The cannabis industry is more competitive then it was 5-10 years ago. But that doesn’t mean it’s broken. 

In this episode, I talk with Jeff Wissink, Partner at Paladin Restructuring. We cover what’s really happening inside cannabis businesses today. We cover what is forcing owners to rethink where they spend money, when to engage a restructuring professional and why growing through M&A is harder than it looks. The message is clear: the rules changed, and smart operators are adjusting.

Jeff explains Paladin’s two main ways of helping companies. Restructuring is for emergencies like missing payroll, missing debt covenants or running out of cash. Performance improvement is about fixing problems early so the business can make more profit and avoid a crisis. Using his past experience as a cannabis COO, Jeff shares why one simple number SG&A as a percent of revenue can show what’s working and what’s not. He also explains why cutting back too much on finance and HR can hurt growth. And why waiting until the last minute leaves very few good choices. 

We wrap up by talking about leadership, survival, and what comes next for cannabis. Jeff uses a fun example of kids all chasing the soccer ball to explain why clear roles matter as companies grow. 

He also breaks down why retail is costly and why strong operations matter more than hype. 

He is nice but honest, if owners and investors focus on cash flow, teamwork, and smart systems now, they’ll be in a great spot when the industry settles down and new opportunities open up.