The Bluegrass State is joining the green rush—but in true Kentucky fashion, they're doing it their own way. Join Emily Paxhia (Poseidon) and Cy Scott (Headset) as they break down Kentucky's cautious entry into medical cannabis, and what it means for operators, investors, and entrepreneurs.

In this episode, our hosts dive deep into:

• Kentucky's unique approach to medical cannabis (spoiler: leave your rolling papers at home)
• Why most licenses went to out-of-state operators, and what that means for the market
• How Kentucky stacks up against Missouri, Mississippi, and Florida
• Where the real opportunities lie for entrepreneurs who missed the licensing lottery
• Market projections and investment potential that might surprise you

Whether you're an MSO executive, an ancillary business owner, or an investor eyeing the next frontier market, this episode offers critical insights into one of the newest medical markets in the United States. Plus, Emily and Cy share their signature market analysis on whether Kentucky could follow Florida's highly profitable path or face Mississippi's growing pains.

Pour yourself a bourbon (or your favorite alternative), and join us for an hour of market intelligence, strategic insights, and maybe even a table flip or two. 🥃

Headset

In this year-end edition of The High-Rise, Cy Scott (Headset) and Emily Paxhia (Poseidon) revisit their 2024 cannabis industry predictions to see where they hit the mark and where reality diverged from their forecasts. They delve into the growth (and growing pains) of key state markets—highlighting Ohio’s adult-use ramp-up, New York’s steady climb in retail availability, and the stalled progress in Florida and Pennsylvania. They also discuss the swirling uncertainties around hemp-derived THC products, as states implement—or contemplate—stringent regulations to keep these products out of unregulated channels and away from children.

Cy and Emily reflect on the year’s challenges, including the ongoing push for federal reform that has yet to materialize, and look ahead to 2025. Will next year bring long-awaited legislative clarity, or will states continue to forge their own unique paths in managing adult-use cannabis and hemp-derived products? Tune in to hear their insights, data-backed analysis, and predictions for what the next chapter of cannabis legalization might hold.

Topics Covered:

• 2024 Prediction Recap: Reviewing last year’s forecasts for Ohio’s adult-use sales, Florida’s ballot efforts, and Pennsylvania’s stalled legalization push.
• Progress in Key Markets:
  • Ohio: Adult-use launch and near-$100M monthly sales targets.
  • New York: Steady increase in licensed cannabis retail and brand growth amidst ongoing legal and regulatory challenges.
• Hemp-Derived THC Products: Exploring how intoxicating hemp sales exploded in 2024 and the ensuing state-by-state crackdowns on unregulated sales, with particular attention to recent actions in California, Texas, Tennessee, and Illinois.
• State-Level Regulations vs. Federal Stasis: States forging ahead with their own rules to protect consumers, while federal reforms remain elusive.
• Looking to 2025: Predictions on potential movement from the new administration, the Supreme Court case, and what evolving hemp regulation frameworks might mean for the broader cannabis industry.

If you’re looking for a clear-eyed, data-driven year-end wrap-up and a practical preview of the cannabis industry’s future, this episode offers valuable insights. Cy and Emily’s grounded perspectives will help investors, operators, and stakeholders navigate the uncertainty and identify trends to watch in 2025.

Show Notes:
- Headset Vapor Pen Data (Bringing the Receipts)

Headset

Cy & Emily return fresh (or maybe not so fresh) from MJ BizCon in Las Vegas to dish on their 25-second meetup, cowboys everywhere, and what happens when you mix cannabis conference attendees with rodeo folks and AWS techies! 🤠

Plus:

• Green Wednesday numbers are in! Beverages went absolutely bonkers with a 130% spike (Cy may have helped with that...)
• The scoop on a game-changing brand that's "making cannabis fun again"
• Texas says "y'all need to stop" to thousands of hemp-derived THC stores
• Canada flexes on the illegal market with some seriously impressive stats
• Pennsylvania considers state-run cannabis stores (Emily has thoughts™️)

Fun fact of the episode: OnlyFans started as a recipe and DIY website! Who knew? 👩‍🍳

Bonus: Listen for Cy's attempt at a "news broadcast" sound effect - it's... something!

