Grassroots Marketing

Grassroots Marketing discusses The Maine Cannabis Market Mire with Eben Sumner from The Maine Growers Alliance & Casco Bay Hemp.



Eben Sumner is Founder and CEO of two businesses in the cannabis space, Casco Bay Hemp and 1780, a Maine Licensed Medical Cannabis Provider. Co-Founder and legislative chair of the Maine Growers Alliance, and shaper participant in Seed2Health; a think tank focused on forwarding cannabis as medicine.

In Maine, Eben founded a caregiver company, named 1780, cultivating medical cannabis. Unfortunately, the complexities of federal law around cannabis made it impossible for this business to expand outside of Maine. However, Sumner quickly found that he could extend his reach through CBD and hemp products. Today, Sumner provides a variety of CBD products through Casco Bay Hemp. The products are all derived from USA-grown hemp, and all the manufacturing is handled right in Maine. The restrictions surrounding medical cannabis don’t apply to hemp, allowing Sumner to provide Casco Bay Hemp products all across the country and legal markets around the world.

Eben is one of the founders of the The Maine Growers Alliance, an organization that was formed to ensure the security of the small to medium sized craft cannabis cultivators in order to bring patients and consumers the highest quality, most affordable products. The organization raises funds to donate to community charities, and help it’s representatives work with lobbying groups to protect their interests in ME.

While Eben enjoys being able to provide his products to customers, his sights are set on helping change the narrative around cannabis. He is working towards integrating cannabis into the healthcare system while strengthening the caregiver industry in his home state of Maine. This path has led him to become a shaper participant with Seed2Health, a think tank and accelerator focused on bringing botanical health efficacy to a medical standard through an open source “Learning Health '' system. Seed2Health recognizes the struggle that the FDA and medical institutions have with botanicals, especially cannabis, when it comes to clinical research trials. “We are working to bridge that gap, to be able to show the efficacy of plant medicine with the engagement of the supply chain all the way through to the consumer. With this information we can provide a powerful repository accessible to researchers and individuals alike.” said Sumner.

Medical cannabis sellers say scaled-back overhaul of rules still would go too far 

 Maine scraps plan to beef up medical marijuana rules after industry pushback

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Grassroots Marketing discusses Video Speed Dating including an upcoming event on 4/20 with Filteroff Co-founder Zach Schleien.

Filteroff is the worlds first video dating app! Instead of sitting and swiping, they schedule dates for you and you meet real people live on video.

Zach Schleien is the Co-founder/CEO of Filteroff. He is a TEDx speaker and his passions lie in technology, health, and creating authentic connections. When he is not working, Zach loves to travel the world, listen to podcasts, and workout.

Filteroff has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, BBC, and hit #1 on ProductHunt. Previously he ran and sold the dating blog Top Romp, which covered dating hacks and apps for the modern dater.

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Grassroots Marketing discusses Cannabis-focused Real Estate in New York and New Jersey with Matte Namer, Founder of Cannabeta Realty.

Cannabeta is a cannabis-focused real estate brokerage, the first firm in the New York and New Jersey area dedicated to serving the needs of the cannabis industry.

The Tri-State Area legalized marijuana for adult use in 2021. Combined, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, could become one of the biggest markets in the world. While brokering real estate deals for the cannabis industry represents a very large and growing opportunity, there are a myriad of complicated issues.

Here is what cannabis companies don’t always think about when it comes to choosing real estate in New York:

Rapidly changing legalities

Restrictive zoning policies

A competitive environment

Unique business strategies.

To service clients properly requires in-depth knowledge of the cannabis industry, while also utilizing the latest numbers to make data-informed decisions.

Cannabeta Realty employs decades of experience in real estate and leverages this extensive experience as real estate developers to understand timing, power needs, cap-ex, utility connections, sustainability, local politics, zoning, and overall economics to help clients find the ideal locations for their businesses.

Matte Namer (They/Them) Founder of Cannabeta

Matte Namer is a New York City-born real estate developer, asset manager, hotelier, and salesperson who has been a leader in the New York and New Jersey real estate market for decades. As the founder of Cannabeta, the first real estate brokerage firm dedicated exclusively to cannabis businesses, Matte has combined his passions for real estate and the cannabis industry to be the top resource for dispensary owners who are operating within new legal markets. Matte leverages their block-by-block knowledge of New York City and demographic trends to identify the ideal location for any kind of dispensary. They also leverage their extensive relationships with New York City’s top landlords to finalize the best deal structures for their clients. Outside of work, Matte is the bassist and vocalist for The FMs, a musical project that takes cues from glam, synth-pop, industrial, stoner rock and dance music.

