If you hand most people a cannabis drink, their first question is probably, “How high will this make me?” 

This one unknown might just be what’s holding cannabis beverages back. Until now.

Listen in as Luke Anderson of Cann discusses the state of cannabis drinks and where he sees the category heading.

Learn more at http://www.drinkcann.com/

Key Takeaways:

• Luke’s background in cannabis and how he came to start Cann
• An inside look at Cann and its mission to become the standard for cannabis-infused tonics
• Why Cann produces only low-THC tonics to target consumers that don’t wish to experience a high
• The type of effect consumers can expect from Cann’s social tonics
• Why Luke believes it’s important to take out the guesswork in cannabis beverages 
• Cann’s social tonics versus beer and wine in terms of time and effect
• How Cann decided on its unique THC/CBD concentration profile
• How Luke and his team overcame challenges with emulsion and dispersion to ensure consistency in every sip
• Where Luke sees cannabis micro-dosing heading in the next few years

While thousands of new cannabis products hit the market each year, most fail to create product-market fit due to a lack of differentiation or clear-cut benefits. 

Today’s guest is CEO of Dosist Gunner Winston, who has simplified cannabis consumption with targeted formulas and precise dosing to create a product that is catapulting cannabis into the wellness arena.

Learn more at https://dosist.com 

Key Takeaways:

• Gunner’s background in cannabis and how he came to start Dosist
• An inside look at Dosist and its mission to simplify cannabis consumption with innovative delivery devices
• How taking the guesswork out of cannabis is attracting more people to the category
• Variables that are important to luxury brand consumers
• Customer reactions to Dosist’s new dose pen and dose dial
• The thought process behind Dosist’s high-end yet minimalist retail environment
• Why Gunner believes brick and mortar stores remain valuable in the age of online shopping 
• Where Dosist is in the capital-raising process
• How Gunner is planning to evolve Dosist in the coming years as consumer preferences change

An area of the cannabis marketplace gaining steam in a big way is women’s health. Here to tell us more about it is Cyo Nystrom of Quim, CBD-infused products for vaginal health and sexual wellness.

Learn more at https://itsquim.com/shop/ 

Key Takeaways:

[00:43] An inside look at Quim, a line of CBD-infused lubricants and everyday proactive vaginal health products

[00:58] Cyo’s background and how she came to start Quim

[10:44] The benefits of cannabis for female vaginal health and sexual wellness

[13:05] How Quim's cannabis-infused lube increases vasodilation for heightened sensation and pleasure

[15:31] What customers are saying about Quim’s serums and oils

[18:47] How Cyo and her co-founder Rachel Washtien successfully bootstrapped Quim and landed a feature on Viceland

[25:17] Cyo’s plans to expand Quim both across the US and internationally

[30:40] Where Cyo sees the cannabis women’s health space heading over the next 3-5 years

A critical component of any cannabis cultivator’s business is establishing best practices around breeding plants. Here to tell us how to create thriving genetic nurseries is Matt Gaboury of House of Cultivar.

Learn more at https://www.seattlecannabis.co/house-of-cultivar/ 

Key Takeaways:

[1:04] An inside look at House of Cultivar, the largest cultivator in Seattle, WA

[2:03] Why Matt has shifted his focus from designing grow facilities to plant breeding

[4:51] Types of clients House of Cultivar works with, including I-502 licensed growers and processors

[7:24] A breakdown of propagation through cloning, mother plants, and tissue culture

[16:14] How House of Cultivar validates genetics to ensure they’re the best expression of the plant possible

[19:31] What it means to “reinvigorate” a plant

[24:11] The behind-the-scenes on how House of Cultivar delivers their clones to customers

[29:18] Where Matt sees the cannabis industry heading as it undergoes more specialization across the supply chain 

[33:17] How large-scale nurseries will revolutionize cannabis from home growers to commercial cultivators

[34:16] How grow room technology has evolved and where Matt sees it advancing in the next few years

Entrepreneurs are bringing pharmaceutical science to the cannabis world to create products that provide consistent and predictable benefits.

Here to tell us more about it is Andreas Boeckl, founder and CEO of Dispersa Labs.

Learn more at https://www.breathesula.com 

Key Takeaways:

[1:14] An inside look at Dispersa Labs, a biotech company using dry powder inhalation technology to create breathable cannabis

[1:54] Andreas’ background and how he came to start Dispersa Labs

[6:43] Why inhaling cannabis in powder form is better than smoking flower

[11:05] Spray-drying and why it’s important to Dispersa’s manufacturing process

[12:47] How Dispersa Labs suspends cannabinoids inside tiny aerosol particles to create Sula, a patented cannabis powder for pulmonary delivery

[14:15] Examples of commercial inhalants similar to Sula, including the popular asthma drug Advair

[22:20] How Sula is more discreet than other cannabis consumption methods

[31:42] Where Dispersa Labs currently is in the capital-raising process

What will the cannabis industry look like in the next few years? Paul Rosen of Global Go shares the nine trends shaping cannabis worldwide (and wait till you hear #4).

Learn more at https://globalgo.consulting 

Key Takeaways:

[2:22] An inside look at Global Go, one of the world’s leading consulting firms for cannabis and hemp businesses

[4:34] Paul’s background and how he got into the cannabis space

[10:03] The nine trends shaping cannabis on a global scale, beginning with catastrophic failure 

[16:20] The divergence of medical and recreational markets

[21:36] The end of Canadian domination in cannabis and the rise of the US

[29:02] New FDA rulings on CBD

[35:39] Biosynthesis and what it could mean for the cannabis industry

[40:57] Why “cash remains king” in cannabis

Is it better to produce your own cannabis products? Or outsource to expert manufacturers while you focus on your brand? Here to tell us is Alex Rowland, CEO of NewTropic.

