Canna Connect Show

What does it take to build a cannabis brand that stands out?

Season 2 of The Canna Connect Show kicks off live from CannaCon St. Paul with the return of Tara Falk, Founder of Aim & Fire.

In her second appearance on the show, Tara joins Stephen Eigenmann to discuss the evolving cannabis marketplace, experiential marketing, retail activations, and why Minnesota continues to emerge as one of the country's most unique cannabis markets.

The conversation explores:

•  Building authentic cannabis brands 
•  Retail activations and field marketing 
•  Lessons from the Hemp Beverage Expo and Ignite 
•  Minnesota's evolving hemp and adult-use cannabis market 
•  Why community matters in emerging industries 
•  The future of cannabis events and networking 
•  How Aim & Fire helps brands scale through strategic execution 

Tara also shares why she continues returning to Minnesota, why she's optimistic about the future of the industry, and why organizations like Canna Connect are helping strengthen the cannabis community through education and connection.

🤝 Featured Community Partners

This episode was recorded live from CannaCon St. Paul, where Minnesota's cannabis community came together to connect, collaborate, and learn.

Special thanks to the organizations helping strengthen Minnesota's cannabis industry:

• Aim & Fire – Experiential marketing and retail activation for cannabis and hemp brands. 
• Open Window Productions – Production partner helping bring The Canna Connect Show to life. 
• Elite Capture Studio – Creative content and media production supporting the Canna Connect network. 

Interested in becoming part of the Canna Connect Community Network? Visit CannaConnectMN.com to learn more.

Become Part of the Canna Connect Community Network

Every episode, Community Spotlight, and partner profile helps connect Minnesota's cannabis industry. Visit CannaConnectMN.com to explore interviews, resources, events, and the trusted organizations helping shape the future of cannabis in Minnesota.

As Minnesota's cannabis industry moves from licensing into active cultivation, operators are discovering that power, energy efficiency, and facility planning can make or break a project.

In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, Steven Eigenmann sits down with Brad Obermueller of CEE (Center for Energy and Environment) to discuss how Minnesota cannabis cultivators are navigating facility buildouts, utility requirements, lighting rebates, and energy planning.

Brad shares what CEE is seeing across dozens of cultivation projects, why the Builder's Call Line is one of the most important resources available to growers, and how energy-efficient lighting systems can unlock significant savings for licensed operators.

The conversation also explores Minnesota's emerging craft cultivation ecosystem, lessons learned from early cultivation projects, and how growers can position themselves for long-term success.

Topics include:

• Minnesota cannabis cultivation infrastructure
 • Energy-efficient grow facility design
 • LED lighting rebates for cannabis businesses
 • The Builder's Call Line and utility planning
 • Frost Leaf's cultivation project case study
 • Craft cannabis cultivation in Minnesota
 • Home grow lighting rebates
 • Power consumption and cultivation planning
 • Building trust within the cannabis industry
 • The future of Minnesota cannabis cultivation

Meet Brad & the CEE Team at CannaCon

Brad and the CEE team will be exhibiting at CannaCon St. Paul on June 26-27, 2025. If you're planning a cultivation facility or exploring energy rebates for your cannabis business, stop by their booth and learn how CEE can help reduce project costs and improve long-term efficiency.

Connect with Canna Connect:

🌐 https://cannaconnectmn.com

Become Part of the Canna Connect Community Network

Every episode, Community Spotlight, and partner profile helps connect Minnesota's cannabis industry. Visit CannaConnectMN.com to explore interviews, resources, events, and the trusted organizations helping shape the future of cannabis in Minnesota.

What role should organized labor play in Minnesota's emerging cannabis industry?

In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, Stephen Eigenmann sits down with Patrick Doran and Benjamin Mike of Local 49 to discuss workforce development, employee protections, apprenticeship programs, labor peace agreements, and the future of cannabis employment in Minnesota.

As the state's cannabis market continues to take shape, the conversation explores how employers and workers can build sustainable businesses, develop skilled career pathways, and create opportunities that benefit both companies and employees.

