Green Entrepreneur
174 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsHow have entrepreneurs left their old careers behind and found success in cannabis, and how can you do the same? Green Entrepreneur with Jonathan Small answers that question each week, with inspiring stories of business owners who have taken the cannabis challenge and are now navigating the exciting but unpredictable Green Rush.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Big Papi's Marijuana Business Hits the Ground Running
September 08, 2022 07:00 - 19 minutes - 17.6 MBGuest David 'Big Papi Ortiz' is three-time World Series Champion and former World Series MVP and a recent inductee to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Now you can add cannabis entrepreneur to his long list of accomplishments. Papi Cannabis is a new line of premium cannabis products available in dispensaries across Massachusetts.
A Top Lawyer Talks About Her Lifelong War on the War on Drugs
September 01, 2022 07:00 - 33 minutes - 30.4 MBGuest ALLISON MARGOLIN a Los Angeles-based criminal defense and civil rights lawyer and one of the nation’s leading experts in cannabis licensing and law. She has a new book out called Just Dope: A Leading Attorney’s Personal Journey Inside the War on Drugs, which is part memoir and part argument for a commonsense approach to drug use and legalization.
What's Going on in Jersey?
August 25, 2022 07:30 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MBCannabis became recreationally legal in New Jersey four months ago. So how’s weed doing in the Garden State? To give us a perspective from the ground, we’re joined by Sharon Ali who is Regional General Manager, Mid Atlantic at Acreage.
Cann Just Sold Its Ten-Millionth Can
August 18, 2022 07:00 - 35 minutes - 32.3 MBTHC-infused beverage company Cann celebrated a major milestone this month: 10 million cans sold. Co-founder Luke Anderson joins the podcast to give an emotional interview about how they grew the company so rapidly and what other cannabis companies can learn from their success.
An Acquisition Horror Story Has a Happy Ending
August 11, 2022 07:00 - 25 minutes - 35.6 MBMany small cannabis companies dream about being acquired by a multi-million-dollar public company, but what if that dream becomes a nightmare? Hayley Dineen and Lana Van Brunt lived through that harrowing experience, but rather than back down they took matters into their own hands. They are the Brooklyn-based duo behind Sackville & Co., a design-focused contemporary cannabis lifestyle brand. What happened to them offers valuable lessons into how to M&As in your own business.
Jones Soda Gets Into the Cannabis Business
August 04, 2022 07:00 - 25 minutes - 22.9 MBJones Soda is a well-known quirky craft soda company with drinks like Blue Bubblegum Cane Sugar Soda. Last April, the company launched Mary Jones in California, which includes cannabis-infused product lines of soda, syrup, and gummies. Bohb Blair, Chief Marketing Officer at Jones Soda, joins the pod to talk about why Jones got into the weed market, how they plan to stand out from the pack, and the state of cannabis-infused beverage industry
Can Cannabis Make You More Creative? This Company Thinks So.
July 28, 2022 07:00 - 33 minutes - 30.3 MBPilgrim Soul is a purpose-driven cannabis company focused on creative performance. As part of their marketing effort, the company publishes Creative Thinking Journals to use when you’re high that have become runaway bestsellers on Amazon. Pilgrim Soul CEO and Co-founder Shawn Gold talks about how his unique purpose-driven approach to marketing, and how it can help other cannabis companies carve out a unique lane in an overcrowded industry.
The Problem with the Legal Weed Industry
July 21, 2022 07:00 - 33 minutes - 30.8 MBEconomists Robin Goldstein and Daniel Sumner have a fascinating new book out called CAN LEGAL WEED WIN?: The Blunt Realities of Cannabis Economics. Though extensive research, they argue that the legal weed business presents an economic conundrum—while nearly 40% of Americans can walk into a dispensary and purchase weed legally, many still buy it illegally. On the show, they talk about why legal weed is a mess, what we can do to save the legal weed industry, and how small business owners can...
How the Jeeter Infused Preroll Became the Nation's Best Seller
July 14, 2022 07:00 - 34 minutes - 31.4 MBSince its launch in 2019 in California, Jeeter has grown into bestselling preroll company in the U.S, with a $400 million revenue projected this year. Co-founders Lukasz Tracz and Sebastian Solano join the show to talk about the five strategies they used to break through the pack and stand out.
