To Be Blunt

Jax Finkel is an Executive Director at Foundation for an Informed Texas and Texas NORML. In this episode, we talk about the progress of the Cannabis Industry in Texas from a legal and political perspective.

[00:01 – 05:53] Shayda on the Smokable bans happening at Texas

[05:54 – 08:07] Introduction of Topic and Guest

[08:08 – 13:39] Jax’s Background / The Current State of the Cannabis Industry in Texas

[13:40 – 25:59] Advocating for the Industry and Educating the People

[26:00 – 46:29] Cannabis in Texas from a Legal Perspective

[46:30 – 53:15] Observations from the Other States / How You Can Take Part in Pushing the Industry Forward

[53:16 – 58:46] Final Thoughts and Call to Action

 

Jax Finkel is Executive Director for Foundation for an Informed Texas (FIT), a 501c3 nonprofit. Founded in 2017, FIT focuses on rural education. FIT produced a successful medical cannabis ad campaign that was played on MSNBC and Fox News which reached over 1.8 million Texans. Jax created a curriculum, helped organize and execute regional training from 2015 to the present.

She has been involved in cannabis law reform since 2005 when she first started volunteering with Texas NORML. After serving in multiple positions, Jax became the Executive Director for Texas NORML, the Austin Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) in 2015. She innovated the first-ever cannabis-centric Voter's Guide in 2012 and continues to prepare the Texas NORML Voters Guide for each election season.

In her tenure, Jax has participated in many panel discussions and speaking engagements including events at the LBJ Library, and was a co-keynote at the Drug Impact Conference. Jax has also been quoted in the Texas Tribune, Forbes, and every major news outlet in Texas. She works closely with coalition partners and many other cannabis groups. She offers expert testimony before the city council and the Texas Legislature. Jax is often at the Capitol pushing for cannabis law reform and building relationships with our Legislators.

Cannabis education and law reform are her passions.

Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to our previous episodes. You can listen to my podcast on Spotify, Stitcher, Buzzspro

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RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
restartcbd.com

Support the show

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tobebluntpod.substack.com

Bess Byers is the founder of Blaise Creative, a Seattle-based digital marketing agency. Bess is a passionate advocate of the plant, and in this episode, we tackle the legalizations and politics behind the industry.

 

[00:01 – 03:07] Introduction of Topic and Guest

[03:08 – 08:15] Bess’ Story and the Founding of Blaise Creative

[08:16 – 20:14] The Politics Behind the Industry

[20:15 – 29:30] Home Grown Brands / Bigger vs. Smaller Brands

[29:31 – 39:39] Trends and New Products

[39:40 – 52:24] Bess’ Social Media

[52:25 – 55:36] What do your parents think of you being in the industry?

[55:37 – 59:55] Final Thoughts and Call to Action

 

Bess Byers, also known as Cannabess, is the founder of Blaise Creative, a Seattle-based digital marketing agency. Byers has over ten years of marketing experience, with five of them in cannabis. She’s battled Instagram to have her social media account @imcannabess reinstated nine times at over 94,000 followers. When Bess isn’t working, she can be found dabbing, hiking and hanging out with her cat, Barry White.

Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi

Tweetable Quotes:

“I truly believe that this plant, we just need to decriminalize it, you know? I don’t think that this plant should have been illegal in the first place.” – Bess Byers

“If you’re getting in this [industry] just for the money. You’re not in it for the right reasons.” – Bess Byers

 

Resources Mentioned:

• Wana Brands
• The Mini Nail

 

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LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to our previous episodes. You can listen to my podcast on Spotify, Stitcher, Buzzsprout, iTunes.

RESTART CBD
RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
restartcbd.com

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tobebluntpod.substack.com

Krista Nichols is the Manager of Marketing, Promotions, and CSR at Lightshade, a cannabis dispensary based in Denver and the largest independently owned dispensary in Colorado. In this episode, Krista gives us a glimpse of how they keep themselves ahead of their competition with the power of their promotions and marketing strategies.

