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Text Cannabis Man!In the final episode of the year, Don reflects on 2.5 years and 100 episodes of the Cannabis Man Podcast. He highlights the journey of sharing cannabis news, breaking stigma, and exploring the plant's potential with experts from around the world.This episode revisits key cannabis stories from 2024, including:The DEA's rescheduling hearing and its potential impact.Illinois' flawed DUI testing lab scandal and its implications.A Nebraska lawsuit targeting voter-approved medical cannabis.New Jersey's cannabis consumption licenses and the growing need for "third spaces."Massachusetts cannabis sales surpassing $7 billion since 2018.Don also reviews Cresco Labs' Nostalgic Holiday Strains Collection (Pine Tree Express and Grandma's Kush Cake) and Galyna's Dream nourishing night cream. He interviews George Moulton, CEO of Fun Guy, about psychedelics education and informed consumption.The show concludes with a High Haiku, holiday wishes, and a reminder to subscribe to The Weekly Chronic and the podcast Patreon for more content during the break.Support the showInterested in advertising? Email host@cannabismanpodcast.com!Follow the show on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram!Thinking of starting a podcast? Host with Buzzsprout!
In this episode of The Hirewell Update, hosts Ryan Brown and Emily Goor chat with Scott Wells, Director of Hirewell's Cannabis Practice. Scott shares his journey from Cresco Labs to Hirewell, offering insights into the cannabis industry's growth, challenges, and future. He discusses scaling Cresco Labs, the sector's unique hiring needs, and Hirewell's strategy to support this evolving market. Tune in to hear about rescheduling, safe banking, and more. Connect with Scott on LinkedIn or via email to continue the conversation!
Send us a textJesse Redmond, Head of Cannabis at Water Tower Research, speaks with Benzinga's Senior Vice President of Event Partnerships, Elliot Lane, to preview the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago. The conversation begins with an overview of the Benzinga platform and the two flagship cannabis conferences the company hosts every year. Elliot shares what he's looking forward to most at the Chicago event in October and previews the keynote Jesse will be moderating for Charlie Bachtell, CEO of Cresco Labs. Benzinga started a regional Spotlight Series this year. Elliot explains that the initial events in California and New Jersey were oversold and that the company will do more regional events in 2025. The conversation concludes by discussing the slow increase in institutional interest in cannabis and what it will take to get more large allocators to make investments in cannabis.
Serial entrepreneur Chris Jones, Founder and President of CANNABIS XPRESS, a leading chain of cannabis retail stores started in Ontario, is back on the podcast to tell us his adventure of expanding his successful store concept to small-town New Brunswick, one of the most innovative markets in Canada. About ChrisChris Jones is an entrepreneur and cannabis industry executive. He is currently the Founder and President of CANNABIS XPRESS, a leading chain of 13 cannabis retail stores in Ontario and New Brunswick, Canada.Previously, he founded another cannabis retail company in Ontario and sold it after it hit a run rate of approximately $15 million via an all-cash sale to a public company. Before entering the retail industry, he was actively involved in and led multiple acquisitions and investments ranging from several million to over a billion dollars during his time at Origin House, later acquired by a top US-based multi-state operator - Cresco Labs.Chris has also developed and taught classes at George Brown College through their School of Continuing Education. One of them more recently was called Cannabis Business Strategy, which includes a lineup of coveted guest speakers such as Bruce Linton (Founder of Canopy Growth Corporation – which was previously the largest cannabis company in the world by market capitalization). He currently teaches a management course at George Brown called Management Fundamentals.Before that, he built his finance and business development experience at two global construction companies based in Canada: EllisDon and Aecon. Additionally, he led business development and negotiations for a boutique trial-focused law firm in Toronto.Outside of work, Chris travels, takes language courses in Spanish, walks his dog, enjoys the outdoors, and is undefeated in Muay Thai. He obtained his Master of Business Administration from McMaster University's DeGroote School of Business and a Bachelor of Commerce from Ryerson University's Ted Rogers School of Management.You can reach Chris at christopher.lloyd.jones1@gmail.com About MichaelMichael is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. He has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Secure conference with leaders from The Gap and Kroger talking about violence in retail stores, keynotes on the state & future of retail in Orlando and Halifax, and at the 2023 Canadian GroceryConnex conference, hosting the CEOs of Walmart Canada, Longo's and Save-On-Foods Canada. Michael brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael also produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in North America, Remarkable Retail, Canada's top retail industry podcast; the Voice of Retail; Canada's top food industry and the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor, with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail influencers for the fourth year in a row, Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer, and you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state of the retail industry in Canada and the U.S., and the future of retail.
Cresco Labs is one of the largest MSOs in the industry, but at its core, it has an entrepreneurial mindset that has always stayed the same.Many overlook that a company with a sizable market cap can still possess the craftiness and perspective of a smaller company. This mindset has led to strategic opportunities that allow Cresco Labs to thrive in areas easily overlooked by its peers.This week, we sit down with Zach Marburger to discuss:The Tech Ecosystem at Cresco LabsInnovative Custom Retail SolutionsThe Inner Workings of Their Unique Selling Proposition (USP)And so much moreDon't miss this in-depth look at how one of the most prominent players in cannabis continues to innovate and lead the industry.About Cresco LabsCresco Labs is one of the largest publicly traded, vertically integrated, multistate cannabis companies in the U.S. We produce the industry's #1 portfolio of cannabis brands and operate dispensaries under our Sunnyside brand nationally that focus on delivering consumer education, trust and convenience.Guest Linkshttps://twitter.com/crescolabshttps://www.linkedin.com/company/cresco-labs/https://www.crescolabs.com/ Main Topics Discussed:Cresco's approach to technology and the importance of seed-to-sale traceability systems (00:03:27)Cresco's decision-making process for building vs. buying technology solutions (00:11:39)Cresco's focus on integrating data and systems across cultivation, manufacturing, and retail (00:24:33)Cresco's e-commerce strategy and the shift towards online sales (00:26:12)Zach's thoughts on the potential use of AI and computer vision in cannabis operations (00:35:31)Challenges and lessons learned from Zach's entrepreneurial background (00:43:26) At Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain The Dime is a top 5% most shared global podcast The Dime is a top 50 Cannabis Podcast Sign up for our playbook here:
Cresco Labs is one of the largest MSOs in the industry, but at its core, it has an entrepreneurial mindset that has always stayed the same.Many overlook that a company with a sizable market cap can still possess the craftiness and perspective of a smaller company. This mindset has led to strategic opportunities that allow Cresco Labs to thrive in areas easily overlooked by its peers.This week, we sit down with Zach Marburger to discuss:The Tech Ecosystem at Cresco LabsInnovative Custom Retail SolutionsThe Inner Workings of Their Unique Selling Proposition (USP)And so much moreDon't miss this in-depth look at how one of the most prominent players in cannabis continues to innovate and lead the industry.About Cresco LabsCresco Labs is one of the largest publicly traded, vertically integrated, multistate cannabis companies in the U.S. We produce the industry's #1 portfolio of cannabis brands and operate dispensaries under our Sunnyside brand nationally that focus on delivering consumer education, trust and convenience.Guest Linkshttps://twitter.com/crescolabshttps://www.linkedin.com/company/cresco-labs/https://www.crescolabs.com/ Main Topics Discussed:Cresco's approach to technology and the importance of seed-to-sale traceability systems (00:03:27)Cresco's decision-making process for building vs. buying technology solutions (00:11:39)Cresco's focus on integrating data and systems across cultivation, manufacturing, and retail (00:24:33)Cresco's e-commerce strategy and the shift towards online sales (00:26:12)Zach's thoughts on the potential use of AI and computer vision in cannabis operations (00:35:31)Challenges and lessons learned from Zach's entrepreneurial background (00:43:26) At Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain The Dime is a top 5% most shared global podcast The Dime is a top 50 Cannabis Podcast Sign up for our playbook here:
Text Cannabis Man!In this packed episode, Don recaps his experience at the Best In Grass launch party at the Okay Dispensary Lounge in Wheeling, IL, where he collected his judge kit and mingled with fellow cannabis enthusiasts like Mark Kazinec. The event highlighted the growing excitement for more cannabis lounges across the U.S. Don also dives into the ongoing trend of declining medical cannabis sales in Illinois and discusses an important fee refund opportunity for infusers, with a deadline looming on September 1st.This week's guest, Taylor Robinson, Founder of Rimrock Analytical, shares how his company is revolutionizing cannabis cultivation through data, providing invaluable insights for growers, from small home operations to large-scale multi-state businesses. Don also reviews the Shortbread strain from Cresco Labs' High Supply brand, answers listener questions, and ends with a discussion on Nevada's Supreme Court ruling against re-scheduling cannabis, comparing it to the broader re-scheduling debate in the U.S. Plus, listeners are invited to weigh in on a global cannabis availability question. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share the podcast! Support the Show.Thank you for listening!Follow the show on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram!Interested in advertising? Email host@cannabismanpodcast.com!Thinking of starting a podcast? Host with Buzzsprout!
Joe is CEO of Healing Realty Trust, a data-driven, self-managed real estate investment company with a portfolio centered on purchasing health care-related real estate assets dedicated to serving the mental, behavioral, and physical health sectors, as well as in the advancement of innovative and emerging psychedelic therapies. The company recently announced it has closed the first tranche of its $25 million Series A funding round. Priorto HRT, Joe founded JSC Fund, a family office aimed at uncovering and advancing opportunities within regulated industries. Before launching this fund, he co-founded Cresco Labs, one of North America's largest vertically integrated cannabis operators. He helped grow Cresco from a start-up to a multi-state operator with annualized revenue of over $250 million and operations in nine states. Connect with Joe: https://healingrt.com/team/ | joe@healingrt.com Quote: "Real estate is where the wealth is created." Highlights: 5:47 - All About Healing Realty Trust 13:00 - Why Large Pharmaceutical Companies are Jumping on Board 17:05 - Mental Health Care Facilities 18:45 - HRT's Property Focus 26:10 - Evolving / New Treatments 30:06 - Scaling / Joes Buying Strategy Recommended Resources: Accredited Investors, you're invited to Join the Cashflow Investor Club to learn how you can partner with Kevin Bupp on current and upcoming opportunities to create passive cash flow and build wealth. Join the Club! If you're a high net worth investor with capital to deploy in the next 12 months and you want to build passive income and wealth with a trusted partner, go to InvestWithKB.com for opportunities to invest in real estate projects alongside Kevin and his team. Looking for the ultimate guide to passive investing? Grab a copy of my latest book, The Cash Flow Investor at KevinBupp.com. Tap into a wealth of free information on Commercial Real Estate Investing by listening to past podcast episodes at KevinBupp.com/Podcast. Learn more about Kevin's investment company and opportunities for Lifetime Cashflow at sunrisecapitalinvestors.com.
