Latest CannaInsider episodes

Are cannabis and hemp beverages on the verge of explosion? It all comes down to the fickle whims of beverage consumers. Here to tell us more about it is Jonathan Schultz of Backyard Soda. Learn more at https://www.backyardsodas.com  Key Takeaways:  [2:09] An inside look at Backyard Soda, a Denver-based startup creating all-natural, non-alcoholic, CBD-infused sodas and cocktail syrups [3:28] Jonathan’s background and how he came to start Backyard Soda [9:36] What beverage consumers are looking for in cannabinoid beverages right now [14:44] Why Backyard Soda chooses to use whole ingredients even though this drives up price points for customers [21:10] How Backyard Soda is partnering up with restaurants and hotels looking to add CBD cocktails to their menus [23:46] Why Backyard Soda uses full-spectrum CBD unlike most other cannabis beverage brands that use CBD isolate [29:03] The challenges of distributing CBD beverages and how Backyard Soda has overcome them [37:38] Where Backyard Soda currently is in the capital-raising process

We’ve seen some hemp skincare products, but now entrepreneurs are developing skin and beauty products with THC above the 0.3% threshold. Here to tell us about it is Bridget May of Green Bee Botanicals. Learn more at https://greenbeebotanicals.com  Key Takeaways: [1:10] An inside look at Green Bee Botanicals and its mission to revolutionize the beauty and wellness industries [2:27] Bridget’s background in the biopharmaceutical industry and how she came to start Green Bee Botanicals [7:37] Why Bridget decided to formulate Green Bee’s products with more than 0.3% THC [10:14] The most popular products at Green Bee Botanicals [11:00] Why Green Bee creates “clean” products and how this sets the company apart from other skincare brands [13:47] How Green Bee’s serums and lotions nourish skin from the inside out [16:45] What customers are saying about Green Bee’s THC products [24:04] Why skincare products with THC do not produce a high when applied to the skin [25:27] Bridget’s advice to entrepreneurs on how to distribute their products [28:11] What research is saying about CBG and its benefits for the skin [29:49] Where Bridget sees the cannabis skincare space heading over the next 3-5 years

Can you mix together compounds like caffeine and THC to create a new market category consumers will want to adopt? Here to help us answer that question is Peter Barsoom of 1906. Learn more at https://1906newhighs.com  Key Takeaways: [00:48] An inside look at 1906 and its mission to redefine the edibles category with better-tasting, more effective products [1:28] Peter’s background and how he came to start 1906 [3:19] How cannabis use changed after the Pure Food and Drugs Act of 1906 [4:12] 1906’s unique “drops” and how they’re formulated to meet different needs [6:29] 1906 versus other wellness experience brands like LucidMood and Dosist [11:15] Why Midnight Dark Chocolate for Sleep is the number one product at 1906 [13:29] How the products at 1906 provide a quicker onset than competing edibles [16:48] 1906’s plans to create an extended-release formula of Midnight to help consumers not only fall asleep but stay asleep [20:55] Where Peter sees the cannabis wellness experience category heading in the next 3-5 years [24:28] Peter’s plans to expand 1906 beyond Colorado and Oklahoma [25:57] Where 1906 currently is in the capital-raising process

Advertising cannabis is banned in most of the US, so how can a cannabis company get the word out? Here to help us find solutions to this problem is Chad Bronstein of Fyllo. Learn more at https://hellofyllo.com  Key Takeaways: [00:56] An inside look at Fyllo, the world's first single-solution regulatory technology for cannabis [2:25] Chad’s background and how he came to start Fyllo [3:53] How Fyllo’s data ecosystem helps cannabis companies streamline regulatory tasks and target customers legally [9:51] What different cannabis companies can expect when using Fyllo [13:07] Success stories Chad has seen so far and how clients are using Fyllo to advance their companies [15:04] Chad’s advice on how to determine a good marketing budget for your brand [16:34] How Fyllo provides direct access to cannabis audience data through the Lotame, the world's largest marketplace for second- and third-party data [19:35] Requirements companies must meet before working with Fyllo, including becoming CCPA compliant [20:25] Chad’s tips on how to build a dynamite marketing team for up-and-coming cannabis brands [23:55] Where Chad sees customer acquisition and brand awareness evolving in cannabis over the next 3-5 years

While thousands of new cannabis products hit the market each year, most fail to create product-market fit due to a lack of differentiation or clear-cut benefits.  Today’s guest is CEO of Dosist Gunner Winston, who has simplified cannabis consumption with targeted formulas and precise dosing to create a product that is catapulting cannabis into the wellness arena. Learn more at https://dosist.com  Key Takeaways: Gunner’s background in cannabis and how he came to start Dosist An inside look at Dosist and its mission to simplify cannabis consumption with innovative delivery devices How taking the guesswork out of cannabis is attracting more people to the category Variables that are important to luxury brand consumers Customer reactions to Dosist’s new dose pen and dose dial The thought process behind Dosist’s high-end yet minimalist retail environment Why Gunner believes brick and mortar stores remain valuable in the age of online shopping  Where Dosist is in the capital-raising process How Gunner is planning to evolve Dosist in the coming years as consumer preferences change