Learn more at https://www.newtropic.com 

Key Takeaways:

[00:51] An inside look at NewTropic, a leading cannabis manufacturer based in Santa Rosa, California

[1:18] Alex’s background in cannabis and how he came to start NewTropic

[5:56] Examples of NewTopic’s average clientele - particularly unlicensed brands looking to overcome California’s strict regulatory hurdles 

[7:47] How NewTropic helps relieve two of the biggest pain points for cannabis companies: financial resources and compliance

[17:05] Why removing the regulatory overhead of fulfillment allows companies to focus their attention on core competencies

[18:45] NewTropic’s extensive onboarding process and how the company’s team works to ensure all your needs are met as a client

[20:30] Alex’s plans to expand NewTropic across the US

[25:21] The requirements a company needs to meet before working with NewTropic

[30:16] Alex’s advice to new entrepreneurs on how to develop a successful business plan and pitch to investors

[33:11] Alex’s thoughts on the federal rescheduling of cannabis and where he sees the industry heading in the next few years

As the cannabis industry matures, new and innovative ways are emerging that allow investors to capture a stake in the growth of young cannabis companies.

Here to tell us about it is Jeffrey Finkle of Arcview Ventures.

Learn more at https://arcviewgroup.com 

Key Takeaways: 

[00:52] An inside look at Arcview Ventures, the leading private investment network and market research firm in the cannabis space

[1:34] Jeffrey’s background and how he got into the cannabis space

[4:39] How Arcview’s new member-managed cannabis fund is giving investors access to deals with greater ease and flexibility 

[8:42] The requirements an investor needs to meet in order to join Arcview Collective Fund

[10:03] A breakdown of the different investor archetypes and how Arcview Collective Fund benefits each

[20:57] Jeffrey’s advice to entrepreneurs on how to successfully pitch their companies to investors

[25:33] Arcview’s process for follow-on investments and liquidity events

[31:03] Gaps emerging in the cannabis marketplace right now and where Jeffrey sees the industry heading over the next few years

We just reached possibly one of the largest milestones in creating pure, consistent cannabinoids in a lab. Here to tell us about it is Kevin Chen of Hyasynth Bio.

Learn more at https://hyasynthbio.com 

Key Takeaways: 

[1:32] An inside look at Hyasynth Bio and its work creating biosynthesized cannabis compounds

[3:05] Hyasynth Bio’s first product, an ultra-pure CBD oil created using cultured cannabinoids

[7:44] How Hyasynth Bio is improving CBD production in terms of both speed and purity

[9:12] Why multinational companies are gravitating towards biosynthesized cannabinoids for better consistency and supply chain performance

[13:14] 

[16:55] How biosynthesized cannabinoids are paving the way for international cannabis brands and which products Kevin believes will go global first

[21:23] How cellular agriculture is giving us better access to rare cannabinoids

[27:48] Why cellular agriculture is easier to automate and how this might influence prices in the cannabis industry

[32:21] Hyasynth Bio’s strategy to profit primarily through intellectual property licensing

[36:24] Where Hyasynth Bio currently is in the capital-raising process

Just as oil powered the old economy of atoms, data powers the new economy of bits. Here to tell us how to leverage our cannabis business data and market more effectively is Nicholas Paschal of Alpine IQ.

Learn more at https://alpineiq.com 

Key Takeaways: 

[1:02] An inside look at Alpine IQ, a data analytics and marketing platform for cannabis companies

[1:27] Nick’s personal background and how he got into the cannabis space

[7:24] Why it’s important for companies to take protective measures with their business data

[11:18] How Alpine IQ not only offers analytics tools but also helps businesses determine the best ways to act on data

[18:32] What companies can expect during Alpine IQ’s onboarding process, from integrating apps to ensuring compliance across the board

[21:36] Alpine IQ’s audience feature and how companies are using it to generate ROI

[31:45] How streamlining analytics tools using Alpine IQ can provide incredible value for cannabis companies

[35:35] Alpine IQ’s journey achieving product-market fit and how the company got its first customers

[39:26] Where Alpine IQ currently is in the capital-raising process

This startup took away all the complexity of growing your first cannabis plant at home and found product-market fit. Here to delve into the story of A Pot For Pot is founder Joshua Mezher.

Get a 10% discount by using the coupon code "insider" at check out at https://www.apotforpot.com

Key Takeaways: 

[00:59] An inside look at A Pot For Pot, the best outdoor and indoor growing kits for marijuana, cannabis, and other fresh herbs

[1:18] Joshua’s background and how he came to start A Pot For Pot 

[4:49] What comes with A Pot For Pot’s growing kits that make them the easiest to use for home growers

[8:54] How much plant A Pot For Pot can yield and why this makes it more cost-effective for the customer than purchasing flower

[11:49] What auto-flowering is and why it’s important for home growers

[17:44] Joshua’s advice to home growers on how to achieve the perfect harvest

[25:32] How Joshua successfully bootstrapped A Pot For Pot and the story behind how he got his first hundred customers

[32:47] What Joshua finds most interesting about the cannabis industry right now and where he sees it heading in the years to come

What will the cannabis industry look like after COVID-19? CannaInsider host Matthew Kind forecasts the 7 disruptive changes that will take place in the years to come.

Check out an infographic on these 7 changes at https://www.cannainsider.com/covid 

Key Takeaways:

• How COVID-19 will impact cannabis in the next few years, including:
• Automated grow rooms
• Pathogen detection policies
• Contactless delivery and payment
• Pre-purchase of discounts cards and gift cards
• Results-only business partners
• Commercial drones for cultivation
• VR education

Are cannabis and hemp beverages on the verge of explosion? It all comes down to the fickle whims of beverage consumers. Here to tell us more about it is Jonathan Schultz of Backyard Soda.

Learn more at https://www.backyardsodas.com 

Key Takeaways: 

[2:09] An inside look at Backyard Soda, a Denver-based startup creating all-natural, non-alcoholic, CBD-infused sodas and cocktail syrups

[3:28] Jonathan’s background and how he came to start Backyard Soda

[9:36] What beverage consumers are looking for in cannabinoid beverages right now

[14:44] Why Backyard Soda chooses to use whole ingredients even though this drives up price points for customers

[21:10] How Backyard Soda is partnering up with restaurants and hotels looking to add CBD cocktails to their menus

[23:46] Why Backyard Soda uses full-spectrum CBD unlike most other cannabis beverage brands that use CBD isolate

[29:03] The challenges of distributing CBD beverages and how Backyard Soda has overcome them

[37:38] Where Backyard Soda currently is in the capital-raising process

We’ve seen some hemp skincare products, but now entrepreneurs are developing skin and beauty products with THC above the 0.3% threshold.