"Navigating Highs and Lows with Aaron Miles: Verano's Investment Strategy Unveiled"In the latest episode of the "Proud to Work in Cannabis" podcast, listeners were treated to an engaging and insightful conversation with Aaron Miles, the Chief Investment Officer at Verano.Aaron talks to Karson Humiston about his unexpected journey into the cannabis industry, which began with a serendipitous text message while celebrating his 40th birthday in Italy. Despite initial skepticism, Aaron's curiosity about the industry's potential led him to pivot from a traditional corporate path at Pier One Imports to the dynamic world of cannabis at Cresco Labs, and eventually to his current role at Verano.Throughout the episode, Aaron provided a candid look into the complexities of taking a cannabis company public, the nuances of navigating the industry's unique challenges, and the strategic moves Verano has made to position itself for future opportunities, including uplisting to the CSE. He emphasized the importance of being prepared for the U.S. capital markets and the potential impact of federal legislative changes on the industry.Aaron also shared his personal connection to the medicinal benefits of cannabis, reflecting on a family member's struggle with addiction and how it shaped his perspective on the plant's potential as a safer alternative to opiates.The episode concluded with a discussion on the current scale of Verano, its operations across multiple states, and Aaron's optimistic outlook on the future of cannabis legislation. His passion for the industry was evident as he spoke about the broader implications of cannabis legalization, including job creation, community investment, and the potential for groundbreaking medical research. https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-miles/ https://www.verano.com/ TIMESTAMPS00:00:00 - Podcast Introduction00:00:11 - Attempting to Connect with Aaron Miles00:00:28 - Aaron's Health and Company Challenges00:00:44 - Post-MJBiz Plague and COVID00:01:15 - Aaron's History with MJBiz00:01:26 - Comparing MJBiz Attendance00:01:36 - Aaron's Role as Chief Investment Officer00:01:54 - Unexpected Entry into Cannabis00:02:16 - Transition from Newspaper to Cannabis00:02:38 - A Text Message That Changed Everything00:03:09 - Analyzing the Cannabis Industry's Potential00:03:30 - Joining Cresco Labs00:04:01 - Learning the Cannabis Ropes00:04:12 - Moving to Verano00:04:34 - Verano's Stage When Aaron Joined00:04:48 - Verano's Late Public Market Entry00:05:30 - Preparing Verano for Public Listing00:06:34 - Aaron's Multifaceted Role at Verano00:06:59 - Readying for U.S. Capital Markets00:07:54 - Involvement in M&A and Capital Markets00:08:47 - Verano's Scale and Operations00:09:40 - The Role of a Chief Investment Officer00:09:50 - Verano's Current Business Scale00:12:04 - The Opportunity Post-Rescheduling00:12:29 - Anticipating DEA's Confirmation00:13:17 - Political Landscape and Cannabis00:13:50 - The Impact of Cannabis Legalization00:14:15 - The Frustration with Political Obstacles00:14:25 - The Potential of Rescheduling00:15:06 - Advocating for Cannabis in D.C.00:15:38 - The Misconceptions and Education Gap00:16:30 - The Absurdity of Political Opposition00:16:59 - The Future of Cannabis Legislation00:17:49 - Personal Stories and Political Influence00:18:11 - The Economic Impact of Cannabis00:19:08 - The Ripple Effect of Dispensary Spending00:20:02 - Conversations with Cory Booker00:20:37 - The Generational Divide in Cannabis Perception00:21:19 - Aaron's Personal Connection to Cannabis00:22:00 - Changing Family Perceptions on Cannabis00:22:47 - The Challenges of Cannabis Advertising00:23:28 - Business Strategy Post-Rescheduling00:24:10 - Verano's Financial Management00:24:53 - Preparing for Market Changes00:25:24 - Potential Growth in Key States00:26:06 - Verano's Expansion Plans00:26:38 - Uplisting and Capital Market Readiness00:27:15 - The Impact of Rescheduling on Operations00:27:59 - The Future of Cannabis Banking and Advertising00:28:48 - The Need for Cannabis Education00:29:28 - Aaron's Motivation in the Cannabis Industry00:29:54 - The Broader Impact of Cannabis Legalization00:30:25 - The Excitement of Working in Cannabis00:30:58 - The Dynamic Nature of the Cannabis Industry00:31:35 - The Opportunity to Influence the Industry00:32:09 - How to Follow Aaron and Verano Produce By PodConxWatch Video - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNZI8qZy0lKxLO4OTk6P-twKarson Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karson-humiston-64572b97/Vangst - https://vangst.com/Recorded on SquadcastSound Design by Jamie Humiston
This week on Cannabis Man, we're explore the vibrant world of cannabis culture and legislation. We kick off this episode with a stimulating review of Lemon Sugar, a sativa flower by Cresco Labs, earning our 'Strain of the Week' title. We then delve into groundbreaking developments in Illinois with a detailed analysis of two pivotal bills affecting medical cannabis cardholders, delivery services, and craft growers. Join us for an exclusive interview with Scott Weiner, Co-Founder of TheFifty/50 Group, discussing their innovative partnership with Okay Cannabis dispensaries and the launch of West Town Bakery's new Evanston location. Scott shares his journey through Chicago's restaurant scene and how it's intersecting with the burgeoning legal cannabis industry. Wrapping up, we tackle the media's portrayal of cannabis health risks, Mitch McConnell's departure from Senate leadership, and what these changes could mean for the future of cannabis in the U.S. Tune in, share your thoughts, and become part of the conversation shaping the cannabis landscape.Support the showFollow the show on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram!Shop for great products Don thinks you might like at the Vouch Store!And if you're looking for cannabis products, check out 420 pipes and use the promo code: CANNABISMAN for 10 percent off your order! Blaze on!
In this vibrant episode of Cannabis Man, dive into a personal tale of rediscovery as our host returns to the joys of cannabis after a month-long break, experiencing a newfound appreciation and significantly lower tolerance. From delightful cannabis-infused experiences in Chicago's Restaurant Week to an intimate cannabis Smoke Out with Tree Huggers Chicago, join us on a journey through the city's culinary and cannabis highlights. Plus a fun and engaging interview with Jason Erkes, Cresco Labs spokesperson, unveiling the innovative collaboration between Cresco's Good News brand and The Fifty/50 group, resulting in a THC-infused Buffalo Wing Sauce sensation. Amidst these uplifting stories, we also touch on the ongoing challenges in cannabis legalization, highlighted by the recent legal actions of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against cannabis-friendly Texas cities. Tune in for an episode filled with cannabis culture, culinary adventures, and critical conversations.Support the showFollow the show on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram!Shop for great products Don thinks you might like at the Vouch Store!And if you're looking for cannabis products, check out 420 pipes and use the promo code: CANNABISMAN for 10 percent off your order! Blaze on!
In this episode, I have a conversation with Charlie Bachtell, the founder and CEO of Cresco Labs. I speak to Charlie about license limitations, home grow, the complete decriminalization of cannabis, hemp (THCa, etc), and more. Cresco Labs stands as one of the most prominent publicly traded, multi-state cannabis corporations in the United States. For additional details about their operations and initiatives, visit their website at CrescoLabs.com. Watch video version of this episode and read full show notes here: http://thecolememo.com/2024/01/06/episode-39-charlie-bachtell-ceo-of-cresco-labs/
"Giant… That's a giant advantage."Cresco Labs may mirror other Tier 1 MSOs on the surface, but once you explore deeper, you'll discover their unique edge. They've built sophisticated systems and technology that set them apart and enable a nuanced understanding of market conditions. This advanced business intelligence approach significantly narrows risk aperture, proactively allowing Cresco to identify and capitalize on market trends.This week, we sit down with Charlie Bachtell to discuss:Implications of Rescheduling, 280E & Interstate CommerceCresco Labs' hidden compounding unique differentiator2024 Roadmap: Focusing on FL, Ohio, Penn, NYPivotal role of data in shaping their business strategyAbout Cresco Labs:Cresco Labs is one of the largest publicly traded, vertically integrated, multistate cannabis companies in the U.S. We produce the industry's #1 portfolio of cannabis brands and operate dispensaries under our Sunnyside brand nationally that focus on delivering consumer education, trust and convenience.Guest Links:https://twitter.com/CharlesBachtellhttps://twitter.com/crescolabshttps://www.linkedin.com/company/cresco-labs/https://www.crescolabs.com/ #MSOS #CrescoLabs #CRLBFFollow us: Our Links.At Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain The Dime is a top 5% most shared global podcast The Dime is a top 50 Cannabis Podcast Sign up for our playbook here:
"Giant… That's a giant advantage."Cresco Labs may mirror other Tier 1 MSOs on the surface, but once you explore deeper, you'll discover their unique edge. They've built sophisticated systems and technology that set them apart and enable a nuanced understanding of market conditions. This advanced business intelligence approach significantly narrows risk aperture, proactively allowing Cresco to identify and capitalize on market trends.This week, we sit down with Charlie Bachtell to discuss:Implications of Rescheduling, 280E & Interstate CommerceCresco Labs' hidden compounding unique differentiator2024 Roadmap: Focusing on FL, Ohio, Penn, NYPivotal role of data in shaping their business strategyAbout Cresco Labs:Cresco Labs is one of the largest publicly traded, vertically integrated, multistate cannabis companies in the U.S. We produce the industry's #1 portfolio of cannabis brands and operate dispensaries under our Sunnyside brand nationally that focus on delivering consumer education, trust and convenience.Guest Links:https://twitter.com/CharlesBachtellhttps://twitter.com/crescolabshttps://www.linkedin.com/company/cresco-labs/https://www.crescolabs.com/ #MSOS #CrescoLabs #CRLBFFollow us: Our Links.At Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain The Dime is a top 5% most shared global podcast The Dime is a top 50 Cannabis Podcast Sign up for our playbook here:
"Giant… That's a giant advantage."Cresco Labs may mirror other Tier 1 MSOs on the surface, but once you explore deeper, you'll discover their unique edge. They've built sophisticated systems and technology that set them apart and enable a nuanced understanding of market conditions. This advanced business intelligence approach significantly narrows risk aperture, proactively allowing Cresco to identify and capitalize on market trends.This week, we sit down with Charlie Bachtell to discuss:Implications of Rescheduling, 280E & Interstate CommerceCresco Labs' hidden compounding unique differentiator2024 Roadmap: Focusing on FL, Ohio, Penn, NYPivotal role of data in shaping their business strategyAbout Cresco Labs:Cresco Labs is one of the largest publicly traded, vertically integrated, multistate cannabis companies in the U.S. We produce the industry's #1 portfolio of cannabis brands and operate dispensaries under our Sunnyside brand nationally that focus on delivering consumer education, trust and convenience.Guest Links:https://twitter.com/CharlesBachtellhttps://twitter.com/crescolabshttps://www.linkedin.com/company/cresco-labs/https://www.crescolabs.com/ #MSOS #CrescoLabs #CRLBFFollow us: Our Links.At Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain The Dime is a top 5% most shared global podcast The Dime is a top 50 Cannabis Podcast Sign up for our playbook here:
The Cult: The Cannabis Business, Culture, and Marketing Show
In this episode of "The Cult" hosted by Jen Lamboy, Director of Strategy at Hybrid Marketing Co., features Geoff Trotter, CEO of Regennabis, and Tai Duncan, VP of Corporate Social Responsibility at Cresco Labs. The episode focuses on the importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives in the cannabis industry. The panel discusses the significance of ESG for the longevity and success of organizations in the cannabis sector, insights into how Regennabis is aiding companies in managing and reporting on ESG initiatives through a software solution, and how Cresco Labs is emphasizing the company's focus on corporate philanthropy, employee volunteering, and social equity. The conversation delves into the definitions and differences between ESG, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility (CSR). They discuss the importance of ESG in risk mitigation, regulatory compliance, and as a competitive differentiator. The episode also covers the challenges and strategies for implementing ESG initiatives, especially for smaller businesses and startups in the cannabis industry.
Stream full episode at ColeMemo.com/Patreon. In this snippet, Charlie Bachtell explains how the federal policy 'The Cole Memo' changed his life and why he loves the name of our current (and former) podcast. Watch video version here: https://youtu.be/gQnDSpsedb4?si=T0D77AuV-AcGbCWA
In this hopefully enlightening episode of Cannabis Man, I sit down with Dana Mason, the VP of Wholesale Marketing at Cresco Labs. We dive into the diverse world of cannabis brands under Cresco's umbrella, including Good News, FloraCal Farms, High Supply, Mindy's, and more. Dana shares her unique perspective transitioning from the alcohol industry to the cannabis sector, highlighting the marketing nuances and challenges in both. Discover the ingenious 'value-tier' system pioneered by Cresco, offering consumers top-notch products like High Supply for outstanding value and premium experiences with brands like FloraCal Farms. In our News Joint Wrap, I discuss the latest cannabis legislation updates in Illinois, along with my personal reviews of High Supply's Rainbows and Cherries popcorn flower and FloraCal Farms' Tropical Punch flavored Live Rosin gummies. And have you heard about the THC-infused seltzer waters making waves in Chicago? Tune in for a compelling blend of industry insights, product reviews, and legislative news!Support the showFollow the show on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram!Looking for cannabis products? Head to 420 pipes and use the promo code: CANNABISMAN for 10 percent off your order! Blaze on!
