Investing in Cannabis

The Final Episode Oct 26, 2022

Well guys this is it for iC! I tried to think of something intelligent or witty or thought provoking to leave you all with, but it didn’t come. Words can’t really express the gratitude I feel for everyone who gave me their ears over the last 7 years. If you let me into to you workout session, your commute to work, your bathroom time, thank you! I had no idea what to expect from starting a podcast. It truly was just an excuse for me to meet awesome people like Hua, Ben Larson, Seibo, Doug Leighton, Emily and Morgan Paxhia. I had no idea it would turn into such a meaningful part of life. It still amazes me that all of you smart people took interest in what a chubby stoner entrepreneur had to say about startups and investing. I never went to school for business and did my best to hang with the big dogs of cannabis investing. A couple groups I want to address directly: To the founders - keep going. Keep learning. You don’t know what opportunity is going to pop. Whether it be in cannabis or another industry, keep fucking going! To the investors- I’m sorry this industry hasn’t worked out better so far. I’m still a believer that with time great wealth can be created from cannabis, but the obstacles and barriers are still monumental. To the guests - thank you for taking a chance on me! I was a kid with zero experience with either cannabis or podcasting. Thank you for everything you taught me. To Producer Erik and Director Jacob - without question the fondest memories of the show will be with you two just trying to figure shit out. In many ways my favorite time was when nobody listened and we did this for ourselves. Let’s start a new show! For the last time . . . Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

Midwest Medical w/ Greenlight Dispensary Sep 12, 2022

Just one more after this! I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little sad ;( Next ep we will have a special guest to wrap up the show; me! Everyone in the cannabis industry right now seems to be focusing on big markets like CA, NY, NJ and others with huge potential market value. Greenlight and John Mueller have taken a different approach. They have targeted medical dispensaries in "fly over states" with a focus on operations and profitability. With states on the brink of recreational like Missouri, Arkansas, and West Virginia, Greenlight is well positioned to take advantage. It's a great episode and one of the few success stories in this industry. https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mueller-6a3749a/ https://greenlightdispensary.com/about/

Breeding to Brand w/ Nick of Claybourne Aug 23, 2022

The rumors are true . . . there are only 2 episodes remaining of Investing in Cannabis. More on why in the coming weeks. This week we have Nick of Claybourne. Nick describes their process as breed to brand as he heavily values their genetics and cultivation techniques. In a personal favorite move, Claybourne was one of the first to offer half ounce smalls . . . brilliant. We also talk marketing, distribution, expanding to new states and much more. https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-ortega-22926791/ https://www.claybourneco.com/

Oklahoma w/ The Nirvana Group Jul 28, 2022

Only 3 episodes of Investing in Cannabis left! Yes the rumors are true, after 7 years iC podcast is coming to an end. I need new challenges and nobody makes money in the cannabis industry. Over the next few weeks, I'll be talking more about the decision, what I learned, and my predictions for where the industry is headed. For now, enjoy the final remaining eps! This week we take a look at #Oklahoma . Although still only a medical market, a large percentage of the population hold medical cards and tax revenues have been substantial for an otherwise slow state economy. It is a tiny but mighty case for cannabis across the country. I had the chance to connect with Arshad Lasi of the The Nirvana Group. At only 23, Arshad is wise beyond his years. He has successfully grown the family business into one of the major players in OK. We talk: - vertical integration - genetics - licensing vs building brands - Taxes and what most states are doing wrong - The price of top shelf is shockingly low.

OG Investor Matt Hawkins of Entourage Effect Capital Jul 19, 2022

In a rare iC episode, Matt Hawkins of Entourage Effect Capital joins the show for the 2nd time! Matt has been very busy since we last chatted. Through 3 funds, the firm has invested in 60+ companies since 2014. He is truly one of the best and most experience minds we have in our industry.

How to become a VC w/ Helene of JourneyOne Ventures Jul 13, 2022

5 years ago, Helene of JourneyOne Ventures reached out to ask me how to become a cannabis VC. What a goal! Several very long cannabis years later, she has launched a pre-seed to series-A fund focused on cannabis technology startups. She is very interested in compliance, ecommerce, marketing tech, d2d and more. On a personal note, it warms my heart to hear Helene share how much she learned from my little old podcast. I'm so happy to have played a tiny role in her success :) We go deep on: How to build a investment thesis Attracting deal flow Raising capital Evening the playfield for minorities What kind of weed we like. https://www.journeyone.vc/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/hservillon/

Germany and international trade with Nik of Bloomwell Jun 28, 2022

We've talked many times on this show about the pros and cons of being vertically integrated. Increasingly we are seeing successful brands that are asset light and benefit from the infrastructure others have built. At the same time, as values rise in the future, having those hard assets will certainly be much more valuable than they are today! Germany in an interesting move has decided it will not allow cultivation when it fully legalizes next year. The ramifications of this could be numerous but most immediately it requires international trade to get product into the country. This is nothing new for Nik of the Bloomwell group. He was responsible for a lot of firsts in German cannabis including ecommerce, same day delivery, and most recently the first major plans for large scale imports. The world is a changing . . . Nik and I get into the process of legalization in Germany, where in the world has the best weed, where he will expand to next, and why Germany will be the biggest legal market come 2023.

TOP 5 in CA: Falcon Brands walks the line between corporate and cool Jun 14, 2022

The California cannabis knife fight continues! In a deep field of competitors, Falcon Brands has managed to rise to the top. Their brands CRU, Jetpacks, and others are in the top 3 for their categories. CEO Steve Gutterman attributes this success to a blended team of traditional CPG execs and legacy cannabis talent. Maintaining cool at scale is just HARD! The future will not be simple for Falcon either, as their focus shifts to maintaining and expanding into new markets. Steve is a seasoned executive and former head of Harvest and General Cannabis Corp. Steve and I go deep on capital raising, acquisitions, marketing, branding, illicit market, and much more. https://falconbrands.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-gutterman-38970738/

next generation edibles with Azuca Jun 01, 2022

Do you like edibles? What do you like about them? People who don't tend to have the same complaints; it takes too long to hit, it lasts too long, it makes me tired. What if we could solve some of these complaints? Kim of Azuca and their "precursor" product have started to chip away at the edibles gap for new consumers. For those who like to smoke, the effects of new emulsion technologies may hit you differently than you expect. Kim and I chatted from MJ Unpacked about onset time, offset time, the downsides of distillate, and whether it was worth it to sponsor the conference. https://azuca.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-sanchez-rael-49379/

Big Pete's brings its cookies to the east coast May 24, 2022

Does the east coast want California cannabis brands? While most California cannabis brands struggle to find relevancy (and profitability), Big Pete's is bringing its #1 selling cookies to New York and beyond. Licensing and a franchise-like-model looks to be very profitable for them in AZ, NV, CO vs the asset heavy MSOs. Little Pete joins me live from MJ Unpacked and dives deep into: *cannabutter *distribution / d2c *what makes a good brand *quality control *what its like to be a legacy brand https://bigpetestreats.com/

Dennis O'Malley on Parent Co, De-verticalization, future of marketing, and of course Jay Z May 13, 2022

Should companies de-verticalize? How do CA brands win on the east coast? Do billboards work? How much does Jay Z actually do? These questions and more with my friend and former Caliva CEO Dennis O'Malley. https://www.linkedin.com/in/domalley/

MJ Unpacked Founder George Jage is creating better events May 03, 2022

Did you go to MJ Unpacked in Vegas last year? The new event was talk of the town and created a more intimate, focused environment that was refreshing after the madness and party that MJBiz and Hall of Flowers have become. Founder and my guest this week George Jage says that different, more professional vibe was very much intentional. He is the former president of MJBiz and Dope magazine and wanted to focus on productivity for MJ Unpacked. The conference will bring together brands, retailers, and investors, as well as an unprecedented level of diversity for a business conference. George and I also discuss what makes a good brand, illicit market, dtc, beverages, and why virtual events suck so much. Join George, myself, and many more May 18th-20th in NYC. https://mjunpacked.com/

News w/ Judson of Bespoke Financial : Leaf Trade, Backbone, 4/20 Apr 26, 2022

Lots of news last week! My good friend Judson and I sat down to chop it up and share our takes on all the happenings from last week: Leaf Trade b2b marketplace raises $12.5M Backbone supply chain software raises $14M Bespoke Financial expands to East coast and beyond 420, Benzinga, and "green wednesday" ====== This episode is brought to you by MJ Unpacked: May 18-20 - NYC. Brands, Investors, and Retail come together to shape the future of east coast cannabis. https://mjunpacked.com/

SeaWeed Naturals and the Cousteau legacy Apr 19, 2022

Celebrity brands have taken over the cannabis industry. Everywhere you look brands are slapping celebrity endorsements on the packaging and hoping someone picks it up and tries it. Real connoisseurs should be wary, as most of these brands are more focused on marketing than on quality. I was skeptical before my interview with Ashlan and Philippe Cousteau of SeaWeed Naturals. Of course the legacy of Jacques Cousteau speaks for itself in the oceanography world, but what did they know about cannabis? As I pressed them on why and how they developed their product line, I was impressed with their knowledge and intentionality around ingredients, packaging, and formulations. It is clear they could have created any number of products in the world, but they chose cannabis. I think that speaks volumes about how this industry has evolved. https://www.seaweednaturals.com/ ==== This episode is brought to you by MJ Unpacked: May 18-20 in NYC. MJ Unpacked provides an exclusive forum for qualified brand and retail decision-makers. https://mjunpacked.com/

Throwback Episode: Leaf Trade raises 12.5M for b2b wholesale cannabis Apr 15, 2022

In this Throwback episode we bring back Michael Piermont of Leaf Trade. This week Leaf Trade raised a fresh 12.5M round to propel its marketplace and technology platform for wholesale cannabis. We recorded this back in 2020 and the episode has aged really well. Fascinating discussion of why this technology is necessary for buyers and brands. What does this mean for vertical integration and Limited Licences MSOs? Can they catch LeafLink? https://www.newcannabisventures.com/cannabis-technology-company-leaf-trade-raises-12-5-million/ https://leaf.trade/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-piermont-049839a/

Friendly Farms and the future of vapes Apr 12, 2022

Do you like vapes? Yeah, me neither. Except Friendly Farms. The best live resin cart on the market has quickly spread across California. This is high level cannabis nerdery at its finest. Chaz breaks down what is the actual difference between live resin, live rosin, and how you make them. Fascinating. Friendly Farms is a legacy brand that heroically traversed the transition from medical to rec. Not an easy feat and a tremendous success story from a fully founder owned cannabis company. Novel. https://friendlyfarmsca.com/ ---------- Friendly Farms is a client of our sponsor, Bespoke Financial. Friendly has raised millions of dollars without diluting their equity. You can too. https://bespokefinancial.com/

Episode 200!!! Thank you and TBT Dennis of Caliva Apr 07, 2022

200. It has a nice ring to it. I started the Investing in Cannabis podcast in 2015 with some friends and one goal; Meet some cool people in the new cannabis industry. It worked! 200 episodes later I am overcome with gratitude. Gratitude for the team, @Jacob @Erik. Thankful for every guest that took valuable time out of building their company to take a chance on a guy with no experience. Especially in the beginning when literally zero people were listening. Most of all im grateful to the listeners. The core 1000 that listen to the entire episode on the day it comes out and the other 30,000 that listen to the first 10 min. I love you equally. Your messages and questions, feedback and endless passion for your newest ventures have kept me going. It is an honor that so many people want my feedback and advice. It's an honor that people put me in their ears every week. They literally put my voice in their brain! THANK YOU! There is no iC without this smart motivated, creative, rebel audience. For 200, I am launching a throwback thursday series to go along with new eps on Tuesdays. It’s a little weird for me to call anything I’ve done a classic (who am I, Dr. Dre?), but nonetheless I think you guys will really enjoy gaining some history and context. Understanding where we came from is crucial to understanding where we are going. First up in the throwback line up is Dennis of Caliva. Now the crown jewel of The Parent company portfolio, Caliva is a dominant player in CA and beyond. I spent the day with Dennis and team walking around their San Jose cultivation and talking the future of what is one of the most important companies in cannabis. Enjoy! (also on my linkedin there is a little video montage if you want to check that out: https://www.linkedin.com/in/badavid/) ------- This episode of iC is brought to you by Bespoke Financial. Raise non-dilutive capital and hold on to your precious equity. https://bespokefinancial.com/

Grassdoor secret mastermind Zack Ein Mar 22, 2022

In an iC exclusive, Grassdoor founder Zack Ein does his first ever public interview. In the backyard of his LA home, Zack opens up about the ins and outs of starting and scaling a last mile delivery business. If you aren't familiar with the name, it's because Grassdoor seemingly came from nowhere during the pandemic, and quickly became one of the biggest players in CA. Zack goes deep on his view on competitors both inside of cannabis and out and what the future of cannabis delivery looks like. Fascinating discussion and a Brandon instant favorite. https://grassdoor.com/ === This episode of iC is sponsored by Bespoke Financial, the leader in non-dilutive financing for the cannabis industry. https://bespokefinancial.com/

Cannabis & Gaming with OpenNest & Pine Park Mar 16, 2022

Cannabis and video games have long since been a perfect match on a Saturday afternoon, but how much do the customer basis overlap? If you like cannabis or just nascent industries, you probably are interested in gaming and esports. It's one of the few industries that has grown faster than cannabis over the last few years. This week's guest represents one of the first real brands capitalizing on the marriage. Pine Park is the brainchild of Opennest Venture Studio and Hector Rodriguez aka gaming influencer HECZ. https://pineparkgear.com/ ==== This ep is brought to you by Bespoke Financial - The leader in debt and non-dilutive funding for the cannabis industry. https://bespokefinancial.com/

Sunderstorm, Kanha and scaling an OG edible brand Mar 08, 2022

Sunderstorm is a family of cannabis brands best known for its legacy and true OG gummy brand, Kanha. Keith explains the full playbook for scaling from a small mom and pop to a national brand including; manufacturing, licensing, marketing, and fundraising. Sunderstorm is one of the biggest edible companies in the world, and it shows. ==== iC is brought to you by Bespoke Financial - Raise money without giving up equity. Bespoke's complete fintech platform now includes seamless integration with METRC. https://bespokefinancial.com/

Tyson 2.0 and how to do a celeb brand right. Mar 01, 2022

Do celebrity brands work? Most celebrity brands suck. They get away with inferior products and marketing because they have that celebrity photo on the packaging. It's kind of like how restaurants with incredible views don't need to have great food. Tyson 2.0 is the exception. Tyson 2.0 sets itself apart with true authenticity. Mike Tyson loves weed and personally samples everything that goes in the bags. Adam and the team have done a great job of capturing what today's consumers want and the market is rewarding them. They recently signed a deal with MSO Columbia Care that will bring Tyson 2.0 products across the country. https://tyson20.com/ ==== Thanks to Bespoke Financial for sponsoring. If you are raising money, you need to check out the Bespoke Fintech Platform. https://bespokefinancial.com/

Our Dream Academy is changing the equity conversation Feb 17, 2022

This week on the pod, we have Hilary of Our Dream Academy, a non profit accelerator designed to help minorities and founders impacted by the war on drugs build businesses. It is a fascinating discussion about where we are in the fight for equality and what big cannabis can and should do about it. https://thisisourdream.com/our-academy/ ==== Thanks to Bespoke Financial, the leading fintech platform in cannabis. Raise money without giving up equity at https://bespokefinancial.com/

Israeli Cannabis and Beyond with Alexander of Intercure Feb 08, 2022

This week we welcome a very special guest Alexander Rabinovitch CEO of Intercure. Intercure is a large vertically integrated Israeli cannabis firm pushing the boundaries of international trade. Intercure also has the exclusive license to sell cookies in Israel. That's right you can get a prescription, go to a regular pharmacy and buy cookies flower! https://www.intercure.co/

Jon Bond, Director of Partnerships at Dutchie Jan 26, 2022

Dutchie creates technology that powers e-commerce and point of sale solutions for dispensaries. It is a name synonymous with cannabis technology. If you don't know that name, you should. Jon Bond is a true OG of the industry and a massive part of the reason Dutchie is where it is today. Have you tried Leafwire? It is the #1 place for B2B networking; online and in person.

