High Spirits: The Cannabis Business Podcast

Leap into the intricacies of cannabis regulation with us as we celebrate a special leap year episode of High Spirits, featuring the powerhouse duo of Gillian Shauer, PhD, Executive Director of CANNRA, and Nicole Elliott, Director of the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) in California. Prepare to have the veils lifted on the complexities that state regulators face in the shadow of absent federal...

Join Ben Larson on a solo flight through High Spirits, as we navigate the ever-evolving cannabis landscape with industry luminaries Jocelyn Sheltraw and Claudio Miranda. Get ready to unravel the intricacies of cannabis consumerism, from the birth of Budist—a game-changing social review and rating platform—to the seismic shifts happening with brands like Kiva Confections and Curaleaf. This episode...

When passion meets innovation, magic happens. Just ask Dr. Harold Han, Ben's partner at Vertosa and the maestro behind some of the most pioneering infusion technologies in the cannabis space. This episode isn't just a peek into the lab where homogenous and stable infused products are born; it's a heart-to-heart with the man whose influence extends far beyond emulsion chemistry, touc...

Join Ben Larson and Anna Rae Grabstein for a spirited recount of CannaDataCon 2024 in Miami, where the mingling of cannabis industry titans led to a rich harvest of insights. Imagine a world where savvy discounts don't just cut costs; they build brand loyalty and encourage adventurous trials of new products. We toast to the innovation bubbling up in hemp-derived cannabinoid beverages, with ma...

Embark on a voyage through the world of cannabis distribution with our esteemed guest, Will Brophy, COO of Nabis, who unveils the secrets of managing the ebb and flow of the wild world of cannabis in California. As AnnaRae and Ben Larson chat with Will, they dive into how Nabis is reshaping the distribution model by empowering brands to take charge of their sales cycles while they handle the heavy...

It's Ben's birthday bash of an episode, and we're unwrapping the complexities of DEI, ESG, and CSR within the cannabis sector, with New Jersey's recent advancements serving as our case study. The brilliant Chirali Patel of Blaze Responsibly graces us with her insights, illuminating her influential work on expungement initiatives that both navigate and shape New Jersey's le...

Hosts Ben Larson and AnnaRae Grabstein dive into the heart of the hemp revolution as we navigate the intricate waters of Minnesota's march towards cannabis legalization. Discover the strides made in the medical cannabis program, the booming hemp industry, and the anticipated arrival of adult-use cannabis. With Laura Monn Ginsburg and Leili Fatehi from Blunt Strategies sharing their firsthand...

Embark on this hemp-infused adventure with Ben & AnnaRae as we ring in 2024 with a burst of enthusiasm and a treasure trove of insights from the cannabis and hemp frontier. Promising an episode that will peel back the layers of the industry's legal landscape, we chat with Bob Hoban and Xavier Jaillet, whose expertise ignites a robust discussion on the economic forces and policy shifts sha...

Strap in as we take you through a rollercoaster ride of market trends, legal battles, and news stories that defined 2023 and what Ben & AnnaRae believe it all means for 2024. From the interplay of live music and cannabis culture to the fiscal health of public companies, we've got you covered. We cover the broad topics of Finance, market Dynamics, Cannabis vs. Hemp, Federal Policy Changes,...

Discover how the world of cannabis is being reshaped by AI, with our revelatory exploration into the industry's most cutting-edge technology. Before diving into all things AI, join Ben and AnnaRae as they weigh-in on the buzz around Snoop Dogg’s Do It Fluid and Dr. Carl Hart's passionate advocacy for critical thinking in drug policy. We're joined by Ben York, former investor and CEO...

Are you ready to unlock the fascinating science of terpenes in cannabis and hemp? Hosts Ben Larson and AnnaRae bring the latest cannabis industry updates and delve into an engaging discussion with our esteemed guest from a leading terpene research company. We unravel the enigma that is terpenes, examining their potential benefits, their impact on your body, and the crucial role they play in crafti...

Grab a seat and prepare for a 360-degree view into the world of cannabis branding and marketing, as we welcome the CEO of leading cannabis brand Old Pal, Rusty Wilenkin. Rusty shares the rollercoaster ride of his professional journey, leading us from the bustling streets of New York to the vibrant West Coast. We dive into Rusty's successful creation of Old Pal, highlighting the struggles of s...