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MY Self Wellness, a cutting-edge ketamine clinic and a pioneer in the psychedelics space and we speak with their Brand Ambassador Charles Patti.

He discusses the work being done at MY Self Wellness and how they "empower individuals on their health and wellness journey by combining the healing benefits of ketamine with new lifestyle practices for a full mental reset. " With experience treating depression, anxiety, trauma/PTSD, chronic pain, and more, the clinic prides itself on providing compassionate, holistic care. Based in Bonita Springs, MY Self Wellness serves patients from all over the country.

We also discuss his involvement on “Lighter: A Ketamine Experience” a one-hour feature-length documentary that explores the life journeys of three individuals who each struggle with the ongoing dilemma of anxiety, trauma and addiction. In search of healing, they commit to ketamine therapy, which allows for a psychedelic experience of personal transformation. “Lighter” features accomplished psychedelic professionals, Dr. Michelle Weiner and Dustin Robinson, Esq. CPA, as a testimony for the healing effects of ketamine as an alternative solution for people facing mental health struggles. Cody Withrow of Soap Tree Media filmed and served as the documentary’s director. MY Self Wellness co-produced the film with Gregory Scott.

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Grassroots Marketing showcases Master Roachee's Holistic Garden. with one of their founders, Matt Avery.

How Matt Avery explains the beginnings of Master Roachee's Holistic Garden.

How it started, I was complaining a lot about not being able to find good Cannabis, and a friend who was tired of my complaining said, “Why don’t you do something about it.” So, I did not do as originally planned. The grand Idea at the start was to have our own craft growing operation, still in the plans. We are in Indiana a Prohibition State, so we started looking into Hemp licensing, the expense to start was just too great. Thought about gorillas growing to raise money but that would be too risky.

I had started at this time to become interested in CBD and again couldn’t find anything good locally. The more I read and studied CBD the more amazed I became. I didn’t know how many uses and how successful CBD was in treating different issues. I have been involved in Cannabis and Hemp since the 80’s, being involved with National NORMAL and the Green Panthers, I knew many of the benefits. I started looking into starting with CBD and transitioning into Cannabis in the future.

Master Roachee before there was anything else, the whole Master Roachee thing got started with some of the 20 something who worked for me. I like Hawaiian shirts, I am bald, I like sandals and sunglasses. It was decided by them that Master Roshi from dragon ball Z resembles me. I found out and embraced the Idea with a change I was Master Roachee less fighting skill more Cannabis attitude. The hat was 100% Crystal’s idea we were in a small shop in Nashville Indiana, and I tried on the hat and kind of liked it, but the price was way to much. Crystal told me that I had to buy it and so I did. I think she was trying to get me to get something because we had just got her two new purses. Well, the rest is as they say is history.

I found a supplier close, and it turns out he was an organic farmer growing produce for 5-star restaurants before deciding to make the move into Hemp. He grew just as I would, we became friends and decided to work together. Seems he is an outstanding grower but doesn’t like selling, I don’t have a place to grow and love people, seemed like a good match.

The original start to the company was my wife Crystal aka Momma Roachee and my friend Tony Laing, who was the only person to put a little cash my way when we first started so it was only fitting that I make him an owner in the company. Tony is a full-time student at Purdue University. Crystal is legally blind and works part-time at Dollar general. Crystal and Tony have been amazing in their support.

It took me a while to decide to do this, I am 100% self-funded and we are working on an absolute shoestring budget. I needed to know if I was a true believer in this venture before I risked our future and retirement on this venture. Crystal and I talked, I felt that this was our one shot, the opportunity that comes along once in a lifetime, so with her blessing, I started the process of cashing things out. That process took almost 8 months to accomplish.

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Sackville : Design-focused Contemporary Cannabis Accessories as we hear from Hayley Dineen and Lana Van Brunt, the two Brooklyn-based female founders of Sackville & Co.

Sackville & Co. is a design-focused, fashion-forward contemporary cannabis accessories brand based in NYC and founded by Lana Van Brunt and Hayley Dineen. The collection consists of elevated cannabis accessories that can appeal to both the connoisseurs and the curious with its oversized gold grinders, rolling trays, glass pipes, branded merchandise and much more.

