Cannabis Unlocked

In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Jasper Gallo (Director of Corporate Development at PharmaCann) and Jeremy Nelson (Associate Director of Corporate Development at PharmaCann) sit down with Jordan Youkilis (KEY Investment Partners Founding Partner) to discuss current and future state of cannabis M&A, and PharmaCann's growth strategy through organic license wins along with acquisitions. This conversation starts with Jasper and Jeremys individual journeys towards cannabis, their path into PharmaCann along with a high level overview of PharmaCann. From there, Jasper, Jeremy and Jordan cover some of the advantages scale provides cannabis businesses and speak to how PharmaCann has grown, through a mix of organic license wins through application processes as well as through M&A. The talk continues with Jasper and Jeremy's perspectives on the current state of cannabis M&A in regards to the falling valuations of cannabis business' and what impact the overall economy has on cannabis M&A transactions. The conversation wraps up with Jasper and Jeremys thoughts on markets with an uncapped amount of licenses, the value of building a market presence in limited license states and unlimited license states, and how potential federal changes impact the M&A and investment side of cannabis. Please enjoy!

In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Mara Sheldon (Senior Policy Advisor at Squire Patton Boggs) sits down with Tiby Erdely (Founding Partner at KEY Investment Partners) to discuss political hurdles and opportunities facing the cannabis space in light of recent political wins. This conversation begins with Mara's background and her perspectives on the current state of cannabis policy following Biden's recent announcements including the potential rescheduling of cannabis and the pardoning of thousands of low level federal cannabis convictions. From there, Mara speaks to the various levels of federal drug scheduling, and how 280E, a tax law that only applies to federally illicit businesses like cannabis, could change after the rescheduling of cannabis. The talk continues as the pair discuss opportunities that the Safe Banking and CLIMB acts open up for the cannabis industry, and how this could fuel rapid growth for the industry by dropping the cost of capital. This episode concludes with Mara's predictions on the future of cannabis and steps ahead that could lead to eventual federal legalization.  Please enjoy!

In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Russell Stanley (Managing Director of Equity Research at Beacon Securities Limited) and Tiby Erdely (KEY Founding Partner) discuss the evolution of cannabis from early Canadian LP's to today's US based MSO's, the future of cannabis legalization in the US, and the impact of Biden's recent cannabis announcements on the state of the industry. This conversation starts with Russells experience in equity research and he's shift in focus towards cannabis in 2016. From there, Russell and Tiby speak to the continued maturing US based MSO's have shown and their evolution towards being a more "traditional business" that can be judge by margins rather than less tangible growth factors. The talk continues by diving into the funding differences Canadian LP's and US Based MSO's have faced and how the "bootstrapped" nature of US operations has forced leaner business growth. Conversation shifts from here towards Biden's recent announcement around pardoning minor cannabis offences, the potential for cannabis rescheduling and the impact of this shift on Safe Banking. The conversation wraps up with perspectives on the path towards federal legalization and advice from Russell on how to navigate the ever changing future or cannabis. Please enjoy!

In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, David Culver (VP of Global Government Affairs at Canopy Growth) and Tiby Erdely (KEY Founding Partner) discuss the breath of Canopy Growths operations, the current and future state of the cannabis industry, and some meaningful actions Congress could take to support the cannabis industry. This conversation starts with David's journey into cannabis government relations and an overview of Canopy Growths business structure, current footprint, and future acquisitions pending US federal legalization. From there, David and Tiby speak to the current state of the public cannabis markets and the expanding future opportunity cannabis represents. The talk continues by diving into the current bills and initiatives being pushed forward through the US Congress. The conversation wraps up with importance of Safe Banking for cannabis businesses and advice from David on how cannabis businesses can survive in the current capital markets environment.

If you're interested in getting involved in cannabis reform efforts please head to: www.uscc.org

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In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Brandon Johnson (CEO of TRP) sits down with Jordan Youkilis (KEY Investment Partners Founding Partner) to discuss how TRP has evolved into a retail powerhouse through working with legacy brands and championing social equity efforts. This conversation starts with Brandons path towards cannabis and how he got the inspiration for TRP's business model of partnering with legacy brands and leveraging retail locations to scale those brands. From there, Brandon and Jordan speak to the hurdles behind social equity applications and how TRP has effectively navigated the licensing process to enable social equity brands success. The talk continues with Brandons perspectives on future retail trends across the evolving US Marketing. The conversation wraps up with thoughts around the value of retail dispensaries and cannabis delivery as our nation pushes towards more open markets and eventual legalization.