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Unleashing the Power of Cannabis – Charlie Bachtell's Journey of Social Impact, Entrepreneurship, and AdvocacyJoin host Karson Humiston, CEO & Founder of Vangst, as she sits down with special guest Charlie Bachtell, CEO & Founder of Cresco Labs. Discover Charlie's inspiring journey into the cannabis industry, his passion for social impact, and his insights on driving the industry forward. Don't miss this empowering episode! Karson Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karson-humiston-64572b97/Vangst - https://vangst.com/Charlie Bachtell - Cresco Labs -Recorded on Squadcast
Cresco Labs Chief Communications Officer Jason Erkes visits Dynasty Podcasts to talk about the business of cannabis.Erkes shares how he first connected with Cresco Labs and reveals why Chicago is a hub for cannabis as an industry. He also speaks to misconceptions around cannabis as a culture and emphasizes that the industry is open to innovators.
Jon sits down for a cannaconvo with Aaron Miles, Chief Investment Officer at Verano. Their conversation touches upon the newly entered state of Connecticut, the SAFE Banking Act's path, and their new edibles product, "Bits."Visit GlobalCannabisTimes.com for more.https://www.verano.com/About Aaron Miles:Aaron Miles serves as Chief Investment Officer of Verano Holdings (CSE: VRNO) (OTCQX:VRNOF), a leading, vertically integrated, U.S. multi-state cannabis company. As one of the largest cannabis companies in the nation, Verano has active operations across 13 states that include 14 cultivation and production facilities and more than 120 dispensaries that operate under thecompany's flagship Zen LeafTM and MÜVTM banners.Over the course of his more than 20 years of financial and capital markets experience, Mr. Miles has served in leadership roles across a variety of Fortune 500 companies and industries. His background and expertise spans investor relations, corporate development, treasury and communication roles in large and diversified corporations that include Abbott Laboratories, CME Group, Navigant, Tribune Publishing Company, the New York Stock Exchange, and most recently, Cresco Labs.Among his many accomplishments, Mr. Miles has distinguished himself as a cannabis industry leader in the financial and investor relations space, having notably assisted in taking both Cresco Labs and Verano Holdings public on the Canadian Securities Exchange in 2018 and 2021, respectively. In his current role as Chief Investment Officer, Mr. Miles serves as a member of Verano's executive leadership team and is active in leading the company's capital markets andinvestor relations activities.A native of Michigan, Mr. Miles graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and obtained his Master of Science in Finance from Walsh College. He is based in the company's Chicago headquarters.
Sean “Diddy” Combs is one of hip-hop's most serial entrepreneurs. His business track record stretches 30 years with successes in completely-different industries — music (Bad Boys Records), clothing (Sean John), spirits (Ciroc and DeLeon), media (Revolt), among many other ventures. To take a closer look at Combs' empire, I brought on Tarik Brooks, who is the president of Combs Enterprises. Many chalk up Diddy's entrepreneurial success to his influence and brand alone. While Tarik doesn't deny Diddy's star power, he also argues that line of thinking understates Diddy's business acumen — his ability to spot trends, attract talent, raise capital, and so forth. Not only that, but the broadness of Combs Enterprises is a unique competitive advantage. Diddy's different businesses across sectors give them unique data points that can drive decision-making. The group announced a new foray into cannabis in late 2022. However, they won't enter the space completely void of knowledge. Using insights from Revolt or Ciroc, they can glean how customers think about cannabis already. Tarik and I dove deep into Diddy's sprawling business empire this episode — the “why” not the “how” behind Puff's success. Here's what you can expect to hear: [0:00] Combs Enterprises' focus in 2023[2:22] Synergies between Diddy's different businesses [4:40] Using Revolt Summit as a testing ground [6:29] Origins of the “Ciroc playbook” [9:32] How much strategic overlap is there between Ciroc and DeLeon marketing? [15:41] Entering the cannabis space[18:00] Regulatory challenges in the cannabis industry[26:01] Why Diddy is not just another celebrity entrepreneur [30:03] How Combs Enterprises invests in startups[34:21] Did Diddy really back Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter?[36:45] No rush to sell Bad Boy Records catalog [41:32] Sean John comeback [47:05] Diddy's attempt to buy the Carolina Panthers in 2018Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSSHost: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.coGuest: Tarik A. Brooks, @tarikamin Enjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/trapital Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital's free memo.TRANSCRIPTION[00:00:00] Tarik Brooks: Twitter's impact in society is certainly bigger than how it shows up from a profit and loss and from a market cap perspective. And when you look at, you know, where Twitter is trading today is trading at a fraction of like Facebook or like Snapchat is the question from an investment perspective with some you could create meaningful.[00:00:33] Dan Runcie: Hey, welcome to the podcast. I'm your host and the founder of Dan Runcie. This podcast is your place to gain insights from the executives in music, media, entertainment, and more who are taking hip hop culture to the next level. [00:00:53] Dan Runcie: All right, today we got my guy, Tarik Brooks, the president of Combs Enterprises. Second time on the podcast. Great to have you back, man.[00:01:01] Tarik Brooks: Happy New Year my brother. Great to be back. [00:01:03] Dan Runcie: So what's the latest from the House of Combs?[00:01:08] Tarik Brooks: Things are wonderful enterprises, man. Tremendous 2022, where we did a lot of investing in our existing platforms and in new platforms. And so, you know, the big push in 23. Is to operationalized and grow a lot of those new platforms. You know, a lot of people are familiar with the cannabis deal, which we announced late last year. We're gonna close that deal and get that operational. We've also been working on an e-commerce platform with Salesforce, called it Power Global, that will launch this year, you know, released music last year. That did great. I mean, he and a sub-Christian. You know, with the first father and son duo to be number one. At the same time, there'll be more projects from Love Records coming in this year. So a lot of new things are in 23, so I wanna accustom a lot of exciting developments. [00:01:56] Dan Runcie: And I feel like one of the strengths for him whenever he is launching a new brand is being able to find some type of synergy between something that he's done that's already worked and finding some way to tie it all together. And for you, I know you've been there for a couple years. Is there like one company or one tie in that really stands out about, oh yeah, what Puff is able to do here? Tweak the formula a little bit, brought it over to this company and then it helped that one too.[00:02:22] Tarik Brooks: Yeah. It is interesting, man, like, because you know, with the ecosystem we have that there are synergies all over the place that we work hard to exploit everyday. What I'll tell you bigger thing is that underneath our ecosystem sits the core premise, a core belief that our culture drives culture, that our people drive what's cool and what's next and what's hot in a meaningful way. So, you know, you go back to blues and jazz and rock and roll to hip hop, TikTok, viral dances, like our people drive that. And so if you look at all of the different elements in our ecosystem. What you see are different sectors that we drive through our cultural presence. And so when you look at our platform through that lens, you see how they all fit together. So then synergies just become finding places where, you know, we can work together to make one plus one equal three or four. Right? And so like, you know, easy examples when you think about how you know our brands will show up at the Revolt Summit. So Revolt hosts this amazing event every year in Atlanta. 10,000 people come. It gives us an opportunity to kinda have revolt, touch to people, but also have ourown touch to people for us to do research for new companies that we're developing the test concepts. These are ways that we don't place there with our ecosystem. I mean, I look at a great example. Deleon tequila. Used Druski in an ad, you know, super funny guy. Did a tremendous job with the ad. We then, you know, connected in with the team in Revolt and he did something with Revolt. It ended up being a great, great opportunity there. So like throughout our ecosystem, you see all these opportunities that exist with our portfolio companies and with the companies that we invest in. We think about how we invest and part of it is all the stuff you expect from any traditional investment vehicle. You know, do you have great leadership? Do you have a strong destructive concept? But what we also know about there two or three ways that this thing could be utilized is our ecosystem for the company. So it's an everyday activity, you know, finding, exploiting, and developing those things [00:04:31] Dan Runcie: You mentioned earlier about the Revolt Summit and how that can be a test space for whether it's new products or new things. Can you talk more about that? Cause I think that's really interesting. [00:04:40] Tarik Brooks: Yeah, so I mean this past Revolt Summit, the team at Empowered Global, which is the eCommerce platform that I just mentioned, had a space set up where they could introduce the concept to the participants at the Revolt Summit. And more than that, we actually had, and it was, I gotta find you a picture of this. A digital vending machine that was filled with black-owned products. So, and kinda like what you would see at the airport where you have vending machines, where they kinda have, you know, non typical vending machine products, headphones, and different things like that. Our vending machine that we had set up in the Revolt Summit was all filled with products that were owned by black that came from black owned companies. And so that was like just a real example. In that moment, we were able to introduce people to the concept of the platform, try out some new tech and get real time feedback from people who we believe will be a part of that target. [00:05:34] Dan Runcie: That makes sense. Yeah. Because you wanna have people that are first bought in, you get the people there and I think the people that are gonna attend Revolt Summit likely end up being culture shapers or mavens within their particular area themselves. They start saying something's good, and then they can, you know, go back and that's how you're able to spread things.[00:05:52] Tarik Brooks: 100%. It's the way, you know, everybody talks about it in terms of synergies, but we like to talk about it in terms of not planting there, right? Like we have these resources, we have these brands that mean something to people. You know that the most impactful thing we can do is find out how putting those brands together at different times in different ways produces more information, produces more insight, produces more, you know, revenue generating opportunity than any of those entities in silos. So for me, like the silo is the enemy, right? Like the key is to have all of our leaders and all of our team members continuously engaging in a very fluid way.[00:06:29] Dan Runcie: Yeah, the one that always stuck out to me too was Ciroc and the on the ground promotion for that, because there are so many through lines going back to The Bad Boy Days, the Bad Boy Street team, and then the Ciroc Boys. It's very similar playbook and being able to help push that. [00:06:45] Tarik Brooks: Yeah, I mean, look, and again, the playbook is the same. It's the same. You know, when you look at what the spirits industry looked at at the time, it was very different from today. You know, a lot of folks don't realize at that time the only people really trying to market, know black people in the hip was more liquor. Right? Cause I know I wasn't on the team back then, but what I can tell you is he looked at how nightlife worked and how the culture was working and evolving and saw a huge opportunity for an aspirational luxury product. And then was able to apply a lot of the same tools that were driving his success in the music business in spirits. And so that's how you end up with us showing up better than most people in the nightlife, us being able to have the DJs, you know, be a part of our experience. Cause Puff knew back then, in which he knows now how powerful DJs are in the culture and in the communities he lives in. If you look at even now, like a lot of, you know what he's posted socially as, you know, the efforts around love, records, respect. Like, we get what algorithms can do, but understand like DJ is culturally important. Like they mean something to their communities and they mean something to our culture. And in that way they have outside influence, that I think people still underestimate. [00:08:00] Dan Runcie: Yeah, I think as much as things have been movement streaming or NFTs or whatever it is, people still wanna go to the club and people still want to be in the hands of a DJ that knows what they're doing and can introduce them.[00:08:12] Tarik Brooks: Absolutely. There is power and curation. Right. And look, theoretically A.I. will be able to kind of take that input and lead curations that are solid. But you know it's tough to replicate, you know, instinct. And natural art, you know? Exactly. That's the thing, right? Like to be able to think you can do it with just an algorithm means it's all science. And I think, you know, most entertainment industries, particularly when you talk about the power of a DJ, are art and science together. That art is that intuitive thing that, like you, some folks just have, they know when to play the right record. You know, not just cause it's a similar bpm, but they know, cause they know that crowd, they know that venue. They know that audience better than most other people do.[00:09:00] Dan Runcie: Definitely. And I think too, a lot of that we definitely saw with the Ciroc Playbook, but I wanna spend some time in this conversation talking a bit more about Deleon because, I think that that is relatively newer business for other portfolio, but I think there's a lot that's similar, but the lot that's different too in terms of how you've all rolled it out, what you've done, how you've done things differently. So love to start there and maybe start first specifically, how much of the Ciroc Playbook was used with what you've all done so far with Deleon?