We're live in Las Vegas for MJBizCon 2023 and giving you the realtime update with some surprise guests. Join Ben and AnnaRae as they welcome Michael Cooper from MadisonJay Solutions and Chris Lindsey from ATACH. We discuss the main takeaways from the week and the general sentiment felt in and out of the conference and the numerous events surrounding the show. Navigating the labyrinth of rules...

The Gratitude Episode! Ever wondered why cannabis sales escalate during Thanksgiving week? Turns out, Green Wednesday, the day preceding the holiday, is one of the biggest revenue-generating days for dispensaries. Join AnnaRae and Ben as they discuss how this trend is shaped by consumers' desire for cannabis treats over the long weekend or as a coping mechanism for family gatherings. We also...

Meet Erin Gore, the powerhouse behind Garden Society, a California-based brand and manufacturer that's making waves in the cannabis industry, and now expanding into Ohio and New Jersey. With an impressive background in chemical and biological engineering, and a track record of topping the charts of women in cannabis, Erin brings a wealth of knowledge to our conversation. We tackle the recent...

Picture this: You're standing in a liquor store in front of a new display. Instead of bottled beer and wine, you're looking at cannabis-infused beverages. Intrigued? So are we! This week, we're taking you on a journey through the unexpected twists and turns of big beverage companies like Boston Beer Company making their mark on the cannabis industry.  Navigating the world of cannabi...

Ever wonder why cannabis delivery and many MSOs are missing from Washington State's cannabis industry, and how none of the operators in the market are carrying an AR balance? Tune-in as AnnaRae Grabstein and Ben Larson embark on an in-depth journey to uncover the fascinating dynamics of Washington's unique cannabis market, with special insights from our esteemed guest, Dr. Jordan Zager,...

Are you ready to embark on a thrilling journey through the intricate world of hemp-derived cannabinoids? This episode promises a deep dive with Dave Neundorfer, the CEO of Open Book Extracts who has an intriguing tale to tell; from co-founding a leading Ohio medical marijuana company to leading his current venture. Open Book Extracts is a unique ingredient manufacturer and product development hous...

Join us on a deep dive into the world of PR and marketing in the emerging cannabis industry with our guest, Rosie Mattio. As the founder of North America's largest cannabis-focused marketing and PR agency, Mattio Communications, Rosie's insights are invaluable to anyone looking to make a mark in this competitive field. We'll talk about how to establish yourself as a thought leader,...

Are you ready to grapple with the complex realities of business leadership during crises and the shocking truth of war as an economic boon for certain sectors? That's just the tip of the iceberg in this episode. Delve deeper with us as we explore the emotional aspect of leadership, offering empathy and support to teams, colleagues, and peers navigating these challenging times. It's not a...

Get ready for a spirited discussion with Ave Miller from Uncle Arnie's as we navigate the fascinating universe of cannabis beverages and the legacy consumer. We'll take you on a journey through the expansion of Uncle Arnie's into multiple markets, building a unique brand that defies the norm, and the keys to success in launching and growing a beverage brand.  Ave shares his wealth o...

Are you ready to immerse yourself in the complex world of New York's regulated emerging cannabis market? In this episode we bring you powerhouse founders and CEOs Karli Miller-Hornick and Brittany Carbone, each a trailblazer in the cannabis industry. You'll learn about each leader's path to licensure, transitioning from a hemp business to an Adult Use Conditional licensee and the re...

Ready to navigate the unfolding drama in the New York cannabis market? We unpack the legal complications surrounding the MRTA adult use law and discuss challenges entrepreneurs and stakeholders face in the market, largely due to state government missteps. By sharing the compelling tales of those affected, we shine a light on the impact of the MRTA's equity programs.   We also dive into the al...

Do you feel mystified by the complexities of hemp-derived product laws? We've got you covered. Join us as we deconstruct the intricate domain of hemp laws, alongside two industry leaders, Gary Kaminsky and Rod Kight. We dissect the myths and misconceptions clouding the hemp industry, bringing clarity to legal gray areas and shedding light on state-by-state litigation.  Imagine comprehending t...

What if your understanding of the cannabis industry could be transformed with a single podcast episode? Buckle up, because we're about to dissect the implications of the recent Health and Human Services' recommendation to reclassify cannabis from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3. We're thrilled to have Pamela Epstein, the CCIA board president and chief legal and regulatory officer for Terpe...