"Reshaping Cannabis: Predictions and Potentials for 2024"

Dan welcomes back Matt Hawkins, the co-founder of Entourage Effect Capital. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by the cannabis industry in 2023, marked by limited investment capital, portfolio management struggles, and fundraising difficulties, impacting both private and public sectors.

Hawkins discusses the impact of rescheduling cannabis, highlighting its potential to eliminate tax burdens under Section 280E, potentially leading to substantial financial gains for businesses. They also explore the upcoming opportunities in 2024, including the launch of a new fund by Entourage Effect Capital with a substantial institutional investor committing a significant investment, which could reshape the landscape for investing in the cannabis space. The discussion emphasizes the potential changes in legislation and the prospects for investment in both private and public cannabis companies.

The conversation ends on an optimistic note, focusing on the potential for growth and investment opportunities in the cannabis industry in the upcoming year.

Matt Hawkins - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-hawkins-11288a2/

Entourage Effect Capital - https://www.entourageeffect.com/

00:00:05 - EBITDA and Profitability Discussion
00:00:38 - Introduction to Raising Cannabis Capital Show
00:00:50 - Guest Introduction: Matt Hawkins
00:01:41 - Rating the Cannabis Industry Growth in 2023
00:02:11 - Investment Challenges in the Cannabis Industry
00:03:17 - Impact of the Macro Economy on Cannabis
00:04:03 - Legislative Optimism for 2024
00:04:25 - Excitement for Rescheduling and New Fund Launch
00:05:47 - Institutional Investor Involvement
00:06:45 - Impact of Rescheduling on Cannabis Businesses
00:09:08 - Investment Opportunities in Cannabis Stocks
00:09:32 - Private Company Investments and 280E
00:10:06 - Opportunities in Fund4 for Investors
00:10:49 - Accredited and Qualified Investors
00:11:00 - Timing for Investment with Institutional Partner
00:11:27 - Federal Legality and Institutional Capital
00:12:42 - Closing Remarks and Future Discussions

Produced by PodConx

MJBulls - https://podconx.com/podcasts/raising-cannabis-capital

Dan Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/humiston/

Sound Design - Jamie Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-humiston-91718b1b3/

Recorded on Squadcast - https://squadcast.fm/

"From Schedule I to III: How Cannabis Regulatory Changes Could Reshape Investment Landscape"

Ian Dominguez, the founder and chief investment officer at Delta Emerald Ventures, joins Dan Humiston to discuss cannabis industry investments and the potential impact of regulatory changes on the market. The conversation focuses on the shift from cannabis being classified as a Schedule I to a Schedule III substance and its potential implications.

Ian highlights that such a change could attract more capital into the industry, similar to how states with legalized cannabis are already functioning to some extent. However, he cautions against assuming an immediate windfall, drawing parallels to historical instances where sudden profitability led to frivolous spending and discounting.

He emphasizes the need for technology in the cannabis sector, especially for operators facing increasing competition and the necessity to drive costs down. Ian sees significant potential in technological advancements to help operators improve efficiencies and remain competitive. He points out that while Multi-State Operators (MSOs) usually get attention, smaller, independent operators also drive innovation in cannabis retail.

Regarding investment opportunities in the cannabis industry, Ian suggests that individual retail investors can benefit from learning and networking within the industry but advises against navigating it alone. He emphasizes the value of collective learning and sharing information. Ian invites people to explore their newsletter and events for insights and learning opportunities.

Produced by PodConx

MJBulls - https://podconx.com/podcasts/raising-cannabis-capital

Dan Humiston - https://podconx.com/guests/dan-humiston

Ian Dominguez -https://www.linkedin.com/in/iancdominguez/

Delta Emerald Ventures - https://www.deltaemerald.com/

Sound Design - Jamie Humiston

Recorded on Squadcast - https://squadcast.fm/

Produced by PodConx

MJBulls - https://podconx.com/podcasts/raising-cannabis-capital

Dan Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/humiston/

Sound Design - Jamie Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-humiston-91718b1b3/

Recorded on Squadcast - https://squadcast.fm/

"From Maryland to Ohio: Story Cannabis' Expanding Footprint"

Jason Vedadi, CEO of Story Cannabis,  joins Dan Humiston to discuss the company's impressive growth in the cannabis industry. Story Cannabis is a young company rapidly expanding in the MSO (Multi-State Operator) space, operating in Maryland, Ohio, and planning to enter New Jersey. Jason highlighted their focus on winning licenses, potential benefits from cannabis rescheduling, and their ongoing capital-raising efforts for expansion.

