MJBiz News & Views

Cannabis is a difficult space. It requires daily hard work in the business, leaving little time for work on the business – including raising capital. In this special episode of News & Views – recorded at MJBizCon in Las Vegas – Diane Czarkowski, CEO of Canna Advisors, spoke with Marijuana Business Daily’s finance reporter, Nick Thomas, about: Why social equity matters in the cannabis industry. The drivers behind slowing capital for companies. What business execs need to consider when looking to raise capital. Subscribe to our podcasts on iTunes, Stitcher and here on our site!

Portugal legalized medical cannabis in 2018, and the country wants to become a leading exporter of marijuana for the region. In this special episode of News & Views - recorded at MJBizCon in Las Vegas - Joao Taborda da Gama, an attorney based in Lisbon, Portugal, who has been involved in developing the industry since it began, spoke with Marijuana Business Daily's international analyst, Alfredo Pascual, about: The current state of the cannabis industry in Portugal. What business opportunities exist there. The advantages of growing cannabis in the country. Subscribe to our podcasts on iTunes, Stitcher and here on our site!

Beauty products manufacturers are increasingly looking at ways to include CBD in their product offerings, but hurdles remain around broad availability and acceptance of these products. In this special episode of News & Views - recorded at MJBizCon in Las Vegas - Daniela Ciocan, CEO of Unfiltered Beauty, spoke with Marijuana Business Daily's vice president of external relations, Chris Day, about: The role of social marketing in educating consumers about CBD products. How cannabis businesses can use social media influencers to boost their audiences. Why CBD product manufacturers need to focus on distribution and marketing. Subscribe to our podcasts on iTunes, Stitcher and here on our site!

While CBD has kept hold of the headlines, several in the hemp industry are already turning their eyes to other molecules in the cannabis plant. In this special episode of News & Views - recorded at MJBizCon in Las Vegas - Michael Townsend, president of Hemptown USA, spoke with Hemp Industry Daily reporter Laura Drotleff about: Which cannabinoids are expected to open the greatest opportunity for the industry. The importance of genetics - and the challenges in obtaining them. How consumer demand for cannabinoids is expected to change. Subscribe to our podcasts on iTunes, Stitcher and here on our site!

As marijuana legalization marches state by state across the United States, expectations are high for adoption even in conservative areas such as South Dakota. In this special episode of News & Views – recorded at MJBizCon in Las Vegas – Kyle Detweiler, CEO of Clever Leaves, and Tom Daschle, former majority leader for the U.S. Senate and now a lobbyist with ties to cannabis, spoke with Marijuana Business Daily‘s finance reporter, Nick Thomas, about: The outlook for South Dakota. How public sentiment is driving change at the national level. Expectations for national legalization in the near future. Subscribe to our podcasts on iTunes, Stitcher and here on our site!

Mexico's Supreme Court ruled that the government has until April 30 to legalize all forms of cannabis, which would create the world’s largest adult-use market by population. In this special episode of News & Views - recorded at MJBizCon in Las Vegas - Guillermo Nieto, president of the National Cannabis Industry Association (ANICANN) in Mexico, and Hugo Alvarez of Canncura, sat down with Marijuana Business Daily's international analyst, Alfredo Pascual, to discuss: The current state of the cannabis industry in Mexico and where it is headed. Business opportunities in the Latin American country. Which companies are already positioning themselves to capitalize on the pending legalization. Subscribe to our podcasts on iTunes, Stitcher and here on our site!

Extractors in the cannabis industry are always looking for ways to be bigger, better and more efficient. Enter: artificial intelligence. In this special episode of News & Views - recorded at MJBizCon in Las Vegas - Andy Joseph, CEO of Apeks Supercritical, sat down with Hemp Industry Daily's editor, Kristen Nichols, to discuss: How companies should be preparing for real due diligence as the industry grows and consolidates. Why investment in technology is critical for the expanding marijuana industry. The role of artificial intelligence in agricultural industries. Subscribe to our podcasts on iTunes, Stitcher and here on our site!