Leafwire CEO, Peter Vogel building the largest Cannabis & Hemp B2B Network Jan 18, 2022

Leafwire is the world's largest Cannabis and Hemp B2B Network. The Linkedin of cannabis is about to get a massive pivot, as Leafwire takes over the cannabis events space. Peter explains how he built a social media platform from scratch and why we all need an app in our hands during cannabis conferences. Leafwire is currently raising to build 2.0 and maintain its spot as the go to network for cannabis businesses. Go to https://www.leafwire.com/ to create an account.

Chief Investment Officer at 4Front Ventures, Andrew Thut Jan 11, 2022

Originally from Washington, 4Front Ventures is very focused on low cost production and operations. They are not interested in celebrity endorsements or fancy marketing. The team at 4Front wants to get down to business and expand with the same playbook. Thanks to this episodes sponsor LeafWire (www.leafwire.com/) - 100% Cannabis Business Network. No stigma. Just business.

MedMen founder Adam Bierman Jan 04, 2022

Starting 2022 with a big episode and an all-time great conversation. We have Adam Bierman taking us through the past 10 years of MedMen. Much has been said about the MedMen story but this conversation reaches depth that only the podcast format can achieve. This week we are also joined by special guest co-host Ben Kovacs. As Brandon says every episode, you're going to learn a ton! Thanks to this episodes sponsor LeafWire (https://www.leafwire.com/) - 100% Cannabis Business Network. No stigma. Just business.

Regulation peace of mind with Simplifya CEO, Marion M. Dec 15, 2021

Are you following the rules as a cannabis business owner? Are you expanding into new regions/states in the USA and want to make sure you stay compliant with local law? Brandon's conversation with Marion the CEO of Simplifya is a must listen. This topic can be overwhelming as legalization continues to spread across the country. That's why Simpliya is so clutch. Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

Jake Catt, CEO and co-founder of Gardenhouse Brands Dec 08, 2021

From Jake's LinkedIn: "Gardenhouse is a cannabis brand house based in California offering retailers a curated menu of affordable premium brands. Gardenhouse evolved from DomPen, a leading all-in-one vape brand with efficient and licensed in-house manufacturing and sales. As Co-Founder and CEO of DomPen, Jake has helped grow the brand from a living room operation to over one million units sold across the country." There is always a special vibe when Brandon can sit down in person with the guest. This episode is no exception! Brands in the cannabis space are a tricky thing. These guys dive right into the conversation and would be founders have a lot to learn from this conversation. Tune in!

How Tahira Rehmatullah (CEO at Commons) uses trust to sell CBD products Nov 23, 2021

Brandon chats with Tahira the co-founder and CEO at Commons. Her and her co-founder have had big positive impacts from the use of CBD products in their lives. Now they are on a mission with Commons to democratize the access to products and information that will help others with chronic pain. This one is a masterclass on listening and learning from customers. Enjoy!

Retail stores and consumption lounges with Lauren Fontein Nov 16, 2021

Brandon stops by The Artist Tree in Los Angeles to talk to co-founder Lauren Fontein. About the company: "With more than 13 years of experience in the California cannabis industry, The Artist Tree team is passionate about changing how people experience cannabis. Our mission is to provide safe access to legal cannabis, raise awareness of the health benefits of cannabis, showcase artists from the community and break stereotypes surrounding cannabis sales and consumption."

A science class about terpenes with Maxwell Koby, CEO of Abstrax Tech Nov 09, 2021

Time to nerd out about cannabis extraction a little. Brandon starts with a basic line of questioning; What is a Terpene? And as the episode progresses they get into the deep water of the conversation about the science behind some of your (and our) favorite products.

A wide ranging chat with Frank Knuettel of Unrivaled Brands Nov 02, 2021

Brandon is in Santa Ana, California this week at the dispensary/office of Unrivaled Brands. They believe the dominate cannabis brands of the future will come from the west coast. Specifically California and Oregon where Unrivaled Brands is currently doing business. Enjoy the episode!

Eddie Lucarelli, the CFO at Riv Capital Live from Vegas! Oct 26, 2021

Eddie Lucarelli, the CFO at Riv Capital is on the program this week. Enjoy!

Holistic cannabis marketing and sales with Petalfast CEO, Jason Vegotsky. Oct 05, 2021

Looking for level ups for your cannabis business? Do you have very specific goals that will get your business from A to B or 0 to 1? The marketing and sales team at Pedalfast is world class and industry specific. Not only will you want to work with them after this episode you will learn a lot from this conversation with Jason Vegotsky the CEO of Pedalfast. Double teaming with a co-host this week! Brandon is joined by Ben Kovacs for some additional expert commentary.

Securities and cannabis lawyer, David Feldman Sep 21, 2021

Brandon continues his tour of New York with another in-person interview! This episode is a must listen for those would be cannabis business owners in the state of New York.

Please call her the Queen of Cannabis - The Arcview Group Sep 14, 2021

Jeanne Mariani Sullivan a founding member of Arcview Ventures sits down with Brandon in New York City.

How cannabis brands can sell directly to customers - Ginger Commerce Sep 08, 2021

Roie Edery the founder and CEO of Ginger Brands sits down with Brandon to talk about enabling brands with new tools. This guy knows the business super well, you will learn a ton about the industry. Specifically how products move through the ecosystem and how it can all be improved. Tune in!

How to evaluate MSOs w/ Jushi Holdings Aug 31, 2021

Info packed episode this week with Trent, Chief Commercial Officer @ Jushi Holdings. As one of the bigger and well known MSOs, Trent has great perspective on how the industry and different markets are evolving. Awesome interview for any investor trying to decide which cannabis stocks to buy!

Prepare to nerd out about vertically-integrated cannabis Aug 10, 2021

In this episode we have Brian Ward, the CFO at Verano Holdings. They're a big deal in the cannabis industry. "Leveraging world-class genetics and industry-leading grow & process techniques, Verano creates artisanal cannabis products unrivaled in quality, consistency and experience. From our award-winning seeds to our signature aesthetic, at Verano there is an obsessive commitment to quality, evident in each of our products, dispensaries and teams." You can tell Brandon enjoyed going deep and talking details in this one. Enjoy!

A service Brandon uses every month - Flower Company delivery Jul 27, 2021

This week we have Ted Lichtenberger the co-founder of Flower Company. He thinks you should spent less money on cannabis and delivery. FLOWER CO. delivers top weed brands throughout the Bay Area, Los Angeles from Calabasas to Long Beach, Sacramento, and Humboldt County.

A fresh take on infused beverages from an innovator Jul 13, 2021

CEO and Founder of Rebel Coast, Josh Lizotte is on the program. If you're curious to hear from the first brand to ever dare to infuse a wine, you will want to listen in this week. Marketing a cannabis brand is a common theme on this show and this week is no exception. Get out your note taking devices friends, this is a good one.

Ex Wall Street Investor now healthy cannabis foods CEO Jul 06, 2021

Scott Jennings makes cannabis food with healthy, guilt-free ingredients. Finding himself wanting more from the cannabis industry, Scott set out to build the company he wanted to see in the cannabis industry. That company is Pantry Food Co. Brandon and Scott talk about how his products compete with traditional flower consumption. They also dig into the economics of dispensaries and much more. Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

Ex-Twitter employee and possibly the King of Cannabis? Ben Kovacs Jun 22, 2021

Board Member & Executive Chairmen Ben Kovacs has several irons in the fire. Much of his focus is going to Next Green Wave where he is a board member. They have over 1 million square feet of permitted facilities in the state of California. Not bad! You have a ton to learn from this conversation. Tune in, listen up, get acquainted.

Cannabis Software - CEO of Blaze Jun 17, 2021

Brandon sits down IN PERSON :) with CEO of Blaze, Christopher Violas. Based in Newport Beach, Blaze is a cannabis ERP technology platform specializing in track and trace/seed to sale technologies. Oh and BTW, they are hiring! The past year has made us thankful anytime we get to connect with people in person. The vibe was super positive and this was an awesome chat. You can tell Brandon was smiling ear to ear for this one.

Marijuana Industry Trade Association of AZ Jun 08, 2021

Brandon sits down with Demitri Downing the Founder and CEO of MITA (Marijuana Industry Trade Association) Arizona legalization is new, but Demitri has been a part of the scene for years. Great episode of learnings and a peak into the future - Especially if you live in Arizona!

Hacking the cannabis marketing problem with The Flower Agency Jun 01, 2021

Brandon has a detailed chat about the hurdles to marketing cannabis companies with Irfran the Co-Founder and CEO at The Flower Agency. They have some innovative ways to target and reach existing and potential customers. If you run a cannabis related company and are struggling with your marketing this is the episode for you. Irfran has a ton of knowledge you will find useful as a founder.

Special guest host Jocelyn of Headset sits down with Sam of the ADA May 19, 2021

Special guest host Jocelyn Sheltraw of Headset is at the Arizona Cannabis Executive Golf Tournament. She has a quick chat with Samuel Richard Executive Director of The Arizona Dispensaries Association protecting and advancing the ecosystem of regulated cannabis across the Grand Canyon State

Arizona Cannabis Executive Golf Classic May 12, 2021

Brandon is in AZ this week talking with Brian Yauger the CEO of Lemonhaze. They bring together thousands of people from the industry by providing, executive golf tournaments, budtender events, education, conventions, industry reports and more.

Hanging out with Gold Seal co-founder & CEO Aaron Flynn May 04, 2021

Brandon thinks Aaron makes the best small batch indoor cannabis in the world. Brandon also points out they he is "the 1%" and what a cannabis consumer looks like is going to change a lot over the next few years. Gold Seal San Francisco is a boutique cannabis lifestyle and apparel company, advocating for legalization of medical cannabis.

New Hardware for Cannabis Consumers Apr 28, 2021

Brandon is joined by the creator of Myster, Davis Clayton Kiyo. They talk about his innovative products and the importance of pushing cannabis product design to a new level. You can check out everything Myster by visiting: https://www.getmyster.com/

Onfleet; the logistics backbone of the cannabis industry Apr 20, 2021

Happy High Holiday!!! This week on the show we have Mikel, Cofounder and VP of Engineering at Onfleet. Onfleet's is a classic silicon valley startup story woven delicately into the cannabis industry. Onfleet's last mile delivery platform is the go-to for dispensaries, delivery services, and brands. Mikel and Brandon discuss why delivery is so important for the industry, open vs closed software systems, privacy concerns, and why the hell is Joe Biden firing people for smoking weed!? https://onfleet.com/ https://www.instagram.com/onfleet/?hl=en

NYC & NJ Legalize, Software Acquisitions, New Markets w/ Jocelyn Sheltraw of HEADSET Apr 10, 2021

. . . and we're back! It's been a bit, but we are back with a fresh episode and a fresh outlook on life! On this week's News Roundtable episode, Brandon welcomes Jocelyn Sheltraw, Director of Strategy @ Headset; The leading provider of data driven insights for Growers, Processors and Retailers. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jocelynsh... https://www.headset.io E163

Transitioning from a startup to scaling a company with CEO Barry Saik of Greenbits Jul 15, 2020

On this week’s new episode we welcome back Greenbits! Founder Ben Curren was on the show over 4 years ago, and now Brandon welcomes new CEO Barry Saik on the show to discuss the future of cannabis retail, dispensary software, and the amazing growth of their company. Greenbits is one of the premiere POS and compliance solutions for the cannabis industry with over 1200 dispensaries utilizing their software. They’ve raised a boatload of money, including a $23 million Series B in April of this year from Tiger Global, Casa Verde, and others to bolster their balance sheet and go dominate the dispensary POS market. Brandon and Barry dive deep into Barry’s transition into CEO, the constant hurdles of scaling a software company, and how Greenbits has dealt with COVID concerns and the changing office environment during the wild times of 2020. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with one of the best software companies in the cannabis space! Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv E162

Terpenes over THC & Crowdfunding with Scott of Goldenseed Jul 01, 2020

On this week’s awesome new episode to kick off July, Brandon chats with CEO Scott Goldie of Goldenseed. Goldenseed is a relatively new player in the cannabis market, but Scott and his team have quickly built their operation since they started their journey in late 2017. The main Goldenseed products are eighths and their infamous terpene tipped pre-rolls that have won them 2 Cannabis Cups thus far. Scott’s background is in real estate and finance, and he put together a strong team to execute their cannabis brand and vision. One unique aspect of Goldenseed is their Reg A fundraising offering aka crowdfunding. For as little as $100, investors can own a piece of Goldenseed and be a part of this story. Brandon and Scott dive deep into why they chose to use this fundraising option, their plans for building a true lifestyle brand, and why terpenes are more important than THC as the cannabis industry evolves. Learn all about how Scott transitioned from real estate to cannabis, how he built his dynamic team, and how coronavirus has impacted Goldenseed this year. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Scott of Goldenseed! Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv E161

Online education and how to break into the cannabis industry with Max of Green Flower Media Jun 24, 2020

On this week’s exciting new episode, Brandon chats with CEO Max Simon of Green Flower about the wild world of online cannabis education. Green Flower is the leader in online cannabis education and training with courses and certifications across the spectrum. You can learn everything from the fundamentals of cannabis, to how to deliver high quality patient care, the extraction process, how to be compliant, and the ins and outs of the CBD market. Green Flower was founded way back in 2014, and they’ve raised a warchest of $20 million to try and win the online cannabis education sector. Brandon and Max dive deep into how to build an audience, what he’s learned since he started this company 6 years ago, and why the future of cannabis education is brighter and more vibrant than ever. Learn all about Max’s personal story, Green Flower’s vision, and learn from one of the best minds in the industry. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Max and Green Flower! Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv E160

Cannabis software, customer development, and managing a remote team with Blaine of Distru Jun 17, 2020

On this week’s awesome new episode, Brandon chats with CEO Blaine Hatab of Distru. Distru is another great company in the burgeoning cannabis software world. They deliver high quality seed to sale software solutions for licensed distributors and manufacturers. Their METRC compliant system has many features they’ve built including inventory management, a CRM, and the tools to keep your production and sales teams on the same schedule. Blaine and his small team have quickly built Distru into a regional powerhouse with customers across California. Brandon and Blaine dive deep into his managerial style and how he runs his team that is mostly remote, what it’s like being a young founder, and how the coronavirus has impacted his business and his customers in the last 2 quarters. Learn how Blaine and his team stay on top of industry changes, local and state regulations, and how they continue to raise capital and build out their team and product during the corona pandemic. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Blaine and Distru! Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv E159

Building a CBD Company & Setting your Brand Apart with Melissa of Reed's Remedies Jun 10, 2020

