CannaInsider - Interviews with the Business Leaders of The Legal Cannabis, Marijuana, CBD Industry

Latest Episodes:

Dry Powder Cannabis Inhalation Technology Apr 11, 2022

Show notes

Entrepreneurs are bringing pharmaceutical science to the cannabis world to create products that provide consistent and predictable benefits.

Here to tell us more about it is Andreas Boeckl, founder and CEO of Dispersa Labs.

Learn more at https://www.breathesula.com

Key Takeaways:

[1:14] An inside look at Dispersa Labs, a biotech company using dry powder inhalation technology to create breathable cannabis

[1:54] Andreas' background and how he came to start Dispersa Labs

[6:43] Why inhaling cannabis in powder form is better than smoking flower

[11:05] Spray-drying and why it's important to Dispersa's manufacturing process

[12:47] How Dispersa Labs suspends cannabinoids inside tiny aerosol particles to create Sula, a patented cannabis powder for pulmonary delivery

[14:15] Examples of commercial inhalants similar to Sula, including the popular asthma drug Advair

[22:20] How Sula is more discreet than other cannabis consumption methods

[31:42] Where Dispersa Labs currently is in the capital-raising process

How Cannabis Companies Are Leaking Data Unwittingly Apr 04, 2022

Show notes

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

Banking for Cannabis Businesses - Update From an Insider Mar 28, 2022

Show notes

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

Delta-8 THC and 5-MeO-DMT (Two Compounds You Need To Know About) Mar 21, 2022

Show notes

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

There's More Opportunity Than Risk in Cannabis Investment - Codie Sanchez Mar 14, 2022

Show notes

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

This Cannabis Market Went From Sleeping to Leaping Feb 28, 2022

Show notes

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

Cannabis Extraction is Booming – Largest Extraction Company Reveals Trends Feb 21, 2022

Show notes

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

Hemp Vodka is Taking Off, Here's Why… Feb 14, 2022

Show notes

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

Interview with Johann Hari, Author of Chasing the Scream Feb 07, 2022

Show notes

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.

Cannabis Banking Solved? Businesses Flocking To This Financial Platform, and More (Encore) Jan 31, 2022

Show notes

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

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