The founders of the leading global investment bank for the cannabis industry, Dave Traylor and Matt Daugherty, offer a deep dive into the complexities and prospects within the THC-plus and THC-minus sectors. They unpack their personal and professional engagement with cannabis, drawing parallels to the biotech industry while addressing the prevailing compliance quandaries. With legislation like the SAFE Banking Act hanging in the balance, the conversation underscores the resilience required for businesses within this ever-evolving sector, as well as the necessity for humility and adaptation in the face of regulatory uncertainty.

Sarah Kabakoff, VP of Business Development at Dutchie, provides a rare glimpse into the current trends in cannabis technology and the transformative power of point of sale platforms in the cannabis space. Sarah’s journey is marked by her transition from nightclub ownership to technology maven, demonstrating her unique amalgamation of experiences that shape her approach to POS systems. This episode isn't just a discussion, it's an exploration of how businesses thrive when they leverage technology skillfully. As Sarah shares stories from her dynamic career, she also reveals her vision for the future of cannabis – including cannabis lounges – and the role of technology in enhancing customer experiences.

At MJBizCon 2023 in Las Vegas, Hans Dietterich interviews Sam Peterson, CTO at Metrc, the leading cannabis compliance tracking system. They discuss Metrc's role in revolutionizing the cannabis industry through their track and trace system and RFID tags. Sam also shares insights on Metrc's new API and their focus on customer service and training. Later, Hans speaks with Matt Trotter and AJ Jamil from Canix, an ERP software for the cannabis industry. They discuss the importance of running a cannabis business like any other business and the benefits of using Canix's tools for efficiency and scalability. Finally, Hans talks to Dr. Lynne McCormick from Great Lakes Cannabis about her personal experience with cannabis as a patient and her journey in the industry. Lynne shares how cannabis has helped her manage pain and improve the quality of life for her patients.

Geek out with us as Matt Kurtzman, CEO of Canold, discusses the importance of data analytics in the cannabis industry. He explains how operators can leverage data from Metrc and POS systems to make informed decisions about what to grow when to grow, and what products to sell, leading to increased efficiency and profitability. With Canold's predictive modeling and business intelligence tools, operators optimize their processes, reduce waste, and gain valuable insights into their business. Matt also emphasizes the need for operators to go beyond compliance and use data to drive business decisions and strategic growth.

Cassie Bryant from Nature's Medicines in Michigan, highlights the differences in Metrc usage between cultivation and retail. Having worked in both sectors, she brings a wealth of knowledge which she generously shares in this episode.

Alex Cantor and Mike Kohn of Nature's Care and Wellness in Maryland discuss how technology is revolutionizing the way dispensaries operate. Alex and Mike share their experiences and insights from working in the cannabis industry, as well as their thoughts on the challenges and opportunities they face and how the right technology is key to success. They touch on the importance of educating consumers about the different strains and their effects. Many people have had negative experiences with cannabis in the past, often due to not knowing what they were consuming. Alex and Mike emphasize the importance of personalized recommendations and understanding each individual's needs.

Sonya Kachinski, a cannabis business consultant, shares her unique journey into the cannabis industry and her passion for the plant's societal and environmental benefits. Originally from Siberia, Sonya came to the United States as a journalist but instead fell in love with the cannabis industry. With experience at every level – from trimmer to co-founder of a vertically integrated cannabis business and now consulting – Sonya brings a unique perspective on how all aspects of the industry can become more efficient. Sonya discusses the stigma surrounding cannabis in Russia and the lack of legal protection for users. She also highlights the dramatic time-saving benefits of using Outlaw Technology's hardware & software throughout the seed-to-sale process. She can be reached at [email protected] or via her website: www.getacme.co.

Caitlin Cartwright and Lindy Dickerson from Stash Ventures share their roles at the vertically integrated cannabis company and how they got started in the industry. They discuss the rapid growth of Stash Ventures, their expansion into multiple facilities, and how Stash Ventures focuses on bringing back OG strains and staying on top of market trends. Outlaw’s automation is a key tool that helps them stay competitive. They also highlight the importance of community involvement and discuss their charitable foundation, Higher Hopes, which gives back to the community through donations funded by the company's profits. The conversation touches on the evolving market trends in Michigan, the impact of federal legalization, and why banking reform is so urgently needed.

Arick Forton, General Manager and co-founder of Wise Guys Farms in Clare, Michigan, shares his journey in the cannabis industry and the origin story of Wise Guys Farms. Arick “allegedly” started in the cannabis industry in the black market before transitioning to the legal market. He discusses the challenges of starting a cannabis farm in a less developed area and the different cultivation methods used at Wise Guys Farms, including indoor, outdoor, and greenhouse growing. He highlights the benefits of using Outlaw Technology's software for compliance and Metrc tracking, making the harvest process more efficient and error-free. Arick shares his favorite strains and his views on the competitive Michigan cannabis market.

Brandon Basham, Systems Support Manager at MariMed, a vertically integrated MSO, discusses the challenges of working with different state track and trace systems. He highlights the efficiency RFID brings to auditing processes and how it reduces labor costs.

Brandon also shares his thoughts on Metrc, and its role in standardizing the industry, and emphasizes the importance of quality control and automation in optimizing operations. The conversation touches on how regulations impact product quality, lab testing accuracy, and variations in the cannabis market across different states. A key takeaway is that standardization based on terpene percentages rather than THC numbers could improve product quality.