The Memo Secures Competitive State-Backed Cannabis Loan, One of Only Eight Microbusinesses Selected in New Mexico
NORTHERN NEW MEXICO — August 25, 2023 — In a historic win for social equity and veteran-led innovation, The Memo, a clean cannabis brand founded by Ivy and Kyle Masterson, has been awarded one of only eight cannabis microbusiness loans from the New Mexico Finance Authority (NMFA).
Selected from a competitive statewide pool and approved unanimously by a 12–0 vote, The Memo now stands among the first wave of publicly funded cannabis companies in the U.S., backed by state capital to scale operations and expand access to clean, consistent, small-batch flower.
“We didn’t start with money. We started with purpose, and a blueprint no one gave us,” said Kyle Masterson, retired Marine Corps Master Sergeant and Co-Founder. “This loan isn’t just capital—it’s a signal that New Mexico believes in us, and in cannabis as a vehicle for real change.”
State-Backed Capital—For a Mission That’s Bigger Than Product
Created under the Cannabis Regulation Act and administered by NMFA, the Cannabis Microbusiness Loan Program offers up to $250,000 in low-interest funding to equity-focused operators who have faced barriers to traditional financing.
Unlike most recipients, The Memo didn’t just apply—they presented live to the NMFA board, earning unanimous approval after sharing their journey from combat boots to clean flower.
This wasn’t a pitch. It was a proof of concept for cannabis as infrastructure—and for veterans as community healers, not just survivors.
Healing, Equity, and Infrastructure—All Under One Roof
Founded by Kyle Masterson, a retired Marine infantry leader, and Ivy Masterson, an Army behavioral health NCO turned educator, The Memo operates from a renovated movie theater in northern New Mexico, transformed into a sterile, hydroponic cultivation facility.
Their mission is rooted in discipline and dignity:
- To grow cannabis that actually helps people feel better
- To hire and uplift veterans, rural workers, and families affected by trauma
- To serve communities overlooked by big cannabis and forgotten by politics
“Social equity doesn’t stop with a license,” said Ivy Masterson, Co-Founder and Project Manager. “It’s about who you hire, how you grow, and whether you build a brand that gives people their power back.”
Why This Matters—For Veterans, Rural Communities, and Real People
This funding enables The Memo to:
- Expand clean hydroponic operations and double production
- Train and employ veterans, military spouses, and underserved workers
- Create access to trustworthy cannabis in rural and trauma-impacted areas
- Increase statewide education on stigma-free, medically minded cannabis
But more than that—this solidifies The Memo as a front-runner in a new kind of cannabis economy, where impact drives growth.
“We’ve built every grow room by hand. Now we’re building a future where cannabis is a real tool—not just hype on a shelf,” added Kyle.
About The Memo
The Memo is a New Mexico-grown, veteran-owned cannabis company specializing in precision hydroponic flower—clean, consistent, and made for real people navigating stress, pain, and healing. Founded by two military veterans who traded burn pits for grow tents, The Memo is redefining cannabis as a wellness tool backed by structure, intention, and heart.
Built in a rural town. Crafted with military discipline. Grown to help people feel again.
Press & Collaboration Inquiries:
Ivy Masterson, MBA