This TV Design Guru Is On a Mission to Redesigns Pot Shops
July 07, 2022 07:00 - 36 minutes - 33 MBKim Myles is host of the lively new show High Design on Discovery Plus, in which she makes over dispensaries that could really use some freshening up. On the episode, she talks about her entrepreneurial journey from hair stylist to reality TV show winner to TV show and personality. She also shares her tips on how to transform your retail business to better serve your customers.
How To Talk to Your Kids About Cannabis
June 30, 2022 07:00 - 31 minutes - 29.1 MBAlmost a quarter of parents who have consumed cannabis in the past year haven’t talked to their kids about their cannabis use, according to a new Harris poll. Can you blame them? It’s a hard conversation. To give some pointers we’re joined by Danielle Simone Brand, the author of the book Weed Mom, and Rabbi James Kahn, who along with being Executive Director at Holistic Industries has written much about helping to normalize cannabis,
NFL Great Calvin Johnson, Jr on How Cannabis Helped Him Stay In The Game
June 23, 2022 07:00 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MBHall of Famer Calvin Johnson Jr (aka Megatron played wide receiver for 9 illustrious years on the Detroit Lions. Now he’s embarked onon a new journey as a cannabis executive. Johnson is co-founder, along with Detroit Lions teammate Rob Sims, of Primitiv, a Michigan-based cannabis company that offers cannabis-based products, a branded line of merch, their first dispensary in Niles, Michigan.
Is Ketamine the Next Frontier? This Cannabis Exec Thinks So
June 16, 2022 07:00 - 23 minutes - 21.2 MBKetamine has been shown to treat depression, PTSD, and anxiety. In recent years, clinics have been popping up in cities across America and Canada. Guest Matt Stang is co-founder and CEO of Delic Corp, the largest infrastructure of psychedelic wellness clinics in the U.S. Matt started his career as an intern at High Times and rose up the ranks to be its owner. Now he’s embarking on a new journey in psychedelics such as ketamine. Here’s why he think ketamine is so powerful and his predictions...
A Rock Photographer Offers His Creative Advice to Brands
June 09, 2022 07:00 - 30 minutes - 27.5 MBAndreas “Dre” Neumann is Chief Creative Officer of Jushi, a publicly-traded MSO that includes retails locations, brands, and grow facilities. He is also a photographer who has shot such artists as the Foo Fighters, Iggy Pop, and the Queens of the Stone Age. In fact, it was the latter that led him into the cannabis business. We talk to Dre about why this big advertising exec got into the cannabis business, and what advice he has to other creatives about branding.
Why This Twitter Executive Launched a Cannabis Data Company
June 02, 2022 07:00 - 22 minutes - 20.2 MBAs the cannabis market grows, so have the number of data technology companies offering brands business intelligence. Our guest today is Jeffrey Graham Co-Founder and CEO of Pistil Data. The company has built applications for salespeople at brands to that helps them identify the best-selling opportunities. Pistil recently closed a $6.5 million seed round led by Snoop Dogg’s Casa Verde.
Do Most Cannabis Beverages Suck? This Cocktail Expert Thinks So.
May 26, 2022 07:00 - 23 minutes - 21.4 MBWarren Bobrow is a mixologist, chef, and writer known as the Cocktail Whisperer. He has written 6 books, including Cannabis Cocktails, Mocktails & Tonics: The Art of Spirited Drinks and Buzz-Worthy Libations. His latest venture is Klaus, which he calls “the finest terpene forward Craft cannabis cocktail in the world.” Bold words for sure, but Warren knows his cocktails and he uses only the finest ingredients. Here’s his take on the future of infused cannabis beverages.
How Asian-American Women Are Blazing New Paths in Cannabis
May 19, 2022 07:00 - 30 minutes - 27.5 MBDespite stigmas, Asian American and Pacific Islanders are making a big difference in the cannabis industry. On this episode, we’re joined by Eunice Kim, founder and CEO of HiVi, a digital cannabis product that matches people to the right cannabis products, and Judy Yee co-founder and CEO of K-Zen, a cannabis beverage company. They talk about why they got into cannabis and the challenges they’ve had to overcome.