[00:01 – 04:00] Opening Segment / Introduction of Guest and Topic

[04:01 – 09:45] Krista’s Background / What is Lightshade?

[09:46 – 21:01] The Power of Promotions

[21:02 – 33:18] How Lightshade Dispensary Markets to Attract New and Old Consumers

[33:19 – 40:06] What does vertically integrated mean for Lightshade?

[40:07 – 49:49] Growing Their Own Strains

[50:00 – 1:00:00] Krista’s Final Thoughts and Call-To-Action

[1:00:01 – 1:02:56] Closing Segment

 

Krista is a dynamic, energetic, enthusiastic human who loves connecting with people, her Doberman Sterling, live music, working out, and all things cannabis! Coming from a rich digital sales background and eventually landing her dream job as the Marketing Manager at Lightshade (Colorado's largest independently owned dispensary!), her experience is eclectic, to say the least. Moonlighting as a spin instructor for the past 3 years, fitness, health, and wellness are most near and dear to her heart, which goes hand in hand with a magical plant we are lucky enough to have as medicine. Follow Lightshade on Instagram and other social media platforms @lightshadehigh

Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi

Tweetable Quotes:

“We’re risk-takers, I think, and we really like to see how things do and then base our business model kind of around that.” – Krista Nichols

“It’s so fast-paced, and there are so much change happening all the time that you know, we want to make sure that we’re staying up on that stuff and staying very educated on it.” – Krista Nichols

Resources Mentioned:

• Leafly
• Leaf411
• To Be Blunt Ep.12 – Reporting on The State of Cannabis from The Front Line with Ricardo Baca 

SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needs!

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to our previous episodes. You can lis

RESTART CBD
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Alice Moon is a cannabis media maven and founder of the Alice Moon PR & Creative Agency. She focuses on PR, Social Media, and Marketing for both cannabis and non-cannabis brands. Every brand or organization wants its name to be known. They want their stories heard. And so, in this episode, we’ll be tackling one of the most important parts of being a brand, especially in the cannabis industry, and that is PR and Marketing.

 

[00:01 – 03:54] Opening Segment / Introduction of Topic and Guest

[03:55 – 11:18] Alice’s Story / Marketing Cannabis Through Social Media

[11:19 – 22:58] What is Public Relations? / How to Improve Your PR

[22:59 – 35:12] The Bad Side of too Much Press / Crisis Management

[35:13 – 44:09] Out of Industry Media vs. In Industry Media / How Much Time Do You Put in Social Media Marketing?

[44:10 – 48:42] Business Cards / Are Press or Media Kits Important?

[48:43 – 51:31] Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Alice Moon is an entrepreneur with 8 years of experience working in the cannabis industry. She is the Founder of Alice Moon PR, a public relations and communications agency that represents both ancillary and plant-touching brands in the cannabis industry. Her main focus is on Splitbud, a recently launched tech company that is helping consumers access cannabis at affordable prices.

Additionally, she is Director of Communications for Blunt Talks, an educational event series that is commonly referred to as "Ted Talks for Cannabis". She is most notably known for founding her own cannabis tech startup, which was nominated Best Tech 2017 by Dope Magazine Awards. Moon's web app featured The World's Largest Edible Directory, which was created to help consumers find the right edible for them based on dietary needs and location.

After writing edible reviews for years, Moon was diagnosed with Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome in 2018, which forced her to cease cannabis use completely. Her passion for cannabis and desire to find a cure for CHS has made her an outspoken advocate for the syndrome. Her work in the cannabis industry has landed her features in LA Weekly, High Times, Merry Jane, Business Insider, Weedmaps, Leafly, Benzinga, RX Leaf, and Civilized, with appearances on CNN, Vice's "Blunt Talks" and Viceland’s "Bong Appetit".

Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi

Resources Mentioned:

• Papa & Barkley
• Canndescent

 

SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needs!