Florida is one of the hottest markets for cannabis in the United States, and companies are investing big money to get their pieces of the pie. In this special episode of News & Views - recorded at MJBizCon in Las Vegas - Sally Peebles, a partner in Vicente Sederberg's Jacksonville, Florida, office, sat down with Marijuana Business Daily's legal and regulatory reporter, Jeff Smith, to discuss: The key players in Florida and how they got their edge. Proposals currently in the state's Legislature that could fundamentally change the market. Other Southern markets to keep an eye on for medical and adult-use cannabis rule changes. Subscribe to our podcasts on iTunes, Stitcher and here on our site!

Advertising and marketing opportunities for the cannabis industry have been severely limited by a mishmash of market-specific rules. But a new association, informally known as the Cannabis Marketing Group, is looking to overcome those challenges. In this special episode of News & Views - recorded at MJBizCon in Las Vegas - Jesse Burns, sales and marketing director for Sweet Grass, and Julia Bright, marketing director for Wana Brands, sat down with Marijuana Business Daily's vice president of external relations, Chris Day, to discuss: Why they saw a need for a group such as this. What the group's goals are for identifying and strengthening marketing opportunities. How new research sponsored by the group will help cannabis companies understand and better reach their customers. Subscribe to our podcasts on iTunes, Stitcher and here on our site!

A year after the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp in the United States, the industry is still trying to figure out what the path to success looks like. In this special episode of News & Views - recorded at MJBizCon in Las Vegas - Marysia Morawska, who oversees hemp projects with the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Service, sat down with Hemp Industry Daily's editor, Kristen Nichols, to discuss: The potential for hemp success in the Southwest. How the industry would benefit from national standards for testing and labeling. Why the hemp industry is ultimately responsible for the problems it currently faces. Subscribe to our podcasts on iTunes, Stitcher and here on our site!

Vaping has been a popular method for ingesting cannabis and tobacco for quite a while, so the health crisis that unfolded earlier this year caught many in the marijuana industry off guard. In this special episode of News & Views - recorded at MJBizCon in Las Vegas - Wes Burk, president of Emerald Scientific, sat down with Marijuana Business Daily's science and technology reporter, Omar Sacirbey, to discuss: Why this crisis happened now. How the industry reacted - and how it should respond going forward. What the science says - and doesn't say - about the potential for safer alternatives to vape. Subscribe to our podcasts on iTunes, Stitcher and here on our site!

Several pieces of legislation - including the SAFE and STATES acts - have stalled in the U.S. Congress. While there is still some optimism that something will eventually pass, most experts believe that there's still room for improvement. In this special episode of News & Views - recorded at MJBizCon in Las Vegas - David Wenger, a principal with GRA Holdings, and Jeff Schultz, general counsel and chief compliance officer for Navy Capital, sat down with Marijuana Business Daily's finance reporter, Nick Thomas, to discuss: The status of the SAFE Banking Act and its monumental importance to the industry. How the SAFE Banking Act could easily be improved upon. Why the STATES Act likely won't pass - and why that measure is not necessarily the best course of action for cannabis entrepreneurs. Subscribe to our podcasts on iTunes, Stitcher and here on our site!

Good market data is still hard to come by in the cannabis industry, but Seattle-based Headset is working to change that. In this special episode of News & Views - recorded at MJBizCon in Las Vegas - Headset CEO Cy Scott sat down with Marijuana Business Daily's vice president of external relations, Chris Day, and research editor, Eli McVey, to discuss: The value to businesses of having access to consumer trend data. How data quality in the U.S. and Canada compare. Key trends that marijuana businesses should be keeping an eye on. Subscribe to our podcasts on iTunes, Stitcher and here on our site!