Unpacking the MJ Unpacked Conference in NYC
May 12, 2022 07:00 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBMany executives in the cannabis industry will be heading to New York City this month for the MJ Unpacked conference from May 18 to 20—and not just to see Ghost Face Killah in concert. The event, only in its second year, offers a chance for cannabis CPG brands, retailers, and investors to make deals, network, and get excited about the NYC market. Guests George and Kim Jage are the founders of MJ Unpacked. They talk about why they started the event, what to expect, and their predictions for t...
So You Want To Infuse Your Cannabis Product? Start Here.
May 05, 2022 07:00 - 23 minutes - 21.5 MBGuest Ben Larson is CEO of Vertosa, a cannabis company that creates active ingredients for infused products including its patented and patent-pending emulsion systems. Ben is also an outspoken critic of delta 8 and says he would never work with a delta 8 client.
On the Road with a Top Delivery Service
April 28, 2022 07:00 - 26 minutes - 24.2 MBGrassdoor is a leading cannabis delivery service in California. Despite fierce competition, they’ve managed to be successful thanks to a proprietary tech platform that enables brands to white label their services. We talk to CEO Zack Ein about how he went from being the company’s first delivery driver to overseeing a team of 450 full-time drivers. He also talks about the challenges and costs for DTC services and where the business is going.
What's Going On At Canopy Growth
April 26, 2022 01:44 - 27 minutes - 24.8 MBCanopy Growth is an international, publicly traded cannabis MSO. Their offerings include Martha Stewart’s CBD line. Our guest is Sol Clahane VP & General Manager of the Canopy Growth Corporation in the U.S.. She talks about what Canopy does, how their relationship with Martha Stewart came to be, the biggest challenges CBD companies like theirs face, and why you shouldn’t be scared of MSO operators gobbling up the little guys.
An Entrepreneurial Pastor Preaches Cannabis for Christians
April 14, 2022 07:00 - 23 minutes - 21.1 MBThere are 13.5 million Christians in the state California, 6.8 million of which have used a cannabis product. My guest Craig Gross wants to shine a light on this topic and invite the Christian community to to explore cannabis without shame or judgment. Craig is a well-known pastor and founder of XXXChurch.com. He recently launched Christian Cannabis, which offers high-CBD, low-THC cannabis strains cultivated specifically for Christian consumers.
Need Help? Consider Virtual Assistants for the Cannabis Industry
April 07, 2022 07:00 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBWe’re all busier than ever. And we need help. But a dwindling number of job applicants and great need for efficiency has led many to consider new solutions to getting the help they need. Guest TaJanna Mallory says she has a solution: Virtual assistants. Guest TaJanna is Founder and Chief Executive Officer at CannAssistants, a virtual assistant (VA) agency that provides administrative support to mid-size cannabis companies, founders, and business executives. Here’s what VAs do and why you ma...
Not in My Backyard! How One Dispensary Chain Has Overcome Community Push Back
March 31, 2022 07:00 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBWhile a large majority of Americans support the legalization of cannabis, many get squeamish when a dispensary tries to open its doors in their neighborhood. The phenomena is known as NIMBY – not in my backyard. Guests Lauren Carpenter and Dustin Moore are co-founders of Embarc, a northern California cannabis retailer that has a unique and community-friendly approach to cannabis sales.
Exciting New Trends in Dispensary Design
March 24, 2022 07:00 - 27 minutes - 25.6 MBWalking into a dispensary today is a completely different experience than it was just five years ago, thanks to legalization and the mainstreaming of cannabis retail. Some dispensaries are taking a nod from chains such as Nordstrom, Apple, and Sephora, to make the shopping experience a boutique, full-sensory experience. Guests Danielle Marzarella and Holly Cottrell of SevenPoint Interiors are part of the new revolution in cannabis retail space design. They talk about where dispensaries are ...
The Future of Cannabis Consumption Lounges
March 17, 2022 07:00 - 23 minutes - 21.1 MBWe talk a lot about the Green Rush, but few actually strike gold in this industry. Our guest, Cameron Forni, did after Curaleaf bought his company Select for an estimated $948 million. creating the world’s largest legal cannabis company by revenue. Cameron recently launched Hypescale Ventures, focused on investing in forward-thinking founders and technology. On the podcast, Forni talks about some of the investments he’s most excited about, including cannabis consumption lounges.
