Latest CannaInsider episodes

Can cannabis culture and big business co-exist? Here to help us answer that is Andrew DeAngelo, co-founder of Harborside and Last Prisoner Project. Learn more at https://andrewdeangelo.com Key Takeaways: [1:32] A look back at Andrew's 38 years in cannabis and where he sees the industry heading [7:45] Why corporate cannabis and legacy cannabis need each other and what it will take to build a productive relationship [23:47] Issues with bad public policy and "NIMBYism" at the local level in cannabis-legal states [30:04] Andrew's work with Last Prisoner Project, a nonprofit leading the charge in cannabis criminal justice reform

Despite a global pandemic, cannabis is one of the few industries that has grown throughout 2020 and 2021 — and that’s nothing compared to the gangbuster growth expected through 2025. Here to tell us more is Chris Walsh, President and CEO of Marijuana Business Daily. Learn more at https://mjbizdaily.com Key Takeaways: [1:05] An inside look at Marijuana Business Daily, the most trusted business news outlet for professionals in the cannabis industry [1:41] Chris’ background in business journalism and how he came to be CEO of Marijuana Business Daily [4:04] How cannabis regulations have changed over the last five years and what that could mean for the industry going forward [7:36] Surprising reasons cannabis managed to survive and adapt during Covid-19 [10:51] Why cannabis retail sales could double to put the industry at a 38 to 45 billion valuation by 2025 [13:23] Aspects of the market Chris believes investors and business owners might be underestimating [17:14] Surprising new trends that are quietly taking hold in cannabis right now [23:43] How more legalization for recreational cannabis could diminish the medical cannabis market [30:24] The last states standing between the US and full cannabis acceptance [34:59] How job growth in cannabis doubled from 2019 to 2021 despite Covid-19’s economic recession and spiking unemployment rates

As the push for recreational cannabis picks up steam in southern states, one company is working hard to make sure brands are primed and ready to get out on top. Here to tell us more is Brittany Phillips of Shake Collaboration. Learn more at https://www.shakecolab.com Use promo code "CANNAINSIDER" to get 25% off your entire order at shopcbdandme.com  Key Takeaways: [1:24] An inside look at Shake Brands, a southern-based cannabis branding and product development company [3:07] Brittany's background in design and what led her to enter the cannabis space [8:40] How Shake Brands is different from other full-service groups [13:56] The biggest pain points for cannabis startups right now and how to navigate them [17:39] How to develop a strong visual identity despite restrictions on language and advertising [19:27] How federal legalization will impact cannabis branding [20:53] Shake Brands' new Arkansas-based CBD and wellness company, CBD & Me [26:56] Trending cannabis products in AR and other southern states right now [28:32] AR's recreational cannabis legalization timeline

A long-debated bill establishing new hemp rules just gained final approval in California, ​​but what does this mean for the market and how should we prepare? Here to help us answer that is Jeffrey Welsh, Partner at Vicente Sederberg & co-founder of Composite Agency.  Learn more at https://vicentesederberg.com  Key Takeaways: [1:37] An inside look at Vicente Sederberg, one of the largest cannabis law firms in the US [4:56] Jeffrey's decorated background in entertainment and how he came to join Vicente Sederberg [12:04] Emerging growth opportunities in entertainment and cannabis [16:46] How celebrity brands could help destigmatize cannabis and draw in more consumers [21:57] The Trailer Bill and what this means for California's cannabis industry [25:41] Assembly Bill 45 and the end of prohibition on smokable hemp in California

As new studies shed light on the benefits of these powerful plant compounds, terpenes could become the biggest thing in wellness since CBD. Here to tell us more is Kevin Koby, co-founder and Chief Science Officer of Abstrax Tech. Learn more at https://abstraxtech.com  Key Takeaways: [1:03] Kevin's background in chemistry and how he came to start Abstrax [1:55] An inside look at Abstrax Tech, the leading innovator in terpene sensorial experience [2:44] A breakdown of terpenes and how this segment has evolved over the last couple of years [4:44] How terpenes enhance the flavor and effects of cannabis through the entourage effect [6:51] Abstrax's Type 7 licensed lab testing versus standard cannabis testing [10:50] Exciting takeaways from Abstrax's "Man vs. Machine" experiment with Max Montrose [14:02] How Abstrax's terpene research is taking cannabis to new heights [17:07] Abstrax's terpene infusion products and the biggest trends Kevin sees among wholesale clients [20:32] Where Kevin sees the terpene market heading over the next 3-5 years 

With the demand for cannabis testing services on the rise, one company has found a way to provide top-tier equipment at a quarter of the price. Here to tell us more is Yvette Pagano of GenTech Scientific, a supplier of quality refurbished laboratory equipment for the cannabis industry.  Learn more at https://gentechscientific.com  GenTech's $25K for 25 Years Giveaway: https://gentechscientific.com/25000-for-25-years Key Takeaways: [1:14] An inside look at GenTech Scientific [1:52] Yvette's background in manufacturing and how she came to enter the cannabis space [7:18] GenTech's biggest customers in cannabis and the company's wide selection of lab instruments [10:26] How GenTech sources its equipment from universities and laboratories across the world  [12:48] How GenTech is able to save clients up to 70% on top tier lab equipment [17:50] The first steps to starting a cannabis lab  [20:48] GenTech's training and education programs for cannabis labs [25:20] Where Yvette sees the cannabis testing market heading over the next few years