[00:09:32] Tarik Brooks: Yeah, so I think the core premise stays the same, right? What Puff has been amazing at throughout his career is being able to spot and help develop trends very early. And he saw back in 2013, 2014, that the next wave in spirits was gonna be, you know, brown spirits, in particular tequila. And so when he formed the joint venture with Diageo, that he built that knowing that a tequila wave was coming. Now from the perspective of how industries developed, tequila and vodka are two very different places, right? It is very big, very mature right now, trying to fight off the growth of some of the spirits that are taking customers away, whereas tequila is smaller but fast growing. And it's also very nuanced. So like when you think about what we've been able to do driving Deleon's growth, and Deleon right now is the fastest growing tequila in the country, right?It's on fire right now and just, you know, small plug, you are new to tequila. Deleon are absolutely amazing. I will put them against any tequila that's out there, you know, so smooth ice cube, orange slice. You're good.[00:10:41] Dan Runcie: But any numbers to share in terms of like, cases sold or anything like that?[00:10:45] Tarik Brooks: So look, I'm not gonna go into the details on cases, but again, this is Nielsen's data,this is not coming right? So right now, you look, it is triple digits right now, you know, comfortable cause to disclose. But what I would say is, you know, part of the Deleon story is making sure Deleon is relevant in culture. And when you hear Deleon Lemonade in the young Miami, I'm not sure when, when you see Deleon on, when you see Deleon sharp in these things, it's a part of ensuring Deleon is relevant in the culture and shows up the right way, but there's also a big part of the future of Deleon that will grow. Talking about the liquid itself, you know how we get to such a high quality. It is the fact that Deleon is aged in both American whiskey and French red wine barrels to get the distinctive taste that, like, that's just part of the story that we're still just beginning to tell and roll out as we build it. And from our view, we are building, you know, iconic, long lasting brands. We want Deleon to be thought of the same way you think about Johnny Walker or Hennessy or any other great brands that are out there. So our view is like you don't rush that thing, you develop that story over time. You feed people in, you bring people into the brand and then you culture that and as soon you cultivate that audience, you know, as it grows. And so, you know, a lot of the kinda principles that we've applied in growing, we're applying to Deleon, but we're also being very aware that, you know, vodka and very different liquids develop differently, Exactly The same. And you think about that as you start to position the brand. [00:12:24] Dan Runcie: Yeah, cuz I think that was a good point that you mentioned just in terms of how vodka has been the market leader just from a type of liquor for so long. So you didn't necessarily have to do that piece of it, but it was more so Yeah. How do you bring this brand that I think some people may have forgotten about, but bring it to the same level as your great gooses in your others. [00:12:44] Tarik Brooks: Yeah. People know people, I mean, look, the way Ciroc hadn't been positioned in a way that was creating a lot of noise, a lot of impact, and I think, you know, part Puff's genius was figuring out that it was amazing juice. It was amazing liquid, with beautiful bottles. So if you positioned it the right way in culture, you could create a wave. And that wave has been historic. This was a brand that was doing, you know, cases annually and now this is a case brand globally. Huge brand in the spirits industry in a sector that was big, vodka's a very, very big sector. Tequila we're growing Deleon as the sector's growing as well. So it's just, again, from a marketing perspective, a different set of challenges, but the same principles apply to how we think about leveraging culture. Leveraging, you know, our ability to kinda set trends to help drive a career meaningful brand, but it all also starts with a great quality liquid that we stand by. I mean, one of the things, right? Yeah. I think one of the things has always been super consistent about is the authenticity around, like, standing behind the products he brings to market. There's not a variant of Deleon or flavor that gets released without Puff. Personally, we stamped that saying, you know, this is okay to go to market with our income.[00:14:03] Dan Runcie: Right. Yeah, cuz I think the distinction too on the flip side with tequila is like, not even that it's so much education cuz I think a lot of people know tequila, but just getting the consumer a bit of a visual of yes, this is the setting where not just our brand but this broader aspect. And I know there's 1800 and there's like others too. Yeah. But like you all be able to be like, hey, This is where, so some of that, what I think worked so well for sag, just in terms of thinking back to those like Vegas promo shots where they had all the people there being able to, you know, have whatever the tequila and Deleon equivalent is of that.[00:14:39] Tarik Brooks: Yeah. I mean, look, I think a part of the tequila growth story is helping people understand that, you know, while they may have been introduced to tequila, you know, with shots on spring break or something like that, you know, once you learn more, you learn a much more complex liquid that can be enjoyed a lot of different ways mixed drinks, neat, you know, over on the rocks, you know, and all the other kinds of occasions. So I think part of our experience is helping people understand that it's versatility is part of why it's growing as fast as grown. [00:15:11] Dan Runcie: Yeah, and I think too, just thinking more broadly about spirits and things that people enjoy you all now going into cannabis, I think that there are definitely some similarities there. People wanna be able to relax and enjoy what they choose, but so different in terms of not just regulation, but the culture. How has it been, just, I know, even thinking about the origins of that deal, how some of that playbook and mentality can be leveraged for what you all have now with this massive opportunity in cannabis?[00:15:41] Tarik Brooks: Yeah, I mean, look, there are certainly two categories that are at very different stages, but you know, you could argue they've been on similar journeys, right? Like there was a point in time when alcohol was prohibited. When you look at the history of cannabis, you know, you start to realize a lot of the way this product category was treated was less around the specific impact of the product and more around the specific influence. The culture that was around, you know, before that was hip hop, cannabis was huge in the jazz community. And the jazz community was something that black people were bringing and spreading throughout the United States in a meaningful way and, you know, real impact culturally, and there were folks that didn't wanna see that happen. And so a part of the criminalization of cannabis was connected to slowing down the influence of that jazz, that black culture. And so you've seen over the past years been that cannabis has been illegal, you know, the disproportionate criminalization of black people as it relates to cannabis, more than white people. And so this opportunity is an opportunity that gives us a chance to basically through doing good sound business, you know, rights and historical wrongs. When you look at the last 10 years of legal cannabis, Despite, you know, the overcriminalization of black people, it is dominated by white men. You know, 85, 86% owned by white men. Black people only own 2% of the space, and so for us, particularly coming in this way, it gives us an opportunity to kind of make change and enter the business at scale to be able to come in with a three state footprint and be able to use that as a platform to help change the cannabis ecosystem to make sure to use our platform to enable black and brown people to participate in the industry in a number of different ways. To be able to use our voice, to be able to help shape the way regulators and lawmakers think about how cannabis needs to be developed going forward, and continue to do what we do at our core, which is bring our audience, great quality product for them to enjoy.[00:17:46] Dan Runcie: That makes sense. And I do think that those stats you mentioned are just around the 2% of the business, that is only being, again, like I said, at this point, currently run and administered by black people. And that's in America, right? [00:18:00] Tarik Brooks: In America in the US. It is gonna continue to be a leader in global cannabis. So a lot of countries look to see, you know, what the US is doing and how they're thinking about deregulation and how they shape their rules. And, for us it's a big part of what we do is helping people to see how the way things are set up negatively impacts our community. So when you look at, you know, the cannabis industry broadly working to change the way cannabis is scheduled by the federal government and how it's treated by the federal government and how banks are able to interact with cannabis companies. All of those things make it hard for the industry broadly, but it makes it extra hard for us because when you look at industries without those, We don't get the same access to capital, we don't get the same access to opportunities. So it's one of those things where, you know, once again, we're starting from behind the eight ball, but what our, you know, perspective allows us to do is start from a different vantage point, right? Like it is an extremely difficult time to raise money in cannabis. And so for us to be able to pull off something, this big speech. You know, the success and track record that Puff has had building quality grants, building quality companies, and being able to find the kinda talent you need to come in and create value. And so we're excited man. We think this is gonna be a huge event for the cannabis industry. We think it's gonna be a huge event for us to help our community create meaningful wealth. Cause ultimately, you know, as business people, we wanna use our skills and resources create wealth for our community.[00:19:36] Dan Runcie: Yeah. And like you said, definitely, you know, huge undertaking and make this happen. Can you talk a little bit more about some of the steps to get from the first idea, maybe it's you and Puff talking about, Hey, you know, we should do this, we should get into this business. Then boom, the announcement comes. Like, what were some of the steps to help make this happen? [00:19:53] Tarik Brooks: So we have been exploring the cannabis industry, you know, with different levels of intensity since looking at opportunities. Starting to understand how the industry works, getting closer and closer to the space, you know, building relationships with entrepreneurs and companies in the space to kinda understand how things develop. I joined the board of Cresco Labs, you know, one cause I wanted to learn more about the industry. I thought they were a great company. But two, from that vantage point, you were able to see how the industry works and how things develop. And so when this opportunity came along, which was really driven by Acquisition of Columbia Care by Cresco. They, by regulation, have to divest assets. This opportunity to look at a portfolio of assets that are good, you know, good, strong businesses. Generating revenue, generating cash flow today to be able to come, bring those into our portfolio and then do what we do to create meaningful brands around those assets seem like a phenomenal opportunity. And so, look, these things take time to develop and it's a long process of, you know, doing the due diligence, raising the capital, going through all the steps you have to do to actually close a deal. But we believe it's gonna be a phenomenal historic deal once it's closed and wherever operated. And we think, like, look, when you look at pub's track record of building brands in music, in fashion, in spirits, you know, should extend, we believe it's gonna extend itself to cannabis and meaningful given how influential and impactful cannabis is in culture.[00:21:28] Dan Runcie: And we definitely know that there are a lot of regulatory challenges in this space for sure. And I also know that there are several other celebrity investors, even some in hip hop that have started businesses in this space and haven't necessarily been able to help take them to the next level. Do you have thoughts about some of those, I guess how business now moving forward can help address and overcome some of those hurdles that maybe some others weren't quite able to get past.[00:21:58] Tarik Brooks: Yeah, so I take those in pieces. What I would say is, you know, we believe over the long term, the federal view on cannabis will change. We believe cannabis will ultimately, eventually be legal, you know, throughout the United States and in all 50 States. But we don't know when that's gonna happen. And so none of our investment thesis, none of our modeling, none of our business case was built on imminent regulatory relief. And so while, you know, we hope for it and we wanna help shape how lawmakers think about it the same way the rest of the issue does. Nothing in our core premise for doing this deal was built on the expectation of regulatory relief this year, next year, five years from now. Right. So that's the one thing I would do. That said, we wanna be immediately a part of the conversation cause cannabis is so connected to our community. And so we're gonna jump into that conversation at the state level. We're gonna jump into that conversation at the national level. Now going to the second part of your question. You know, one of the things I think is the biggest, you know, misnomer when people think about, you know, Sean comes entering cannabis, is thinking about this as a celebrity cannabis deal, right?When I think about this and when Puff and I have always talked about it. What we think about. A guy with an amazing track record of building culturally relevant brands. Is that relevant in cannabis? Yes. Check, right. You know, does he have resources and the platform to be able to raise the capital to do a deal like this. Check. Does he have the ability to attract the kind of talent you need? Check right. Now. You also then say, is this celebrity extremely valuable in getting the word out? Brilliant. Absolutely. But that's not the core premise of what we're trying to do, right? Like we will get as much value through all the things we can learn throughout our ecosystem and how our customers and all of our other businesses think about. As we'll get from Sean Holmes, the celebrity. Right? And so from that perspective, you know, we don't expect to have our business be a celebrity driven brand per se. It's gonna be built on the back of great brand building, great marketing, and very strategic and efficient operations.[00:24:07] Dan Runcie: And I think that ties into something you had said in a recent interview about how insights from Revolt, for instance, can inform some of the decisions that you make with the cannabis business.