Local 49 brings more than a century of experience supporting Minnesota workers, and this episode explores how that experience may translate into one of the state's newest industries. The guests also discuss craft cannabis, hemp beverages, workforce training, regulatory uncertainty, and why collaboration will be critical as the market matures. 

Get in touch with Local 49 

https://cannaconnectmn.com/contact

Become Part of the Canna Connect Community Network

Every episode, Community Spotlight, and partner profile helps connect Minnesota's cannabis industry. Visit CannaConnectMN.com to explore interviews, resources, events, and the trusted organizations helping shape the future of cannabis in Minnesota.

What has changed in Minnesota cannabis over the past year?

In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, Stephen Eigenmann reconnects with longtime friend, former co-host, and Minnesota cannabis historian Tanner Berris for their first recorded conversation together in nearly a year.

The discussion explores how Minnesota's cannabis industry has evolved since legalization, including hemp beverages, licensing, compliance, home grow rights, cannabis advocacy, and the role of the Office of Cannabis Management.

Drawing on years of experience covering Minnesota cannabis policy and culture, Tanner shares his perspective on where the industry stands today and the challenges that still lie ahead.

Topics include:

• Minnesota cannabis history and legalization
• Hemp beverages and federal policy
• Home grow rights and advocacy
• OCM regulations and compliance
• Cannabis licensing and market development
• Community building and cannabis culture
• The future of Minnesota's cannabis industry

For listeners who have followed Minnesota cannabis over the past several years, this episode serves as both a reflection on how far the industry has come and a conversation about what comes next.

Guest: Tanner Berris
Follow Tanner's Substack: https://tannerberris.substack.com/

The Canna Connect Show highlights the entrepreneurs, advocates, policymakers, and community leaders helping shape Minnesota cannabis from the ground up.

Become Part of the Canna Connect Community Network

Every episode, Community Spotlight, and partner profile helps connect Minnesota's cannabis industry. Visit CannaConnectMN.com to explore interviews, resources, events, and the trusted organizations helping shape the future of cannabis in Minnesota.

As Minnesota’s cannabis industry moves closer to a fully operational adult-use market, operators are navigating a rapidly evolving landscape of legislation, licensing, compliance, and competition. 

In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, Stephen Eigenmann sits down with Jen Reise, Founder of North Star Cannabis Consulting, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing cannabis businesses across Minnesota. 

The conversation covers: 

• Legislative updates and proposed cannabis policy changes
• Supply chain challenges for medical and adult-use operators
• The future of cannabis events and consumption lounges
• Capital access and barriers facing small businesses
• The North Star Accelerator program and supporting emerging operators
• How dispensaries can compete in a crowded marketplace
• Craft cannabis, customer experience, and local marketing
• Federal rescheduling and the future of cannabis regulation
• Hemp legislation and what it could mean for Minnesota businesses

Jen also shares her perspective on where Minnesota's cannabis market is headed as more licenses are awarded, more dispensaries open, and competition increases. 

One of the biggest themes throughout this episode is that success in cannabis won't simply come from having a license, it will come from building strong businesses, creating exceptional customer experiences, and adapting to a market that is changing faster than ever.

Sign-up for Jen's newsletter: https://northstarcannabis.beehiiv.com/

Chapter Markers
00:00 Intro & Cannabis Industry Disclaimer
01:13 Minnesota Legislative Session Update & Cannabis Priorities
02:02 Event Licenses: Adoption Challenges & Future Opportunities
03:05 Public Consumption, Event Licensing & Consumption Lounges
04:10 Medical vs Adult-Use Supply Chains Explained
05:08 Why Unifying the Supply Chain Matters for Small Operators
06:32 Vireo, GTI & the Challenges of Medical Market Reform
07:05 Federal Rescheduling, DEA Hearings & What Comes Next
08:14 Rescheduling vs Descheduling: The Future of Cannabis Policy
09:17 Hemp, Marijuana & Why Cannabis Needs One Definition
10:34 Launching a Minnesota THC Beverage Brand
11:30 Jen Reise's Journey from Attorney to Cannabis Consultant
12:45 Building North Star Cannabis Consulting & Industry Education
13:15 Inside the North Star Accelerator Program
15:05 Opening a Dispensary Is Just the Beginning
15:40 Will Minnesota Have Too Many Dispensaries?
23:00 Consumer Education & Supporting Local Cannabis Businesses
27:24 How Small Cannabis Operators Can Compete and Win
30:00 Social Equity, Capital Access & Industry Challenges
35:00 The Future of Hemp Beverages & the Federal Hemp Debate

