High Rise: Cannabis MSOs, Products & Market Analysis

Hey Headsetters, we're back with a new interview episode, this time with Verano's George Archos and Aaron Miles. We cover their wholesale strategy, a unique approach to loyalty and visions for the future.  Listen closely and you might actually catch the date that Schedule 3 is scheduled to happen (not really).

In this conversation, George Archos and Aaron Miles from Verano discuss their company's performance in Q1 and their position in the cannabis industry. They talk about Verano's footprint, retail composition, and brands. They also discuss their focus on customer loyalty and the launch of their exclusive membership program, the Cabbage Club. The conversation touches on the growth of Verano's wholesale business, particularly in markets like New Jersey and Illinois. They also discuss the challenges and opportunities of opening doors in different markets and the importance of data-driven decision-making. The conversation concludes with a discussion about Verano's plans for expansion in Ohio and Florida. Verano Holdings is preparing for the launch of adult-use cannabis in Ohio and expects to see significant demand in both their stores and the wholesale market. 

Takeaways

• Verano has a sizable footprint in the cannabis industry and is celebrating its 10th year anniversary.
• Verano focuses on high-quality products and has a range of brands catering to different market segments.
• Verano places a strong emphasis on customer loyalty and has launched the exclusive membership program, the Cabbage Club.
• Verano has seen growth in its wholesale business, particularly in markets like New Jersey and Illinois.
• Opening doors in different markets can be challenging, but Verano has been successful by building relationships and offering unique, innovative products.
• Verano is planning for expansion in Ohio and Florida, with expectations of significant sales growth in these markets. Verano Holdings is preparing for the launch of adult-use cannabis in Ohio and expects significant demand in both their stores and the wholesale market.
• Verano focuses on creating their own brands rather than acquiring existing ones, but they may consider acquisitions in the future.
• They are cautious about entering the hospitality aspect of the cannabis business, such as music festivals and lounges, due to regulatory hurdles and the difficulty of making the economics work.
• Verano is excited about the potential benefits of rescheduling cannabis, including being treated like a normal business, accessing banking services, and improving their marketing capabilities.
• They anticipate better polling numbers in Florida and potential news on Pennsylvania.
• Verano is well-positioned for future opportunities and is focused on being prepared for inclusion in the capital markets.

Keywords

Verano, Q1 performance, cannabis industry, footprint, retail composition, brands, customer loyalty, Cabbage Club, wholesale growth, opening doors, data-driven decision-making, expansion, Verano Holdings, adult-use cannabis, Ohio, wholesale market, product offerings, acquisitions, hospitality aspect, regulatory hurdles, rescheduling cannabis, banking services, marketing capabilities, Florida, Pennsylvania, future opportunities, capital markets

Headset

In this conversation, Cy and Emily discuss the recent announcement by the DEA that they will recommend rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III. They explore the potential implications of this decision, including its impact on the capital markets, banking reform, and the ongoing Commerce Clause case. They also touch on the significance of this shift in the federal government's view of cannabis and the challenges that lie ahead in the implementation process. Overall, they express cautious optimism about the future of cannabis legalization in the United States.

Takeaways

• The DEA's recommendation to reschedule cannabis to Schedule III represents a significant shift in the federal government's view of cannabis and acknowledges its potential positive benefits.
• While rescheduling alone does not immediately change the criminality around cannabis or allow for uplisting and banking reform, it sets a strong foundation for future progress.
• The rescheduling decision may pave the way for discussions on capital markets and banking reform, as well as potential memos from the DOJ and the impact of the Commerce Clause case.
• The implementation process and potential challenges, including legal battles and administrative procedures, will play a crucial role in determining the actual impact of rescheduling.
• Despite the uncertainties and challenges, there is a sense of cautious optimism about the future of cannabis legalization in the United States.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview
03:02 DEA Recommends Rescheduling Cannabis to Schedule III
09:26 The Trauma and Optimism of Cannabis Legalization
13:49 The Implications of Rescheduling
16:13 The Commerce Clause Case and Fair Application of the CSA

Keywords

DEA, rescheduling, cannabis, Schedule III, capital markets, banking reform, Commerce Clause case, implementation process, federal government, legalization

Headset

Watch out Florida Man, the new headline is going to be about the big numbers that Florida will be putting up in a post adult-use legalized cannabis world. Join Cy Scott (CEO of Headset) and Emily Paxia (Managing Partner of Poseidon) discuss the exciting news that adult-use cannabis legalization has been approved for the November 2024 ballot in Florida - how we got here and what it means. 

Links:

• Florida Amendment 3 Ballot [Ballotopedia] 
• Florida Supreme Court approves ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana [ Politico]

Headset

The commish is cracking down in New York, bringing the full might of the OGS to the legal cannabis market. Emily Paxhia and Cy Scott take a laid-back data-backed look at all the latest headlines coming out of New York -- good and bad! 

