Elliot Lewis is the owner and founder of Catalyst Cannabis Co., a competitive chain of cannabis retailers in Southern California. 

As an entrepreneur, Elliot lives for — and loves — the competition of business. For the latest Ganjapreneur.com Podcast episode, he joins our host TG Branfalt to discuss the business philosophy that drives Catalyst Cannabis Co. and the exhilaration of pursuing and winning a new retail license in So-Cal's limited, competitive marketplace. This interview also covers the company's history, their industry "bad boy" reputation, how they manage to compete with MSOs and other brands with major investor backing despite having a significantly smaller war chest, and more.

Topics covered in this podcast:
www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/california/
www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/retail
www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/dispensaries
www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/entrepreneurs

For a full transcript:
www.ganjapreneur.com/elliot-lewis-competing-against-cannabis-venture-capital-in-southern-california/

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Elliot Lewis: Competing Against Cannabis Venture Capital in Southern California

Ganjapreneur provides essential daily news and insights to cannabis entrepreneurs, investors, and industry participants. Our podcast lets you hear directly from stakeholders, cultivators, experts, and activists on the front line of the legal cannabis industry.

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This episode of The Ganjapreneur Podcast features Tara Rosenblum, an investigative reporter for News 12, who has recently released a compelling documentary titled "Cannabis Contest." The documentary offers an in-depth look at the social equity aspects of cannabis licensing in New York City, showcasing the challenges and triumphs of hopeful licensees within the evolving legal landscape -- including another previous guest on the show, Jeremy Rivera. With nearly two decades of investigative reporting experience in the New York City market, Tara explores the community dynamics and the critical issues affecting residents and aspiring entrepreneurs. This episode dives into the complexities of cannabis policy, personal journeys of license applicants, and the broader societal implications as cannabis goes from underground economy to regulated business.

Tara Rosenblum: Reporting on New York's Cannabis Licensing Quagmire

The Ganjapreneur Podcast is back! In this episode, host TG Branfalt welcomes Jeremy Rivera, co-founder and CEO of Terp Bros, a dispensary in Astoria, Queens. Rivera, a beneficiary of New York’s Conditional Adult Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) program, shares his journey from the legacy market and facing multiple cannabis convictions to launching his own licensed cannabis business. He goes into detail about the nuances of the CAURD program, the competitive landscape of New York’s cannabis market, and the distinctive approach Terp Bros has taken to distinguish itself amid a sea of dispensaries. He also provides first-hand insight into the entrepreneurial spirit driving New York’s developing legal cannabis industry and the ongoing efforts to rectify past injustices.

Jeremy Rivera: From the Legacy Market to a Licensed Dispensary in New York

For decades, cannabis research in the U.S. was hindered by steep federal requirements, foot-dragging enforcement agencies, and an archaic rule limiting the source of research-grade cannabis to just one cultivator in Mississippi. But thanks to a lawsuit against the DEA by Dr. Sue Sisley MD, a doctor who spent years trying to get federal approval for her study, which sought to investigate the therapeutic effects of cannabis for veterans with PTSD, the path to legitimate cannabis research has never been more clear.

Shane Pennington, the New York-based counsel for Vicente Sederberg LLP, was the attorney who worked pro bono with Dr. Sisley to see that lawsuit to fruition. In this podcast interview, our host TG Branfalt returns to discuss those developments with Shane as well as other significant rulings. Shane also discusses his background and experience from before he joined the cannabis cause, his advice for younger lawyers or law students who are interested in cannabis, and more.

Topics covered in this podcast:
www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/legal-issues
www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/dea
www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/lawsuits
www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/justice-department
www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/usda

For a full transcript:
www.ganjapreneur.com/shane-pennington-suing-the-dea-to-unlock-cannabis-research/

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Shane Pennington: Suing the DEA to Unlock Cannabis Research

From transitioning out of a self-described "boring" career in finance to heading one of the East Coast's biggest multistate operators, to eventually moving to California to focus on team- and brand-building for Lowell Farms, few people have experience in the cannabis industry like George Allen.

In the latest Ganjapreneur.com Podcast interview, George and our host TG Branfalt discuss George's exit from a Wall Street finance career to join the cannabis industry, his time as the President of Acreage Holdings (during which he approached the former Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner about endorsing the cannabis legalization movement), as well as the eventual transition from working for an MSO to joining up with the California-focused Lowell Farms. The interview also covers advice for building a strong team in the cannabis space, the differences between medical and recreational cannabis markets, the importance of being passionate about the industry, and more!

Topics covered in this podcast:
www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/california
www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/investing

For a full transcript:
https://www.ganjapreneur.com/george-allen-the-importance-of-team-building-in-cannabis-business/

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Visit our homepage:
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George Allen: The Importance of Team-Building In Cannabis Business

Joseph Ori is co-founder of Six Labs, a Michigan-based manufacturer of craft cannabis products.

With nearly one million medical cannabis caregivers licensed in the state, Michigan is an often undersung hub of cannabis culture, cultivation, and industry expertise. In a recent interview covering entrepreneurship and the Michigan marketplace, Joseph and our podcast host TG Branfalt discuss the thought process behind Joe's pivot to the cannabis space, his company's scientific approach to cannabis cultivation, and the advantages of working with a versatile team. This interview also covers Six Labs' brand-building process, their prioritization of experience-focused cannabis products, and more!

Topics covered in this podcast:
www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/michigan
www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/illinois
www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/cultivation
www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/entrepreneurs
www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/licensing

For a full transcript:


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LinkedIn - bit.ly/linkedin_gjpr
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Visit our homepage:
www.ganjapreneur.com

Elliot Lewis: Competing Against Cannabis Venture Capital in Southern California

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