Known for their cannabis products that double as home decor, Lana and Hayley’s aim for Sackville is to elevate the cannabis experience, appealing to both the connoisseurs and the curious. Both women have years of experience in luxury product development, experiential marketing and business development for companies ranging from Vivienne Westwood to VICE. Pieces from their own collection are just as much object’s d’art as they are objects for use. The brand has collaborated with various artists including GZA from Wu-Tang, April Martin, Raffa Weyman aka Ralph and more; they also have several exciting collabs in the works. The collection can be found on the brand’s own e-comm, on DesignMilk.com and UrbanOutfitters.com, amongst other sites, and in select boutiques across the country. A unique fact about Sackville is in late 2019 the brand was acquired by a public company; after three months the company changed leadership and the new CEO decided to pull out of all previous acquisitions. Hayley & Lana bought Sackville & Co. back in 2020 and have been running it independently ever since.

The duo is also behind Sackville Studios, a multidisciplinary cannabis design and production studio created by women who like to smoke weed. Sackville Studios is designing the face of cannabis, from established industry leaders (Cresco Labs, Curaleaf) to consumer brands (Playboy) looking to enter the cannabis space, creating brands from the ground up. Sackville Studios is the only cannabis-focused product design firm, going beyond design services to develop tangible products and collateral bringing a complete vision to life and is the first female-run studio to design and produce major brands for top global cannabis brands. No other leading cannabis conglomerates are engaging with female-owned companies in the way Sackville Studios has been able to break through, bringing women to the forefront of design in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Lana & Hayley are also passionate about bringing women's issues to the forefront of the conversation. The brand donates 5% of their monthly sales to The Tender Foundation, a non-profit organization that bridges the financial gap and provides a safety net for single moms living on the margins in Atlanta, with more initiatives in the works for 2022.

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Talking Vapor-Static Extraction with Jacqueline McGrane, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Boulder Creek Technologies.

Boulder Creek Technologies’ revolutionary, sustainable Vapor-Static Extraction System allows operators to have the best of both worlds and save up to 80% in operating costs.

What makes Vapor-Static Extraction so sustainable?

Singular: Instead of having to operate separate machinery, Vapor-Static is a turnkey solution in one system. Cannabis extraction can involve many complicated parts and equipment, but Vapor-Static cuts down on excess energy use and the need for ancillary products.

Self-regulating: Vapor-Static Extraction is automated and can be operated by just one person. It efficiently uses energy and doesn’t consume power longer than it should after the extraction process has been completed. You can go from adding biomass to collecting concentrate, all with one contained system.

Streamlined: Vapor-Static Extraction is solventless and cuts down on the steps needed to produce concentrates using solvents like BHO or ethanol. Where those methods take around nine steps, Vapor-Static Extraction only needs one, and without the added carbon footprint of using solvents.

Jacqueline McGrane is a professional hash maker and a biologist who trained at MIT and CU Boulder. She has worked in the medical marijuana industry since 2012, and has garnered several awards for her concentrate products, including the 2013 THC Championship for Best Tested Hash (a gorgeous Venus OG that tested above 98% THC).

Over the years, Jacqueline has become extremely passionate about CBD, and in fact she had one of the few CBD entries to the 2014 Cannabis Cup. She has also developed testing protocols for one of the most respected testing laboratories in Colorado state, RM3 Labs, where she also developed a method to make powdered pure THCa.

Currently, Jacqueline runs her own consulting firm, Cannabinoid Consulting. She does work mostly with distillates and process optimization. She also is a minority owner of a 50-acre CBD hemp farm in Kentucky, as well as two smaller farms in North Carolina. She has done work across the country, including Illinois, Missouri, Colorado, Washington, Kentucky, and California.

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PARA, a recently launched female-founded, BIPOC owned online e-commerce shop specializing in premium, affordable paraphernalia for the aesthetically high-minded consumer out of NYC. We speak with the founder, Mariam Saïd.

PARA -  a female-founded, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color.)owned online shop housing a curated assortment of premium paraphernalia for the aesthetically high-minded consumer based out of NYC. Partnering with numerous established designers from around the world, Para has curated an unparalleled assortment of modern pipes, bongs, papers, trays, scents, and much more. 

Para also donates a portion of revenues to the 'Last Prisoner Project, utilizes only eco-friendly shipping methods, and continues to source from only ethical small businesses. 

Para was founded by Mariam Saïd, the OG Functional Stoner, who decided to utilize her knowledge of working in luxury fashion to propel a product category that she was personally more passionate about.

