Jason Tarasek is a knowledgeable cannabis partner at Vicente LLP. He has been working in the Minnesota hemp and cannabis industry since 2018. In 2019 he served as Minnesota’s Political Director for Marijuana Policy Project, where he helped orchestrate the state’s first-ever legislative hearing on cannabis legalization. 

As a cannabis policy advocate, Jason has spent many hours at the Minnesota State Capitol. In 2022, Jason successfully lobbied in favor of Minnesota’s “edible cannabinoid product” law, which sparked an explosion in the popularity of hemp-derived THC beverages throughout Minnesota and the United States. In 2023, he advocated for Minnesota’s passage of an adult-use cannabis bill. Today, Jason continues to strive for sensible policy as Minnesota implements its adult-use cannabis program while expanding its trailblazing hemp-derived THC beverage industry. 

In this episode, I sit down with Jason and talk about our long history of working together to connect and improve Minnesota cannabis for hemp entrepreneurs, homegrowers, tribal businesses, consumers, and medical patients. We discuss how Vicente got started, and why it might not be a good idea to have more dispensaries than Starbucks in the Twin Cities. 

We cover Jason’s optimism and his hope for equilibrium in 2026 as it relates to supply and demand within Minnesota’s cannabis industry. We also touch on the Wisconsin cannabis industry, or lack thereof, and his work with Tribal organizations who are interested in the Minnesota model and how they can replicate something similar in their state. The only problem? Wisconsin doesn’t even have a medical cannabis program! 

Lastly, we clear up a misconception around one of Jason’s clients and his involvement in the delay of the social equity lottery. 

This is a really great episode if you’re interested in the Minnesota cannabis industry and the greater opportunity across the midwest. Thanks for listening. 

In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, we sit down with Cory Lake, CEO of Lake Group Insurance, to break down the real challenges facing Minnesota’s cannabis and hemp businesses, from rising insurance premiums and compliance pressure to market volatility and the federal hemp ban. Cory shares insight on the future of the Minnesota cannabis industry, what dispensaries and hemp operators need to prepare for next, and how his recent merger with World Insurance Associates expands resources for cannabis operators. The conversation also touches on industry consolidation, MSOs, offering a clear look at cannabis insurance, risk management, and business survival in Minnesota.

Getting licensed is just the beginning. In Minnesota’s newly opened adult-use market, the real challenge is staying operational in a supply-strained, high-expectation environment.

In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, host Stephen Eigenmann sits down with Gus Sevastos of Dutchie to unpack what Minnesota cannabis operators are actually facing as the market enters 2026.

As the early “gold rush” gives way to the grind, Stephen and Gus break down the realities behind the headlines—from limited wholesale supply and testing bottlenecks to why culture and community are becoming survival tools for dispensaries.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why 40+ Minnesota retailers are competing for product from a handful of wholesalers
• How operators can manage overhead in a margin-tight market
• What Dutchie is changing in its platform to support supply-constrained states
• Why “Names to Faces” networking matters more than menus and marketing
• The difference between getting licensed—and building something that lasts
• Plus: a quick football detour, because culture still matters off the clock too

Whether you’re an operator, aspiring entrepreneur, or industry professional watching Minnesota’s rollout closely, this conversation offers a clear-eyed look at what it really takes to succeed after the doors open.

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🔗 Connect with Gus Sevastos

Dutchie: https://business.dutchie.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gus-sevastos

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📬 Join The Cannaverse

Get Minnesota cannabis insights, event announcements, and industry updates delivered straight to your inbox:
 👉 https://cannaverse-newsletter.beehiiv.com

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🎙 Sponsored by the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE)

In a market where every dollar counts, CEE helps cannabis operators lower overhead through free energy consultations and LED lighting rebates.
Learn more: https://www.mncee.org/growLED

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🌱 About Canna Connect MN

Canna Connect is Minnesota’s community hub for cannabis education, networking, and growth—bringing together operators, professionals, and consumers through trusted conversations and real-world events.

