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.
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Episodes
Mexico's Former President Vicente Fox Wants to Legalize Pot Everywhere
September 19, 2019 07:00 - 30 minutes - 27.8 MBVicente Fox was Mexico’s President who from 2000 to 2006. Today, he is an outspoken advocate for cannabis legalization around the world. We had a chance to speak to President Fox at the Cannabis Dealmakers Summit in Dallas about how why went from being a prohibitionist to a supporter, how close Mexico is to full legalization, and what legal Mexican market would mean for Entrepreneurs in America.
NBA Legend Paul Pierce Scores with His CBD Line
September 12, 2019 13:55 - 41 minutes - 38.2 MBPaul Pierce lit up the NBA as an all-star for 19 years. Now he’s co-founder and CEO of The Truth CBD Remedies and the Vesper One vape available on Eaze Wellness. But it hasn’t all been a smooth ride for Pierce. In 2002, he was stabbed 11 times, a harrowing event that led him on journey to discover cannabis for pain, depression, and PTSD. Pierce talks about how he went from being a CBD advocate to a CBD entrepreneur. He’s joined by business partner, Elliot Mermel.
The Woman Behind the First Cannabis Compliance Tech Company Traded On Nasdaq
September 05, 2019 16:00 - 29 minutes - 27 MBTen years ago, guest Jessica Billingsley introduced the first tracking software into the cannabis space. That company MJ Freeway grew massively and recently merged with MTech Acquisition Corp to become a global technology behemoth called Akerna. In this interview we talk about what her company does and why it’s important, what it’s like being a woman in a male dominated industry, and what rock climbing has taught her about business.
Business Lessons from a Former Chipotle Exec
August 31, 2019 00:41 - 21 minutes - 19.4 MBGuest Tim Spong is CEO of NectarTek, a hemp extractor that produces CBD isolate and distillate. Prior to getting into hemp, Tim worked at Chipotle Mexican Grill for 25 years, most recently as Executive Director of Supply Chain and Operations Services, a job which included managing that company’s food safety crisis in 2015. Tim talks about why he left Chipotle to run a cannabis startup and the strategies he’s brought with to his new business.
A Pot Shop Caters to the Canna-Curious
August 22, 2019 07:00 - 1 hour - 94.2 MBTim Dodd is the CEO of Sweet Flower, a luxury cannabis lifestyle brand that includes cannabis shops catering to the canna-curious. Green Entrepreneur editor-in-chief Jon Small visited Tim at his flagship shop on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. The two talk about the challenges and opportunities of opening up a dispensary in the largest market in the world. Plus, the decisions Tim’s made to make his shop approachable to those customers interested but still a little intimidated by the stigma o...
What's Next For Bruce Linton?
August 15, 2019 07:00 - 16 minutes - 15.4 MBWhen Bruce Linton was unceremoniously canned from his position as co-CEO of Canopy Growth Corp earlier this year, the cannabis world was stunned. Linton is one of the stars of the business. We caught up with him at the NCIA conference in San Jose to talk about his future and where he sees the opportunities in the business.
Meet The Weed Nuns
August 08, 2019 07:00 - 31 minutes - 42.8 MBSister Kate (aka Christine Meeusen) is the founder of Sisters of the Valley, an order of nuns in Merced, California. But these aren’t ordinary nuns. They are descendants of the French Beguines and live on a farm creating CBD in cauldrons.
Headset CEO Cy Scott on What Millennials Want
August 02, 2019 18:15 - 31 minutes - 28.6 MBMillennials represent the largest group of cannabis consumers. So what type of bud are they looking for? And which brands are reaching them? Cy Scott co-founder and CEO of Headset, an analytics service provider for the cannabis industry, joins the show to give us some insight on the major buying trends in the business.
How a Conjoined Twin Found Success in Cannabis
July 25, 2019 16:19 - 26 minutes - 24 MBFrancesa Vavala was born as a conjoined twin in 1982. At four days old, she was separated from her sister Emily. Francesca was healthy, but her sister Emily suffered a severe form of cerebral palsy. Now Francesca is co-founder of Alias Cann, an on-demand cannabis sales and marketing agency. She talks about why she switched from real estate to cannabis and the medicinal powers of the plant.
Chelsea Handler Discovers Cannabis
July 18, 2019 18:59 - 10 minutes - 9.67 MBComedian, author, and cannabis advocate Chelsea Handler talks about her recent re-discovery of weed and her plans to launch her own cannabis line with NorCal Cannabis Company.
Treyous Jarrells: Why A Top NFL Prospect Quit Football For Cannabis
July 11, 2019 15:40 - 37 minutes - 34.3 MBFormer Colorado State University football star Treyous Jarrells was a top NFL prospect. Then he quit the team his senior year. The reason? Cannabis. The running back relied on the plant to medicate the pain from his myriad injuries but his school prohibited its use. Now Jarrells runs a consulting company focused on educating athletes at the high school and collegiate level on the benefits associated with using Cannabinoids,
Anheuser Kush: A Descendent of the Beer Dynasty Creates a New Bud
July 04, 2019 07:00 - 33 minutes - 31 MBWhen Adolphus Busch V tried to get an entry-level job at his family's beer empire, he was rejected. Undaunted, he started his own business -- a Colorado-based cannabis company called ABV.He talks about growing up as a Busch in St. Louis and taking his family's entrepreneurial spirit into a whole space.
Exciting New Opportunities in Cannabis
June 27, 2019 07:00 - 36 minutes - 33.2 MBRyan Ansin is co-founder of Revolutionary Farms, a vertically-integrated cultivation and dispensary group in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. He also advises and oversees a number of multi-million dollar investment funds. Because of his unique perspective from both sides of the business, he is a sought-after speaker around the world. On this episode, he shares his origin story, including mining diamonds in Sierra Leone, and his take on the exciting new opportunities in the canna-business.