Here to tell us about it is Bridget May of Green Bee Botanicals.

Learn more at https://greenbeebotanicals.com 

Key Takeaways:

[1:10] An inside look at Green Bee Botanicals and its mission to revolutionize the beauty and wellness industries

[2:27] Bridget’s background in the biopharmaceutical industry and how she came to start Green Bee Botanicals

[7:37] Why Bridget decided to formulate Green Bee’s products with more than 0.3% THC

[10:14] The most popular products at Green Bee Botanicals

[11:00] Why Green Bee creates “clean” products and how this sets the company apart from other skincare brands

[13:47] How Green Bee’s serums and lotions nourish skin from the inside out

[16:45] What customers are saying about Green Bee’s THC products

[24:04] Why skincare products with THC do not produce a high when applied to the skin

[25:27] Bridget’s advice to entrepreneurs on how to distribute their products

[28:11] What research is saying about CBG and its benefits for the skin

[29:49] Where Bridget sees the cannabis skincare space heading over the next 3-5 years

Green Bee Botanicals is partnering with the Clean Label Project which is a national nonprofit with the mission to bring truth and transparency to food and consumer product labeling.

Can you mix together compounds like caffeine and THC to create a thriving new market category? Here to help us answer that question is Peter Barsoom of 1906.

Learn more at https://1906newhighs.com 

Key Takeaways:

[00:48] An inside look at 1906 and its mission to redefine the edibles category with better-tasting, more effective products

[1:28] Peter’s background and how he came to start 1906

[3:19] How cannabis use changed after the Pure Food and Drugs Act of 1906

[4:12] 1906’s unique “drops” and how they’re formulated to meet different needs

[6:29] 1906 versus other wellness experience brands like LucidMood and Dosist

[11:15] Why Midnight Dark Chocolate for Sleep is the number one product at 1906

[13:29] How the products at 1906 provide a quicker onset than competing edibles

[16:48] 1906’s plans to create an extended-release formula of Midnight to help consumers not only fall asleep but stay asleep

[20:55] Where Peter sees the cannabis wellness experience category heading in the next 3-5 years

[24:28] Peter’s plans to expand 1906 beyond Colorado and Oklahoma

[25:57] Where 1906 currently is in the capital-raising process

Advertising cannabis is banned in most of the US, so how can a cannabis company get the word out?

Here to help us find solutions to this problem is Chad Bronstein of Fyllo.

Learn more at https://hellofyllo.com 

Key Takeaways:

[00:56] An inside look at Fyllo, the world's first single-solution regulatory technology for cannabis

[2:25] Chad’s background and how he came to start Fyllo

[3:53] How Fyllo’s data ecosystem helps cannabis companies streamline regulatory tasks and target customers legally

[9:51] What different cannabis companies can expect when using Fyllo

[13:07] Success stories Chad has seen so far and how clients are using Fyllo to advance their companies

[15:04] Chad’s advice on how to determine a good marketing budget for your brand

[16:34] How Fyllo provides direct access to cannabis audience data through the Lotame, the world's largest marketplace for second- and third-party data

[19:35] Requirements companies must meet before working with Fyllo, including becoming CCPA compliant

[20:25] Chad’s tips on how to build a dynamite marketing team for up-and-coming cannabis brands

[23:55] Where Chad sees customer acquisition and brand awareness evolving in cannabis over the next 3-5 years

While thousands of new cannabis products hit the market each year, most fail to create product-market fit due to a lack of differentiation or clear-cut benefits. 

Today’s guest is CEO of Dosist Gunner Winston, who has simplified cannabis consumption with targeted formulas and precise dosing to create a product that is catapulting cannabis into the wellness arena.

Learn more at https://dosist.com 

Key Takeaways:

• Gunner’s background in cannabis and how he came to start Dosist
• An inside look at Dosist and its mission to simplify cannabis consumption with innovative delivery devices
• How taking the guesswork out of cannabis is attracting more people to the category
• Variables that are important to luxury brand consumers
• Customer reactions to Dosist’s new dose pen and dose dial
• The thought process behind Dosist’s high-end yet minimalist retail environment
• Why Gunner believes brick and mortar stores remain valuable in the age of online shopping 
• Where Dosist is in the capital-raising process
• How Gunner is planning to evolve Dosist in the coming years as consumer preferences change

Cannabis delivery platforms are evolving quickly as they find better ways to retain customers and reduce churn, and Emjay might just have the best approach yet.

Here to tell us more about it is Chris Vaughn, CEO of Emjay.

Learn more at https://heyemjay.com 

Key Takeaways:

[00:51] An inside look at Emjay, a premier cannabis delivery and retail company in Los Angeles, CA

[1:48] Chris’ background in the alcohol industry and how he came to start Emjay

[12:27] Emjay’s hub-and-spoke business model and how the company functions both as a retailer and delivery service

[17:40] How Chris’ experience in the alcohol industry has influenced his approach to cannabis

[23:08] Unplanned versus planned purchases and how this differs between alcohol and cannabis

[26:25] The advantages of owning your own supply chain as a cannabis retailer or delivery service

[38:39] Regulations around the types of vehicles that can be used to deliver cannabis 

[40:12] Where Emjay currently is in the capital-raising process

While hemp is a huge and growing part of the cannabis legalization story, it’s often overlooked. 

Here to tell us why we should be paying closer attention to hemp is John Manlove, CEO of Bushel44.