Rachelle Gordon is the editor of GreenState, a cannabis news and lifestyle media outlet. An award-winning cannabis journalist, Emerald Cup judge, and Budist critic, Rachelle began her weed writing journey in 2015. She has been featured in High Times, CannabisNow, Beard Bros, MG, Skunk, and many other industry publications. Rachelle was the recipient of the Cannabis Journalist of the Year award at the 2025 Emjays and the Community Cultivator trophy at the 2024 Women's Canna Awards. She is also the two-time host of the California Cannabis Awards at the California State Fair. Follow Rachelle on Instagram @rachellethewriter

Luke McCapes has been part of Canna Connect since January 2024, when he first connected with Stephen about the need for cannabis education and event programming in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Born in California and a proud graduate of Brainerd High School and the University of Minnesota Crookston, Luke brings a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and a passion for people, compliance, and community building. As Canna Connect’s Event Director, he helps shape inclusive events, strengthens partnerships, and represents our mission across Minnesota.

In this episode, Luke opens up about his story, his evolving relationship with alcohol, how cannabis became medicine for him, and why accessible education matters. Stephen shares field insights from product research and testing, and the two dig into homegrow, compliance, low-dose edibles, and how acceptance is growing across the state.

Connect with Luke

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-mccapes-85024b249/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luke.mccapes

Join The Cannaverse

https://cannaverse-newsletter.beehiiv.com/subscribe

If this episode helped you, share it with a friend and tag us so we can amplify your story. Use #CannaConnectMN and connect with the community.

Disclaimer
 This content is for adults 21+ and educational purposes only. Nothing here is medical, legal, or financial advice. Always follow local laws and regulations.

In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, host Natalie Campion sits down with the legendary Cat Seven, also known as Cat Franklin—globally recognized as the Godmother of Gorilla Glue #4.

Cat shares the true, accidental origin story behind one of the most famous strains in cannabis history, including how a sticky phone call led to a cultural phenomenon—and eventually, a high-stakes federal trademark lawsuit. From there, the conversation widens into Cat’s 30-year journey through cannabis: operating in the underground market, leading licensed facilities as a Director of Operations and CEO, and navigating the realities of scaling cannabis businesses in highly regulated states.

Now back in her home state of Minnesota, Cat is focused on normalization, education, and building sustainable operations through Süga Canna Co. She breaks down what actually separates strong operators from struggling ones, the differences between medical and adult-use markets, and what Minnesota must get right as the industry continues to take shape.

This episode is a must-listen for operators, legacy growers, and anyone interested in how cannabis moves from the shadows into legitimate, compliant, and scalable businesses.

On this episode of The Canna Connect Show, host Stephen Eigenmann sits down with Andrew Johnmeyer of Green Machine Farm for a wide-ranging, deeply personal conversation about cannabis, agriculture, and what really happened during Minnesota’s cannabis rollout.

Andrew’s story begins long before legalization headlines. As a farmer, activist, and home grower, he traces his journey from Minnesota’s early medical cannabis days to becoming a hopeful applicant in the adult-use market—only to watch the system shift beneath his feet. This episode captures the growing disconnect between state-level policy decisions and the realities faced by farmers, small cultivators, and rural communities.

Throughout the conversation, Stephen and Andrew unpack:

• Andrew’s activist roots and early exposure to cannabis policy
• Minnesota’s medical cannabis beginnings and the promise of legalization
• Red flags for small cultivators as rules and taxes changed mid-process
• Cannabis as medicine, cannabinoids, terpenes, phenohunting, and home-grow genetics
• The social equity license program and microbusiness restrictions
• Local government resistance, county-level ordinances, and agricultural conflicts
• The role of the League of Cities and breakdowns in county communication
• When and why Andrew ultimately walked away from pursuing a Minnesota license

This episode is not about hype or shortcuts. It’s about documenting lived experience, understanding how well-intentioned policy can create unintended harm, and preserving the voices of those who felt excluded from shaping Minnesota’s cannabis future.

If you care about cannabis policy, agricultural inclusion, or the long-term health of Minnesota’s legal market, this is a conversation worth hearing.

