Latest CannaInsider episodes

How do you take lessons learned from Silicon Valley and apply them to cannabis POS software to help retailers save time and money? Here to help us answer that question is Barry Saik, CEO of Greenbits. Learn more at https://www.greenbits.com  Key Takeaways: [00:53] An inside look at Greenbits, a cannabis retail POS software solution that provides compliance and marijuana inventory management [1:07] Barry’s background working for Intuit and how he got into the cannabis space [2:19] Greenbits versus other POS systems for cannabis retailers [5:54] How Greenbits automates different workflows within a cannabis dispensary [8:26] The types of platforms Greenbits integrates with, from online menu companies to delivery services [9:31] Intuit’s “follow me home” strategy and how Barry is using it to optimize user experience at Greenbits [15:18] Scaling challenges POS systems often face on 420 and how Greenbits has overcome those challenges [19:42] How Covid-19 has changed how cannabis retailers use tech

Covid-19 has not only accelerated advancements in technology but also the types of jobs needed to support the cannabis industry. Here to tell us more is Yoko Miyashita, CEO of Leafly. Learn more at https://www.leafly.com  Key Takeaways: [48:11] An inside look at Leafly, the world’s largest cannabis information resource [1:41] Yoko Miyashita’s background as a lawyer and how she got into the cannabis space [4:20] How consumer behavior has shifted in cannabis over the last five years and where Yoko sees it heading [5:37] How dispensaries leverage Leafly to increase foot traffic and drive sales [9:41] Leafly’s partnership with Jane Technologies to create the most comprehensive and customizable product catalog in cannabis [13:20] Leafly’s annual jobs report and how it’s making jobs in cannabis more accessible [15:39] How cannabis jobs have exploded over the last few years to outstrip professions in dentistry, electrical engineering, and more [23:04] The most hirable skills in cannabis right now and Yoko’s advice for those looking to enter the space

At a time when most cannabis cultivators are competing on price, this company is commanding a premium on their sought-after flower. Here to tell us about it is Sam Ghods of Connected Cannabis. Learn more at https://www.connectedcannabisco.com  Key Takeaways: [1:00] An inside look at Connected Cannabis, the largest branded flower company in California [1:27] Sam’s background in tech and how he got into the cannabis space [5:01] How Connected Cannabis commands a premium on their flower in a competitive market [11:26] Differences between the cannabis market in California vs Arizona [12:07] Connected Cannabis’ unique cultivation team [15:37] Why most retailers don’t cultivate their own cannabis [19:29] How California’s notorious black market is changing thanks to developments in the legal market [21:37] The grow technology Sam finds most useful [23:53] Where Sam sees cannabis cultivation heading in the next 3-5 years

What will the cannabis industry look like after COVID-19? CannaInsider host Matthew Kind forecasts the 7 disruptive changes that will take place in the years to come. Check out an infographic on these 7 changes at https://www.cannainsider.com/covid  Key Takeaways: How COVID-19 will impact cannabis in the next few years, including: Automated grow rooms Pathogen detection policies Contactless delivery and payment Pre-purchase of discounts cards and gift cards Results-only business partners Commercial drones for cultivation VR education

Commercial cannabis growers are notoriously tight-lipped when it comes to their growing methods, but not Ryan Douglas. Today this master grower shares all the secrets you need to take your grow to the next level (including what not to do). Learn more at https://douglascultivation.com/about  Key Takeaways: [00:54] An inside look at Ryan’s new book, From Seed To Success [1:35] Ryan’s background as CanopyGrowth’s expert cultivator when the company was still named Tweed [3:01] How Ryan helped CanopyGrowth get its start as one of Canada’s first and largest licensed growers [6:05] How Ryan went about choosing the best genetics to grow at CanopyGrowth [7:42] The efficiencies required for a large commercial grow [11:37] The most common mistakes commercial growers make and how to avoid them [14:33] Ryan’s advice on how to approach a commercial grow and determine what needs to be done on a high level [17:22] How to determine a reasonable budget for your commercial grow [19:02] Best hiring practices for commercial grows and what to look for in staff members [20:34] How to mitigate pest issues [26:34] The best type of lights for indoor grows [27:57] Where Ryan sees commercial cannabis grows heading over the next 3-5 years