Learn more at https://www.bushel44.com 

Key Takeaways:

[00:53] An inside look at Bushel44, a wholesale hemp software platform designed for businesses across the hemp supply chain

[1:51] John’s background and how he got into the hemp space

[4:16] How the hemp industry has evolved over the last few years and where it is right now

[5:53] How different types of businesses from farmers to retailers use Bushel44 

[10:35] Key differences between Bushel44 and Leaflink 

[14:23] Ways in which the hemp space is developing the same way cannabis did

[21:19] What buyers are looking for when purchasing hemp

[25:23] How Bushel44 is advancing the hemp industry by holding companies to higher standards 

[28:10] Why smokable hemp is trending and where John sees it heading

[33:01] Success stories John has seen at Bushel44 and his advice on how hemp companies can maximize the platform

Cannabis banking has long been heavily regulated, but one company is weaving through the regulatory madness to create a service that delights both businesses and customers.

Here to tell us about it is Tyler Beuerlein of Hypur.

Learn more at https://www.hypur.com 

Key Takeaways:

[1:25] An inside look at Hypur, a payment and banking technology platform for the cannabis industry

[1:51] Tyler’s background and how he got into the cannabis space

[6:27] Obstacles the cannabis industry has faced in payments and banking and how Hypur is working to overcome them

[10:32] Similarities between Hypur and Venmo

[17:13] How Hypur profits off merchants, banks, and credit unions

[19:44] Ways in which Hypur helps merchants market the service to customers 

[22:13] How cannabis retailers can easily integrate Hypur into their point-of-sale software and delivery apps

[23:22] Success stories Tyler’s seen among Hypur clients and his advice to retailers interested in using the service

Delivery and curbside pickup sales are booming as cannabis retailers seek new ways to accommodate customers during COVID-19. Here to tell us about it is Socrates Rosenfeld, CEO of I Heart Jane.

Learn more at https://www.iheartjane.com 

Key Takeaways:

[00:54] An inside look at I Heart Jane, the first cannabis e-commerce marketplace

[1:25] Socrates’ background and how he got into the cannabis space

[8:32] The type of retailer I Heart Jane typically works with and how the company has grown over the last year

[13:10] How I Heart Jane helps retailers streamline their businesses with automation and real-time integration

[15:50] How dispensary delivery and curbside pickup sales jumped from 17 to 50 percent overnight and what that means for the future of cannabis

[20:55] How I Heart Jane is helping retailers overcome obstacles with delivery and curbside pickup

[23:24] Why I Heart Jane’s business model is superior to GrubHub’s

[29:34] I Heart Jane’s integration services for retailers, including everything from point of sale to CRM

[34:31] Where Socrates sees cannabis e-commerce heading over the next 3-5 years

[39:46] Where I Heart Jane currently is in the capital-raising process

Founded in 2015, cannabis accessories company Hemper has quickly become an industry leader - and all thanks to their monthly subscription box. Here to tell us about it is Bryan Gerber, CEO of Hemper.

Learn more at www.Hemper.co

Key Takeaways:

[1:56] An inside look at Hemper, a premium monthly subscription box for smoking essentials

[2:25] Bryan’s background and how he got into the cannabis space

[7:39] How influencer marketing helped Hemper get its start

[10:59] Ways in which Hemper uses their subscription box to collect real-time data on customer behavior and preference

[21:39] How COVID is affecting the community aspect of smoking and ways in which Bryan plans to bolster that community virtually

[26:55] How Hemper became one of the largest pre-rolled cone manufacturers in the world

[38:01] Why Bryan believes you must control the price in order to secure your place in the market 

[40:56] How Hemper is working to become a leading manufacturer in different smoking accessory products

[41:46] Where Hemper currently is in the capital-raising process

A critical component of any cannabis cultivator’s business is establishing best practices around breeding plants.

Here to tell us how to create thriving genetic nurseries is Matt Gaboury of House of Cultivar.

Learn more at https://www.seattlecannabis.co/house-of-cultivar/ 

Key Takeaways:

[1:04] An inside look at House of Cultivar, the largest cultivator in Seattle, WA

[2:03] Why Matt has shifted his focus from designing grow facilities to plant breeding

[4:51] Types of clients House of Cultivar works with, including I-502 licensed growers and processors

[7:24] A breakdown of propagation through cloning, mother plants, and tissue culture

[16:14] How House of Cultivar validates genetics to ensure they’re the best expression of the plant possible

[19:31] What it means to “reinvigorate” a plant

[24:11] The behind-the-scenes on how House of Cultivar delivers their clones to customers

[29:18] Where Matt sees the cannabis industry heading as it undergoes more specialization across the supply chain 

[33:17] How large-scale nurseries will revolutionize cannabis from home growers to commercial cultivators

[34:16] How grow room technology has evolved and where Matt sees it advancing in the next few years

Can we deconstruct cannabis in the lab, reduce costs, and unlock a myriad of new applications and benefits? Here to help us answer this is Benjamin Chiarelli of Cellibre. 

Learn more at https://www.cellibre.com 

Key Takeaways:

[00:51] An inside look at Cellibre, a cellular agriculture company that specializes in cannabis

[3:10] Ben’s background and how he came to start Cellibre

[8:07] How Cellibre “mimics” the cannabis plant to make cells that create specific isolates

[13:02] How price points will shift in the cannabis industry as cannabinoid biosynthesis grows

[21:20] The evolution of cellular agriculture and the obstacles it’s faced in commodity industries like cannabis

[30:29] Why CBG will be the first product available from cellular agriculture

[33:03] Where Cellibre fits into the cannabinoid market

[35:51] Why Ben agrees cannabis is “the new vanilla”

[41:40] Where Cellibre currently is in the capital-raising process

With more and more dispensaries turning to Altopa's innovative oil blending platform Oblend, the company has decided to pivot from B2C to B2B.

Here to tell us about it is Nicole Wicker, CEO of Altopa.

Learn more at https://www.oblend.com 

Key Takeaways:

• Nicole's background and how she came to start Altopa
• An inside look at Altopa and its "portable dispensary device" Oblend
• How the Oblend creates CBD formulas for specific needs and preferences
• Why Altopa is transitioning from a consumer-focused company to a business-focused company
• How Altopa partners with dispensaries looking to implement the Oblend
• Increasing demand for the Oblend among healthcare providers, formulators, and patients 
• Where Altopa currently is in the capital-raising process and where Nicole sees the company heading in the next few years

Cannabis license holders are using an interesting new way to free up capital and grow their business. Here to give us the details is Anthony Coniglio of New Lake Capital Partners.

