Upling

In a world that often overlooks the most vulnerable, Upling is doing more than just delivering cannabis — it’s delivering purpose, access, and social equity. This Maryland-based, AI-powered cannabis delivery platform is rewriting the rules of healthcare access and digital entrepreneurship, all while confronting long-standing injustices in the cannabis industry.

Founded by Colin Fraser, Upling isn’t just a startup story — it’s a redemption arc. It’s the story of a man who overcame near-death, incarceration, and stigma to build something transformative.

Born from a Mother’s Battle and a Son’s Vision

The seeds of Upling were planted in 2020, when Colin’s mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Watching her suffer through chemo and struggle to access medication sparked a moment of truth.

“I wondered if there was a delivery service that could make this more accessible for her to receive medication. There was none,” he recalls. “After finding this out, we got to work on creating Upling.” But this wasn’t just about convenience — it was personal. Colin knew cannabis had potential as an alternative treatment. Yet convincing his mother, who was raised in the church and carried the stigma of what she called “Devil’s Lettuce,” would take everything he had. In 2008, Colin was shot 8 times and incarcerated due to cannabis crimes. From the weight of that legacy, Upling was born — not just as a business, but as a response to generational trauma.

Bootstrapped and Bold

Colin invested over $200,000 of his own money to bootstrap Upling from the ground up. No shortcuts. No handouts. “While cannabis legalization has been transformative, accessibility remains a challenge,” he says. “For many, getting to a dispensary is inconvenient or even impossible. Patients with medical needs, busy professionals, or recreational users all face obstacles, especially in areas underserved by dispensaries.”

With this in mind, Colin built a platform that functions like Uber Eats or DoorDash — but for cannabis. Users can log in, browse products from nearby dispensaries, place an order, and receive delivery within minutes, all handled securely and legally. Today, Upling averages about 50 deliveries a day across Maryland and D.C., and is expanding into New York, New Jersey, New Mexico, Houston, and Jamaica.

Tech-First, People-Focused

Colin, who has a background in computer engineering and programming, made sure Upling’s platform wasn’t just functional — it’s next-level smart.

“Technology is the backbone of everything we do,” he says. “From the moment I envisioned the platform, I wanted it to be more than just a delivery app — I wanted it to revolutionize the cannabis delivery experience while prioritizing safety, efficiency, and accessibility. “Upling features real-time delivery tracking, advanced route optimization, and rigorous compliance measures, including ID verification and secure payment processing.

But the standout feature? Bud-e — Upling’s AI-powered virtual assistant, built with AWS Bedrock, that provides personalized cannabis recommendations based on user preferences, strain data, and (soon) health profiles.

“Bud-e uses strain knowledge, customer interaction patterns, and, in the future, health data to provide personalized product recommendations, ”Colin says. “This feature not only educates users but empowers them to make informed decisions about their cannabis use, bridging the gap between wellness and technology.”

Driving Equity in Every Delivery

At its heart, Upling is a vehicle for economic inclusion and justice. It’s not just about profit; it’s about purpose. “At Upling, we’re not just delivering cannabis — we’re delivering impact, equity, and change,” Colin states. “Upling is helping redefine what cannabis delivery can be while supporting real social equity in the industry.”

Upling partners with dispensaries — who pay monthly stipends to access the app’s 50,000+ user base — and Colin prioritizes employing returning citizens, particularly those formerly incarcerated due to cannabis crimes.

“Helping returning citizens and veterans to need this,” he notes plainly, underscoring the company’s grassroots approach to inclusive hiring. And he isn’t just talking the talk — he’s in conversations with policy leaders to ensure this mission is baked into the regulatory framework. “Governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, has been instrumental in sitting down with us, engaging in conversations about black and brown entrepreneurship in the cannabis space, ensuring equality in the market space,” Colin shares.

Powered by Vision — and TEDCO

Recognizing Upling’s disruptive potential, TEDCO invested $150,000 to support the development of its advanced 3.0 platform.

“This scalability allows Upling to expand without compromising on compliance, speed, or security,” he explains. “Upling’s mission is rooted in accessibility and convenience, providing safe, reliable cannabis delivery at the click of a button. For individuals such as disabled persons, retired veterans, and cancer patients, Upling eliminates the burden of waiting in long lines or navigating challenging trips to physical stores. By prioritizing convenience, Upling empowers users to receive alternative medication directly to their doorsteps, fostering a seamless and supportive experience.”

The company is now pushing into SaaS territory — offering white-labeled delivery and compliance tech to dispensaries — while continuing to empower users with a seamless, secure, and stigma-free cannabis experience.

Uplifting the Future

For Colin, the path forward is clear: scale, train, and inspire. He plans to offer coding training for returning citizens, building a workforce pipeline that’s both tech-literate and mission-aligned. This is about more than transactions — it’s about transformation.

“Join us as we change lives, uplift communities, and build a brighter, greener future — one delivery at a time,” he concludes.

With Upling, cannabis delivery becomes a catalyst for something much bigger: a more just, equitable, and innovative future.

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“We’re not just delivering cannabis—we’re delivering impact, equity, and change.”