Green Entrepreneur: Recent Episodes
Entrepreneur Media
How have entrepreneurs left their old careers behind and found success in cannabis, and how can you do the same? Green Entrepreneur with Jonathan Small answers that question each week, with inspiring stories of business owners who have taken the cannabis challenge and are now navigating the exciting but unpredictable Green Rush.
Guest David 'Big Papi Ortiz' is three-time World Series Champion and former World Series MVP and a recent inductee to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Now you can add cannabis entrepreneur to his long list of accomplishments. Papi Cannabis is a new line of premium cannabis products available in dispensaries across Massachusetts.
Guest ALLISON MARGOLIN a Los Angeles-based criminal defense and civil rights lawyer and one of the nation’s leading experts in cannabis licensing and law. She has a new book out called Just Dope: A Leading Attorney’s Personal Journey Inside the War on Drugs, which is part memoir and part argument for a commonsense approach to drug use and legalization.
Cannabis became recreationally legal in New Jersey four months ago. So how’s weed doing in the Garden State? To give us a perspective from the ground, we’re joined by Sharon Ali who is Regional General Manager, Mid Atlantic at Acreage.
THC-infused beverage company Cann celebrated a major milestone this month: 10 million cans sold. Co-founder Luke Anderson joins the podcast to give an emotional interview about how they grew the company so rapidly and what other cannabis companies can learn from their success.
Many small cannabis companies dream about being acquired by a multi-million-dollar public company, but what if that dream becomes a nightmare? Hayley Dineen and Lana Van Brunt lived through that harrowing experience, but rather than back down they took matters into their own hands. They are the Brooklyn-based duo behind Sackville & Co., a design-focused contemporary cannabis lifestyle brand. What happened to them offers valuable lessons into how to M&As in your own business.
Jones Soda is a well-known quirky craft soda company with drinks like Blue Bubblegum Cane Sugar Soda. Last April, the company launched Mary Jones in California, which includes cannabis-infused product lines of soda, syrup, and gummies. Bohb Blair, Chief Marketing Officer at Jones Soda, joins the pod to talk about why Jones got into the weed market, how they plan to stand out from the pack, and the state of cannabis-infused beverage industry
Pilgrim Soul is a purpose-driven cannabis company focused on creative performance. As part of their marketing effort, the company publishes Creative Thinking Journals to use when you’re high that have become runaway bestsellers on Amazon. Pilgrim Soul CEO and Co-founder Shawn Gold talks about how his unique purpose-driven approach to marketing, and how it can help other cannabis companies carve out a unique lane in an overcrowded industry.
Economists Robin Goldstein and Daniel Sumner have a fascinating new book out called CAN LEGAL WEED WIN?: The Blunt Realities of Cannabis Economics. Though extensive research, they argue that the legal weed business presents an economic conundrum—while nearly 40% of Americans can walk into a dispensary and purchase weed legally, many still buy it illegally. On the show, they talk about why legal weed is a mess, what we can do to save the legal weed industry, and how small business owners can survive.
Since its launch in 2019 in California, Jeeter has grown into bestselling preroll company in the U.S, with a $400 million revenue projected this year. Co-founders Lukasz Tracz and Sebastian Solano join the show to talk about the five strategies they used to break through the pack and stand out.
Kim Myles is host of the lively new show High Design on Discovery Plus, in which she makes over dispensaries that could really use some freshening up. On the episode, she talks about her entrepreneurial journey from hair stylist to reality TV show winner to TV show and personality. She also shares her tips on how to transform your retail business to better serve your customers.
Almost a quarter of parents who have consumed cannabis in the past year haven’t talked to their kids about their cannabis use, according to a new Harris poll. Can you blame them? It’s a hard conversation. To give some pointers we’re joined by Danielle Simone Brand, the author of the book Weed Mom, and Rabbi James Kahn, who along with being Executive Director at Holistic Industries has written much about helping to normalize cannabis,
Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson Jr (aka Megatron played wide receiver for 9 illustrious years on the Detroit Lions. Now he’s embarked onon a new journey as a cannabis executive. Johnson is co-founder, along with Detroit Lions teammate Rob Sims, of Primitiv, a Michigan-based cannabis company that offers cannabis-based products, a branded line of merch, their first dispensary in Niles, Michigan.
Ketamine has been shown to treat depression, PTSD, and anxiety. In recent years, clinics have been popping up in cities across America and Canada. Guest Matt Stang is co-founder and CEO of Delic Corp, the largest infrastructure of psychedelic wellness clinics in the U.S. Matt started his career as an intern at High Times and rose up the ranks to be its owner. Now he’s embarking on a new journey in psychedelics such as ketamine. Here’s why he think ketamine is so powerful and his predictions for the future of the psychedelics industry.
Andreas “Dre” Neumann is Chief Creative Officer of Jushi, a publicly-traded MSO that includes retails locations, brands, and grow facilities. He is also a photographer who has shot such artists as the Foo Fighters, Iggy Pop, and the Queens of the Stone Age. In fact, it was the latter that led him into the cannabis business. We talk to Dre about why this big advertising exec got into the cannabis business, and what advice he has to other creatives about branding.
As the cannabis market grows, so have the number of data technology companies offering brands business intelligence. Our guest today is Jeffrey Graham Co-Founder and CEO of Pistil Data. The company has built applications for salespeople at brands to that helps them identify the best-selling opportunities. Pistil recently closed a $6.5 million seed round led by Snoop Dogg’s Casa Verde.
Warren Bobrow is a mixologist, chef, and writer known as the Cocktail Whisperer. He has written 6 books, including Cannabis Cocktails, Mocktails & Tonics: The Art of Spirited Drinks and Buzz-Worthy Libations. His latest venture is Klaus, which he calls “the finest terpene forward Craft cannabis cocktail in the world.” Bold words for sure, but Warren knows his cocktails and he uses only the finest ingredients. Here’s his take on the future of infused cannabis beverages.
Despite stigmas, Asian American and Pacific Islanders are making a big difference in the cannabis industry. On this episode, we’re joined by Eunice Kim, founder and CEO of HiVi, a digital cannabis product that matches people to the right cannabis products, and Judy Yee co-founder and CEO of K-Zen, a cannabis beverage company. They talk about why they got into cannabis and the challenges they’ve had to overcome.