Learn more at https://www.newlake.com 

Key Takeaways:

• Anthony’s background in real estate and how he came to start New Lake
• An inside look at New Lake, a newly-formed Maryland real estate partner that leases industrial and retail properties to state-licensed cannabis operators
• Why cannabis has been deemed essential across the country and how this is influencing investors and license-holders
• Factors to consider when choosing the most valuable states and cities to buy real estate for the cannabis market 
• How New Lake has raised $100 million in capital to build its diversified portfolio
• How much New Lake’s investors can expect in returns and Anthony’s predictions for where dividends are heading in the next few years
• What Anthony looks for when considering cannabis operators looking to lease his properties, from their business strategy to their ability to raise capital
• How COVID-19 has affected the commercial real estate market in the US and where Anthony sees it heading

Technological advances not only bring efficiency, but they’re also profoundly deflationary. 

But could that deflation actually be key to an abundant future? Here to tell us is Jeff Booth, author of The Price of Tomorrow.

Jeff's book: https://www.amazon.com/Price-Tomorrow-Deflation-Abundant-Future/dp/1999257405

Jeff's Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffBooth

Key Takeaways:

• Goods and services that are inflationary versus those that are deflationary
• What a deflation economy looks like and examples of when we’ve seen deflation in the past
• The natural deflationary process that’s occurring right now thanks to advancing technologies like AI
• The deceptive power of exponential technologies and how they gain traction
• How central bankers are fighting a losing battle by taking on more debt to create inflation
• The power of network effects for business owners, investors, and employees
• Where Jeff sees bitcoin heading in the next few years and his advice for those looking to get in
• Why Jeff believes AI will eventually force us to embrace deflation and how that could benefit society as a whole

How can cannabis retailers adapt to the new post-pandemic environment and create customer comfort?

Here to help us answer this question is Matt Cutone of Seed Technology.

Learn more at http://www.getseed.io

Key Takeaways:

• Matt’s background in cannabis and how he came to start Seed Technology
• An inside look at Seed and how it provides dispensaries with in-store displays that improve customer experience
• How cannabis retailers have been impacted by the pandemic and what Seed is doing to help them adapt their retail environments
• Matt’s advice on how dispensaries can create a successful in-store “flow” and where curbside pickup fits into that
• How dispensaries can use handheld tablets to significantly increase profits and customer satisfaction
• The most popular cannabis products on the market right now
• How dispensaries can benefit from in-store displays
• The mature and emerging markets in the US and how they differ from state to state

What’s it like to immigrate from Nigeria, grow up in the US, and put yourself at the forefront of the cannabis industry in multiple states?

Here to help us answer that question is Seun Adedeji, CEO of Elev8 Cannabis.

Learn more at https://elev8cannabis.com 

Key Takeaways:

• Seun’s background in cannabis and how he came to start Elev8
• An inside look at Elev8 and its dispensaries across the US
• Where Elev8 currently is in the capital-raising process
• Why Seun decided to open dispensaries in Oregon, Massachusetts, and now Illinois
• Oregon’s shifting supply and demand and how Seun is working around it
• How Elev8 partners with local businesses to get customers in the door
• Seun’s advice to those trying to get into the cannabis industry
• Where Seun sees the cannabis market heading in the next few years

Taxes, regulations, a thriving black market, and then COVID-19. How can cannabis retailers in California survive in this environment and serve their community?

Here to help answer these questions is Dennis O’Malley, CEO of Caliva.

Learn more at https://www.gocaliva.com

Key Takeaways:

• Dennis’ background in cannabis and how he came to start Caliva
• An inside look at Caliva and how it compares to other cannabis dispensaries in California
• Why Dennis decided to end his partnership with Eaze and create his own delivery app for Caliva
• Pros and cons to using your own delivery app
• Why Dennis has partnered with Hypur to provide contactless payment options for customers
• How COVID-19 has impacted Caliva and where Dennis sees the company heading in the months ahead
• How cannabis consumer behavior has changed during COVID-19 including popular products and curbside pickup versus delivery
• Incentives and disincentives in the California marketplace that are making the black market three times bigger than the legal market
• Where Dennis sees cannabis heading in California and across the US in the next 3-5 years

Consumer packaged goods companies are in stealth mode waiting to capitalize on CBD the moment the regulatory fog clears. Here to tell us about it is Justin Singer of Caliper Foods.

Learn more at https://www.caliperfoods.life 

Key Takeaways:

• Justin’s background in cannabis and how he came to start Caliper Foods
• How Justin’s core brand Ripple has become the best-selling soluble cannabinoid powder in the US
• Why consumer packaged goods companies (CPGs) are waiting for regulatory clarity in the CBD industry
• How Caliper Foods provides soluble CBD ingredients at scale to some of the nation’s largest food, beverage, and supplement companies
• Where Justin sees CBD heading as an active ingredient comparable to caffeine
• An inside look at Caliper Foods and how it provides soluble CBD ingredients at scale to CPG manufacturers
• Caliper Foods’ research on how the solubility of CBD affects onset and impact
• Where Caliper Foods currently is in the capital-raising process

As cannabis cultivators pour billions of dollars into developing cutting-edge, efficient grows, we need to ask: is there a hidden disruptor that could steal their business in the years ahead?

Here to help us answer this is Kevin Chen of Hyasynth Bio, one of just a few companies experimenting with non-plant-derived cannabinoids.