Cannabis delivery platforms are evolving quickly as they find better ways to retain customers and reduce churn, and Emjay might just have the best approach yet. Here to tell us more about it is Chris Vaughn, CEO of Emjay. Learn more at https://heyemjay.com  Key Takeaways: [00:51] An inside look at Emjay, a premier cannabis delivery and retail company in Los Angeles, CA [1:48] Chris’ background in the alcohol industry and how he came to start Emjay [12:27] Emjay’s hub-and-spoke business model and how the company functions both as a retailer and delivery service [17:40] How Chris’ experience in the alcohol industry has influenced his approach to cannabis [23:08] Unplanned versus planned purchases and how this differs between alcohol and cannabis [26:25] The advantages of owning your own supply chain as a cannabis retailer or delivery service [38:39] Regulations around the types of vehicles that can be used to deliver cannabis  [40:12] Where Emjay currently is in the capital-raising process

While hemp is a huge and growing part of the cannabis legalization story, it’s often overlooked.  Here to tell us why we should be paying closer attention to hemp is John Manlove, CEO of Bushel44. Learn more at https://www.bushel44.com  Key Takeaways: [00:53] An inside look at Bushel44, a wholesale hemp software platform designed for businesses across the hemp supply chain [1:51] John’s background and how he got into the hemp space [4:16] How the hemp industry has evolved over the last few years and where it is right now [5:53] How different types of businesses from farmers to retailers use Bushel44  [10:35] Key differences between Bushel44 and Leaflink  [14:23] Ways in which the hemp space developing the same way cannabis did [21:19] What buyers are looking for when purchasing hemp [25:23] How Bushel44 is advancing the hemp industry by holding companies to higher standards  [28:10] Why smokable hemp is trending and where John sees it heading [33:01] Success stories John has seen at Bushel44 and his advice on how hemp companies can maximize the platform

Cannabis banking has long been heavily regulated, but one company is weaving through the regulatory madness to create a service that delights both businesses and customers. Here to tell us about it is Tyler Beuerlein of Hypur. Learn more at https://www.hypur.com  Key Takeaways: [1:25] An inside look at Hypur, a payment and banking technology platform for the cannabis industry [1:51] Tyler’s background and how he got into the cannabis space [6:27] Obstacles the cannabis industry has faced in payments and banking and how Hypur is working to overcome them [10:32] Similarities between Hypur and Venmo [17:13] How Hypur profits off merchants, banks, and credit unions [19:44] Ways in which Hypur helps merchants market the service to customers  [22:13] How cannabis retailers can easily integrate Hypur into their point-of-sale software and delivery apps [23:22] Success stories Tyler’s seen among Hypur clients and his advice to retailers interested in using the service

Delivery and curbside pickup sales are booming as cannabis retailers seek new ways to accommodate customers during COVID-19. Here to tell us about it is Socrates Rosenfeld, CEO of I Heart Jane. Learn more at https://www.iheartjane.com  Key Takeaways: [00:54] An inside look at I Heart Jane, the first cannabis e-commerce marketplace [1:25] Socrates’ background and how he got into the cannabis space [8:32] The type of retailer I Heart Jane typically works with and how the company has grown over the last year [13:10] How I Heart Jane helps retailers streamline their businesses with automation and real-time integration [15:50] How dispensary delivery and curbside pickup sales jumped from 17 to 50 percent overnight and what that means for the future of cannabis [20:55] How I Heart Jane is helping retailers overcome obstacles with delivery and curbside pickup [23:24] Why I Heart Jane’s business model is superior to GrubHub’s [29:34] I Heart Jane’s integration services for retailers, including everything from point of sale to CRM [34:31] Where Socrates sees cannabis e-commerce heading over the next 3-5 years [39:46] Where I Heart Jane currently is in the capital-raising process

Founded in 2015, cannabis accessories company Hemper has quickly become an industry leader - and all thanks to their monthly subscription box. Here to tell us about it is Bryan Gerber, CEO of Hemper. Learn more at www.Hemper.co Key Takeaways: [1:56] An inside look at Hemper, a premium monthly subscription box for smoking essentials [2:25] Bryan’s background and how he got into the cannabis space [7:39] How influencer marketing helped Hemper get its start [10:59] Ways in which Hemper uses their subscription box to collect real-time data on customer behavior and preference [21:39] How COVID is affecting the community aspect of smoking and ways in which Bryan plans to bolster that community virtually [26:55] How Hemper became one of the largest pre-rolled cone manufacturers in the world [38:01] Why Bryan believes you must control the price in order to secure your place in the market  [40:56] How Hemper is working to become a leading manufacturer in different smoking accessory products [41:46] Where Hemper currently is in the capital-raising process

A critical component of any cannabis cultivator’s business is establishing best practices around breeding plants. Here to tell us how to create thriving genetic nurseries is Matt Gaboury of House of Cultivar. Learn more at https://www.seattlecannabis.co/house-of-cultivar/  Key Takeaways: [1:04] An inside look at House of Cultivar, the largest cultivator in Seattle, WA [2:03] Why Matt has shifted his focus from designing grow facilities to plant breeding [4:51] Types of clients House of Cultivar works with, including I-502 licensed growers and processors [7:24] A breakdown of propagation through cloning, mother plants, and tissue culture [16:14] How House of Cultivar validates genetics to ensure they’re the best expression of the plant possible [19:31] What it means to “reinvigorate” a plant [24:11] The behind-the-scenes on how House of Cultivar delivers their clones to customers [29:18] Where Matt sees the cannabis industry heading as it undergoes more specialization across the supply chain  [33:17] How large-scale nurseries will revolutionize cannabis from home growers to commercial cultivators [34:16] How grow room technology has evolved and where Matt sees it advancing in the next few years e nurseries will revolutionize cannabis from home-growers to commercial cultivators [34:16] How grow room technology has evolved over the last few years and where Matt sees it heading