Canna Connect Show

We sat down with Ed Wells from Cannatrol at Lucky Leaf for a conversation that started with life and quickly moved into one of the most overlooked parts of cannabis production. Drying and curing. Ed breaks down how small inefficiencies after harvest can lead to meaningful losses for operators, especially in emerging markets like Minnesota where pricing is still strong. We also talk about consisten...

In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, we sit down with Benjamin Mike and Dan Gilbert of Local 49 at Lucky Leaf Expo 2026 in Minneapolis. With nearly 100 years of history, Local 49 is stepping into the Minnesota cannabis industry with a focus on partnership, worker protection, and simplifying benefits for business owners. We cover pensions vs 401k plans, Labor Peace Agreements, microbusiness s...

Minnesota cannabis is still being shaped in real time and few people are closer to that process than Carol Moss. In this episode of the Canna Connect Show, Stephen Eigenmann sits down with Carol from Hellmuth & Johnson to talk about what it really means to practice law in a brand new industry. From interpreting unclear statutes to helping clients navigate risk without a clear roadmap, Carol sh...

In this episode of The Canna Connect Show I sit down with Chris Hanna, Director of Sales Engineering at Comcast Business. During the interview we discuss his background as a North Saint Paul native, with hobbies that include cars, in-line skating, and gardening.  Chris has worked at Comcast Business for over 13 years and he currently serves as a Sales Engineer, helping connect the customer with th...

Jason Tarasek is a knowledgeable cannabis partner at Vicente LLP. He has been working in the Minnesota hemp and cannabis industry since 2018. In 2019 he served as Minnesota’s Political Director for Marijuana Policy Project, where he helped orchestrate the state’s first-ever legislative hearing on cannabis legalization.  As a cannabis policy advocate, Jason has spent many hours at the Minnesota Sta...

In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, we sit down with Cory Lake, CEO of Lake Group Insurance, to break down the real challenges facing Minnesota’s cannabis and hemp businesses, from rising insurance premiums and compliance pressure to market volatility and the federal hemp ban. Cory shares insight on the future of the Minnesota cannabis industry, what dispensaries and hemp operators need to...

Getting licensed is just the beginning. In Minnesota’s newly opened adult-use market, the real challenge is staying operational in a supply-strained, high-expectation environment. In this episode of The Canna Connect Show , host Stephen Eigenmann sits down with Gus Sevastos of Dutchie to unpack what Minnesota cannabis operators are actually facing as the market enters 2026. As the early “gold rush...

Rachelle Gordon is the editor of GreenState, a cannabis news and lifestyle media outlet. An award-winning cannabis journalist, Emerald Cup judge, and Budist critic, Rachelle began her weed writing journey in 2015. She has been featured in High Times, CannabisNow, Beard Bros, MG, Skunk, and many other industry publications. Rachelle was the recipient of the Cannabis Journalist of the Year award at...

Luke McCapes has been part of Canna Connect since January 2024, when he first connected with Stephen about the need for cannabis education and event programming in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Born in California and a proud graduate of Brainerd High School and the University of Minnesota Crookston, Luke brings a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and a passion for people, compliance, and community bui...

In this episode of The Canna Connect Show , host Natalie Campion sits down with the legendary Cat Seven , also known as Cat Franklin—globally recognized as the Godmother of Gorilla Glue #4 . Cat shares the true, accidental origin story behind one of the most famous strains in cannabis history, including how a sticky phone call led to a cultural phenomenon—and eventually, a high-stakes federal trad...

On this episode of The Canna Connect Show , host Stephen Eigenmann sits down with Andrew Johnmeyer of Green Machine Farm for a wide-ranging, deeply personal conversation about cannabis, agriculture, and what really happened during Minnesota’s cannabis rollout. Andrew’s story begins long before legalization headlines. As a farmer, activist, and home grower, he traces his journey from Minnesota’s ea...

 A fast, operator focused conversation on turning Metrc requirements into clean daily workflows. Learn how to launch well in your first 30 days, avoid common mistakes, build barcode habits that hold up under pressure, choose integrations that reduce manual entry, stay secure, and keep books clean with a simple month end rhythm.   If this helped, share it with a Minnesota operator who is getting st...

What does a high-end cigar have in common with a premium cannabis bud? More than you might think. In this episode of The Canna Connect Show , host Stephen Eigenmann sits down with Drew Emmer —the man who helped bridge the gap between Boveda’s legendary moisture control and the burgeoning cannabis industry. Drew shares the origin story of his journey with Boveda, starting in a cigar lounge in Minne...