Learn more at https://hyasynthbio.com 

Key Takeaways:

• Kevin’s background in cannabis and how he came to start Hyasynth Bio
• An inside look at Hyasynth Bio and its work with non-plant-derived cannabinoids
• A deep dive into biosynthesis and how Hyasynth Bio uses this process to grow cannabis compounds inside yeast cells
• How Hyasynth Bio has successfully overcome challenges with biosynthesis
• The history of biosynthesis and cannabis and where Kevin sees this relationship evolving in the years to come 
• The different types of end products we’ll start to see for sale in dispensaries that use biosynthesis
• How biosynthesis will affect cannabis prices
• Hyasynth Bio’s intellectual property strategy and how Kevin manages the company’s patents
• The traditional cannabis companies that are investing in biosynthesis
• Where Kevin sees cannabinoid biosynthesis heading in the next 3-5 years

Is the market for CBD and THC products saturated or is it just too much of the same products? Could it be a matter of creating a unique product and achieving product-market-fit?

Chris Abbott from Botanica is here today to help us answer these questions.

Learn more at https://www.mrmoxeys.com 

Key Takeaways:

• Chris’ background in cannabis and how he came to start Botanica
• An inside look at Botanica and its popular cannabis-mint brand Mr Moxey’s
• What to expect when you eat Mr Moxey’s mints
• Why microdosing is gaining popularity 
• When and why people typically eat Mr Moxey’s mints to enhance their state and take the edge off
• Mistakes Chris has made as an entrepreneur and what he learned from them
• Chris’ advice on how to get a brand into distribution and on retailers’ shelves
• Why Botanica uses a specific extraction process for the hemp oil that goes into Mr Moxey’s
• Where Chris sees cannabis and low-dose edibles heading over the next few years

While hemp-derived products are already big business, they’re set to skyrocket as hemp begins to take market share from traditional wellness and household brands. 

Here to tell us about it is Michael Cammarata of Neptune Wellness Solutions, one of Canada’s leading cannabinoid extraction companies.

Learn more at https://neptunecorp.com 

Key Takeaways:

• Michael’s background in hemp and how he came to be the CEO of Neptune Wellness
• An inside look at Neptune and how it’s evolved from biotech to health and wellness since founded in 1998
• Why hemp is becoming so popular as an ingredient in consumer packaged goods
• The most popular hemp-derived products in the wellness industry right now
• Neptune’s partnership with Jane Goodall and their upcoming line of hemp-derived hand sanitizers and essential oils
• How Neptune is innovating new technology that will make hemp goods more cost-effective for customers
• How COVID-19 is affecting the hemp wellness and household industries
• Where Michael sees the hemp industry heading over the next few years as it continues to make its way into the wellness arena

What will the cannabis industry look like after COVID-19?

CannaInsider host Matthew Kind forecasts the 7 disruptive changes that will take place in the years to come.

Check out an infographic on these 7 changes at https://www.cannainsider.com/covid 

Key Takeaways:

• How COVID-19 will impact cannabis in the next few years, including:
• Automated grow rooms
• Pathogen detection policies
• Contactless delivery and payment
• Pre-purchase of discounts cards and gift cards
• Results-only business partners
• Commercial drones for cultivation
• VR education

How is COVID-19 impacting investments in the cannabis space?

Here to tell us is Kimberly Kovacs of The Arcview Group, the leading private investment network and market research firm in the cannabis space. 

Learn more at https://arcviewgroup.com 

Key Takeaways:

• Kim’s background in cannabis and how she came to be CEO of The Arcview Group
• An inside look at Arcview and its mission to forge a principled and profitable industry from the ashes of cannabis prohibition
• How the coronavirus is impacting cannabis businesses and investor sentiment
• Kim’s advice to startups looking for funding right now
• Tips on how new investors can get started to set themselves up for long-term success
• Kim’s best investments and factors that played into her decision-making
• An update on what investors are currently funding most
• Important takeaways from Arcview’s recent data reports on the size and dynamics of the cannabis market
• What investors and entrepreneurs can gain from AV Access, Arcview’s new educational webinar series

With COVID-19 keeping people at home, cannabis delivery is booming.

Here to tell us more about it is Tim Conder of Blackbird Logistics, one of the industry’s leading software and operations companies.

Learn more at https://myblackbird.com 

Key Takeaways:

• Tim’s background in cannabis and how he came to start Blackbird
• An inside look at Blackbird and how the company facilitates the movement of cannabis products at each touchpoint of the supply chain
• How Blackbird fits in with its parent company TILT Holdings
• Ways in which cultivators, dispensaries, and brands can benefit from Blackbird
• How payment is being handled for home cannabis deliveries amid COVID-19
• Recent changes Tim has seen in cannabis delivery and where he sees it heading in the years to come
• How customer behavior is different than usual and the products people are ordering most
• Tim’s advice for cannabis companies trying to navigate COVID-19

Banking is one of the thorniest problems for the cannabis industry in the US - until now. Here to tell us how he’s created a solution to this problem is Dan Roda of Abaca.

Learn more at https://www.goabaca.com 

Key Takeaways:

• Dan’s background in law and how he came to start Abaca
• An inside look at Abaca and how it's providing a safe banking platform for US cannabis businesses 
• What dispensaries can expect when using Abaca
• The current state of merchant processing in cannabis and how Dan believes that will evolve over the next few years
• The most common questions clients ask Dan
• States that Abaca is currently operating in and where Dan sees the company expanding
• Abaca’s capital-raising process
• Where Dan sees the cannabis financial services market heading in the next 3-5 years and some emerging trends to keep an eye on

While hotels have prohibited cannabis use for years, it’s now considered a benefit many guests are demanding.

Here to tell us about it is Matthew Singer of tökr, an app that creates a personalized cannabis experience based on individual preferences.

Learn more at https://www.trytokr.com 

Key Takeaways:

• Matthew’s background in cannabis and how he came to start tökr 
• An inside look at tökr’s premium cannabis delivery marketplace
• How COVID-19 is affecting the cannabis environment in California and beyond
• How the hotel industry’s stance on cannabis use is changing in the US
• Ways in which boutique hotels are leading the charge for on-site cannabis use from trusted vendors
• Cannabis consumer behavior in hotels and what’s trending right now
• Matthew’s opinion on California’s black market problem and what needs to be done to fix it
• Why brands have a hard time telling their story in dispensaries and how tökr is working to solve this
• Where tökr currently is in the capital-raising process

It’s no secret that achieving a truly targeted effect is the holy grail of the cannabis industry, but how close are we to making this a reality? Are designer cannabis products on the horizon? 