Become Part of the Canna Connect Community Network

Every episode, Community Spotlight, and partner profile helps connect Minnesota's cannabis industry. Visit CannaConnectMN.com to explore interviews, resources, events, and the trusted organizations helping shape the future of cannabis in Minnesota.

What role does packaging play in the future of cannabis?

In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, Steven Eigenmann sits down with Mark Carlson of The John Roberts Company to talk about the intersection of packaging, branding, entrepreneurship, and Minnesota cannabis culture.

After decades working in printing and packaging across markets like Colorado, California, Oregon, and Washington, Mark witnessed firsthand how cannabis evolved into a billion-dollar industry and how packaging became a major part of compliance, branding, and customer experience.

The conversation explores:

•  Cannabis packaging and compliant branding 
•  Minnesota’s growing hemp-derived THC beverage market 
•  Why packaging matters in a competitive cannabis industry 
•  Leadership lessons from athletics and business 
•  Mentorship, trust, and relationship-building 
•  Supporting small cannabis businesses 
•  The evolution of print and packaging technology 

Mark also reflects on his time at the University of Minnesota, learning from leaders like Tony Dungy and Mike Shanahan, and why trust remains the foundation of both business and leadership.

The Canna Connect Show highlights the builders, innovators, and community leaders helping shape Minnesota cannabis from the ground up.

Chapter Markers

00:00 Disclaimer
 00:45 Introducing Mark Carlson of The John Roberts Company
 01:00 Minnesota Cannabis Growth & Hemp Beverage Packaging
 02:55 Early Exposure to Cannabis Packaging Through Heidelberg
 04:20 Watching Cannabis Markets Grow Across the U.S.
 05:40 Why Packaging Matters in Cannabis Branding
 06:35 Supporting Cannabis Businesses Through Print & Packaging
 07:45 Joining The John Roberts Company After 34 Years
 09:25 Growing Up in Chicago & Winning a State Championship
 11:20 Leadership Lessons from Sports & Business
 12:00 Tony Dungy, Recruitment & the Big Ten
 14:25 Mike Shanahan & Coaching Leadership
 16:30 Athletics, Business & Life Lessons
 18:20 How Printing & Media Have Changed
 19:00 Leadership, Mentorship & Building Trust
 22:00 75 Years of The John Roberts Company
 23:00 Packaging for Minnesota Cannabis Brands
 24:00 Why Customer Service Still Wins
 25:00 Hemp Beverages Are Exploding in Minnesota
 25:30 The Future of Cannabis Packaging & Regulation

Become Part of the Canna Connect Community Network

Every episode, Community Spotlight, and partner profile helps connect Minnesota's cannabis industry. Visit CannaConnectMN.com to explore interviews, resources, events, and the trusted organizations helping shape the future of cannabis in Minnesota.

What does it actually take to bank a cannabis business in Minnesota?

In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, Stephen Eigenmann talks with Brandon Padget, Chief Deposit Officer at Union Bank & Trust, about the realities of cannabis banking and the infrastructure needed to support a growing legal market.

Brandon shares the story behind Union Bank & Trust’s approach to cannabis, why their team believes banking should be accessible for entrepreneurs, and how thoughtful financial systems can help businesses grow sustainably.

The conversation explores:

•  Cannabis banking compliance 
•  Supporting cannabis entrepreneurs in Minnesota 
•  Banking fees and financial accessibility 
•  Workforce development and union values 
•  Building long-term cannabis careers 
•  The role of community partnerships 
•  Cannabis as a professional and skilled industry 

This episode offers an inside look at one of the least understood but most important parts of the cannabis industry: access to financial services and the people working to make that access better.

