Grassroots Marketing

Jonathan Robbins discuss the Florida cannabis industry and the upcoming vote on Amendment 3, which could expand Florida's cannabis program from medical to adult use. Robbins, Chair of Akerman 's Cannabis Practice, highlights the well-funded pro-Amendment 3 campaign led by medical marijuana treatment centers, contrasting with Governor DeSantis's opposition. He notes the need for 60% vot...

Ryan Thomas, Director of Marketing at Aeriz, shares the company's journey to success in the competitive cannabis market. He emphasizes the importance of consistent branding, a passionate team connected to cannabis culture, and a diverse product line featuring live rosin batter, live resin vapes, hash drops, and edibles. Aeriz's commitment to quality has earned them recognition, including b...

Kyle Neathery, CEO of Samson Extracts, discussed their significant growth, extracting and processing over 1.5 million pounds of biomass in 2023, aiming for 3 million in 2024. They are expanding domestically and exploring international markets, particularly in Europe and South America. Neathery expressed concerns about the expired 2018 Farm Bill and its impact on the industry, highlighting the need...

Vanessa Yee-Chan, owner of Alta, the first legal cannabis dispensary in Chinatown, NYC, shares her journey of launching the business rooted in her family's history with the building. The dispensary emphasizes supporting local businesses and integrating with the community through educational outreach and partnerships, particularly targeting newer generations of Asian Americans. Alta focuses on...

Dr. Monica Werkheiser, a leading cannabis advocate and former pharmacist, discussed her transition from traditional pharmacy to cannabis advocacy. She highlighted her efforts in Pennsylvania to include anxiety as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana, citing studies showing cannabis's benefits for anxiety, sleep, and pain. Dr. Werkheiser emphasized the importance of dose control and edu...

Elisabeth Chambry, a media professional and product developer, discusses her journey of creating a unique, concealed smoking apparatus. Inspired by a desire for both form and function, she designed a bong disguised as a decorative object, emphasizing discreetness and timeless design with Mantelpiece . The manufacturing process, which prioritizes sustainability and fair labor practices, is detailed...

Mark Cozzi, founder of the Bettering Company, discussed the expansion of his luxury edible brand into New York, following its success in Illinois. The company offers premium, vegan, gluten-free THC gummies and chocolates, with unique flavors like blood orange and fennel fig. Cozzi highlighted the use of minor cannabinoids for specific effects, such as sleep (Midnight Cherry Slumber Gummy) and ener...

Chef Stacy Rae, a New York-based Latina chef, shared her experience and knowledge about incorporating CBD tinctures into cooking. She emphasized the importance of using the right temperature and not overcooking the tinctures to preserve their potency. Chef Stacy also discussed her cookbook "The CBD Recipe Guru: More Than 60 Delicious Foods Without the High," (available on Amazon and her we...

Johnathan MacFarlane, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at RollPros , discussed the potential of their automated pre-roll production system, the Blackbird, to transform the cannabis industry. They highlighted the product's ability to reduce human error, increase efficiency, and ensure compliance with regulations. The discussion also touched upon the evolving market trends, the impact of po...

Andrew Wells, the Chief of Staff at Sorting Robotics , discussed the growing role of automation and AI in the cannabis industry. They highlighted the parallels between the cannabis and wine industries, both of which have leveraged technology to improve efficiency and product quality. Andrew emphasized that automation is not about replacing workers, but rather about enabling them to take on more st...

Matha Figaro, the founder of ButaCake , discussed her company’s journey into cannabis-infused edibles, beginning with a simple butter cake business in 2015. A classically trained pastry chef, Matha expanded into cannabis-infused products following a customer's request. She emphasized that all ButaCake products are handmade with natural ingredients, without additives or preservatives, ensuring...

Monica Olano bravely shared her battle with postpartum depression, anxiety, and PTSD after the traumatic birth of her twins. The unexpected complications and lack of transparency from medical professionals took a toll on her mental health. Monica found healing through therapy, plant medicine, and her conscious decision to avoid alcohol. She discussed the challenges of balancing motherhood, running...

Danielle Wildstein, the founder of Blue Oak Dispensary , opens up about her mission to normalize cannabis use and empower patients through education and compassionate care. She shares her vision for the company, her personal journey into the cannabis industry, and the importance of providing personalized guidance to medical marijuana patients.  The conversation touches on the challenges facing th...