Colombia is ready for cannabis, but it still needs global markets to open their doors to the product. That's the message from Mario Pinzon, cannabis division director for Colombia-based Siacomex. In this special episode of News & Views - recorded at MJBizCon in Las Vegas - Pinzon sat down with Marijuana Business Daily's international analyst, Alfredo Pascual, to discuss: Why international trade for cannabis - even just CBD - is more challenging than for other markets. What needs to happen next in the global cannabis market. Where companies that want to tap into Colombia's potential can start. Subscribe to our podcasts on iTunes, Stitcher and here on our site!

The marijuana industry is changing rapidly, and Marijuana Business Daily is changing alongside it. Earlier this year, the organization announced that Founding Editor Chris Walsh would be stepping into the role of CEO at the beginning of 2020. In this special episode of News & Views - recorded at MJBizCon in Las Vegas - Marijuana Business Daily's vice president of publishing, Pam Moore, sat down with Walsh to discuss: Where he believes the industry is headed in the next year. How the industry handled the vape crisis - and what it can learn from the experience. His vision for MJBizCon going forward.

The inaugural MJBizDaily Industry Impact Award highlighted the people who have taken the lead in driving the industry forward. In this special episode of News & Views - recorded at MJBizCon in Las Vegas - Marijuana Business Daily's vice president of publishing, Pam Moore, sat down with Nancy Whiteman, CEO of Wana Brands and the first-ever winner of the Industry Impact Award, to discuss: Why gaining the trust of budtenders is critical to success with customers. How to differentiate your brands and products in a crowded market. How others can grow their own careers while having a positive industry impact.

The inaugural MJBizDaily Industry Impact Award highlighted the people who have taken the lead in driving the industry forward. In this special episode of News & Views - recorded at MJBizCon in Las Vegas - Marijuana Business Daily's vice president of publishing, Pam Moore, sat down with AC Braddock, CEO of Eden Labs and one of the Industry Impact finalists, to discuss: Why the vape crisis is an extraction problem. The challenges of having an "overdeveloped sense of responsibility." Tips for other entrepreneurs looking to get into the marijuana industry.

The inaugural MJBizDaily Industry Impact Award highlighted the people who have taken the lead in driving the industry forward. In this special episode of News & Views - recorded at MJBizCon in Las Vegas - Marijuana Business Daily's vice president of publishing, Pam Moore, sat down with Julie Berliner, CEO of Sweet Grass and one of the Industry Impact finalists, to discuss: Why cannabis companies should care about responsible consumption. Balancing parenthood with being a leader in a federally illegal industry. How Sweet Grass kept its focus amid rapid industry changes.

The inaugural MJBizDaily Industry Impact Award highlighted the people who have taken the lead in driving the industry forward. In this special episode of News & Views - recorded at MJBizCon in Las Vegas - Marijuana Business Daily's vice president of publishing, Pam Moore, sat down with John Lord, CEO of LivWell Enlightened Health and one of the Industry Impact finalists, to discuss: The role of social equity in cannabis. Impact of recent regulatory changes in Colorado. Advice for people just getting started in the marijuana industry.

The inaugural MJBizDaily Industry Impact Award highlighted the people who have taken the lead in driving the industry forward. In this special episode of News & Views - recorded at MJBizCon in Las Vegas - Marijuana Business Daily's vice president of publishing, Pam Moore, sat down with Steve White, CEO of Harvest Health and Recreation and one of the finalists, to discuss: The state of M&A in the cannabis industry - and what's driving change. How marijuana's reputation has evolved. Tips for building your business in the maturing environment.

The inaugural MJBizDaily Industry Impact Award highlighted the people who have taken the lead in driving the industry forward. In this special episode of News & Views - recorded at MJBizCon in Las Vegas - Marijuana Business Daily's vice president of publishing, Pam Moore, sat down with Shanita Penny, founder and CEO of Budding Solutions and one of the finalists, to discuss: The importance of social equity in the cannabis industry. The benefits of the industry consolidating and professionalizing. Why the industry needs to include advocacy.