Many executives in the cannabis industry will be heading to New York City this month for the MJ Unpacked conference from May 18 to 20—and not just to see Ghost Face Killah in concert. The event, only in its second year, offers a chance for cannabis CPG brands, retailers, and investors to make deals, network, and get excited about the NYC market. Guests George and Kim Jage are the founders of MJ Unpacked. They talk about why they started the event, what to expect, and their predictions for the legal cannabis biz on the east coast.
Guest Ben Larson is CEO of Vertosa, a cannabis company that creates active ingredients for infused products including its patented and patent-pending emulsion systems. Ben is also an outspoken critic of delta 8 and says he would never work with a delta 8 client.
Grassdoor is a leading cannabis delivery service in California. Despite fierce competition, they’ve managed to be successful thanks to a proprietary tech platform that enables brands to white label their services. We talk to CEO Zack Ein about how he went from being the company’s first delivery driver to overseeing a team of 450 full-time drivers. He also talks about the challenges and costs for DTC services and where the business is going.
Canopy Growth is an international, publicly traded cannabis MSO. Their offerings include Martha Stewart’s CBD line. Our guest is Sol Clahane VP & General Manager of the Canopy Growth Corporation in the U.S.. She talks about what Canopy does, how their relationship with Martha Stewart came to be, the biggest challenges CBD companies like theirs face, and why you shouldn’t be scared of MSO operators gobbling up the little guys.
There are 13.5 million Christians in the state California, 6.8 million of which have used a cannabis product. My guest Craig Gross wants to shine a light on this topic and invite the Christian community to to explore cannabis without shame or judgment. Craig is a well-known pastor and founder of XXXChurch.com. He recently launched Christian Cannabis, which offers high-CBD, low-THC cannabis strains cultivated specifically for Christian consumers.
We’re all busier than ever. And we need help. But a dwindling number of job applicants and great need for efficiency has led many to consider new solutions to getting the help they need. Guest TaJanna Mallory says she has a solution: Virtual assistants. Guest TaJanna is Founder and Chief Executive Officer at CannAssistants, a virtual assistant (VA) agency that provides administrative support to mid-size cannabis companies, founders, and business executives. Here’s what VAs do and why you may need on ASAP.
While a large majority of Americans support the legalization of cannabis, many get squeamish when a dispensary tries to open its doors in their neighborhood. The phenomena is known as NIMBY – not in my backyard. Guests Lauren Carpenter and Dustin Moore are co-founders of Embarc, a northern California cannabis retailer that has a unique and community-friendly approach to cannabis sales.
Walking into a dispensary today is a completely different experience than it was just five years ago, thanks to legalization and the mainstreaming of cannabis retail. Some dispensaries are taking a nod from chains such as Nordstrom, Apple, and Sephora, to make the shopping experience a boutique, full-sensory experience. Guests Danielle Marzarella and Holly Cottrell of SevenPoint Interiors are part of the new revolution in cannabis retail space design. They talk about where dispensaries are now and where they’re going.
We talk a lot about the Green Rush, but few actually strike gold in this industry. Our guest, Cameron Forni, did after Curaleaf bought his company Select for an estimated $948 million. creating the world’s largest legal cannabis company by revenue. Cameron recently launched Hypescale Ventures, focused on investing in forward-thinking founders and technology. On the podcast, Forni talks about some of the investments he’s most excited about, including cannabis consumption lounges.
Raj Grover is the founder and CEO of High Tide, the largest Canadian retailer of recreational cannabis as measured by revenue. This is the story of how he grew his 500-square foot smoke shop of 2 employees into a cannabis empire with other 1000 employees spanning North America and Europe.
Kyle Kazan is th co-founder and CEO of California-based Glass House Group, one of the largest privately held, vertically-integrated cannabis and hemp companies. He sits down with Nick Gaulin, editor in chief of Marijuana Retail Report to discuss their the company's most recent acquisition of PLUS Products and the current state of the world’s largest adult-use market.
Chris Ball is the founder of Ball Family Farms—the first vertically-integrated social equity brand in Los Angeles. The company is Black-owned and Black led, in an industry that could certainly use more people of color. Chris’s long and winding journey into the business is fascinating. A former star linebacker for Cal State, who did pro stints in the CFL and European NFL, Chris was convicted of a cannabis crime and had his life turned upside down. This how he turned everything around.
If you’ve got $4k, you can book an exclusive vacation to Jamaica for a 5-day psylocibin “trip.” The travel trend has become all the rage for psychonauts looking for a safe and legal experience with shrooms. Guest Douglas K. Gordan is the CEO of Silo Wellness, a multinational psychedelics company that hosts some the most luxurious retreats. Silo Wellness is also partners with the Marley family (as in Bob) in the first global mushroom company.
You probably know Anthony Sullivan from starring in those OxiClean ads with his friend the late Billy Mays. But more recently Sullivan has turned his sites to CBD. He is CEO of MontKush that uses organic CBD rosin from Vermont. Mont Kush also contains the compound CBDA, which made news recently after it was discovered that it may prevent the virus that causes Covid-19. On the show, he shares tips on how to pitch your product in a crowded market.
As any woman of a certain age can tell you, menopause can be very unpleasant. Symptoms associated with it include hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, irritability, and changes sex drive. California entrepreneurs Carrie Mapes and Patty Pappas have created a cannabis-infused vaginal suppository called Hello Again that provides relief from these physical and emotional challenges. The two talk about why they created the product, how it works, and the challenges they’ve had to overcome bringing Hello Again to market.
Andrew De Angelo is cannabis advocate and entrepreneur. He is co-founder and advisor to pioneering cannabis company. Andrew has also worked on a variety of voter initiatives which legalized medical and adult use cannabis. I caught up with Andrew at the NCIA Cannabis Business Summit in San Francisco to find out about his latest business venture as a consultant to cannabis companies. Companies come to him to figure out how to get liscensed, raise money, and grow their business. Here’s what he tells them.