PARA, a recently launched female-founded, BIPOC owned online e-commerce shop specializing in premium, affordable paraphernalia for the aesthetically high-minded consumer out of NYC. Para has curated an unparalleled assortment of affordable pipes, bongs, papers, trays, scents, and much more now shipping to US + Canada: https://shop-para.com/

Mariam Saïd, Founder, has been operating in the luxury retail space for over a decade, spending the majority of her career as a Merchandise Buyer & Planner for Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, and Ralph Lauren. During the global shutdown in 2020, Mariam, along with a large portion of humanity, turned to cannabis for anxiety management. Mariam turned her fashion experience into curating beautiful, affordable cannabis products. 

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Grassroots Marketing discuss various issues surrounding the the California Cannabis Market with Steve Gutterman, CEO of Falcon Brands.

Steve Gutterman, CEO of Falcon Brands, California’s proprietary premier House of Brands. Powering beloved brands like CRU, Grand CRU and High Garden, Falcon combines professionalism, street cred, and proprietary technology, and has built a scalable operating model that has solidified its dominant leadership position in today’s California market. 

Topics:
Capital markets - Investors tend to shy away from the California cannabis market. Steve can explain they are wrong. 
Leading a successful company in the leading cannabis market - With a unique mix of financial, branding, product development and legacy cannabis market expertise, Falcon Brands meets the incredibly high threshold for running a truly successful brand in California with an understanding that if you produce a superior set of products, you win.
The evolution of cannabis is not over - there's another chapter coming in the playbook and Steve explains what is needed to succeed in the next chapter of cannabis 
Evolution of brands / products - what will the next great cannabis set of products be?




 From MJBiz: On the other side of the country, in more mature markets such as California and Colorado, flower consumers are becoming more sophisticated, said Steve Gutterman, CEO of Falcon Brands, a vertically integrated cannabis company based in Irvine, California.

“As markets mature and more competition comes on and customers get more sophisticated, there’s more differentiating between products,” he added. That’s when quality comes into play.

According to Gutterman, high-end flower is less vulnerable to falling prices.

Savvy consumers who are shopping for more than THC content will pay a premium for terpene and cannabinoid content. “Customers are increasingly sophisticated – if they want something on the high end that’s been really well-produced and tastes good, they’re willing to pay up. 

Gutterman sees high-end, indoor-grown flower in California wholesaling at $1,700-$2,000 a pound, which is slightly down from this time last year. “There’s this niche of high-end indoor that’s stayed price-inelastic,” he added. Overall, Gutterman expects flower to remain the single-biggest product category. “At its core, flower provides a social experience that other things don’t,” he said, adding that every other product tries to replicate what flower offers.

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Grassroots Marketing speaks about Dope Heads NFTs with the founders, rapper turned advocate Bryan “Tow Down” Theriot and legendary graphic artist Mike Frost.

Dope Heads are generative art NFTs created by leaders in the Houston, TX Hip Hop scene.  A pioneer in the Houston scene and in the Cannabis revolution, Bryan “Tow Down” Theriot went from Federal Prison to becoming an outspoken proponent of legalization/decriminalization and an advocate for the families of other non-violent drug offenders.  Through Dope Heads, he is putting money where his mouth is…
 
Bryan “Tow Down'' Theriot had a thriving music career in 2000 and a major label record deal with Elektra Records. His debut video, “Country Rap Tune” featuring H.A.W.K. and Big Pokey was a hit.  Around the same time, he started a grow operation to provide ‘refreshments’ in his H-Town studio and it quickly turned a profit.

Since Cannabis legalization was some time away, he unfortunately served over 7 years.  During time served, he came up with an idea of how to  give back to his community to others incarcerated due to cannabis possession. In 2021 Bryan got together with legendary graphic artist Mike Frost and the duo founded Dope Heads.  Digital art trendsetter, Johnny Kash, joined the team to complete the vision.

The team will donate a substantial amount of the net earnings from Dope Heads NFTs to organizations designed to help non-violent drug offenders and their families.  


The first – the idea for The Dopey Foundation sprung from the Dopey Podcast.  The podcast’s mission has been to create a space for addicts that deals with addiction and recovery in a non judgmental way that helps to end the stigma of prison and drug addiction and develops community. Much of the community has had occasion in their lives to interact with the legal system.  A nonprofit organization under IRS Code section 501(c)(3), is currently being formed with a mission to support addicts and alcoholics in their struggles. 

Dope Heads’ partnership with Houston based non-profit, Legends and Legacies is unique and offers direct aid to his Houston community.   Legends and Legacies, supports children who have experienced parental addiction and incarceration. The money donated will be used to hire staff to do the training our organization provides – everything these kids miss out on. 

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