LEAVE A REVIEW + h

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Laura Morarity is the SVP of Marketing & Communications at Leafly. Are you new to the cannabis industry or in search of new cannabis strains to try? Then tune in as we dive into Leafly’s story, the companion for cannabis enthusiasts and canna-curios folks.

 

[00:01 – 05:54] Opening Segment/Introduction of Topic and Guest

[05:55 – 18:04] What is Leafly?

[18:05 – 29:12] Let’s talk about the different Cannabis Strains

[29:13 – 36:34] Navigating the Product Reviews

[36:35 – 45:12] Setting the Standards

[45:13 – 53:04] How the Marketing Team Functions at Leafly

[53:05 – 58:03] Final Thoughts and Call to Action

 

Laura Morarity leads marketing, communications, and content at Leafly, which includes both B2B and B2C marketing, corporate affairs and PR, and the work of Leafly’s award-winning editorial team. She most recently led the global communications and sustainability function at technology brand Sonos and has held marketing and communications leadership roles at legal marketplace Avvo and global communications firm Weber Shandwick. She holds an M.A. from the University of Kentucky and a B.A. from Murray State University. Follow Leafly on Instagram @leafly

Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi

Tweetable Quotes:

“We are very intentional about making sure that we’re not placing effects on a strain. Because everybody does have such an individual experience but making sure it’s easy for people to report the things that they are experiencing.” – Laura Morarity

“Having consistent lab testing that can deliver results that help build customer trust for growers and brands and retailers is gonna become more and more important.” – Laura Morarity

Resources Mentioned:

• Bubba Kush Marijuana Strain
• Blue Dream Marijuana Strain
• Cookies (Cannabis Brand)

 

 

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LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to our previous episodes. You can listen to my podcast on Spotify,

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RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
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Support the show

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tobebluntpod.substack.com

Lauren Miele is the Founder & CEO of KushKards, a company that creates cannabis greeting cards. Cannabis enthusiasts consider KushKards as one of the perfect gifts for cannabis enthusiasts. But what are they, and how did the idea come to fruition? Tune in as Lauren shares her story and the birth of KushKards.

 

[00:01 – 03:17] Opening Segment/Introduction of Topic and Guest

[03:18 – 25:07] Lauren’s Journey with Cannabis and The Story of KushKards

[25:08 – 33:14] How to Be a Boss Ass Female Entrepreneur

[33:15 – 40:23] Patents and Trademarks. You can’t copy authenticity.

[40:24 – 45:53] Collaboration with Tommy Chong

[45:54 – 55:21] Trial and Error: Figuring out how to market your brand

[55:22 – 59:47] Final Thoughts and Call to Action

 

If you are a marijuana consumer, you must have come across one of the holiday-decorated blunt rolls. The brain behind this idea is Lauren, who made weed festive. With a marketing and leadership background, she created the first KushKard to spell out greetings for the festive season.

And since 2013, she has been breaking through the marijuana industry by applying her extensive knowledge in consumer goods to provide sentimentally and mostly appreciated holiday cards with a personal touch.

Lauren Miele is the Founder/CEO of KushKards, a fun, creative way to share the holiday season’s merry. With a degree in Home Products Development, she uses her marketing, strategies, and social media skills to create awareness and lessen the awkwardness that comes with the consumption of cannabis.

Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi

Tweetable Quotes:

“You can’t copy authenticity. You can’t copy it. Because yes someone can start a brand, but do they have the story?” – Lauren Miele

“Make a plan and come out so strong that nobody can or wants to or is gonna try to [copy you]. They just want to partner with you.” – Lauren Miele

SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needs!

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to our previous episodes. You can listen to my podcast on Spotify, Stitcher, Buzzsprout,

RESTART CBD
RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
restartcbd.com

Support the show

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tobebluntpod.substack.com

Ilissa Nolan is the Executive Director of the Texas Hemp Coalition. She is one of the few lobbyists that worked to pass House Bill 1325, which is the bill to make it legal to grow and process hemp in Texas. In this episode, Ilissa gives us an inside scoop of their journey to advocating for cannabis to get it legalized in Texas and their preparation for Texas’ 87th Legislative Session.