The Canna Connect Show highlights the builders, advocates, entrepreneurs, and organizations shaping Minnesota cannabis culture from the ground up.

#CannaConnectMN #MinnesotaCannabis #CannabisPodcast #CannabisBanking

Become Part of the Canna Connect Community Network

Every episode, Community Spotlight, and partner profile helps connect Minnesota's cannabis industry. Visit CannaConnectMN.com to explore interviews, resources, events, and the trusted organizations helping shape the future of cannabis in Minnesota.

The cannabis industry in Minnesota is evolving quickly, and behind every cultivation facility is a major conversation about energy, infrastructure, and long-term sustainability.

In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, Stephen Eigenmann is joined by Tony Beman of the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) to explore how cannabis businesses can reduce costs through lighting rebates, energy-efficient systems, and smarter facility planning.

Tony shares insights on:

•  LED lighting rebates for cannabis businesses 
•  Why energy infrastructure matters more than most operators realize 
•  Real estate challenges facing Minnesota cultivators 
•  The economics of cannabis cultivation 
•  How Xcel Energy programs support microbusinesses 
•  Long-term planning for cannabis entrepreneurs 
•  Why efficient grow design can dramatically improve runway and profitability 

This conversation offers a practical look at the business side of cannabis and the systems helping shape Minnesota’s emerging market.

The Canna Connect Show highlights the people, businesses, and conversations building Minnesota cannabis culture from the ground up.

#CannaConnectMN #MinnesotaCannabis #CannabisPodcast

Become Part of the Canna Connect Community Network

Every episode, Community Spotlight, and partner profile helps connect Minnesota's cannabis industry. Visit CannaConnectMN.com to explore interviews, resources, events, and the trusted organizations helping shape the future of cannabis in Minnesota.

Minnesota cannabis is no longer just an idea. It’s becoming a real industry in real time.

In this special episode of The Canna Connect Show, Stephen Eigenmann sits down with Don Raleigh III of Evolve Payment to talk about the evolution of cannabis in Minnesota ahead of the Evolving the Industry event happening May 14th at The Minneapolis Club.

Together, they discuss:

•  the rapid growth of Minnesota cannabis 
•  why compliant payment systems matter 
•  the hidden costs of cash-heavy operations 
•  NECANN and the importance of industry collaboration 
•  cannabis banking challenges 
•  what operators should know about payment compliance 
•  how Minnesota cannabis is becoming more mainstream 

The conversation also highlights the importance of community, relationships, and celebrating the operators building this industry from the ground up.

If you’re working in cannabis, curious about the future of the market, or planning to attend NECANN week in Minneapolis, this episode captures a unique snapshot of where the industry stands today and where it’s heading next.

🎧 Presented by Canna Connect and Evolve Payment.

📍 Evolving the Industry
 May 14, 2026
 The Minneapolis Club
 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Grab tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985763963470

Become Part of the Canna Connect Community Network

Every episode, Community Spotlight, and partner profile helps connect Minnesota's cannabis industry. Visit CannaConnectMN.com to explore interviews, resources, events, and the trusted organizations helping shape the future of cannabis in Minnesota.

Elizabeth Sage’s cannabis story starts long before the Ganjier Guild.

In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, we sit down with Elizabeth live from Lucky Leaf to talk about cannabis beverages, hemp regulation, product quality, education, and how the industry is evolving.

We discuss:

•  THC drinks and mainstream adoption 
•  Why cannabis quality goes beyond THC percentage 
•  Hemp vs marijuana regulation 
•  Cannabis as a harm reduction alternative to alcohol 
•  Elizabeth’s path from corporate consulting into cannabis 
•  The creation of the Ganjier Guild and cannabis education movement 

This is one of the broader conversations we’ve had about where cannabis culture and infrastructure are heading next.

Become Part of the Canna Connect Community Network

Every episode, Community Spotlight, and partner profile helps connect Minnesota's cannabis industry. Visit CannaConnectMN.com to explore interviews, resources, events, and the trusted organizations helping shape the future of cannabis in Minnesota.