On this week’s awesome new episode, Brandon chats with CEO Melissa Parker of Reed’s Remedies about the wild world of CBD and how to build a strong brand in a crowded space. Melissa came into this business, like many founders, from a point of personal passion and self-care. She dealt with and suffered from a number of health issues, and was creating her own formulations to self-medicate for over a year. After much trial and error, plus feedback from friends/family, Melissa launched Reed’s in 2018 to share her products with others. Learn how she built her suite of high-quality, unique products with a very small team. Her products include feelings and effects like “Sleep”, “Calm”, “Relief”, and even “Desire”. Reed’s products were also finalists at the Natural Products Expo in the CBD/HEMP product category. Brandon and Melissa dive deep into the staggering impact that COVID-19 has had on her business and her suppliers, the issues with bringing new products and marketing campaigns to light in this environment, and why she’s waited to raise outside capital for so long. You’ll learn in depth about Reed’s plethora of CBD wellness products and hear the full story of Melissa’s personal journey into cannabis. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Melissa and Reed’s Remedies! Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv. Episode 158

Building Software for Cannabis + Raising Money During Corona w/ Flourish CEO Colton Griffin May 27, 2020

On this week’s exciting new episode, Brandon chats with CEO Colton Griffin of Flourish Software about the ever-evolving world of seed to sale software in cannabis. Flourish helps operators across the cannabis supply chain manage their operations more efficiently and compliantly. Colton and his team began the Flourish journey about 3 years ago, and since then they’ve grown to over 30 employees with customers deployed across more than 15 different states. The market for cannabis software has shifted of late, with more industry consolidation, companies scaling to new states and countries, and a renewed focus on efficiency amidst the corona pandemic. Brandon and Colton dive deep into the impacts of corona on their business and their customers bottom-line. From lowering their burn rate to more remote implementations, Flourish has had to adjust to the new normal just like their customers. Learn why Flourish is still thriving, how the landscape of capital raising has shifted, and why the coronavirus pandemic won’t kill the cannabis industry. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Colton and Flourish Software! Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

OG Extraction Equipment Manufacturer Eden Labs on the transition to Hemp & CBD May 20, 2020

On this week’s awesome new episode, Brandon chats with CEO AC Braddock of Eden Labs about the world of extraction, the extreme growth of hemp, and how coronavirus is affecting their business. Eden Labs was started back in 1994, and they’re one of the pioneers of various extraction processes and methods. AC took over the reins as CEO in 2009, and grew Eden into the extraction powerhouse it is today. Learn how Eden helps a multitude of cannabis and hemp companies deliver safe and efficient extractions utilizing a variety of methods including, CO2 and ethanol. Brandon and AC also dive deep into the astronomical growth of hemp extraction and how Eden has repositioned itself to handle this booming new business since the Farm Bill. In addition, they are raising capital soon (their first outside raise!) and AC delves into how to educate investors and build their confidence in investing in a non-typical startup. Lastly, they discuss the endless industry issues created by the coronavirus, the lack of SBA loans and banking for cannabis, and the likelihood of increased US legalization in the fall as the 2020 election approaches. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with AC and Eden Labs! Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

Cannabis Corona Sales Increase and 2020 Crop + Election Predictions w/ Sam Edwards May 06, 2020

On this week’s iC News episode, Brandon has a wonderful conversation with our good friend, Sam Edwards. Sam is a cannabis expert who has judged Emerald Cups for years, advised + consulted on large-scale grower operations, and now works for a cannabis-focused investment firm. Or in his words, "I've judged the Emerald Cup for 4 years, I've grown acres of cannabis, thousands of pounds, and smoked hundreds of pounds." This week, Sam and Brandon dive into how the coronavirus has impacted the cannabis industry and specifically how it’s led to increased sales amid the stay-at-home orders. They also touch on auto-flowering and why 2020 crop and election predictions are so crazy right now. Get your cannabis news fix and learn more this week from Sam Edwards! Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted! Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

George Mancheril of Bespoke Financial Apr 29, 2020

On this week’s brand new episode, Brandon chats with CEO George Mancheril of Bespoke Financial about the world of cannabis finance, debt, and business loans. The cannabis landscape has shifted immensely of late with the enormous impact of coronavirus on all aspects of the supply chain, massive companies having serious issues, widespread industry layoffs, and a continued lack of federal legalization and banking support. George and his team help cannabis companies weather the storm by providing debt and lending options for companies of all sizes in the cannabis industry. With a wide range of services, including invoice financing, inventory financing, and PO financing, Bespoke is well positioned to help companies get cash quickly without giving up any equity in the process. Founders can learn what it’s like working with Bespoke, and why having this option can make investor and supply chain negotiations easier to manage. Learn why Bespoke’s services are even more valued in the current environment, the reasons why George is so passionate about this space, and why the world of cannabis debt financing is alive and well. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with George and Bespoke Financial! Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

Jake Bullock of Cann Apr 22, 2020

On this week’s awesome new episode, Brandon heads to Cann to sit down and interview co-founder Jake Bullock in their office in Venice, CA. Cann is one of the coolest cannabis beverages in the market today. They are low-dose, very high in flavor, and they have some of the best packaging + branding in the industry. Jake and his co-founder Luke completed a $5 million raise in early 2020 to start building their team, machine, and vision for a cannabis social tonic. With only 2mg of THC and 4mg of CBD per drink, customers can drink a 6 pack of Cann and still be functional at an event or party. Since the beverage wars are just getting started in cannabis, Brandon and Jake dove into the myriad of issues building distribution, the struggles of gaining shelf space, and how to assemble a sales + marketing team to support growth. Brandon and Jake also dive into some big industry topics like: the continued presence of the black market, the rise of CBD, and why beverages may be the best choice for the new cannabis consumer. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Jake and Cann! Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

HERB CEO Matt Gray on the Hottest Topics in Cannabis Apr 15, 2020

On this week’s iC News episode, Brandon welcomes Matt Gray, CEO + founder of HERB to the show! HERB is one of the leading digital platforms in the cannabis industry, allowing customers to find cannabis products, educate themselves, and engage with all of their awesome, original content. Matt has been in the cannabis industry a long time, and we’re very grateful he made the trip down to Venice to come on our show. Brandon and Matt also dive into other big topics in the industry, including: capital raising in this constrained environment, the continued presence of the black market, and how Matt keeps his finger on the pulse of American cannabis while running a Canadian based company. Learn about the HERB story, Matt’s biggest challenges recently, and why he’s staying so zen during the worldwide upheaval of 2020. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with another episode of iC News with Matt Gray! Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

Michael Piermont of Leaftrade Apr 08, 2020

On this week’s brand new episode, Brandon chats with CRO Michael Piermont of Leaftrade about the world of wholesale cannabis. Leaftrade helps buyers and sellers facilitate their transactions of wholesale cannabis and hemp. This is a classic two-sided marketplace, and Michael and his team have built a simple, smart process that works. With increasing competition in the cannabis supply chain software space, Leaftrade has had to scale quickly and steadily increase their service offerings. But with a round of fundraising from the Hyde Park Angels last December, they are well positioned to continue to gain market share across the country. Learn about Michael’s B2B SaaS experience, why Leaftrade focused on MSO’s to start, and why integrations are so valuable to their long-term success. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Michael and Leaftrade! Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

Christian Patino of Day One CBD Apr 01, 2020

On this week’s awesome new episode, Brandon gets a visit from Christian Patino of Day One CBD! Day One is one of the best functional CBD beverage brands on the market today, and Christian brings a wealth of CPG knowledge from his past experiences at Red Bull, Johnson & Johnson, and Proctor & Gamble to the team. Day One is in the midst of building a brand to win the CBD beverage market, but it’s full of headaches. Christian and Brandon dive into Day One’s expanding product lineup, the pitfalls of distribution and reaching scale in CPG, and how tactics he learned at previous CPG roles will help Day One build a winning strategy in cannabis. Also learn about Christian’s past growing up in Mexico City and why Mexico might be the next big growth market for cannabis and CBD! Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Christian and Day One! Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

Jonas of Herbes Mar 25, 2020

On this week’s new episode, Brandon gets a visit from Jonas Lalehzadeh of the premium cannabis brand, Herbes! Jonas and his family have built one of the most high-end, beautiful products in the cannabis industry. Their main SKU is a 2 gram cannagar called “The Trophy” that is wrapped in a delicious hemp paper dipped in kief. Jonas dives into Herbes as well as his own unique experience getting back from Iran, where he was playing professional basketball this year. Learn how Herbes is attacking the premium cannabis market, the current state of basketball and coronavirus in Iran, and why it’s so vital to be giving back in this time of global crisis. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Jonas and Herbes! Support for this episode comes from Newfront Insurance. Newfront is a modern insurance brokerage that leverages technology to vastly simplify the buying process for clients and the selling process for brokers. Our experienced brokers help cannabis clients save money and find the right coverage for their unique risks. Learn more at https://www.newfront.com/ or send them an email at iC@newfront.com! Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

Hanna of Autumn Brands Mar 18, 2020

On this week’s awesome episode, Brandon visits the Autumn Brands farm in Carpinteria to interview Hanna! Autumn is a family run business that was shaped by 6 generations of farming. They started as cut flower growers, but quickly morphed into cannabis growing once California legalization hit. Hanna and her family have built a decent sized enterprise now with 75+ employees, multiple greenhouses, and presence in over 120 dispensaries across the state. They have some of the most beautiful, disease-free, and delicious cannabis on the market. Learn how Hanna and her team grow cannabis with care, how they transitioned from flowers to cannabis, and why ladybugs and other unique solutions can control pests. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Hanna and Autumn Brands! Support for this episode comes from Bespoke Financial. Bespoke Financial is the first licensed commercial lender providing short-term working capital loans exclusively to cannabis and hemp businesses. Operators often deal with long cashflow collection cycles in this industry. Bespoke aims to alleviate working capital constraints across the cannabis supply chain by providing a line of credit to their clients. https://bespokefinancial.com/ Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

iC News - 3.9.20 w/ Roger Obando Mar 09, 2020

On this week’s iC News episode, Brandon welcomes Roger Obando, founder + former CTO of Baker Technologies and author of “The Highest Common Denominator”. Roger has incredible insights into how to build, scale, and operate a successful cannabis software business and he’s now consulting, writing, and sharing that knowledge with others. Brandon and Roger dive into some of the biggest topics in the industry, including: the Black Market, raising capital in this environment, hiring minorities, equity applicants, and his work with the 4thMVMT. Learn more from Roger and Brandon as they share their opinions on #VapeGate, recent cannabis CEO departures, and the public cannabis meltdown. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with another episode of iC News with Roger Obando! Support for this episode comes from Bespoke Financial. Bespoke Financial is the first licensed commercial lender providing short-term working capital loans exclusively to cannabis and hemp businesses. Operators often deal with long cashflow collection cycles in this industry. Bespoke aims to alleviate working capital constraints across the cannabis supply chain by providing a line of credit to their clients. https://bespokefinancial.com/ Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

Maggie Connors of Besito Mar 02, 2020

On this week’s new episode, Brandon visits CEO Maggie Connors of Besito at her awesome Santa Monica office for an interview! Maggie has built one of the coolest vape companies in the space, with a very unique design and more approachable dosing for a new class of cannabis consumers. Maggie’s team has raised some capital and created a beautiful brand with amazing packaging that has resonated well in the LA cannabis scene. Brandon and Maggie dive into how to differentiate your brand in a crowded vape market, why disposable vapes are easier for consumers, and what made Maggie take the leap of faith and jump into cannabis full-time. Also, learn how Maggie took her experiences as a Stanford MBA and multiple roles in the CPG world to create Besito. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Maggie and Besito! Support for this episode comes from Bespoke Financial. Bespoke Financial is the first licensed commercial lender providing short-term working capital loans exclusively to cannabis and hemp businesses. Operators often deal with long cashflow collection cycles in this industry. Bespoke aims to alleviate working capital constraints across the cannabis supply chain by providing a line of credit to their clients. Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

Devin Alvarez of Straight Hemp Feb 24, 2020

On this week’s episode, Brandon has CEO Devin Alvarez of Straight Hemp join the show! Devin is another founder who’s part of the Canopy Boulder accelerator and he’s attacking the world of hemp in a new, quality-driven way. We all know hemp is fast growing industry, but this week you’ll learn what hemp products are really selling well, why some consumers still like shopping in-person, and how to really compete and win in the crowded hemp market. Devin isn’t alone in trying to build a business in hemp, but with the resources and support of Canopy, he’s taken massive leaps very quickly with his business. Brandon and Devin dive into the founder experience at Canopy, raising capital in this environment, and why quality will win in the end. Learn what it’s like being a young founder in cannabis; and tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Devin and Straight Hemp! Support for this episode comes from Balanced Advisor. Whether you’re a founder struggling to raise capital + run your business efficiently, or you’re an investor looking where to place capital, we’re here to help. Reach out to us with your problems, and we’ll help you find a solution! www.BalancedAdvisor.com Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

Robert Kenny of Royal Supply Feb 17, 2020

On this week’s new episode, Brandon welcomes CEO Robert Kenny of Royal Supply to the show! Robert is part of the Canopy Boulder accelerator and is building one of the top packaging companies in the cannabis space. While it is not a sexy business, it does make money!! Learn how Robert saw this need in cannabis and started building deep partnerships with overseas suppliers. Brandon and Robert also discuss his experience at Canopy, the perils of early-stage fundraising, and why the industry needs to rethink how it packages and brands it’s products. Learn what it’s like being a young founder in cannabis; and tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Robert of Royal Supply! Support for this episode comes from Balanced Advisor. Whether you’re a founder struggling to raise capital + run your business efficiently, or you’re an investor looking where to place capital, we’re here to help. Reach out to us with your problems, and we’ll help you find a solution! www.BalancedAdvisor.com Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

iC News - 2.10.20 w/ Patrick Rea of Canopy Boulder Feb 10, 2020

On iC News this week, we welcome Patrick Rea of Canopy Boulder to the show to share his thoughts on all of today’s hottest topics the trends and in the cannabis industry. Patrick and his team run the best startup incubator in the cannabis industry. They’ve put dozens of companies through their program including, BDS Analytics, Wurk, Leaf, Peak Beyond, and more! Patrick brings a wealth of knowledge on building companies, raising capital, and how legal cannabis should work. Brandon and Patrick dive into some exciting topics this week; including the long tail effects of Vapegate, the dearth of debt options available to companies, industry layoffs, capital constraint, and why the 2020 election could create a sizable shift in the cannabis industry. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Patrick and some more iC News topics + opinion! Support for this episode comes from Bespoke Financial. Bespoke Financial is the first licensed commercial lender providing short-term working capital loans exclusively to cannabis and hemp businesses. Operators often deal with long cashflow collection cycles in this industry. Bespoke aims to alleviate working capital constraints across the cannabis supply chain by providing a line of credit to their clients. Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

Joyce Cenali of Big Rock Partners Feb 04, 2020

On this week’s new episode, Brandon welcomes our good friend Joyce Cenali, COO + Partner at Big Rock to the show! Big Rock Partners is one of the top investors in the cannabis space with investments in brands such as Cannacraft, Henry’s Original, Sava, Vertosa, and High Times. With their extensive list of high level brands they’ve invested in, we’ve dubbed them the “Brand Hunters”. Joyce is an industry veteran herself and has been instrumental in building the Big Rock portfolio into the powerhouse it is today. You’ll learn a ton as Brandon and Joyce dive deep into the continuing shift of VC to PE in the cannabis industry, why distressed assets are becoming big business, and how the public cannabis market meltdown + widespread layoffs have shifted risk appetites across the space. Learn from one of the coolest people + top investors in the space, Joyce of Big Rock! Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted! Support for this episode comes from Balanced Advisor. Whether you’re a founder struggling to raise capital + run your business efficiently, or you’re an investor looking where to place capital, we’re here to help. Reach out to us with your problems, and we’ll help you find a solution! www.BalancedAdvisor.com Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

iC News - 1.27.20 w/ Matt Nordgren of Arcadian Fund Jan 27, 2020

On iC News this week, we welcome back Matt Nordgren of Arcadian Fund to the show to share his thoughts on all of today’s hottest topics the trends and in the cannabis industry. Matt and his team have invested in many of the top companies in the cannabis industry including; BDS Analytics, Treez, Jane, and Wurk. Matt brings a wealth of knowledge on building companies, pitching to investors, and understanding market forces in public and private capital. Brandon and Matt dive into some fun topics this week, including the death of cannabis angel investors, industry layoffs and lingering effects of the black market, and why the 2020 election could be a huge win for the cannabis industry. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Matt and some more iC News topics + opinion! And since it’s Super Bowl week, it’s also nice having a former football player on! Go Niners!

