"People were using nicotine pouches constantly, but there wasn't a cannabis version that actually worked."
For Nir Saar, that observation became the foundation of KSHN.
Long before launching the company, Saar had already built a reputation in cannabis through DogHouse Farms, the cultivation brand known for premium flower and genetics-focused cultivation across multiple states. While working inside a 25,000-square-foot cultivation facility, he watched nicotine pouches become increasingly common among consumers looking for a discreet, convenient alternative to smoking.
The more he saw the category grow, the more obvious the opportunity became.
"There wasn't a good alternative," Saar tells Honeysuckle. "We saw people wanting something predictable, delicious, and easy to use, but the products that existed weren't delivering the experience we thought consumers were asking for."
That realization led to years of development, experimentation, and formulation work that ultimately became KSHN Pouch Co., a cannabis pouch brand designed to deliver a consistent, smokeless cannabis experience without relying on traditional smoking, vaping, or conventional edibles.
Today, KSHN has expanded from Michigan into New York and Illinois, with Pennsylvania and California next on the roadmap. Saar and his team believe they are building more than a product. They’re building a category.
"We think this can be huge," he says. "If you look at the trajectory of nicotine pouches, we think cannabis pouches have a similar opportunity."
Building A Product That Didn't Exist
Creating a cannabis pouch turned out to be far more complicated than simply putting THC into a pouch.
According to Saar, the development process took years of iteration.
One of the first challenges was flavor. THC naturally carries an intense bitterness that becomes difficult to mask when the product sits directly in the mouth.
Then came the science.
The company needed to solve absorption, consistency, onset time, mouthfeel, and efficacy simultaneously.
"A lot of people think they can make a pouch," Saar says. "Then they realize how difficult it is."
KSHN relies on advanced technology to convert cannabis oil into a water-soluble powder optimized for gum absorption. Achieving this required meticulous balancing of particle size, pH levels, porosity, and ingredient selection, as minor variables could highly impact the final performance.
"It's really a science project," says Saar who worked as a neuroscientist at University of Michigan. "You have to get the particle size right. You have to get the pH right. You have to make sure the product actually absorbs through the oral mucosa the way it's supposed to. Otherwise the THC enters through the digestive system and becomes just another edible."
The result is a fast-acting product that takes effect in just ten to twenty minutes, offering unparalleled consistency from one use to the next.
For Saar, predictability is one of the biggest advantages.
Traditional edibles take a winding path through the digestive system, where THC is converted into 11-hydroxy-THC, a compound known for producing a heavier and often more sedative experience. The challenge is that the journey can look different every time, influenced by everything from what you ate for lunch to your individual metabolism. KSHN takes a different route. By absorbing directly through the oral tissue, Delta-9 THC enters the bloodstream without first passing through the liver, creating an experience that feels cleaner, more uplifting, and far more predictable from session to session.
A Different Kind of Cannabis Experience
While many cannabis products focus on potency, KSHN was designed around usability.
The pouches provide what Saar describes as a session dose rather than an overwhelming experience.
"It's lighter," he says. "It's more predictable. You know what you're getting."
The company also focused heavily on ingredients.
KSHN uses natural cellulose pouches and incorporates components such as xylitol which is proven to be healthy for the gums, Vitamin C, and CBD. Saar views the product as an option for consumers seeking a different relationship with cannabis—one that doesn't necessarily involve smoke, vapor, or high-dose edibles.
That approach has attracted a surprisingly broad consumer base.
While younger consumers appreciate the convenience and discretion, the company has also seen strong adoption among older consumers who may have been hesitant to try cannabis previously or want a healthier alternative to smoking.
"We're seeing a lot of people who never wanted to smoke and never wanted to vape," Saar says. "They like the fact that the dose is controlled and approachable."
From DogHouse Farms to KSHN
For Saar, KSHN represents a new chapter in a career already deeply rooted in cannabis.
Before launching KSHN, he helped build DogHouse Farms into a respected flower brand with products available in Oregon, Washington, Michigan, and Florida.
The cultivation side of the business gave him a front-row seat .
"We've always focused on creating great cannabis experiences," Saar says. "DogHouse does that through flower. KSHN is approaching it from a completely different angle."
Saar’s experience building DogHouse Farms has played a central role in shaping his approach to KSHN Pouch Co. As a cannabis cultivation company, DogHouse is built around the constant pursuit of quality, flavor, genetics, and consumer experience. Through years of hunting unique strains, studying terpene profiles, and curating cannabis designed to deliver specific effects, Saar developed a deep understanding of what consumers are looking for beyond THC potency alone. That background has translated directly into KSHN, where he is focused on creating a pouch product that is not only discreet and consistent, but also thoughtfully designed around flavor, effect, and the overall cannabis experience.
Building A Competitive Moat
As more companies explore cannabis pouches, Saar believes KSHN has built significant advantages.
He identifies three primary barriers to entry.
The first is formulation.
The second is brand.
The third is manufacturing.
Creating a pouch that absorbs well, tastes great, and performs with absolute predictability is already a significant hurdle. Standardizing that performance across different state lines adds another layer of complexity altogether.
"You can't just manufacture in one place and ship everywhere," Saar explains. "Every state requires infrastructure."
That complexity creates significant friction for would-be competitors.
Combined with the formulation challenges and growing brand recognition, Saar believes KSHN is positioned to establish leadership in the category.
Expanding Across The Country
KSHN first launched in Michigan before expanding into New York earlier this year. Illinois followed shortly afterward.
Pennsylvania is expected to come online this summer, while California is targeted for later this year.
The pace reflects the company's confidence in both the category and consumer demand.
"We want to be the leading THC pouch brand," Saar says. "Not just in one state. Not just in the US. "
That ambition mirrors the growth trajectory of nicotine pouches, which evolved from a niche product into a multibillion-dollar category in less than a decade.
Saar believes cannabis pouches are only beginning their growth curve.
What's Next For KSHN
While the current lineup focuses on cannabis pouches, the company is already developing future product innovations.
Upcoming concepts include products designed around specific outcomes, including energy-focused and relaxation-focused formulations incorporating ingredients such as caffeine and L-theanine.
The company is also exploring live resin, rosin, and other cannabinoid profiles to create more nuanced consumer experiences.
"Our focus is on helping people achieve a specific result," Saar says. "It's not about simply delivering THC; it's about designing an experience that feels purposeful."
As the cannabis market matures, Saar expects a major shift in consumer habits: people will stop judging products strictly by potency and start choosing specific formulations tailored for personalized experiences.
For KSHN, that evolution is only the beginning.
"We're still early," he says. "But we think this category is going to be a lot bigger than people realize."
If he's right, the next major shift in cannabis won't come from a new strain or a stronger vape.
It may come from a pouch.
For more, follow https://linktr.ee/kshnsocials, KSHN Instagram; DogHouse Instagram
