I’ve spent my life close to the natural world, first as a conservation biologist living out of a tent for months at a time, and later helping build wellness brands. Kyoto Botanicals is the bridge between those two worlds: a CBD brand that treats people with honesty, keeps things simple, and stays rooted in nature instead of hype.
This is the story of how Kyoto Botanicals came to life, and why I chose to build a small, independent, THC-Free brand on purpose. And you can read more of my musings on wellness and CBD here.
Kyoto Botanicals started with a simple idea: wellness should feel as natural and grounded as time spent outside.
1. A Path from the Wild to Wellness
I’ve spent my life surrounded by nature, sometimes quite literally living in it. In my early career as a conservation biologist, I camped for months at a time, working to protect endangered species across the U.S., from tracking the Palila on Hawaii’s Big Island to mapping habitat for the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher in Arizona. That connection to the natural world shaped who I am and how I see life: nature already gives us everything we need to live well.
Eventually, my path shifted toward brand management in the food, nutrition, and wellness industries, working with both global companies and small startups. But I kept noticing something: no matter how inspiring the mission statements sounded, the focus often came down to profits over people.
2. Discovering the Power of Hemp
In 2017, I became the marketing director at Charlotte’s Web, one of the best-known CBD brands in the country at the time. It was here I saw firsthand the extraordinary potential of hemp, not as a trend, but as a plant worth fighting for. That was also the year I started taking CBD myself. I met trailblazing families and advocates who fought tirelessly to legalize hemp and destigmatize cannabis. Their courage moved me deeply, especially hearing from people who had almost lost hope.
One meeting stands out in my memory: hearing Heather Jackson at Realm of Caring share the stories of her family and the families she works with. That moment planted the seed for what would become Kyoto Botanicals.
3. Building Something Different
When I founded Kyoto Botanicals, I wanted to create a company that stayed true to three guiding principles:
- Deliver CBD products made from the highest-quality ingredients
- Make every customer interaction a positive, uplifting experience
- Stay independent and private, so our focus remains solely on helping people, not on enriching outside investors
Kyoto Botanicals began in 2019 as a joint venture, and the name came from an early founding investor from Kyoto, Japan. Today it is independent, self-funded, and family-owned.
Like all hemp, ours is tested while it is growing to make sure it stays below 0.3% THC, and our finished products are tested by independent labs. You can see the results on our lab results page. We keep our product line intentionally small so we can perfect everything we offer, and so you can trust what you’re putting in your body.
4. Why THC-Free Matters
I chose THC-Free CBD so there are no surprises. We hold every product to a non-detect THC standard, not just under 0.3%, so you can trust every product to be as pure and predictable as possible, for you, your family, and even your parents (some of my favorite customer stories are when people convince their parents to try CBD and love it).
My own reason is personal. I have never been a THC person. In 2019, while I was building our first tinctures, I had already been in the industry a couple of years, and I still did not expect a full-spectrum batch to get me high. It did. Looking back, none of the brands I knew had ever said it could happen. That settled it for me: anything I put my name on would be THC-Free.
For me, THC-Free isn’t a compromise. It’s a design choice: clarity, consistency, and confidence over surprise intoxication or mystery formulas. I never want anyone to be surprised by feeling altered.
5. A Personal Connection with Every Customer
As an owner-operated business, I personally handle customer communications. No scripts, no call centers, just one-on-one conversations. Even if someone doesn’t love CBD or our products, I want them to walk away feeling respected and cared for. Wellness is a journey, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
Every email, every question, every story shared with us is a reminder that behind every order is a real person trying to feel a little better in their everyday life. That’s the relationship I care about most.
6. Living the Wellness I Share
In 2022, I began my own wellness journey, committing to daily exercise. In 2023, I gave up alcohol. CBD has been part of my routine since 2017. Along the way I fell in love with trail running, and on November 8, 2025, I finished my first half marathon, a trail race in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, in 2:10:42. I still spend as much time as possible outdoors with my family and our dog, Pickles.
7. Why a Bonsai Tree?
Our logo, a bonsai tree, represents something I deeply believe: happiness comes from the process, not just the end goal. CBD isn’t a magic cure. It’s a small, consistent step toward being your best self, every single day, and something I take every night as part of my nightly CBD routine.
Like a bonsai, real wellness is shaped slowly over time: small, intentional choices that add up to a life that feels more grounded, present, and authentically yours.
8. An Invitation to Join the Journey
Kyoto Botanicals is the CBD brand I wanted for myself and my family: pure, trustworthy, and deeply connected to nature. My hope is that it becomes a small but powerful part of your own wellness journey.
Here’s to balance, nature, and being your best you.
Mark, Founder, Kyoto Botanicals
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9. FAQ: Kyoto Botanicals & Our Story
Who founded Kyoto Botanicals?
I did. I’m Mark Gillilan, a former conservation biologist and CBD industry veteran. I started Kyoto Botanicals in 2019 and launched the brand in February 2020 because I wanted to build a small, independent brand focused on people, not investors.
Where is Kyoto Botanicals based?
We’re based in Greenwood Village, Colorado, where access to the outdoors, a strong hemp community, and a culture of wellness all shaped how this brand was built.
What makes Kyoto Botanicals different from other CBD brands?
We’re owner-operated, intentionally small, and focused on THC-Free formulas, with USDA-certified organic tinctures. I personally communicate with customers, keep the product line tight and simple, and prioritize honest education over hype or trends.
Are your products THC-Free?
Yes. Kyoto Botanicals products are made with broad-spectrum CBD and are formulated to be THC-Free, and we hold every product to a non-detect THC standard verified by third-party lab testing. If you are subject to drug testing, we recommend avoiding CBD products entirely.
Are your products USDA organic?
Our tinctures are USDA-certified organic. Not every product we make is certified organic, so check each product page for details. We also rely on third-party lab testing to verify cannabinoid content and, for most products, pesticides, heavy metals, and other impurities.
Can I contact the founder directly?
Yes. As an owner-operated brand, I’m directly involved in customer support and love hearing from people using our products. Every message is an opportunity to learn, improve, and support someone’s wellness journey.
