Plant Prophets

David Miller, Chief Strategy Officer at Flow Gardens, joins host Vern Davis to discuss the challenges and opportunities of operating a cannabis business in Tennessee. They also delve into the current state of cannabis legislation, including the potential rescheduling of marijuana and the impact of the Farm Bill. David shares insights into the brand-building strategies of Flow Gardens, emphasizing...

Seth Yakatan, co-founder and partner of Yakatan Associates International, shares his journey into the cannabis industry and why he is passionate about working with early-stage startup businesses. He discusses the importance of innovation and the potential for growth in the cannabis sector. Seth also provides insights into the current state of the industry and his optimism for the future, highlight...

Kris Krane, the Director of Cannabis Development at KCSA Strategic Communications, shares his journey in the cannabis industry and discusses the challenges faced by social equity licensees. He emphasizes the importance of making banking and traditional lending available to these licensees to ensure their success. Kris also highlights the impact of 280E, a tax code that prevents cannabis businesses...

Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Bill Panagiotakopoulos, CEO of Safe Supply, and Ronan Levy, President of Safe Supply. Safe Supply is a pioneering company that invests in the legal and regulated supply of drugs that were traditionally only accessible through illicit markets. In this thought-provoking conversation, we delve into the complexities of the drug ecosystem, the need for polic...

Rob Sechrist discusses the recent achievements of Polaris Equity Group and the Polaris Fund, including obtaining the highest credit rating ever issued in the cannabis industry and completing the first securitization in the sector. He also shares his insights on the potential rescheduling of cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug and the impact it could have on the industry. Sechrist bel...

Banking challenges faced by the cannabis industry are an extremely important topic especially with how much the cannabis industry is growing. To better understand this we sat down with Jontae James, The Cannabis Banker at Greenbax Marketplace. Jontae explains how working with influential individuals, including athletes and entertainers can help with financial literacy programs in disadvantaged com...

Aaron Nosbisch shares his entrepreneurial journey, from starting a clothing company in his teens to co-founding Lucid, the largest cannabis social advertising agency. He discusses how he cracked the code for advertising cannabis products on platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Aaron also talks about his latest venture, Breeze, a unique cannabis and mushroom-infused beverage that aims to provide a...

Harrison Bard, co-founder of Custom Cones USA, joins host Vern Davis to discuss the future of the pre-roll industry and the importance of compliance in the cannabis space. They explore the growing popularity of pre-rolls among recreational consumers and the potential for cannabis beverages to become a significant segment of the market. Harrison also shares insights into Custom Cones USA's comm...

David Sandelman, the co-founder of VT Dry and Cure Technologies and the creator of Cantrol systems, shares his journey in the HVAC industry and how he stumbled upon the idea of using his technology for drying and curing cannabis. He explains the importance of maintaining a specific water activity level in cannabis flowers to prevent mold and microbial growth. David discusses how Cantrol systems wo...

A foundation in civil rights and racial justice has shaped our guest's approach to her work in the cannabis industry, where she sees a clear connection between equity and the pursuit of justice. In today's episode, we have a special guest, Shahiedah Shabazz, the Executive Director of the International Cannabis Bar Association (Incba).  Shahiedah brings a wealth of experience and knowledge...

Metrc has been proclaimed the Backbone of Legal Cannabis, boasting the world's most robust regulatory supply chain technology system. We're joined by the CTO of Metrc, Sam Peterson. Peterson brings more than 25 years of experience in technology leadership and has an extensive background in executing SaaS growth strategies and software and product development. Before joining Metrc, he serve...

C3 Industries with CEO and co-founder Ankur Rungta today on Plant Prophets with Vern Davis only on Cannabis Radio. Ankur Rungta is co-founder and CEO of C3 Industries. Ankur brings years of experience as a corporate attorney and investment banker to the company, with a specific focus on corporate finance, real estate, media, and cannabis. Together with his co-founders, Vishal Rungta and Joel Ruggi...

Lifted Made is a premier producer of innovative hemp-CBD products known for cutting-edge aesthetics and packaging and wide-ranging appeal. It’s a rapidly expanding company that has managed to retain its personal, small business ethos, as its products are crafted in small batches from hemp grown locally by Midwestern farms. We expand on that distinction about being a small business and Midwestern g...

