Grassroots Marketing speaks with Carol Tyson, Director of Marketing at Jaunty. They delve into Jaunty's successful entry and expansion within the New York cannabis market. Tyson emphasizes Jaunty's "100% New York grown" identity and their dedication to addressing consumer needs through product development.

Key points include Jaunty's position as a leading vape brand, their strategic marketing approach in a developing market, and their efforts to educate retailers and consumers on new product lines like concentrates.

The conversation also highlights the importance of pop-up events for understanding regional markets and Jaunty's commitment to transparency, quality, and regulatory compliance.

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Matt Hutchinson, SVP of Product and Head of Logistics at Leaflink joins the discussion to explore their innovative payment on sale through (POST) model. This consignment-style system guarantees payment to cannabis brands upon consumer sale, while providing retailers with capital relief and brands with real-time sales data. Hutchinson details the system's features for brand protection, automated fund movement, and how it mitigates overstocking issues.

The conversation also highlights Leaflink's acquisition of DAMA to build a robust financial infrastructure, including a mobile banking app and credit lines. The episode addresses the significant delinquent payment problems in the cannabis industry and emphasizes the need for self-reliance amidst uncertain regulatory changes.

Hutchinson explains how Leaflink's solutions aim to support cultivators and manufacturers by ensuring consistent cash flow and improved inventory management, while also discussing the expanding availability of the POST model and Leaflink's commitment to industry advancement.

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We hear from Everett Smith about Presidential Cannabis. The company specializes in "world's strongest" infused moon rocks since 2012. They focus on quality ingredients and collaborate with growers and brands like Ball Family Farms and Maven.

Presidential Cannabis has recently expanded into New York and plans to launch in Washington. Smith also talked about future product innovations like live resin strains and rosin-infused products.

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Kenny Morrison, CEO and Co-founder of CQ, is positioning his brand at the forefront of the burgeoning cannabis-infused beverage market.

CQ aims to offer a mainstream alternative to alcoholic drinks, providing consumers with potent mixable shots and ready-to-mix beverages designed to be as socially acceptable and easy to share as beer or wine.

The brand is capitalizing on evolving consumer trends, including the "California Sober" movement and Gen Z's reduced alcohol consumption, by offering a controlled, predictable, and hangover-free experience.

CQ's product line, which includes various potencies and flavors like spritzers and shots, is expanding its availability from traditional dispensaries into liquor and convenience stores in states such as California, Massachusetts, Illinois, Washington, Michigan, Arizona, New Mexico, Tennessee, and Minnesota.

Morrison highlights the significant shift in consumer interest towards cannabis beverages as they become more accessible outside of dispensaries, noting this as the "beginning of the beginning" for the category.

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Lisa Altschuler Liberman, founder and CEO of Lifted Lodging, was interviewed about her new cannabis-centric resort concept launching at Lake of the Ozarks in September 2025.

Lifted Lodging aims to be an upscale, adults-only national network of accommodations where guests can bring their own cannabis. The resort will offer lakefront cottages, activities such as culinary experiences and cannabis-related classes, and themed events.

A Founding OG membership program is being offered to support the expansion and provide exclusive perks to members.

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Angela Cheng, CMO, and Vat Tann, VP of Customer Experience, from Kanha Brands discussed Kanha's 10-year anniversary, brand evolution, and marketing strategies, including the "Summer of Sound" campaign and influencer engagement.

They highlighted the launch of solventless rosin belts and upcoming vegan Rosin Sours. Kanha's product availability in multiple states and expansion plans were also covered. The discussion focused on their community-oriented marketing insights and direct approach to collaborations.

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Genine Coleman, Executive Director of the Origins Council, for an update on the legacy genetics research project. The project aims to identify, document, and preserve California's heritage cannabis strains. Genine detailed that the project involves many academic and community partnerships, including the United Core Alliance.

The project received a no-cost extension and is currently midway through a three-year cycle. The initial phase focused on internal structures for community outreach, education, and engagement. They have hosted events, webinars, and tours to engage with communities.

The research includes herbarium science to document genetic resources, establish naming conventions, and provide a basis for intellectual property protections. Community input is central through nominations and an advisory board. The research team is robust, and social equity considerations are a focus. Final publications are expected in late 2026 and early 2027.

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Kamia Kindle, the founder of SPG Web and Marketing, focusing on her expertise in grassroots marketing and her work with cannabis brands. A significant portion of the discussion revolved around the launch of "Whoop-Tea," a THC-infused beverage in collaboration with Whoopi Goldberg.

Kamia explained SPG Web and Marketing's unique "RICHAC" methodology, which strategically combines elements like recognition, instinctiveness, curiosity, and humor in marketing campaigns, and how this approach is being applied to the Whoopi launch to navigate the complexities of cannabis advertising.

Kamia provided details about the upcoming launch event for Whoopi in New York City, highlighting its strategic timing to coincide with other major events and the focus on supporting minority-owned businesses.

Kamia elaborates on SPG Web and Marketing's services, emphasizing their tailored, non-cookie-cutter approach, which includes branding, web development, PR, and comprehensive marketing management, specifically tailored for the cannabis industry. She also discussed her philosophy of supporting minority-owned businesses and the potential for marketing to help destigmatize cannabis and highlight its health and wellness benefits.

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Aaron Riley, CEO of Certified Testing and Data, introduced the Cannaleptic rating system, designed to provide a standardized, consumer-centric evaluation of cannabis products.

This system goes beyond basic compliance testing by incorporating sensory feedback data from consumers. The methodology combines traditional lab results (cannabinoid, terpene, and safety testing) with detailed questionnaires that assess various attributes like aroma, flavor, effects, and appearance.

The primary goal of the Cannaleptic system is to simplify consumer choice in the complex cannabis market. Aaron Riley emphasized that consumers drive the industry, and a reliable, easy-to-understand metric is needed to assess product value beyond just potency. The Cannaleptic rating distills extensive data into a single number, making it easier for consumers to understand the overall effects and quality of a product. This rating serves as a form of certification, valid for 12 months as long as subsequent lab tests remain within a 20% variance of the original tested attributes.

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Greg Tannor, CEO of Flowerhouse, discussed the company's partnership with Carmelo Anthony for the "STAYME7O" brand. The brand emphasizes community giveback and coincides with the NBA 's Carmelo Anthony's Hall of Fame announcement. STAYME7O offers various cannabis options and collaborates with Holiday for vape products, aiming to complement Anthony's ventures and prioritizing athlete recovery. The brand is available in approximately 100-120 New York stores and utilizes marketing and budtender engagement.

The interview highlighted Flowerhouse's focus on premium quality control and a curated, adaptable strain menu. Greg Tannor explained that Flowerhouse prioritizes quality control with multiple steps to ensure fresh, well-presented products. He mentioned past popular strains and the current focus on sativas for the spring and summer in New York. Flowerhouse adapts to consumer preferences by rotating strains quarterly and introducing new ones frequently, while also navigating competition in the New York cannabis market.

Discussion also included the challenges of competing with illegal shops and Flowerhouse's strategy of promoting its premium quality and brand endorsements. Greg Tannor emphasized the importance of standing behind their products and personally supporting the brand. Flowerhouse ensures broad accessibility through its distribution network, delivering five days a week across the state and being available in over 185 dispensaries.

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