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

With the recent global surge in industrial hemp, scientists are moving into the hemp and cannabis space to provide cultivators the technologies and best practices of other industries.

Helping lead the movement is Dr. Jon Vaught, CEO and founder of Front Range Biosciences, an agricultural biotechnology company that specializes in tissue culture cloning for cannabis and other high-value crops.

In this episode, Dr. Jon shares how Front Range Biosciences is revolutionizing cloning methods to not only produce robust, healthy plants but also create new varieties that could disrupt the dietary and pharmaceutical industries.

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

Key Takeaways:

• A breakdown of Front Range Biosciences and the revolutionary biotechnology it’s bringing to the cannabis industry
• Dr. Jon’s background in biotechnology and what led him to start Front Range Biosciences
• The differences between cannabis and hemp
• A deep dive into Front Range Biosciences’ services, including its Clean Stock Nursery Program
• The ins and outs of tissue culture laboratories and the benefits they offer researchers and cultivators alike
• How to avoid common mistakes in cultivation, including exposing plants to disease
• Dr. Jon’s goals to create new plant varieties and cannabinoid profiles for the purposes of dietary supplements, nutraceutical products, and even pharmaceutical products
• Our current understanding of the cannabis genome and the exciting new discoveries Dr. Jon anticipates in the years to come

Roy Bingham is the CEO of BDS Analytics, which produces the leading market trends reports, analyses, and consumer research in the cannabis industry.

Not only does Roy know EXACTLY what is selling in dispensaries, but he also has definitive data on which cannabis product trends are accelerating and which are fading.

In this interview, Roy shares his insight on where cannabis is heading in the months and years ahead.

Learn more at https://bdsanalytics.com

Key Takeaways:

• Shifts and trends that are beginning to take hold in cannabis
• BDS Analytics’ statistical modeling methodology and how the company projects accurate market data
• Roy’s clientele at BDS Analytics and how they benefit from the company’s market data
• How much CBD is selling and how this currently varies by geography
• New cannabis delivery systems and Roy’s projections for their success
• BDS Analytics’ latest insights on cannabis consumer behavior
• Acceptors and rejectors and why they are important to the cannabis industry
• BDS Analytics’ recent partnership with leading data provider IRI
• How cannabis has evolved over the decades and Roy’s insight on the industry’s future

If you are interested in what it takes to be a profitable, cutting-edge, commercial cannabis cultivator, you’ll love this interview with expert grower Nick Hice of Denver Relief.

Key Takeaways:

[0:55] – Nick gives his background in Horticulture.
[2:43] – Nick explains what is meant by a flood table.
[6:49] – Size of Denver Relief’s facility.
[7:14] – The life of a cultivator.
[10:20] – Nick explains an ideal yield per square foot.
[12:56] – Are there different growing speeds between the different strains?
[14:10] – Nicks explains how to take care of cannabis plants.
[17:21] – Advantages on using fabric containers.
[21:17] – The ways the canopy and roots communicate to optimize a plant.
[23:15] – Nick explains NPK.
[23:52] – Nick explains common mistakes cultivators make.
[27:29] – The transition between indoor growing facilities and greenhouses.
[32:29] – Nick talks about optimal temperatures and humidity ranges.
[35:08] – Nick explains how CO2 is administered in a cultivation facility.
[36:28] – Nick talks about pests and diseases.
[44:29] – Nick talks about trends and technology in cultivation.
[49:35] – Contact info for Denver Relief and Denver Relief Consulting.

Hemp and cannabis are getting ready to disrupt one of the biggest industries in the world: beauty and skincare.

Here to tell us about it is Melissa Jochim of High Beauty, a cannabis-infused cosmetics brand that’s hitting shelves in stores across the world, including the multinational beauty chain Sephora.

Use promo code “Insider” for a discount on your purchase at https://highbeauty.com 

Key Takeaways:

• Melissa’s background in cannabis and how she came to start High Beauty
• An inside look at High Beauty and its mission to make canna-beauty products mainstream
• Current perceptions surrounding cannabis in the beauty and skincare space
• How hemp benefits the health and appearance of our skin
• The different products High Beauty now has to offer from masks to moisturizers
• A breakdown of the chemistry involved in creating cannabis-infused cosmetics
• Where High Beauty is available for purchase, including Sephora and Macy’s
• How Melissa sees the canna-beauty market evolving over the next few years

Could mushrooms be the next cannabis? Here to answer this and provide us some key insights into the fascinating world of psilocybin is Max Montrose, President of Trichome Institute.

https://www.cannainsider.com/go-trichome-classes

===> use coupon code: insider for 10% off

DISCLAIMER: DO NOT USE ANY DRUGS OR SUBSTANCES WITHOUT CONSULTING A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. THIS IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.

Key Takeaways:

• Max’s background in cannabis and how he came to start Trichome Institute
• An inside look at Trichome Institute and its mission to set the highest standard for science, education, and certification in cannabis 
• Counterfeit cannabis strains and why the products you’re buying may not be what you think they are
• Why Max believes we need to change our terminology for sativa and indica
• Factors that determine a strain’s potency and why THC isn’t everything
• Trichomes and Max’s recent discovery of a seventh cannabis trichome
• Terpenes and the importance of smell in deducing good terpene chemistry
• What the term “OG” actually means
• The Trichome Institute’s new Interpening book and what sets it apart from other books on cannabis
• A deep dive into psilocybin mushrooms and their life-changing benefits
• How the decriminalization of psychedelic mushrooms is gaining traction and what that could mean for you
• Common misinformation surrounding psilocybin
• Max’s advice on how to achieve an optimal mushroom experience
• Where Max sees psychedelic mushrooms heading over the next 5-10 years

In today’s ever-evolving hemp and cannabis space, Eran Sherin has set out on a mission to empower farmers, processors, manufacturers, and developers through a unique, New York-based hemp ecosystem known as urbanXtracts.

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

Key Takeaways:

• Eran’s background in cannabis and how he came to start urbanXtracts
• An inside look at urbanXtracts and what the company offers as a seed-to-sale hemp service provider
• How urbanXtracts was awarded licenses to grow and process hemp in New York
• Why Eran chooses to work with contract farmers instead of growing his own plants
• How urbanXtracts is converting a former prison into an extraction facility where the company will help in providing jobs to residents of Warwick, NY
• The types of products urbanXtracts provides, including raw materials, crude hemp oil, and isolates
• Eran’s philosophy behind his company’s collaborative, WeWork-style environment
• Where urbanXtracts currently is in the capital-raising process
• How Eran sees the hemp market evolving over the next 3-5 years

Have we seen the last of the Pot Com bust in cannabis stocks? Or should we expect to see more downside ahead?

Here to help us answer this is Andrew Zatlin of SouthBay Research, the cannabis industry's rising leader in unconventional investment data tracking.

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

Key Takeaways: 

• Andrew’s background in economic forecasting and how he came to start SouthBay Research
• An inside look at SouthBay Research and its mission to provide best-in-class macroeconomic forecasting and actionable insights
• Andrew’s insight on cannabis stock valuations and where we currently are in the Pot Com bust
• The vice index and why it’s important to the cannabis industry
• Shocking similarities between alcohol, gambling, and cannabis
• Reasons why cannabis might start looking like Kentucky's whiskey industry
• The types of businesses that Andrew foresees excelling in cannabis
• When and how cannabis brands will begin to emerge
• Andrew’s advice on how cannabis investors and entrepreneurs can best position themselves for the years ahead

With hemp in growing demand, scientists are hard at work determining ways to increase plant yield. Here to tell us about it is Han Chen from ZeaKal, a plant science company revolutionizing hemp cultivation.

Learn more at https://www.zeakal.com 

Key Takeaways:

• Han’s background in cannabis and how he came to start ZeaKal
• An inside look at ZeaKal and its mission to vastly improve cannabis crop efficiency
• Problems in hemp cultivation that ZeaKal is working to solve
• How hemp cultivation compares to other crops like corn and soy
• Secondary metabolites and why they’re important to hemp
• Hemp’s potential to produce a more sustainable plant oil
• ZeaKal’s dynamic with other industry players in the hemp ecosystem
• How drones are proving useful for data collection in hemp cultivation
• Where Han sees his research and the hemp industry as a whole progressing over the next 3-5 years

While many cannabis investors are feeling underwhelmed with publicly-traded cannabis companies, opportunities still abound for investors willing to look past the headlines. Here to tell us more is Codie Sanchez from Entourage Effect Capital, a private equity investment firm dedicated to investing in cannabis.