How High Tide Created a Canadian Tsunami
March 10, 2022 08:00 - 25 minutes - 23.6 MBRaj Grover is the founder and CEO of High Tide, the largest Canadian retailer of recreational cannabis as measured by revenue. This is the story of how he grew his 500-square foot smoke shop of 2 employees into a cannabis empire with other 1000 employees spanning North America and Europe.
How to Build a Successful Cannabis Brand Portfolio
March 03, 2022 08:00 - 39 minutes - 36.1 MBKyle Kazan is th co-founder and CEO of California-based Glass House Group, one of the largest privately held, vertically-integrated cannabis and hemp companies. He sits down with Nick Gaulin, editor in chief of Marijuana Retail Report to discuss their the company's most recent acquisition of PLUS Products and the current state of the world’s largest adult-use market.
From Convicted Felon to Cannabis Mogul: The Incredible Story of Chris Ball
February 24, 2022 08:00 - 39 minutes - 36 MBChris Ball is the founder of Ball Family Farms—the first vertically-integrated social equity brand in Los Angeles. The company is Black-owned and Black led, in an industry that could certainly use more people of color. Chris’s long and winding journey into the business is fascinating. A former star linebacker for Cal State, who did pro stints in the CFL and European NFL, Chris was convicted of a cannabis crime and had his life turned upside down. This how he turned everything around.
Magic Mushroom Retreats to Jamaica Are Big Business
February 22, 2022 00:14 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBIf you’ve got $4k, you can book an exclusive vacation to Jamaica for a 5-day psylocibin “trip.” The travel trend has become all the rage for psychonauts looking for a safe and legal experience with shrooms. Guest Douglas K. Gordan is the CEO of Silo Wellness, a multinational psychedelics company that hosts some the most luxurious retreats. Silo Wellness is also partners with the Marley family (as in Bob) in the first global mushroom company.
The OxiClean Pitchmaster Has Some Winning Sales Pitch Tips for Your Cannabis Brand
February 10, 2022 08:00 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MBYou probably know Anthony Sullivan from starring in those OxiClean ads with his friend the late Billy Mays. But more recently Sullivan has turned his sites to CBD. He is CEO of MontKush that uses organic CBD rosin from Vermont. Mont Kush also contains the compound CBDA, which made news recently after it was discovered that it may prevent the virus that causes Covid-19. On the show, he shares tips on how to pitch your product in a crowded market.
Marijuana for Menopause: The Story of Hello Again
February 03, 2022 08:00 - 25 minutes - 22.9 MBAs any woman of a certain age can tell you, menopause can be very unpleasant. Symptoms associated with it include hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, irritability, and changes sex drive. California entrepreneurs Carrie Mapes and Patty Pappas have created a cannabis-infused vaginal suppository called Hello Again that provides relief from these physical and emotional challenges. The two talk about why they created the product, how it works, and the challenges they’ve had to overcome bring...
Sage Advice from Andrew DeAngelo About Starting a Cannabis Business
January 27, 2022 08:00 - 27 minutes - 25.3 MBAndrew De Angelo is cannabis advocate and entrepreneur. He is co-founder and advisor to pioneering cannabis company. Andrew has also worked on a variety of voter initiatives which legalized medical and adult use cannabis. I caught up with Andrew at the NCIA Cannabis Business Summit in San Francisco to find out about his latest business venture as a consultant to cannabis companies. Companies come to him to figure out how to get liscensed, raise money, and grow their business. Here’s what he...
Jim Belushi Is On a Mission from God
January 20, 2022 08:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBJim Belushi is an actor, musician, and cannabis entrepreneur. His journey into the Green Rush is chronicled in in the docuseries Growing Belushi on the Discovery, which is back for a second season. Jim joins the show to talk about his mission to rebrand and rebuild his boutique brand for the masses, the challenges he’s faced, and how he uses weed his daily life.
