Latest CannaInsider episodes

Just as oil powered the old economy of atoms, data powers the new economy of bits. Here to tell us how to leverage our cannabis business data and market more effectively is Nicholas Paschal of Alpine IQ. Learn more at https://alpineiq.com  Key Takeaways:  [1:02] An inside look at Alpine IQ, a data analytics and marketing platform for cannabis companies [1:27] Nick’s personal background and how he got into the cannabis space [7:24] Why it’s important for companies to take protective measures with their business data [11:18] How Alpine IQ not only offers analytics tools but also helps businesses determine the best ways to act on data [18:32] What companies can expect during Alpine IQ’s onboarding process, from integrating apps to ensuring compliance across the board [21:36] Alpine IQ’s audience feature and how companies are using it to generate ROI [31:45] How streamlining analytics tools using Alpine IQ can provide incredible value for cannabis companies [35:35] Alpine IQ’s journey achieving product-market fit and how the company got its first customers [39:26] Where Alpine IQ currently is in the capital-raising process

While cannabis banking still has its challenges, Safe Harbor Financial is on course to make those challenges a thing of the past. Here to tell us about it is Safe Harbor CEO Sundie Seefried. Learn more at https://shfinancial.org Key Takeaways: [00:57] An inside look at Safe Harbor Financial, a fintech banking platform that provides cannabis companies a safe and 100% compliant place to bank [1:22] Sundie’s background in the credit union industry and how she came to start Safe Harbor [2:21] How cannabis banking has evolved over the last few years and where Sundie sees it heading [4:46] The Safe Banking Act and what it means for cannabis banking [7:36] Compliance challenges cannabis companies are facing right now [9:08] What lending in cannabis banking could look like in the next few years [14:06] How Safe Harbor Financial has grown since its inception in 2015 to manage over 500 cannabis banking accounts [14:54] Safe Harbor’s onboarding process for new clients [19:14] How cryptocurrency and stablecoin are changing the cannabis banking landscape

What are Delta-8 THC and 5-MeO-DMT and what’s all the hype about? Here to help us understand is the cannabis whisper himself, Max Montrose of Trichome Institute. Learn more at https://trichomeinstitute.com Key Takeaways: [00:43] An inside look at Trichome Institute, the leading cannabis education company [2:06] Delta-8 THC and how it differs from its better-known cousin delta-9 THC [3:45] Why delta-8 is surging in popularity [13:36] Where Max sees delta-8 THC heading over the next 3-5 years [16:44] Max’s partnership with Abstrax, an industry leader in the study and production of cannabis and botanically-derived terpenes [23:39] 5-MeO-DMT, a psychedelic found in a variety of plant species and the glands of the Sonoran Desert toad [27:39] Max’s work studying the Sonoran Desert toad and their unique venom glands [41:12] How Max’s experiences with 5-MeO-DMT and ayahuasca have changed his philosophies and way of life

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

The Michigan cannabis market isn’t on everyone’s radar, but it’s large and growing faster than you might think. Here to tell us about it is Fabian Monaco of Gage Cannabis. Learn more at https://gageusa.com Key Takeaways: [1:17] An inside look at Gage Cannabis, one of the largest vertically-integrated cannabis companies in Michigan [1:45] Fabian’s background in investment banking and how he came to be president and CEO of Gage Cannabis [3:01] Michigan’s history in medical marijuana and how the state’s cannabis market has evolved over recent years [5:18] Why Fabian believes every cannabis brand needs to be vertically integrated right now [7:05] The pros and cons of contract growing versus buying wholesale [11:05] The most popular cannabis products in Michigan right now and surprising new trends to look out for [17:49] How Gage Cannabis has successfully employed curbside pickup to gross almost 99 percent of their profit [21:29] The importance of brand continuity and how this has helped Gage grow so quickly [24:38] Cookies aka the “Coca-Cola of cannabis,” a popular California-based cannabis brand that has partnered with Gage to expand into Michigan

With extracted cannabis-derived products making up about 50 percent of all cannabis products sold, extraction equipment is in high demand. Here to tell us more is Nick Tennant of Precision Extraction. Learn more at https://precisionextraction.com  Key Takeaways: [00:52] An inside look at Precision Extraction, the industry leader in cannabis extraction equipment, C1D1 lab planning, and extraction training [1:40] Nick’s background in cannabis and what led him to start Precision Extraction [4:28] Biomass and why it’s a critical component of cannabis extraction [9:04] How Precision Extraction’s diverse line of equipment is designed to accommodate different production needs [13:14] Shifting consumer trends in cannabis-derived products and how Precision Extraction’s clients are able to adapt more quickly  [22:34] Why Precision Extraction freezes biomass before the extraction process [25:09] The most common mistakes Nick sees new business owners make when trying to develop cannabis-derived products  [27:32] How Precision Extraction’s premade C1D1 lab containers known as “Extraction Pods” are saving businesses time and money [29:35] How Nick sees the cannabis extraction market evolving over the next 3-5 years