Grassroots Marketing welcomes back Sarah Patel, founder of Kelia to talk about their company's captivating climb in the past year. Conquering challenges and celebrating successes, they've launched their luscious libations in 40 dispensaries across Massachusetts, expanded their reach to Louisiana, and fortified their online presence. Focused on functional formulations and the fusion of flav...

Dan Davis discusses the forthcoming 4/20 Expo in Edison, New Jersey, emphasizing its festival atmosphere with varied exhibits, seminars, and entertainment. They stressed the importance of social equity and the positive impact of cannabis on the local community. The 3rd Annual 420 Expo is September 13th to 15th in Edison, New Jersey, boasts a massive outdoor smoking area, food trucks, live music, a...

Gibran Washington, CEO of Ethos Cannabis, shared his journey from Vice President to CEO, highlighting his success in identifying operational deficiencies and improving brand image and customer satisfaction. His background in food and beverage has brought valuable insights to the legal cannabis industry, emphasizing the importance of a good customer experience. Leadership, Inclusion, and Social Equ...

Jack Blaeser, CEO of Mosaic's talks about their innovative approach to combining loyalty programs, payments, and ordering into a single app, distinguishing it from competitors. He highlighted New York's recent decision to allow such apps in cannabis dispensaries, enhancing customer engagement and legal market competitiveness. Mosaic's services and potential app fatigue set the stage fo...

Jonathan Ballard, Vice President of Market Development at Leafy Pack, shared insights on the company's cutting-edge automated bagging systems, including the high-speed Roto bagger, eco bagger, and multi-head scale. He also introduced the Apollo Pre-Roll machine, a compact system that efficiently weighs and pre-rolls products, impressing attendees with its space-saving design. Tackling Cannabis...

Jonathan and Rene Shapiro are the visionaries behind Mindset Wellness, have committed to creating plant-based products aimed at boosting emotional well-being. Inspired by Jonathan's personal journey with the mental health benefits of CBD and terpenes, the Shapiros developed a range of products designed to improve mood and overall well-being without intoxicating effects. Their efforts have been...

Cynthia Cabrera, Chief Strategy Officer, and Ryan Oquin, VP of Sales at Hometown Hero and Texas Hemp Business Council founding board members, delve into the potential pitfalls and perplexities surrounding cannabis regulation in Texas. They discuss the economic and employment risks posed by possible bans, the absence of a dedicated regulatory body, and the industry's need to address bad actors....

Jahmila Edwards, co-founder of Stash Queens, discussed the launch of the woman-owned cannabis brand, emphasizing social equity and consumer empowerment. She shared insights into transitioning from pursuing a dispensary to launching a brand without needing a license. Challenges faced by social equity applicants in New York's evolving market dynamics were also explored, including disparities in...

Ganja Vacations, launched in 2019 by Norman Lawrence, excels in providing cannabis-friendly lodgings in Jamaica, aiming to expand throughout the Caribbean. With a robust background in banking and digital marketing, CEO Norman is dedicated to curating genuine Jamaican cannabis experiences for global tourists by collaborating with local establishments. Ganja Vacations presents a variety of holiday p...

Jessica McElfresh, founder and principal of McElfresh Law, Inc. and Conference Chair for the 2024 INCBA Cannabis Law Institute , shares her perspectives on the upcoming Cannabis Law Institute event. While the event is primarily focused on cannabis law, it remains geared towards legal professionals. Key features include a panel discussion with former federal officials who will provide insights on r...

Josh Lamb | Co-Founder/CEO of High Rewards discusses the launch of HighRewards , an app that rewards cannabis consumers for checking in at dispensaries, uploading receipts, and completing tasks. He also discussed the concept of rewards programs that allow users to monetize their everyday purchases, including the Rewards App for cannabis purchases. The app uses zero-party data to benefit retailers...

In this episode of Grassroots Marketing, we interview Dan Mondello, CEO and Co-Founder of Rank Really High , about the transformative potential of the Joint E-commerce Platform for the cannabis industry. Dan highlights how this seamless and integrated solution outperforms traditional methods like iframes and subdomains, boasting numerous integration partners such as AeroPay, Metric, and Alpine IQ....