About Us
Our Story
Sleepy Bear is a nationwide leader in formulating and distributing cutting-edge cannabinoid products. We are proud to offer products in hundreds of retail locations nationwide, including pharmacies, grocery stores, boutique retailers, gyms, and healthcare practitioner offices. Sleepy Bear has been recognized nationally by some of the industry's leading publications as a top contributor to innovation, product safety, and quality standards, including Cannabis Now, Shape Magazine, and Yahoo Health. Sleepy Bear also won Best Edible at the 2024 High Times Hemp Cup.
Proudly veteran and family-owned / operated. Sleepy Bear was founded by former army ranger, Kyle Paradiso in 2020.
Kyle has spent the last six years working at the forefront of veteran issues, focusing on breaking the stigma against veteran cannabis usage and spreading the positive aspects of cannabis to help and heal the veteran community.
After suffering a severe spinal cord injury during his military service as a member of 1st Ranger Battalion in 2016, Kyle was medically retired. Post-service, he would return to his alma mater, The Citadel Military College of South Carolina, as a veteran service coordinator and program manager.
Prior to his injury, Kyle had been staunchly opposed to cannabis usage, strongly influenced by his time as a cadet at The Citadel, his career as a D1 Collegiate Wrestler, and a member of the special operations community. However, his desire to treat his debilitating chronic pain with a more holistic option would lead him to look towards cannabis research as a personal pain management alternative with life-changing results leading to a transformation in his personal beliefs.
After years of working with veteran nonprofit organizations and educational institutions nationwide, Kyle turned his passion and heart toward creating Sleepy Bear in 2020 as a primarily veteran-owned and funded company with the support and contributions of fellow Army Ranger Archie Preissman (CFO) and other Special Operation family members.
Today, Sleepy Bear continues as an example of veteran entrepreneurship and commitment, remaining a majority veteran and family-owned company with a predominantly special operations veteran workforce. We hope to continue to use our company as a platform to reach beyond products to help shape conversations and policies around veteran health and cannabis usage.
Company Information
Website: sleepybeargummies.com
Instagram: @sleepybeargummies
Office #: 619-771-1773
Founded: 2020 in San Diego
Headquarters: Charleston, SC
Type: Private Company
Prior Publications and Interviews:
Cannabis Now – Reset Your Sleep Cycle with Sleepy Bear Gummies
A Proper High – The Great Gummy Bear Mall Trip
A Proper High – Hibernation has never been so sweet
A Proper High-Hibernation Station Here I come!
Svn Space – 7 Questions with Sleepy Bear Gummies
Seventeen – 42 gifts college students actually want for the holidays
What The Func Episode 105: Cannabis Re-education with Kyle Paradiso