A new hemp seed vodka is winning taste tests and garnering devotees across Texas. Here to tell us about it is Ben Williams, founder of Highway Vodka. Learn more at https://www.highwayvodka.com Key Takeaways: [00:45] An inside look at Highway Vodka, the first vodka created from hemp [1:12] Ben’s background in the restaurant and bar industry and how he came to start Highway Vodka [2:11] Why hemp produces a smoother vodka than most traditional grains and how Ben figured this out over years of experimentation [7:08] The permits required to sell hemp-based alcohol [13:43] Highway vodka’s unique flavor profile and how it compares to other spirits [18:44] How Highway Vodka contains virtually no congeners, making the drink low-calorie and less likely to cause a hangover [24:27] Books that have had a big impact on Ben’s life and way of thinking [28:16] Ben’s thoughts on legalization in Texas and other southern states

Johann Hari is the author of Chasing the Scream, The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs. Johann walks us through all the alarming and rarely mentioned ways the war on drugs hurts societies and how ending prohibition brings order. Johann details how countries around the world are ending prohibition and the amazing results they are seeing as a result.   Key Takeaways: [1:31] – Why rats only choose drugs when they are alone and unhappy [10:37] – What happens to the drug market in MD when a dealer gets arrested? [14:40] – Johann discusses Arnold Rothstein and Rosalio Reta [22:31] – Do humans have an innate desire to experience altered reality [37:34] – The results of drug decriminalization in Switzerland and Portugal [45:13] – How to find Johann’s Book, Chasing The Scream.  

Banking is one of the thorniest problems for the cannabis industry in the US. Here to tell us how he’s creating a solution to this problem is Dan Roda of Abaca. Learn more at https://www.goabaca.com  The Zillow of Cannabis? Just like Zillow lets you browse for properties to buy or rent onlineThere is a company doing the same thing in the cannabis and hemp space. 420property.com lets you browse cannabis and hemp real estate and even businesses that are for sale.  Get started for free at 420property.com, that’s 420property.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

We just reached possibly one of the largest milestones in creating pure, consistent cannabinoids in a lab. Here to tell us about it is Kevin Chen of Hyasynth Bio. Learn more at https://hyasynthbio.com  The Zillow of Cannabis? Let’s face it, finding  real estate for your cannabis or hemp business can be challenging. There is one company that has removed all the complexity And makes it simple to browse cannabis, and hemp properties and businesses that are for sale right now. Best of all it’s free to get started, check out  420property.com that’s 420property.com  Use Coupon Code: INSIDER  at checkout for a discount on subscriptions and services. Key Takeaways:  [1:32] An inside look at Hyasynth Bio and its work creating biosynthesized cannabis compounds [3:05] Hyasynth Bio’s first product, an ultra-pure CBD oil created using cultured cannabinoids [7:44] How Hyasynth Bio is improving CBD production in terms of both speed and purity [9:12] Why multinational companies are gravitating towards biosynthesized cannabinoids for better consistency and supply chain performance [13:14]  [16:55] How biosynthesized cannabinoids are paving the way for international cannabis brands and which products Kevin believes will go global first [21:23] How cellular agriculture is giving us better access to rare cannabinoids [27:48] Why cellular agriculture is easier to automate and how this might influence prices in the cannabis industry [32:21] Hyasynth Bio’s strategy to profit primarily through intellectual property licensing [36:24] Where Hyasynth Bio currently is in the capital-raising process

Retail design and brand identity are pivotal to creating a successful cannabis dispensary. Here to give us some pointers is one of the industry’s top experts: Megan Stone of High Road Design Studio. Learn more at https://www.highroadstudio.com  The Zillow of Cannabis? Just like Zillow lets you browse for properties to buy or rent onlineThere is a company doing the same thing in the cannabis and hemp space. 420property.com lets you browse cannabis and hemp real estate and even businesses that are for sale.  Get started for free at 420property.com, that’s 420property.com Use Coupon Code: INSIDER  at checkout for a discount on subscriptions and services.   Key Takeaways: [00:46] An inside look at High Road Studio, an award-winning interior design, branding, and consulting studio for cannabis dispensaries [1:20] Megan’s background in cannabis and how she came to start High Road [4:08] How cannabis retail design has changed over the last five years [8:02] The two big things you have to get right when creating a retail design [8:51] The biggest mistakes Megan sees companies make in cannabis retail design [12:26] The importance of leaving room for experimentation in retail design and how to do that in a safe way [16:22] Challenges Megan encounters when moving from the design phase to the build-out phase and how she overcomes them [20:58] What kind of budget you need to achieve a thriving retail environment and how to spend money for the biggest ROI [31:40] Examples of brands that successfully resonate with their customers and what we can learn from them [34:05] Where Megan sees cannabis retail heading over the next 3-5 years