⏱️ Episode Timestamps

0:00 – Disclaimer
 0:45 – Welcome & episode preview
 1:30 – Interview begins
 2:05 – Andrew’s activist beginnings
 2:55 – Minnesota’s medical cannabis beginnings
 4:38 – Farming background: livestock, chickens, eggs
 9:00 – Red flags for small cultivators
 13:20 – The tax jump from 10% to 15%
 14:45 – Understanding cannabinoids
 16:55 – Home growing process
 18:25 – Cannabis as medicine
 19:59 – Terpenes
 20:38 – Access to cannabinoids over time
 21:11 – Phenohunting
 22:35 – Creating new genetics & regional growing conditions
 23:27 – Minnesota’s social equity license
 24:55 – When things changed as an applicant
 28:00 – Microbusiness restrictions
 30:30 – Social equity lottery delays
 35:10 – Local government regulation challenges
 40:00 – Goodhue County communication issues
 41:45 – League of Cities involvement
 44:00 – Anti-agriculture outcomes of county statutes
 45:25 – OCM formation amid medical & hemp market imbalance
 46:16 – Walking away from licensure
 49:11 – Speaking directly to county government

 A fast, operator focused conversation on turning Metrc requirements into clean daily workflows. Learn how to launch well in your first 30 days, avoid common mistakes, build barcode habits that hold up under pressure, choose integrations that reduce manual entry, stay secure, and keep books clean with a simple month end rhythm. 

 If this helped, share it with a Minnesota operator who is getting started. Tag your takeaways with #CannaConnectMN and subscribe for upcoming podcasts and panels. 

What does a high-end cigar have in common with a premium cannabis bud? More than you might think. In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, host Stephen Eigenmann sits down with Drew Emmer—the man who helped bridge the gap between Boveda’s legendary moisture control and the burgeoning cannabis industry.

Drew shares the origin story of his journey with Boveda, starting in a cigar lounge in Minnetonka, and discusses the brand's evolution into the newly launched Vivi Cure Packs. We explore why moisture isn’t just about weight—it’s about protecting the "Ethic of the Plant" and ensuring that every consumer has an incredible experience, every time.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The Science of Vivi: How the new Vivi Cure Packs differ from traditional Boveda packs and why they are a game-changer for homegrowers and commercial facilities alike.
• The Philosophy of Branding: Why the best marketing focuses on the feeling of a product rather than the specs.
• Cannabis for Good: Drew’s advocacy for veterans and the power of cannabis as medicine for PTSD and recovery.
• Market Trends: A look at the "Velocity of Vivi," the low-dose market, and the comparison between cannabis and alcohol culture.

Whether you’re a legacy grower or a curious consumer, Drew’s "people-first" approach to the industry offers a refreshing look at where the market is headed in 2026 and beyond.

⏳ Episode Chapters:

• [00:00] Disclaimer & Introduction
• [01:34] Interview Begins: The Boveda Origin Story
• [04:34] The Trifecta: Cigars, Guitars, & Cannabis
• [06:11] The Birth of Vivi: Evolving the Boveda Legacy
• [09:18] Respecting the Ethic of the Plant
• [12:44] Drew’s Personal History with Recovery & Advocacy
• [15:04] Why Quality Control is the Best Marketing
• [22:30] Understanding the "Velocity" of Vivi Cure Packs
• [29:10] The Deep Science: How Vivi Protects Terpenes
• [33:20] Storage Solutions: EVaults and the Future of CVaults
• [41:35] Lessons from the Field: The Woody Nelson Story
• [44:10] If Boveda Were a Car Brand, What Would It Be?
• [52:53] Cannabis as Medicine & Veterans’ Rights
• [57:40] Why the Homegrower is the Heart of the Industry
• [1:01:00] Closing Thoughts & Featured Journalist Rachelle Gordon

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• Shop Vivi Cure Packs: vivipacks.com
• Connect with Drew Emmer: LinkedIn
• Subscribe to The Cannaverse: Newsletter Link

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