Jeffrey Harris of SpringBig Jan 21, 2020

On this week’s new episode, Brandon welcomes CEO Jeffrey Harris of SpringBig to the show! SpringBig is one of the biggest dispensary marketing and loyalty platforms in the cannabis industry. While their main competitor, Baker, joined TILT recently; Jeff and his team have stayed lean and continued to execute and build out their vision. SpringBig was originally built to help pizza parlors and ice cream shops with marketing back in 2014, but by 2017 Jeff and his team had completely shifted to cannabis. Over the last 2+ years, they’ve served over 10 million customers and they’ve gained 23% national market share while raising over $11 million in capital. Jeff and his team are crushing it, and the next 3-5 years will determine whether they can scale and win the cannabis market nationally. Learn how Jeff handles his daily stress, why POS integrations + partnerships are paramount to their success, and where he thinks the cannabis market is headed in 2020 + beyond. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Jeff and SpringBig! Support for this episode comes from Balanced Advisor. Whether you’re a founder struggling to raise capital + run your business efficiently, or you’re an investor looking where to place capital, we’re here to help. Reach out to us with your problems, and we’ll help you find a solution! www.BalancedAdvisor.com Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

Steve Albarran of Confident Cannabis Jan 13, 2020

On this week’s episode, Brandon welcomes CEO Steve Albarran of Confident Cannabis to the show! Steve and his team bring trust, transparency, and simplification to the wholesale testing and purchasing side of the cannabis market. They are in 26 markets around the US currently, and in California 40% of all legal cannabis is already on their lab platform. Steve and his team launched their wholesale marketplace a year ago in Oregon, and they are launching in California early this year. With $18 million raised in total, and $12 million raised in a Series A last April from Poseidon + other investors, Confident Cannabis is in great position to continue gaining market share across the country. Learn how Steve tripled the size of his team in 2019, how they built partnerships and integrations across the industry, and why their initial experience in YC set them up for their success today. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Steve Albarran and Confident Cannabis! Support for this episode comes from NorCal Cannabis Company, the most complete cannabis ecosystem in California. As the number one delivery network in the state, NorCal Cannabis makes more than 2,000 delivery transactions daily. And has the reach to serve 10 million customers - in person - within 60 minutes. This isn’t food delivery....this is cannabis! To learn more, visit: “www.thefutureofcannabis.com” for more details. Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

iC News - 1.6.20 w/ Dave Belsky of Flowerhire Jan 06, 2020

On iC News this week, we welcome back FlowerHire CEO David Belsky to the show to share his thoughts on all of today’s hottest topics the trends and in the cannabis industry. Dave and the FH team continue to help build incredible teams for some of the biggest companies in cannabis including, Eaze, Connected, Papa & Barkley, and Flow Kana. While hiring in all industries is difficult, it’s particularly hard in cannabis. This week, Dave and Brandon dive into MJ Biz conference wrap-up, another review of “Vapegate”, continued layoffs and stock crashes in cannabis, and what they are most excited for in 2020. Learn more from Dave, who’s on the ground floor everyday and hear more of his thoughts on the biggest topics in cannabis! Tune in, listen up, and get reacquainted with Dave and another episode of iC News! Support for this episode comes from Balanced Advisor. Whether you’re a founder struggling to raise capital + run your business efficiently, or you’re an investor looking where to place capital, we’re here to help. Reach out to us with your problems, and we’ll help you find a solution! www.BalancedAdvisor.com Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

Andrea Brooks of Sava Dec 16, 2019

On this week’s episode, Brandon welcomes the amazing Andrea Brooks of Sava to the show! Andrea is the CEO of Sava, one of the best run delivery companies in the cannabis industry. Andrea came from the nonprofit world and had experience with a personal injury that also led her on the path to cannabis. Based in SF, Andrea and her team have built an awesome customer experience on very little capital from investors like Big Rock and Founders Fund. Sava is now raising a new $2.5 million round to expand across California! Andrea and Brandon also dive into the continued impact of the black market, widespread industry layoffs, and what it’s like raising money as a women in cannabis. Learn how Andrea and her team built a sustainable, successful delivery business in one of the most difficult business climates, California cannabis. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Andrea of Sava! Support for this episode comes from Balanced Advisor. Whether you’re a founder struggling to raise capital + run your business efficiently, or you’re an investor looking where to place capital, we’re here to help. Reach out to us with your problems, and we’ll help you find a solution! www.BalancedAdvisor.com Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

iC News - 12.9.19 w/ Ophelia Chong of Green Sky Strategy Dec 09, 2019

On iC this week, Ophelia Chong of StockPot Images and Green Sky Strategy joins iC news to discuss all the major topics in cannabis. With a deep marketing + design background, Ophelia is a wealth of knowledge with years of experience in the cannabis space. She’s worked with brands across the board including Cannadips, Wildflower, Joynt, and many more. Not only is Ophelia extremely knowledgeable, she’s also pretty hilarious. Brandon and Ophelia dive deep into sobriety in cannabis, what it’s like being an Asian woman in the industry, the effects of the black market, and why the cannabis soccer mom demographic is a myth. Learn from an expert who’s helping turn around cannabis companies daily. We hope you all enjoy and learn something from this episode while you’re at MJ Biz in Vegas this week. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Ophelia and another episode of iC News! Support for this episode comes from Balanced Advisor. Whether you’re a founder struggling to raise capital + run your business efficiently, or you’re an investor looking where to place capital, we’re here to help. Reach out to us with your problems, and we’ll help you find a solution! www.BalancedAdvisor.com Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

Seibo Shen of Hanu Labs Dec 02, 2019

On this week’s episode, Brandon welcomes long-time friend Seibo Shen to the show! Seibo is the CEO of Hanu Labs and the infamous VapeXhale. Seibo left the tech world to build a better vape for himself and others. His first creation, the VapeXhale, was a huge hit for high-end, sophisticated consumers. But his newest creation, the Hanu Stone, is here to change the portable vape game forever. Brandon and Seibo dive deep into VapeGate 2019, Seibo’s journey from the VapeXhale to the Hanu Stone, and how he balances being a CEO, father, and role model with the increasing competitiveness of the cannabis vape market. With a small team, Seibo built VapeXhale from the ground up, and now he’s doing the same thing with the Hanu Stone. Learn from a founder grinding everyday who’s also incredibly kind, generous, and a true warrior in the industry. If you’re curious at all about vaping, listen to this episode. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Seibo Shen and the Hanu Stone! Support for this episode comes from NorCal Cannabis Company, the most complete cannabis ecosystem in California. As the number one delivery network in the state, NorCal Cannabis makes more than 2,000 delivery transactions daily. And has the reach to serve 10 million customers - in person - within 60 minutes. This isn’t food delivery....this is cannabis! To learn more, visit: “www.thefutureofcannabis.com” for more details. Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

iC News - 11.25.19 w/ Erik Frodle of iC + BA Nov 25, 2019

On iC News this week, our infamous iC producer Erik Frodle joins the show! Erik’s background in finance, means we’re diving into the numbers with this week’s topics. Those topics include: the public cannabis market meltdown, increased layoffs across the cannabis industry, Medmen’s flawed business strategy, why Trulieve is one of the few companies crushing it, Drake’s new “More Life” brand with Canopy, and John Legend partnering with PLUS. Learn about the real #’s in cannabis, how most companies don’t make any PROFITS, and why celebrity brands are more and more prominent in the space. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with our producer Erik and another episode of iC News! Support for this episode comes from NorCal Cannabis Company, the most complete cannabis ecosystem in California. NorCal Cannabis is shaping the industry in new ways, every day. With 12 tons of annual yield, delivered to 10 million Californians in under an hour, a growing network of retail locations, and a living portfolio of brands. THIS is CANNABIS! To learn more, visit: “www.thefutureofcannabis.com” for more details. Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

Ben Larson of Vertosa Nov 11, 2019

This week on iC, Brandon welcomes good friend and CEO of Vertosa, Ben Larson, to the show! Ben is a former cannabis investor, turned operator, who helps cannabis brands deliver targeted, fast-acting doses to their customers via edibles, beverages, and many other product types. Ben and his small team have already raised a $6 million Series Seed with investors such as WelCan Capital and AFI Capital. In addition, they’ve expanded quickly into the burgeoning CBD space. Learn how Ben shifted from investing in cannabis startups to building his own, why cannabis infusion is best done via emulsion systems, and how to build a true B2B business in cannabis. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Ben and Vertosa! Support for this episode comes from NorCal Cannabis Company, the most complete cannabis ecosystem in California. As the number one delivery network in the state, NorCal Cannabis makes more than 2,000 delivery transactions daily. And has the reach to serve 10 million customers - in person - within 60 minutes. This isn’t food delivery....this is cannabis! To learn more, visit: “www.thefutureofcannabis.com” for more details. Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

iC News - 11.4.19 w/ Dave Belsky of FlowerHire Nov 04, 2019

On iC News this week, FlowerHire CEO David Belsky joins the show to share his thoughts on all today’s hottest topics the trends and in the cannabis industry. His working knowledge surrounding hiring and current demographics of the industry help debunk some commonly held beliefs about hiring in cannabis. Dave and the FH squad help build incredible teams for some of the biggest companies in cannabis including, Eaze, Connected, Papa & Barkley, Flow Kana and many more. While hiring in all industries is difficult, it’s particularly hard in cannabis. Dave and Brandon dive into minority + women hiring trends, unemployment, executive placement, the shifting corporate culture in cannabis, and why hiring is the key to building and sustaining a successful cannabis business. Learn from a leader who’s on the ground everyday and hear their thoughts on the biggest topics in cannabis! Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Dave and another episode of iC News! Support for this episode comes from NorCal Cannabis Company, the most complete cannabis ecosystem in California. NorCal Cannabis is shaping the industry in new ways, every day. With 12 tons of annual yield, delivered to 10 million Californians in under an hour, a growing network of retail locations, and a living portfolio of brands. THIS is CANNABIS! To learn more, visit: “www.thefutureofcannabis.com” for more details. Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

Chris Emerson PhD of Level Oct 28, 2019

On iC this week, Brandon sits down with Chris Emerson PhD of Level. Chris and his team have built one of the most interesting and innovative brands in the cannabis industry. Level is a cannabinoid company that focuses on creating targeted effects for consumers using unique + rare cannabinoids. THCA, THCV, CBG, CBN, and CBC are just a few of the unique cannabinoids you will learn about this week. Level recently raised their Series A and they have appx 30 people now on their team as they expand across California. This episode is all about cannabis science, unique cannabinoids and formulations, and how Level is educating consumers around this new product experience. Level is a great example of the evolution of cannabis. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Chris and Level! Support for this episode comes from NorCal Cannabis Company, the most complete cannabis ecosystem in California. Market analysis, consumer segmentation, and first party data analytics are helping NorCal Cannabis shape the industry in new ways, every day. From cultivation to production, delivery, retail, brands and beyond...THIS is CANNABIS! To learn more, visit: “www.thefutureofcannabis.com” for more details. Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

iC News - 10.21.19 w/ Betsy Kabaker Oct 21, 2019

This week, marketing guru Betsy Kabaker lends a hand to iC news. Betsy has shaped the marketing and social media strategy for many of our favorite brands including; Garden Society, Somatik, Mighty Health, MJ Lifestyle Magazine, Jetty Extracts, Harvest, and many more. Betsy is particularly good at helping cannabis brands tell their story. Betsy & Brandon get into a heated discussion about how women succeed in cannabis, the pitfalls of cannabis marketing, and the continued corporatization of cannabis. Hear from an expert, who’s entrenched in the industry everyday. Learn how one of the best navigates this crazy industry as a young female. It’s a fascinating perspective we in the investment community don’t hear often enough! Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Betsy and another episode of iC News! Support for this episode comes from NorCal Cannabis Company, the most complete cannabis ecosystem in California. As the number one delivery network in the state, NorCal Cannabis makes more than 2,000 delivery transactions daily. And has the reach to serve 10 million customers - in person - within 60 minutes. This isn’t food delivery....this is cannabis! To learn more, visit: “www.thefutureofcannabis.com” for more details. Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

Biscotti: Premium Italian Brand Oct 14, 2019

This week, Brandon sits down with Biscotti CEO + cofounder, Luca Andrea Collins, to discuss how he and his team built a premium Italian hash brand in California. With regulations, taxes, and the black market crushing many legal brands, Luca and his team have found their niche focusing on taking high-end indoor flower and creating a beautiful hash experience. After completing their Series A at the end of last year, Biscotti now has over 30 employees helping build their brand across California. Brandon and Luca dive into his background going to Oaksterdam and the Elevate Startup Cannabis Conference, the benefits of cold water hash, and why launching their value brand Tutti was so important to their growth strategy. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Luca and Biscotti! Support for this episode comes from NorCal Cannabis Company, the most complete cannabis ecosystem in California. NorCal Cannabis is shaping the industry in new ways, every day. With 12 tons of annual yield, delivered to 10 million Californians in under an hour, a growing network of retail locations, and a living portfolio of brands. THIS is CANNABIS! To learn more, visit: “www.thefutureofcannabis.com” for more details. Want to Support Independent Cannabis Media? Want to promote your product or service to our audience of decision makers? Email hi@investingincannabis.tv

Bushl: Craft Cannabis and Crowdfunding Oct 09, 2019

In this week's special episode, Brandon sits down with Bushl CEO + founder, Josh Bareket, to discuss the world of clean and sustainable craft cannabis. Recent issues with pesticides and vitamin E in vapes have highlighted safety and quality concerns across the industry. Josh saw this issue coming, and created Bushl to help fix the problem. Bushl gives customers a marketplace to buy highly vetted CBD and THC products. With over 25 brands on the platform, Bushl provides customers with a safe space to buy clean, natural, and sustainable cannabis products online. Josh and Brandon also dive into certification standards, Bushl's vetting process, and how to create transparency with their brands. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Bushl! If you're interested in learning more about Bushl and the investment opportunity, their SeedInvest crowdfund is open to everyone. Bushl SeedInvest: http://bit.ly/BUSHLSeedInvest EVERYONE CAN INVEST! ======================== Disclosure Note: This info is solely for informational purposes. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. No advice may be rendered by E&B LLC unless a client agreement is in place. ========================

IC News - 9.30.19 w/ Sam Edwards Sep 30, 2019

Welcome to another iC News! There's a plethora of announcements and other news about the cannabis industry, but very little opinion. We've decided to change that. Every 2 weeks, our host Brandon will dive deep into timely topics and give his unvarnished, unfiltered thoughts. And this week he's brought on our first iC News guest, Sam Edwards! Sam is a cannabis expert who has judged Emerald Cups for years, advised + consulted on large-scale grower operations, and now works for a cannabis-focused investment firm. Or in his words, "I've judged the Emerald Cup for 4 years, I've grown acres of cannabis, thousands of pounds, and smoked hundreds of pounds." Topics Discussed This Week: 1) Vapes!!! (again!) 2) Black Market in California 3) Flawed Data in Cannabis We're excited to share our latest iC News with all our fans. We hope you enjoy it! Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted!