[00:24:18] Tarik Brooks: Yeah. I mean, look, when you think about an ecosystem like ours that spans from spirits, music, media, fashion, with every interaction with our audience, you create. So every time posts go up from their social media, you know, there's data that comes back. Every Ciroc transaction generates data when Revolt has shows on all the different platforms that has shows on cable, YouTube, In app, all those different platforms generate data. As you compile that data, you're able to kinda look at it with a different lens and pull insights from that. What we're then able to do is take the data that we get from the cannabis industry that everybody else in cannabis is getting. But when you start putting those things together in unique ways, that's how you start to generate interesting insights that everybody's just not gonna have access to 'em. So that's where we think, again, we have a real competitive advantage in how we think about what we do in the space. That'll impact everything from, you know, how our stores look and feel, and what that experience will be what products we lead with how we think about price points, how we change things from state to state. A lot of that will be driven by insights that not only come from the cannabis industry, but that are informed by the other businesses in our portfolio as well. [00:25:32] Dan Runcie: And this steps into, I think, a broader conversation of some of the categorization of someone like Puff and the work that he does in that the media can often put him alongside other people who have happened to be a recording artist on a track and compare their business ventures in the same way. And what you're essentially saying is, You can't compare us all the same way. Did they build a revolt?[00:26:01] Tarik Brooks: It's so hard cause it's like, I don't wanna deny how impactful he is as an entertainer. Epic performances. When you think about, and not just performances in music, performances in movies, performances on Broadway. Like the guy is quintessential, entertaining. You know, by all means, like you can't argue that. But I think when you try to look at him narrowly as just that you are really missing the picture. Cause I think that underestimates or understates, how difficult, it's to build a bad boy into a success, to build a success, build a revolt, to build us rock, to build a Deleon, to build three schools, like that, that's not just on the back of him. An amazing entertainer, right? Like that speaks to his business instincts, his ability to spot trends, his ability to kinda find and cultivate talent, like those are all things that are universal in business. Leave aside what he's been able to do as an entertainer, I would argue, had he never got on the mic or touched the stage, he would've been just that successful business person just on the back. His business, you know, acumen and abilities. And so that's where, when we're in these conversations and people think about, you know, in cannabis this came up recently, people say like, well, you know, celebrity brands haven't really worked. And I'm like, lemme take a second to help you understand why this is different from a celebrity brand opportunity. The other thing that's different that I think is important for people to understand is when we take control of these assets, we'll be fully vertically integrated in the States that we operate, which, we are gonna cultivate, we are a process. We are gonna manufacture, we're gonna distribute, we're gonna sell. So these are all pieces of the business value chain that we'll operate. Again, not so relevant from the celebrity space. This is all around how do you build and run high quality businesses? And that's where I think you have to look at our business portfolio to understand how impactful Puff is throughout his career. And you just don't see those things that the only lens you're looking at is through him as the celebrity. [00:28:10] Dan Runcie: I could see this topic also coming up in some ways, potentially from an investment perspective, where you all have companies that are trying to either get you to invest or you're evaluating them and at some point someone on the other side of the table may come to you and be like, Hey, well if you invest in us, can we get a shout out in a song? Can we get an Instagram post? Can we do this? Like these things that view Puff as the influencer as opposed to the business leader that has all of these things.[00:28:39] Tarik Brooks: Yeah. What I found just in my experience and I've been working with Puff almost six years now. Most of it typically comes with how people were introduced to them and the depth or lack thereof of their understanding of what he's been able to do throughout his career. There's a lot of stuff, you know, people just don't necessarily, you know, attribute to him in the way they should. So usually that journey is one where it's about informing people to say things like, let's make sure you have all the perspective and then think about kinda how this can make sense. Cause again, there's no denying his impact and influence as a celebrity. He's huge. Like, he's a big name, he's an iconic person in culture. But I think to only think about him that way now, I think when people start to understand, you know, what working with Combs Enterprises means more broadly, you start to understand the power of the platform that we really have. And that's where I think it gets really exciting for the people. [00:29:35] Dan Runcie: Yeah, I agree. That makes sense. From an investment perspective specifically though, do you feel like, is that something that often needs to be addressed with startups or with founders or others that may be whether deep down they may be looking for something and I'm more so asking that in a way because I've seen it happen to others and given this conversation, I can see that especially being somewhat frustrating where it's like, Hey, I hope you're not just interested in this to think you're gonna get a shout out.[00:30:03] Tarik Brooks: Yeah. I mean, so look, I'll tell you when we are evaluating investment opportunities and people are looking at ideals, I don't think that is a thing that people are using as their primary driver. Do I think there are people who will be like nice to have, do they hope to get to meet them? Do they hope to get all those? Sure. Right. Like, again, all 'em, all those kinds of things. But I think when we get, you know, evaluating real deals. I think one thing that surprises people is the rigor with which we do our due diligence and our analysis, right? And so that's the first thing you see to say like, well this is not just, you know, high level celebrity thing. This is being looked at with real deep due diligence and real deep analysis. And I think from there it starts to shake away that kinda filter of, oh, oh, I'm gonna try to just get a celebrity deal done. Cause it's just not the way we do business. And I think people get that. [00:31:02] Dan Runcie: Right. Yeah. Leslie. Yeah. Especially if there's a due diligence process that they're seeing on their side. And maybe we could talk a little bit more about that, like from a high level, for a lot of the investments you do, maybe less like the cannabis deals, but more on the venture side, do you have a particular sweet spot in terms of, you know, this is normally the dollar amount range, or this is normally what we put in, or this is normally what we are looking for?[00:31:26] Tarik Brooks: So, we have, you know, flexibility, right? We're not a fund that has to, you know, stick to a certain sector or a certain stage of growth the way, you know, funds are typically mandated to do so. We do have flexibility, but that said, going back to the earlier comment I was making, we tend to look at businesses where we see some application. At places within our current portfolio. Right? So like, I don't know that you'll ever see us do like, you know, some like heavy machinery deals or you know, enterprise software, things like that. Cause that's not natural, when you look at interface with the businesses we operate in, it becomes a lot more interesting for us. And so while we apply, you know, the very standard kinda ways of assessing, you know, the quality of the leadership team, the uniqueness of the opportunity, how opportunity is the total addressable market opportunity. Ultimately, we look at all those things just like every other, you know, person who investigates an opportunity. I think where it gets unique is for us, once we've gone through all that, we then sit back and say, okay, you know, how many of our businesses could actually utilize this offering? You know, how many different places do we think we can use this throughout our portfolio? And then it starts to become even more interesting. So, that's kinda how we get there. Now, to be clear, like we don't have a hard mandate or a set of funds. We have to put the work in the way the fund does, and so we tend to be very, very opportunistic. We pick what we do very carefully to be investing. So as we see economic conditions change as we see market conditions. We're able to just say like, all right, let's take a step back. Let's wait and see how things play out. And I think that helped. I mean, it helped us avoid, you know, some of the frustrations some folks are seeing in the web and cryptocurrency world. Cause we weren't forced to go aggressively and do something too fast. We saw the market was evolving and so we were able to take a step back, and continue to evaluate it. So from that perspective, there's a lot of flex. [00:33:35] Dan Runcie: Yeah, that makes sense, especially given that, yeah, there's no fun mandates though. It's not like you're burned because there's a winter or something like that.[00:33:44] Tarik Brooks: Absolutely, and the reality is we're always investing in our core portfolio as well, right? So we think about whether we wanna put millions into, you know, a startup passively. Part of the kinda analysis is to know where we could deploy in our current portfolio and does that make more sense? Right? And so there's that kinda flow of how we think about deals as well.[00:34:07] Dan Runcie: Yeah, that makes sense. A couple months ago, there were headlines that Puff had apparently done an investment in Twitter around the time that Elon Musk had. Was that actually a thing, or did that come through or?[00:34:21] Tarik Brooks: Look, so like Puff and Elon like have a relationship.You know, Twitter is a very interesting situation in that when you look at, you know, the side like Twitter's impact in society is certainly bigger than how it shows up from. You know, profit and loss and from a market cap perspective, and when you look at, you know, where Twitter is trading today is trading at a fraction of where like a Facebook or even like a Snapchat is I think, at this point. And so the question becomes, you know, from an investment perspective, like do you think, you know, with some changes you could create meaningful value in Twitter, that platform. And so I think while you know, the kind of, the kind of statements in the press were overstated. There was a small investment in Twitter, but it's nothing. People get pieces of information and run, so we just, you know, we gotta sit back.[00:35:17] Dan Runcie: Yeah. And I think the way you framed it is correct. Right? I think it's definitely one of the 40 billion companies that creates more headlines than most other 44 billion companies we could probably even think of.[00:35:29] Tarik Brooks: Absolutely. Absolutely. So, like with some decisions to be a much more viable company than today and the verdict's still out, like those changes happen in real time and cause of how, you know, big the platform is in society. You know, you're seeing those things play out in the press and, you know, I'm sure Elon's campus is trying to work as methodically as they can through those changes. As they figure out what is the right, you know, kind end state for, for that platform. [00:36:00] Dan Runcie: Yeah, definitely. The other side of the investment piece, of course, I think we talked a lot about Combs Enterprises point Capital, but on the other side of it too, thinking specifically about everything happening in music catalogs over the past couple of years, everyone wants these valuable catalogs with this timeless music. Combs has one of the most valuable hip hop, r&b black music catalogs of the past 30 years with Bad Boy Records. There hasn't been any public news about any sales, but I am sure that people must have been calling nonstop trying to at least see what they could get in there. What were those conversations like? I'm sure at some point it must have come up of Rick, whether it's running the bum numbers or even thinking through like, what would this look like? [00:36:45] Tarik Brooks: Yeah. Well look, I think as you know, like part of the interest in these catalogs is driven by the fact that, you know, the returns they generate aren't really correlated to the market, right? Like they're like if you have, you know, a high quality performing catalog, it's gonna generate returns and generate cash flow irrespective of the ups and downs of the markets. And so that's attractive to investors. That said, for those same reasons, it's attractive to us, right? Like it is a great quality, high performing catalog. And for us, part of how, you know, we think about things, we think about like Puff's long-term vision, right? Like we're getting back into how he's getting back into music now with Love Records. You know, he's gonna build that platform in the way that makes sense as you think about the way culture and the music industry continues to evolve. And for us, we're in no rush to get rid of a portfolio that could be a part of that. Like who knows how you think about those assets in the future. And so for us, we're spending a lot of time thinking about what the future of music is gonna look like. And you know how Puff is gonna participate in that, what that looks like. And so for us, you know, again, you don't have, you know, some of the time constraints that you get from being they're public company or you know, money at a certain time. So we had the benefit of being able to go slow and kinda take our time and basically run experiments at our own pace to figure out what we wanna do. And so from that perspective, people have, you know, continually come through with offers and with opportunities and things. And we've purposely taken our time as we've about what, you know, Puff's experience of music is gonna be over the next, you know, next years as he climbs when he talks about it's his second, right? Like he's at the point of his career where he's accomplished and he's thinking about what that second looks like. Music has always been a very important part of his life, and so music is gonna be a part of that. Second, we're shaping what that looks like. And so from our perspective, there was no reason to move. [00:38:46] Dan Runcie: That makes a lot of sense and I think for you, there's two things that are different with you all compared to some of the others. Two of them you touched on, but one of them is that you already have the infrastructure in place on how to do things that can help maximize the asset of the Bad Boy Records catalog. It isn't like one of these situations like where the Whitney Houston catalog, like it was dormant before Primary Wave came in and obviously they've like, you know, forseed it since they acquired it three years ago. And it isn't like one of these other legacy artists that, you know, the estate may be in shambles and things just aren't lined up. And yeah, for them it probably makes sense to just get a lump sum of money and be able to distribute that instead of hoping that your relatives who may not be trained in managing this type of asset can't continue doing it forward. Like you all have that. And I think that's part of it.