From Pot to Popular

The cannabis industry faces a multitude of challenges, from sporadic legalization across states to inconsistent regulations. The lack of federal legalization has created a glaring problem in the financial sector of the industry. Without access to banking and payment opportunities, cannabis operators often struggle to expand the way that they want to, thus hindering the growth of the industry as a...

All established industries have some level of baseline best practices. But with cannabis only a decade into its legal years, new recruits entering the space often lack experience, knowledge and basic proficiencies from the start, making it difficult for all industry players to be on the same page. Max Simon, CEO and founder of Green Flower, recognized this problem and created the tools to address...

There are brands that have lasted for a hundred years. Household names like Procter and Gamble or Clorox are prime examples of traditional CPG companies that continue to succeed because of their strong foundation. With the right strategies and a strong team, CPG brands in cannabis can establish the same names for themselves. In this episode, Troy Datcher, CEO of The Parent Company, shares his insi...

Social equity and the cannabis industry go hand-in-hand. Given cannabis’ controversial and discriminatory past, it is essential for leading operators to give back to communities that have been the most impacted by the War on Drugs. In this episode, Gary Santo, CEO of TILT Holdings, talks about his company’s unique approach to partnerships and supply chain and delves into the historic partnership T...

In a fledgling industry like cannabis, unexpected challenges can arise as retailers work to maximize their full potential. One such issue is that of payment. Cannabis is a traditionally cash-based industry and many mainstream credit cards will not allow for the purchase of a federally illegal product. ATMs at dispensaries are at risk of transaction fees and scammers, and only accepting cash can in...

Up to 90% of cannabis consumed is inhaled—people just prefer smoking. With vaporizers gaining more and more traction in the cannabis space, new technology is needed to keep safety at the forefront of the trend. In this episode, Mladen Barbaric, Founder and CEO of Airgraft, explains his company’s unique approach to vape innovation and their push to create an affordable product amidst a competitive...

Gathering around a few drinks with friends is an elemental part of our social lives. While alcohol has a foothold in the adult beverage category, the cannabis beverage sector is growing, giving consumers another option for their drink of choice in a social or private setting. In this episode, Matt Melander, President and CFO of LEVIA, the brand behind the #1 selling infused seltzer available in ov...

The cannabis industry in the United States has deep roots in Black American culture, and yet the growing legal market lacks representation of the very communities that built these foundations. As the industry continues to evolve, it is essential that BIPOC cannabis professionals, as well as those interested in breaking into the industry, are involved in the development of the very policies that wi...

As brands grow in scale and expand into new markets, it can be challenging to maintain a consistent level of product quality. All too often, expanding is a big risk for businesses—executives need to be strategic in order to help their product succeed in new markets. Vishal Rungta, CFO, President, and Co-Founder of C3 Industries, is an expert on successful brand expansion and quality control. In th...

Legal cannabis businesses are being met with unmatched consumer and investor interest as the industry continues to mature, but many companies are still hampered by archaic regulations. Many entrepreneurs in the space continue to advocate for sweeping regulatory reforms, but which laws will actually allow cannabis companies to operate like their mainstream counterparts? In this episode, Jigar Patel...

Work ethic, accountability, and pushing through challenges—all lessons from a life as an athlete that translate to the world of cannabis entrepreneurship. Everett Smith started his career as a professional basketball player before transitioning to the cannabis space, carrying this athlete mentality with him the whole way. In this episode, Everett Smith, Co-Founder and CEO of Presidential Cannabis...

By now, most people know about CBD products and its many potential benefits, but only one third of those individuals have actually given cannabinoids a try. This statistic reflects a major opportunity for CBD brands to fill in that gap and bring the benefits of CBD to a much wider audience. In this episode, Chondita Dayton, CEO of Liweli and Steady State Brands, discusses her accessibility-based p...

Sustainability and best business practices are not mutually exclusive. In the highly competitive California cannabis market, creating quality products with sustainable cultivation techniques is one way to differentiate your brand from thousands of competitors. In this episode, Graham Farrar, President and Co-Founder of Glass House Group, talks about how his company was able to become the second hi...