CEO Dan Adler-Golden of Node Labs Sep 23, 2019

In this week’s episode, Brandon interviews Dan Adler-Golden, founder and CEO of Node Labs. Dan and his team are helping cultivators manage their genetics, use micropropagation and tissue culture technology to clean their plants, and supply them with clones when needed. Node Labs and others like them are essential to the cannabis cultivation community. While traditional agriculture has extensive nurseries, cannabis does not. Dan saw this issue from his days running the Chalice Festival, and decided to find a solution. Now Node is becoming the Driscoll’s of cannabis! With a recently acquired genetics company and 2nd facility, Node is currently raising capital to fund their growth. Learn more about the world of cultivation, breeding, clones, and cannabis nurseries in this week’s awesome episode. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted!

iC News - 9.16.19 Sep 16, 2019

Welcome to iC News! There's a plethora of announcements and other news about the cannabis industry, but very little opinion. We've decided to change that. Every 2 weeks, our host Brandon will dive deep into timely topics and give his unvarnished, unfiltered thoughts. Topics Discussed This Week: 1) Vapes!!! We're excited to share iC News with all our fans. We hope you enjoy it! Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted!

Higgs and the Rise of Lifestyle Brands Sep 09, 2019

In this week’s episode, Brandon sits down with Oliver Higgins, founder and CEO of Higgs. Oliver went to film school before trying to get a license in the newly legal cannabis industry. After difficulties securing a plant-touching license, Oliver remade Higgs into a brand packaging and true cannabis lifestyle brand. By not touching the plant, Oli and his team can focus 100% on building their brand, their brand community + lifestyle and the incredible packaging they’ve created. With a small team, Higgs has captured much of the SoCal market. Now they are looking to raise money with their $1 million seed round, hire a COO, and expand to other states + markets. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with one of the coolest brands and one of our favorite founders in the industry, Oli + Higgs!

iC News - 9.3.19 Sep 03, 2019

Welcome to iC News! There's a plethora of announcements and other news about the cannabis industry, but very little opinion. We've decided to change that. Every 2 weeks, our host Brandon will dive deep into 3-5 timely topics and give his unvarnished, unfiltered thoughts. Topics Discussed This Week: 1) State of California Cannabis Black Market 2) Cannabis Stock Market + Canopy (CGC) + Bruce Linton 3) CBD Hemp Explosion 4) Experiential Cannabis We're excited to share the first iC News with all our fans. We hope you enjoy it! Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted!

Mat Fogarty of Can of Bliss Aug 19, 2019

This week, Brandon sits down with Mat Fogarty, co-founder and CEO of Can of Bliss. Mat has a previous exit in technology with his former startup Crowdcast, and he spent time at Oaksterdam University learning the cannabis space. With this knowledge, Mat and his team created some of the most innovative flower packaging in the industry, with Can of Bliss. Can of Bliss combines AR technology, scannable QR codes, and terpene scratch & sniff smell technology to enhance the flower packaging + consumer purchasing experience. They relaunched in May 2019, they have a team of 11 based in Oakland, and they’ve raised over $1 million with appx $250K left in their seed round! Flower brand packaging has needed a makeover for some time, and Mat and his team have the talent, the tools, and the passion to help remake this consumer purchasing experience. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Mat and Can of Bliss!

Socrates Rosenfeld of iHeartJane Jul 29, 2019

In this week's episode, Brandon welcomes Socrates Rosenfeld, co-founder and CEO of iHeartJane, to the show. Socrates was in the Army flying Apache helicopters before going to MIT(where he met his co-founders), and they started iHeartJane in 2016. iHeartJane is the largest e-commerce marketplace for online cannabis purchasing. They power dispensaries by helping them offer e-commerce shopping for their customers. They must be doing something right, because just 2 weeks ago they raised $21 million from Gotham Green and other investors in their Series B! This follows a $6 million Series A capital raise in October 2018. Socrates and his team are now well positioned and well capitalized to win the MSO's, scale nationally, and bring real e-commerce tools to millions of cannabis customers. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Socrates and iHeartJane!

Nico Richardson of AFI Capital Jul 15, 2019

On this week's episode, Brandon sits down with Nico Richardson of AFI Capital Partners to discuss the world of cannabis investing. Nico has quite the investing background with experience at Deutsche Bank and the renowned cannabis firm Privateer Holdings. With those skills and experience under his belt, Nico and his partner Chi-Chien Hou started AFI Capital and have invested in Headset, Treez, Vangst, and many other top cannabis companies. Whether it's plant touching or not, AFI has investment opportunities across the industry. Learn how Nico used his experience to launch his own firm, how AFI uses side cars, their creative investment structures, and what it was like raising his first fund. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Nico Richardson of AFI Capital!

Jigar Patel of NorCal Cannabis Jun 03, 2019

In this awesome new episode, Brandon heads to NorCal Cannabis to interview their President, Jigar Patel. Jigar and his team have raised over $76 million so far to fund their large scale cultivation, delivery network, and overall vertical integration. Brandon and Jigar dive into the difficulty of scaling efficiently, hiring quickly, and how Jigar's role has shifted as NorCal has grown. Learn from one of the largest operators in California and one of the coolest executives in cannabis today. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Jigar and NorCal Cannabis!

Mitch Baruchowitz of Merida Capital May 20, 2019

In this investing heavy episode, Brandon chats with Mitch Baruchowitz of Merida Capital. Mitch and his team have deployed over $80 million in the last 18 months! With investments like KushCo, New Frontier, and Canndescent, Merida has become one of the top investors (PE or VC) in the cannabis space. Mitch and Brandon dive into how raising their 3rd fund is different than the first one, his daily use of Twitter, and why treating people well is foundational to building a successful fund. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Mitch of Merida Capital! Special thanks to Heffernan Insurance Brokers for supporting independent media. Learn how to protect your growing business with a completely free conversation with Marshall or Tanner! Email them directly at iC@Heffins.com.

CEO John Oram of NUG May 06, 2019

In this delightful new episode, Brandon sits down to interview CEO John Oram of NUG. NUG is a vertically integrated SSO in California. With enormous on-site cultivation, processing, co-packing, and their new flagship retail experience in Sacramento this company is one of the best run operations in the cannabis industry. Learn how John’s experience building CW Analytical lead him to NUG, how John built NUG’s internal software, and why raising capital has changed drastically since John entered cannabis. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with NUG!

Adam Grossman of Papa & Barkley Apr 22, 2019

In this awesome new episode, Brandon chats with Adam Grossman, CEO of Papa & Barkley. Adam and his team have built one of the best and most authentic brands in the cannabis industry. They focus deeply on wellness, topicals, and helping people heal. Adam’s dad was actually one of their first customers, and they’ve helped many people live a happier, healthier life with their wide array of products. Adam and Brandon dive deep into why topicals can be so effective, why self-distribution is important for brand authenticity, and why your company culture is so vital to success. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Adam of Papa & Barkley! Special thanks to Heffernan Insurance Brokers for supporting independent media. Learn how to protect your growing business with a completely free conversation with Marshall or Tanner! Email them directly at iC@Heffins.com.

Vikas Desai of WelCan Capital Apr 15, 2019

In this week’s episode, Brandon welcomes Vikas Desai of WelCan Capital to the show. Vikas and his team have invested in some of the premier ancillary cannabis companies, including Front Range Biosciences, Treez, AG Gas, and Headset. While Welcan focuses mainly on ancillary, they do touch the plant as well with their investments. Brandon and Vikas also dive deep into why board seats and leading rounds is preferred, how to think about co-investing in cannabis, and why hiring a fund partner is so difficult. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Vikas and WelCan Capital!

Shareef El-Sissi of Eden Enterprises Apr 08, 2019

In this episode, Brandon sits down with Shareef El-Sissi of Eden Enterprises to discuss how he helped build Eden and Treez into 2 powerhouse brands in cannabis. Shareef and his team run one of the most profitable + high volume dispensaries on the West Coast with their Eden location in Hayward. Eden also has their own consumer brands, distribution, and cultivation built out. As an SSO (single state operator) in California, Eden is now raising their next round to help grow into a truly scaled and vertically integrated brand. Learn how Shareef balances his time building Eden and Treez, his fascinating origin story with the CEO John of Treez, and why current California regulations have led to lower quality cannabis for consumers. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Shareef of Eden! Special thanks to Heffernan Insurance Brokers for supporting independent media. Learn how to protect your growing business with a completely free conversation with Marshall or Tanner! Email them directly at iC@Heffins.com

Narbe Alexandrian of Canopy Rivers Mar 25, 2019

In this week's episode, Brandon sits down with Narbe Alexandrian of Canopy Rivers to discuss how the VC arm of Canopy Growth operates. Narbe and his team have made more than 14 investments, ranging from data analytics to beverage brands to premium cultivators and international licensees. He and his team sift through hundreds of deals per month and they focus heavily on repeat founders who are coachable. Learn how Narbe thinks about deals, his personal story, and why Canopy Rivers is needed alongside Canopy Growth. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted! Special thanks to Heffernan Insurance Brokers for supporting independent media. Learn how to protect your growing business with a completely free conversation with Marshall or Tanner! Email them directly at iC@Heffins.com

CEO John Yang of Treez Mar 11, 2019

In this week’s episode, Brandon goes to Oakland to visit the Treez office to sit down with their CEO, John Yang. John and his team have built one of the top seed to sale platforms in the cannabis space. They started with the POS + retail side, but recently entered into the cultivation and manufacturing space with their acquisition of the Mister Kraken software. Couple that with their recent Series A round led by Intrinsic Capital, Treez is positioned to be one of the top companies in cannabis. Learn how John took his lessons from ERP consulting and building restaurant POS platforms to leading a team of almost 50 and raising $15 million total in capital. It took John 18 months to get his Series A lead investor on board, and you’ll learn about this struggle and more in this awesome interview. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with John of Treez!

Nabis: Bringing Technology to Cannabis Distribution Feb 18, 2019

In this week’s episode, Brandon welcomes Vince Ning, CEO of Nabis, to the show. Vince is not your average young founder. He’s already been a part of Y-Combinator and sold his first company to Amazon. After that experience, he turned his sights to cannabis. Seeing an opportunity to disrupt incumbents like RVR, CannaCraft, and Indus, Vince and his team built a low-cost, tech-based solution for cannabis brands. In less than 2 years, they’ve built a network to cover the entire state, have dozens of top level brands (like Canndescent, California Dreamin, and Flower Co), and are one of the fastest growing distributors in California. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Vince of Nabis!

CEO Matt Nordgren of Arcadian Fund Feb 04, 2019

In this week’s episode, Brandon welcomes Matt Nordgren, CEO of Arcadian Fund to the show. Matt and his team have deployed capital in some of the premier cannabis companies, including Meadow, Kush Bottles, Treez, Wurk, BDS Analytics, and Baker. Arcadian focused exclusively on ancillary companies in Fund 1, but as Matt gears up for Fund 2, the focus will shift to plant touching. Brandon and Matt also dive deep into his team’s due diligence process, co-investing in cannabis, and what new trends he’s following in the industry. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Matt and Arcadian!

CFO, Investor, and Operator - Tahira Rehmatullah Jan 14, 2019

In this awesome new episode, Brandon welcomes Tahira Rehmatullah to the show. Tahira has quite the cannabis story. After starting at Privateer and running the Marley brand, Tahira is now managing director of Hypur Ventures and CFO of MTech, which just merged with MJ Freeway. Brandon and Tahira dive deep into the usage of SPAC's, the rise of cannabis M&A, and how she balances her life + mind as an operator and an investor in the cannabis industry. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Tahira!

Delivery With Dutchie Dec 31, 2018

Happy New Year iC fans! In this special year-end episode, Brandon chats with CEO Ross Lipson of the online delivery startup Dutchie. Although delivery is certainly a competitive space, Ross believes his deep experience with food delivery gives him an edge. He sold his first company, GrubCanada in 2011. With this experience and a $3 million investment from VC firm Casa Verde Capital, Ross and his team are applying the lessons they learned from food delivery to the cannabis industry. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Ross and Dutchie!

Amy Ludlum of California Dreamin Dec 10, 2018

In this amazing episode, Brandon sits down with Amy Ludlum, CEO of California Dreamin. Amy and her team went through Y Combinator, raised $2.3 million, and are building one of the hottest new cannabis beverage brands. With low-dosage and fast onset times as the newest trends, California Dreamin has created a low-dose delicious soda experience with an incredibly fast onset time. Instead of the normal 45 min to an hour waiting time, California Dreamin could be consumed just like an alcoholic beverage. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Amy of California Dreamin and the start of the cannabis beverage wars!

The Costco Model of Cannabis: Flower Company Nov 26, 2018

In this awesome episode, Brandon sits down with Tony Diepenbrock, CEO of the Flower Company. Tony and his team are building a Costco model for buying direct wholesale cannabis. With prices and taxes sky high in California, consumers are looking for a better, cheaper option. With Flower Company, you can buy a yearly membership and purchase large amounts of cannabis at 30-50% cheaper prices than retail. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Tony and the Flower Company!

Mazakali: Supporting Founders with Finance Nov 12, 2018

In this episode, Brandon sits down with Sumit Mehta of Mazakali to discuss bringing investment banking in cannabis, the state of institutional capital and incubators, and why Canada’s public markets are a gift and a curse for founders. Sumit and his team have invested in founders for years in cannabis, and bring decades of financial experience to the space. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Sumit and Mazakali!

Caliva - Top 5 Brand in California Oct 29, 2018

In this special video episode, Brandon and team head down to San Jose to check out Caliva and meet with their CEO Dennis O'Malley. Caliva is arguably the #1 dispensary and consumer brand in California. With enormous on-site cultivation, processing, packaging, etc and a beautiful retail dispensary, this company is a shining light for the industry. And it's a stunningly, beautiful example to Trump and Sessions on what legal cannabis can be. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Caliva!

The New York VC World is Investing in Cannabis Oct 15, 2018

In this episode, Brandon and Jon Trauben of Altitude Investments discuss how New York finance is approaching cannabis investing. The east coast VC world has a different approach to cannabis investing, but with capital invested in BDS Analytics, Flowhub, Wurk, and Cannadescent; Altitude is following a similar strategy to the other successful early-stage funds in cannabis. Brandon and Jon dive deeper into plant touching and how that impacts LP conversations, multi-state expansion, and the frothy Canadian public markets. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with another top investor in the cannabis industry!

Private Equity and Public Exits with Cresco Capital Sep 17, 2018

In this episode, Brandon talks with Matt Hawkins of Cresco Capital about cannabis Private Equity (PE) investing, the appeal of public exits, and the changing stigma in Dallas, Texas regarding cannabis. Matt and his team have deployed over $25 million in the space in a number of investments including: Flrish Farms, Ebbu, Harvest, and Green Thumb Industries (GTI). Unlike many investors in this space, Matt and his team are not afraid to touch the plant. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with another prominent investor in the cannabis industry!

The World of Cannabis Distribution Sep 03, 2018

In this episode, Brandon dives into cannabis distribution with CEO Tim Conder of Blackbird. Tim and his team conquered the Nevada market, and now have their sights set on California. With competition rising, Tim discusses managing teams at scale, building v buying internal tech tools, and why solving California distribution is so difficult. If you've ever wondered how products get from farm to store (or directly to you!), then tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with cannabis distribution!

