Dan Roda Takes On New Role as Chief Strategy Officer at Natural State Medicinals

Dan Roda (Karen E. Segrave)

Dan Roda, the Little Rock lawyer who helped build Abaca from an idea on a whiteboard to a multimillion-dollar fintech company for the cannabis industry, is still in the world of weed.

Roda did well when the company he co-founded sold to Colorado’s SHF Holdings Inc. in October 2022 for $30 million. He’s now the new chief strategy officer for Natural State Medicinals.

Natural State is a medical marijuana cultivator in White Hall.

After Abaca’s sale, Roda stayed on with the buyer, which was doing business as Safe Harbor Financial, to complete the transition.

Reached by Whispers last week, Roda said he’s passionate about Natural State’s products and dedication to helping patients.

“I’ve really just got started getting in there,” Roda said. “But I can tell you one of the things that attracted me to the company from the outside is that Natural State has done a great job from the very beginning of making producing high-quality products: top-quality flower, great concentrates and a really fine chocolate confectionary program.”

He said that after spending seven years working alongside the cannabis industry and offering financial solutions, working “directly with the plant at one of Arkansas’ leading cannabis companies” is an “incredible” opportunity.

On LinkedIn, where he announced the new job on Feb. 10, Roda said he would be driving strategic growth and supporting NSM’s mission. “Let’s grow!” he wrote.

Roda and his wife, public relations pro Elizabeth Michael, are partners in the Bark Bar & Grille at 1201 Spring St. in downtown Little Rock, a spot where dogs and their humans can gather for fellowship and a meal.