Public perception of cannabis products has come a long way in the past few years. In the nascent years of the legal industry, many products were still sold in ziploc bags with inconsistent dosing and unpredictable effects. Cameron Clarke and Keith Cich recognized the urgency of this issue early on and decided to address this pervasive matter by founding Sunderstorm. In this episode, Cameron and Keith discuss how cannabis product consistency facilitates consumer trust and mainstream appeal, what legal companies can do to compete with the illicit market, and why the future of the industry depends on science-based approaches.

Nearly a decade ago, the emerging legal market was shrouded in uncertainty. For the most part, retailers and brands were grasping in the dark about what consumers really wanted out of their cannabis experiences. Since then, the industry has evolved to a point where cannabis companies have gathered troves of consumer data --the question now remains, what should be done with these valuable insights? This week, Ian Dominguez of Delta Emerald Ventures discusses how companies can successfully leverage data to drive transparency and consumer retention, and why investors and entrepreneurs alike should value granularity over industry-wide trends. In this conversation, Ian also examines the role that investors can play in driving positive change and facilitating social equity in the industry.

In the cannabis space, the key differentiator between legal and underground businesses is safety. Having rigorous testing standards is integral to building mainstream consumer trust and legitimizing the entire industry. In many states, cannabis safety standards are even more stringent than FDA agriculture guidelines, but more can be done to push the needle forward. In this episode, Antonio Frazier, President of CannaSafe, provides his perspective on how far the industry has come and how labs and cannabis businesses can work together to create a safer and more standardized sector.

Although the modern cannabis industry still faces its fair share of regulatory hurdles, the sector was rife with legal battles and largely lacked any infrastructure when the legalization movement first gained traction over a decade ago. Much of the industry’s legal framework and professionalization can be attributed to Bob Hoban, one of the most prolific lawyers in the space. His firm, Hoban Law Group, provides legal support to cannabis companies across the U.S. and has helped over 33 countries draft cannabis policies. In this episode, Bob discusses which parts of the industry still require more legal support, why companies should learn to embrace compliance, and how regulators and businesses alike can enact more effective social equity initiatives.

Like many investors in the cannabis industry, Phyto Partners Managing Partner Larry Schnurmacher left Wall Street at the beginning of the legalization movement after witnessing the innumerable opportunities that were available in this emerging market. In this episode, Larry discusses how his company’s solutions-driven approach to investing is mainstreaming cannabis, what industries and services will thrive in the industry’s new normal, and common pitfalls investors should be wary of to ensure long-term steady execution.

SPACs have emerged as one of the hottest investment trends this year in lucrative sectors including tech, media, and even the automotive industry. But what will this popular investing strategy mean for legal cannabis? Joe Crouthers, the Co-Founder and CEO of Ceres Group Holdings and Chairman and CEO of Ceres Acquisition Corp., one of the most visible cannabis SPACs in the industry, sheds light on how investors and business owners alike will benefit long-term from SPACs. In this conversation, Joe shares why he believes that the industry is uniquely positioned to engage with SPACs, how mainstream investors are reacting to this recent investing activity, and what it means to be a smart and helpful investor.

Public opinion about cannabis use has shifted considerably in the past decade. People from a variety of backgrounds are now enthusiastically embracing products that were once only deemed fitting for stoners. A large part of cannabis’ successful rebranding can be attributed to everyday consumers talking about how the plant has profoundly changed their lives. Cannabis consumption can be a deeply personal experience, and Tracy Brady, VP of Corporate Communications at Curaleaf believes that highlighting these unique and individual stories is the key to creating long-term customer relationships. In this episode, Tracy shares with us how her team encourages cannabis consumption with confidence, how she’s applied her mainstream marketing and media training to the emerging space, and addresses one of the most pressing questions in the industry: can big cannabis be good cannabis?

Guy Rocourt has been ahead of the curve by helping patients and consumers alike understand the healing properties of cannabis since the nineties. As the current Co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Papa & Barkley, the top-selling cannabis brand in California, he’s on a mission to encourage consumers and fellow industry leaders to embrace the most natural elements of the plant. This week, Guy shares why he believes companies should facilitate consumer trust and mainstream appeal by highlighting the plant’s natural flavor profiles, how cannabis companies can work together to help the industry mature, and why fighting for cannabis legalization is the most American thing he’s done in his life.

In recent years, legal cannabis has become one of the fastest-growing industries and job creators in this country. So, how did this previously unconventional industry start attracting mainstream talent and employing some of the most advanced tech-driven recruitment platforms? Karson Humiston, the Founder, and CEO of Vangst, started her recruiting firm early into the legalization movement and has witnessed the evolution of the industry’s hiring trends since the very beginning. She dives into how market demands have shaped recruiting practices, how she was able to attract funding from mainstream investors, and what she believes cannabis companies can do to specifically address social injustice.

Cannabis has emerged as one of the most salient health and wellness trends in recent years. CBD-infused beauty and wellness products are now widely available across the country, and plenty of consumers have been embracing their benefits. But how can companies differentiate their brand and engage with new audiences in this highly competitive market? This week, we speak to industry veteran Kimberly Dillon about bringing her mainstream CPG experience to cannabis, launching her CBD beauty brand, Frigg in the middle of a pandemic, and her top pieces of advice for young entrepreneurs that are eager to enter the space.