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In this episode, host Raymond Guns talks with Adam Rothstein, the Founder and CEO of The Plug Society.

Adam shares his story of how he went from working as a delivery driver in California to creating a platform that helps cannabis businesses find trusted vendors and manage their projects. Known as the “Angie’s List of Cannabis,” The Plug Society is solving big problems in the industry by making it easier for businesses to connect with reliable partners and avoid costly mistakes.

Adam and Raymond talk about the biggest challenges cannabis businesses face, like:

- finding trustworthy vendors

- dealing with strict rules

- keeping up as the market changes

Adam explains how tools like project planning and a rating system for vendors can help businesses grow without running into trouble. He also shares what he’s learned from traveling to different states and countries, and how businesses can work together to make the industry stronger.

If you’re a cannabis business owner, operator, or service provider, this episode is packed with helpful tips. You’ll learn how to avoid common mistakes, build better partnerships, and set your business up for long-term success. Whether you’re starting a new product, expanding to a new market, or just looking to improve, Adam’s advice will inspire you to take the next step.

In this episode, I sit down with Wendy Campbell, VP of Sales at Jage Media. The team behind some of the most important cannabis trade shows in the industry. We talk about why trade shows still matter in cannabis. Even when everything feels digital, Wendy breaks down the three main types of trade shows. And explains how each one serves a different business goal from writing orders, to staying relevant to meeting the right people at the right time. 

We also dig into how the cannabis industry has changed. Funding has been tight, so brands and retailers are no longer chasing capital first. Instead, they are focused on being smarter with every dollar they spend via long term relationships. Wendy explains how they make events valuable to the business that attend them. We cover the psychology of why trade shows helped  build relationships that simply don’t happen online. 

Finally, we talk about the fast growth of hemp beverages and how trade shows help normalize cannabis for everyday people. Education keeps coming up as the market brings in new consumers. Educating buyers, staff, and consumers is still critical to long-term growth. Wendy shares why she remains optimistic about the future of cannabis and hemp, even when headlines feel negative. If you are a cannabis business owner, investor, or service provider, this episode will help you understand where to show up, why it matters, and how to think long-term about growth.

The cannabis industry is more competitive then it was 5-10 years ago. But that doesn’t mean it’s broken. 

In this episode, I talk with Jeff Wissink, Partner at Paladin Restructuring. We cover what’s really happening inside cannabis businesses today. We cover what is forcing owners to rethink where they spend money, when to engage a restructuring professional and why growing through M&A is harder than it looks. The message is clear: the rules changed, and smart operators are adjusting.

Jeff explains Paladin’s two main ways of helping companies. Restructuring is for emergencies like missing payroll, missing debt covenants or running out of cash. Performance improvement is about fixing problems early so the business can make more profit and avoid a crisis. Using his past experience as a cannabis COO, Jeff shares why one simple number SG&A as a percent of revenue can show what’s working and what’s not. He also explains why cutting back too much on finance and HR can hurt growth. And why waiting until the last minute leaves very few good choices. 

We wrap up by talking about leadership, survival, and what comes next for cannabis. Jeff uses a fun example of kids all chasing the soccer ball to explain why clear roles matter as companies grow. 

He also breaks down why retail is costly and why strong operations matter more than hype. 

He is nice but honest, if owners and investors focus on cash flow, teamwork, and smart systems now, they’ll be in a great spot when the industry settles down and new opportunities open up.

In this episode, Raymond Guns sat down with Leah Heise, founder of Gemini Twin Consulting. They talked about what really happens behind the scenes of cannabis companies as they grow. Leah’s brings a well rounded perspective. She went from being a federal prosecutor to helping scale some of the most recognizable cannabis MSOs. Along the way, she lived through multiple IPO's and learned what separates hype from real business discipline. 

We talk honestly about why consultants often get a bad reputation. How founders misunderstand what help they actually need, and why “just fixing sales” is rarely the real problem. Leah breaks down the difference between project work, advisory roles, and true fractional leadership. Why execution matters more than strategy decks. This conversation pulls back the curtain on people problems, and why no single hire can save (or sink) a cannabis company. 

Finally, we zoom out to the future. From the cannabis debt wall and investor trust to global markets, rescheduling, and consolidation.  Leah shares what worries her about 2026 and what gives her hope. This episode is for founders, executives, and investors who want a clearer, calmer view of where cannabis is headed. and how to build companies that last without losing the humans behind them.

In this episode, we talk with Lee Generous, a wealth management expert. He helps cannabis founders plan for money, taxes, and their long-term future. Lee explains why cannabis owners face special challenges, like 280E taxes and limited access to banks and capital. He shares why Dope CFO Wealth Management was launched in 2023 to give cannabis business owners the same support big family offices provide.

We explore why most business exits fail and what cannabis founders can do now to protect the value of their companies. Lee shows how good planning can lower stress, save taxes, and prepare owners for life after selling their business. He also talks about the personal side of money, like helping families plan for kids, health needs, and major life changes.

