Episode 173 is the 36th episode of Season 3.

We’re joined today by Rama Mayo, co-founder of Hall of Flowers and a driving force behind some of the most influential platforms in cannabis, music, and culture. From running the legendary indie label Big Wheel Recreation in the ’90s and early 2000s — home to bands like Jimmy Eat World, At The Drive-In, and The (International) Noise Conspiracy — to building global campaigns for brands like Disney, Pepsi, and Beats by Dre, Rama’s career has always sat at the crossroads of creativity and community.

In cannabis, he’s the visionary behind Hall of Flowers, the trade show that redefined how brands and retailers connect, as well as Green Street, a cultural agency and building in downtown Los Angeles he co-founded with Gary Vaynerchuk. Across all of it, his work reflects a punk rock ethos, positive mental attitude, and a willingness to fail fast to keep moving forward.

In this episode, we talk about Rama’s journey from the DIY music scene to shaping cannabis culture at scale, why branding and storytelling matter as much as product, and how enthusiasm and authenticity can carry you further than credentials ever could.

Follow Rama on LinkedIn and learn more at hallofflowers.com.

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Episode 171 is the 34th episode of Season 3.

We’re joined today by Ben Burstein, Corporate Development Manager at LeafLink, where he manages mergers & acquisitions, industry research, and strategic partnerships for one of the largest B2B platforms in cannabis. Ben’s work helps shape the business landscape behind the scenes, connecting operators, investors, and partners in a rapidly shifting market.

Before joining LeafLink, Ben built his career in finance and cannabis investment, with experience at Citi Equity Research and Tuatara Capital. A graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, he’s been featured as an industry commentator on outlets like ABC, FOX, NPR, and Cannabis Business Times.

In this episode, we talk about how LeafLink approaches consolidation in the space, the trends driving M&A activity, and what it means to build long-term partnerships in a fragmented market. Ben offers a look into the strategy side of cannabis, the deals, data, and decisions that shape the future of the industry.

Follow Ben on LinkedIn and learn more at leaflink.com.

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Episode 170 is the 33rd episode of Season 3.

We’re joined today by Jeff Miller, CEO of HoneyProjects and one of the visionaries reshaping New Jersey’s cannabis market. A Peabody Award winning documentarian turned cannabis entrepreneur, Jeff’s journey into the industry is both personal and purposeful rooted in his own use of cannabis to manage depression and anxiety, and sparked by a documentary project that ultimately inspired him to build something bigger.

Since 2016, Jeff has grown HoneyProjects into a family of award-winning ventures, including HoneyGrove, named 2024 Dispensary of the Year by Cannademix and the newly opened HoneyStash. HoneyStash isn’t just another shop; it’s a community hub blending craft cannabis, local art, and wellness.

In this episode, we talk about New Jersey’s evolving cannabis landscape, why supporting small-batch producers matters, how storytelling translates into retail, and what the future looks like at the intersection of cannabis, psychedelics, and culture. Jeff’s approach is authentic, community-focused, and deeply committed to showing what cannabis can achieve when done differently.

Follow Jeff on LinkedIn and learn more at honey-projects.com.

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Episode 169 is the 32nd episode of Season 3.

We’re joined today by Tom Ritchie, founder of High Flyer Media and host of The Legacies Podcast, a show that digs into the real stories behind the cannabis industry’s rise. Based in Canada, Tom has carved out a space at the intersection of cannabis, media, and compliance in our highly regulated markets.

Before launching High Flyer, Tom spent years inside the machine, working with tech providers like Ample Organics and surviving the chaos of Akerna. That frontline experience gave him a clear view of what the industry was missing: honest storytelling, marketing that actually works, and media built by and for people in cannabis. High Flyer is his answer to that gap, offering compliant, innovative strategies for brands trying to reach real consumers in a fragmented space.

In this episode, we talk about Canadian cannabis marketing, the state of retail, what legacy really means in 2025, and how Tom’s background in cultivation, compliance, and podcasting uniquely informs his current work. If you’ve ever wondered how to market cannabis in a way that respects the rules without becoming irrelevant, Tom’s got some thoughts.

Follow Tom on LinkedIn, check out The Legacies Podcast, and learn more at thehighflyer.ca.

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