Here to help answer this is Chris Emerson, co-founder and CEO of a unique company known as Level that’s working to disrupt the cannabis industry with products precisely tailored to every individual and every occasion.

Learn more at https://www.levelblends.com 

Key Takeaways:

• Chris’ background in chemistry and how it led him to the cannabis space
• An inside look at Level and its mission to provide a tailored cannabis experience to every patient and consumer
• How Chris’ extensive background in science allows him to think about cannabis products differently than most entrepreneurs in the industry
• Why Level sources its oils from strains high in CBD, CBG, and THCV and how this enhances the overall effect for consumers
• Chris’ efforts to find rare and unique cannabinoids for Level’s products and his discoveries to date
• A deep dive into Level’s tablinguals and pax vaporizer pods
• Chris’ work at Level determining new uses for cannabinoids, including everything from stimulants to hangover cures
• New and exciting initiatives at Level and Chris’ insight on what the cannabis industry will look like in the next 5-10 years

Is speed paramount when it comes to a good cannabis delivery service?

Not according to Sava founder Andrea Brooks, who shares with us how she’s gained more customer satisfaction and larger order sizes than her much faster competitors.

Learn more at https://www.getsava.com 

Key Takeaways:

• Andrea’s background in cannabis and how she came to start Sava
• An inside look at Sava and its mission to provide the highest quality cannabis products for delivery in the San Francisco Bay Area
• How Andrea won the AVG Best Pitch Award and what about her presentation resonated most with investors
• What investors need to know about unit economics and basket size
• Common obstacles in cannabis delivery and how Sava has overcome these to get ahead of other services like Ease and MedMen
• Ways in which Sava has gained so many repeat customers
• Sava’s generous compensation for drivers and how this impacts the company’s overall success
• Where Andrea sees the cannabis drink category heading in the next few years
• Andrea’s conservative approach to growth projections and meeting investor expectations
• Where Sava currently is in the capital-raising process and Andrea’s goals for the years ahead

If you’re concerned about the wildly fluctuating cannabis stocks, you’re not alone. But could there be a light at the end of the tunnel?

Here to answer this is returning guest Alan Brochstein, founder of New Cannabis Ventures and 420 Investor.

Learn more at https://www.newcannabisventures.com

Key Takeaways:

• Alan’s background in the cannabis stock space and how he came to start New Cannabis Ventures and 420 Investor
• A 10,000 ft view of the cannabis stock space and Alan’s predictions for the future
• The meteoric rise and fall of cannabis and pharmaceutical company Tilray
• Stocks Alan is asked about most and where he sees them heading
• Companies creating shareholder value and how that can set them apart
• Popular challenges and opportunities discussed among cannabis executives
• Alan’s views on sovereign debt, class warfare, and other issues threatening the economy
• Where Alan sees hemp and cannabis laws heading in his home state of Texas

A big problem for cannabis retailers is how to re-engage once enthusiastic customers.

CEO of Happy Cabbage Andrew Watson tells us how dispensaries are using his platform to rekindle customer relationships.

Learn more at https://www.happycabbage.io 

Key Takeaways:

• Andrew’s background in cannabis and how he came to start Happy Cabbage
• An inside look at Happy Cabbage, a data analytics and insights platform for the cannabis industry
• Ways Happy Cabbage re-engages previous dispensary customers with highly targeted, personalized messaging
• Analytic tools Happy Cabbage provides dispensaries that enable them to measure the success of their campaigns
• Generating customer excitement through experiential events
• Similarities between stripper economics and the economics of dispensary product placement
• Dispensaries currently working with Happy Cabbage and how they’re using the platform to re-engage their customer base
• Andrew’s experience with CanopyBoulder, a business accelerator and venture capital fund for the cannabis industry

With cannabis legalization in full swing, it’s easy to forget there’s a big difference in how legalization is unfolding between US states and countries around the world.

Here to help us contextualize the difference between markets is Michael Mayes of Quantum 9, an expert cannabis consulting firm with one of the highest success rates in the industry.

Learn more at https://quantum9.net 

Key Takeaways:

• Michael’s background in cannabis and how he came to start Quantum 9
• An inside look at Quantum 9 and its mission to help maximize the potential of cannabis cultivation, control, and dispensary businesses
• Tips on how to successfully pursue a cannabis brand license and the common misconceptions Michael sees among new clients
• Exciting new developments taking place in the Michigan and Illinois markets
• Illinois’ social equity program and what it means for cannabis businesses
• How Michael believes cannabis will affect alcohol market shares over the next few years
• How Michael is working to help states create systems that help both businesses and patients
• Where Michael sees cannabis heading in Illinois and beyond over the next 3-5 years

Making dispensary customers feel welcome and informed the moment they walk into the store is vital, and the company that knows how to do this best is Seed Technology.

Providing dispensaries with educational kiosks that help inform customers, Seed helps to achieve a customer experience that results in bigger purchases and repeat buyers.

In this episode, Seed CEO Matt Cutone shares with us the incredible return on investment Seed is providing dispensaries across the US and gives us his insights on the future of interactive kiosks.

Learn more at http://www.getseed.io

Key Takeaways

• Matt’s background in cannabis and how he came to start Seed Technology
• An inside look at Seed, including how the company’s in-store displays work and the experience they provide for the customer
• How Seed helps dispensaries integrate interactive kiosks and the customization required
• Ways in which Seed ensures an engaging customer interaction with little drop-off
• Mistakes Matt sees dispensaries make with their interactive kiosks and how to avoid them
• How Seed’s kiosks lead to larger purchases and more loyal customers
• Matt’s insights on the future of AI and how it will improve educational kiosks with greater customization

What will the cannabis industry look like in the next five years? CannaInsider host Matthew Kind reviews his past predictions and forecasts the five disruptive changes that will take place in the years to come. 

Considering how many Matthew got right in 2017, you don’t want to miss this.