Boulder, Colorado-based Wana Brands is the No. 1 edibles brand in the state. In this special episode of News & Views - recorded at MJBizCon in Las Vegas - Marijuana Business Daily's retail and infused products reporter, Margaret Jackson, sat down with Wana Brands CEO Nancy Whiteman to discuss: The challenges of being a woman in the cannabis industry. How Wana Brands got started. The company's strategy for continued growth.

California is poised to become the largest marijuana market in the world, but there are several hurdles the state and its cannabis operators need to overcome to get there. In this special episode of News & Views, MJBizDaily Investor Intelligence analyst Mike Regan talks with Brian Mitchell, CEO of California-based Shryne Group, about how the company became one of the largest operators in the state as well as its strategy for staying there. The two discuss: Why Shryne is focused on the California market. How 280E helped to shape the company's strategy. What tightened capital markets mean for growth.

Latin America is being looked at as a new land of opportunity for cannabis – eventually. In this episode of News & Views, host Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier talks with Marijuana Business Daily's international analyst, Alfredo Pascual, about what makes Latin America – in particular Colombia – attractive to businesses and investors. Pascual also talks with David Gordon, CCO of Toronto-based PharmaCielo, about the risks and opportunities inherent in doing business in Colombia.  Topics include: What makes Latin America an attractive base for businesses? When can the industry expect to see a global export market open? What steps should businesses and investors take to succeed in Latin America? Subscribe to our podcasts on iTunes, Stitcher and here on our site!

Canada already has established itself as a leader in the global marijuana market, and new regulations going into effect later this year likely will strengthen the country's position. In this special edition of News & Views, recorded live at MJBizConINT'L in Toronto, Chris Day, vice president of external relations, talks with Jon Kamin, chief revenue officer of Lift & Co, about the new partnership between MJBizDaily and Lift to collaborate on MJ conferences in the United States and Canada and how collaborations such as these can strengthen the industry as a whole. Day and Kamin dive into: The need for data in growing the industry - and the role Lift plays in providing it. How the Canadian market is evolving. Why cannabis companies across segments should consider partnerships. Subscribe to our podcasts on iTunes, Stitcher and here on our site!

The U.S. marijuana market is in a state of hypergrowth, and more competition means an increased need to differentiate your products. In this episode of News & Views, host Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier talks with Marijuana Business Daily's cultivation and extraction reporter, Bart Schaneman, about what craft cannabis is and why companies are turning to it in an effort to stand out from the crowd. Schaneman also talks with Katie Stem, CEO of Portland, Oregon-based Peak Extracts, about what the edibles company sees as its key differentiation and where the market is headed. Topics include: What is craft cannabis? How companies can differentiate themselves in a crowded market. Where the cannabis industry is headed. Subscribe to our podcasts on iTunes, Stitcher and here on our site!

The legal cannabis landscape has been changing at a rapid clip in the past few years - and there are no signs of that momentum slowing. In this episode of News & Views, host Bart Schaneman talks with MJBizDaily's political and regulatory reporter, Jeff Smith, and Don Murphy of the Marijuana Policy Project about key bills at the state and federal levels - and what it all means for the broader cannabis industry. Topics include: Analysis of the legislative trends playing out. How business owners should think about recent and potential political moves. What changes to the political landscape may be coming for the industry. Subscribe to our podcasts on iTunes, Stitcher and here on our site!

The cannabis industry as a legal entity hasn’t been around for all that long - meaning most of the companies involved are still in the startup phase, with all the challenges that arise from that.   And that includes recruiting an compensation considerations, according to Kara Bradford, CEO of cannabis recruiting agency Viridian Staffing, based in Seattle - and our guest on this episode of News & Views. Also in this episode: Bradford joins host Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier to discuss the most common issues cannabis executives face with regards to human resources and offers tips on how to overcome them for long-term success. MJBizDaily's science and technology reporter, Omar Sacirbey, shares what he learned from working on the Salary Survey package in the April issue of Marijuana Business Magazine. Read more about the killer technology that's making waves in the cannabis space in the April issue of Marijuana Business Magazine. Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher and here on our site!

