has grown beyond its Sonoma County roots while remaining committed to connecting consumers with exceptional cannabis and the people who grow and make it.
Under Eli’s leadership, Solful has expanded its work across retail, sourcing, and manufacturing, creating a platform that supports independent farms and brands from cultivation through the consumer experience. In 2026, that work earned significant recognition at the California State Fair Cannabis Awards, with products connected to Solful’s sun-grown sourcing program and manufacturing operations receiving multiple honors—reinforcing the company’s belief that thoughtfully sourced, expertly crafted California cannabis can compete at the highest level.
Solful has also become a manufacturing partner for leading cannabis brands, including helping bring Garcia Hand Picked back to California in partnership with the Garcia family, Holistic Industries, and Emerald Triangle farmers. Solful’s manufacturing capabilities now span flower packaging, pre-rolls, gummies, solventless extraction, and ethanol extraction, extending the company’s commitment to quality and craft beyond its own retail shelves.
Solful and Eli have received numerous honors over the years, including repeated recognition as a top cannabis dispensary by The Press Democrat. Eli has been named a North Bay Business Journal “40 Under 40” and one of its “23 to Watch in 2023.” He has served as an Emerald Cup judge and spoken about cannabis, entrepreneurship, and the evolution of the industry at venues including the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, Sonoma State University, the Sebastopol Senior Center, and the Oakmont Cannabis Club. For two years, he also hosted a biweekly radio show on KSRO focused on cannabis education.
Today, as CEO of Solful, Eli continues to work toward a more thoughtful and sustainable cannabis industry—one that celebrates California’s cannabis heritage, creates opportunities for small independent producers, and helps more people discover the ways cannabis can contribute to health and happiness.
—
Swami is excited to welcome a fellow Wesleyan University graduate, although their time on campus came decades apart. However, much like Swami proves every day that age is just a number, so does Mr. Melrod and the positive impact of his dedication can be felt throughout the Emerald Triangle, and beyond. Speaking with someone like Eli offers the rare opportunity to watch a lasting legacy take root in real-time, so we hope you will join us this Wednesday, August 26th @ 6pm!