Produced by PodConx

MJBulls - https://podconx.com/podcasts/raising-cannabis-capital

Dan Humiston - https://podconx.com/guests/dan-humiston

Story Cannabis  - https://storycannabis.com/

Jason Vedadi - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-vedadi-949979159/

Sound Design - Jamie Humiston

Recorded on Squadcast - https://squadcast.fm/

Produced by PodConx

MJBulls - https://podconx.com/podcasts/raising-cannabis-capital

Dan Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/humiston/

Sound Design - Jamie Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-humiston-91718b1b3/

Recorded on Squadcast - https://squadcast.fm/

Cracking the Cannabis Advertising Code

Dan Mondello, the Co-founder and CEO of Rank Really High, joins Dan Humiston to discuss how his company helps cannabis businesses maximize their website's visibility and conversions.  They explore the challenges faced by cannabis companies when it comes to being online, such as advertising restrictions due to regulations, stigma, and nuances in the industry. Dan explains the difficulties associated with online advertising in the cannabis industry, emphasizing the limitations imposed by companies like Google due to cannabis's classification alongside dangerous products. He describes the process of running ads for dispensaries and the need for creative language in advertisements.

The discussion then shifts to website optimization and ranking high on Google searches. Dan highlights the importance of local search and the Google Business Profile in attracting customers. He emphasizes the need for e-commerce-focused, immersive website experiences to engage and retain visitors. They also discuss the significance of offering deals and recommendations on websites to drive more traffic and improve search engine rankings.

The conversation delves into the technical aspects of website building, with Dan explaining that Rank Really High offers a WordPress-based platform-as-a-service solution that integrates with dispensaries' POS systems and publishes inventory, giving them an advantage in search engine rankings.

Towards the end, the Dan asks about investment opportunities in Rank Really High, and Dan mentions that they recently closed a funding round with investors from the automotive and cannabis industries. He suggests that there might be future investment opportunities but highlights the importance of choosing the right investors who understand the company's goals and potential.

Overall, the podcast episode explores the challenges and solutions related to online visibility and website optimization for cannabis businesses, with a focus on Rank Really High's approach and success in the industry.

Produced by PodConx

MJBulls - https://podconx.com/podcasts/raising-cannabis-capital

Dan Humiston - https://podconx.com/guests/dan-humiston

Dan Mondello - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-mondello-marketing/

Rank Really High - https://www.rankreallyhigh.com/

Sound Design - Jamie Humiston

Recorded on Squadcast - https://squadcast.fm/

Produced by PodConx

MJBulls - https://podconx.com/podcasts/raising-cannabis-capital

Dan Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/humiston/

Sound Design - Jamie Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-humiston-91718b1b3/

Recorded on Squadcast - https://squadcast.fm/

"MRMD: The Undervalued Cannabis Stock with 14 Consecutive Growth Quarters"

Jon Levine, CEO of MariMed joins Dan Humiston  to discusses the evolution of MariMed from a cannabis advising company into one of the industry's leading multi-state operators. The company's strategic plan involves rolling up partners, expanding organically in current states, and exploring opportunities in new markets. They also touch upon the potential impacts of cannabis rescheduling from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3, and how MariMed's conservative financial approach has led to 14 consecutive quarters of growth. John provides insights into their growth strategies and their stock symbol, MRMD. He emphasizes the importance of responsible growth in the cannabis industry. 

Produced by PodConx

MJBulls - https://podconx.com/podcasts/raising-cannabis-capital

Dan Humiston - https://podconx.com/guests/dan-humiston

MariMed -https://marimedinc.com/

Jon Levine - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-levine-85550a9/

Sound Design - Jamie Humiston

Recorded on Squadcast - https://squadcast.fm/

Produced by PodConx

MJBulls - https://podconx.com/podcasts/raising-cannabis-capital

Dan Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/humiston/

Sound Design - Jamie Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-humiston-91718b1b3/

Recorded on Squadcast - https://squadcast.fm/

"From Immigrant to Cannabis Mogul: A Story of Resilience and Impact"

Annu Khot, the founder of Sociale, a cannabis dispensary in Chicago, shares her inspirational journey, highlighting how she raised capital in the challenging cannabis industry and opened a dispensary with a focus on promoting diversity and social equity. She joins Dan Humiston  to emphasize her immigrant experience and commitment to giving back to the community. Despite facing numerous challenges and conducting extensive outreach to secure investments, her passion and belief in impact investing ultimately led to success. She also discusses her dispensary's recent opening and expansion plans, emphasizing the importance of inclusion and education in the cannabis industry.