Lee shares why he is hopeful about the future of cannabis with more states legalizing and federal reforms getting closer. He also explains how the wealth industry is changing, with more fee-only advisors who put clients first. This episode gives simple steps, real lessons, and strong advice for anyone building or investing in a cannabis company.

*Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode are for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute individualized investment, tax, or legal advice. Lee Generous is a co-founder of Dope CFO Wealth Management LLC, a fee-only, MA-registered investment adviser. Nothing in this podcast is an offer or recommendation to buy or sell any security or to participate in any investment strategy. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal. Advisory services are offered only where Dope CFO Wealth Management LLC is properly registered or exempt from registration, and listeners should consult their own professional advisers before making any financial decisions.

In this episode, we talk with Mary Bernuth, a psychotherapist who became the co-founder of Pharos Brands, a growing hemp beverage company. Mary shares how working with people who struggled with alcohol made her want to build a safer, low-dose THC drink. Her story shows how one business owner saw a real problem and created a simple, helpful product to solve it.

We explore how the hemp drink market is growing, why seniors like gentle THC drinks, and how to educate distributors on this new category. Mary breaks down the business side of co-packing, testing, quality control, and how the three-tier system works in beverages. She also explains how the new hemp policy changes are pushing companies to work together and speak with one clear message.

Mary closes by sharing what business owners should watch for in 2026, from rising demand to new education programs for older adults. She explains the risks for farmers, brands, and the supply chain if the rules shift toward a ban instead of smart regulation. And she shows why she believes hemp drinks can open doors for the whole cannabis industry and help more people discover safer, better ways to socialize.

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to direct the federal government to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III — and this single change could dramatically reshape the financial future of cannabis companies.

From an accounting and tax perspective, this is one of the most important developments the industry has ever seen.

If this rescheduling is finalized, many cannabis businesses could:

See massive relief from 280E

- Unlock significantly higher cash flow

- Become far more attractive to investors

- And in some cases, become up to 7.5x more valuable overnight

In this video, we break down:

- What Schedule III actually changes for cannabis companies

- How accounting treatment and tax planning could shift

- Why free cash flow & and valuations may change dramatically

- What CPAs, accountants, and financial professionals should be preparing for now

This is a practical, finance-first breakdown of what this means for companies operating in the cannabis industry and the professionals advising them

In this episode, I talk with Seibo Shen, a Chief Innovation Officer. Seibo is known for his kind leadership style, deep experience, and big impact on the cannabis industry. He is bringing better vape designs and real innovation to a space that has been stuck for too long.

We dig into the future of vapes and product development. Seibo explains how founders can survive a down cannabis market, avoid burnout, and protect their business. He also talks about why smart capital, simple education, and better consumer products will shape the next big wave in cannabis.

Seibo opens up about his personal mindset and leadership lessons. He shares real advice for cannabis founders, investors, and anyone building in a hard industry. If you care about cannabis tech, innovation, wellness, or the future of the plant, this episode is for you.

Marketing isn’t just about getting attention – it’s about driving revenue. But how do you help cannabis businesses make that shift?

In this episode, DOPE CFO Certified Advisor Raymond Guns, CPA, sits down with Jenny Lamboy, VP of Strategy at Hybrid Marketing and 4B Marketing, to discuss how cannabis companies can align their “Why” with strategies that deliver measurable growth. 

Jenny shares her expertise in helping businesses overcome legacy mindsets, adopt meaningful KPIs, and turn their best clients into powerful brand advocates.

What You’ll Learn:

- Connect Marketing to Revenue: Help clients view marketing as a revenue-generating investment by aligning their “Why” with measurable business outcomes. This ensures every dollar spent ties back to growth.

- Overcome Legacy Mindsets: Educate clients on transitioning from outdated, reactive approaches to data-driven strategies that build trust and long-term brand value.

- Leverage KPIs for Smarter Decisions: Encourage clients to focus on real, actionable KPIs that reflect profitability and customer retention, rather than vanity metrics.

Understanding how marketing drives revenue can help you provide more strategic advice to your clients. By recognizing marketing as a critical revenue-generating channel, you can guide clients toward smarter investments that directly impact their bottom line.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re the bottleneck in your own firm’s growth, this episode’s for you.

DOPE CFO Certified Advisor Raymond Guns, CPA, sits down with Scott Scarano, a firm owner who transformed his traditional tax practice into a $1.7M subscription-based business serving clients nationwide, including the cannabis industry. 

Scott shares the strategies that helped him scale his firm, streamline operations, and step back from the daily grind – all while maintaining profitability and delivering exceptional client service.

What You’ll Learn:

- Create Recurring Revenue & Full-Service Solutions: Transitioning from tax prep to subscription-based accounting, payroll, and advisory services can create predictable income streams and deeper client relationships.

- Streamline Operations for Profitability: Implementing SOPs, pricing models, and remote workflows ensures efficiency and consistent profits, even as your firm scales.

- Achieve Freedom Through Delegation: Building a global remote team and empowering them to take ownership of operations allows you to step back from daily tasks and focus on growth – or reclaim your time.

Whether you’re looking to grow your cannabis accounting practice, create recurring revenue, or finally reclaim your time, this episode offers practical advice you can start using today.