Grassroots Marketing

Grassroots Marketing interviews James Krouse, Founder and CEO of Flower Power Genetics . James delves into the creation of "Adam," a hybrid cannabis strain developed from vintage seeds stored for over 30 years. This strain, a cross between a tropical Sativa and an Indica from the Middle East, aims to preserve genetic diversity and maintain medicinal properties while being adaptable to vari...

In this episode of Grassroots Marketing, we sit down with Brendan McKee, Co-Founder, CFO, and COO of Silver Therapeutics , to explore the unique challenges faced by the cannabis industry on Martha's Vineyard. Brendan provides insights into the stringent regulations that restrict cannabis sales on the island, impacting both medical and recreational users. He discusses the complexities of implem...

Aaron Bloom, CEO of DocMJ discusses the potential expansion of Florida's medical marijuana program to include adult use, the challenges faced by senior citizens in accessing medical marijuana, and the current state of the industry. We look at the impact of the expansion on the medical marijuana program, and how it could create new opportunities for patients and MSOs alike. We also emphasized t...

The Culinary Cannabis Company, founded by Kate and Dave Nadolski, specializes in cannabis-infused culinary products utilizing SEDDS technology for rapid effects. They emphasize precise dosing, taste, and potency while meeting FDA standards. Collaborating with dispensaries, they offer controlled-dosage selections ranging from 2.5mg to 10mg per serving, with a focus on allergen-free options. Their i...

Sol Care Rituals founder Marisol Ledezma shares how she launched her business about a year and a half ago and is approaching her two-year anniversary. She also speaks about her company's offerings for the mind, body, and soul, including a new line called Luna. Sole Care's Founding and Marisol's Journey: Marisol shared her personal story behind her establishment of Sol Care, a wellness...

Grassroots Marketing speaks with Kevin Brooks, CEO of Conception Nurseries who discussed the importance of quality and consistency in the cannabis industry, highlighting Conception's proprietary true clone technology, which guarantees genetically identical plants with consistent quality. He also emphasized the benefits of tissue culture in addressing plant stress, reducing environmental impact...

We speak with Todd Polyniak, Sax LLP Head of Cannabis Practice, and a seasoned expert in the cannabis industry. We discussed the 471C tax code provision. This provision allows small businesses to identify specific inventory items for cost calculations that would otherwise be disallowed under 280E. However, utilizing 471C is risky, as it could trigger audits and penalties if the IRS disagrees. They...

We interviewed Gary Long, CEO of Botanical Sciences . Gary shared his extensive background in healthcare and his transition into the cannabis industry. He noted the importance of legitimizing the cannabis industry, especially in Georgia where his company is based. Gary also detailed how they built a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and implemented contemporary technology to ensure the produ...

Nicole N'Diaye, a Principal at Bossiee Budz and board member of the Cannabis Association of NY, shared her journey from a medical cannabis user to an entrepreneur in the industry. She emphasized proper cultivation practices, discussed educational opportunities for industry entrants, promoted homegrown cannabis initiatives, and highlighted the need for strategic planning and business acumen. We...

Christine Smith, the founder and CEO of Grön , discussed the origins of the name and Christine's background in architecture and land use entitlement. Over the course of 10 years, Gron has grown steadily, providing chocolate-infused products that have found success in a niche of the edible market dominated by gummies. They discussed their company's expansion strategy, which operates under a...

Alexandra Chong, CEO at JACANA discusses her company's mission to establish a strong Jamaican brand for cannabis, grown naturally and sustainably. They cultivate and use over 70 medicinal plants for their range of wellness products, including CBD-infused topical creams, oils, and gummies. The team highlighted their position as the largest vertically integrated cannabis producer in Jamaica, wit...

Dan Serard, the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Cannabis Creative Group , shared insights on the 2024 cannabis marketing plan.  The discussion highlighted the importance of personalized digital marketing strategies tailored to individual business needs, diversifying advertising channels beyond social media due to federal restrictions. Strategies included email marketing for engagement, o...

Stanley Jutkowitz, Senior Counsel with Seyfarth Shaw LLP discusses the recent DEA decision to reschedule cannabis from schedule one to schedule three, with potential less restrictive schedules. Stanley provided legal insights on the implications of this move, while highlighting the controversy surrounding cannabis legalization and rescheduling. We also explored the roles of DEA and FDA in the lega...