Vern Davis welcomes MJBizDaily founding editor Chris Walsh. Since 2011, MJBizDaily has been the most trusted business (B2B) news source for the cannabis industry in the US and Canada. Exclusively written by professional journalists, we serve the information needs of large-scale cultivators, processors, testing labs, infused product makers, financial services, major investors, dispensaries and recr...

Lisa is the President of Happi, the first THC-infused beverage to launch in the state of Michigan, which she co-founded and leads with her partner Joe Reynolds. Happi’s all-natural sparkling water beverages are made with simple ingredients and organic fruit, they are vegan and have just 15-25 calories. Designed for the canna-curious woman, Happi combines Lisa’s passion for microdose products and h...

In the rapidly evolving cannabis industry, effective public relations (PR) is crucial for businesses to navigate the complex landscape and establish a strong brand presence. PR firms play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of cannabis programs and ensuring that clients from various sectors of the industry are seen in a positive light.  In this thought-provoking interview, we had the...

Alex Boone, the Managing Director at Botani, joins Vern Davis on Plant Prophets to discuss how rolling paper brands can develop new product lines and compete in the cannabis industry. Botani, a subsidiary of SWM International, leverages its 400 years of experience in paper making to create sustainable and innovative rolling paper products for the cannabis market.  By listening to the voice of the...

Sarah Patel, CEO and founder of Kelia, joins us to discuss her journey in the cannabis industry and the creation of her cannabis beverage brand. Sarah shares how her personal experience with anxiety led her to develop a product that combines the benefits of cannabis with the socialization of a beverage. She explains that her non-carbonated beverages are designed to appeal to women and promote a he...

Sarah Patel, CEO and founder of Kelia, joins us to discuss her journey in the cannabis industry and the creation of her cannabis beverage brand. Sarah shares how her personal experience with anxiety led her to develop a product that combines the benefits of cannabis with the socialization of a beverage. She explains that her non-carbonated beverages are designed to appeal to women and promote a he...

Eric Block, the Chief Revenue Officer at Wana Brands, discusses the success and mission of the company. Wana Brands is focused on serving the community and creating high-quality, innovative cannabis products. Eric emphasizes the importance of passion, adaptability, and hard work in the cannabis industry. He also highlights the company's commitment to education and responsible packaging. Wana B...

Socrates Rosenfeld is the Co-Founder and CEO of Jane Technologies. After leaving active duty in 2011 as a U.S. Army veteran and Apache helicopter commander, Socrates turned to cannabis to re-acclimate to civilian life. Because cannabis wasn’t legal at the time in Massachusetts where he lived, he was forced to rely on the black market, where he couldn’t be sure about the quality of the cannabis he...

Anne Forkutza started her career in customer experience and digital strategy at the age of 18, delivering award-winning campaigns for big brands such as Starbucks, Electronic Arts, and Nike. She has since pivoted to cannabis retail and has worked with some of the most influential cannabis retailers in the industry. As Head of Strategic Partners & Industry Relations at Dutchie, Anne plays a key...

Sundie Seefried runs a fintech platform with a 9-year track record of facilitating banking and lending services to the US cannabis industry. Safe Harbor Financial is among the first service providers to offer compliance, monitoring, and validation services to financial institutions, providing traditional banking services to cannabis, hemp, CBD, and ancillary operators, making communities safer, dr...

Sands Lane Holdings is comprised of a purpose-driven venture studio (Sands Lane Ventures), creative, marketing & media agencies (Sands Lane Agency Group), and an investment management platform (Sands Lane Capital). They leverage three primary verticals to drive value across the ecosystem, Brand Incubation & Agency Services, Strategic Advisory & Operations Management, and Financial Advi...

The GreenSpacePro platform helps franchise operators manage projects, assets, and compliance. GreenSpacePro provides software solutions for regulated industries, including operators, regulators, and financial institutions. State-sanctioned cannabis in the U.S. is the fastest-growing industry in the world, expected to top $40 billion by 2025. The long-term viability of this rapidly growing space hi...