While not the most traditional path, equity crowdfunding can be a great way for cannabis brands to raise capital - but only if know what you’re doing. Here to walk us through how she’s successfully crowdfunding her CBD wellness brand is co-founder and CEO of Element Apothec Davina Kaonohi.  Learn more at https://elementapothec.com  Key Takeaways: [1:05] Davina's background in the e-commerce space and how she came to start Element Apothec [5:49] How Davina took inspiration from her aunt's homemade tinctures to formulate Element's CBD products [7:48] Davina's decision to launch Element using equity funding and how she's successfully targeting investors [11:36] Equity crowdfunding vs traditional crowdfunding and how Element is prioritizing their growing capital  [13:38] How to create a killer marketing campaign and why that's especially important when crowdfunding [17:54] Element's efforts to bring transparency to CBD and do away with sketchy "proprietary blends"  [24:04] Davina's goals to grow Element's product selection and expand the company over the next few years [26:02] Where Davina sees the CBD skincare space heading over the next 3-5 years

What types of businesses are cannabis venture capitalists willing to fund? Here to answer that question is Ross O'Brien of Bonaventure Equity. Learn more at https://www.bvequity.com  Key Takeaways: [00:57] An inside look at Bonaventure Equity, a boutique venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments in the cannabis space [1:54] Ross' background and how he came to start Bonaventure [5:35] The two-step process Ross follows when choosing which companies to invest in [9:22] Ross' portfolio of investments in cannabis to date, from research and development to health tech  [11:55] Attributes that Ross looks for in a company founder [13:43] Ross' advice to entrepreneurs looking to raise capital  [23:13] Common mistakes people make when putting together a pitch deck and how to avoid them [25:58] Exciting developments in the cannabis healthcare space and where Ross sees it heading over the next 3-5 years

After earning a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2018, Scott Sundvor left a decorated career in the medical device industry to start a new venture in cannabis. In just three years, Space Coyote has become one of the top extract-infused pre-roll brands in all of California. Hear how he did it in this episode of CannaInsider. Learn more at https://www.spacecoyote.org  Key Takeaways: [1:02] An inside look at Space Coyote, one of the best-selling high potency preroll brands in California [1:46] Scott's background in the medical device industry and how he came to start Space Coyote [12:32] Differences between Space Coyote's high potency infused pre-rolls and other pre-rolls on the market [16:15] What customers are saying about Space Coyote [17:26] How the company has developed strong brand loyalty through experiential events [21:26] The pros and cons of a fully remote cannabis brand and how that influences work culture and performance [25:27] Why Scott believes cannabis is an "infinite game" [28:41] Space Coyote's efforts in sustainability and the best packaging options for cannabis brands right now [34:12] Space Coyote's goals for the next few years, including a sativa preservation project and plans to expand to the east coast

With more states legalizing recreational cannabis and federal legalization on the horizon, the industry is gearing up for an influx of capital. Here to help us stay ahead of the curve is Jordan Tritt and Scott Berman of The Panther Group.  Learn more at https://thepanthergroup.co  Key Takeaways: [00:56] An inside look at The Panther Group, a venture capital consulting firm for growth-stage cannabis companies [1:42] Scott and Jordan's backgrounds in cannabis and how they came to start The Panther Group [3:08] How cannabis investing is changing and the different factors driving those changes [5:25] When we might see federal legalization in the US and how to prepare in advance [6:48] How the SAFE Banking Act could impact cannabis investing over the next few years [8:06] The characteristics Scott and Jordan look for when considering investing in a company [10:22] The most promising sectors in cannabis right now [12:32] The Panther Group's data-driven digital advertising approach [15:44] The biggest pain points in digital advertising for cannabis companies and how to navigate them [21:39] Interesting new gaps emerging in the cannabis marketplace right now [27:05] Scott and Jordan's tips on how to develop a successful pitch [28:54] What investors should look for in a pitch deck and where to spot red flags

On a mission to enter the cannabis space, siblings Marie Montmarquet and Allen Hackett left their homes in Tennessee to join the action in California. Just a few years later, they’re now co-founders of MD Numbers, one of the most successful vertically integrated cannabis brands in the country. Learn more at https://www.mdnumbersinc.com Key Takeaways: [00:57] An inside look at MD Numbers and its subsidiaries, from MD Farms to Marie's Deliverables [1:17] Marie and Allen's backgrounds in cannabis and how they came to start MD Numbers [3:56] How Marie's Deliverables has evolved since its start in 2015 [6:24] Why Marie and Allen decided to launch MD Farms and how this has helped them better compete in the Socal market [7:33] Consumer preferences in Southern California versus Northern California [9:56] The types of strains and wholesale services provided at MD Farms [12:41] MD Farms' mixed-light greenhouse facility and their plans for an extensive new indoor facility  [17:52] MD Numbers' third company Legacy Coterie, a full-service cannabis consulting service focused on developing equity in cannabis [18:44] The biggest compliance challenges cannabis brands face today and how to go about navigating them