Jim Belushi is an actor, musician, and cannabis entrepreneur. His journey into the Green Rush is chronicled in in the docuseries Growing Belushi on the Discovery, which is back for a second season. Jim joins the show to talk about his mission to rebrand and rebuild his boutique brand for the masses, the challenges he’s faced, and how he uses weed his daily life.
Should you run your company’s marketing campaign like a political campaign? Guest Phillip Stutts says it’s the only way. He is the founder and CEO of Win BIG Media and has 25 years’ experience helping his clients win over 1400 elections. In his new book, The Undefeated Marketing System : How to Grow Your Business and Build Your Audience Using the Secret Formula That Elects Presidents, Stutts shares his five-step marketing formula that is used by winning pols and successful companies to grow your business.
Luxury cannabis is here to stay On the pod, we talk to Cheyne Nadeau, VP of Marketing for Hervé, which makes high-end cannabis-infused macarons and hard candies. We discuss why the luxury cannabis category is so hot, who is buying this stuff, and the opportunties and challenges for entrepreneurs in the space in the next few years.
Guest Emily Paxhia is Managing Director Poseidon Investment Management. She joins us from the floor of the Hall of Flowers tradeshow to discuss the trends she's excited about—and not so excited about—for the upcoming year. Emily has reviewed over 1000 companies in her career. She had helped shape founders' pitches, their go-to-market strategies, and advised on day-to-day business operations. Emily has held board seats for multiple portfolio companies and participates as an adviser to multiple teams.
New developments in terpene research out of Israel are revealing some promising findings about the medicinal effectiveness of cannabis. At the forefront of this research is Nadav Eyal, the founder and CEO of Eybna Technologies which manufactures terpenes for dozens of cannabis brands including Old Pal and Lemon Tree. He talks to us about what his company is learning about how terpenes can help with sleep, anxiety, and even Covid-19.
The cannabis industry is still a men’s club. The share of women in senior ranks fell to just 22.1% in 2021 from 36.8% in 2019. But that hasn’t stopped two female Michigan-based entrepreneurs from launching two successful cannabis companies. Our guests are Rebecca Colett CEO of Calyxeum and Megan Klein founder of Little Saints. They talk about how the different hurdles they’ve faced, and how they have overcome them.
Last month, the PACT Act went into effect in the US, which prohibits vaping products to be delivered through the U.S. mail. Although this rule was originally intended for nicotine products, it now also includes devices used for marijuana and hemp. To talk about how this new law will affect the vaping industry, I’m joined by Ricardo Willis, CEO of the vaporizer tech company Hanu Labs. Ricardo is also the first African American CEO of a cannabis vaporizer company. On the pod, he talks candidly about his rise to the top and how other minorities can succeed in the industry.
Have you wanted to enjoy all the benefits of booze without the unhealthy side effects? Guest Darnell Smith believes he has a solution. He is the founder of Moon, MXXN, the first THC-infused spirits brand, creating 1:1 non-alcoholic replacements for gin, tequila and bourbon. A former defensive linemen for Notre Dame, Smith has worked with top global spirits companies for 15 years, including Diageo, Pernod-Ricard and Bacardi in product innovation and commercialization. He is now making his mark in the cannabis industry
More than 55 million people live with dementia worldwide, and there are nearly 10 million new cases every year. But there are promising new developments in psychedelic medicine to help treat this debilitating symptom. Guest Dr. James Kuo is a physician and biotech executive with more than 25 years of drug development experience. He is co-founder of Return Heath, the first biotech company developing novel, non-hallucinogenic psychedelic to alter dementia’s progression.
Many cannabis entrepreneurs are flocking to Oklahoma, which boasts no limits on marijuana business licenses, few restrictions on who can obtain a medical card, and cheap land, energy and building materials. Our guest Chip Baker is all in on Oklahoma. As the founding partner of Greener Consulting Group, he helps businesses set up shop in the Sooner state.
For the past 50 plus years, the DEA only permitted the University of Mississippi to grow research marijuana. But in March, the agency finally allowed private companies to grow cannabis for research. One of those companies is the Biopharmaceutical Research Company (BRC). Guest George Hodgin is the founder and CEO and a former Navy SEAL. We discuss his inspiration for getting into the cannabis industry and what he hopes BRC can do for the future of cannabis research.
Fab 5 Freddy is one of the godfathers of hip hop. A graffiti artist, producer, filmmaker, and host of the iconic 80s show YO! MTV Raps, he is also a life-long cannabis user and advocate. Now he’s a cannabiz owner. Fab joins the show to talk about his new brand B Noble, which he founded with Bernard Noble who was sentenced for 13 years of hard labor for carrying two joins. He talks about the origins of his passion for cannabis, its racially charged history, and how he hopes to help reverse the unjust punishment for non-violent cannabis crimes.
Guest Shannon Walters is the founder of LightSky Farms, a Michigan cannabis brand that has received over 35 High Times Cannabis Awards—including two in 2021. Shannon was s semi-pro skateboarded and snowboard who suffered numerous broken bones and injuries leading to an addition to opiates. Cannabis saved his life. He is also an expert winemaker and vineyard tender and has brought that skill set to his cannabis business.
THC inflation is a problem in the cannabis industry. How does it work? Knowing that many consumers want the strongest product, many growers and distributors shop around for the lab that gives them the highest THC scores. This potency inflation, also known as lying, isn’t good for those attempting to manage precisely how high they become. Ben Rosman, CEO & Co-Founder of PSI Labs, joins the show to talk about the dangers of mislabeled cannabis products on the market. His serves two of the largest markets in California and Michigan and he has very strong views on this topic.
Former NBA star Al Harrington is the CEO and founder of Viola, inspired and named in honor of his grandmother. While many professional athletes talk the talk about cannabis and dabble in the industry, Al walks the walk. He is fully invested in the industry and a great spokesperson not only for cannabis but for entrepreneurs who want to get in the space. In his mission to pay in forward, Al recently announced the launch of the Harrington Institute, a school for cannabis education created in partnership with Cleveland School of Cannabis. Al will be one of our keynote speakers at the Green Growth Summit in Chicago on October 27. Get your tickets today!
