The Cannabis Accounting Podcast

Your Cannabis clients are facing unexpected cost increases they didn't budget for. Chinese tariffs are driving up prices for equipment, packaging, and hardware - hitting an industry already struggling with thin margins. With competition keeping retail prices in check, many businesses can't pass these costs to consumers. The result? Shrinking profits and tough decisions about where to cut c...

Landing high-value Cannabis clients is just the beginning. Your onboarding process sets the tone for the entire relationship and demonstrates your expertise from day one. Join Andrew Hunzicker, CPA, for this insightful episode as we reveal: How to structure the discovery process to uncover critical issues Setting clear expectations and boundaries from the start Essential documents and systems to r...

Inheriting a Cannabis cultivation client with messy books is like being handed a puzzle with missing pieces. No cost accounting, misallocated expenses, and inventory tracking disconnected from financial systems - these challenges can make even experienced accountants question where to start. When growers focus solely on their plants and neglect proper accounting, the resulting financial chaos not...

The Cannabis industry's allure of high returns often masks the substantial personal risks investors and executives face. While early Cannabis companies like MedMen and Tilray attracted significant investment with trendy branding, their stories serve as cautionary tales of what happens when fundamental accounting, tax compliance, and entity structuring are overlooked. Today's Cannabis inves...

The Cannabis industry's allure of high returns often masks the substantial personal risks investors and executives face. While early Cannabis companies like MedMen and Tilray attracted significant investment with trendy branding, their stories serve as cautionary tales of what happens when fundamental accounting, tax compliance, and entity structuring are overlooked. Today's Cannabis inves...

The Cannabis industry faces a pivotal moment as the Trump administration takes control of critical policy decisions. In this essential episode, DOPE CFO Founder, Andrew Hunzicker, CPA, analyzes how campaign promises might translate to administrative action and what it means for Cannabis businesses nationwide. Learn crucial insights about: Trump's Cannabis policy positions Potential impact of key a...

The Cannabis industry stands at a pivotal moment as multiple reform paths converge. From state-level progress to federal rescheduling efforts, understanding the complex landscape is crucial for industry professionals. Recent developments in the DEA rescheduling hearings have created both uncertainty and opportunity, making it essential to stay informed and engaged. Join DOPE CFO's Andrew Hunzi...

The IRS has just issued a critical warning about Cannabis companies attempting to circumvent 280E through Form 8275 disclosures using a variety of rationales that do not constitute a reasonable basis. This development might require immediate attention from Cannabis operators and their accountants. Join DOPE CFO Founder & CEO Andrew Hunzicker, CPA for this podcast to understand: Why Form 8275 i...

The Cannabis industry stands at a historic crossroads with potential 280E tax relief on the horizon. In this essential episode, DOPE CFO Founder, Andrew Hunzicker, CPA, reveals why most Cannabis businesses aren't prepared for this massive opportunity and what they must do now to get ready. Learn step-by-step guidance for: - Building proper financial infrastructure - Implementing documentation syst...

🌿 Maximizing Opportunities at Cannabis Events Transform your Cannabis accounting practice through strategic event participation! In this episode, we break down how showing up at industry events can elevate you from a regular attendee to a recognized expert in the Cannabis accounting space. Learn proven strategies to: Position yourself as a trusted advisor in the Cannabis industry Secure and nail...

Join us for an exciting dive into the world of hemp beverages with Christopher Lackner, founder of the Hemp Beverage Alliance. In this episode, we unpack the rapid evolution of Cannabis-infused drinks, exploring how they're transforming the adult beverage landscape. Christopher shares insights into the industry's technological innovations, regulatory challenges, and the collaborative spirit drivin...

Join Raymond Guns, CPA and Chief Revenue Officer at DOPE CFO, as he interviews Dotan Melech, CEO of CTrust, about revolutionizing Cannabis industry financing through standardized credit scoring. Learn how CTrust analyzes over 1,700 data points across 42 business categories to help Cannabis companies access better financing terms and manage risk more effectively. Discover why traditional credit sco...

