Shawn Collins of THC Group and Erik Gundersen of ERG Strategies lay out their predictions for the cannabis industry in 2026 using a simple framework: the bets they think will shape the year, and the tripwires that could force policy to move fast and sideways.

The conversation breaks down five core dynamics, including evolving federal posture, the shift from building state programs to optimizing them, consolidation pressure in a capital-starved market, the coming tax fights in state capitols, and why Congress may revisit the hemp definition again with real consequences for intoxicating products and enforcement. Then they dig into the tripwires, the headline-driven and courtroom-driven events that regulators cannot schedule and operators cannot ignore, and how those shocks tend to reshape the operating environment overnight.

It’s an episode about governance, market structure, and staying ahead of regulatory reality in a year that will reward preparation.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly. Follow @TheHybridPod on Instagram for updates.

🔎 Topics: 2026 cannabis forecast, cannabis policy, federal cannabis posture, state program optimization, cannabis consolidation, cannabis taxes, hemp definition, intoxicating hemp, regulatory risk, compliance strategy, enforcement dynamics, The Hybrid podcast

Shawn Collins of THC Group and Erik Gundersen of ERG Strategies sit down with Deirdra O’Gorman, CEO of Empyreal Logistics, to unpack the cannabis cash problem and why it still shapes the industry’s day-to-day reality.

The conversation moves through banking friction, compliance mechanics, and the operational pressure that comes with moving money in a market built on legal contradictions. Deirdra walks through what “compliant” cash logistics actually looks like, why cash remains the default even in mature states, and what needs to change for cannabis commerce to start behaving like every other industry. It’s an episode about infrastructure, incentives, and the real-world cost of leaving a multibillion-dollar market stuck in the cash economy.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly. Follow @TheHybridPod on Instagram for updates.

🔎 Topics: cannabis banking, cannabis cash, cash logistics, Empyreal Logistics, Deirdra O’Gorman, compliance, public safety, cannabis regulation, federal-state policy gap, dispensary operations, The Hybrid podcast

Shawn Collins of THC Group and Erik Gundersen of ERG Strategies sit down for a Thanksgiving Special of The Hybrid, taking a lighter, more personal look at the world they came from - and the world they’re building now.

The conversation moves through gratitude, governance, and the strange overlap between public service and holiday chaos. They draft their ideal Thanksgiving plates, revisit the lessons that shaped them as regulators, and celebrate the people and moments that brought them here. It’s an episode built on humor, honesty, and the quiet clarity that comes with looking back at the year.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly. Follow @TheHybridPod on Instagram for updates.

🔎 Topics: Thanksgiving special, cannabis culture, regulators, policy stories, side dish draft, Shawn Collins, Erik Gundersen, The Hybrid podcast

Shawn Collins of THC Group and Erik Gundersen of ERG Strategies sit down with Pamela Epstein, Chief Legal & Regulatory Officer at Terpene Belt, for an emergency conversation on Congress’s surprise move to restrict intoxicating hemp products nationwide.

Tucked inside the federal government’s shutdown deal, the Senate added language that could redefine hemp and ban hemp-derived THC products across the country — a dramatic reversal from the 2018 Farm Bill that created the modern hemp market. It’s a political showdown now pitting Mitch McConnell against Rand Paul, with small businesses, farmers, and consumers caught in the crossfire.

The discussion moves through shutdown politics, legislative maneuvering, and the uncertain future of hemp beverages, exploring how federal action might reshape the cannabis landscape heading into an election year. It’s a moment that asks what kind of hemp and cannabis market the U.S. wants to build — and who gets to decide.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly. Follow @TheHybridPod on Instagram for updates.

🔎 Topics: hemp regulation, intoxicating hemp ban, Farm Bill 2025, Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul, Pamela Epstein, hemp beverages, cannabis policy, shutdown bill

Shawn Collins of THC Group and Erik Gundersen of ERG Strategies sit down with Eric and Kristin Rogers, the husband-and-wife team behind LEVIA, to explore the rise of cannabis beverages and the rare journey of building a brand, selling it, and taking it back. They trace LEVIA from garage experiments to a statewide favorite, discuss what they learned inside a corporate structure, and share how their new venture, Second Act, reflects a vision for social, culinary, and wellness-forward cannabis.

The conversation moves through culture, entrepreneurship, identity, and the evolution of social consumption. It is a story about creating something that feels personal, stepping away, and returning to finish the work on your own terms.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly. Follow @TheHybridPod on Instagram for updates.

🔎 Topics: LEVIA, cannabis beverages, founders, social consumption, Massachusetts cannabis, Second Act, entrepreneurship, cannabis culture

Shawn Collins of THC Group and Erik Gundersen of ERG Strategies sit down with Pamela N. Epstein, one of the nation’s leading cannabis and hemp policy experts, for a deep dive into intoxicating hemp, the Farm Bill, and the future of THC regulation. They unpack how we got here—the loopholes, the patchwork of state laws, the science—and where smart policy should go next.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly. Follow @TheHybridPod on Instagram for updates.

🔎 Topics: hemp regulation, Farm Bill 2025, THC policy, cannabis industry, delta-8, hemp vs marijuana, Pamela Epstein.

Shawn Collins of THC Group (www.homegrown-group.com) and Erik Gundersen of ERG Strategies (www.ergstrategies.com) chat with Carl Giannone, former Trade Roots leader, about his cannabis journey. With their expertise, they dive into regulatory challenges, social equity, and Massachusetts market shifts, sharing insider stories. They also compete in a trivia showdown.

New episodes drop regularly. Follow @TheHybridPod on Instagram for more.

Shawn Collins of THC Group (www.homegrown-group.com) and Erik Gundersen of ERG Strategies (www.ergstrategies.com) explore cannabis testing with Stephanie McArdle of Orange Photonics (www.orangephotonics.com). With their expertise, they dive into field testing, data transparency, and reflect on consulting challenges. They also compete in a trivia showdown.

New episodes drop regularly.

Follow @TheHybridPod on Instagram for more.

Shawn Collins of THC Group (www.homegrown-group.com) and Erik Gundersen of ERG Strategies (www.ergstrategies.com) dive into the cannabis regulator's dilemma, exploring the clash of policy, politics, and public expectations. With their expertise, they share insider stories and reflect on regulatory challenges. They also break down recent headlines and compete in a trivia showdown.

New episodes drop regularly.

Follow @TheHybridPod on Instagram for more.

Shawn Collins of THC Group (www.homegrown-group.com) and Erik Gundersen of ERG Strategies (https://ergstrategies.com/) explore cannabis agency transparency with Steve Kemmerling, CEO of CRB Monitor (www.crbmonitor.com). They discuss its impact on financial institutions, CRB Monitor’s Transparency Scorecard, and share insider stories. They also tackle Texas’ THC ban and compete in a trivia showdown.

New episodes drop regularly.

Follow @TheHybridPod on Instagram for more.