Latest CannaInsider episodes

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 

How can you use greenhouses and technology to take your cultivation to best in class? Here to tell us is Ryan Douglas, author of From Seed to Success. Learn more at https://douglascultivation.com  Key Takeaways: [00:43] An inside look at Ryan's cultivation consulting company, Ryan Douglas Cultivation [00:58] Ryan's background in cannabis cultivation [1:41] The benefits of growing a greenhouse to grow cannabis [10:56] Why so many growers experience problems with mold and how to avoid this [16:24] New greenhouse technologies in cannabis to look out for [20:46] How to budget for an optimal greenhouse environment  [22:28] Tricks of the trade Ryan has brought with him into cannabis from his long background in cultivation [30:32] How Ryan sees greenhouses and automation changing cannabis cultivation in the next 3-5 years

What if you could turn your smartphone into a cannabis testing system that provides lab-accurate results in under ten seconds? Thanks to biotech company Purpl Scientific, such a device now exists. Here to tell us more is Purpl’s Global Sales Director, John Hunt. Learn more at https://www.purplscientific.com  Follow John on Instagram at @grimeygatsby Key Takeaways: [2:15] An inside look at Purpl Scientific, a portable testing device that measures cannabis potency with instant results [3:46] John’s background in cannabis and what led him to join Purpl as Global Sales Director [10:41] The college course John teaches on gaining certification to become a dispensary agent [13:40] The Purpl Pro’s infrared spectroscopy and how it works to provide lab-accurate results  [19:05] Advantages the Purpl Pro offers cultivators [25:48] How the Purpl Pro stacks up against third party labs in terms of accuracy [36:17] Purpl Scientific’s growing success in the Netherlands and the company’s goals to expand across Europe [39:12] New upgrades to the Purpl Pro, from moisture content to extract measuring technology [42:57] The Purpl Pro’s incredible ROI for everyone from cultivators to cannabis brokers

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

The first cannabis event of its kind, MJ Unpacked places passionate retailers, THC CPG brands, and accredited investors at the center of it all with unique opportunities to connect, collaborate, and access capital. Here to tell us more is revered cannabis executive and founder of MJ Unpacked, George Jage of Jage of Media. Learn more at https://jagemedia.com and https://mjunpacked.com  Key Takeaways: [3:31] An inside look at Jage Media, a business to business company that produces distinctive events and focused content to help accelerate the growth and profitability of cannabis brands [5:10] George’s background launching and leading some of the biggest media companies in the space  [7:12] Exciting parallels between the tea and cannabis industries [10:57] Lessons George took away from his time at MJBizDaily and Dope Magazine [17:16] George’s new content platform MJ Brand Insights and the valuable intel it offers cannabis brands and retailers [20:55] How brands can use generational marketing to target the best audience [24:18] The thought-process behind MJ Unpacked’s unique format and what sets the conference apart from other CPG events [28:05] What attendees can expect at this year’s MJ Unpacked, from investor pitches to a Blues Brothers concert [34:19] George’s predictions for when cannabis will see its first national brand [35:14] Things that take a pitch from good to great and George’s advice on how to secure investors

What happens when vertical farming meets cannabis? Here to tell us is Raymond Chang of Agrify, a developer of highly advanced grow solutions for the indoor agriculture marketplace. Learn more at https://www.agrify.com  Key Takeaways: [1:01] An inside look at Agrify and its proprietary vertical farming solutions [1:53] Raymond’s background as a serial entrepreneur and how he came to be CEO of Agrify [4:17] The different components that make up Agrify’s automated cannabis grows, from vertical farmings units (VFUs) to advanced cultivation software   [9:25] The ROI per square foot for a facility with vertical farming units versus one without [11:45] The price range for Agrify’s vertical farming units and how they pay for themselves in less than a few months [16:08] Agrify’s fine-tuned SaaS component and the insights growers are loving most [19:45] Agrify University, a 3,500 square foot vertical farming facility in MA that offers extensive hands-on training for new Agrify growers [20:27] Opportunities for cultivators to license their grow recipes to other cultivators through Agrify’s platform [24:49] Where Raymond sees the cannabis’ grow tech and automation space heading over the next 3-5 years

Does indoor cannabis cultivation have to come with environmental drawbacks? Not anymore. One company has found a way to minimize its emissions AND cut costs in half - all with the power of the sun. Here to tell us about it is Edward Dow of Solar Therapeutics, the first energy-independent dispensary in the world. Learn more at https://solarthera.com  Key Takeaways: [2:17] An inside look at Solar Therapeutics, the world’s first energy-independent cannabis cultivation and retail facility based in Somerset, MA [2:57] Ed’s background in engineering and what led him to become CEO of Solar Therapeutics [5:55] Solar’s unique indoor cultivation facility, including its extensive solar arrays and centralized heating and cooling systems [8:32] How Solar implemented its own microgrid to create a 100% self-sufficient, energy-independent facility [10:40] How Ed was able to bootstrap what’s now a multi-million dollar operation entirely from private investors [15:25] Solar’s collaboration with Fluence to earn over $1 million in energy efficiency rebates [17:30] The advantages of broad-spectrum LEDs for energy costs and crop yields [19:56] How Solar significantly offsets its costs through its heating and cooling systems [22:36] Solar’s energy costs versus other similar vertically-integrated dispensaries [25:15] The cannabis industry’s growing carbon footprint and what it will take for companies to implement more sustainable practices [28:21] The best-selling products in Massachusetts and new trends to look out for [30:12] Solar Therapeutics’ goals to become a multi-state operator, from Rhode Island to New York and beyond

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