Built for the operational realities of cannabis.
The cannabis industry is entering a new era. Red Wolf Risk was founded to help operators meet the expectations of regulators, lenders, investors, insurers, and strategic partners — through documented systems, not just documented compliance.
Help cannabis businesses become smarter, safer, and more profitable — federal-ready, insurance-ready, and investment-ready.
Most cannabis operators were built by entrepreneurs, cultivators, manufacturers, and retailers — not quality professionals, risk managers, or insurance experts. As a result, many businesses have developed strong products and brands but lack the documented systems necessary to scale, reduce risk, support lender due diligence, attract institutional investment, or prepare for federal oversight.
Red Wolf Risk was created to bridge that gap.
Alex Hearding is the founder of Red Wolf Risk and a risk, quality, and compliance professional with more than 17 years of experience in the regulated cannabis industry. His background spans cannabis operations, occupational safety, quality management systems, regulatory readiness, insurance risk management, and operational improvement.
Alex works with cannabis businesses, financial institutions, insurers, and industry partners to identify risk, strengthen operations, prepare for increased federal oversight, and build practical systems aligned with standards such as ISO 9001, GACP, FDA GMP, OSHA, and other recognized regulatory frameworks.
His approach combines real-world cannabis operating experience with structured risk and quality management principles to help organizations become safer, more compliant, more insurable, and better prepared for growth.
Repeatable, scalable systems built from real operating experience.
ISO 9001, GACP, GMP, CAPA, document control, and audit readiness.
Identifying and reducing operational exposures before they become losses.
Improving underwriting outcomes and strengthening claims defensibility.
Preparing organizations for the next phase of cannabis regulation.
Based in Durango, Colorado. Serving cannabis operators nationwide.
Every recommendation we make is designed to improve at least one of these outcomes.
Cannabis Operators
Cultivation, extraction, manufacturing, retail, and vertically integrated businesses.
Insurance Carriers
Underwriting, loss control, and claims management through operational intelligence.
Lenders
Operational due diligence and portfolio risk insights.
Investors
Evaluating operational maturity and organizational readiness.
Strategic Partners
Businesses preparing for expansion, acquisition, or institutional partnerships.
The operators that win the next decade will demonstrate discipline, not just revenue.
Red Wolf Risk exists to help businesses build those capabilities before they become mandatory — moving from reactive problem-solving to proactive risk management.
Alex Hearding and Red Wolf Risk aim to help operators navigate risk management
Feature on the firm's approach to operational risk and insurance in regulated cannabis.
The Cannabis Industry Gets an Introduction to Risk Management
Global Association of Risk Professionals on bringing formal risk discipline to cannabis.
How to Ensure Your Facility's Safety Program is Compliant and Effective
Practical guidance on building a safety program that holds up to inspection.
Worker Safety in the Cannabis Industry
Where cultivation operations most often create avoidable worker exposure.
Four-episode series with host Jenny Germano
Federal readiness, worker protection standards, hidden operational hazards, and the cannabis insurance landscape.