Master the fundamentals of running a successful remote Cannabis accounting practice with industry expert Andrew Hunzicker, CPA. In this essential episode, discover the business strategies and systems you need to complement your technical expertise and build a thriving virtual practice. Learn how to: ✔️ Maintain peak productivity in a remote environment ✔️ Implement systems for consistent service d...

Our guest today is Andrew Livingston. Andrew is the Director of Economics and Research at Vicente LLP. Vicente LLP is a top-ranked national cannabis law firm providing legal and policy services to marijuana and hemp companies, psychedelics companies, ancillary businesses, investors, governmental bodies, and advocacy organizations. As the firm's director of economics and research, Andrew assists cl...

The pressure is on. Your Cannabis clients are counting on you to guide them through the capital raising process, but one misstep could jeopardize their future. Choosing the wrong funding type, overlooking critical documentation, or failing to plan for expenditures are common mistakes people unfamiliar with this industry make when attempting to raise and manage cash. But it doesn't have to be this...

Missing cash. Unaccounted expenses. Vanishing inventory. In the Cannabis industry, these aren't just minor bookkeeping errors – they're ticking time bombs that can obliterate your business's compliance, credibility, and bottom line. Ignoring or glossing over these issues isn't an option. Cannabis companies operate under intense scrutiny, and the consequences of mishandling discrepa...

Cannabis companies need capital to grow. As their trusted advisor, are you prepared to help them get it? Many accountants struggle to structure, price, and sell capital raising services to Cannabis clients because they've... Never done it. Don't know how to do it. Aren't aware of the crucial role that they play in helping companies proactively stay capitalized enough to fund future end...

With the Cannabis industry constantly changing, staying on top of the latest compliant inventory practices can feel untenable. Unfortunately, failing to remain compliant can lead to disastrous financial and legal repercussions for your client, your business, and your reputation. If you are struggling to navigate inventory compliance, you are not going to want to miss our latest podcast “ Compliant...

Vertically integrated Cannabis companies have complex accounting needs that span multiple entities and require a team of specialists to ensure compliance and optimal financial performance. Trying to handle it all alone can lead to burnout, missed opportunities, and costly mistakes. 😰 But building an accounting team that can effectively serve these clients feels like a daunting task, especially fo...

Navigating real estate decisions for your Cannabis business is a complex process with no one-size-fits-all solution. Whether you're setting up a cultivation facility, manufacturing plant, or dispensary, understanding the pros and cons of leasing vs. owning and the tax implications of each is crucial to making informed decisions that align with your unique goals and circumstances. 🌿💡 Leasing...

There are two reasons why cultivators need proper financial modeling: For licensing. Most states require some form of a  plan that illustrates that you understand what your operating costs will be and that you have enough capital to fully fund operations. For investors and operators alike, modeling is incredibly important to ensure that there is a plan for a successful outlook for the business bas...

In order to do proper inventory and cost accounting, accountants must have the proper processes and systems in place to meet compliance rules.  Since Cannabis is considered a Schedule I substance, under 280E companies that sell or “traffic” the plant are not able to take deductions like typical businesses can. However, the DEA is on the verge of rescheduling the drug to Schedule III which eases th...

Our guest on today's episode of the DOPE CFO Podcast is Alyssa J. Dillon. Alyssa is a former CFO that managed the accounting for non-profits. After quitting her job in 2018 with $1000 to her name, and after having two children in one year, she had to figure out what to do, and working for someone else wasn't the answer. Within a few short months, Alyssa was bringing in clients and making o...

Sources within the DEA have confirmed that rescheduling has been green-lit and is moving forward. Speculators have  been saying that this wouldn’t happen until after the election, but it looks as though things are moving quicker than critics have been suggesting. So what does this mean for Cannabis companies and the people who serve the industry? We go over the details in our latest episode.  With...

The Associated Press just announced that DEA has agreed to reschedule Cannabis, which is going to usher in all sorts of change. Unfortunately, a lot will stay the same, and things are inevitably going to become much more complicated from a compliance standpoint. On the one hand, 280E won’t be so punitive, but taxes will still be high, and accounting will be even more challenging. Don’t get blindsi...