Conversations In Cannabis

A Golden State has come a long way since their initial inception some years back, having progressed into a retailer, scaled the bar for what's possible on the mid-tier market with Phases, and are planning further verticals this year. 

We sat down with Nishant Reddy, Founder and CEO of A Golden State, to talk about how his progression into being a retailer went with his first 4/20, what 'Corporate Cannabis' truly means, and how likely rescheduling is to actually happen. 

All this and more in this episode of Conversations in Cannabis.

Today I’m sitting down with Vince Ning, CEO and Co-Founder of Multi-State Distribution and Wholesale Marketplace Nabis. We’ll discuss how he got into the industry, his recent acquisition of blackbird from the HERBL receivership, and what it takes to make it in today’s market climate. 

Nabis is the leading licensed cannabis wholesale platform in the world improving commerce for over half a billion dollars’ worth of products per year by wholesale value for over 300 brands to thousands of retailers across the United States. With expertise forged at Microsoft and in his prior company later sold to Amazon when he was 23 years old, Vince is a world-class technologist and entrepreneur who has turned his focus to accelerating cannabis industry growth operationally and compliantly. Vince’s prowess in technology, finance and data analysis have made him an invaluable partner to top-tier cannabis brands and retailers across the United States, where he has helped hundreds of businesses launch and scale.

Through his leadership, Nabis, a Y Combinator-backed company, is poised to become the largest national cannabis B2B platform. Vince, a Forbes 30 Under 30 executive, has held a position as Board Director of the Cannabis Distribution Association (CDA) to help shape regulations for the betterment of the cannabis supply chain. He has studied at Harvard Kennedy School for Public Policy & Leadership, and graduated from the University of Virginia with degrees in Computer Science, Economics and Statistics.

This podcast was recorded on April 19th, 2024.  

Larry Scheffler, the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Planet 13, has undoubtedly etched his mark on the global cannabis industry. Planet 13, under his stewardship alongside other Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Robert Groesbeck, is more than just a dispensary; it’s an embodiment of the larger-than-life appeal Las Vegas is renowned for. Strategically located right off-strip in the heart of Clark County, Planet 13 isn’t merely a store — it’s the very definition of an experiential store. Known as the world’s largest cannabis dispensary, it has not only redefined cannabis retailing but also set the bar high for competitors attempting to cultivate what experiential cannabis retail truly means.

We sat down with Larry to talk about the recent soft-opening of Dazed Consumption Lounge, 4-20, and what the future of Planet 13 looks like. All this and more in this week’s episode of Conversations in Cannabis!

Today, we're joined by Dani Diamond, the Founder and CEO of the California-based B2B Trade Show, Hall of Flowers.

As California's leading B2B cannabis trade show, Hall of Flowers showcases the latest in cannabis innovations, technology, and educational features. It's distinguished by its unique approach, especially through its consumption lounges that allow buyers to experience products firsthand, making it a hub for industry professionals.

Hall of Flowers is set to take place at the Ventura County Fairgrounds on March 13th - 14th. For more information, please visit www.HallOfFlowers.com

This conversation was initially conducted via phone on February 22nd, 2024.

Welcome to Conversations in Cannabis. Today I’m sitting down with UFC Fighter and Gelato sponsored athlete Gilbert Urbina, to discuss the UFC taking THC off the banned substances list and what the future is for athletes and cannabis. Make sure to check him out in action at UFC Apex on Feb 3rd, please visit www.ufc.com for more details. 

In this episode we welcome Southern California based THC Design's CEO Marlon Coburn and Chief Brand Officer Alex Maniatis during MJ Biz Con 2023. 

Welcome to Conversations in Cannabis. Today I’m sitting down with David Goubert, CEO of Multi-State Operator Ayr Wellness, to discuss the difficulties in retail, newly emerging markets, and what we can expect in the coming year. 

 Welcome to Conversations in Cannabis. Today I’m sitting down with Cameron Clarke, CEO of Multi-State Operator Sunderstorm to discuss his business, the future of social consumption, and what 2024 looks like.   

Lauren Fontein is the Co-Founder and Chief Compliance Officer of The Artist Tree, a distinctive brand in California's cannabis industry that blends art, culture, and cannabis. 

Lauren's commitment to merging the worlds of cannabis, art, and culture is evident. Before establishing The Artist Tree in 2018, she led a cannabis manufacturing enterprise in Los Angeles and gained legal experience as a corporate attorney. Now, Lauren is at the forefront of transforming cannabis consumption into a normalized, stylish, and community-integrated experience.

With deep-seated connections in the cannabis realm, The Artist Tree's founders, which include Lauren, Avi Kahan, Mitchell Kahan, and Aviv Halimi, have operated licensed dispensaries for over a decade. The vision for The Artist Tree was to break the conventional stereotypes associated with cannabis by offering spaces that not only sell cannabis but also promote local arts and culture. With a rich history of cannabis inspiring artists, The Artist Tree's outlets underline this natural partnership, featuring rotating exhibitions from local talents and an array of art-centric events.

We sat down with Lauren to talk about the most recent failed cannabis cafe bill in California, and what the future of the state's consumption lounges will look like in this episode of Conversations in Cannabis.

Born and raised in East Harlem, NYC, in 1978, Keshawn Warner has witnessed firsthand the drastic shifts in the cannabis industry. 

Sadly, like countless others who are now active contributors in the cannabis sector, Keshawn faced legal repercussions in 2008 when he was arrested for cannabis-related charges. Yet, in a turn of fate, by 2021, he was proudly launching Dazed Cannabis in Massachusetts. As he now plans to reintroduce the brand to his home state of New York, we sit down with Keshawn to delve deeper into his incredible journey and discover the exciting future prospects for Dazed Cannabis.