The Power of Data in Cannabis Aug 20, 2018

We've made it to EPISODE 100! Thank you all so much for listening and watching our show. In this extra special episode, Brandon welcomes founder Roy Bingham of BDS Analytics to the show. BDS is one of the leaders in harvesting, analyzing, and profiting off of data in the cannabis industry. Roy discusses his background in the natural food industry, raising a Series B with Canopy, and how to tackle the data challenges of California. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with BDS and the rise of big data in cannabis!

Food Safety in Cannabis with Ziel Aug 07, 2018

In this episode, Brandon welcomes Arthur de Cordova of Ziel to the show. Arthur and his team are changing the world of food safety in cannabis. With their radio frequency technology, they can process up to 100 lbs an hour of cannabis flower. This patented process actually vibrates the cannabis using it’s inherent moisture. In addition, Arthur and Brandon dive into how food safety improves a company’s bottom line, Arthur’s Wall Street background, and why remediation is so difficult with the cannabis plant. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Ziel and food safety in cannabis!

European Cannabis with Prohibition Partners Jul 09, 2018

In this episode, Brandon dives into the European cannabis market with Stephen Murphy of Prohibition Partners. Similarly to the US, Europe has a wide variety of laws, customs, and cultural attitudes surrounding cannabis. Countries like Germany, Netherlands, Spain, and Portugal are leading the new medical cannabis revolution, but issues like patient access, cultivation supply, access to new products like oils, and Brexit are causing problems in the rollout of cannabis laws across Europe. Stephen breaks down the current laws in individual countries, the rollout of medical followed by recreational, and the reasons why the EU will be the biggest cannabis market in the world in the next 5 years.

The Largest Hemp CBD Manufacturer in North America: Centuria Foods Jun 25, 2018

In this hemp based episode, Brandon chats with Centuria Foods founder Michael Brubeck about how he built the largest hemp CBD manufacturer in North America. Starting in cannabis retail and cultivation almost 15 years ago, Michael shares his thoughts on the future of hemp, the efficacy of topicals, and why you shouldn’t buy his book..but you should learn the lessons. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with the world of large scale importing, manufacturing, and processing of hemp CBD!

The Psychedelic Studies of MAPS Jun 11, 2018

In this special episode, Brandon welcomes Dr. Rick Doblin of MAPS to the show to discuss cannabis, psychedelics, and how organizations like MAPS are helping reshape our drug culture, bring an end to the PTSD epidemic, and enhance our freedom of consciousness. Founded in 1986, MAPS is a non-profit pharma company focused on developing psychedelics and cannabis to help with PTSD and other health issues. They’ve raised tens of millions of dollars to study these drugs and have run into incessant government and political obstacles since inception. Learn how the MAPS team is reshaping our relationship with psychedelics, changing our political drug culture, and how you can help them! Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Dr. Rick Doblin and MAPS!

How Science is Changing Edibles May 28, 2018

In this awesome episode, Brandon learns how Lexaria and founder Chris Bunka are changing the world of edibles. With a wide patent portfolio and the ability to make edibles taste better and feel more like smoking, this public cannabis company is attempting to change the narrative on how we experience edibles. Their technology uses enhanced bio-absorption and bypasses the liver, giving it the potential to change the way we socially consume edibles. Additionally, Chris dives into his past life of angel investing, the process of getting a patent, and why the licensing model works for Lexaria and their investors. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted!

The Rise of Vaping May 14, 2018

In this week’s episode, Brandon welcomes vaping expert Arnaud Dumas de Rauly of the Blinc Group to the show. Arnaud and his team have extensive experience in the world of cannabis and nicotine vaping. They started the Blinc Group to help cannabis vaporizer companies build innovative products, test them through real distribution channels, and then help them fundraise to scale their businesses. The current class, including VapeXhale and the RYAH, spend 6 months with the Blinc Group testing and refining their products while building out their distribution channels. This fascinating discussion also dives deep into C Cells v 510 threads, the paradigm shift of pod vapes like the PAX, and why the dual tank system may change the way everyone vapes. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with the world of vaping!

The World of Online Cannabis Deals Apr 30, 2018

In this week's episode, Brandon welcomes founder Mark Breen of Leafbuyer to the show to discuss the fascinating world of online cannabis deals. As Groupon has shown, this concept has value. But in cannabis, issues like legality of selling THC products online, driving traffic using traditional marketing challenges, and lack of customer trackability are rampant. Learn how Mark and his team have navigated these challenges and raised capital in the public markets for Leafbuyer. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted!

How to Build a Family of Craft Cannabis Brands Apr 16, 2018

In this episode, Brandon sits down with Claudio Miranda of Guild Enterprises to learn how they built a family of craft cannabis brands. Featuring a top 5 concentrates brand, genetics, seeds, flowers, and retail stores, the Guild brand is a staple of California cannabis. Learn how Claudio thinks about distribution, the coming industry shift to lower potency/higher flavor, raising capital/going public in Canada, and the common red flags he sees from cannabis brands currently. Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

Biggest Cannabis Firm Privateer on Why The US is Losing Globally Apr 02, 2018

In this special episode, Brandon sat down with partner Christian Groh of Privateer Holdings. Privateer is a PE (private equity) firm that just raised a $100 million Series C and is the biggest investor in the cannabis industry! With an early investment from Peter Thiel, Privateer has become the gold standard of investing in cannabis. They own 4 entities, Leafly, Tilray, the Marley Brand, and The Goodship and have hit some incredible milestones with these brands. Learn about Christian's investment process, why control is important for cannabis investments, and why the US is losing globally to Canada, Europe, and South America. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted!

The Future of Home Infusion Mar 19, 2018

In this episode, Brandon learns about the future of home infusion of oils from founder Chrissy Bellman of LEVO Oil. Chrissy and her team have created a beautiful new device and experience for people who enjoy infusing and cooking edibles at home. Like most founders, Chrissy had a vision. She saw this new device category in her mind and relentlessly pursued it with passion until it worked. She traveled to China and learned how to source hardware, masterfully capped her pre-orders at 1,000 units, and built her a new device category against all odds. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Chrissy, LEVO, and the future of home infusion!

Starbucks, Cupcakes, to The Goodship: The Maturation of the Cannabis Edible Mar 12, 2018

On this episode, Brandon welcomes Jody Hall of The Goodship to the show. Jody has created one of the premier edibles brands in the cannabis industry, and her company was recently acquired by Privateer! With deep roots in the world of Starbucks, and experience starting/building Cupcake Royale, Jody had a vision and brought a world-class food experience to the cannabis edibles market. Learn how Jody and her team built this amazing brand, created the "TED talk for cannabis", and how they plan to rule the market in California. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Jody and The Goodship!

Why Flowhub thinks Compliance is the Key to Winning in Seed to Sale Mar 05, 2018

In this episode, Brandon welcome CEO Kyle Sherman of Flowhub to the show to discuss compliance, METRC, API’s, seed to sale, delivery, crypto, and how his role as CEO has changed over time. Flowhub is one of the premier compliance companies focused on the cannabis supply chain. With total investment of $3.8 million from Poseidon, Phyto Partners, and others, Flowhub is ready to tackle it’s next challenge: the California market. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with Flowhub and the new world of cannabis compliance!

Nick Kovacevich of Kush Bottles Feb 26, 2018

In this episode, Brandon welcomes CEO Nick Kovacevich of Kush Bottles to the show. Since 2010, Nick and his team have built Kush Bottles into a publicly traded powerhouse of the cannabis industry. KSHB provides everything from vape carts to packaging and labels for cannabis businesses. Since retaking the reins as CEO in 2014, Nick and his team have raised over $10 million in equity and executed almost $30 million in stock acquisitions. While politics aren’t his passion, Nick believes that 2018 will be the year that cannabis becomes a core wedge issue in American politics. Lastly, Nick prefers flower and if you want to join his awesome team check out https://careers.kushbottles.com/. Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

Larry Schnurmacher of Phyto Partners Feb 12, 2018

Have you ever wanted to invest in cannabis? Larry of Phyto Partners is a former Wall Street wealth manager who became one of the top VC's in the cannabis industry with investments in Leaf, Baker, Flowhub, Steep Hill, Front Range Biosciences, Leaflink and many more. Learn how he evaluates founders, companies, and decide where to deploy capital. He and his team are raising their 2nd fund now, so if you're a founder out there looking to raise capital from an experienced VC make sure you reach out to Larry. Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

Dr. Abrams of UCSF Jan 29, 2018

Does cannabis cure cancer? Maybe. To better understand the real medical power of cannabis, Brandon sat down to speak with Dr. Donald Abrams of UCSF. Dr. Abrams has been researching the cannabis plant for 2 decades, and shared some fascinating info regarding cannabis studies and clinical trials. From studying how cannabis impacts HIV to how cannabis effects opioid use, Dr. Abrams and his colleagues have been at the forefront of cannabis research since the late 1990's. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with the research behind your favorite plant!

Eli Duffy of Grownetics Jan 15, 2018

In this episode, Brandon learns about the world of machine learning and how it's being applied to cannabis growing by companies like Grownetics. Their founder, Eli Duffy, dives into how they built a fully automated smart garden that uses AI, machine learning, and other tech software to improve the quality and consistency of harvests for growers. Their early results are backed by studies from the University of Colorado. Tune in, listen up, and learn about the future of cannabis growing!

Christopher Galvin of Hypur Jan 03, 2018

Happy 2018! To start off the year, Brandon sat down with CEO Christopher Galvin of Hypur to discuss the problems with current banking solutions in cannabis and how Hypur helps solve them. They dive deep into the Cole Memo, compliance requirements for banks, and how cannabis businesses can navigate the legal and regulatory requirements. It's high time that cannabis companies were allowed to bank and transact like other businesses, and Christopher and his team have built a solution to help. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted!

Dr. Jon Vaught of Front Range Biosciences Dec 19, 2017

In this episode, Brandon welcomes CEO/Dr. Jon Vaught to the show. Jon and Brandon dive deep into the clone world of cannabis and how proper breeding and genetics can mitigate disease and pesticides issues. Jon also discusses raising capital ($4.5 million to date) and how he tackles all the different challenges of being a founder. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with the science of cannabis!

Ryan Smith of LeafLink Dec 11, 2017

In this episode, Brandon welcomes founder Ryan Smith of LeafLink to the show. Ryan was the first cannabis founder on the Forbes 30 under 30 in 2016. He also just raised $10 million to expand LeafLink to California. LeafLink helps brands and retailers streamline their processes, and in November 2017 they handled $16 million in transactions on their platform. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with one of the most impressive founders in the cannabis industry.

New West Delivery Panel Nov 30, 2017

In this extra special throwback episode, Brandon moderates the exciting and highly contentious "Weed on Wheels" Delivery Panel at New West Summit 2017. Panelists include: CEO of Eaze - Jim Patterson, CEO of Meadow - David Hua, CEO of Speedweed - AJ Gentile, and Zachary Brown, President of Operations at Pot Valet. This hour long panel dives deep into delivery marketing, operations, and CA regulations. In addition, a green room skirmish bled out onto the panel as fake online reviews were a trending topic. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted!

Keegan Peterson of Wurk Nov 20, 2017

In this episode, Brandon welcomes founder Keegan Peterson of Wurk to the show. Keegan and his team have built the best product suite of compliance, payroll, and scheduling in the cannabis industry. With a seed round raise of $3 million and experience in Canopy Boulder, Keegan and his team are ready to crush it as we approach legalization in California for 2018. Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

Ryan Sterling of GreenScreens Nov 13, 2017

In this episode, Brandon interviews Ryan Sterling, one of the founders of GreenScreens. GreenScreens is a Canopy Boulder company that has created a unique cannabis retail experience via an in-store display network. This marketing channel really helps brands and sales inside the dispensary grow. They are actively raising capital right now and just pitched at The Arcview Group. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with one of the best new startups in the cannabis industry!

Cassandra Farrington of MJ Biz Nov 06, 2017

In this episode, Brandon welcomes CEO Cassandra Farrington of Marijuana Business Daily to the show. Cassandra not only runs the Wall Street Journal of the cannabis industry in MJ Biz Daily, but she also runs the premier cannabis conference in MJ Biz Con every year. Brandon and Cassandra dive deep into how MJ Biz has evolved, the economics of the conference business, and why they continue to produce the best conference in the industry. The next one is from November 15th-17th in Las Vegas and we have a discount code for you! Use code "InvestingInCannabis50" for $50 off your MJ Biz Con ticket. We will see you at MJ Biz in 2 weeks! Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

Woman Fired from Cannabis Consulting Firm for having cancer Oct 31, 2017

In this special episode, Brandon interviews Pamela Johnston, formerly an executive at Electrum Partners. Electrum is a top cannabis advisory firm located in Las Vegas. Earlier this year, Pamela was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. In this very sad story, Pamela was then fired from her job after this diagnosis. She's now suing Electrum Partners and their CEO Leslie Bocskor for wrongful termination and sexual misconduct. This is Pamela's side of the story. Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

Aaron Salz of Stoic Advisory Oct 23, 2017

On this week's episode, Brandon welcomes Aaron Salz of Stoic Advisory to the show. Everyone in this industry seems to be a consultant now, so we wanted to find out from a highly successful one just what it's like to consult for cannabis businesses. Aaron and Brandon dive deep into how consultants add value, whether they get paid in equity or cash, and what it's like juggling multiple clients with multiple deadlines in the cannabis industry. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted!

Joel Milton of Baker Oct 10, 2017

In this episode, Brandon welcomes founder Joel Milton of Baker to the show to talk about how his company is changing the way dispensaries do business. With their platform of products now in almost 500 dispensaries and their recent raise of $3.5 million, Baker is poised to become a fixture in the dispensary space for years. Brandon and Joel dive deep into fundraising, dispensary technology, and lessons he's learned as a founder. Don't forget, this week is New West Summit in Oakland! Use code "ic" for 50% off tickets and come see our host Brandon on Saturday the 14th! Tune in, listen up, get acquainted.

Gavin Kogan of Grupo Flor Oct 02, 2017

In this episode, Brandon welcomes Gavin Kogan of Grupo Flor to the show. Gavin is a former attorney, co-founder of Indus Holdings, and helped bring Dixie Elixirs to the California market. Brandon and Gavin dive deep into Grupo Flor's family of cannabis companies. These include Grupo Properties, Flor Cultivation, 710 Combinator, AG Pistil, and much more. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with one of the top operators in the cannabis industry.

Chuck Rifici - Cannabis King of Canada Sep 25, 2017

On this episode, Brandon welcomes the legendary Chuck Rifici of Nesta Holding Company. As the former co-founder/CEO of Canopy Growth, Chuck has had his finger on the pulse of cannabis in Canada for a number of years. His newest venture, Nesta, has put money into many different startups including Cannabis Wheaton, Feather, Tokyo Smoke, and Wikileaf. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with one of the best founders + investors in the cannabis industry!

Brandon on Gateway Office Hours Sep 19, 2017

On this special episode, courtesy of Gateway OH, the roles are reversed as Brandon gets interviewed by Ben Larson and Carter Laren of Gateway Incubator. Learn how Investing in Cannabis (iC) started, why infused was needed, and what Brandon has learned over the past 2+ years doing our shows. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted!