Learn more at https://entourageeffectcapital.com​

Key Takeaways:

• Codie’s background in cannabis and what led her to become a partner at Entourage Effect Capital
• An inside look at Entourage Effect Capital and how it’s evolved since it was founded in 2014
• New ways to invest in cannabis and opportunities that still remain untapped
• How valuations for private cannabis investments have changed over the last couple years
• The vaping crisis and how Codie believes it will impact the industry long-term
• How MSOs are responding to the Pot Com bust
• The investments Codie is most excited about right now
• Codie’s tips for entrepreneurs on how to pitch to investors
• Where Codie sees the cannabis industry heading over the next few years

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

Where do you start the search for your next cannabis product? Here to tell us how customers are starting their cannabis search (and what they’re searching for) is Dan Nelson of Wikileaf, the industry’s leading price comparison platform.

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

Key Takeaways:

• Dan’s background in cannabis and how he came to start Wikileaf
• An inside look at Wikileaf and its mission to help customers save money while making informed purchases
• Consumer trends and the types of products that are gaining traction
• Differences and similarities between Wikileaf and Leafly
• How Wikileaf creates perceived value to attract buyers without cutting price
• Dan’s advice to entrepreneurs on how to go to market to ensure the best chance of success
• Wikileaf’s ad policy for brands looking to stand out in a crowded market
• Where Dan sees dispensary offerings and consumer preferences heading in the months ahead

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

It’s no secret cannabis cultivation is going global. Here to tell us why and how he’s expanding into Africa is Jonathan Summers of EXMceuticals, a medical cannabis firm that aims to become the largest volume, lowest cost producer of wholesale cannabis in the world.

Learn more at https://exmceuticals.com (CSE: EXM) (FSE: A2PAW2) 

Key Takeaways:

• Jonathan’s background in cannabis and how he came to be Executive Chairman of EXMceuticals
• An inside look at EXM and its mission to become the largest volume, lowest cost producer of wholesale cannabis ingredients
• Jonathan’s insight on Brexit and how it will affect London as a financial hub
• Why EXM cultivates cannabis in Africa before processing, selling, and distributing in Portugal 
• What cannabis cultivation in Africa could mean for the country’s economy and job market
• Differences between the cannabis industry in Europe versus the U.S. 
• The products Jonathan foresees gaining traction in Europe over the next few years 
• What Dixie Elixir’s Tripp Keber is bringing to the table as a strategic advisor for EXM
• How EXM is working to support African communities through nonprofit funds and increased employment
• Inspiration Jonathan draws from lectures given by English philosopher Alan Watts
• Where Jonathan sees EXM and cannabis heading in the next few years

What happens when biotechnology and cannabis collide? Here to answer this is Ronan Levy of Trait Bio, a biotech company that just cracked the code on how to create flavorless, water-soluble cannabinoids - and without using nanoemulsion. 

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

Key Takeaways:

• Ronan’s background in cannabis and how he came to start Trait Bio
• An inside look at Trait Bio and its mission to make hemp and cannabis into purer, safer products 
• The value of water-soluble cannabinoid products and where Trait Bio is in the process of achieving this
• The risks versus benefits of using nanoemulsion in the manufacturing of cannabis products 
• Glycosylation and how Trait Bio is using this instead of nanoemulsion to create water-soluble cannabinoid products
• How trait amplification works to increase the yield of cannabinoids in hemp and cannabis plants
• Trait Bio’s work with minor cannabinoids and why the industry is beginning to take more interest in them
• How yield differs between yeast and trait application
• Ronan’s long-term goals for Trait Bio and where the company currently is in the capital-raising process
• Where Ronan sees biotech and cannabis heading in the next five years

Could mushrooms be the next cannabis? Here to answer this and provide us some key insights into the fascinating world of psilocybin is Max Montrose, President of Trichome Institute.

https://www.cannainsider.com/go-trichome-classes

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DISCLAIMER: DO NOT USE ANY DRUGS OR SUBSTANCES WITHOUT CONSULTING A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. THIS IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.

Key Takeaways:

• Max’s background in cannabis and how he came to start Trichome Institute
• An inside look at Trichome Institute and its mission to set the highest standard for science, education, and certification in the cannabis industry
• Counterfeit cannabis strains and why the products you’re buying may not be what you think they are
• Why Max believes we need to change our terminology for sativa and indica
• Factors that determine a strain’s potency and why THC isn’t everything
• Trichomes and Max’s recent discovery of a seventh cannabis trichome
• Terpenes and the importance of smell in deducing good terpene chemistry
• What the term “OG” actually means
• The Trichome Institute’s new Interpening book and what sets it apart from other books on cannabis
• A deep dive into psilocybin mushrooms and their life-changing benefits
• How the decriminalization of psychedelic mushrooms is gaining traction and what that could mean for you
• Common misinformation surrounding psilocybin
• Max’s advice on how to achieve an optimal mushroom experience
• Where Max sees psychedelic mushrooms heading over the next 5-10 years

By making investments in other companies, large cannabis brands are attempting to capture exponential growth within specific corners of the marketplace.

This not only works to increase ROI for investors, but it also provides these companies the chance to form strategic partnerships with rising startups ahead of the curve.

Here to tell us all about this is Narbé Alexandrian of Canopy Rivers, a cannabis venture capital firm and the $1 billion investment arm of the largest cannabis company in the world, Canopy Growth.

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

Key Takeaways:

• Narbé’s background in cannabis and how he became CEO of Canopy Rivers
• An inside look at Canopy Rivers and how it works to identify strategic partnerships with Canopy Growth’s large portfolio of companies
• Vertical integration and why Narbé doesn’t believe in it
• A breakdown of the thirteen segments Narbé has identified in the cannabis value chain and which ones he predicts will be most profitable
• Narbé’s advice on the do’s and don'ts for entrepreneurs looking to pitch to investors
• Narbé’s investment philosophy and what he takes into consideration when deciding where to invest
• A deep dive into some of Narbé’s biggest investments to date, including PharmHouse and Headset Inc.
• Narbé’s shocking insight on the falling prices of products including dry flower, isolates, and extracts
• Where Narbé sees the industry heading over the next few years

Since launching in 2016, LeafLink has quickly become the largest e-commerce wholesale cannabis platform with $1 billion in annualized sales as of June 2019. 

In this episode, LeafLink CEO Ryan Smith gives us an inside look at what’s happening in the industry’s busiest marketplace.

Learn more at https://leaflink.com  

Key Takeaways:

• Ryan’s background in cannabis and how he came to start LeafLink
• An inside look at LeafLink and the ways in which it helps brands and retailers streamline the ordering process
• A breakdown of the companies using LeafLink and the number of new brands launching each week
• How the marketplace on LeafLink has evolved over the last two years
• A snapshot of the bestselling products on LeafLink and Ryan’s insight on up-and-comers
• The data points Ryan finds most interesting about today’s cannabis marketplace
• Ryan’s advice to entrepreneurs interested in creating a new cannabis product
• Ways in which brands and retailers can differentiate themselves in the competitive cannabis space
• Products LeafLink offers cannabis brands and retailers, including streamlined ordering, CRM, reporting tools, and fulfillment and shipment queues
• Where LeafLink is currently at in the capital-raising process
• Where Ryan sees LeafLink and the cannabis marketplace heading over the next few years

Widely known as the “Guru of Ganja,” Ed Rosenthal is a leading cannabis horticulture authority, author, educator, and legalization pioneer.

He’s the most renowned cannabis cultivator in the world and has authored numerous books on the topic, including Marijuana Grower’s Handbook (which Oaksterdam University uses as their cultivation textbook to this day) as well as his newest book, Marijuana Garden Saver.

In this episode, Ed shares his advice to growers looking to achieve the perfect grow and discusses new and exciting discoveries in cultivation like creating cannabis compounds with yeast – a topic we recently discussed on the show with Kevin Chen of Hyasynth Bio.

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

Key Takeaways

• Ed’s celebrated background in cannabis and how he’s seen the industry evolve throughout the years
• The most common mistakes Ed sees among new growers
• Ed’s thoughts on traditional lighting vs LEDs and what he believes to be the optimal lighting arrangement
• How to design the best grow space from scratch
• The best methods for trimming and manicuring commercial grows
• Simple solutions to common problems Ed sees among new and seasoned cultivators alike, including how to avoid mold growth
• The up and coming practice of growing cannabinoids in yeast
• Ed’s insights surrounding the future of terpenes and different cannabinoids like CBN
• Where Ed predicts cannabis trending in the years ahead
• An inside look at Ed’s new book, Marijuana Garden Saver: A Field Guide to Identifying and Correcting Cannabis Problems

What happens when big data meets cultivation? Here to help us answer that is David Kessler of TriGrow, a leading cultivation solutions provider that just launched a grow chamber that will change cannabis as we know it.