From Mars to marijuana, our guest is former NASA engineer Nohtal Partansky who worked on the MOXIE instrument, a device that producing oxygen on the surface of Mars. But Nohtal left the space agency in 2018 to start his company Sorting Robotics, a robotics company that builds robots for cannabis manufacturers. He talks about the problems the robots solve and why they will never replace humans.
Rob Sims and Calvin Johnson, Jr used to be teammates on the Detroit Lions. Now they run a Michigan cannabis company called Primitiv together. Primitiv recently collaborated with Harvard University to research how cannabis helps people with CTE, a brain disease associated with repeated traumatic brain injuries. Rob Sims joins the show to talk why he got into the business and the secret club of NFL weed smokers. Sims and Johnson will be presenting at the NCIA midwest conference in Detroit this month,
Leo Giel is the new CEO of High There!, the largest cannabis-friendly social network. With over 100K active users, it is a Match.com for marijuana enthusiasts, a Tindr for tokers, and a whole lot more. The network was recently rebooted to include group chats, photo staring, message, and articles. Giel talks about how the company is addressing the challenges many 420 enthusiasts face on social media. He also talks about privacy concerns, dealing with bots and trolls, and how they’re planning to monetize.
Guests Josh Rubin and Milan Patel join the show to talk about how Curaleaf uses a DNA-based pathogen testing program to ensure their crops are free of fungi and pests within hours. Josh is senior VP of Cultivation for Curaleaf, a vertically-integrated MSO, and Milan is CEO of PathogenDX, an Arizona-based biotechnology company.
Brett Feldman is the legendary cultivator and co-founder of Wonderbrett, a California-based cannabis lifestyle brand. For years, Brett’s rare genetics, exotic terpene profiles, and meticulous cultivation has made him a favorite of cannabis connoisseurs such as Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, B Real, and Justin Bieber. He recently opened a flagship dispensary in Hollywood, as one of the recipients of California’s coveted Social Equity Retail License. Here’s how a stoner from the Valley built a weed empire.
Guests are Josh Kirby and Andrew Lobo of Kinslips, compact cannabis-infused strips you slip under your tongue. They’re designed to dissolve in your mouth and straight into your blood stream in around 10 to 15 minutes, so you don’t have to wait around to feel the high. Josh and Andrew are the brain behind the strips. Josh is the Chief Product Officer and Andrew is the CEO. They talk about how Kinslips was discovered by accident, the problem it’s solving in the marketplace, and the future of this new technology.
Guest Colin Hanks is an actor, filmmaker, the eldest son of Tom Hanks, and most recently an entrepreneur. His company Hanks Kerchiefs manufactures California-made colorful bandanas. Hanks recently partners with MSO cannabis operator Jushi to sell his products in their online merch store and BEYOND/HELLO retail stores in California and Illinois.
Dispensaries have come a long way since the first days of the 215 model in California. We sat down with Planet 13 Co-Founder Larry Scheffler, current record holder for the largest dispensary in the world, about his recent expansion into Southern California with Planet 13 Orange County, which is posed to become the second largest dispensary in the world. Is bigger better?
Keith Villa, Ph. D. is a pioneer in the rapidly growing market of non-alcoholic cannabis-infused beers. Dr. Villa is a brewmaster who worked with Molson Coors for over 30 years. There, he founded Blue Moon brewery. After retiring in 2018, Dr. Villa founded CERIA Brewing, which became the state’s first THC-infused, non-alcoholic craft beer. Dr. Villa is also the author of Brewing with Cannabis: Using THC and CBD in Beer.
Ethos Cannabis will be conducting an opiate-use study with Sidney Kimmel Medical College to assess the viability of medical cannabis as an opioid replacement therapeutic aid. Special correspondent Nick Gualin talks to two of the leading people in the study.
Olympic track star Sha’Carri Richardson has been disqualified from competing in the Summer Olympics following a positive marijuana test. Though weed is legal both in city where Richardson used it (Portland) and in more than half the nation, the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) still bans cannabis. But why? Is cannabis is a performance enhancing drug? Guest Josiah Hesse has spent years following the popularity of cannabis consumption in elite sports, culminating in the publication of his upcoming book RUNNER’S HIGH: How a Movement of Cannabis-Fueled Athletes Is Changing the Science of Sports.
Recently, Amazon announced changes to its drug testing policy, saying it will now treat marijuana like alcohol and not screen employees for using it. Nick Scavio, a Senior Counsel at Bianchi & Brandt, joins the podcast to discuss what this means for Amazon and the corporate world.
Guest Whitney Beaty is the co-founder of Josephine and Billie’s, the first cannabis speakeasy in the U.S. Part store, part consumption lounge, the establishment will open in LA in September. It's a modern-day callback to the "tea pads" of the Jazz Age, in which Black communities in the 20s & 30s listened to music and enjoyed cannabis during the prohibition era. J&Bs is the first investment of The Parent Company, a joint venture between Jay Z, ROC Nation, Caliva, and Left Coast Ventures to support social equity corporate ventures.
The Big Candy industry is not pleased with bad actors in the illicit cannabis space stealing their logos. And some poison control centers are reporting an uptick of children who have accidentally consumed edibles they thought were candy. This is dangerous and terrible PR for legal cannabis. We’re joined by Joe Hodas, CMO of Wana Brands, the largest edibles company in North America, to discuss the situation and solutions.
David Belsky is the CEO and Founder at FlowerHire, a cannabis recruiting agency founded in LA with over 500 placements in 10 states. He helps professionals in the cannabis businesses find jobs spanning from seed-to-sale¬ to ancillary to multi-state operators—and everything in between. On the podcast, he talks about the biggest opportunities and trends he sees cropping up in 2021 and the skillsets companies are looking for.
What do you need to know about opening up a cannabis business in New York? Jeffrey Schultz is a partner at Feuerstein Kulick LLC, a NYC-based law firm focused on the cannabis industry, where he advises cannabis operators on a number of legal issues, including financing and complex corporate transactions, banking laws, and state-level cannabis licensing and compliance. On the podcast, he answers questions on the steps potential cannabis business owners need to take to open up shop in the Empire State.