Jon Brandon of Foria Aug 28, 2017

In this episode, our host Brandon has the pleasure of interviewing Jon Brandon. He's the founder of one of the most innovative cannabis companies in the space, Foria. Foria has risen to prominence through expert market positioning, fantastic products, and a strong, grinding team. This interview covers everything from how Foria started, to the intersection of health and wellness, fundraising, and all the other facets that go into building a startup in the cannabis industry. Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

Evan Eneman of Casa Verde Capital Aug 14, 2017

In this episode, Brandon interviews the man that Snoop Dogg trusts with his money, Evan Eneman of Casa Verde Capital. Casa Verde has invested in Eaze, Merry Jane, and Leaflink. In addition, Evan and his team have built out more services and partnerships for their portfolio companies including ELLO and Flowershop CA to help support the finance and marketing needs of their investments. Tune in, listen up, and get acquainted with one of the top investors in the cannabis industry!

Matt Shalhoub of Green Acre Capital Jul 31, 2017

In this episode, Brandon welcomes Managing Director Matt Shalhoub of Green Acre Capital to discuss the business of investing in cannabis companies. With investments already in Ample Genetics and Tokyo Smoke, and plenty of capital ready to deploy, Green Acre is looking to become the next great cannabis investment fund from Canada. Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

CEO Alan Gertner of Tokyo Smoke Jul 10, 2017

In this episode, Brandon welcomes CEO Alan Gertner of Tokyo Smoke to talk about building an upscale brand in cannabis. From coffee shops to clothing to their signature line of cannabis accessories, this brand is growing quickly and pushing the limits on what it means to build an elevated cannabis brand. Learn all about building a company and a brand from a founder doing it right now! Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

Dooma Wendschuh of Province Brands Jul 03, 2017

In this episode, founder Dooma Wendschuh of Province Brands joins the show to discuss how his company is developing a cannabis beverage that poses a serious threat to the alcohol market. With a vast knowledge of the legal cannabis world, access to capital in Canada, and a team of scientists/researchers developing this product, it won't be long before Dooma and his team allow you to drink cannabis at a bar! Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

Scott Jordan - Dynamic Alternative Finance Jun 12, 2017

In this episode, Brandon talks with Scott Jordan of Dynamic Alternative Finance about how to raise money without giving up any equity. While the traditional venture model exchanging equity for capital, Scott and his team provide capital in exchange for a high interest loan. This loan is financed by private investors who are turning to cannabis for higher rates of return. As the industry matures, and banks continue to be slow to serve cannabis companies, firms like Dynamic Alternative Finance will continue to provide capital and help founders grow their business. Check out www.dynaltfinance.com for more info. Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

Destigmatizing Cannabis Mar 03, 2017

DESTIGMATIZATION! The Stigma of Cannabis must end! Featuring some of our favorite guests from past iC episodes, including cannabis legends Debby Goldsberry + Todd McCormick, founder of Meadow, David Hua, and Chancellor Dale Sky Jones of Oaksterdam University, we compiled together an awesome video discussing cannabis stigma and the impact legalization will have in changing that. We want to thank all who came before us in this fight for legalization and destigmatization! It's been a long road, and while we've made great progress (8 of 9 states legal in 2016!), there is much left to fight for. Onward!

E062 - Marc Lustig CEO Of CannaRoyalty Feb 24, 2017

This week Brandon welcomes Marc Lustig, CEO of CannaRoyalty Corp., one of the biggest and most active investors in the Canadian and US cannabis industry. Brandon & Marc talk about CannaRoyalty's latest deals including Anandia Labs and Rich Extracts, the increase of capital competing to invest in the most innovative cannabis startups, the impact of legislation on both the US & Canadian markets and work-life balance, or lack thereof! Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!"

E061 - George Zimmer Feb 17, 2017

We're incredibly humbled to have the legendary George Zimmer on the show today! George is widely known as the founder and former CEO of The Men's Wearhouse. But what was less known until recently is his lifetime passion for cannabis. In this very insightful episode, George talks about what made him become a consumer of cannabis, and later on an activist and investor in the industry. He also shares about his time building and growing The Men's Wearhouse, and his new company, Generation Tux. Of course, Brandon and George also discuss Trump and what it means for the future of cannabis. Tune in for this exceptional episode, listen up and get acquainted! Follow iC: TWITTER: https://twitter.com/cannabispod FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/iCwebshow/ Learn More & Subscribe: http://investingincannabis.tv/ Contact us with any questions, thoughts, ideas for our show here: investingincannabis@gmail.com

E060 - Tress Capital Feb 10, 2017

We usually ask our guests the best things a cannabis startup founder should do when trying to raise money. But do you know what you should NEVER do? Find out in this week's episode with Tress Capital CEO and Cannabis Investor Asher Troppe. Asher also talks to Brandon about how he and his co-founder built an institutional grade investment management platform for the cannabis market, what the appointment of Jeff Sessions as Attorney General means for the industry, the Cannabis Scene in New York, and much more. Tune in, Listen up, Get Acquainted! Follow iC: TWITTER: https://twitter.com/cannabispod FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/iCwebshow/ Learn More & Subscribe: http://investingincannabis.tv/ Contact us with any questions, thoughts, ideas for our show here: investingincannabis@gmail.com

E059 - Trestl Unboxing Feb 03, 2017

It's unboxing time! This week we're introducing you to the Trestl Box, an Assortment Box packed with a wide range of luxury cannabis products. The package includes three premium 1/8 ounce strains, two brownies and a cookie, twelve pre-rolled discreet mini-j’s, a half dozen top shelf pre-rolls, one stainless steel jet lighter, a glass pipe, and a wood grinder. See Brandon trying them one by one and slowly getting... well pretty high! Tune in. Listen up. Get acquainted!

E058 - Good Brownies Jan 27, 2017

Have you ever had a bad experience with a weed brownie? Most people have. But GOOD Brownies is here to change that! Their brownie is not only low-dosage, but delicious. In this episode, Brandon sits with GOOD brownies co-founders Mike Appezzato and Peter Cervantes. They talk + eat brownies and their decision to provide low dosage and transparent ingredients, their distribution strategy, and more! Tune in. Listen up. Get acquainted!

E057 - Somatik Jan 21, 2017

Today, Brandon meets with Chris Schroeder of Somatik, a medical cannabis infused cold brew. Somatik wants to give people a new way to enjoy cannabis and coffee. Made in partnership with Ritual Coffee, each bottle provides 15 mg of THC, and indicators on the side of the bottle make it easy to control your dosage. Brandon and Chris also talk about the importance of building trust with consumers, especially in the cannabis industry, and why building partnerships with companies that make products complimentary to yours is crucial. Tune in. Listen up. Get acquainted.

E056 - BAS Research Jan 13, 2017

In this very insightful episode, the iC team visits BAS Research, California's first licensed medical cannabis manufacturing & research group led by CEO Dr. Bao Le. Brandon and Dr. Le talk about the power of cannabis oil to help with autism and other medical conditions, the state of the cannabis industry and raising funds as a cannabis startup. Tune in. Listen up. Get acquainted. Learn more about BAS Research: http://basresearch.com/ Learn more about and subscribe to the Investing in Cannabis podcast: http://investingincannabis.tv/

E055 - Poseidon Asset Management Update Dec 16, 2016

A year ago, we sat down with Emily and Morgan Paxhia from Poseidon Asset Management to discuss the future of the cannabis industry and what it means for investors. A year later, we take a look back on their predictions and much more for 2017. We also discuss the trending deregulation of cannabis, the Trump presidency and how all of that will impact the market going forward for consumers and investors alike. Tune in, listen up, get acquainted.

E054 - Defonce Chocolatier Dec 09, 2016

Discover the future of cannabis edibles with Défoncé Chocolatier! Brandon met with founder Eric Eslao at their state of the art production facility in the "green zone" of Oakland. After a tour and some chocolate making, Brandon + Eric discussed the business of Defonce. Eric spent many years at Apple running iTunes and brings a strong branding domain expertise to cannabis. With impeccable packaging, Apple-like branding, and incredible taste this is the cannabis chocolate bar your parents need to try! Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

E052 - MyStrain w/ CEO Chris Cimino Nov 21, 2016

In this episode, we traveled to Berkeley, CA to visit the Canopy Berkeley class at the Berkeley WeWork. There we sat down and interviewed Chris Cimino, founder/CEO of MyStrain. MyStrain brings creative, smart labeling to the cannabis industry. Chris has quite the background too. Working formerly for the DA, Chris saw the profits cannabis companies were making and decided to jump into the industry. His startup allows dispensaries more control over their own labeling and packaging for white label products. In addition, it can allow dispensaries to write off more costs for COGS under the infamous 280E law. We are always very excited to tell the stories of new founders/startups in the industry, and this one is no different. Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

E051 - Troy Dayton of Arcview Group Nov 14, 2016

In this special episode, our team traveled to Oakland to visit the Arcview Group HQ and interview their CEO and co-founder, Troy Dayton. Troy is a legend in the cannabis industry. He's a leading activist who also helped create the biggest investor network and deal flow machine in the cannabis industry. In this episode, Brandon and Troy dive deep into how/why he started Arcview, the impact legalization will have on investors and founders, and why it's still important to be an activist while building a company in the cannabis industry. Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

E050 - Prop 64 with Alex Zavell of Robert Raich Nov 07, 2016

In this special episode before the election, we interview senior regulatory analyst and cannabis expert Alex Zavell of Robert Raich. Brandon and Alex dive deep into the ballot measure Prop 64 and the ramifications and implications that adult use legalization will have on California. This episode is packed with actionable info for cannabis business owners, aspiring founders, and investors. Tune in, listen up, get acquainted

E049 - Printabowl Oct 31, 2016

In this episode, Brandon and the team travel to Canopy Berkeley to talk with Al Jacobs, one of the founders of Printabowl. Printabowl is a customizable 3D printed smoking device that was built by 2 brothers at the University of Washington. They now are building out their company and creating an online Nike ID style of customization platform for their customers. The smoking device industry is evolving, and 3D printing is now a part of it.

E048 - At New West With Micah Tapman Of Canopy Oct 24, 2016

From New West Summit with Micah Tapman of CanopyBoulder! In this episode, from the VIP suite at New West, we interview one of the founders of Canopy, the first cannabis accelerator. Their portfolio of companies includes Tradiv, Healthy Headie Lifestyle, Leaf and so many more. Brandon and Micah dive deep into what they've learned from Boulder, their new class in Berkeley, and why it's still so difficult to find top founders and quality investors in the cannabis industry. Tune in, listen up, get acquainted! Learn more about Canopy here: https://www.canopyboulder.com/ Check out our website for more awesome content: http://investingincannabis.tv/

Dale Sky Jones at Elevate Conference Oct 17, 2016

In this episode, from the Elevate conference, Brandon had a fireside chat with the legendary Dale Sky Jones of Oaksterdam University. Dale and her team have been on the front lines educating founders and employees, while simultaneously fighting for responsible cannabis legislation. She's got an incredible wealth of knowledge and experience in this industry, and delivers some great advice to founders. Including, how to navigate the new CA cannabis laws, what are some of the biggest red flags, and why it's so so important to understand what NOT TO DO in cannabis. Because if you fail to understand that, you could still go to jail or lose all your money. If you're interested in learning more about Oaksterdam, check out their awesome new online classes here: https://oaksterdamuniversity.com/online/ Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

E046 - Elevate Founders Panel 2 Oct 10, 2016

On September 20th, 2016 at the Oakland Museum of California, the first cannabis startup conference took place. With a focus on founders, startups, and raising capital, this event was the first of it's kind to get the tech community involved in cannabis. This is one of the later panels of the day, and one of our favorites. This panel featured founders David Hua of Meadow, Seibo Shen of VapeXhale, and Isaac Dietrich of Massroots! Their diverse backgrounds and experiences made this panel incredibly valuable to current and prospective cannabis founders. They gave their elevator pitch, discussed their value proposition, gave advice to aspiring founders, and added tremendous value to all who listened. We thank each of them for their incredible contributions to the industry and the ELEVATE conference. More content from ELEVATE to come! Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

E045 - Elevate Founders Panel 1 Oct 03, 2016

Check out the first Founder Panel at Elevate. This panel featured founders Cy Scott of Headset, Geoff Doran of Tradiv, and Cassandra Farrington of Marijuana Business Daily! Their diverse backgrounds and experiences made this panel incredibly valuable to current and prospective cannabis founders. More content from ELEVATE to come! Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

E044 - David Goldstein, Founder/CEO of Potbotics Sep 26, 2016

In this episode, we welcome David Goldstein, founder and CEO of Potbotics. David and his company are pushing the boundaries of medical cannabis research and product development. With products like the Potbot and Brainbot, you can get an EEG to help analyze which cannabis works best with your brain. In this fascinating discussion, Brandon and David dive into the medical side of cannabis, Israel's influence in the medical community, and the future of medical cannabis in the US. Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

Willow + Magnolia Wellness Partnership Aug 29, 2016

In this awesome episode, we head to Magnolia Wellness of Oakland to talk with Willow founder Chris Liu and Magnolia Director Debby Goldsberry about their recent partnership. Brandon dives into the Willow experience, the upcoming ELEVATE conference/Demo Day, and how Gateway Incubator helped make this all happen. Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

GTWY|01 - Pranav Sood Of Trellis Aug 16, 2016

In this episode, Brandon sits down with Pranav Sood of Trellis to discuss his inventory management solution for the cannabis industry that doesn't suck . Hailing from Toronto, Pranav is another founder in the GTWY|01 class. Brandon and Pranav dive deep into his experiences raising money, customer development, and his decision to move to California to be a part of the Gateway Incubator's first class. Get tickets to ELEVATE here: http://www.elevateconference.com/register Sign up for GTWY Class 2 here: http://www.gtwy.co/apply

Jim Fitzpatrick of Kodiak Capital Jul 28, 2016

Brandon sits down with Jim Fitzpatrick of Kodiak Capital to get an in depth look at the public cannabis markets. IPO's, Penny Stocks, and Pink Sheets. Even small time investors with limited capital can participate and invest in public cannabis companies! Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

GTWY|01 - Marshall Hayner Jul 22, 2016

We are so excited to feature the second company from Gateway Incubator's inaugural class. Marshall Hayner is creating a cannabis payments platform that allows merchants and customers to use credit cards! This episode also features Gateway co-founders Ben Larson and Carter Laren talking about their selection process, why they picked Marshall, and what they expect of him come Demo Day on September 19th! This episode gives an incredible look inside the first CA cannabis incubator! Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

Trek Hollagnel - Co-Founder of DOPE Magazine Jul 14, 2016

On this episode, we traveled to Seattle to interview, Trek Hollnagel, one of the co-founders of Dope Magazine! We went to their (now former) home office on the water in Seattle to discuss everything DOPE and how to live the DOPE Lifestyle! Brandon and Trek dive into the creation of DOPE 5 years ago, their first magazine cover with the Mayor of Seattle, and why it's important to have ethics and integrity as a cannabis media company. Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

GTWY|01 - Khari and Sascha Stallworth Jul 08, 2016

We are so excited to feature the first company from Gateway Incubator's inaugural class. Khari Stallworth and Sascha Stallworth are creating one of the best edibles companies in the world! This episode also features Gateway co-founders Ben Larson and Carter Laren talking about their selection process, why they picked these companies, and what they expect of them come Demo Day on September 19th! This episode gives an incredible look inside the first CA cannabis incubator! Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

Anthony Davis of Anslinger Capital Jun 30, 2016

On this episode Brandon sits down with Anthony Davis, co-founder and managing partner of Anslinger Capital. With investments in DOPE, Tradiv, and Headset, Anthony and his team are some of the few investors actually writing checks in the cannabis industry. This episode is full of amazing advice for founders about how to pitch your company, how long your pitch deck should be, and why people matter most for startups. Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