The Politics of Pot
June 20, 2019 14:10 - 40 minutes - 37.1 MBOur guest is cannabis lobbyist Saphira Galoob, CEO of The Liaison Group and Senior Public Policy Advisor and Executive Director of the National Cannabis Roundtable. Galoob tackles questions such as: What is the federal government doing about cannabis’s banking problem? What about weed’s Schedule 1 status? And how close are we do the national legalization of marijuana, and is that even the right question to ask? If you want to know what’s going on with cannabis at a federal level, don’t miss...
Is Microdosing the Future of Cannabis?
June 13, 2019 07:00 - 29 minutes - 39.9 MBAaron Morris and Chris Joseph started their company in a garage and bootstrapped funding from virtually nothing—but they weren’t developing a hot new app. Armed with all-natural ingredients and killer bud, these Oregon natives jumped headfirst into the hyper-competitive cannabis edibles space, and in two short years, their company, WYLD, is that state’s top seller. Entrepreneur Special Projects Editor chatted with these young co-founders about the “blind date” that brought them together, the...
Kevin Murphy Has Some Smart Advice For You
June 11, 2019 13:45 - 33 minutes - 46.4 MBKevin P. Murphy, CEO of Acreage Holdings, joins us at the Cannabis World Congress and Business Expo in New York City. Murphy talks about how he grew his company from a one-man operation to a dominant force in the cannabis industry, Acreage’s recent merger with Canopy, and how aspiring green entrepreneur can make their mark in the industry. Enjoy this masterclass from one of the biggest names in the business.
Biggie Smalls' Son Gets into the Weed Game
May 30, 2019 07:00 - 31 minutes - 43.3 MBCJ Wallace was only 5 months old when his legendary father The Notorious BIG was murdered. But the two have many similarities, including an appreciation for cannabis. Last month, CJ launched cannabis company Think BIG in honor of Biggie and the flower. His first brand, The Frank White Creative Blend, are limited edition pre-rolls. We talk about his decision to launch a cannabis business, how he made in happen, and the influence of his larger-than-life father.
Cannabis Investing for Non-Millionaries
May 23, 2019 07:00 - 35 minutes - 49.3 MBCodie Sanchez is a partner at Cresco Capital Partners, one of the first private equity funds in the legalized cannabis space. A former journalist and investor at Goldman Sachs and Vanguard, she now works exclusively on a $100 million cannabis fund. We sat down recently to talk about how to invest in cannabis companies for little to no money, where to invest and not to invest, and the three things every cannabis investor must know.
One Company's Quest to be the 23andMe of Cannabis
May 16, 2019 07:00 - 19 minutes - 27.4 MBEndocanna Health has developed a simple DNA test and online database that analyzes your genetics and then recommends various cannabinoid ratios and terpene profiles.You give them a sample, and they give you an anonymous and extensive report of cannabis recommendations on everything from lessening your anxiety to enhancing your sleep. We sit down with Len May, the company CEO and co-founder, to talk about your genes and your ganja.
The Truth About CBD and Hemp (Live Panel)
May 13, 2019 14:43 - 36 minutes - 49.6 MBLive from the Cannabis Dealmakers Summit (CDS) in San Diego, Green Entrepreneur editor in chief Jonathan Small speaks with a panel of experts about the various issues surrounding CBD and hemp, including the status of their legality, the lack of FDA regulation, the snake oil problem, and exciting new opportunities in the market. Douglas Gordan (Zimmer & Co), Kaliko Castille (NCIA), Tyler Averdick (Novium), and Dave Rodman (The Rodman Law Group) are guests.
Steve DeAngelo: The Father of the Cannabis Industry
May 02, 2019 06:00 - 30 minutes - 41.9 MBWith his hippie pigtails and smart suits, Steve DeAngelo perfectly embodies the split in today’s cannabis industry. He’s an old-school activist and advocate, but he’s also a canny businessman. DeAngelo co-founded Harborside, one of the first six dispensaries licensed in the US; Steep Hill Laboratory, the first dedicated cannabis lab, and the Arc View Group, the first cannabis investment firm. He's the author of The Cannibis Manifesto and star of the TV show Weed Wars.
Simple Marketing Hacks from PR Specialist Rosie Mattio
April 25, 2019 06:00 - 29 minutes - 40.7 MBOne of the toughest challenges facing cannabis entrepreneurs today is how to advertise and market their products when go-to options, such as Facebook and Google, are strictly limited. Rosie Mattio, founder of Mattio Communications, is one of the most successful public relations executives in the green space. She joins the show to offer tried-and-true strategies to finesse the regulations and get the word out about your company.
MedMen CEO Adam Bierman on Building the Apple Store of Weed
April 18, 2019 07:00 - 33 minutes - 46.2 MBAs co-founder and CEO of marijuana giant MedMen, Adam Bierman’s watched the company grow from a few dinky, medical marijuana dispensaries on the west side of LA to a behemoth, which includes 70 dispensaries and cultivation centers across 12 states and a new product line. But Bierman won’t stop until a gummy edible is as mainstream as a glass of chardonnay. We sat down to talk to us about his journey to the dank side, and what he’s learned along the way.
Al Harrington Wants to Put The CBD in the NBA
April 11, 2019 07:00 - 29 minutes - 40.1 MBAl Harrington is former NBA forward and current Big3 All-star. He’s also founder of the cannabis company, Viola. For many celebrities with cannabis brands, their involvement in the day-to-day business consists of slapping their name on the label and counting their money. Not Big Al. For him, cannabis isn’t just a paycheck -- it’s a passion. The plant healed his beloved grandmother and transformed his career. Now he’s hoping he can spread the message to his fellow athletes.