[00:39:37] Tarik Brooks: Yeah. And I think there's a couple ways to think about it too, right? Like, cause these artists work so hard to create these assets. You know, why sell 'em? Why get rid of them? But I think there's a couple ways you can think about. You can say one, alright, we may be at peak pricing. And so it's like, you know what, lemme sell while things are hot. You know, take the cash, be able to take the money off the table and invest other ways. You also, particularly with younger artists to say, all right, I'll sell this catalog, but if I'm still creating, I can continue to create and you know, build new works that will create value as well. And so I think there's different logic for different artists in terms of, you know, why they think about selling and why they sell when they do that, you know, in some respect make, particularly if you're looking at it from a purely financial perspective. But again, we were unique in the way that we have an ecosystem that helps continue to keep catalog relevant. We're back in music now, and so again, that also helps to create the halo effect across all of our ecosystems. And so for us, there just really isn't a rush to move too quickly, like where we can think about what is the kinda value maximizing way to utilize the catalog and whatever else we're doing to create the best outcomes. [00:40:54] Dan Runcie: Right. I think that's a good way to put it too, like you said, numbers are there and if you wanna sell, there are sound financial reasons that someone may choose to do so for you all, and given Puff's current goals in music, it just may not make the most sense, but with that though, shifting gears a bit, one business we haven't talked a lot about is Sean John and I know this is a business that the team had sold a couple years back. The company that bought it. Things didn't quite work out there. You all then bought it back recently. So where are things right now with Sean John?[00:41:32] Tarik Brooks: Yeah, Sean John is super exciting, right? So you first start with an iconic, you know, street brand, right? You know, this is again another example. Being able to see where fashion was going, seeing how, you know, folks in our community were wearing other brands to get particular silhouettes and have it, you know, look a certain way and feel a certain way, and then be able to build a brand. That became a real like a foundational piece of, you know, hip hop culture. And through that process, Puff was the first African American man to win the CFDA award, which is the biggest award you can win in fashion, right? So truly iconic sold the brand. The buyers at the time weren't able to figure out how to maximize it, so they created the opportunity for us to buy back. And so what we're excited to do now, and we're in this process with Puff of really reimagining what can and should be for this generation, right? Like as much as you know, we all love the iconic valore sweatsuits and all rest it like, maybe that's a part of the future. Maybe it's a different brand position, different way, but like spending time. Actually really ideate on that and get to the right concept to bring it back again. We have the benefit cause, you know, we operate this portfolio, we don't have the pressure to rush. Like we don't have to, you know, do something right away to be able to, you know, capture that value overnight. You know, we have the luxury of being able to take our time and what I found with Puff is he likes to be able to, one, work with the quality people he possibly can and really run ideas through the ringer in terms of, you know, having people question his logic, test the thinking. Really, really pressure test to see if it's the right way before we do something. So what I can say is, right now in the lab, like, you know, there's creative folks that are thinking through, you know, what Sean John could be and should be and isn't engaged in that process. And so it's exciting I think when we do hit on the market, we're gonna come back in a way that one pays homage to the legacy of John, but then isn't just caught in what to be, is really thinking about what the brand could mean and should mean to, you know, new generations.[00:43:41] Dan Runcie: Yeah, that makes sense. And I feel like when it happened too, it definitely generated some excitement. So I feel like there's some good momentum. [00:43:47] Tarik Brooks: Yeah, I think a lot of the folks who are dominating the fashion world now, were inspired, you know, by, you know, fans. So the fact that it's a brand is still, you know, relevant to people in different ways, gives us a great building. Like, I would rather be trying to kinda help people connect to this brand with so much history and legacy than trying to build a brand from scratch. You know? I think it provides a good foundation. Like's aspiration is to build iconic, long-lasting brands. So when you think about iconic brands that have been around for 55, you know, longer periods of time, that's what the goal is. And so, and those brands have gone through research, you know, any iconic brands gone off, of kinda laws and growth. And so for us, this is just really, you know, the second chapter of something that's gonna, you know, be a part of our community and our culture for years ago. [00:44:45] Dan Runcie: Yeah, for sure. And for you specifically, if we zoom out a bit, looking at the past six years since you've been there, we definitely talked a lot about wins, a lot of the successes. But are there any setbacks or are there any missed opportunities that you look back on, especially the past six years since you've been there being like, oh, I wonder if we did this differently with this brand. I wonder if we did that differently? [00:45:07] Tarik Brooks: Yeah, I think for us, one of the things I appreciate about Puff and it's a value that we both share, which you know, you look at everything as like a learning opportunity to say like maybe the outcome didn't go your way, but there was plenty of stuff you could learn from if you embrace the opportunity the right way. So like I look at the fact that it was back in was announced as an opportunity. We saw the value of the team and the value of the assets all around. You thought it was a great opportunity, pursued it. You know, the group that we were part of didn't win, but through that process, learned a ton about that space. You know, I met great people, you know, business partners and relationships that we still engaged with in different things today all came from that opportunity. So like, you know, while, look, I would've loved to be able to win that deal or bring that home, you know, I think there's a lot that comes from it. It sets us up for the things we do, you know, when I think about, David, we talked about the Revolt Summit earlier, right? Like, you know, as we were building the Revolt Summit, you know, we bring it back after, I think a year off. And then in 2020 the pandemic hit. So we gotta basically shut it down and go virtual. But like coming outta those were things we learned about how we're gonna in the future. So this year, you know, the biggest Revolt Summit ever, how's Metaverse versus online? Like all those things coming around. Again, learnings that you utilize going forward. And so, you know, whether it's you thinking through every single flavor in the portfolio or every single bab in the artist roster, even the ones that don't work out the way, you know, you want them to work out their stuff. You can learn from that help, impact and help you to be better as you move forward. That's the way we think. You know, and I talk all the time about just, you know, transparently looking at the things that go right and go wrong and making sure we're learning.[00:47:05] Dan Runcie: Can we actually talk a little bit about the Carolina Panthers one specifically? Because I know you all said that you didn't win the bid, but was it an aspect of being outbid or the owners or someone just choosing someone different? Like how did that all go down? Cause I remember the headlines about it. I remember that there were a few other prominent black public figures that were in that ownership group too.[00:47:27] Tarik Brooks: Yeah, I mean, look, what I would say is, you know, the person that you know ended up winning the bid, I believe, if I remember correctly, had, you know, the highest bid relationship. I think from that perspective, he kinda knew the league, well, and, and was prepared in a number of different ways to be able to take it down. And I would just say the group that we were part of kinda fell short in that way. But what's interesting is, you know, the number, and I just can't remember real time, the exact number he ended up paying for. When you look at the number that people think that the Washington Commanders are gonna command, and the number that the Denver Barcos commanded. You know, while that number he paid was high at the time, you know, it's not even half what somebody might pay for the Washington Commanders. And so perspective, you're willing to pay for something. You gotta live with the fact that there's just maybe willing to pay more for it than you. Right. And so, you know, we ended up being a part of a really sharp group that, you know, had thought really hard about, you know, what was in this case. You know, we rounded. So, you know, again, it's one of those things you learn from, right? Like, you know, sports, entertainment, and business is very unique. You know, assets, you know, come available at different points in time. It's all about thinking about, you know, what do you think the asset is worth? What do you think you can do with it, you know, to translate to what you think it should be worth. And somewhere in that analysis you get to what you think you should pay for, right? And that's where you kinda make your move. And in that case, you know that there were just folks willing to pay for. [00:49:12] Dan Runcie: Yeah, no, I think that's a good point too. Cause I feel like I might be misquoting, but I feel like the Panther's bid was somewhere, I think it was under 3 billion at least.[00:49:20] Tarik Brooks: Yeah, I believe you're right. I wanna be careful. I just don't remember exactly. But yeah, I remember it being less than 3 billion and I think the number they're saying for Washington Commanders now, like 7 billion and so I imagine, you know, like when you think about where the value of that Panthers is going, probably going. They probably did really well. So I mean, again, and we believed it was gonna do well and continue to do well. I mean, when you look at the size of the deal, I guess Google or YouTube just did it with the NFL. The NFL is a platform, right? When you look at, at least for the last couple years, I haven't seen 2022. When you look at the list of the top 50 watched things on television every year, 40 plus of them are football games. Right? Right. It's just that powerful of an entertainment platform, so therefore commands the prices of command. [00:50:12] Dan Runcie: Yeah. Well, hopefully. Whether it's this group or some combination of others that we know we're interested in. Hopefully we see something happen soon in the sports ownership space. But this was great. I know we covered a bunch of topics in this one, and before we let you go though, is there anything that you didn't cover that the audience should stay looking out for or that we should be thinking about moving forward?[00:50:34] Tarik Brooks: Yeah, I think 23 is a year that the audience should look out for a lot from, from the Combs organization. You know, music out of Love Records, including album and power, global e-commerce platform. Kinda reimagining how, you know, black people circulate dollars in our community. You know, the cannabis venture closing and beginning to build brands and establish meaningful footprints in the markets that it's in. There's just a lot of new things in 23, so there will be a lot coming outta our camp that we're super excited about, and so it's gonna be big. [00:51:08] Dan Runcie: We'll keep our lookout for that, man. All right. Appreciate you spending the time, man.[00:51:12] Tarik Brooks: Thanks so much, man.Take care.[00:51:14] Dan Runcie: If you enjoyed this podcast, go ahead and share it with a friend. Copy the link, text it to a friend, post it in your group chat. Post it in your Slack groups. Wherever you and your people talk, spread the word. That's how capital continues to grow and continues to reach the right people. And while you're at it, if you use Apple Podcast, go ahead. Rate the podcast, give it a high rating, and leave a review. Tell people why you like the podcast. That helps more people. Discover the show. Thank you in advance. Talk to you next week.
What better way to start the new year than exploring an exciting opportunity to learn much more about cannabis? Something unique is growing at Olive Harvey College on Chicago's southeast side. OHC President Dr. Kimberly Hollingsworth and Dean of Urban Agriculture Professor Akilah Easter share some of the innovative plans for cannabis studies on the 67-acre campus including a mock dispensary, on-site cannabis greenhouse, distribution and logistics center, and more! Plus a Stoner Speed Dating event on the Illinois News Joint Wrap and the relaxing hybrid Triangle Octane is Strain of the Week and Connecticut expunges forty thousand cannabis convictions overnight!Question or CommentSupport the showFollow the show on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram!Looking for cannabis products? Head to 420 pipes and use the promo code: CANNABISMAN for 10 percent off your order! Blaze on!
In the final episode of 2022, Fred Sanders shares with Don his journey to create a business within a business. Working in The Apple House in Terre Haute, Indiana, right on the border with Illinois where cannabis had just become legal, Fred knew that some Illinois medical cannabis patients would soon be starting their own home grow operations. And they would need guidance and products for those projects. So he created Blooms Brothers Hydro, inside the Apple House, to meet those future needs. Fred goes through some of the basics of home growing and what products they offer that can help get your grow up and running! Plus a Cannabis Research Institute is heading for Chicago on the News Joint Wrap and Space Monkey is the Strain of the Week! And some states' legal cannabis markets have already bottomed out, threatening the future of legal cannabis in the United States! Happy Holidaze, get blazed!Questions or CommentsSupport the showFollow the show on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram!Looking for cannabis products? Head to 420 pipes and use the promo code: CANNABISMAN for 10 percent off your order! Blaze on!
Blake-Anthony Johnson, CEO of Chicago Sinfonietta, talks with host Amy Guth about his work reimagining live music experiences, equity in classical music spaces, giving Chicago its creative and historical due, and more. Plus: Economy chills investments in EVs and mobility, Amazon cited by OSHA for failing to record warehouse injuries, landmark apartments in Edgewater sell in $46 million deal and Cresco Labs joins effort to spark cannabis innovation at 1871 Chicago.