Produced by PodConx

MJBulls - https://podconx.com/podcasts/raising-cannabis-capital

Dan Humiston - https://podconx.com/guests/dan-humiston

Annu Khot - mailto:[email protected]

Sociale Dispensary - https://socialedispensary.com/

Sound Design - Jamie Humiston

Recorded on Squadcast - https://squadcast.fm/

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Produced by PodConx

MJBulls - https://podconx.com/podcasts/raising-cannabis-capital

Dan Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/humiston/

Sound Design - Jamie Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-humiston-91718b1b3/

Recorded on Squadcast - https://squadcast.fm/

"Optimizing Cannabis Quality and Longevity with TerpLoc Packaging"

Jack Grover, the co-founder and CEO of Grove Bags joins Dan Humiston to  explains how their innovative packaging system, TerpLoc is revolutionizing the cannabis industry by creating a controlled microclimate to optimize the curing and preservation of cannabis products. He discusses the evolution of the cannabis industry and its need for long-term viability, and he shares insights into the company's future plans, including sustainable packaging materials and continued growth. Grove Bag plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of cannabis products and is poised to thrive as the industry matures.

Produced by PodConx

MJBulls - https://podconx.com/podcasts/raising-cannabis-capital

Dan Humiston - https://podconx.com/guests/dan-humiston

Jack Grover -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-grover-3a82a023/

Grove Bags - https://grovebags.com/

Recorded on Squadcast - https://squadcast.fm/

Produced by PodConx

MJBulls - https://podconx.com/podcasts/raising-cannabis-capital

Dan Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/humiston/

Sound Design - Jamie Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-humiston-91718b1b3/

Recorded on Squadcast - https://squadcast.fm/

"Investing in Cannabis: The Innovative 'Spark Tank' 

Gary George, the founder of the Real Cannabis Entrepreneur Conference joins Dan Humiston. to shares how he started the conference out of personal necessity after finding a gap in the cannabis event space. He wanted to provide attendees with practical, real-time insights and actionable information from industry experts who are actively involved in the cannabis business. Gary discusses the unique "Spark Tank" segment of his conference, where cannabis entrepreneurs pitch their businesses, and attendees can invest in real-time through crowdfunding. He emphasizes the importance of curating vendors that align with the audience's interests and ensuring sponsors receive a strong return on investment. The conference is scheduled for October 5th and 6th at the Doubletree in Newark, New Jersey, with a focus on networking and bringing together key players in the cannabis industry.

Produced by PodConx

MJBulls - https://podconx.com/podcasts/raising-cannabis-capital

Dan Humiston - https://podconx.com/guests/dan-humiston

Gary George - https://www.linkedin.com/in/garygeorgenj/

Real Cannabis Entrepreneur Conference - https://realcannabisentrepreneur.com/

Recorded on Squadcast - https://squadcast.fm/

Produced by PodConx

MJBulls - https://podconx.com/podcasts/raising-cannabis-capital

Dan Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/humiston/

Sound Design - Jamie Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-humiston-91718b1b3/

Recorded on Squadcast - https://squadcast.fm/

"Cannabis Funding in Flux: Strategies for Success in Today's Market"

Raising capital in the cannabis industry is challenging, CEO Paul Weiss, of Paper Planes is back for Part 2 of his interview with Dan Humiston. In this episode he highlights the current dry spell in funding, emphasizing the importance of realistic expectations and responsible growth strategies. Weiss also shares insights into managing a diverse cap table and the benefits of maintaining tight control over capital, emphasizing the need for disciplined financial management in the cannabis space.

Produced by PodConx

MJBulls - https://podconx.com/podcasts/raising-cannabis-capital

Dan Humiston - https://podconx.com/guests/dan-humiston

Paul Weiss - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-weiss-6013a41a9/

Paper Planes - https://vangst.com/companies/paper-planes-extracts

Recorded on Squadcast - https://squadcast.fm/

Produced by PodConx

MJBulls - https://podconx.com/podcasts/raising-cannabis-capital

Dan Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/humiston/

Sound Design - Jamie Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-humiston-91718b1b3/

Recorded on Squadcast - https://squadcast.fm/

"From Investor to Operator: Navigating the Cannabis Industry's Unique Challenges"

Paul Weiss, CEO of Paper Planes joins Dan Humiston to discuss his unique position as both a cannabis investor and operator, emphasizing the importance of having control of a brand in the ever-changing cannabis industry. He also highlights Paper Planes' focus on quality, consistency, and competitive pricing in their products, and their ongoing search for the right institutional capital partner to support their growth. Paul expresses gratitude for the podcast's contribution to the industry and looks forward to future conversations.

 Produced by PodConx

MJBulls - https://podconx.com/podcasts/raising-cannabis-capital

Dan Humiston - https://podconx.com/guests/dan-humiston

Paul Weiss - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-weiss-6013a41a9/

Paper Planes - https://vangst.com/companies/paper-planes-extracts

Recorded on Squadcast - https://squadcast.fm/

Produced by PodConx

MJBulls - https://podconx.com/podcasts/raising-cannabis-capital

Dan Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/humiston/

Sound Design - Jamie Humiston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-humiston-91718b1b3/

Recorded on Squadcast - https://squadcast.fm/