ACE Venture Acquires 51% of Vireo New York and Debuts Boukét Brand

ACE Venture, a New York-based MWBE-certified cannabis holding company, has completed its 51% acquisition of Vireo Health of New York, a move that gives the company a vertically integrated platform in one of the country’s most scrutinized cannabis markets.

The deal also marks the formal launch of Boukét, a New York-born cannabis lifestyle brand built around culture, community, and intentional design.

The acquisition is led by Steven Acevedo, founder and CEO of ACE Venture, who positioned the partnership as a values-driven alignment between his company and Vireo’s leadership.

“When I set out to find a partner, I was intentional – I needed alignment not just in business, but in values. That meant partnering with a company that stood on the right side of New York’s equity program from the beginning,” Acevedo said in a statement from the company. “Our ownership and leadership include justice-involved members, and today, one of us has a seat at the table helping shape culture and commerce in this industry. This partnership with John Mazarakis and the Vireo team is built on that foundation, shared values, mutual trust, and a commitment to building something durable and meaningful for New York.” 

Vireo Health of New York is one of the state’s original medical cannabis operators and holds a vertically integrated license that includes cultivation, processing, and retail. Under the acquisition, Vireo’s operational infrastructure becomes the backbone of ACE Venture’s house of brands, a portfolio designed to support culturally rooted companies with scale, resources, and a platform for long-term growth.

Launching Boukét As A New York Lifestyle Brand

Alongside the acquisition, ACE Venture is introducing Boukét, its flagship cannabis lifestyle brand. The company describes Boukét as a New York-born identity shaped by the city’s creative history and the legacy of communities that built cannabis culture long before legalization. The brand draws its name from a Prohibition-era codeword for cannabis used in Harlem’s jazz underground, and its product line includes premium indoor flower, pre-rolls, and limited “Frequency” drops available at select dispensaries across the state.

ACE Venture’s collaborators include Rohan Marley and Kareem “Biggs” Burke, who are launching their respective brands within the company’s ACE Venture platform, and Gee Roberson, who joins as cultural creative partner. Each brings a long record of influence across music, fashion, and lifestyle, and each contributes to Boukét’s creative direction and cultural voice.

Burke said his brand, RËDO96, is built with the same intention and discipline that shaped his earlier work. 

“RËDO96 is about creating a classic product, the same way Reasonable Doubt was built with intention, patience, and no shortcuts,” Burke said. “That same approach comes from building Roc-A-Fella Records and understanding what it takes to create something timeless. We also respect the legacy cannabis sellers who sacrificed for something that should never have been illegal. We’re here because of that history.” 

Marley’s Lion Order brand, which launched in New York on April 20, is rooted in culture, wellness, and community. 

“Lion Order steps into New York with respect for the culture, for the streets, and for the legacy of those who came before,” Marley said. “We’re here to build with intention, to bring quality, and to stand for something deeper than commerce.” 

A Platform Built For New York’s Next Phase

Acevedo said the acquisition represents a turning point for how culture, commerce, and cannabis can coexist in New York’s regulated market. 

“Industries evolve, but every so often, worlds collide and everything changes. ACE Venture is the moment for cannabis. For the first time, the corporate world, the cannabis industry, and culture are coming together under one roof,” he said. “We’re building a platform grounded in responsibility, innovation, and representation, where scale meets soul, and where brands rooted in community and creativity finally have a home to grow, thrive, and belong. I’m deeply grateful to John Mazarakis and the Vireo Health team for building the foundation that makes this next chapter possible.”

ACE Venture says its leadership team spans finance, law, design, entertainment, and experiential development, with partners chosen for their ability to build brands with longevity. The company plans to expand Boukét’s retail presence, broaden its product offerings, and develop experiential and digital channels throughout 2026.

The acquisition positions Boukét as one of the most visible minority-owned brands in the state and reinforces New York’s push to center equity in its cannabis framework. With Vireo’s infrastructure and a portfolio of culturally driven brands, ACE Venture is aiming to shape the next phase of the state’s regulated market with a model built on representation, community, and long-term ownership.