Key Takeaways:

• Review of Matt’s previous forecasts from 2017
• Trend 1: AI-assisted product selection to improve significantly
• Trend 2: Fintech meets Cannabis
• Trend 3: Cannabinoid drinks put a double-digit dent in the alcohol market share
• Trend 4: Cost of cannabis flower decreases 50 to 80 percent 
• Trend 5: Autonomous car delivery with biometric verification

If you hand most people a cannabis drink, their first question is probably, “How high will this make me?” 

This one unknown might just be what’s holding cannabis beverages back. Until now.

Listen in as Luke Anderson of Cann discusses the state of cannabis drinks and where he sees the category heading.

Learn more at http://www.drinkcann.com/

Key Takeaways:

• Luke’s background in cannabis and how he came to start Cann
• An inside look at Cann and its mission to become the standard for cannabis-infused tonics
• Why Cann produces only low-THC tonics to target consumers that don’t wish to experience a high
• The type of effect consumers can expect from Cann’s social tonics
• Why Luke believes it’s important to take out the guesswork in cannabis beverages 
• Cann’s social tonics versus beer and wine in terms of time and effect
• How Cann decided on its unique THC/CBD concentration profile
• How Luke and his team overcame challenges with emulsion and dispersion to ensure consistency in every sip
• Where Luke sees cannabis microdosing heading in the next few years

To know where the cannabis market is going, we need to examine where it’s been and where it is right now. 

Here to help us is Cy Scott of Headset, a data-driven tech company that provides business intelligence for the cannabis industry.

Learn more at https://www.headset.io 

Key Takeaways:

• Cy’s background in cannabis and how he came to start Headset
• An inside look at Headset and its mission to help cannabis companies stay ahead of the curve
• Surprising trends Cy has observed in recent dispensary sales data 
• How data can help inform an entrepreneur looking to bring a new cannabis product to market
• Valuable takeaways from purchasing behavior data that have proven to maximize visitor engagement and drive sales
• How different products sell better on different days of the week as well as morning versus evening
• How purchasing patterns differ between generations
• What to expect in cannabis over the next few years based on Headset’s real-time data and market intelligence

Is California the Hunger Games of cannabis?

In the face of regulatory failure in California, black market cannabis thrives as licensed sellers and growers - much like the pledges in the Hunger Games - compete to survive in a dangerous world controlled by The Capitol (Sacramento).

So what happens next? Will state leaders see the error in their ways or will dispensaries and cultivators unite to force a change? Here to help us answer this is Seibo Shen, CEO of Hanu Labs.

Learn more at https://hanulabs.com 

Seibo Shen's new product The Hanu Stone from hanulabs.com

Key Takeaways:

• Seibo’s background and how he came to enter the cannabis space
• How California’s cannabis market has evolved over the last few years
• Disadvantages that licensed growers and dispensaries deal with compared to those in the black market
• How the black market has impacted the vaping crisis
• Why so many cannabis businesses are undergoing financial difficulties
• Slotting fees and why brands must pay to get their products on dispensary shelves
• An inside look at Hanu Labs and its new, award-winning personal vaporizer
• How Hanu Labs is unique to other big players in the pod manufacturing space
• Where Seibo sees California’s cannabis market heading in the next few years

With online shopping at an all-time high, dispensaries are looking for more and more ways to create retail experiences that inspire customers to shop in-store.

Today’s guest is Shryne Group Executive Chairman Jon Avidor, who will explain why customers line up for his cannabis dispensaries AND what experiential retail means for cannabis.

Learn more at https://shrynegroup.com

Key Takeaways:

• Jon’s background as a business attorney and what inspired him to enter the cannabis space
• An inside look at Los Angeles-based cannabis holding company Shryne Group Inc.
• Ways in which California’s cannabis market affects the rest of the country
• Why Jon believes it’s important for Shryne Group to be a vertically-integrated company in the cannabis industry
• How Jon has created experiential retail experiences so successful that customers line up at his dispensaries
• Jon’s advice on how to spark excitement in customers with fun attractions like Instagram pods, art murals for photo-taking, etc.
• The types of people dispensaries need on their team to achieve an exciting in-store environment
• Exciting things to expect from Shryne Group in the next 12 months

While thousands of new cannabis products hit the market each year, most fail to create product-market fit due to a lack of differentiation or clear-cut benefits. 

Today’s guest is CEO of Dosist Gunner Winston, who has simplified cannabis consumption with targeted formulas and precise dosing to create a product that is catapulting cannabis into the wellness arena.

Learn more at https://dosist.com 

Key Takeaways:

• Gunner’s background in cannabis and how he came to start Dosist
• An inside look at Dosist and its mission to simplify cannabis consumption with innovative delivery devices
• How taking the guesswork out of cannabis is attracting more people to the category
• Variables that are important to luxury brand consumers
• Customer reactions to Dosist’s new dose pen and dose dial
• The thought process behind Dosist’s high-end yet minimalist retail environment
• Why Gunner believes brick and mortar stores remain valuable in the age of online shopping 
• Where Dosist is in the capital-raising process
• How Gunner is planning to evolve Dosist in the coming years as consumer preferences change

California is arguably the cannabis industry’s most impactful market with more and more developments taking place each month.

Here to tell us about it is Khurshid Khoja, a business attorney constantly interfacing with Sacramento regulators and politicians to help his clients see what’s just around the corner. 

Learn more at http://www.greenbridgelaw.com 

Key Takeaways:

• Khurshid’s background in business law and how he came to start Greenbridge Corporate Counsel
• How the California cannabis market is coping with high taxes and restrictive regulations 
• The biggest obstacles the cannabis industry faced in 2019 and those to come in 2020
• The Interstate Commerce Clause and how it’s affecting the cannabis market
• How Oregon passed SB 582 and the doors it opens for licensed businesses in-state 
• Exciting new developments Khurshid foresees taking place in 2020 as well as areas to practice caution
• Whether or not Sacramento politicians can remedy the budget deficit and debt situation in California
• Khurshid’s advice to those looking to enter the California cannabis market