The 5-Step Marketing Formula Used by Winning Politicians and Successful Companies
January 13, 2022 08:00 - 47 minutes - 43.9 MBShould you run your company’s marketing campaign like a political campaign? Guest Phillip Stutts says it’s the only way. He is the founder and CEO of Win BIG Media and has 25 years’ experience helping his clients win over 1400 elections. In his new book, The Undefeated Marketing System : How to Grow Your Business and Build Your Audience Using the Secret Formula That Elects Presidents, Stutts shares his five-step marketing formula that is used by winning pols and successful companies to grow...
Cannabis macaroons? Yep, they're a thing.
January 06, 2022 08:00 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBLuxury cannabis is here to stay On the pod, we talk to Cheyne Nadeau, VP of Marketing for Hervé, which makes high-end cannabis-infused macarons and hard candies. We discuss why the luxury cannabis category is so hot, who is buying this stuff, and the opportunties and challenges for entrepreneurs in the space in the next few years.
What Are the Big Opportunities in Cannabis in 2022?
December 23, 2021 08:00 - 18 minutes - 16.5 MBGuest Emily Paxhia is Managing Director Poseidon Investment Management. She joins us from the floor of the Hall of Flowers tradeshow to discuss the trends she's excited about—and not so excited about—for the upcoming year. Emily has reviewed over 1000 companies in her career. She had helped shape founders' pitches, their go-to-market strategies, and advised on day-to-day business operations. Emily has held board seats for multiple portfolio companies and participates as an adviser to multipl...
Are Terpenes the Future of Cannabis?
December 16, 2021 08:00 - 28 minutes - 39.4 MBNew developments in terpene research out of Israel are revealing some promising findings about the medicinal effectiveness of cannabis. At the forefront of this research is Nadav Eyal, the founder and CEO of Eybna Technologies which manufactures terpenes for dozens of cannabis brands including Old Pal and Lemon Tree. He talks to us about what his company is learning about how terpenes can help with sleep, anxiety, and even Covid-19.
How These Two Women Entrepreneurs Are Thriving in a Male-Dominated Industry
December 09, 2021 08:00 - 35 minutes - 32.7 MBThe cannabis industry is still a men’s club. The share of women in senior ranks fell to just 22.1% in 2021 from 36.8% in 2019. But that hasn’t stopped two female Michigan-based entrepreneurs from launching two successful cannabis companies. Our guests are Rebecca Colett CEO of Calyxeum and Megan Klein founder of Little Saints. They talk about how the different hurdles they’ve faced, and how they have overcome them.
How the Vape Mail Ban Affects the Cannabis Industry
December 02, 2021 08:00 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MBLast month, the PACT Act went into effect in the US, which prohibits vaping products to be delivered through the U.S. mail. Although this rule was originally intended for nicotine products, it now also includes devices used for marijuana and hemp. To talk about how this new law will affect the vaping industry, I’m joined by Ricardo Willis, CEO of the vaporizer tech company Hanu Labs. Ricardo is also the first African American CEO of a cannabis vaporizer company. On the pod, he talks candidl...
Introducing Cannabis-Infused Drinks that Taste Like Gin, Tequlia, and Whiskey
November 18, 2021 08:00 - 25 minutes - 23.2 MBHave you wanted to enjoy all the benefits of booze without the unhealthy side effects? Guest Darnell Smith believes he has a solution. He is the founder of Moon, MXXN, the first THC-infused spirits brand, creating 1:1 non-alcoholic replacements for gin, tequila and bourbon. A former defensive linemen for Notre Dame, Smith has worked with top global spirits companies for 15 years, including Diageo, Pernod-Ricard and Bacardi in product innovation and commercialization. He is now making his ma...
Can Psychedelics HelpTreat Dementia?
November 11, 2021 08:00 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MBMore than 55 million people live with dementia worldwide, and there are nearly 10 million new cases every year. But there are promising new developments in psychedelic medicine to help treat this debilitating symptom. Guest Dr. James Kuo is a physician and biotech executive with more than 25 years of drug development experience. He is co-founder of Return Heath, the first biotech company developing novel, non-hallucinogenic psychedelic to alter dementia’s progression.
