High Spirits: The Cannabis Business Podcast

We unpack how a federal shutdown freezes cannabis policy progress, why Michigan’s new 24% tax risks shrinking the legal market, and how a Vireo–Schwazze restructuring signals financial maturity. We close with a live “Ode to California” challenging protectionism and calling for true access and scale. • federal shutdown halting rescheduling, farm bill momentum and appropriations • behind the scenes...

We trace how a headline-grabbing CBD moment collided with the realities of cannabis policy, then dive into Levia’s rare founder buyback to unpack brand trust, dual-channel strategy, and what it takes to build consistent, safe, and truly approachable THC beverages. The conversation blends practical deal lessons, product innovation, and senior-focused education with a call for higher standards acros...

Elliot Lewis, CEO of Catalyst Cannabis and famously dubbed "the angriest weed CEO in California," pulls no punches in this revealing conversation about the state of California's cannabis industry. Having built Catalyst into one of California's largest retail chains with over 25 stores, Lewis speaks from experience when he describes the maddening reality of operating under exces...

Marianne Cursetjee shares how she transformed from cancer patient to cannabis entrepreneur, building Alibi into a premium brand now expanding from Oregon to New York through strategic licensing partnerships. • Breast cancer diagnosis in 2015 led to discovering cannabis's healing potential • Built Alibi Cannabis in Oregon with a focus on premium indoor flower and adventure-focused branding • B...

Cameron Clarke, CEO of Sunderstorm and the Kanha brand, shares his journey of building a global cannabis wellness brand and navigating the complexities of international markets. • Started in California in 2015, believing that success there would translate to success anywhere • Expanded nationally in 2019-2020 after becoming a top 10 brand in California • Entered Thailand in 2022, becoming one of t...

Lulu Tsui, co-founder of On the Revel, shares her journey from Bloomberg to becoming the "Queen of New York Cannabis" and how she's building authentic community in the East Coast market. She reveals how New York's cannabis industry has developed its own unique business culture focused on directness, accountability, and community standards. • Raised in Eugene, Oregon by cannabis...

Former NCIA CEO Aaron Smith shares his insights after 20 years leading cannabis policy reform, reflecting on the evolution from medical advocacy to today's complex marketplace and the challenges of federal reform. • The cannabis industry has seen remarkable progress over two decades, with support for reform growing from just two members of Congress to majorities in both chambers • Current reg...

Rama Mayo, co-founder of Hall of Flowers, shares how he transformed his experience in music, art, and fashion into creating one of cannabis's most respected trade shows focused on high-quality brand and buyer connections. • Building successful cannabis brands requires clear mission, vision, and values as foundation • The tension between "money people" and "cannabis operators&qu...

A hundred episodes in, and the journey has only just begun. This milestone celebration of High Spirits offers a candid look into what we've learned about cannabis entrepreneurship, regulation, and the future of this evolving industry. When we first started recording our conversations with friends in the cannabis space, we couldn't have predicted the wealth of knowledge that would emerge....

Mack Hueber from Ayrloom shares the remarkable story of how a 114-year-old apple orchard transformed into New York's leading cannabis brand while navigating the complex regulatory landscape of hemp and THC beverages. • Ayrloom emerged from Beak & Skiff, a century-old family-run apple orchard that expanded into cider, spirits, coffee, and eventually hemp and cannabis • Mack explains how th...

Kim Gomez shares how her TikTok experiment with her mother turned into Soberish, a multi-million dollar online marketplace for hemp-based and non-alcoholic social alternatives without spending on advertising. Her accidental business journey provides insights into serving cannabis-curious consumers who are intimidated by dispensaries but eager to try low-dose products. • Building a marketplace to c...

We dive deep into East Coast cannabis markets with Rick Bashkoff, CEO of Lit Alerts, examining how data is reshaping operations in New York, New Jersey, and beyond as these emerging marketplaces evolve. • Data accuracy in cannabis typically ranges from 70-90% with most platforms using similar methodology to predict market trends • New York's cannabis retail scene faces challenges with rampant...