For more information around TRP please reach out to: [email protected]

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In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Jason Brett (CEO and Co-Founder of Katalys) sits down with Tiby Erdely (KEY Investment Partners Founding Partner) to discuss the ever evolving importance of accurate and effective marketing tools and how Katalys' affiliate attribution tool is prepared for the future of marketing. This conversation begins with Jason's passion of marketing and that passion evolving into a passion for marketing technology. From there, Jason speaks to the founding story of RevOffers (now Katalys) and its journey from being a CBD affiliate network into an industry agnostic affiliate shopping tool. The talk continues by discussing the unique accuracy of Katalys affiliate attribution tool, it's increasing importance when it comes to "the cookie apocalypse", and the difference between first party and third party data collectors. This episode concludes by highlighting the importance of marketing tools providing a seamless consumer experience and how ease of use is vital to converting customers. Please enjoy!

In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Chris Yetter (Founder and Portfolio Manager of Dumont Global) sits down with Jordan Youkilis (KEY Investment Partners Founding Partner) to discuss what to look for in sound cannabis investments, the hurdles of investing in US cannabis businesses and things to look for when shorting selling. This conversation starts with Chris' path from short selling fraudulent or illegal businesses in Latin and South America to his journey towards investing in legal cannabis businesses. From there, Chris and Jordan speak to the investment flexibility Dumont Global has as a hedge fund along with the headaches that come along with establishing a fund and investing in cannabis. The talk continues with Chris' perspectives on the future of US based cannabis-touching businesses in relation to their access to capital and legislative change. This episode concludes with Chris' breakdown of the US market not being one single market rather than many markets that need to be navigated independently. Please enjoy!

In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Owen Bennett (SVP of Equity Research for Global Tobacco & Cannabis at Jefferies) sits down with Jordan Youkilis (KEY Founding Partner) to discuss the intricacies of international cannabis markets, the range in their success, and the variance in addressable markets. This conversation starts with Owens career path towards Jefferies and follows Jefferies' desire to understand the emerging cannabis market. From there, Owen and Jordan discuss the difference between Canadian LP's, US based MSO's and ancillary businesses in relation to their addressable market sizes, differences in federal acceptance and access to institutional investment. The talk continues with a pointed discussion about the current state of cannabis stocks and the shifted focus to building lasting brands that capture consumer attention. This episode wraps up with a conversation around cannabis during the broader economic shift seen over the past several months that's expected to continue through 2022. Please enjoy!

In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Zack Ein (Founder and CEO of Grassdoor) and Tiby Erdely (Founding Partner of KEY Investment Partners) discuss Grassdoor's transition out of a software development agency which built complicated mobile apps into the most reliable cannabis delivery platform in the California market. This conversation begins with an overview of the early days of Grassdoor starting in 2017 as just a concept, to then serving a single dispensaries delivery software needs in 2018 and finally becoming a licensed retailer in late 2019 who's able to serve their own customers directly out of multiple distribution hubs. From here, Zack and Tiby discuss Grassdoor's focus on improving the "last mile" problem created by delivery regulations in California and how this forced a deeper understand of the problems existing POS platforms have with the California delivery. 

The talk continues with Zack explaining the different offerings Grassdoor has, from their direct to consumer marketplace to their business friendly, white label solution which allows brands to white label Grassdoor's software platform, giving customers the impression their favorite brand is interacting with them directly. In addition, Zack explains their in-depth data platform which will allow it's brand partner deeper insights into consumer demographics, buying trends and more. The conversation wraps up with the future of Grassdoor and recommendations to other entrepreneurs looking to get into the space. Please enjoy!

In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Dave Neundorfer (CEO of Open Book Extracts) and Tiby Erdely (KEY Founding Partner) discuss Open Book Extracts (OBX) journey and focus on creating consistency and repeatability in cannabinoid products. This conversation starts with Dave's journey from the automotive industry to the software industry and finally into the cannabis industry. From there, Dave and Tiby discuss Open Book Extracts focus on non-THC Cannabinoids, why this is the next phase of cannabis evolution and how OBX leverages this focus to create unique products for the clients. The talk continues by diving into Open Book Extracts white label model and how its becoming the back bone for brands in the hemp and cannabis space. The conversation wraps up with advice from Dave to entrepreneurs looking to join the cannabis industry. Please enjoy!