The rapid pace of growth in the cannabis industry is being boosted by equally rapid advancements in technology to support the different segments within the industry. But to truly capitalize on innovation, make sure that those innovations are meeting a need for the industry, said Aaron Ray and Jason Duweke, CEO and COO, respectively, of Spokane, Washington-based cannabis tech firm STM Canna – and our guests on this episode of News & Views. Also in this episode, MJBiz Science and Technology Reporter Omar Sacirbey shares what technology he is most excited about and how cannabis entrepreneurs can effectively incorporate them into their businesses. In addition, Ray and Duweke join host Bart Schaneman to provide tips and tricks for avoiding shiny object syndrome when considering new technology. Read more about the killer technology that's making waves in the cannabis space in the February issue of Marijuana Business Magazine. Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher and here on our site!

The only constant in California's newly regulated cannabis market is change. But another other way to look at it is now is the time for licensed cannabis firms in California to shape their own destinies. That chaos is an opportunity for those willing to embrace it, according to Pamela Epstein, managing partner and CEO of Los Angeles-based Green Wise Companies, and our guest on this episode of News & Views. In this episode, MJBiz Senior Reporter John Schroyer shares his insights on what's happening in the California cannabis market – and what's next. In addition, Epstein joins host Bart Schaneman to provide tips and tricks for capitalizing on the current California market and insight on where opportunities exist and challenges persist. Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher and here on our site!  

Women make up more than half of the population in the U.S. and Canada, yet they still hold an astonishingly small portion of the leadership roles in the nascent industry. But several women are actively seeking to change that dynamic by setting examples for other women and providing mentorship and support for those looking to grow in this industry. In this episode, MJBiz Daily Finance Report Lisa Bernard-Kuhn shares her insights on why diversity matters and where the industry is headed in 2019. In addition, she sits down with three of Marijuana Business Magazine’s 2019 Women to Watch – Vivien Azer, Lindy Snider and Jeanette VanderMarel – to get their take on what’s driving change in the industry and how they can help it evolve.  Find the complete 2019 Women to Watch list in our January issue. Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher and here on our site!

Marijuana Business Daily presents News & Views Episode 2. In this episode, your host Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier will discuss: The 2018 Farm Bill, on the fast track for final approval. How its passage will have big immediate effects on the nascent hemp industry. Hemp Industry Daily Editor Kristen Nichols provides an outlook – good and bad – for the cannabis industry on both sides of the 0.3% THC limit (which includes its possible effects on both hemp and marijuana). Guest Bob Crumley, founder of a vertically integrated hemp business – Founder’s Hemp – and a critical player in the creation of North Carolina’s hemp laws, shares his insider insights on what’s next for the industry and how he’s preparing for the future of cannabis. Sponsored by: Citizen Green Community Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher and here on our site!

Marijuana Business Daily presents News & Views Episode 1. Your hosts, reporter Bart Schaneman and research editor Eli McVey, will discuss falling wholesale cannabis prices in the United States, including: The commoditization of marijuana. How cultivators are dealing with price declines. The impact of price declines on cultivators based on business model (vertically integrated vs. stand-alone) and grow type (indoor, outdoor, greenhouse). The measures state regulators are taking to address wholesale price declines. The impact of large, commercial-scale cultivation operations on the wholesale cannabis market. How smaller growers can preserve their position in the industry amid wholesale price declines. Strategies cultivators are using to maximize revenue. Historical and forward-looking wholesale marijuana pricing trends. The guest for this episode is Jonathan Rubin, CEO of Cannabis Benchmarks. Sponsored by: Citizen Green Community Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher and here on our site!

Introducing the voices of Marijuana Business Daily.  News & Views will cover essential conversations on critical industry topics in 30 minutes with reporters Eli McVey, Bart Schaneman and editor Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier.