From Pot to Popular

Up to 90% of cannabis consumed is inhaled—people just prefer smoking. With vaporizers gaining more and more traction in the cannabis space, new technology is needed to keep safety at the forefront of the trend. In this episode, Mladen Barbaric, Founder and CEO of Airgraft, explains his company’s unique approach to vape innovation and their push to create an affordable product amidst a competitive market. He talks about the need for trustworthy vape offerings in the market, the importance of safe heating hardware, and how consumers can choose quality products that suit their own lifestyles and preferences.

Gathering around a few drinks with friends is an elemental part of our social lives. While alcohol has a foothold in the adult beverage category, the cannabis beverage sector is growing, giving consumers another option for their drink of choice in a social or private setting. In this episode, Matt Melander, President and CFO of LEVIA, the brand behind the #1 selling infused seltzer available in over 100 dispensaries in Massachusetts, talks about the explosive growth of the sector and the ways in which cannabis beverages appeal to consumers across demographics. He explains how cannabis beverages seamlessly fit into the social norms established by alcohol and how beverages have the potential to facilitate universal cannabis normalization in the near future.

The cannabis industry in the United States has deep roots in Black American culture, and yet the growing legal market lacks representation of the very communities that built these foundations. As the industry continues to evolve, it is essential that BIPOC cannabis professionals, as well as those interested in breaking into the industry, are involved in the development of the very policies that will affect them. In this episode, Kristi Price, founder of KRMA Media Inc. and the Black CannaConference and Expo, discusses how she works to “fill the gap.” She explains the importance of highlighting the stories of POC within the cannabis space, and shares her goals for this year’s Black CannaConference in November—bringing together minority entrepreneurs and allies alike to discuss how to create an inclusive and impactful cannabis space.

As brands grow in scale and expand into new markets, it can be challenging to maintain a consistent level of product quality. All too often, expanding is a big risk for businesses—executives need to be strategic in order to help their product succeed in new markets. Vishal Rungta, CFO, President, and Co-Founder of C3 Industries, is an expert on successful brand expansion and quality control. In this episode, Vishal gives his insight on developing a unique brand experience and the importance of having a foundation of high quality products. He emphasizes the need for consistency throughout all operations in order to scale in a manner that does not sacrifice quality and elaborates on his strategies on expanding into new markets.

Legal cannabis businesses are being met with unmatched consumer and investor interest as the industry continues to mature, but many companies are still hampered by archaic regulations. Many entrepreneurs in the space continue to advocate for sweeping regulatory reforms, but which laws will actually allow cannabis companies to operate like their mainstream counterparts? In this episode, Jigar Patel, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of NorCal Cannabis Co., discusses the advantages of having legacy knowledge of the cannabis industry in the state where the legal market began. He explains the changes he hopes to see in terms of the tax reform that would free industry operators from the red tape of regulation.

Work ethic, accountability, and pushing through challenges—all lessons from a life as an athlete that translate to the world of cannabis entrepreneurship. Everett Smith started his career as a professional basketball player before transitioning to the cannabis space, carrying this athlete mentality with him the whole way. In this episode, Everett Smith, Co-Founder and CEO of Presidential Cannabis Co., gives his advice on identifying needs in the market, building a premium brand, and engaging with consumers directly. From in-store promotions to building relationships with world-class raw goods growers, Everett discusses how he was able to build a multimillion dollar brand in California.

By now, most people know about CBD products and its many potential benefits, but only one third of those individuals have actually given cannabinoids a try. This statistic reflects a major opportunity for CBD brands to fill in that gap and bring the benefits of CBD to a much wider audience. In this episode, Chondita Dayton, CEO of Liweli and Steady State Brands, discusses her accessibility-based philosophy to creating daily CBD wellness products. She dives into what major indicators are key to brand-building potential in the cannabinoid space and shares her perspective on effective brand-building for long-term success.

Sustainability and best business practices are not mutually exclusive. In the highly competitive California cannabis market, creating quality products with sustainable cultivation techniques is one way to differentiate your brand from thousands of competitors. In this episode, Graham Farrar, President and Co-Founder of Glass House Group, talks about how his company was able to become the second highest selling flower in California last year. By integrating sustainable practices that maximize efficiency and minimize cost, Farrar explains how Glass House Group successfully cultivates products that consumers keep coming back for.

Not many investors can say that they’ve been in the cannabis space since the days of penny stocks. A volatile market with booming highs and deep lows, it takes a pro to successfully navigate cannabis investments. In this episode, Jason Spatafora, long-time cannabis investor and “the Wolf of Weed Street” on Twitter, shares his journey within the cannabis markets. He discusses his predictions for the industry as legalization approaches, advises new investors on success in the industry, and shares his hopes for cannabis in the coming years.

The stigmas that still surround cannabis usage often alienate women from enjoying its benefits and partaking in the culture. With rising trends advertising the wellness aspects of cannabis, it is important to remember that cannabis is also used for fun. In this episode, Brett Heyman, Founder of Edie Parker, discusses the ways in which her fashion brand has expanded into the cannabis industry with the aim of “making it okay for women to use cannabis.” She talks about how her team pushed through the challenges faced by cannabis brands to welcome women into the cannabis space with their high-quality, vintage-inspired, and fun cannabis accessories.