A Chicago Lawyer's Journey from Mortgages to Medical Marijuana

It turns out a law degree is just as helpful in launching a medical marijuana business as it is dealing with mortgages.

Charlie Bachtell was general counsel at Chicago-based mortgage company Guaranteed Rate when the lawyer in him became captivated by Illinois' medical marijuana law. He left mortgage banking and today the 38-year-old is the CEO and co-founder of medical marijuana company Cresco Labs. 

As he stood among the drying plants in Cresco's Joliet growing facility, Bachtell talked with the Tribune about why he switched careers and what it's like combating the stigma surrounding the industry. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Q: How did you go from working at Guaranteed Rate to running this huge operation in the medical marijuana industry?

A: Jokingly I tell people I was an attorney in the most scrutinized and regulated industry in America from 2007 to 2015 and now I'm...

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