-Dumbfu** of the week: Ferrari Team Principal, Mattia Binotto. Since he said “There's no reason Ferrari can't win the final 10 races” Max has won all of them but 1 race where Checo won -W of the week: Mattress Mack for winning the largest legal payout in sports betting history. Placed $10M on Astros to win WS and won $75M -Officially the last time Daylight Savings is in effect. Take that Benjamin Franklin -Andor and Tales of the Jedi deeper discussion --What's New in Music? Diddy buys Cresco Labs and Columbia Care Inc. to become the largest black owned Cannabis company for a reported $185M RIP Aaron Carter Drake & 21 Savage - Her Loss Joji - Smithereens Gorillaz - Baby Queen Selena Gomez - My Mind & Me --Sports Nike suspends partnership with Kyrie amid his hate speech spreading NFL week 8 update Colts hire Jeff Saturday as interim Head Coach LeBron James is a pathological liar and must be stopped Bama gets bounced again -Top 3 of the week: HoTD characters -Dean's Fact of the Week: 41 -Who's Horny of the Week?: Drake for posting anime heavies on his story
Welcome to a brand new week! Here's the latest from the "Cannabis Daily" podcast team!!Today's stories:Leafly reports Cresco Labs and Columbia Care assets in New York and Illinois will pass to hip-hop star Sean “Diddy” CombsThe U.S. Cannabis Council has launched a “Buy Legal” advertising campaign, reports Ganjapreneur. Heritage Cannabis Holdings Corp. is raising up to $20 million from Obsidian Global Partners, reports MJ Biz DailyAtann has been granted its Good Agricultural and Collection Practice license, enabling it to begin supplying cannabis clones to licensed cultivators, report BusinessCann. Tweet us and let us know your thoughts on today's episode, here.Email us about our stories, here.Missed the previous episode? You can catch up with it here. About Cannabis Daily.Cannabis Daily is a cannabis news and interview program from Business of Cannabis. We highlight the companies, brands, people and trends driving the cannabis industry.Business of Cannabis is a cannabis industry platform marrying cannabis news, video and podcast content, newsletters and online and real-world cannabis events.Visit Business of Cannabis online:http://businessofcannabis.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/bofc_mediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/businessofcannabisInstagram: https://instagram.com/businessofcannabisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bofcmediaSpotify: http://bofc.me/spotifyApple: http://bofc.me/applepodPodcasts Online: https://bofc.me/bofclive
Cannabis Industry Post Legalization from Investing, 280E, MSOs, M&A & more... w/ Melissa Diaz & Alan Brochstein - BRT S03 EP53 (152) 10-23-2022 What We Learned This Week Cannabis restricted in Biz Ops w/ Tax Code 280E listing as Schedule 1 Narcotic, no write offs Political Landscape & the possibility of Reschedule as a lesser drug (Sched 3) Covid Economy - did demand for Cannabis spike w/ Pandemic, what is state of the biz & sales now? M&A, Safe Banking Act, MSOs & more..... Guest: Melissa Diaz w/ Rebel Rock - customized accounting solutions, HR, and M&A for the Cannabis industry in AZ https://rebelrock.co/melissa-diaz/ Melissa's accounting experience as a CPA spans numerous industries, both domestically & internationally, including healthcare, hospitality and, of course, Cannabis. In addition to co-founding and serving as CFO to Rebel Rock, Melissa is CFO and Shareholder for High Rock Accounting, which places an emphasis on utilizing technology to strategically make day-to-day and long-term financial decisions, while pursuing company goals and compliancy. At High Rock and Rebel Rock, Melissa helps companies remain competitive and efficient in increasingly high-pressure and high-stakes environments. Starting in 2016 she started branching out into the Cannabis industry. Alan Brochstein CFA of New Cannabis Ventures https://www.newcannabisventures.com/ New Cannabis Ventures is a news & information platform offered by NCV Media, LLC that highlights promising companies and influential investors in the cannabis industry. NCV is a cannabis-centric marketing & communications company. Notes: Melissa Diaz – 1st Half Melisa, Melissa has a background in corporate accounting. She got involved in the cannabis industry in 2016. AZ – Cannabis for medicinal was legalized in 2014, and in 2020 recreational use was legalized. Cultivation farming was more profitable back in 2020, while the consumer base increased, but reduction in price, now retail is more profitable Arizona licenses vertically integrated – 1. cultivation 2. processing 3. retail (sell to consumers), you have the opportunity to lease out rights to use license There is limited license in Arizona, only a count of estimated 146, so high purchase price possibly 20 mil+ to get a license, vs Colorado, much different, unlimited licenses with 1500+ already license in Colorado, little value, cost around $15K Cannabis has more supply in Colorado, led to lower prices, it's a downward push on prices, & puts pressure on the cannabis industry in price per pound, where as in Arizona the price per pound is $1000 - $1500, only $500 in Colorado MSO stands for multi state operator M&A activity has lessened in cannabis, as there's been liquidity restrictions, with interest rates on the rise, and overall just less capital to the industry Lending has tightened and it cost more to get money, which is good for lenders who want to loan money, but many avoid the cannabis industry because of the risk Debt is more expensive in cannabis, only state chartered banks in Arizona to get loans. A lot of the banks do not give loans. Usually you have to use 3td party lenders with higher interest rates at 12% and higher on the interest rate. Before interest rates went up, even with real estate backing, it was 15 to 23% interest rates, in October 2022 could go to equity markets for money Cannabis companies were up for sale circa 2018 as there was a bubble and they could not pay the debt. In 2022 we could see a repeat of this. Safe banking act has failed 7x, No federal banking for cannabis. Cannabis is a schedule 1 controlled substance, no different than heroin. The President has talked of moving it to his schedule three or not schedule at all. This can be done through a congressional act or a recommendation to the FTA, then recommendation to the DEA then it would be re-scheduled to a lower level, but ETA could be 1 to 2 years. How do you advise companies in the meantime. If they have the 280 E tax code removed if it is a scheduled 3 - There would be less tax burdens and lots of profitability for future cannabis business. 280 E tax at gross margin, can only write off direct expenses. By comparison, to normal business does $1 mil in sales and can write off direct and indirect expenses. This creates a problem for cannabis companies where it looks like they have ‘phantom income' and their tax on income they did not even receive. It is very common that business people and investors do not even know about the 280 E problem in Cannabis. Management companies can be used to move some expenses Cannabis Tax - services and goods in cannabis is more expensive as there is more risk and paperwork, and regulation, overall just more complicated. So it cost the cannabis company more for accounting, insurance, legal, banking etc. You need a good advisor team & trusted Network for help. You also need aspirin as it cost a lot in business and money to cure problems, hence advisers are like ‘business aspirin'. Cannabis clients need a white glove service very hands-on. Random story on cannabis from New York. - Adult use rules are very unclear which creates opportunities for people to sell illegally and not through a licensed authority Example: in New York, operators are selling through food trucks Alan Brochstein – 2nd Half Cannabis currently is in a bear market which creates a purchase opportunity. Alan Brockstein create a new cannabis ventures in 2015. Government policies and legal issues currently are crippling the cannabis industry, as they do not know the long term legality and tax policies. One example is safe banking and taxes. Ironically lobbying money in cannabis is low. Cannabis has 80% tax rate on real profit because tax is on gross profit because of 280E tax code. Cannabis companies may be profitable, but taxed high, so they wind up losing money. Canadian cannabis companies are legal with high tax rates which are normal and in Canada. WM Tech, Weedmaps, $10 stock down to $1, does big business in California profitable, but trouble collecting money. Big five top MSO‘s like Verano, Green Thumb, Cresco Labs, Curaleaf and Trulieve Per Alan, you have 4 Tiers of cannabis companies and stocks. He believes Curaleaf is too expensive price wise Tier 2: Ascend, Air Wellness, TerrAscend, Columbia Care. States like Texas going forward have mass potential for cannabis. California currently is a very tough market. Illinois has court issues with licenses, Michigan seems to be a state going well. VC and funding is tight right now with capital borrowing. What you see often with startup companies is a sale leaseback. The lending company buys the asset, and leases it back. Tough to work this out as it's hard to build cannabis cultivation facilities. REIT for real estate are popular in cannabis, not just a IIPR (Industrial Properties) TerrAscend got a loan at 6.5% in 2020, and 12.8% floating rate loan in 2022. President spoke on cannabis early in October 2022. There was talk of federal prison release on low level drug charges as well as the 280 E tax rate in cannabis - this code can only deduct cost of goods nothing else this could change with legislative action or reschedule to 3, minor drug versus schedule 1as a major drug. This is possible, which would lead to tax breaks, less risk, and companies could list publicly and get better funding State Level - changes with cannabis has good movement as public sentiment and the majority overall are in favor. Cannabis started in 2021 well, but by spring of 2021 it's been down and currently remains down late in 2022. Funding is down, liquidity is tight - with cannabis you have low liquidity plus high risk. This has created a bear market for cannabis stocks that have been hit hard, but also creates a buying opportunity for investors. There was a Covid economy with cannabis created lots of demand which has now leveled out post Covid. There's lots of suppliers, but now with demand down prices are also down. Less M&A activity because the capital markets are tight. Verano holdings big time MSO had a deal for goodness growth which got called off and the stock went down 66%. Technical analysis on cannabis stock says they're oversold the price versus 150 day moving average, so median of 35% down, five biggest stocks in Cannabis are down 62% to 80%. Cannabis stocks hit high price points in February 2020, & are down 65% year to date in 2022, they were down 25% in 2021 and hitting lows since 2013. 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Common Topics Discussed: Business, Entrepreneurship, Investing, Stocks, Cannabis, Tech, Blockchain / Crypto, Real Estate, Legal, Sales, Charity, and more… BRT Podcast Home Page: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/ ‘Best Of' BRT Podcast: Click Here BRT Podcast on Google: Click Here BRT Podcast on Spotify: Click Here More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/podcast-brt-home/ KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. 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Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.Serial entrepreneur Chris Jones, Founder of CANNABIS XPRESS, tells us why his high quality, high speed and low prices model has seen him grow to more than a dozen retail stores in Ontario despite cannabis retail industry consolidation.Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven't already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!I'm your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company & Maven Media, and if you're looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co! Have a safe week everyone! About ChrisChris Jones is an entrepreneur and cannabis industry executive. He is currently Founder and President of CANNABIS XPRESS, which is a leading chain of 13 cannabis retail stores in Ontario, Canada. Previous to that, he founded another cannabis retail company in Ontario and sold after it hit a run rate of approximately $15 million via an all-cash sale to a public company. Before entering the retail industry, he was actively involved in and led multiple acquisitions and investments ranging from several million to over a billion dollars during his time at Origin House which was later acquired by a top US-based multi state operator - Cresco Labs. Chris has also developed and taught classes at George Brown College through their school of continuing education. One of them more recently was called Cannabis Business Strategy, which includes a lineup of coveted guest speakers such as Bruce Linton (Founder of Canopy Growth Corporation – which was previously the largest cannabis company in the world by market capitalization). He currently teaches a management course at George Brown called Management Fundamentals.Before that, he built his finance and business development experience at two global construction companies based in Canada: EllisDon and Aecon. Additionally, he led business development and negotiations for a boutique trial-focused law firm in Toronto. Outside of work, Chris spends his time travelling, taking language courses in Spanish, walking his dog, enjoying the outdoors, exercising and is undefeated in Muay Thai. He obtained his Masters of Business Administration from McMaster University's DeGroote School of Business, and a Bachelor of Commerce from Ryerson University's Ted Rogers School of Management.About MichaelMichael is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. He has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions with C-level executives and participated on thought leadership panels worldwide. Michael was recently added to ReThink Retail's prestigious Top 100 Global Retail Influencers for a second year in 2022. Michael is also the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts, including Canada's top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus the Remarkable Retail with author Steve Dennis, Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. Most recently, Michael launched Conversations with CommerceNext, a podcast focussed on retail eCommerce, digital marketing and retail careers - all available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music and all major podcast platforms. Michael is also the producer and host of the “Last Request Barbeque” channel on YouTube where he cooks meals to die for and influencer riches.
This week we are joined by Brady Cobb, Founder of Sunburn, to discuss: Florida Cannabis MarketThe Why behind SunburnPublix effectSunburn vs. Trulieve? About Brady Cobb: Brady Cobb is the founder and former CEO of Bluma Wellness, which was recently acquired by Cresco Labs. He founded One Plant Florida in 2018, a boutique-style medical marijuana company and that holds one of the fourteen medical marijuana treatment center licenses in the State of Florida. Cobb is a lawyer, entrepreneur and advocate for cannabis reform in Washington, DC, where he works with lobbyists and representatives to better the state of the industry through law. #Cannabis #Cannabiscommunity #DEAAt Eighth Revolution (8th Rev) we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain The Dime is a top 50 Cannabis Podcast Contact us directly at info@8threv.com Bryan Fields: @bryanfields24 Kellan Finney: @Kellan_Finney
This week we are joined by Brady Cobb, Founder of Sunburn, to discuss: Florida Cannabis MarketThe Why behind SunburnPublix effectSunburn vs. Trulieve?About Brady Cobb: Brady Cobb is the founder and former CEO of Bluma Wellness, which was recently acquired by Cresco Labs. He founded One Plant Florida in 2018, a boutique-style medical marijuana company and that holds one of the fourteen medical marijuana treatment center licenses in the State of Florida. Cobb is a lawyer, entrepreneur and advocate for cannabis reform in Washington, DC, where he works with lobbyists and representatives to better the state of the industry through law. #Cannabis #Cannabiscommunity #DEAAt Eighth Revolution (8th Rev) we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain The Dime is a top 50 Cannabis Podcast Contact us directly at info@8threv.com Bryan Fields: @bryanfields24 Kellan Finney: @Kellan_Finney
The McPlant was McDonald's bid to tap into the fake meat market, where rivals like Burger King have had some success with items like the Impossible Whopper. Crain's reporter Ally Marotti talks with host Amy Guth about how the world's largest hamburger chain ended a U.S. test run in late July, with no indication it will roll out the plant protein burger nationally. Plus: As immigrants arrive in buses from Texas, local health providers say many of those arriving need both immediate care and ongoing attention; Yardbird opening first Chicago location soon in River North; Supersonic jet dealt a blow; and Cresco Labs completes sale-leaseback deal in Pennsylvania to free up $45 million in capital.