The end of federal prohibition of cannabis is on the horizon as we enter a new, more mature phase of growth for retailers and growers. Here to tell us more is Matt Hawkins of Harborside and Entourage Effect Capital. Learn more at https://shopharborside.com  Key Takeaways: [1:20] An inside look at Matt’s work as Chairman of Harborside and Managing Partner of Entourage Effect Capital [3:56] How Matt’s background in private equity has helped him make Harborside a success [8:14] The potential for reverse takeovers in cannabis over the next few years [11:41] Why Matt urges cannabis companies to “be more humble and get deals done” [14:16] What would happen to the cannabis market if we eliminated 280E, a regulation that prevents cannabis companies from deducting normal business expenses [17:15] What the new administration in DC could mean for cannabis [18:32] Vertical integration versus specialization and which will gain more popularity as the cannabis landscape continues to shift [23:55] Why Matt predicts the first national cannabis brand will either be in the edible or liquid categories

How do you find real estate for cannabis businesses? Here to answer that question is Ryan George of 420 Property, the Zillow of cannabis. Learn more at https://www.420property.com Key Takeaways: [1:43] An inside look at 420 Property, the world’s largest hemp and cannabis real estate marketplace [2:06] Ryan’s background in cannabis and how he came to start 420 Property [8:51] “Green zones” and where to find them [10:06] Why both businesses and investors are choosing Ryan’s platform as the place to buy and sell cannabis and marijuana businesses [11:36] The most active locations on 420 Property, including cities in California and Oklahoma [15:15] Key considerations when selling a cannabis property and how to get your listing noticed [18:20] Practical advice for buyers on what to look out for when searching for a cannabis property [20:50] Where Ryan sees the cannabis retail space heading in the next few years  

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  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

Cannabis and hemp beverages are exploding, and it’s all thanks to new breakthroughs in infusion technology. Here to tell us about it is Harold Han of Vertosa. Learn more at https://vertosa.com  Key Takeaways: [00:45] An inside look at Vertosa, the infusion technology startup behind Pabst’s new THC seltzers [1:15] Harold’s background and how he came to start Vertosa [4:31] How Vertosa creates water-soluble cannabinoids through cutting-edge nanoemulsion [9:05] Important factors Vertosa considers when creating infusions including bioavailability, clarity, and taste [11:08] Vertosa’s partnership with Pabst to create low-dose THC seltzers  [19:39] How Vertosa provides guidance to companies interested in entering the infused beverage market [23:11] Can liners and their importance to the quality of cannabis drinks [26:07] Vertosa’s different emulsion formulas and how they work with brands to create various products [34:19] Where Harold sees the infused cannabis product space heading in the next 3-5 years

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  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

If you hand most people a cannabis drink, their first question is probably, “How high will this make me?”  This one unknown might just be what’s holding cannabis beverages back. Until now. Listen in as Luke Anderson of Cann discusses the state of cannabis drinks and where he sees the category heading. Learn more at http://www.drinkcann.com/ Key Takeaways: Luke’s background in cannabis and how he came to start Cann An inside look at Cann and its mission to become the standard for cannabis-infused tonics Why Cann produces only low-THC tonics to target consumers that don’t wish to experience a high The type of effect consumers can expect from Cann’s social tonics Why Luke believes it’s important to take out the guesswork in cannabis beverages  Cann’s social tonics versus beer and wine in terms of time and effect How Cann decided on its unique THC/CBD concentration profile How Luke and his team overcame challenges with emulsion and dispersion to ensure consistency in every sip Where Luke sees cannabis micro-dosing heading in the next few years