Grassroots Marketing

Toby Streett, the founder of Cbdeeme explained the critical issues facing the hemp industry, detailing how the proposed Farm Bill's total THC limit threatens the $24 billion market and the need for urgent consumer and congressional education on hemp and cannabinoid regulation. We also learn about Cbdeeme’s educational e-commerce platform and its vetted hemp-derived products, emphasizing the i...

Hybrid Marketing Co.'s VP of Strategy, Jen Lamboy, offered a deep dive into the complex, state-by-state regulated U.S. cannabis market, highlighting that managing diverse consumer types and cultural stigma is key to success. Lamboy shared insights from the recent MJ Biz conference, noting a shift toward attendees being "ready to do business," and predicted immense growth in cannabis-in...

Eric Steenstra discussed the complex federal journey of hemp legalization, highlighting the shift from the 2014 Farm Bill's original non-intoxicating intent to the unintended conversion of CBD into intoxicating cannabinoids like Delta 8 and Delta 9 following the 2018 Farm Bill. Steenstra expressed concern over the FDA's failure to establish clear regulations for hemp products, which could...

James Stephens, co-founder of Sinful, shared insights on his company's success as Montana's top-selling cannabis brand, which specializes in premium THC beverages and gummies. The discussion covered Sinful's strategic expansion plans into new US markets, including New Jersey, New York, Florida, and California, and the anticipated positive impact of cannabis rescheduling to Schedule III...

 with Simon Knobel, CEO of Calyx Containers, centered on the cannabis packaging industry's challenges, including scrutiny over unverified claims like mold prevention, which he attributed to failures in complying with federal FIFRA rules. Knobel introduced their Calyx Cure nine-layer pouch technology, explaining that a six-month study with the Cannabis Research Coalition demonstrated it preserv...

Angela Brown, CEO and co-founder of Coast Cannabis Company , detailed her strategy for scaling the business from a craft brand into a "Multi-State Brand" (MSB) while rigorously maintaining product quality. She emphasized that the company's commitment to organic ingredients and a high-integrity, expensive supply chain is a non-negotiable that secures consumer trust against market price...

Prominent cannabis industry leader Alexa Wilson addressed the multifaceted challenges facing Multi-State Operators (MSOs), including the anticipated financial impact of potential 280E tax relief, shifting capital markets, compliance issues, and banking hurdles, all while the industry awaits federal rescheduling. Wilson advised MSOs and customers to plan conservatively for the expected cash flow wi...

SWADE Cannabis, with its vertically integrated dispensary network in Missouri, is expanding its product line with the introduction of  Sinse Gummies . Brandon Cavanagh, the Director of Marketing, highlighted that these new edibles stand out in a crowded market by utilizing full-spectrum cannabis oil for a more authentic, "true-to-plant" experience, differentiating them from common distilla...

with Tamara Anderson, CEO of Culinary and Cannabis, highlights her mission to champion cannabis for wellness and self-advocacy, driven by her personal survival of chronic myeloid leukemia and her dual expertise as a registered nurse and pastry chef. She emphasizes a safe, informed approach to consumption, including the "start low, go slow" method, and consulting with healthcare professiona...

Colin Fraser is back to tell us about Upling's nonprofit, From Grass to Grace, which has launched a charitable initiative in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica. Teaming up with Cookies Jamaica, the DMV, and Connect Jamaica, the effort is focused on supporting devastated growers in the St. Elizabeth region. The relief includes rebuilding essential agricultural in...

Alex Anderson, co-founder and CEO of Skyworld and a member of the Tuscarora Nation, was interviewed about the New York-based indigenous cannabis brand. Skyworld is rooted in the "Skyworld" creation story and operates with a "human forward" approach dedicated to creating the best possible experience from staff to product. Anderson highlighted the brand's high-profile marketing c...

Jay Randolph Wright, store manager for Little Beach Harvest , detailed the dispensary's operations under the Shinnecock Indian Nation's Cannabis Regulatory Division, emphasizing its independence from New York State's OCM and its focus on tribal cultivation and community advocacy, with 4% of revenue supporting the Shinnecock Nation. We highlighted the limited tribal involvement in the n...

Grassroots Marketing welcomed MacKenzie McClain Hill, the founder of the BIPO owned CBD-powered beauty and wellness brand LumiBloom , for a recording session, where MacKenzie discussed how the discipline from their elite athletic background translates into entrepreneurship. MacKenzie detailed the Lumi Sport line's focus on deep recovery and natural pain management using CBD and CBG, which incl...

Spherex Chief Revenue Officer Ryan Hunter discussed the company's significant market demand, evidenced by $250,000 in back orders. He outlined a holistic, consumer-product-focused marketing approach that moves beyond traditional dispensary pop-ups to include building strong relationships with retail staff and hosting large consumer-facing events, such as a 700-person Halloween roller skate par...

Kristin Rogers, co-founder of LEVIA , details the company's decision to reacquire the cannabis beverage brand from MSO Air Wellness. The decision was driven by the competitive pressure from the unregulated hemp market, which the smaller, private LEVIA can now address by pivoting faster than the MSO. Kristin outlined plans for expansion into other regulated markets and leveraging the hemp marke...

Maui Boyz, a North Carolina dispensary, recently celebrated its one-year anniversary, showcasing substantial growth in customer base and revenue. The dispensary has successfully integrated a "Maui vibe" into its operations, offering a laid-back, positive atmosphere and treating customers as "ohana" (family). Founder James Bowersox discussed the impact of North Carolina's Senate...

Gigli is a THC-infused beverage recognized as one of the 20 "best non-alcoholic beverages of the year" at a 2025 international non-alcoholic competition. Kam Talebi, Gigli founder and CEO, attributed their success to focusing on taste, and emphasizing their "good for you" approach, including being alcohol-free, gluten-free, vegan, all-natural, and under 80 calories. We also discuss...

Grassroots Marketing welcomed SANLight Senior Agricultural and Technical Account Manager Allison Zervopoulos. Allison discussed SANLight, an Austrian company that specializes in LED grow lights. Their products, including the Evo, Evo Compact, and Sticks series, are optimized for cannabis cultivation efficiency and consistent cannabinoid expression, thanks to an R&D license for cannabis-specifi...

Jasmine Johnson, CEO of GŪD Essence , is a black female pioneer in the cannabis industry. She discussed the importance of blending hospitality with cannabis, advocating for precise cannabis terminology, and Good Essence's strategy for creating black generational wealth through employee ownership, partnerships, and expansion into apparel, lifestyle, and wellness. GŪD Essence is also planning ne...

XRpure  is a company specializing in cannabis decontamination using X-ray technology, emphasizing its cold process and minimal impact on cannabinoids. Jeff Adams and Joseph Bancheri detailed the company's expansion into Canada through a partnership with Strangford Consulting, viewing it as a strategic move for international growth due to Canada's federal legalization and ease of product mo...

Grassroots Marketing welcomes Theo Terris, CEO of Uncle Arnies, a rapidly growing THC and hemp-infused beverage brand, recently closed a $7.5 million Series A funding round to accelerate national expansion. Theo details Uncle Arnie's growth strategy, which included dominating the California market before expanding into 10 new states, securing partnerships with major retailers like Total Wine a...

Drew Cesario, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Jaunty , to the podcast, discussing Jaunty's strategy for maintaining its top-selling vape brand status in New York through strong retail partnerships and a focus on sales velocity. Drew detailed Jaunty's approach to scaling in the New York cannabis market, navigating regulatory challenges like the delayed seed-to-sale tracking...

Jeffrey Miller, CEO of Honey Projects, joined Grassroots Marketing, to talk about Honey Projects' focus on small-batch, independent cannabis brands, advocating for conscious leadership and integrating storytelling from their documentary background into the cannabis industry. Miller also discussed the company's vision to bridge adult-use cannabis with psychedelic-assisted wellness, predicti...

Jennifer Gierum, Founder and CEO of High Life Health, elaborated on their dispensary's unique approach in the competitive New York cannabis market, emphasizing a commitment to quality, safety, and consumer education by providing resources like lab reports. Jennifer also discussed how their background in acting and modeling contributes to redefining the narrative around cannabis by starting a r...

The MJ Bowl, a new bi-coastal cannabis competition, launching at MJBizCon , with Emilie Lewis ( Senior Vice President at MJBiz) highlighting its significance in the industry's evolution towards consumer and product quality, and Jocelyn Sheltraw ( co-founder and CEO of Budist ) emphasizing fostering connoisseurship. The competition will feature five categories, judged by Budist expert critics a...