Learn more at https://trigrow.com 

Key Takeaways:

• David’s background in cannabis and how he became Senior Vice President of TriGrow
• An inside look at TriGrow and its turnkey systems approach to help cultivators achieve the highest consistency and quality possible
• The different types of technology and automation at TriGrow, including their real-time monitoring software and stackable grow chambers
• A breakdown of TriGrow’s state-of-the-art grow chambers and how they work to create a maximum of six canopy levels
• How TriGrow’s stackable grow chambers impact comfortability in working with the plants
• The precision with which TriGrow’s chambers can be optimized for different strains 
• How TriGrow uses data to provide growers a reproducible environment for greater consistency in quality and yield
• David’s insight on the future of smart growing and the significant role it will play in standardizing cannabis over the next 3-5 years

Efficacy and rate of absorption are important variables when taking CBD, but the reality is most products on the market aren’t fast-acting and don’t have the best bioavailability.

That’s why William Kleidon set out on a mission to crack the code on a delivery method that could provide both instant relief and optimal absorption, and he did not disappoint.

With their patented immediate absorption technology, William and his team at Ojai Energetics are going where no company has gone before: water-soluble full-spectrum CBD.

The result? A highly absorbable, precisely targeted oil that's disrupting the cannabinoid drink industry.

Learn more at https://www.cannainsider.com/ojai  

Key Takeaways:

• Will’s background in CBD and how he came to start Ojai Energetics
• An inside look at Ojai Energetics and its mission to offer the most targeted, bioavailable CBD on the market
• A breakdown of water-soluble CBD versus traditional fat-soluble CBD
• How Ojai Energetics achieved its rapid 30-second onset
• The many challenges Ojai has overcome to create a water-soluble full-spectrum CBD oil 
• How Ojai’s water-soluble technology has overcome dosage and consistency issues with CBD drinks
• Ojai’s bitter-to-sweet dosing method and how it allows consumers to achieve their optimal dose through taste
• Will’s thoughts on intellectual property in the cannabis space and his focus on licensing Ojai’s IP versus using it solely for the company’s own products
• Where Ojai Energetics is currently at in the capital-raising process
• Where Will sees Ojai heading in the next few years and how the company’s water-soluble technology will mark the beginning of new and improved CBD drinks

When outfitting a modern cultivation facility, lighting is one of the most important investments.

With the right combination of spectrum and power, good lighting not only maximizes yield but also optimizes plant quality for home and commercial growers alike.

But how do you stay up to date on all the advancements of indoor lighting and determine the best scheme for your facility?

Here to help us tackle this is Noah Miller of Black Dog LED, makers of the best full-spectrum LED grow lights on the market.

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

Key Takeaways:

• Noah’s background in pharmaceuticals and how he came to enter the cannabis space
• An inside look at Black Dog LED and its mission to offer cannabis growers the best lighting possible
• A breakdown of LED lighting vs. traditional lighting solutions like HID including efficiency, cost, and ROI
• The evolution of indoor lighting in the cannabis industry and why LED has become the standard
• Noah’s advice on indoor lighting for home growers versus commercial growers
• Mistakes Noah sees growers make when trying to create a successful cultivation facility
• Misconceptions and myths surrounding LED lighting and Noah’s continual efforts to change public perception
• Black Dog’s research on LED efficiency and ways in which the company is working to optimize facility lighting for greater yields
• Where Noah sees indoor lighting heading in the next few years and what that could mean for home and commercial growers

Just as we’re becoming comfortable with the massive changes in cannabis legalization there enters a disruptive new technology called “Cannabinoid Biosynthesis” that has prompted a lot of interest among industry insiders.

Here to tell us more about it is Jason Poulos of Librede, a synthetic biology company and leader in cannabinoid biosynthesis based in Southern California.

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

Key Takeaways:

• Jason’s background in biology and how it led him into the cannabis space
• A deep dive into cannabinoid biosynthesis and how it’s disrupting the industry
• An inside look at Librede and how the company has taken the lead in cannabinoid biosynthesis
• The intricate work involved in designing a molecular drug that efficiently binds with its target
• Exciting new discoveries surrounding the potential of cannabinoids beyond CBD and THC
• The importance of CB1 and CB2 receptors and how they interact
• The relationship between synthetic cannabinoids and cannabinoids found in nature and how Jason believes that relationship will grow
• Ways in which we could misuse synthetic cannabinoids that we need to avoid
• Where Jason sees the cannabinoid biosynthesis business heading in the next 3-5 years and how it will affect the cannabis industry

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

Justin Singer is the co-founder of Still Water Brands, a company focused on cannabis consumers that really don’t see themselves as cannabis consumers because they feel uncomfortable with the existing methods of consumption.

For example, it is very confusing for a first-time cannabis consumer to understand why they don’t want to eat a 100mg infused chocolate bar, but instead, need to break it up into 10 or 20 pieces. First-time consumers ask, “wait, why do I need to break this bar up, isn’t a bar one dose?”

Justin and his team at Stillwater initially focused on rituals consumers are already comfortable with such as making a cup of tea. Stillwater’s water-soluble beverage additives including their best seller Ripple have resonated with a traditionally unrecognized and underserved market category.

Now Stillwater is going to offer their infused additives to other businesses.

This is a riveting interview you won’t want to miss.

Learn more at:
http://stillwater.life/

The Canadian cannabis market continues to mature and flourish under a liberal national legalization policy, and here to help us understand the latest trends in Canada is Ben Kaanta, COO of licensed producer Westleaf Inc.

As a vertically integrated Canadian cannabis company, Westleaf has significant assets operating under development across the value chain. The company builds and operates cultivation, extraction, processing, manufacturing, research and development, and wholly-owned retail. 

This includes Westleaf’s new retail brand Prairie Records, a unique dispensary that creates an unparalleled purchasing experience celebrating the inherent tie between music and cannabis.

In this episode, Ben shares with us an inside look at Prairie Records and where he sees the Canadian cannabis market heading in the next few years.

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

Key Takeaways:

• Ben’s background in mechanical engineering and how he came to enter the cannabis space
• Differences Ben has observed between the cannabis market in the US versus Canada
• How Westleaf has evolved since it was founded in 1992, including the scope of its grow operation and the products it currently manufactures
• How Westleaf came up with the idea to create a record store retail experience
• A deep dive into Westleaf’s strategy in determining where to position its dispensaries
• An inside look at the Prairie Records dispensary and the unique customer experience it works to create
• The capital-raising process involved in launching Prairie Records
• Westleaf’s upcoming initiatives and Ben’s insight on what Canadian cannabis will look like in the next 5 years

Harry Resin has a column in High Times Magazine with a focus on cannabis cultivation topics. Listen in as he shares his ideas on how to improve your grow and his thoughts on where the industry is heading.

Key Takeaways:
[2:08] – Harry talks about his background
[4:25] – Harry discusses what he does when he is not writing for High Times
[5:31] – Harry talks about the assisted breeder project he’s working on
[7:53] – Harry’s advice on starting a commercial grow
[9:58] – Rookie mistakes when starting a grow
[11:12] – Harry discusses the importance of airflow
[14:14] – How to contain cannabis odor
[14:53] – Harry discusses nutrients
[17:35] – Harry talks about PH levels
[19:49] – What are Smart Bee Controllers
[24:24] – Clones and grow room management
[29:26] – How to minimize pests and disease
[33:36] – Harry talks about how each region differs
[34:47] – What is dabbing
[38:11] – Evolution of concentrates
[40:10] – Harry talks about conditions cannabis treats well
[41:38] – Harry talks about lighting
[44:16] – Harry talks about his favorite soil for growing
[46:19] – Harry discusses upcoming technologies
[47:42] – Harry’s book and web application recommendation
[49:26] – Harry’s contact details

Learn more at:
http://hightimes.com/author/harry-resin/

Matt Gaboury is head of Design and Systems for Calyx King. Listen in as Matt describes the most high-tech and efficient grow rooms he creates. He also describes the grow room of the future.

