Brian Weber sits down with Stu Zakim, a seasoned PR professional and advocate, to discuss the challenges and opportunities within New York's evolving cannabis industry. Stu shares his perspective on transitioning from the underground market to legal operations and the story of Happy Munkey's journey from a secretive speakeasy to a legitimate business. The conversation covers the impact of legalization on communities, the importance of strategic public relations, and sheds light on the broader issues facing cannabis entrepreneurs today.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 How Legalization is Changing the Cannabis Landscape
• 00:00:37 Kicking Off: Welcome to How to Flourish in Cannabis
• 00:01:06 Meet Stu Zakim: PR Veteran in Cannabis
• 00:01:35 From Hollywood to Cannabis: Stu's Journey
• 00:04:09 Transition Tales: Moving from Legacy to Legal
• 00:07:08 Happy Munkey’s Evolution: From Underground Speakeasy to Legal Retail
• 00:10:45 Happy Munkey's Strategic Pivot During the Pandemic
• 00:14:00 Overcoming Legal Hurdles: Real Stories from the Cannabis Frontline
• 00:19:39 Mastering PR: Essential Strategies for Cannabis Entrepreneurs
• 00:23:17 Building Trust Through Community Engagement
• 00:27:25 Engaging Your Community: Tips for Effective Media Relations
• 00:31:53 Tapping into New Opportunities: The Future of Cannabis Business
• 00:37:30 Wrapping Up: Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts

Links and Resources:

• Stu Zakim on LinkedIn
• Bridge Strategic Communications
• Flourish Software
• Brian Weber on LinkedIn

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Flourish in Cannabis? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube to leave us a review!