When people talk about cannabis brands, they usually focus on flower, flavor, or maybe THC percentage. But in this episode, we zoom out—and zoom way in—on what makes a brand actually matter.

Jake and Duffy sit down with Emily Paxhia, co-founder of Poseidon and one of cannabis’ earliest institutional investors, for a wide-ranging conversation on what separates products from platforms, and trends from real traction. From low-dose drinks to Sunburn’s origin story to why every good brand needs a point of view, Emily breaks down what it takes to stand out—and stick around—in a crowded, fast-moving space.

If you care about brand-building, experience design, or where the cannabis category is headed next, this one’s for you.

Topics Covered:

• What makes a cannabis brand actually defensible
• Why most hemp drinks feel like copy-paste jobs
• Lessons from Red Bull, LaCroix, and Napa Valley
• What cannabis retail can learn from wine tasting rooms
• The problem with potency as the only selling point
• A peek inside Sunburn’s immersive brand strategy
• What lounges, loyalty, and low-dose formats might unlock

About Our Guest:

Emily Paxhia is the co-founder and Managing Partner of Poseidon Investment Management, one of the first cannabis-focused investment firms in the U.S. She’s been backing and advising brands since 2013, with a background in consumer behavior, brand strategy, and product development for companies like HBO, American Express, and PepsiCo. She lives in California and continues to shape the future of cannabis through investments, storytelling, and advocacy.

Links & References:

• Poseidon Investment Management
• Sunburn Cannabis
• Charlotte Figi & the CBD Origin Story

When people talk about “experience” in cannabis retail, they usually mean the furniture, the lighting, maybe even the packaging. But in this episode, we zoom in on two overlooked pillars of customer experience: training and inventory.

Jake and Duffy sit down with Danny Gold, COO and Head of Product at Happy Cabbage and former co-founder of ZolTrain, to unpack how real-world retail is shaped by the systems behind the scenes. From onboarding budtenders to curating menus to turning inventory every 14 days, this conversation is full of hard-won lessons on how to run a tighter, more intentional, more customer-centric shop.

If you’re thinking about margins, menus, or mentorship inside your dispensary, this one’s for you.

Topics Covered:

• Why budtender training is experience design
• The shift from push to pull in brand/retailer dynamics
• How to onboard new staff to reflect your store’s standards
• The ROI of turning your inventory every 14 days
• Why most dispensaries carry too many SKUs
• The bias trap of buyers and budtenders
• Strain names vs. effect-based education
• How Happy Cabbage is helping retailers prioritize what moves

About Our Guest:

Danny Gold is COO and Head of Product at Happy Cabbage Analytics, where he helps cannabis retailers and brands turn insights into revenue through smarter marketing and inventory strategy. He previously co-founded ZolTrain, one of the first cannabis training platforms built specifically for budtenders and brands. Danny lives in Colorado with his wife and kids, and has been building in the space for over seven years.

Links & References:

• Happy Cabbage Analytics