Amy O'Gorman Jenkins, one of California's most influential cannabis lobbyists and director of the California Cannabis Operators Association (CaCOA), breaks down the critical fight to reform cannabis taxes and save the state's struggling legal market. The industry faces a dire situation with legal cannabis sales dropping 30% since 2021 and a recent automatic tax increase from 15% to...

The cannabis industry faces an existential crisis as political developments threaten businesses across multiple fronts despite growing public acceptance. State and federal politics are creating contradictory and often hostile environments for cannabis operators while simultaneously claiming to support legalization. • Texas Governor Abbott vetoed SB3, preserving the hemp industry with a special ses...

In this special episode of High Spirits, we share with you AnnaRae's guest appearance on Practical Politics with friend and Lobbyist Lady Sabrina Noah . From brewing espresso during California's groundbreaking Prop 215 campaign to revolutionizing cannabis quality standards, AnnaRae Grabstein's journey through the cannabis industry offers a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership. H...

Ever wondered what it takes to build a cannabis empire that remains authentic while scaling across multiple states, countries, and product categories? Tiffany Chin pulls back the curtain on her journey as the strategic mastermind behind Snoop Dogg's cannabis ventures, revealing the delicate balance of business savvy and cultural understanding that drives their success. When Snoop purchased De...

Ever found yourself paralyzed by uncertainty in the cannabis industry? You're not alone. This episode with leadership coach Andrea Baillo reveals why waiting for perfect clarity is the surest path to stagnation, and what to do instead. Andrea, who transitioned from cancer biology to executive roles at Green Thumb Industries and Open Book Extracts before founding Rooted for Success, shares her...

The path to cannabis normalization has never been straightforward, but as our industry faces critical regulatory crossroads, a fundamental truth emerges: consumers want cannabinoids. The "great hemp experiment" initiated by the 2018 Farm Bill has conclusively demonstrated mainstream appetite for these products across political spectrums and geographic boundaries. Our wide-ranging convers...

AnnaRae Grabstein and economist Andrew Livingston explore the economic impact of cannabis legalization across America and examines the complex regulatory challenges facing both cannabis and hemp businesses in today's market. Through analysis of state markets, policy trends, and business dynamics, Andrew reveals why some markets thrive while others struggle to compete with illicit alternatives...

Cannabis industry experts discuss the stark contrast between Texas's recent ban on hemp-derived THC products and New York's efforts to strengthen its regulatory framework through a new track and trace program. Mark Hauser shares insights on market maturity, regulatory challenges, and the uncertain future facing both hemp and cannabis businesses. • Texas just passed SB3, banning hemp THC...

Convenience stores are positioned to introduce cannabis to a new wave of consumers with their unmatched retail footprint of 150,000 locations nationwide and accessibility to 90% of Americans within a 10-minute drive. • Convenience stores have evolved from selling "gas, cokes, and smokes" to embracing new categories as tobacco sales decline • Lower-dose (5mg) THC products outperform highe...

Jesse Redmond, Head of Investor Relations and Business Development at Leaf Brands, brings his unique perspective as a former Wall Street investor and cannabis dispensary owner to discuss the challenging landscape of public cannabis companies. His insights reveal why certain companies are weathering the storm better than others and how innovative strategies like Bitcoin treasury reserves and strate...

Ben and AnnaRae explore the latest cannabis market developments across multiple states and at the federal level, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges. They dissect New York's comprehensive market report showing local brands outperforming multi-state operators while California cannabis businesses organize against impending tax increases. • Ben shares insights from Atlantic City...

Kris Walker from Hoodie Analytics joins us to decode cannabis market trends following 4/20, revealing how competing holidays, demographic shifts, and pricing strategies impacted this year's sales performance. Data shows 4/20 sales dipped 12% year-over-year, highlighting the industry's need for smarter decision-making beyond reflexive discounting. • 4/20 fell on Sunday this year, competin...

Mitchell Osak, veteran cannabis consultant and founder of Cannabis Management Review, joins us to share insights on navigating the complex cannabis business landscape and finding success through fundamental business principles. • Hemp and cannabis policy debates highlight the challenges of finding middle ground in an increasingly polarized environment • Cannabis business dynamics parallel historic...