Aeriz , led by Ryan Thomas, excels in sustainable aeroponic cannabis cultivation with a focus on quality, sustainability, and innovation. Their product range includes hash oil-infused pre rolls and unique offerings like hash drops, known for consistent highs. Expanding into Illinois, Arizona, and soon California markets, Aeriz prioritizes building relationships with dispensaries while balancing h...

Daron Babin speaks with Dustin Hughes, Senior Account Executive at Rad Source Technologies . Since 1997 Rad Source Technologies has been the expert in providing renewable, non-isotope, ionizing radiation replacements for self-shielded gamma irradiators.  Pass state mandated testing levels with 99.9% confidence. Their patented photonic decontamination™ technology is the only remediation solution th...

Daron Babin catches up with Darren Gleeman, the managing partner of MBO Ventures , the cannabis industry's only investment bank dedicated to Employee Stock Ownership Plans. MBO Ventures is the cannabis industry’s only investment bank dedicated to Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) which make the negative tax implications of 280E irrelevant. They hold a patent pending for its groundbreaking...

Grassroots Marketing welcomes Christy Fuicelli, the founder of MJ Attache . She shared insights into the creation of high-end luxury cannabis accessories, highlighting the discreet yet luxurious Anthony bag priced at $2150. Drawing from personal experiences, Fuicelli identified a market gap and emphasized innovative designs using Italian leather. Fuicelli's dedication to meeting diverse consum...

Sandra Bergman, the founder and CEO of ESBE Marketing, emphasized the significance of effective loyalty programs in retail cannabis operations. She stressed the need for businesses to analyze loyalty program performance through metrics, engage customers beyond discounts, and promote loyalty programs through in-store execution. Strategies for incentivizing bud tenders were explored, including tying...

Legal cannabis businesses in California are hindered by limited city approvals, leading to the growth of the illicit market. Michael Moussalli's High Seas dispensary stands out through its ocean conservation theme, commitment to sustainability, and personalized shopping experience. Exotic aquarium attractions along with a focus on quality products and community engagement, High Seas aims to in...

Grassroots Marketing welcomes back Harrison Bard with Custom Cones USA about a new campaign where they are seeking skilled content creators in the cannabis industry for a unique job opportunity. The focus is on finding candidates with social media expertise, content creation skills, and a deep understanding of the cannabis market. iPhone stresses the importance of professionalism, personal brandin...

The upcoming opening of the Cannabis Hall of Fame aims to celebrate industry pioneers and celebrities like Henry Ford and Wanda James, focusing on business success and cultural heritage. Tony Schor, President, Investor Awareness, Inc. & Chairman of the Cannabis Hall of Fame discusses the initiative prioritizes merit-based inductions and aims to showcase cannabis brands through interactive exhi...

Budist is a mobile app in the cannabis sector led by CEO Jocelyn Sheltraw and COO Claudio Miranda. The platform provides expert-led reviews from 'Buddists' to offer diverse perspectives on cannabis product evaluations, emphasizing social interaction and detailed reviews. Buddist plans to expand beyond California into major North American markets, aiming to democratize product evaluations a...

NYC Bud , a retail cannabis dispensary with a unique subway culture and graffiti art theme. Jonpaul Pezzo discusses his background in the cannabis industry, his partnerships, and challenges faced due to legal issues impacting licensing processes, and insights into business operations and PR strategies for the Long Island City store. We also touched on personal anecdotes about nightclub experiences...

Ben Burstein, Corporate Development Manager at LeafLink discusses the strategies for the cannabis industry ahead of the 420 holiday, with a focus on driving profitability through increased sales volumes and addressing illicit market activities. Ben highlighted the importance of strategic inventory management, promotional activities, and balancing cultivation capacity with retail demand. Challenges...

Grassroots Marketing speaks with Charlie Hernandez, CEO, Dispensary-Growth.io  dispensary SEO strategies, emphasizing high rankings and sustainable growth. They discussed overcoming industry challenges like limited social media marketing, collaboration with Mosaic for online visibility, and integrating Google marketing platforms. Essential factors such as local SEO strategies, geo-targeting, websi...