Oklahoma Is the True Wild West of Weed
November 04, 2021 07:00 - 30 minutes - 28.2 MBMany cannabis entrepreneurs are flocking to Oklahoma, which boasts no limits on marijuana business licenses, few restrictions on who can obtain a medical card, and cheap land, energy and building materials. Our guest Chip Baker is all in on Oklahoma. As the founding partner of Greener Consulting Group, he helps businesses set up shop in the Sooner state.
A Former Navy Seal Gets a Cannabis Research License from the DEA
October 28, 2021 07:00 - 29 minutes - 26.8 MBFor the past 50 plus years, the DEA only permitted the University of Mississippi to grow research marijuana. But in March, the agency finally allowed private companies to grow cannabis for research. One of those companies is the Biopharmaceutical Research Company (BRC). Guest George Hodgin is the founder and CEO and a former Navy SEAL. We discuss his inspiration for getting into the cannabis industry and what he hopes BRC can do for the future of cannabis research.
YO! Fab 5 Freddy Launches a Cannabis Company with a Cause
October 21, 2021 07:00 - 36 minutes - 50.1 MBFab 5 Freddy is one of the godfathers of hip hop. A graffiti artist, producer, filmmaker, and host of the iconic 80s show YO! MTV Raps, he is also a life-long cannabis user and advocate. Now he’s a cannabiz owner. Fab joins the show to talk about his new brand B Noble, which he founded with Bernard Noble who was sentenced for 13 years of hard labor for carrying two joins. He talks about the origins of his passion for cannabis, its racially charged history, and how he hopes to help reverse t...
Here's How Michigan Upstart LightSky Farms Has Won Over 35 Cannabis Cup Awards
October 14, 2021 07:00 - 23 minutes - 21.2 MBGuest Shannon Walters is the founder of LightSky Farms, a Michigan cannabis brand that has received over 35 High Times Cannabis Awards—including two in 2021. Shannon was s semi-pro skateboarded and snowboard who suffered numerous broken bones and injuries leading to an addition to opiates. Cannabis saved his life. He is also an expert winemaker and vineyard tender and has brought that skill set to his cannabis business.
Some Weed Labs Are Lying About THC Potency
October 07, 2021 07:00 - 23 minutes - 21.1 MBTHC inflation is a problem in the cannabis industry. How does it work? Knowing that many consumers want the strongest product, many growers and distributors shop around for the lab that gives them the highest THC scores. This potency inflation, also known as lying, isn’t good for those attempting to manage precisely how high they become. Ben Rosman, CEO & Co-Founder of PSI Labs, joins the show to talk about the dangers of mislabeled cannabis products on the market. His serves two of the larg...
Al Harrington Opens Up a Pot School in Ohio
September 30, 2021 07:00 - 19 minutes - 17.7 MBFormer NBA star Al Harrington is the CEO and founder of Viola, inspired and named in honor of his grandmother. While many professional athletes talk the talk about cannabis and dabble in the industry, Al walks the walk. He is fully invested in the industry and a great spokesperson not only for cannabis but for entrepreneurs who want to get in the space. In his mission to pay in forward, Al recently announced the launch of the Harrington Institute, a school for cannabis education created in ...
A Former NASA Engineer Wants to Improve the Way We Make Our Joints
September 23, 2021 07:00 - 25 minutes - 23.2 MBFrom Mars to marijuana, our guest is former NASA engineer Nohtal Partansky who worked on the MOXIE instrument, a device that producing oxygen on the surface of Mars. But Nohtal left the space agency in 2018 to start his company Sorting Robotics, a robotics company that builds robots for cannabis manufacturers. He talks about the problems the robots solve and why they will never replace humans.
Two NFL Stars Want to Show How Cannabis Helps with Brain Injuries
September 16, 2021 07:00 - 23 minutes - 21.1 MBRob Sims and Calvin Johnson, Jr used to be teammates on the Detroit Lions. Now they run a Michigan cannabis company called Primitiv together. Primitiv recently collaborated with Harvard University to research how cannabis helps people with CTE, a brain disease associated with repeated traumatic brain injuries. Rob Sims joins the show to talk why he got into the business and the secret club of NFL weed smokers. Sims and Johnson will be presenting at the NCIA midwest conference in Detroit thi...