Dale Sky Jones of Oaksterdam University Jun 24, 2016

In this special episode, Brandon takes a tour of Oaksterdam University with their Executive Chancellor, Dale Sky Jones! With students from over 30 countries and a new online learning center, Oaksterdam is the premier cannabis school in the world. Dale and Brandon also dive deep into medical v adult use, women and minorities in cannabis, and why we need to deschedule not reschedule cannabis. Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

Cy Scott - Co-Founder of Headset and Leafly Jun 16, 2016

In this episode, we travel to Seattle for our first iC roadtrip! The trip started at the offices of Headset where Cy Scott and his team are building the next big thing in cannabis data. Cy and his team also co-founded Leafly and are one of the few in cannabis with a BIG win under their belt! This episode covers everything from Washington cannabis regulations, to building a incredible founder team, to how big data will revolutionize the cannabis experience. Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

California Sungrown Cannabis with Flow Kana's Adam Steinberg Jun 02, 2016

In this episode, Brandon welcomes Adam Steinberg, Head of Business Development at Flow Kana. Flow Kana is the first sun-grown, outdoor, sustainable California cannabis brand that features amazing Mendocino farmers such as Swami Select, Hope Springs, Emerald Grown, and HappyDay Farms! Adam and Brandon discuss everything from why craft cannabis is here to stay, the biggest challenges with packaging and branding, and how the 2016 legalization efforts could impact small and large farmer alike. Tune in, listen up, get acquainted! Follow our host Brandon David!! Snapchat and Instagram: bdavidsocraveit Invest in cannabis and help us create more content at Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/investinginca... Company Website: https://www.flowkana.com/home Instagram: http://instagram.com/flow_kana Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flowkana Twitter: https://twitter.com/flowkana iC Website: http://investingincannabis.tv/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/Investing-in... Twitter: https://twitter.com/CannabisPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cannabispod/ MassRoots: https://massroots.com/user/icpodcast Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/investing-in-c... Periscope: @cannabispod Follow us on iTunes at “Investing in Cannabis” Contact us with any questions, thoughts, ideas for our show here: investingincannabis@gmail.com

David Drake - Founder/CEO of Cannabis Reports May 22, 2016

New Episode with David Drake of Cannabis Reports! Brandon and David discuss everything from strain lineage, why having an open API is important, and the future of data in cannabis. It's a fascinating episode, and you can hear more from David and Cannabis Reports on Green Flower Media today! ‪#‎entrepreneur‬ ‪#‎cannabis‬ ‪#‎founders‬ ‪#‎investors‬ ‪#‎data‬

Etienne Fontan of Berkeley Patients Group May 12, 2016

In this episode, Brandon welcomes Etienne Fontan, cannabis legend and Director of Berkeley Patients Group. They discuss how injuries from serving in the first Gulf War led Etienne to initially try cannabis. That experience as a patient sparked him to become an activist with the CAN (Cannabis Action Network) and then a businessman with BPG (Berkeley Patients Group). He even got married at a High Times Cannabis Cup! This is a fascinating and wide-ranging discussion with a true legend of the cannabis world. Tune in, listen up, get acquainted!

Episode 31 - Pot-O-Coffee Apr 08, 2016

In this episode Mark Englestead, founder of Pot-O-Coffee, joins iC to discuss the cannabis CBD and THC infused coffee, tea, and coco products his company is creating. It's a delicious episode that dives into creating a cannabis brand, Keurig lid issues, and the difficulties of proper dosing with edible products. Pot O Coffee Website: http://www.potocoffee.coffee/#welcome Investing in Cannabis Website: http://investingincannabis.tv/ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/investingincannabis?ty=h

Todd McCormick - Cannabis Legend and Founder of Hemp.xxx Apr 02, 2016

In this special episode, Brandon interviews the founder of Hemp.xxx and cannabis legend Todd McCormick. Todd goes into his story of how he started using cannabis as a kid to combat cancer, his incredible gift and passion for growing, and some amazing stories about his Bel-Air mansion parties with celebrities before he ultimately served time in prison for growing cannabis. This episode is long, but well worth it. Listen up, tune in, and get acquainted.

Episode 29 - Herbfront founder Matt Chapdelaine Mar 20, 2016

In this episode of iC, we have HerbFront founder Matt Chapdelaine on to discuss how he used his background in commercial real estate to build their interactive mapping and zoning platform to help find compliant real estate nationwide

Episode 28 With Prestodoctor & News Mar 01, 2016

2016 Election, Trump, Bernie, SpeedWeed, DARE, and CA Legalization...‪#‎getacquainted‬

Episode 27 - Ken Morrow of Trichome Technologies Share Jan 29, 2016

In this episode, Ken Morrow, the Founder of Trichome Technologies, stops by to talk about his new book and his experiences in the cannabis industry. Ken has been growing cannabis for over 35 years. He also recently published his first book, “Marijuana Horticulture Fundamentals: A Comprehensive Guide to Cannabis Cultivation and Hashish Production." Ken truly is a pioneer in the cannabis industry. Enjoy!

Episode 26 - The Grale by Blunt Ventures Jan 22, 2016

In this episode, Blunt Ventures joins us to introduce their new swiss army knife of grinders. The Grale is the world's first medical grinder and scale. It can grind, weigh, and store all canna-flowers." The Grale is also the only grinder designed to measure precise dosages and increase consumption awareness. This product is truly epic! Enjoy!

Episode 25 - Ben Curren of Green Bits Jan 15, 2016

In episode 25, Ben Curren of Green Bits joins us to talk about their point-of-sale service designed specifically for cannabis companies. Founded on March 24, 2014, Green Bits has been growing steadily and building out its service to help canna-businesses grow and stay legal. Green Bits was also named the first runner-up at TechCrunch Disrupt, the first time in history that a cannabis technology company had been invited to participate. Enjoy!

Episode 24 - Founders of Gateway Jan 08, 2016

On episode 24, we speak with Carter Laren and Ben Larson of Gateway, an early stage accelerator program for cannabis companies. Gateway is a full immersion business accelerator and seed investment program located in the birthplace of the cannabis industry, Oakland, CA. Tune in to hear about how Gateway is helping cannabis startups become legitimate businesses in a rapidly growing and changing industry.

Episode 23 Live Show - Seibo Shen of VapeXhale Jan 05, 2016

On this episode, Seibo Shen of VapeXhale joins us to discuss their award-winning line of vaporizers. This episode was our first to be filmed with a live audience.

Episode 22 - Aeron Sullivan of Tradiv Jan 05, 2016

In this episode, we talk to Aeron Sullivan of Tradiv about its B2B marketplace for cannabis growers, marijuana-infused product companies, and dispensaries. Their mission is to make wholesale cannabis trade efficient, easy, and secure. Enjoy!

Episode 21- Dr. Dan Dec 23, 2015

Dr. Dan joins IC to help us understand the pros and cons of cannabis consumption. We will also get into the difference between THC and CBD. Enjoy!

Episode 20- Auntie Dolores Dec 23, 2015

Julianna stops by to talk shop about her new line of non psychoactive CBD pet treats, Treatibles, as well as all things Auntie Dolores, including packaging, some taste tests, funding, and the future of the iconic brand.

Episode 19- Green Rush Consulting Dec 23, 2015

In this episode Brandon interviews the lovely ladies of Green Rush Consulting, Sarah Ceti and Cara Cordoni. Green Rush Consulting helps entrepreneurs nationwide apply for and win medical cannabis licenses. Brandon, Cara, and Sarah dive deep into the process of applying and successfully winning medical cannabis licenses in different states, the story of building Green Rush, and the dates and docs that matter for entrepreneurs seeking licensing in California. Cara also delights us with an awesome song at the end. Enjoy!

Episode 18 - Ed Rosenthal Dec 23, 2015

In this special episode we have the pleasure of interviewing cannabis legend, author, and comedian Ed Rosenthal! Brandon and the team went to Ed’s house in Piedmont, CA and spent a Saturday having way too much fun with Ed.

Episode 17- Q&A With Brandon David Dec 23, 2015

On this episode, Brandon answers your biggest questions about the Cannabis Industry. Including, why driving under the influence of cannabis is a bad thing, the Delivery v Dispensary debate, and the transition from medical to recreational in California.

Episode 16: Ross Mirkarimi, Sheriff of San Francisco & Cannabis Advocate Oct 29, 2015

It’s election season! And in a very special episode of Investing in Cannabis, Brandon interviews the current Sheriff of San Francisco, Ross Mirkarimi. Sheriff Ross has been described as the most progressive Sheriff in the US and he is running for re-election on November 3rd. He is also the only Sheriff of 58 in the state that supports the legalization and regulation of cannabis. Brandon and Ross not only discuss cannabis, but they dive into deeper topics like prison reform, homelessness, gun control, and his support for Bernie Sanders. Please follow Sheriff Ross at @Ross_Mirkarimi and at www.rossforsheriff.org. And don’t forget to vote on November 3rd!!

Episode 15: Plus Gum CEO Jake Heimark & Head of R&D Crunchy Crunchington Oct 22, 2015

In this episode Investing in Cannabis has our first product launch! The co-founders of Plus Gum, Jake and Crunchy, come onto our show to launch their product with our host, Brandon. They discuss the creation of the gum, terpene stripping, and a host of other issues facing cannabis startups including raising money, scaling, and distribution. Plus Gum is the perfect medical cannabis edible. It's fast acting: you can feel the effect in as few as five minutes. It's low calorie: fewer than 5 calories per piece. And it tastes great: we are able to completely remove the taste of marijuana while leaving the active ingredients intact.

Episode 14: Cannabis Marketing & Branding expert, Matthew J Cote. Oct 15, 2015

In this episode Brandon interviews Matthew J Cote, cannabis branding expert and founder of TechnoVerde. Matt has built visionary brand strategy campaigns for Bhang Chocolates, Auntie Dolores, Vapir Vaporizers, and Steep Hill Labs. Brandon and Matt discuss a wide range of topics, including how packaging can tell a brand’s story, the rise of social media in cannabis, and his personal experience pitching his parents on the benefits of cannabis.

Episode 13: Debby Goldsberry, Legend of the Cannabis Industry Oct 08, 2015

In this episode Brandon interviews Debby Goldsberry, the current Ambassador for Magnolia Wellness and a long-time cannabis activist and legend. Debby also co-founded the Berkeley Patients Group and is a professor of Patient Relations at Oaksterdam University. Brandon and Debby discuss a wide range of topics, including her early activist days, the current cannabis legalisation movement, and the pros and cons of delivery v the dispensary experience.

Episode 12: Tripp Keber, CEO of Dixie Brands Oct 01, 2015

n this episode Brandon interviews Tripp Keber, the CEO and co-founder of Dixie Brands and Dixie Elixirs. Since 2010, Tripp and his team have been busy building the first national cannabis brand. Brandon and Tripp dive deep into the creation story of Dixie, their recent brand expansion to California, and why he welcomes the coming FDA regulation of the cannabis industry.

Episode 11: Poseidon Asset Management Sep 23, 2015

In this episode Brandon interviews Morgan and Emily Paxhia, the brother-sister co-founders of Poseidon Asset Management. Founded in late 2013, their cannabis hedge fund has quite the portfolio of investments. These investments include: @MassRoots, @GetMeadow, @FlowHubCo, @Surnainc, and a new investment in Headset. Brandon, Morgan, and Emily dive deep into the difficulties of investing in cannabis startups, some crazy applications of hemp, and the social stigma of working and using cannabis.

Episode 10: David Lampach, the co-founder and CEO of Steep Hill Labs Sep 16, 2015

In this episode Brandon interviews David Lampach, the co-founder and CEO of Steep Hill Labs. Steep Hill is the country’s leading cannabis science and technology firm. Since opening their first commercial cannabis lab in 2008, Steep Hill has grown immensely. They now have labs in CA, WA, CO, and NV with plans for expansion into NM and OR very soon. Brandon and David will dive into why testing cannabis is so important for consumers, medical v recreational cannabis differences, and the many new products coming out of their R&D lab including the QuantaCann and the GenKit.

Episode 9: Sam Kagan founder of Green Rush Press Sep 10, 2015

In this episode Brandon interviews Sam Kagan, industry veteran, creator of Humboldt Wholesale Magazine, and founder of Green Rush Press. Sam explains how his love of graphic design translated into creating cannabis magazines. His personal story involves hippie parents, tee-pee living, working in Humboldt, and his first entrepreneurial venture with Green Rush Press.

Episode 8: Amanda and Shabnam Sep 02, 2015

In this episode Brandon interviews Amanda Conley and Shabnam Malek about their many business endeavours. In 2015 alone, they’ve founded their own law firm, Brand and Branch, and the National Cannabis Bar Association. In addition, they are the two co-chairs of the Bay Area Chapter of Women Grow and they speak at events around the country. These women are the ultimate hustlers. In this episode, we will dive into why cannabis law is so hard, how to manage time while running multiple businesses, and the phenomenon of “coming out” to friends/family about cannabis.

Episode 7: Gilbert Pacheco of Pacific Salsa Aug 25, 2015

Episode 7: Gilbert Pacheco of Pacific Salsa by Brandon David

Episode 5: Yoni Ofir - Founder of Leaf Aug 13, 2015

In this episode we interview, Yoni Ofir, founder of Leaf. Leaf is an automated, smartphone controlled, cannabis growing system. Yoni is already a successful founder who sold his first company, Alcohoot, 2 years ago. Born in California, but raised in Israel, Yoni’s experiences are wide-ranging, even compared to today’s startup founders. Brandon and Yoni discuss the Leaf story and early adopter program, fundraising rounds and vice clauses, fighting for equality in cannabis, and the Israeli cannabis culture.

Episode 4: Rob Tankson III - Co-Founder of PrestoDoctor Aug 06, 2015

In this episode we interview, Rob Tankson III, co-founder of PrestoDoctor. PrestoDoctor is a San Francisco based startup that offers customers a service where you can video chat with a doctor for a medical cannabis recommendation for only $50. Rob also discusses another product that helps dispensaries on-board new or current patients with a tablet interface. https://prestodoctor.com SPECIAL PROMO CODE: 'INVESTING' Founders: Kyle Powers (Technical Co-founder) Rob Tankson III (Other Co-founder) https://angel.co/rntankson https://angel.co/mfkp

Episode 3: David Hua - CEO & Co-Founder of Meadow Jul 30, 2015

In this episode we interview, David Hua, founder of Meadow. Meadow SF based startup that has an on-demand delivery service to connect patients with medical cannabis providers. Meadow also will send doctors to your house for in-home evaluations and recommendations. Brandon and Hua discuss merging technology with cannabis, his YCombinator experience, and what type of culture he wants to build at Meadow and in the industry.

Episode 2: Doug Leighton - Founder of Dutchess Capital Jul 23, 2015

In this episode, we interview Doug Leighton, the founder and Managing Director of Dutchess Capital. Dutchess Capital is a Boston based global hedge fund that recently decided to allocate part of their fund to cannabis investing. As one of the first investors in MassRoots, the social network for cannabis, Doug sees huge opportunities in the industry for entrepreneurs and investors alike. Brandon and Doug discuss his investment thesis for MassRoots, his experience with the ArcView Investor Network, and his partnership with MIT Innovation Labs.

Episode 1: Marvina - The Curated Cannabis Experience Jul 14, 2015

In this episode, we interview Dane Pieri, the founder of Marvina. Marvina is a San Francisco startup delivering a high-end curated cannabis experience. In this episode, Dane discusses why Marvina is a better experience than the dispensary, advertising and banking issues in the cannabis industry, as well as why investors prefer a culture of business first and cannabis second in startups. Company/Founder Info: Company: https://marvina.com/ Founder: Dane Pieri @danepieri

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