Key Takeaways:
[0:59] – What is Calyx King
[1:57] – Matt’s background
[3:21] – Matt talks about what his work entails
[4:57] – Planning a cannabis grow facility
[11:02] – Biggest mistakes when planning a cannabis grow facility
[13:55] – Matt talks about technology in optimizing workflow
[16:53] – Matt talks about carbon neutral growing
[21:56] – Using intellectual property to help clients
[22:44] – Matt talks about mistakes amateurs make in writing SOPs
[23:31] – Matt’s partners
[24:24] – Grow room of the future
[27:34] – Pursuing a cultivation license
[28:52] – Matt answers some personal development questions
[33:20] – Contact details for Calyx King

Learn more at http://calyxking.com/

The hemp and CBD market are going global in a big way, and renowned hemp pioneer Paul Benhaim is here to help us navigate the waters.

Now the founder and CEO of CBD brand Elixinol, Paul has been involved in the hemp industry since 1993. His first commercial endeavor in the space was a hemp-based nutritional bar that quickly moved from a few thousand bars per year to multi-millions and is now sold under numerous labels across the world.

This lead Paul to found the industry-leading brand Hemp Foods Australia, which continues to provide the highest quality hemp food products available.

In this episode, Paul shares with us his insight on the market and the products he sees gaining momentum worldwide, including CBD powders and liposomes.

Learn more at https://www.elixinol.com
Cannainsider listeners get 10% discount of CBD with coupon code "insider"

Key Takeaways:

• Paul’s personal journey through the hemp industry and how he came to start Elixinol
• An inside look at Elixinol and its mission to provide the highest-quality CBD products in the world
• The most profitable products around the world and Paul's predictions for future bestsellers
• Japanese customer behavior versus that of American customers
• Paul’s insight on different markets including Latin America
• How Paul believes 2018’s Farm Bill will significantly change cannabis’ global mobility
• Where Paul sees the price of hemp shifting in the next 1-3 years, especially as more and more companies move online
• New hemp-based protein and food innovations Paul is developing through his Hemp Foods line
• Paul’s advice on how to build customer interest and loyalty through packaging without overspending
• Paul’s insights on what the cannabis and hemp landscape will look like globally over the next 5-10 years

Warren Bravo is CEO of Green Relief in Ontario Canada. Warren and his partners embarked on a 2.5-year journey to master growing cannabis in an aquaponics system.

Most remarkable is Warren’s ability to leverage his aquaponics system to produce cannabis for under one dollar per gram. Growers of tomorrow or going to be competing with people like Warren and will most likely go out of business unless they are planning now to produce quality cannabis at massive scale.

Key Takeaways:
[1:25]: Warren Bravo’s background and operation
[5:30]: What is aquaponics?
[11:59]: The business side of aquaponics
[19:13]: Other sustainability measures
[27:00]: Nanobubbling and other aquaponics grow details
[33:00]: University Light Study [36:19]: Extraction technology
[40:30]: Advice for innovators and entrepreneurs
[43:10]: Warren’s recommendations and words of wisdom

Learn more at
https://www.greenrelief.ca/

Roy Bingham is the CEO of BDS Analytics, which produces the leading market trends reports, analyses, and consumer research in the cannabis industry.

Not only does Roy know EXACTLY what is selling in dispensaries, but he also has definitive data on which cannabis product trends are accelerating and which are fading.

In this interview, Roy shares his insight on where cannabis is heading in the months and years ahead.

Learn more at https://bdsanalytics.com

Key Takeaways:

• Shifts and trends that are beginning to take hold in cannabis
• BDS Analytics’ statistical modeling methodology and how the company projects accurate market data
• Roy’s clientele at BDS Analytics and how they benefit from the company’s market data
• How much CBD is selling and how this currently varies by geography
• New cannabis delivery systems and Roy’s projections for their success
• BDS Analytics’ latest insights on cannabis consumer behavior
• Acceptors and rejectors and why they are important to the cannabis industry
• BDS Analytics’ recent partnership with leading data provider IRI
• How cannabis has evolved over the decades and Roy’s insight on the industry’s future

Dr. Ethan Russo a neurologist and psychopharmacology researcher. If you are in the cannabis industry or looking to be, this episode will help you to understand the most important scientific aspects of the cannabis plant. Specifically, you will learn how terpenes radically change how you experience cannabis. Learn more about the benefits and science of cannabis terpenes.

Key Takeaways:
[1:00] – Dr. Ethan Russo’s background
[4:26] – Dr. Ethan’s study of cannabis
[6:15] – How does cannabis affect migraines
[8:35] – Dr. Ethan’s take on why cannabis was put on Earth
[9:38] – The endocannabinoid system
[12:44] – What is a receptor
[13:37] – Differences between indica and sativa
[17:56] – Dr. Ethan talks about the interplay between terpenes and cannabinoids
[24:11] – What does cannabis smoke do to the lungs
[27:01] – Rescue shots if you get “too high”
[28:31] – Dr. Ethan discusses the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis
[30:50] – What does cannabis do to the human body
[37:18] – How does cannabis help with chemotherapy
[39:37] – Dr. Ethan talks about CBD
[41:10] – What is THCV
[43:43] – Dr. Ethan answers some personal development questions
[48:28] – Dr. Ethan Russo’s contact info

As the cannabis retail environment gets more competitive, retailers are looking for ways to stand out and make a statement.

Here to tell us more about this is Ron Basak-Smith, CEO and Co-founder of a new company known as Sana Packaging that’s providing cannabis retailers with sustainable hemp-based packaging solutions.

In this episode, Ron shares with us an inside look at Sana Packaging and how the company is working to fix the cannabis packaging problem and eliminate pollution.

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

Key Takeaways:

• Ron’s personal background and journey in the cannabis space
• An inside look at Sana Packaging and its mission to make cannabis more sustainable with eco-friendly packaging solutions
• Sana Packaging’s two different packaging products, including 100% plant-based hemp plastic and reclaimed ocean plastic
• Why packaging for cannabis retail is broken and how Sana is working to fix it
• The cost of Sana Packaging’s sustainable products versus traditional packaging
• Sana Packaging’s current retail clients and where Ron sees the company expanding in the years to come
• Ron’s experience at CanopyBoulder, a seed-stage business accelerator that helped Ron start Sana Packaging
• Ron’s insights on what the cannabis packaging landscape will look like in the next 3-5 years

Incredible biotech developments are starting to bring new and exciting products to the cannabis market that would have seemed like science fiction just a few years ago.

Here to tell us about it is Cameron Keluche, founder and CEO of sublingual cannabis tablet company SUM Microdose and president and CEO of KelSie Biotech, an innovation and intellectual property holding company in Boulder, CO.

In this episode, Cameron shares with us a breakdown of KelSie’s “Bubble Drying” technology and how it’s quickly revolutionizing both the pharmaceutical and cannabis industries.

Learn more at https://www.kel-sie.com and https://www.summicrodose.com

Key Takeaways:

• Cameron Keluche’s personal background and journey in the cannabis space
• An inside look at KelSie Biotech and SUM Microdose and their mission to bring cannabis into the pharmaceutical market
• How KelSie Biotech is applying Bubble Drying - the same technology used to create a dry measles vaccine - to formulate the world’s most stable cannabis powder
• Ways in which KelSie Biotech’s dry cannabis powder can be used as an inhalant for optimal bioavailability
• An explanation of “excipients” and how they help the body pull in cannabinoids more effectively than oil constituents
• Ways in which inhalants are superior to other cannabis delivery methods
• How SUM Microdose uses KelSie Biotech’s Bubble Drying technology to create sublingual cannabis tablets designed for different purposes including mood and sleep
• Ways in which KelSie and SUM are bridging the gap between the pharmaceutical biotech and cannabis spaces and Cameron’s goals for the years ahead

Most entrepreneurs create a product or service before determining ways to build a customer base, but Drake Sutton-Shearer has taken a different route.

Currently generating over 2 million unique visitors a month, Drake’s new cannabis content distribution network PRØHBTD allows him to market his own products while simultaneously bridging the gap between cannabis and mainstream culture.

In this episode, Drake shares with us how PRØHBTD’s unique business model uses entertainment to broaden the cannabis niche and create a diverse group of informed, loyal customers.

Learn more at https://prohbtd.com

Key Takeaways:

• Drake’s background in cannabis and how he came to start PRØHBTD
• An inside look at PRØHBTD and the company’s content strategy
• Drake’s advice on how to create informative yet digestible content that keeps people engaged and coming back for more
• Obstacles PRØHBTD overcame to land groundbreaking partnerships with Apple TV and Amazon
• Ways in which PRØHBTD is breaking barriers and reducing the stigma that surrounds cannabis
• PRØHBTD’s capital-raising process and Drake’s projections for the months ahead
• Doing business in New Zealand versus the U.S.
• Drake’s goals for PRØHBTD and insights on the future of cannabis

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 creates 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

Widely known as the "Guru of Ganja,” Ed Rosenthal is a leading cannabis horticulture authority, author, educator, and legalization pioneer.