Not many investors can say that they’ve been in the cannabis space since the days of penny stocks. A volatile market with booming highs and deep lows, it takes a pro to successfully navigate cannabis investments. In this episode, Jason Spatafora, long-time cannabis investor and “the Wolf of Weed Street” on Twitter, shares his journey within the cannabis markets. He discusses his predictions for th...

The stigmas that still surround cannabis usage often alienate women from enjoying its benefits and partaking in the culture. With rising trends advertising the wellness aspects of cannabis, it is important to remember that cannabis is also used for fun. In this episode, Brett Heyman, Founder of Edie Parker, discusses the ways in which her fashion brand has expanded into the cannabis industry with...

Since 2014, CBD has grown from a relatively unknown ingredient to one of the most sought-after products on the market. While CBD has become a mainstream product, many science-backed brands are striving to develop a set of standards to set the industry up for long-term success. In this episode, Stuart Tomc, SVP of Business Development at CV Sciences, discusses the importance of trustworthy and tran...

As cannabis becomes an increasingly mainstream industry, brands in this space are also developing more accessible consumption methods for everyday customers. In recent years, infused products have exploded in popularity, especially in the beverage sector. In this episode, we sit down with Ben Larson, CEO of Vertosa, to talk about how his company is changing the industry with their understanding of...

Consumers and investors alike have begun rallying around the U.S. cannabis industry, and several top multi-state operators are stepping into the spotlight. In this episode, we talk to Jonathan Rubin from Phyto Partners about the driving forces behind the U.S. market’s exponential growth, as well as difficult lessons investors and business leaders learned from Canada’s adult-use rollout. Jonathan a...

There’s no doubt that cannabis legalization is sweeping the globe, but the rate at which regions are opening and the priorities of countries varies greatly. Europe’s market and infrastructure lags behind the U.S. and the focus continues to be on the medical market. But with U.S. MSOs like Curaleaf acquiring cannabis companies in Europe, momentum is building. In this episode, Stephen Murphy, Co-fou...

When you think about premium cannabis, what comes to mind? Meticulously grown flower with a sweet aroma and distinct terpene profile? Luxurious THC-enriched body oils to soothe everyday aches and pains? What if we told you that the future of premium edibles may lie in French pastry? In this episode, we speak to Sebastien Centner, co-founder of Hervé Luxury Edibles, the world’s first luxury cannabi...

Producing consistent yields has been a longstanding challenge for even the most experienced cultivators. Agrify, a developer of premium grow solutions, aims to make the cultivation process as streamlined and predictable as possible. In this episode, we talk to President and CEO Raymond Chang about the importance of utilizing technology to establish cannabis as the next CPG space and the global opp...

CBD has become one of the most popular wellness products among mothers, and Ashley Reynolds, was an early advocate for the holistic properties of cannabis when she co-founded Elmore Mountain Therapeutics in 2017. In this episode, we talk to Ashley about how her own postpartum experience led her to CBD, how small private businesses can create a blueprint for industry-wide standards and the power of...

An appreciation for craftsmanship often emerges as certain consumer industries become more developed and sophisticated, and cannabis is no exception. Just like with wine, spirits, and coffee, cannabis is gaining a steady following of connoisseurs seeking out premium experiences. In this episode, we speak to Sam Ghods, CEO of Connected Cannabis Co., one of the top premium brands in California. Sam...

While cannabis consumers seemingly have endless products and brands to choose from these days, brand discovery and engagement are still significant obstacles for legal companies. Since 2015, Nugg has been finding novel ways to improve patient and consumer retail experiences. The company first created NuggMD, the nation’s largest cannabis telemedicine platform and recently launched Nugg Club, the i...

LeafLink, the go-to wholesale marketplace for retailers, brands and distributors, has played an integral role in the maturation of the industry. In this episode, we talk to the company’s first hire, Claire Moloney about the greatest shifts in the wholesale market and how retail insights are being leveraged by policymakers. As LeafLink’s current Senior East Coast Regional Director, Claire also shar...