Cresco Labs and the state of institutional cannabis investingFewer than 95% of investors today are able to invest in the cannabis industry. Cresco Lab's SVP of Investor Relations, Megan Kulick, sees this as one of the most exciting opportunities for the cannabis sector. Megan joins Vangst CEO Karson Humiston to discuss the state of institutional cannabis investing over the past five years as well as offer predictions going forward. Megan discusses her own career path and how she ended up being an executive at some of the largest multistate operators in the country. Produced by PodConxProud To Work In Cannabis - https://podconx.com/podcasts/proud-to-work-in-cannabisKarson Humiston - https://podconx.com/guests/karson-humistonVangst - https://vangst.com/Cresco Labs - https://www.crescolabs.com/Megan Kulick - https://podconx.com/guests/megan-kulick
We start with the latest quarterlies of Verano, AYR Wellness, Cresco Labs, Columbia Care, Curaleaf and Canopy Growth. Then talk about Aurora closing Sky/Anandia and their bought deal. Finally we discuss realistic changes that could be implemented to make the cannabis industry more business friendly in Canada.
We go over the latest quarterlies of Tilray, Organigram, Fire&Flower, Curaleaf, Green Thumb Industries, Cresco Labs, Trulieve, Glasshouse Brands. We then talk about our appearance at the Cantor Fitzgerald cannabis conference. Finally we highlight recent research in other uses of hemp/cannabis apart from cannabinoids.
Crain's reporter John Pletz talks with host Amy Guth about Cresco Labs, which is poised to become the largest company in the U.S. cannabis market, and the role Chicago plays in the industry. Plus: Illinois' Center for COVID Control sued by Oregon attorney general, Conagra expects to spend 50% more on meat ingredients this year, former Ald. Solis charged with bribery and unruly airline passengers draw record proposed fines.
This episode features Jackie von Salm, PhD, Anna Symmonds, MA, Jahan Marcu, PhD and Nigam B. Arora, PhD. The podcast starts with a game about cannabis mergers, testing our guest's knowledge of the recent merger between Cresco Labs and Columbia Care. Then the group buckles up for a discussion about risks related to cannabis-based vape products, and new research investigations on user experiences with various psychedelic substances.Episode's Group:Jahan Marcu, PhD (moderator)Nigam B. Arora, PhDAnna Symonds, MAJackie von Salm, PhDToday's Game (1:50)) : Three Truths and a Lie: The recent merger between Cresco and Columbia Care; is it the largest merger to date…or is it??News and Popular Literature Links: Cannabis product recall leads to lawsuit in Pennsylvania over safety of vape products.Rapid Fire Science Study Links:Analysis of experiences with various classes of psychedelic substancesCredits:Podcast audio engineering by Joe Leonardo, Cover art by illia_boo, Intro music by Buddha by Kontekst, Transition music by K. LOUK. Outro music by Bensounds.More at: howtolaunchanindustry.com marcu-arora.com
Jason Erkes, Chief Communications Officer at Cresco Labs, joined Lisa Dent and Steve Bertrand on Chicago’s Afternoon News to discuss the bill passing through the House that could legalize cannabis throughout the United States. He expressed his optimism as the bill heads to the Senate, but still felt it was unlikely that it would pass. […]
Major multistate #marijuana operators Cresco Labs (OTC: CRLBF) and Columbia Care (OTC: CCHWF) on Wednesday said they have agreed to combine in a blockbuster deal worth roughly $2 billion, with Chicago-based Cresco set to acquire New York-headquartered Columbia.The combined footprint of the two companies would include more than 130 #cannabis retail locations across 17 states and the District of Columbia, reaching about 55% of the U.S. population.The proposed all-stock #merger is one of the largest in the #cannabisindustry to date and would produce one of the biggest #MSOs in the nation.Episode 916 The #TalkingHedge looks at MJ Biz Daily's article...https://youtu.be/s0seVOhKFpE
The Federal Reserve raised interest rates and outlined an agressive strategy to combat inflation. Crypto regulation is coming with stable coins and Central Bank Digital Currencies or CBDCs in focus. Cresco Labs buys Columbia Care for $2B, creating the largest legal marijuana company by revenue.
Mike Tyson will be joining our lineup in our Cannabis Event. Use the LANE30 code to get your 30% off of tickets discount today!Welcome to Cannabis Daily - Your daily guide to cannabis news, industry trends, and trade ideas in under 5 mins.How Did Markets React To Cresco Labs Columbia Care Acquisition? Columbia Care Posts Revenue Of $139M In Q4, Issues 2022 Financial GuidanceIncannex Healthcare To Acquire APIRx Pharmaceuticals For $93.3MCrypto Carbon Credits For Hemp Growers? It's A $10B Market Opportunity & This Company's On ItCharlotte's Web Q4 Revenue Up 5% QoQ, Adjusted EBITDA Loss Improves By $5MJushi Holdings Financial Results: Total Revenue $209.3M For 2021, 159% YoY IncreaseMy Winners For the Day:Columbia Care(OTCQX:CCHWF)Jushi Holdings(OTCQX:JUSHF)YourWay Cannabis Brands(OTCQB:YOURF)OrganiGram Holdings (NASDAQ:OGI)Check out https://www.benzinga.com/events/cannabis/ right now use LANE30 for 30% discount on tickets!Hosted & Produced By:Elliot LaneAaron ThomasContact us at: cannabishour@benzinga.comFollow Benzinga Cannabis On Social MediaInstagramTwitterYouTubeLinkedInSubscribe to all Benzinga Podcasts at https://www.benzinga.com/podcastsSubscribe to the Cannabis Insider Newsletter to get more cannabis news and trending links delivered to your inbox.Tune in weekly to Cannabis Hour at 4 pm ET every Thursday for Cannabis News & Executive Interviews at bzcannabishour.comHit us up at https://www.benzinga.com/cannabis/ for more news today, tomorrow, and everyday.Access All The Cannabis Daily Episodes HereFor Top Gainers & Losers Cannabis stocks of the day check out https://www.benzinga.com/cannabis/stocksNOT FINANCIAL ADVICESupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/cannabis-daily/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
US equity futures are indicating a slightly lower open as of 05:00 ET. European equity markets a bit higher, following broad gains in Asia. The bond market selloff continues to be in focus as Fed officials voice support for more aggressive and front-loaded tightening. Companies mentioned: ZTE, Xiaomi, Cresco Labs, Columbia Care
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/marina-malaguti In this episode: Tai Duncan is Vice President of Community Integration at Cresco Labs, one of the largest multi state, vertically integrated cannabis companies in the US. In this role, Tai and her team provide expertise and leadership to promote Cresco's community related goals to a wide internal and external audience, driving strategic initiatives that align with Cresco's rapid expansion and serve as the company's central point of contact with community leaders. A licensed attorney since 2008, Tai has enjoyed a successful legal and business career, serving in a variety of roles across industries. As a founding member of the adult basketball fitness company, Swish House, Tai has acted as a consultant to the startup since 2014, serving as its Vice President of Business and Legal affairs prior to joining Cresco. With civic engagement as a priority, Tai has served on boards, committees and as a volunteer for nearly a dozen local organizations. She has been a member of the Board of Trustees of The Cove School, Lookingglass Theatre Company, and the Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation. Tai continues to be involved with a variety of nonprofit organizations through philanthropy, advocacy, and board service, including Imerman Angels and A Silver Lining Foundation. In 2016, Tai received the WNBA Chicago Sky's #RedefinePossible Women's Leadership Award, and she was recognized as one of Chicago Scholars' 35 Under 35 Making an Impact in 2018. Tai Is also a member of the inaugural cohort of The Black Bench Chicago public affairs leadership development program. Wepa! I'm Marina. I am a technologist, mom, podcast host, leadership coach, cruciverbalist and aquarian. ;) UNBOSSED is “Stories of Amazing Women in Chicago”. If you are a new listener to UNBOSSED, we would love to hear from you. Please visit our Contact Page and let us know how we can help you today! Key Highlights: Do your best, don't do the best. Watchout for the golden handcuffs and the exhausting noise I'm Still Here by Austin Channing Brown Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know by Adam Grant Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson Trailblazer: The Power of Business as the Greatest Platform for Change by Marc Benioff and Monica Langley Memorable Quotes: “Do the best you can, at time, with what you have” - Tai Duncan's mom “If you want to be an artist, just go do that; don't pay for school” - Tai Duncan's dad “Lawyers think cool, that's why I loved it” - Tai Duncan Useful Links and Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tai-d-b831763/ https://sky.wnba.com/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/marina-malaguti/support
Brittany Williams joined PharmaCann in April 2021 as the vice president of social equity, diversity & inclusion where she is leading the company's efforts to create long-term, meaningful and systemic changes and foster fairness, justice and equality in the cannabis industry. Prior to PharmCann, Brittany was the regional director of social equity and educational development (SEED) at Cresco Labs where she was instrumental in creating social equity strategy and programming. As the program director at Justice Grown, she established partnerships with Chicago-based nonprofits, community organizations and colleges to advance social and restorative justice and launch equity-based initiatives, most notably, Justice by Design, a paid employment residency program. Brittany also has held roles in web design, filmmaking and photography. She has a master's degree in nonprofit management from DePaul University and a bachelor's degree in mass communication from the University of Missouri-Columbia --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support
with—Kristine Arth, Lobster Phone—and—Cory Rothschild, Cresco Labs—Original post with images at https://bit.ly/bnpodcast032
Jennifer Clark is Senior Vice President of Operational Excellence at Cresco Labs. She leads the organization's Quality, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), and Continuous Improvement functions, ensuring that the company is delivering high quality, safe, and consistent products to customers with cost effective and efficient operations. She is a results-driven leader who builds highly effective teams and challenges the status quo to identify new and better ways of accomplishing objectives. Prior to Cresco Labs, she led multiple operational aspects within the healthcare industry at Abbott and AbbVie. Jennifer graduated with a science degree from the University of Illinois, however also attended the acclaimed Kendall College of Culinary Arts, owned a personal chef business for a short time, and is pursuing her Executive MBA from the Kellogg School of Management starting in the fall of 2021. Jennifer serves as a mentor and role model for other women leaders, hosting events focused on themes of women empowerment and giving back. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, playing tennis, and spending time with her family and friends. Speaking at: The Global Cannabis Executive Summit, A Gathering of Innovators, Pioneers, and Leaders in Toronto, Canada on Nov 2-3, 2021 Oh Hey, and I'm Marina. I am a technologist, mom, podcast host, leadership coach, cruciverbalist and aquarian ;) UNBOSSED IS… “Paths To Success of Amazing Women in Chicago” I welcome you to ask questions, participate, and join me as we explore these topics by emailing me at info@unbossed.io or visiting www.unbossed.io. Available on- Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDTz6_FepG04QTs1BjFLBjw/ Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eUhfH8E Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/e7cWtBv Google Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/enjChPt And others.. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/marina-malaguti/support
The intersection of cannabis and business is here. What do you need to know? In Episode 20 of the Matt Laricy Project: The Growth of Marijuana Companies, Matt Laricy talks with President & Co-Founder of Cresco Labs, Joe Caltabiano. We cover legislation, trends, the opportunity behind marijuana, and what's next for cannabis businesses and their customers. The Matt Laricy Project Podcast covers all things real estate, business, marketing, and entrepreneurship. We can't wait for you to tune in. For more information: Matt Laricy Group http://mattlaricygroup.com/connect/ 708-250-2696