He’s the most renowned cannabis cultivator in the world and has authored numerous books on the topic, including Marijuana Grower’s Handbook (which Oaksterdam University uses as their cultivation textbook to this day) as well as his newest book, Marijuana Garden Saver.

In this episode, Ed shares his advice to growers looking to achieve the perfect grow and discusses new and exciting discoveries in cultivation like creating cannabis compounds with yeast - a topic we recently discussed on the show with Kevin Chen of Hyasynth Bio.

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

Key Takeaways

• Ed’s celebrated background in cannabis and how he’s seen the industry evolve throughout the years
• The most common mistakes Ed sees among new growers
• Ed’s thoughts on traditional lighting vs LEDs and what he believes to be the optimal lighting arrangement
• How to design the best grow space from scratch
• The best methods for trimming and manicuring commercial grows
• Simple solutions to common problems Ed sees among new and seasoned cultivators alike, including how to avoid mold growth
• The up and coming practice of growing cannabinoids in yeast
• Ed’s insights surrounding the future of terpenes and different cannabinoids like CBN
• Where Ed predicts cannabis trending in the years ahead
• An inside look at Ed’s new book, Marijuana Garden Saver: A Field Guide to Identifying and Correcting Cannabis Problems

As cannabis continues to skyrocket and make its way into other industries, more and more entrepreneurs are looking to jump in.

But with CBD only just entering the mainstream, how do startups determine their ideal customers and then - even more difficult - win them over?

Enter Ashley Lewis and Meredith Schroeder, former directors at Goop and co-founders of online startup and “cannabis apothecary” Fleur Marché.

Inspired by cannabis' many health benefits, Ashley and Meredith set out on a mission to bring this powerful ingredient to the beauty and wellness arena, providing a carefully-selected curation of the best cannabis products for canna-curious luxury customers.

In this episode, Ashley and Meredith share an inside look at Fleur Marché and give us some tips on how entrepreneurs should go about finding (and then converting) their correct target market.

Learn more at https://fleurmarche.com

Key Takeaways:

• Ashley and Meredith’s work at Goop and what sparked their desire to enter the cannabis space
• An inside look at Fleur Marché, including its educational resources and online curation of the most elegant, top-quality cannabis products on the market
• Ashley and Meredith’s mission to convert the canna-curious luxury consumer and bring cannabis into the beauty and wellness space
• How the co-founders drew on their experience at Goop during Fleur Marché’s creation process
• Ashley and Meredith’s day-to-day work at Fleur Marché and how they complement each other as co-founders
• How Fleur Marché targets its ideal audience and Ashley’s advice on how to niche down your demographic
• How Meredith successfully raised capital for Fleur Marché and her advice to entrepreneurs looking to fund their startups
• Where Ashley and Meredith see the cannabis-wellness space going over the next few years and the opportunities that excite them the most

Pioneer investors with more traditional backgrounds in finance are beginning to plant their flags firmly and confidently in the cannabis space, and here to tell us about this is Codie Sanchez.

Codie is a managing partner at Cresco Capital Partners, a private equity fund in the legalized cannabis space. She previously lead First Trust’s Latin America Investment business and held positions at Goldman Sachs, State Street, and Vanguard.

In this episode, Codie shares her insights on the future of cannabis and some invaluable advice for traditional investors looking to enter the industry.

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

Key Takeaways:

• Codie’s background in the cannabis space and her best investments to date
• Why Codie believes there’s more opportunity than risk in cannabis investment
• How investors, entrepreneurs, and funds can overcome the stigma surrounding cannabis and get their audiences on board
• Codie’s advice to investors on how to go about navigating the difficulties that come with pioneering an industry like cannabis
• The ratio of over-valued, fairly-valued, and undervalued deals Codie is witnessing in cannabis right now
• The most noteworthy acquisitions and investments in cannabis over the last 12 months
• Codie’s advice to entrepreneurs trying to raise capital and the do’s and don'ts for pitching decks
• Where Codie sees cannabis going over the next 3-5 years and the opportunities that excite her the most

While we usually talk about the business realm of cannabis here on CannaInsider, in this episode we’re going to take a deep dive into medical marijuana and how it’s being used to better the lives of an increasing number of patients - specifically children.  

Here to discuss this growing movement are Abby Epstein and Ricki Lake, makers of the 2018 documentary Weed The People in which Abby and Ricki follow a number of families that are turning to cannabis to treat their cancer-stricken children.

In this episode, Abby and Ricki share the ways in which medical marijuana is beginning to save lives and why it’s essential we overcome the political and legislative obstacles inhibiting cannabis from joining commercial healthcare.  

Learn more at https://www.cannainsider.com/wtp

Key Takeways:

• Ricki and Abby’s backgrounds in film and what sparked their desire to create Weed The People
• Ways in which the traditional medical industry is lacking when it comes to children’s cancer treatment
• Abby and Ricki’s documentary The Business of Being Born and the parallels they observed between the business aspects of the birth and cancer industries
• The stigma surrounding cannabis in the medical sphere and how certain doctors are working to overcome it
• Medical cannabis in other countries versus the U.S.
• Why many of the families in Weed The People choose to follow a combination of chemo and a formal dosing schedule of cannabis to treat their children’s cancer
• Abby’s advice to parents interested in exploring medical cannabis to help treat their children and how they can do so right away

We knew it wouldn’t be long before the cannabis industry started taking market share from the wine and spirits industry, and here to showcase that trend is Chip Forsythe, CEO of Rebel Coast Winery.

Founded in 2013, this California winery is making a major splash with its alcohol-removed, THC-infused wine - a beverage that offers a very different kind of buzz (and skips the hangover).

In this episode, Chip shares a behind-the-scenes look at the meticulous process involved in creating cannabis wine, Rebel Coast’s plans for the future, and his insights on where the cannabis beverage market is headed in the next few years.

Learn more at https://rebelcoast.com

Key Takeaways:

• Chip’s background in wine and what led him to start Rebel Coast Winery
• How Rebel Coast’s cannabis wine compares to traditional wine in terms of taste, aroma, and calorie count
• The difficult process behind infusing wine with cannabis and how long it took Chip and his team to get it right
• Regulatory and logistical hoops Chip still has to jump through in order to keep Rebel Coast alive and kicking
• Difficulties in scaling the production of cannabis-infused wine and the ways in which Rebel Coast has worked to overcome them
• Chip’s work educating regulators and politicians so that the cannabis industry can continue to grow and become more diverse
• What’s on tap next for Rebel Coast Winery and where Chip sees the cannabis beverage market going over the next 3-5 years

With business models from other industries quickly making their way into the cannabis industry, TILT Holdings is aiming to become the swiss army knife of business-to-business offerings in the cannabis space.

A vertically-integrated infrastructure and technology platform, TILT Holdings delivers contract manufacturing, distribution, hardware, and software for over 1,500 retailers and brands throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

In this episode, TILT Holdings CEO Alex Coleman shares with us an in-depth look at the goings-on at TILT, shares his insights on the future of cannabis, and provides some invaluable advice on how to navigate the cannabis B2B market.

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

Key Takeaways:

• Alex’s background in cannabis and what inspired him to start a B2B business in the cannabis space
• A deep dive into Tilt Holdings and the various companies under its umbrella, including Baker Technologies and Sea Hunter Therapeutics
• How Alex believes the recently passed Farm Bill of 2018 will impact the cannabis industry over the coming years
• Up-and-coming technologies like AI, gene editing, and nanotechnology and their implications for cannabis
• Why big alcohol and tobacco companies are investing in cannabis and the traditional businesses Alex predicts will follow suit
• Alex’s outlook for the future of cannabis and what he believes the industry will look like in 2030

With the cannabis market projected to hit $31 billion by 2021, it’s easy to feel like the industry has simply taken on its own momentum.

However, what most people don’t know is that there’s a group of investors called The Arcview Group that funds the very companies we’ll be reading about in the headlines 1-2 years from now.

In this episode, founder and CEO of Arcview Troy Dayton gives us an in-depth look at the goings-on at Arcview, shares his insights on the future of cannabis, and provides some invaluable advice for those looking to take the plunge.

Learn more at https://arcviewgroup.com

Key Takeaways:

• The cannabis industry’s current landscape and where Troy sees it heading over the next few years
• How The Arcview Group has evolved from angel investors to now also include venture capitalists and large companies looking to make acquisitions
• Overlaps in the entertainment and cannabis industries and how this could positively influence cannabis’ growth
• The amount of capital Arcview investors have invested to date and projections for the future
• Troy’s advice on what to look for when investing in startups
• A deep dive into Arcview Ventures and Arcview Market Research
• What it will take for cannabis to become as established as other industries and start seeing more interstate commerce

Can small-scale craft cannabis survive against huge corporations and the big ad practices they’re introducing to North America?

Here to help us answer that is Ryan Stoa, Associate Professor at Concordia University School of Law and author of "Craft Weed: Family Farming and the Future of the Marijuana Industry."

In this episode, Ryan argues the need to keep cannabis “more craft beer than Anheuser-Busch” and proposes a Marijuana Appellation system that would support a sustainable, local, and artisanal farming model within the U.S.

Learn more at http://ryanstoa.com

Key Takeaways:

• Ryan’s background in law and cannabis and what sparked his desire to write “Craft Weed”
• Why Ryan argues we need to support craft weed over big companies with large scale cultivation facilities
• The extensive research that went into Ryan’s book and the information that shocked him the most
• Smart farming and how it relates to indoor cannabis growing
• How Ryan believes the newly passed Farm Bill of 2018 will affect the small American family farm
• Why the desire for sustainable, artisanal cannabis fluctuates across the U.S.
• Ryan’s positive outlook for the future of cannabis agriculture and how he believes legalization will benefit our culture

With the recent global surge in industrial hemp, scientists are moving into the hemp and cannabis space to provide cultivators the technologies and best practices of other industries.

Helping lead the movement is Dr. Jon Vaught, CEO and founder of Front Range Biosciences, an agricultural biotechnology company that specializes in tissue culture cloning for cannabis and other high-value crops.

In this episode, Dr. Jon shares how Front Range Biosciences is revolutionizing cloning methods to not only produce robust, healthy plants but also create new varieties that could disrupt the dietary and pharmaceutical industries.

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

Key Takeaways:

• A breakdown of Front Range Biosciences and the revolutionary biotechnology it’s bringing to the cannabis industry
• Dr. Jon’s background in biotechnology and what led him to start Front Range Biosciences
• The differences between cannabis and hemp
• A deep dive into Front Range Biosciences’ services, including its Clean Stock Nursery Program
• The ins and outs of tissue culture laboratories and the benefits they offer researchers and cultivators alike
• How to avoid common mistakes in cultivation, including exposing plants to disease
• Dr. Jon’s goals to create new plant varieties and cannabinoid profiles for the purposes of dietary supplements, nutraceutical products, and even pharmaceutical products
• Our current understanding of the cannabis genome and the exciting new discoveries Dr. Jon anticipates in the years to come

American cannabis companies are starting to go public in Canada, using the fresh capital to further fuel their growth.

One of these companies is Dixie Brands Inc., one of the most recognized consumer brands with a portfolio of over 100 products across more than 15 different product categories.

In this episode, Dixie CEO Chuck Smith shares his insight on the future of cannabis and discusses the company’s goals to become the leading global consumer packaged goods company in cannabis.

Learn more at http://dixieelixirs.com

Key Takeaways:

• A breakdown of Dixie Brands and its expansive array of THC and CBD products
• Chuck’s background in the cannabis industry and his journey to CEO of Dixie
• Dixie Brands’ state-by-state growth and its plans for expansion within the U.S. and beyond
• How differences in regulation dictate Dixie’s go-to-market strategy in Canada versus the U.S.
• Why Dixie focuses on building brands instead of cultivation
• How Dixie competes against new companies entering the cannabis industry
• The importance of packaging and how Dixie successfully creates packaging that distinguishes their brands from others and achieves consumer trust and engagement
• A walkthrough of BDS analytics and it offers cannabis industry market trends and consumer insights
• Chuck’s outlook on the global future of cannabis over the next decade

Michael Kadonoff is the Founder and CEO of Braingrid. Braingrid allows any non-technical person to hang little devices around your grow room and immediately start collecting data about your grow. Including temperature, humidity, CO2 and more. Learn how growers are harnessing this data to build the grow rooms of the future today.

Learn More:

http://braingrid.io/

Key Takeaways:

– Michael’s background as an inventor and at GE

– What growers think they know about their garden is actually not wrong but incomplete

– How Braingrid’s Sentroller collects data and presents that data as insights

– Will this system increase your yield or your efficiency

– Preventing mold and equipment failure

– Creating redundancy in your grow

– Traceability and health compliance

– Michael’s favorite book and tool

With the worldwide cannabis market projected to hit $32 billion by 2022, better training and information sharing will be paramount for industry newcomers in the years ahead.

Enter Oaksterdam University, widely known as the Harvard of Cannabis.

Since 2007, Oaksterdam has been the forerunner in providing the highest quality training offered in the cannabis industry and the first institution to address the growing needs of the marijuana movement, from patients to regulators. Such a focus has established Oaksterdam University as the first and only cannabis college with a comprehensive curriculum in cannabis business and horticulture.

In this episode, Oaksterdam Executive Chancellor Dale Sky Jones joins us to share everything the university has to offer for those looking to achieve success in the cannabis industry.

Learn more at https://oaksterdamuniversity.com

Key Takeaways:

• Dale’s background in the cannabis industry and how she became executive chancellor of Oaksterdam University
• The crippling federal raid Oaksterdam underwent in 2012 and how Dale took over to ensure the university’s continued success
• Oaksterdam’s extensive curriculum and how the school determines its core programs and electives
• How the university’s student population has expanded beyond the U.S. to 40 different countries since it was founded in 2007
• Oaksterdam’s online versus in-person programs
• How the university utilizes augmented reality in its courses
• Examples of students who have gone on to achieve great success in the cannabis industry following their time at Oaksterdam
• Dale’s advice to those looking to leave behind their current careers and enter the cannabis industry

Extraction is considered the most profitable segment of the cannabis industry, but what if we’ve been thinking about extraction all wrong?

Is it really necessary to use large CO2 or butane extraction systems when there’s a way to extract oil from hemp and cannabis using just air?

In this episode, Vapor Distilled Founder and CEO Russell Thomas explains how this revolutionary, all-natural extraction method produces stronger, ultra-pure oil.

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

Key Takeaways:

• Russell’s background in the cannabis industry and how he came to start Vapor Distilled
• What constitutes “cleantech” or clean technology
• A deep dive into traditional extraction methods, including CO2 and hydrocarbon systems
• How the Vapor Distillation process uses heated air and a proprietary condensation method
• The evolution of Vapor Distilled and what it took to turn it into a large-scale, commercial product
• Consumer responses to the ultra-pure taste of Vapor Distilled oils
• Vapor Distilled’s cost efficiency versus that of traditional methods
• The future of Vapor Distilled and its all-natural extraction method

WAYV is an automated, on-demand supply chain logistics platform serving California’s exploding Cannabis industry. The technology streamlines the traditional B2B process, including transport, sales, and payment through a one-stop website that integrates regulatory and compliance checks. WAYV serves as a transparent, efficient tracking and compliance platform that surpasses the fulfillment experience of non-cannabis markets in today’s on-demand world.

In this episode, WAYV founder and CEO Keith McCarty shares how WAYV is revolutionizing e-commerce in the industry to become the “Amazon of Cannabis.”

Learn more at https://www.wayv.com 

Key Takeaways:

• Keith’s background as an entrepreneur in cannabis and how he came to start WAYV
• How WAYV streamlines the traditional B2B process and removes friction points for retailers and brands in the cannabis industry
• The most common difficulties retailers experience in cannabis and how WAYV works to remove those difficulties
• How Keith builds trust with both retailers and brands using the platform
• Conflict resolution methods WAYV applies within its FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) model
• A breakdown of the WAYV user experience for both retailers and brands
• Ways in which WAYV brings in revenue
• Keith’s plans to reduce other friction points within cannabis and expand WAYV beyond California

Only a few months after leaving MillerCoors where he invented the company’s wildly popular Blue Moon brand, Keith Villa launched Ceria Brewing Company to embark on new territory: cannabis-infused non-alcoholic craft beer.

A spin on Blue Moon’s Belgian-style white ale, Keith’s new beer, “Grainwave,” is a medium-bodied ale with blood orange peel and 5mg of THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis.

In this episode, Keith shares the goings on at Ceria Brewing Company, the variety of “sensations” his new line of craft beers have to offer, and his insights on the booming edibles industry.

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

Key Takeaways:

• Keith’s background in craft beer, his experience at MillerCoors, and how he came to launch Ceria Brewing Company
• The process behind earning a PhD in Brewing
• Why Keith decided to launch Ceria Beverages and create THC-infused beer
• The ins and outs of infusing non-alcoholic craft beer with cannabis to ensure the THC is evenly emulsified and each bottle contains the proper dosage
• Where Ceria is aiming to make its beers available in 2019
• Keith’s goals to overcome the stigma surrounding cannabis
• The THC doses within Ceria’s two beers and the different sensations they offer
• Keith’s insights on the future of Ceria and the cannabis industry at large

A firefighter out of college, Cody Shirk’s expertise in finance is self-taught.

Today he’s a full-time investor and the founder of Explorer Equity Group (EEG), a global alternative asset manager that works to capitalize on investment opportunities off-the-beaten-path.

With investments in industry household names including Kush Bottles and Regulated Solutions, Cody’s latest non-mainstream investments lie in - you guessed it - cannabis.

In this episode, Cody shares his insights on the future of cannabis and advice for both entrepreneurs and investors looking to break into the industry.

Follow Cody at https://www.explorerequity.com/canna

Key Takeaways:

- Cody’s background in investing and how he came to start Explorer Equity Group and Explorer Partnership

- Ongoing propaganda against cannabis and how the industry is working to improve public perception

- The cannabis businesses Cody has invested in thus far, including Kush Bottles and Regulated Solutions

- What Cody looks for when investing in cannabis businesses and his advice to startups seeking funding 

- Cody’s outlook on startup investment and the price of cannabis over the next 1-2 years

- Asia and South America’s developing economies and the exciting investment opportunities within

- Cody’s tips on how entrepreneurs should go about approaching investors as well as ways investors can determine the best entrepreneurs to get behind

To learn more, visit: https://www.explorerequity.com/canna

The cannabis industry is projected to hit $31 billion by 2021, and with its growing demand comes a desperate need for scalability.

Enter Jon Gowa, founder and CEO of Bloom Automation, LLC, a Boston-based company revolutionizing the way we harvest marijuana through robotics and automation.

Designed to “trim with the precision of a human, but the efficiency of a machine,” Bloom Automation’s robots use smart optics and proprietary algorithms to increase efficiency and cut production costs - an enticing proposition to the next generation of cultivation.

In this episode, Jon shares a little about the goings on at Bloom Automation and the importance of robotics to the future of cannabis.

Key Takeaways:

- Jon’s background in robotics engineering and how he came to be founder and CEO of Bloom Automation, LLC

- The benefits of robotics and problems the industry is working to resolve

- The ins and outs of Bloom Automation and the technological solutions it provides the cannabis industry

- Price versus ROI and the increased production rates cannabis business owners and cultivators are witnessing thanks to Bloom Automation

- The 2-3 days of training required for new operators

- Challenges Jon is working to overcome during the company’s beta development phase

- Jon’s outlook on the future of robotics in the cannabis industry

To learn more, visit: https://www.bloomautomation.com

Jonah Barber is the co-founder of MRX Xtractors. Learn how profitable cannabis oil extraction can be and the different business models available to those in the business or entering this business.

Key Takeaways:
– From lab testing flower to extraction company
– A lot of oil on the market is not good, here’s why
– The profit margin on a gram of extracted cannabis oil
– Throughput from different extraction machines
– The different business models in extraction

Learn more at
http://mrxxtractors.com/

Important:
What are the five trends disrupting the cannabis industry?
Find out with your free cheat sheet at https://www.cannainsider.com/trends

Karson Humiston is the founder of Vangst, a multi-state recruiting company focused on the cannabis space. Karson is on the Forbes list of The Top 30 Under 30 entrepreneurs on the rise.

Listen in as Karson describes how to hire the perfect candidate to help your business grow. Karson also lays out how to create a successful career in the cannabis industry and what kind of candidates are getting hired.

Key Takeaways:
– How Snoop Dogg’s VC fund invested in Vangst
– Common mistakes employers make hiring
– The devastating math behind misfiring
– How to ensure employees are successful in their new roles
– Enticing executives from other industries

Learn more at:
https://vangst.com

Important:
What are the 5 trends disrupting the cannabis industry right now?
Find out with your free report at http://www.cannaInsider.com/trends

Harborside is one of the oldest, largest, and most respected cannabis retailers in the world, and it’s expected to grow much bigger in 2019.

Led by CEO Andrew Berman, the company has played an instrumental role in making cannabis safe and accessible, and its stores are known for supplying the world’s best-curated selection of award-winning flower, concentrates, edibles, and other cannabis products from California growers and manufacturers.

One of Andrew’s first acts as CEO was to create a capital markets strategy for the company, and in so doing Harborside has raised over $25M in 2018.

In this episode, Andrew shares his insights, learnings, and what’s in store for the future of the cannabis industry.

Key Takeaways:

- Andy’s personal journey and how he came to be the CEO of Harborside

- Harborside’s focus on California and the company’s multistage strategy going forward

- Harborside’s projections and the cannabis industry’s growth following the legalization of adult-use in California

- Andy’s growth tactics in California

- Harborside’s clean, sun-grown cannabis and how the greenhouse method is more environmentally friendly and cost-effective

- Cannabis business licensing in California

- Shifting trends in customer preferences for flowers, edibles, and concentrates

- Harborside’s $25 million capital raise and evolution from a medical nonprofit to a for-profit company

- Andy’s predictions for reduced banking restrictions on cannabis businesses

- Tips on how to break into the cannabis industry for those interested

To learn more, visit: www.shopharborside.com

You are leaving half the potency from your cannabis plant behind when it is not properly activated or decarboxylated. Find out how this simple technique can take your cannabis flower to the next level.

About Today's Guest

Shanel Lindsay is the CEO and founder of Ardent Cannabis. Listen in as Shanel talks about her move from a traditional lawyer to a tech and cannabis entrepreneur.

Special Offer

Shanel is offering CannaInsider listeners $30 off her flagship device the Ardent Nova decarboxylator. Use coupon code Canna30 for $30 off. Learn more here:

https://www.cannainsider.com/decarb-discount

Foria hits below the belt with their cannabis intimates. Find out why customers are so curious about this budding new market category of the cannabis industry.

Jon Brandon is the Co-founder of Foria, listen in as we discuss a wide range of topics. 

Key Takeaways:
- Defining a category
- Microdosing
- Using Customer Feedback to Iterate
- Sexual wellness and invigoration with Foria
- Can cannabis help menstrual health?

Limited Time Offer:
Jon and the team at Foria Wellness have generously offered a coupon code for a limited time for 10% off their products.

Visit: https://www.foriawellness.com
Use Coupon Code: insider

Cannabis businesses need to understand what is selling in dispensaries so they can make informed decisions.

Cy Scott, co-founder, and CEO of Headset.io delves into how to get this data and use it to make actionable business decisions now. 

We also cover some cannabis items that are hot sellers right now.
Learn more at https://www.headset.io/
and
https://www.cannainsider.com/

Cy's Favorite Tools:
https://quip.com/
https://www.intercom.com

Cy's Favorite Books
High Growth Hand Book

The Hard Thing About Hard Things

Charles Jones has created vape pens that are selling like crazy in 7 states. Why are dispensaries ordering his vape pens in greater and greater quantities?

Charles has stumbled upon the holy grail that cannabis enthusiasts have been searching for. His vape pens allow you to experience desired moods consistently.  The moods you can experience are; party, focus, bliss, focus, relax, and flow. The name of this larger cannabis segment is called "functional cannabis."

Enjoy this fascinating interview to understand where the cannabis market is moving.

Learn more:

https://www.cannainsider.com/216
And
https://www.lucidmood.net

Important:
What are the five trends that are disrupting the cannabis industry?Find out with your free cheat sheet at www.cannainsider.com/trends

Dennis O’Malley is CEO of Caliva Dispensary in San Jose California. Listen in as Dennis shares how difficult but rewarding it is to run a thriving vertically integrated cannabis company.

Key Takeaways:

- The price of wholesale cannabis in California vs Oregon

- How to successfully navigate regulatory changes

- Creating in-house technology

- Why delivery app Eaze is a dominating force in California Cannabis

- Building a brand

- Staying competitive

- What the future holds for cannabis operators in California

Learn More:
https://caliva.com/

And

https://www.cannainsider.com

Andy Joseph is CEO of Apeks Supercritical. Andy and his team make advanced extraction machines. Listen in as he talks about how the industry is evolving and how businesses appetite for specific methods is evolving.

Key Takeaways:

- Andy’s background on Navy submarines
- Creating extraction machines while moonlighting
- Business owners are more interested in terpene preservation
- CO2, Ethanol, Butane, Propane, which extraction method is better?- Why your finished product should drive your extraction methodology
- Monitoring and controlling extractions in real-time
- Fractionating, what is it and what does it matter?

Learn More At:
https://www.apekssupercritical.com/
And
https://www.cannainsider.com

Important:
What are the 5 Trends Disrupting Cannabis Right Now?
Find out with your free cheatsheet here
https://www.cannainsider.com/trends

Lars Meijer from Codema Systems Group shares how the top cannabis companies are using automation to radically increase efficiency and profit. Cultivators not thinking this way will be left behind soon.

Key Takeaways:
- Mapping out the lifecycle of your plants
- Creating a workflow
- Building automation around your workflow
- How moving and flying tables enable efficiency
- Reducing input costs

Show Notes
See Codema’s Solutions Videos Here
https://codema.nl/video/

China’s Social Credit Scoring
https://www.businessinsider.com/china-social-credit-system-punishments-and-rewards-explained-2018-4#1-banning-you-from-flying-or-getting-the-train-1

The days of informal commercial cannabis growing are coming to an end as governments, wholesale buyers, and consumers want next-level growing standards that many would refer to as Pharmaceutical grade standards.

To tell us about pharmaceutical grade cannabis growing is Tjalling Erkelens Founder and CEO of Bedrocan.

Learn more at:
https://bedrocan.com/
And
https://www.cannainsider.com

Important:
What are the five trends disrupting cannabis?
Find out with your free report at
https://www.cannainsider.com/trends

James Slatic is well known and respected pioneer and thought leader recognized by the Huffington Post as one of top five Cannabis industry movers and shakers. As the former CEO of Med-West, James led and grew to be a $12M a year California infused products company. James is an active industry advocate and has sat on the boards of the California & Nevada Cannabis Associations and the Marijuana Policy Project providing James with a deep understanding of regulatory markets and frameworks.

Listen in as James discusses his most recent move into automation and robotics in the cannabis industry.

Learn more
http://todarorobotics.com/

See robotic automation video
http://todarorobotics.com/high-throughput-cannabis-testing/

Important:
What are the five trends disrupting the cannabis industry?
Find out with your free cheat sheet at
https://www.cannainsider.com/trends

Andrew Duffy attended Harvard then went on to work for the most successful hedge fund manager in the world (Ray Dalio). Ready to start his own business Andrew and his co-founder ditched the cold New England winters and moved to Colorado to start Best in Grow, a platform that brings budtenders, brands, and dispensaries together in one place online.

Learn more at:
https://bestingrow.io/
And
https://www.cannainsider.com/

Important:
What are the five trends disrupting the cannabis industry?
Find out with your free cheat sheet at
https://www.cannainsider.com/trends

Jonah Barber is the co-founder of MRX Xtractors. Learn how profitable cannabis oil extraction can be and the different business models available to those in the business or entering this business.

Key Takeaways:
- From lab testing flower to extraction company
- A lot of oil on the market is not good, here’s why
- The profit margin on a gram of extracted cannabis oil
- Throughput from different extraction machines
- The different business models in extraction

Learn more at
http://mrxxtractors.com/

and

https://www.cannainsider.com

Important:
What are the five trends disrupting the cannabis industry?
Find out with your free cheat sheet at https://www.cannainsider.com/trends

Linda Klumpers Ph.D. is a scientist from The Netherlands. Listen in as she describes how she has built an interactive web-based tool that allows you to find the best cannabis product for your specific need.

Learn more at:
https://www.cannify.us/
and
https://www.cannainsider.com

Important:
What are the five trends disrutping the cannabis industry right now?Find out with your free cheat sheet at https://www.cannainsider.com/trends

What if cannabis cultivators could use artificial intelligence (AI) to help them automatically identify a problem with their plants before the problem is even visible? Our guest today is Max Unfried chief AI officer for Deepgreen.ai. Max walks us through how AI is being leveraged in the cannabis space for the maximum benefit of growers and business owners.

Learn more:
https://deepgreen.ai
And
https://www.cannainsider.com

Important:
Get your free cheat sheet "The Five Trends Disrupting The Cannabis Industry" here https://www.cannainsider.com/trends

Torsten Kuenzlen is CEO of Sundial Growers in Canada. Torsten’s background is the alcohol industry, and he has been very outspoken saying that cannabis is going to outgrow alcohol soon. Learn why and how he thinks this will play out and why the cannabis industry is poised for paradigm shifting expansion.

Learn more:

https://www.cannainsider.com
And
https://www.sundialgrowers.com/

Key Takeaways:

- Torsten’s background in the alcohol and soft drink industry
- Why Torsten left the alcohol industry
- Bringing best practices from the alcohol industry
- Why measuring your grow in square feet makes no sense
- Why brand matters and how to create a great brand

Nicole Wicker is the co-founder of Altopa which makes the Oblend. The Oblend device is the size of a K Cup coffee machine and sits on your countertop. The Oblend arrives with modular ingredient packs that allow you to create the perfect cannabis oil vape cartridge, tincture, topical and more.

The Oblend was awarded the innovation award at this year’s CES event in Las Vegas.

Key Take-Aways:
– Transferring expertise from the pharmaceutical industry
– Raising capital
– Creating a unique benefit for customers
– The difficulty with hardware products
– How to use the Oblend and home

Learn More at:
http://www.oblend.com/

Alan Brochstein covers the cannabis investing space through his subscription membership site 420 Investor and through his investing news site New Cannabis Ventures.

In this wide-ranging interview, Alan and Matthew Kind discuss some of the most noteworthy IPOs in the cannabis space, how the US and Canada public markets differ, and how the cannabis stock landscape has changed and is changing.

Learn more at

420 Investor
NewCannabisVentures

Important:
What are The Five Trends Disrupting The Cannabis Industry?
Find out with your free cheat sheet at
https://www.cannainsider.com/trends

Dr. Ethan Russo a neurologist and psychopharmacology researcher. If you are in the cannabis industry or looking to be this episode will help you to understand the most important scientific aspects of the cannabis plant. Specifically, you will learn how terpenes radically change how you experience cannabis. Learn more about the benefits and science of cannabis terpenes.

Key Takeaways:
[1:00] – Dr. Ethan Russo’s background
[4:26] – Dr. Ethan’s study of cannabis
[6:15] – How does cannabis affect migraines
[8:35] – Dr. Ethan’s take on why cannabis was put on Earth
[9:38] – The endocannabinoid system
[12:44] – What is a receptor
[13:37] – Differences between indica and sativa
[17:56] – Dr. Ethan talks about the interplay between terpenes and cannabinoids
[24:11] – What does cannabis smoke do to the lungs
[27:01] – Rescue shots if you get “too high”
[28:31] – Dr. Ethan discusses the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis
[30:50] – What does cannabis do to the human body
[37:18] – How does cannabis help with chemotherapy
[39:37] – Dr. Ethan talks about CBD
[41:10] – What is THCV
[43:43] – Dr. Ethan answers some personal development questions
[48:28] – Dr. Ethan Russo’s contact info

Ever wonder how to consistent get 3+ pounds of cannabis per light?Our guest today Josh Haupt from Three A Light will tell you how to do just that in an easy step-by-step way.

Key Takeaways:
[0:57] – What is Three a Light
[1:34] – Josh’s background
[2:20] – Josh talks about using cannabis for his epilepsy
[4:16] – Josh talks about his book
[7:23] – Different lighting used in grows
[10:50] – How to find Josh’s book
[11:33] – Josh talks about his harvests
[13:17] – Josh talks about creating his own nutrients
[15:28] – Delivery method for nutrients
[16:00] – What is Nutrient Lock
[17:21] – What is Schwazzing
[19:11] – Creating clones
[20:40] – Preventing hot spots in your grows
[21:55] – Josh talks about things he sees when consulting
[23:27] – Josh talks about greenhouses
[25:02] – Pests and diseases
[27:30] – Josh discusses the ideal growing media
[30:22] – Josh answers some personal development questions
[33:56] – Josh talks about the future of the cannabis industry
[37:07] – Josh’s contact details