Grassroots Marketing

Upling, a medical cannabis delivery app , is set to officially launch Bud-E, an AI integration designed to provide personalized cannabis recommendations. Bud-E aims to optimize cannabis infusion by combining personal health data, patient feedback, and genetic insights, transforming strain selection into a science-backed process. Speaking to Colin Fraser, founder of the first Black-owned delivery-f...

Lulu Tsui, co-founder and Chief Experience Officer at On the Revel , discussed the upcoming Revelry Festival in New York City , a two-part event designed to expand the consumer cannabis market and address industry challenges. The festival includes an invite-only Buyers Club on September 12th for vetted operators and brands to conduct business, and a public festival on September 13th at Pier 36. Th...

Jamey Grosser, Founder and CEO of Pour Me Bev discusses the profound impact of the proposed 2026 Farm Bill on the hemp industry, highlighting its potential redefinition of hemp to include total THC and a ban on synthesized cannabinoids, which poses an existential threat to the over $8 billion industry. He reveals hidden provisions within the appropriations bill that would further undermine the ind...

Grassroots Marketing features an exclusive interview with the incomparable Rohan Marley , a dynamic entrepreneur, former Miami Hurricane football sensation, and an esteemed scion of the iconic Marley family. As the visionary co-founder of Lion Order , a proprietary cannabis brand now proudly available at Goldflower Cannabis , Rohan discussed the brand's profound connection to the spirit of Ras...

Weed, an AI-powered, decentralized Web3 well-being platform, and founder Darin Phillips detailed its "uncensored and unfiltered" approach, providing personalized insights from petabytes of data. Phillips discussed their licensing-based commercialization strategy, highlighting a significant partnership with Khalifa Kush for global expansion, and explained their plans for community engagemen...

Craig Henderson, founder of Extract Labs, discussed the importance of terpenes over THC percentages in dictating cannabis effects, emphasizing the need for industry-wide consumer education on terpene profiles despite current labeling practices. He also explored the potential for increased cannabis research and standardization, such as a universal cannabis aroma and flavor wheel, if cannabis were r...

Kyle Loucks discussed RollPros' expansion into packaging design to offer a comprehensive solution for cannabis brands, aiming to consolidate fragmented supply chains and maintain product quality. The RollPros Founder and CEO explained that this move leverages their bulk purchasing power to provide competitive pricing and efficient timelines on packaging, supported by account managers who act a...

Daron Hudson, a multifaceted entrepreneur and social worker, shared his journey from Housing Works to establishing Sanctuary Garden , a mission-driven cannabis dispensary in New York. Sanctuary Garden aims to provide care and invest in the community, navigating the complex and challenging New York cannabis market, which is characterized by regulatory issues and illicit sales. Hudson emphasized the...

Marianne Cursetjee discussed her personal journey using cannabis, specifically RSO, to manage cancer treatment side effects, emphasizing its positive impact on nausea, fatigue, and overall well-being. Marianne also shared the evolution of her family's acceptance of her work with cannabis. They advised cancer patients considering cannabis to consult doctors and knowledgeable sources. The conver...

Ravens View Genetics is a craft cannabis company co-founded by Joann Kudrewicz, located in upstate New York. The company's origins are deeply personal, stemming from Joann's desire to honor her daughter Nina's legacy and her passion for holistic health, which converged with her husband Michael's dedication to cannabis cultivation and genetic preservation. The name "Ravens View&...

Grassroots Marketing speaks with Carol Tyson, Director of Marketing at Jaunty. They delve into Jaunty's successful entry and expansion within the New York cannabis market. Tyson emphasizes Jaunty's "100% New York grown" identity and their dedication to addressing consumer needs through product development. Key points include Jaunty's position as a leading vape brand, their stra...

Matt Hutchinson, SVP of Product and Head of Logistics at Leaflink joins the discussion to explore their innovative payment on sale through (POST) model. This consignment-style system guarantees payment to cannabis brands upon consumer sale, while providing retailers with capital relief and brands with real-time sales data. Hutchinson details the system's features for brand protection, automate...

We hear from Everett Smith about Presidential Cannabis. The company specializes in "world's strongest" infused moon rocks since 2012. They focus on quality ingredients and collaborate with growers and brands like Ball Family Farms and Maven. Presidential Cannabis has recently expanded into New York and plans to launch in Washington. Smith also talked about future product innovations li...

Kenny Morrison, CEO and Co-founder of CQ , is positioning his brand at the forefront of the burgeoning cannabis-infused beverage market. CQ aims to offer a mainstream alternative to alcoholic drinks, providing consumers with potent mixable shots and ready-to-mix beverages designed to be as socially acceptable and easy to share as beer or wine. The brand is capitalizing on evolving consumer trends,...

Lisa Altschuler Liberman, founder and CEO of Lifted Lodging, was interviewed about her new cannabis-centric resort concept launching at Lake of the Ozarks in September 2025. Lifted Lodging aims to be an upscale, adults-only national network of accommodations where guests can bring their own cannabis. The resort will offer lakefront cottages, activities such as culinary experiences and cannabis-rel...

Angela Cheng, CMO, and Vat Tann, VP of Customer Experience, from Kanha Brands discussed Kanha's 10-year anniversary, brand evolution, and marketing strategies, including the "Summer of Sound" campaign and influencer engagement. They highlighted the launch of solventless rosin belts and upcoming vegan Rosin Sours. Kanha's product availability in multiple states and expansion plans w...

Genine Coleman, Executive Director of the Origins Council, for an update on the legacy genetics research project. The project aims to identify, document, and preserve California's heritage cannabis strains. Genine detailed that the project involves many academic and community partnerships, including the United Core Alliance. The project received a no-cost extension and is currently midway thro...

Kamia Kindle, the founder of SPG Web and Marketing , focusing on her expertise in grassroots marketing and her work with cannabis brands. A significant portion of the discussion revolved around the launch of "Whoop-Tea," a THC-infused beverage in collaboration with Whoopi Goldberg. Kamia explained SPG Web and Marketing's unique "RICHAC" methodology, which strategically combines...

Aaron Riley, CEO of Certified Testing and Data , introduced the Cannaleptic rating system, designed to provide a standardized, consumer-centric evaluation of cannabis products. This system goes beyond basic compliance testing by incorporating sensory feedback data from consumers. The methodology combines traditional lab results (cannabinoid, terpene, and safety testing) with detailed questionnaire...

Greg Tannor, CEO of Flowerhouse , discussed the company's partnership with Carmelo Anthony for the "STAYME7O" brand . The brand emphasizes community giveback and coincides with the NBA 's Carmelo Anthony's Hall of Fame announcement. STAYME7O offers various cannabis options and collaborates with Holiday for vape products, aiming to complement Anthony's ventures and prioritiz...

Jeremy Zachary, CEO of Zen Brands (Zen Cannabis), joins Grassroots Marketing to discuss the company's journey to becoming the largest privately held cannabis edibles company globally since its launch in 2020. Zachary emphasizes Zen Brands' core commitment to consistency, high-quality products at a value price point, and a deep understanding of cannabis culture , drawing from nearly two dec...

We hear from Steve Garner, VP of Cultivation at Ethos Cannabis. The discussion highlighted Ethos Cannabis's diverse approach, incorporating various facility types such as sealed greenhouses, indoor facilities with LED lighting, and two-tier vertical flower rooms, tailored to different regional regulations and climates. Technological advancements were a key focus, with emphasis on leveraging in...

Grassroots Marketing speaks with Brendon Robinson, co-founder of Mudd Brothers and the Minority Cannabis Academy . Robinson discusses Mudd Brothers' mission to elevate Black ownership and community impact within the cannabis industry, detailing their operations in New Jersey and expansion into Massachusetts. He also highlights the challenges faced by social equity operators and the importance...

Grassroots Marketing talks with Scott Lynch from HashDash, a platform offering personalized cannabis recommendations. The platform uses an algorithm based on user experiences, social listening, and a questionnaire with data from a large number of strains and data points. The goal of HashDash is to provide a consumer-centric approach, differentiating itself from competitors that primarily serve bra...

Lowell Brown, Vice President of Retail Operations at Planet 13 talks about Planet 13's dynamic 4/20 event in Las Vegas , strategically coinciding with WrestleMania weekend. We explore how Planet 13 leveraged the wrestling fever by featuring meet-and-greets with wrestling icons, creating a unique crossover experience. Learn about their strategy to attract wrestling fans to their consumption lou...