Last April, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill of 321-101 to protect banks that service state-legal marijuana businesses from being penalized by federal regulators. The legislation is known as the SAFE Banking Act. What does this bill mean to the cannabis industry? And will the Senate and President make it the law of the land. Rachel Gillette joins the podcast to make sense of it all. She is chair of Greenspoon Marder’s Cannabis Law Practice and one of the first attorneys in the nation to dedicate her practice to the cannabis industry.
Jason is a founding members and board chair of dosist, an innovative cannabis company specializing in providing natural plant-based targeted solutions delivered via dose-controlled technology. Recently, dosist went full throttle into the wellness space offering a range of CBD, THC-free products and. He talks about the how dosist is positioning themselves as a premier brand in the space, how they overcame the challenges of Vapegate and Covid-19, and his predictions for the future of cannabis.
David A. Paleschuck is a product development and marketing expert and author of the fascinating new book, Branding Bud: The Commercialization of Cannabis. He talks about questions brands should ask when positioning their product, the 15 archetypes of cannabis brands, the companies that are doing it right (and wrong), and his predictions for cannabis branding in the future.
Legendary cannabis icon Tommy Chong sits down with Green Entrepreneur to discuss his life, his legacy in comedy and cannabis, his predictions for the future of the industry.
The interview was conducted by Nicholas Gaulin editor in chief of the Marijuana Retail Report.
For more cannabis industry news visit GreenEntrepreneur.com
Moms are among the largest growing group cannabis consumers. But stigmas of the past have kept many of them from opening up about it. Judy Yee is a cannabis consumer, mom, and CEO and Co-Founder of K-Zen which makes cannabis-infused drinks. With Mother’s Day right around the corner, Judy and her team recently launched Moms For Mary—a community blog for moms by moms who are sharing their stories and experiences with cannabis, aiming to end the unfair stigma surrounding parents and responsible cannabis use.
Olivia Alexander the founder and CEO of The Crystal Cult and its sister cannabis brand Kush Queen, a multi-million dollar brand famous for its bath bombs. Olivia spent over 20 years as an actress, dancer, and even a magician’s assistant, but a gig as a budtender at a dispensary opened her eyes to the opportunities as a cannabis entrepreneur. She began by putting crystals on vape pens, which soon became a must-have celebrity item. The rest is history. Here is her rags to riches story.
Delta-8 THC is a hot and controversial topic in the cannabis world. While it is not technically illegal, many believe it makes you high like its molecular brethren Delta-9 THC, which is considered a schedule 1 drug. On this episode, we talk about what Delta-8 THC is and, perhaps more importantly, what it does. Should it be legal? Is it dangerous? Is it all hype? Our guest Codi Petersen is a cannabis pharmacist and science advisor. He gives a crash course on everything you need to know about the compound.
Evelyn Wang, the newly appointed CEO at award-winning Californian cannabis brand Papa & Barkley, sits down with Green Entrepreneur to talk with about the transition from the traditional CPG market to the cannabis industry, and how the future of Papa & Barkley will look under her leadership.
The episode is sponsored by Leafly. Log on to Leafly420.com for a chance to win free weed for a year!
Can cannabis help with weight loss and be part of a nutritious diet? Brooke Alpert thinks so. She is a certified holistic cannabis practitioner, nutrition expert, and founder of B Nutritious, a consulting practice in New York City. Brooke has a line of CBD products called The Daily Habit. Brooke’s interest in cannabis, particularly in CBD came from trying to help her husband manage his debilitating autoimmune disease. Seeing what CBD could do for her husband, Brooke brought CBD into her private practice and saw many of her clients overall wellness improve
Shavo Odajian is the bassist for the legendary metal band System of the Down. He is also a cannabis advocate and founder of the cannabis lifestyle brand 22Red, which focuses on cannabis, fashion, music and wellness. The company started here in California, but 22Red is now sold in Nevada and Arizona as well. On the pod, Shavo talks about how he first discovered cannabis, why he went into the business, and the origin of his trademark beard.
Kris Krane, Co-Chair of the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) as well as President & Co-Founder of 4Front Ventures, offers up his thoughts on the ever-growing cannabis industry and what the future may hold for newly emerging markets.
For more than a decade, The Emerald Cup has been one of the most beloved cannabis events in California. We sat down with its Founder and President Tim Blake to discuss how he came to the cannabis industry, how The Emerald Cup helps teach regenerative and sustainable practices in the industry, and what it's been like launching The Emerald Cup digitally.
Chris Webber, is five-time NBA All-Star, an entrepreneur, and Founder of Webber Wellness. He recently announced a partnership with JW Asset Management, to launch a $100 million private equity cannabis fund that will invest in companies led by entrepreneurs of color pursuing careers in the cannabis sector. Here he talks about why he wants to right the wrongs of social inequality, what cannabis has meant in his life, and calling that fateful timeout in the 1993 National Championship game.
Bruce Eckfeldt is a consultant, coach, author, and speaker on organizational development and performance management. His company Eckfeldt & Associates provides business coaching for cannabis companies. A competitive triathlete and mountain climber, Bruce discovered the healing power of pot after suffering a major back injury. He switched his professional focus from architecture to the cannabis industry. On the pod, he offers free coaching on six things to look at to grow and scale your business.
Caitlyn Krebs is the Co-Founder & CEO at Nalu Bio, a biopharmaceutical firm focused on designing synthetic CBD. Established in 2019, Nalu Bio's proprietary platform is unique in that their CBD is not hemp-based, but instead uses known chemistries and existing materials to produce high-quality, low-cost, and predictable ingredients. Caitlyn talks about the benefits of synthetic CBD and the controversy.
Last September, the company Eaze, California’s largest legal cannabis delivery marketplace rebranded itself. It was their first brand refresh since 2014. To do so they enlisted the help Born & Bred, a SF-based studio that specializes in designing scalable brands. To talk about the thinking behind this rebrand we’re going to talk to Sheena Shiravi, VP of Marketing at Eaze, and Kyle Merwin, Co-founder and Head of Brand Strategy at Born & Bred.
If you’re thinking about selling CBD, one interesting option might be to own a franchise or two. Our guest Vince Sanders is the founder of CBD American Shaman. one of the largest CBD retailers in the US with 365 locations. Sanders has a complicated relationship with cannabis. Nineteen years ago, he went to prison for organizing and financing a scheme to sell illicit marijuana. Now Sanders has ventured into the legal hemp world and built a CBD retail empire.
Cannabis and lifestyle brand Cookies is one of the most recognizable multi-state operators in cannabis today. In this exclusive interview, Green Entrepreneur talks with Cookies brand Founder and CEO Berner about the recent expansion of his Cookies brand into mushroom/cannabinoid/terpene mixtures with Cookies Caps, as well as his personal predictions for the future of the cannabis industry.
Guest Liesl Bernard is the founder and CEO of CannabizTeam, the world’s largest executive search and staffing firm focused specifically on the cannabis industry. Her team has placed thousands of candidates at executive and management levels in all verticals of the cannabis industry across the world.
Got some burning questions about cannabis? Who you gonna call? Guests Jennifer Axcell and Katherine Golden are the co-founders of Leaf411, a free cannabis-trained nurse hotline. Leaf411s mission is to provide education and directional support to the general public about the safe use of legal cannabis.
Dr. Oludare Odumosu is the Chief Executive Officer of Zelira Therapeutics, a global therapeutic medicinal cannabis company. The company is focussed on developing branded cannabis products for the treatment of a variety of medical conditions including autism, insomnia, and opioid reduction.
In 2017, Lauren Lerch went to a music festival in Las Vegas with some friends when she suddenly found herself under fire from a sniper taking aim at concert goers. Thankfully, she and her friends escaped alive, but Lauren suffered from PTSD and anxiety. A friend turned her onto CBD and within a few weeks her life began to change. So much that she decided to get into the CBD franchise business. This is her inspiring story.
Edward W. Pearson, MD began practicing as a primary care physician, but he was not happy with what he saw in conventional medicine. So Dr. Pearson set out on his own to find the education that would teach him how to truly heal people and prevent the epidemics of chronic illness. In 2007 he founded the New Medicine Foundation, which has a global mission 'To Elevate the Health and Health Education of Humanity.’ Dr. Pearson works with medical marijuana and psychedelics to treat his patients.
2020 was a crazy year. What can we expect from the cannabis industry in the coming year? Roy Bingham, CEO and cofounder of BSDA joins the show to share his predictions. BDSA is the leading source for cannabis industry data and insight. First, Roy takes us through the winners and losers of 2020, then he talks about the verticals he sees growing in 2021.
Mike “Zappy” Zapolin is a film director and “psychedelic concierge, helping celebrities, thought leaders, and business icons have a psychedelic transformations. His 2016 doc The Reality of Truth, followed actress Michelle Rodriguez on a journey of discovery through psychedelics. Now he has an upcoming documentary about basketball star (and Khloe Kardashian’s former husband) Lamar Odom called “Lamar Odom Re/Born.” It features Odom’s complete transformation through ketamine infusions and plant medicine.
In 2012, Evelyn LaChapelle, a college graduate, mother of a young child, and former bank employee was sentenced to 87 months in prison for depositing checks for a black market weed dealer. Now she is on the advisory board of the Last Prisoner Project a nonprofit devoted to criminal justice reform for over 40,000 people incarcerated for cannabis crimes at all stages, including clemency, release, reentry, and record expunging. This is her incredible story.
Darren Criss is an actor, singer, and bar owner best known for his creepy portrayal of Andrew Cunanan in "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story," which earned a Golden Globe and ‘Emmy Award in 2018. But Darren is also an investor, along with other high-profile celebs, in the cannabis-infused beverage company Cann. We talk about why he is putting his money on "social tonics."
Legendary hip hop artist B-Real is best known for being the lead rapper in Cypress Hill, but he’s also built a widely successful business in cannabis. B has a line of cannabis dispensaries and products called Dr. Greenthumb’s, as well as a media empire that includes a podcast, a live streaming site called Breal.tv, and a TV show on Vice called “Bong Appetit.” We talk about the secret to his success.
Former NFL Pro-Bowler Carson Palmer is the latest high-profile pro athlete to get into the CBD game. Palmer won the Heiman trophy winner in 2002 and went on to who spend15 seasons as an elite quarterback. Recently, he partnered with CBD brand Level Select as an investor and spokesperson In this interview, we talk about how he first discovered CBD, and why he’s a fan. Then we get into the nitty gritty of the habits he developed early on in his NFL career and carries on to this day as an entrepreneur
Scott Jennings is the founder of Cheba Hut Toasted subs. Founded in 1998 in Tempe, AZ, the cannabis-themed sub franchise chain sells “blunt”-sized sandwiches with names like Chronic and Humbolt Dank. They have "Cotton Mouth Cures" drink menu as well. On this episode of the Green Entrepreneur Podcast, Jenning talks to editor-in-chief Jonathan Small about how the chain came to be, how he they have grown it over the years, and how they are managing the COVID-19 crisis.
Dr. Roger McIntrye is a psychiatrist and CEO of Champignon Brands, a Canadian company focused on ketamine and psychedelic medicine, The company operates two flagship ketamine clinics that have administered over 4500 ketamine infusions. After offering a brief and fascinating history of ketamine, Dr. McIntrye talks about how this Schedule 3 is being used to tread depression, the future of ketamine treatments, and future business opportunities
Josh Kesselman has been called an “encyclopedia of rolling paper history.” And for good reason, as founder and CEO of RAW rolling papers are his passion as he balances honoring the centuries-old traditions of cigarette and cannabis rolling papers while catering to the modern smoker. On this episode, he gives us a fascinating crash course how rolling papers came to be, and offers his wisdom on how to grow a massive company with a philanthropic heart.
Carly Wolf is the state policies director at NORML (the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws). Each year, she analyzes hundreds of pieces of marijuana related legislation pending in state legislatures around the country as well as in US Congress. On this special Election 2020 episode, she talks about what state races to watch, which politicians to back, and her predictions for cannabis legalization.
In 2008 Garin Heslop was in a devastating motorcycle accident which left him in constant pain. Prescribed pharmaceuticals quickly began depleting his quality of life and changing who he was. He turned to medical cannabis as an alternative and immediately found relief. This new-found interest turned into a mission, and with his wife Kelly he launched MedCare Farms, and put all their time, energy and finances on making cannabis available to as many in need as possible.
Sally Nichols is President THC Sales & Distribution, President CBD at Bloom Farms, a top-10 cannabis and hemp/CBD company based in California. On the show, she talks about her transition from K-Swiss to cannabis, why she is passionate about the plant, overcoming the unique challenges of the weed industry, how she used her extensive background in technology to optimize her business, and what a recent lawsuit against the company has taught her.
Dr. Chanda Macias is a scientist, biomedical researcher, and entrepreneur. She is a pioneer in the cannabis industry as the first African American recipient of a medical marijuana license. As CEO of Ilera Holistic Healthcare and Women Grow, she has paved the way for women in the cannabis industry. Dr. Macias offers realistic and actionable advice on how women not only can break into the male-dominated industry—but also be successful.
Dennis Hunter and Ned Fussell are the founders of CannaCraft. Their newest brand, Farmer And The Felon, seeks to right the historic injustices of cannabis prohibition. As farmers, both have been growing for decades. Dennis earned the unfortunate felon title in 1998 when federal agents raided his cultivation site in Humboldt County. Since founding CannaCraft in 2014, Fussell and Hunter have evolved its umbrella of brands into one of the largest cannabis companies in the world.
Jennifer Chapin and Amanda Jones are co-founders of Kikoko, a women-focused and women-run cannabis wellness company, which creates organic cannabis-infused products formulated to help with sleep, mood, pain, and sex. Prior to getting into the cannabis business Amanda was a celebrated travel writer and Jen was and an entrepreneur in the technology, games and food industries. Here is how the two have built their business.
Bryan Buckley and Matt Curran are founders of the Helmand Valley Growers Company (HVGC), and former United States Special Operations Marine Raiders, who both served in Afghanistan and Iraq. HVSG is a cannabis manufacturing company dedicated to providing medical cannabis to the veterans of the U.S. military and researching how cannabis works to combat the opioid and suicide epidemic plaguing our veterans
Brett Favre is an NFL Hall of Famer, Super Bowl Champion Brett Favre, and now spokesperson for CBD brand Green Eagle. The former Green Bay Packers QB talks to us candidly about beating his addiction to opioids, why he decided to become a champion for CBD, and what he and President Trump talked about during a recent high-profile golf outing.
Jim Belushi runs Belushi’s Farm in Oregon, where he grows flower for Secret Stash and The Blues Brothers Brands. Jim is also the star of a new reality series Growing Belushi, premiering on August 19, which follows Jim and his merry band of misfits as they navigate the many challenges of running a legal cannabis farm. Jim opens up about how cannabis has transformed his life, the biggest mistakes he’s made as an entrepreneur, and why he thinks pot would have saved his brother John’s life.
Barry Saik is CEO of Greenbits, a software platform for over 1200 cannabis retail locations across 13 states. Last year they processed $3.3 billion in legal cannabis transactions. Barry talks to Green Entrepreneur editor in chief Jonathan Small about the challenges dispensaries face and how Greenbit’s technology helps them manage, interesting new trends in consumer buying habits, and what he learned working for digital giants Go Daddy and TurboTax.
Dasheeda Dawson is the newly appointed Cannabis Program Supervisor for the city of Portland, Oregon, where she oversees regulations, licensing, and equity for that fine city. She is only the third Black woman in the country to hold a cannabis regulatory oversight leadership role. Prior to this new role, Dasheeda was an industry educator, senior executive leader, and strategy expert for multiple cannabis businesses, municipalities, and media outlets.
Jesse Stanley is one of the Stanley Brothers, a family of cannabis growers and entrepreneurs responsible for the iconic Charlotte’s Web brand and Stanley Brothers Holdings. The brothers became internationally famous when they developed a CBD tincture to help a little girl named Charlotte Figi who struggled with catastrophic epilepsy. Now they are returning to their roots in the THC world with a new product called ReCreate. Jesse shares their origin story and tips for success
Cannabis-drinks are expected to make nearly $2 billion dollars this year, and our guests Jake Bullock and Luke Anderson are living proof that if you brew it people will come. They are co-founders of the company Cann, which makes low dose social tonics in Lemon, Lavender, Agave. And the dynamic duo are about to sell their one millionth can of Cann. We talk to them about how they started this company, their secrets to success, and the future of the cannabis beverage industry.
Dr. Jason Wersland is a chiropractor and founder of the Theragun and now TheraOne. The Theragun is a handheld, drill-like self massager that took him eight years to develop. Since its launch in 2017, it’s been used by over 250 sports teams, PTs, trainers, chiropractors, regular folk, and celebs. Dr. Wersland has now pivoted to a new product called Theraone, a line of full-spectrum CBD products that are certified USDA organic. This is his inspiring story.
Guest Nancy Whiteman is the CEO of Wana Brands, the No. 1 edibles brand in sales revenues in the US. Nancy tells the origin story of the company, which she founded in her own Colorado test kitchen. She also shares how the company’s focus on consistency, flavor, and innovation took them to the next level. Plus, what it's like working with a gummi guru who helps them perfect the perfect cannabis-infused confectio
Lisa Gee is Director of Marketing & CSR for Lightshade. She talks to me about how Colorado company is adjusting to a post-pandemic world by marketing products to suit their customers’ needs. Could what’s happening in the Colorado cannabis market be a microcosm of what to expect across the country?
Kim Kovacs is CEO of The Arcview Group, a private investment network and market research firm focused on connecting high-net-worth individuals, institutional investors, and money managers with investment in the cannabis sector. Prior to her role at Arcview, she was a serial entrepreneur and investor and founder of My Jane, a wellness technology platform that curates cannabis products for women. My Jane was acquired in 2019 by Manifest 7. Kim talks to us about what Arcview does, how entrepreneurs and investors can get involved, and the best investment opportunities.
Our guests Kathy Ireland and Smoke Wallin recently announced the launch of a new CBD line. Kathy Ireland is a former supermodel turned super businesswoman and President of Kathy Ireland Worldwide. Smoke Wallin is the Chairman and CEO of Vertical Wellness, a vertically-integrated health and wellness company with a focus on natural Hemp cannabinoid solutions. This new strategic relationship encompasses all CBD product categories, including beauty, health and wellness, pets, edibles, and more. The two talk about why they decided to go into business together, the challenges of the CBD industry, and the best entrepreneurial advice they ever received.
Our guest Kobie Evans is the co-owner of Pure Oasis, the only minority-owned dispensary on the east coast. Call it trial by fire or just bad luck, but Pure Oasis has weathered quite a storm in the past few months. A few weeks after this city's first recreational dispensary opened, it had to close its doors due to Covid-19. When it's doors finally opened again, it was the victim of targeted looting during the George Floyd protests. Evans tells the remarkable story of how he's overcome adversity.
Matt Hawkins is the founder and managing partner of Entourage Effect Capital. In this episode, he talks about some predictions for cannabis in a pandemic and post pandemic world, specifically the impact of cannabis being deemed essential and what that means on the legalization front and for new business opportunities in the space.
This month, Green Entrepreneur announced its picks for The 35 Most Influential Women In Cannabis. The list covered a wide range of movers and shakers in the business from small business owners to investors, publicists to journalists, veterans to newcomers. Editor-in-chief Jonathan Small and contributing editor Lindsey Bartlett take you behind the scenes to discuss the process of selecting the impressive women on the list as well as the wider role of women in advancing the cannabis industry.
Roger Volodarksy is the founder of Puffco a LA-based vaporizer company that makes an array of devices for concentrate consumers. He started the company on a dare from a friend and since built it up to be one of the leading companies in the space. This is the story of his journey and how he had to pivot to combat copycats.
Mike "BigMike" Straumietis is the founder of Advanced Nutrients, a massive agricultural products manufacturer. He talks about how he built his company, the origin of his name, the secret of his social media success (he has millions of followers), and his current efforts to get face masks to the needy. A lively conversation with one of the giants (literally, he's 6'7) in the industry.
Brad Flowers is co-founder of Bullhorn, a branding and marketing agency based in Kentucky. He is also the author of The Naming Book: 5 Steps to Creating Brand and Product Names That Sell from Entrepreneur Press. With a background in English literature, Brad is well suited for the task of helping companies find good names that bring results. On this episode, we talk about the strategies companies should take when brainstorming and deciding on a name.
Dr. Mike Lynn is the founder Hound Labs, Inc, which manufactures the world’s first marijuana breathalyzer. The company’s technology makes it 1 billion times more sensitive than today’s alcohol breathalyzers. It works by identifying recent (not past) marijuana use by measuring THC in breath. The invention could be a game changer for law enforcement and employers to address marijuana safety concerns without unjustly accusing people who are using cannabis responsibly.
After retiring from the NFL last season, New England Patriot All-Start Rob "Gronk" Gronkowski announced that he will be a major investor and spokesperson for CBDMedic. Green Entrepreneur contributing writer Nick Dimengo talks to Gronk about how CBD helps him manage pain, why he got into the industry, and how he would pitch the benefits of CBD to his old Patriots head coach, Bill Belichick.
Guest Eric Kaufman is Chief Revenue Officer for Dama Financial, which provides access to secure banking for cash-intensive businesses such as cannabis. Dama’s services include cash management, access to online and mobile-friendly bank accounts, cashless payment solutions, even armored guards and vehicles. In an in-depth interview, Eric talks about the challenges cannabis companies face, what they can do about that, and what the future holds.
Andrew DeAngelo is the co-founder of Harborside Health Center and a towering voice in the world of cannabis advocacy and legalization for over 30 years. In the latest episode of the Green Entrepreneur podcast with Jonathan Small, he talks about what his company is doing to protect workers and get cannabis to the people who need it most, how the coronavirus crisis may reverse cannabis bans and anti-cannabis opinion, and how your company can adapt its businesses to the current situation.
These are uncertain times for all of us. Small business owners with little cash flow are especially feeling the squeeze. To help figure out how to manage in the time of coronavirus, we talked to Dr. Ichak Kalderon Adizes, one of the world's leading management experts and an international best-selling author. He has written 27 books, translated into 36 languages, including How To Manage In a Time of Crisis and Managing Corporate Lifecycles. Dr. Adizes taught at Columbia University, UCLA and was a visiting professor at Stanford, Tel Aviv, and Hebrew Universities. He is also a Holocaust survivor.
Michael Scherr is an entertainer-turned-entrepreneur and founder of Aria Brands, a holding company that is both a novelty gifting product line for adults and a hemp-derived CBD consumer product line. With his creative background, Scherr has lots of creative ideas on how to market your cannabis brand for cheap. On the podcast, he talks about his most effective guerrilla marketing tactics, including dressing up as Where’s Waldo at cannabis conventions.
Catherine Dockery is founder of Vice Ventures, a seed-stage capital fund that invests in good companies operating in "bad" categories from seed to exit. The 27-year-old alum of Walmart and Bonobos, Dockery launched her own company in 2018, investing in industries like cannabis, sex-tech, alcohol, e-gambling, harm-reducing nicotine and more. On the podcast, we talk about the opportunities in vice businesses, her predictions for the cannabis and CBD space, and how she vets her investments.
Guest Jessie Grundy is CEO of The Peakz, which is one of the most successful social equity cannabis brands in the country. Operating out of Oakland, California, Grundy transitioned from from the dangerous world of the illicit market to the legal market, offering a brand that appeals to an urban audience. This is the story of how he built the brand from scratch and how social equity programs can make a difference in the industry.
Jim Higdon is the founder of Cornbread Hemp, a USDA-certified organic hemp company in Kentucky. In his previous life, James was author of the 2012 book The Cornbread Mafia, which tells the story of the biggest domestic marijuana syndicate in American history. He parlayed his book’s success into a journalism career, covering cannabis policy for POLITICO. Tired of covering cannabis from the bleacher seats, he got in the game in 2018, launching Cornbread Hemp, borrowing the name and also some of the learnings from that storied organization. Plus, he talks about the importance of being USDA-certified.