• New York Must Figure Out How to Fix Cannabis Mess, Hochul Orders [NYTimes]
• Jenny's cannabis sales [Headset] 
• The Comish [Wikipedia]
• Homeland Security, NYPD team up on cannabis smuggling investigation [Green Market Report]
• Top state cannabis official Damian Fagon put on administrative leave following NY Cannabis Insider investigation [NYup.com]

Headset

Okay, so it's been a little while but we are back (by popular demand)! The High-Rise returns with an all-new episode where we discuss what's coming for the show this year, and cover the stories we think we'll be talking a lot about during this upcoming year. 

New York City vs. Upstate, Ohio timelines, Vapor Pen sales continued rise and Hemp D9 THC is everywhere! It's good to be back.

Show links:

• NYC vs. NY cannabis sales analysis [Headset]
• Ohio is on schedule [FOX19] 

Headset

We did it everyone, 2023 is done!! Well, for the High-Rise podcast anyway. 

On this episode, Emily and Cy wrap up the year with a podcast episode discussing the significant growth and trends in the cannabis industry throughout 2023 and a look back at what was discussed throughout the year from 75 episodes worth of content! They wrap up the podcast and the year by thinking through 2024 and what is ahead for California. 

Thanks to everyone who's been with us this year, I hope your 2023 was great and your 2024 will be even better.

Headset

In the latest High-Rise, Cy and Emily discuss the latest updates on cannabis legalization in New York and Ohio. They cover the settlement in New York and the approval of licenses for existing medical operators to transition into the adult-use market. They also discuss the disappointing progress of the cannabis industry in New York over the past year. 

The bulk of the discussion is on the recently legalized Ohio,  where they explore the recent legalization and the proposed changes to the law, including tax increases, home cultivation limits, criminal expungement, and more. They also touch on the potential impact of these changes on the Ohio market and the use of Luster Pods in the state.

Links:

• https://www.headset.io/industry-reports/ohio-cannabis-market-overview
• https://www.marijuanamoment.net/ohio-senate-marijuana-bill-keeps-criminalization-and-undermines-equity-despite-expungements-and-home-grow-advocates-warn/

Headset

New York is (probably) back baby! So, in our latest episode, we dove into New York's cannabis scene – and let me tell you, it's been a wild ride. We kicked things off talking about how New York's retail footprint in cannabis exploded by 2600% - that's going from 1 to 27 stores, which is huge, right? But there's a catch; it's still just 27 stores, and we've got thousands of unlicensed ones around.

We chatted about the CAURD program - that's the Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary program. It's been a bit of a slow burn, honestly. There was this lawsuit from disabled veterans that really put things on ice. Now, there's a proposed settlement that might just shake things up, and we might see these stores finally opening up.

There's a lot of potential brewing in New York's cannabis market. It's about getting those doors open, making sure everyone's included, and maybe, just maybe, we'll see some serious growth. Let's keep our fingers crossed and see what unfolds!

Show notes:

• Adult-Use License Types
• $83M for 3Qs in New York

Headset

Hey all, hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

In this episode of the "High-Rise Podcast," co-hosts Cy and Emily delve into the intricacies of Green Wednesday in the cannabis industry as its happening, focusing on emerging trends, market comparisons, and the nuances of consumer behavior. They examine the distinct dynamics between markets like Missouri and California, highlighting the differences in discounting strategies and sales patterns. The episode further explores the impact of store closures and shortened hours on sales trends, offering a unique perspective on how these factors influence market behavior.

A significant portion of the discussion is dedicated to the evolving landscape of vaping in the cannabis industry. The co-hosts dissect the popularity of vaping among Gen Z consumers, emphasizing how this preference is shaping the market. They discuss the technological advancements in vaping, drawing parallels to the evolution of smartphones, and explore how these innovations are influencing consumer choices and preferences. The episode also touches on regulatory aspects and market compliance, providing a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities within the cannabis industry.

Headset

This episode explores 'whole day units' in Ohio's medical cannabis program and their impact on the market. Hosts Cy and Emily compare Ohio's cannabis regulations with other states, focusing on patient counts, dispensary numbers, and sales. They discuss Ohio's transition to legal adult cannabis use and speculate on its potential effects. 

The conversation also covers Snoop's decision to quit smoking and its implications for the industry. A significant portion of the podcast is dedicated to 'Green Wednesday,' highlighting consumer trends and sales patterns in cannabis before Thanksgiving. 

Show notes:

• Washington's Dream on SNL
• Snoop Dogg says he’s giving up smoking after years of marijuana use

Headset