Join us for another laid-back, data-backed conversation about all things cannabis, from MSOs to LPs, products and market analysis. Whether you're an industry veteran or just cannabis curious, pull up a chair and hang with us! 🎧

#cannabis #data #industry #MSO #retail #cannabisbusiness #MJBizCon

Show notes:
- CAKE: She hits different
- Headset's Green Wednesday Retailer Benchmarking Tool

Headset

If you have any information on a weed burrito, be sure to contact Washington Township NJ police department at 856-589-0330! 

In this conversation, Cy Scott and Emily Paxhia discuss the significance of Green Wednesday in the cannabis industry, particularly during the Thanksgiving holiday week. They analyze sales data from previous years, highlighting trends in consumer behavior, discounting practices, and the impact of Thanksgiving on overall sales. The discussion also delves into promotional strategies that retailers can adopt to maximize sales during this period, emphasizing the importance of understanding consumer preferences and market dynamics. The conversation also touches on a humorous delivery incident involving marijuana disguised as food, and concludes with their personal plans for Thanksgiving, emphasizing the role of cannabis beverages in their celebrations.

Links:
- Weed burritos in New Jersey [ABC 27 News]
- Judge halts cannabis licensing in MN [Minnesota Public Radio News]

Headset

In this episode of The High Rise, Cy Scott and Emily Paxia discuss the latest developments in the cannabis industry, focusing on the implications of the Farm Bill and its potential revisions. They explore the impact of intoxicating 'hot hemp' products on the legal market and the ongoing legislative efforts to address these issues. Next, a look at Ohio's burgeoning cannabis market, analyzing sales data and the dynamics of local operators. 

Links

• Local Moratoriums for Ohio Adult Use Marijuana Operator (OSU)
• Headset data presentation (Headset)

Takeaways

• The Farm Bill's language may need revisions to address intoxicating hemp products.
• Ohio's cannabis market is experiencing significant growth following legalization.
• Local operators in Ohio are gaining market share despite overall market challenges.
• The cannabis industry is still evolving, with many opportunities for growth.
• Regulatory frameworks vary significantly by state, impacting market dynamics.
• The importance of understanding local market conditions and consumer preferences.
• Moratoriums on cannabis sales exist in various jurisdictions, affecting access.
• The cannabis market is not a monolith; different operators have unique strategies.
• The potential for job creation in the cannabis industry is significant.
• Future legislative actions will shape the landscape of the cannabis market.

Sound Bites

• "We're back, baby."
• "Hot hemp?"
• "Time will tell."

Chapters

00:00
The Farm Bill and Its Implications

15:51
Ohio's Cannabis Market Overview

18:23
The Growth of the Cannabis Market

24:42
Competitive Pricing and Market Dynamics

30:49
Understanding Moratoriums in Ohio

37:00
Community Impact and Economic Benefits of Cannabis

42:21
Looking Ahead: Future of the Cannabis Industry

46:20
hr-outro.mp3

Headset

The High-Rise Episode 162: Welcome Back to the High-Rise!

Join hosts Cy Scott (Headset) and Emily Paxhia (Poseidon) as they return to analyze October cannabis market data, discuss Q3 MSO earnings, and explore emerging industry trends. After a brief hiatus, The High Rise is back with data-driven insights on the state of the cannabis industry.

Episode Highlights
- Deep dive into October 2024 retail sales data across major markets
- Analysis of Florida's market decline and the impact of recent hurricanes
- Spotlight on New York's market growth and standout brands
- Q3 MSO earnings review and market performance
- Discussion of Florida's failed adult-use ballot measure
- New Zealand study reveals cannabis's impact on other substance use

Key Market Insights
- California maintains market leadership with $350M in October sales
- Arizona shows concerning 25% year-over-year decline
- New York continues strong growth trajectory
- Missouri stands out with ~8% year-over-year growth
- Florida sees significant declines across multiple product categories

Notable Brands in New York
- Ayrloom (Top performer in 4 categories)
- Off Hours (Edibles)
- Ruby Farm (Pre-Roll)
- Dank by Definition (Flower)
- MFNY (Concentrates)

- Episode 141: Cannabis & Alcohol
- The presentation data

Headset

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