 

[00:01 – 06:16] Opening Segment/Introduction of Topic and Guest

[06:17 – 12:41] Texas Hemp Coalition and Ilissa’s Journey

[12:41 – 30:13] Why is Texas prime for hemp?

[30:14 – 51:15] The Texas Legislative Session and Advocating for Cannabis

[51:15 – 56:20] Visions for the Future of the Cannabis Industry in Texas

[56:21 – 1:03:08] Final Thoughts and Call to Action

 

Ilissa Nolan serves as the Executive Director for the Texas Hemp Coalition. Ms. Nolan was one of the few lobbyists that worked to pass HB 1325 which made it legal to grow and process hemp in Texas. She also serves as a government affairs consultant for Booth & Associates P.C. where she works to build policy through stakeholder collaboration and educating clients on cutting-edge issues surrounding state and federal environmental matters, especially topics involving agriculture, rural affairs, and environmental issues.

Most recently she served as the Government Relations Director for the Texas Department of Agriculture. She received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Leadership and Development with a minor in Horticulture from Texas A&M University. As well, she received a Master of Science in Agricultural Communications from Texas Tech University. Ms. Nolan has worked as a Congressional Intern for the House Agriculture Committee under Chairman Frank Lucas and was honored to serve as the Reading Clerk for the Texas House of Representatives of the 83rd Legislative Session. She worked as the Executive Assistant for Natural Resources Solutions, L.C. a consulting firm specialized in regulatory and non-regulatory natural resource and environmental issues. Also, she served as the Legislative Director for Representative Charles “Doc” Anderson, Vice Chairman of the Agriculture and Livestock Committee."

Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi

Tweetable Quotes:

“A lot of people in the industry don’t realize if it wasn’t for lobbyists if it wasn’t for the advocates…it took those of us that are from the background who had certain clients that represent to say ‘hey, look, this is a real thing. We want this.’” – Ilissa Nolan

“We want to make sure that our consumers are protected when they are taking [hemp] products.” – Ilissa Nolan

Resources Mentioned:

RESTART CBD
RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
restartcbd.com

Support the show

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tobebluntpod.substack.com

Sage Howell is the Vice President of Texas Hemp Cultivators, a certified organic hemp production company that operates in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area. In this episode, hear Sage talk about growing an organic hemp farm in Texas and what it takes to get recognized and be a certified organic hemp farm.

 

[00:01 – 12:43] What it takes to be a certified organic farm

[12:44 – 14:44] Why growing hemp should be done organically

[14:45 – 27:47] Sage shares what it’s like being a hemp farmer in Texas

[27:48 – 37:45] Opportunities in the cannabis industry

[37:46 – 42:54] Final Thoughts and Call to Action

 

Sage Howell is the Vice President of Texas Hemp Cultivators, a certified organic hemp production company with a mission to provide seed to sale transparency, stabilize hemp genetics in Texas soils, and create vertically integrated cannabis products that represent a waste diverting circular economy. Sage also operates TexSelect LLC. a greenhouse and agricultural company that specializes in commercial food production utilizing innovative solutions for indoor food production systems by optimizing hydroponic growing and harvesting techniques. When he isn't thinking green or hosting his podcast Hemp Cultivation Science you can find him practicing yoga, running with his rescue farm dog Sacha, or snapping photos with his camera.

Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi

Tweetable Quotes:

“For anybody that’s getting into the hemp industry…it’s not a get in and get out industry. It’s not a one and done...one year, and you’re done industry. It’s not a get rich quick scheme. It’s essential for somebody who wants to put the work in.” – Sage Howell

“There’s a risk to any endeavor you ever take, and you’ve got to know your limits. You’ve got to partner with people you trust, and you’ve got to understand what you’re trying to accomplish.” – Sage Howell

 

SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needs!

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to our previous episodes. You can listen to my podcast on Spotify, Stitcher, Buzzsprout,

RESTART CBD
RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
restartcbd.com

Support the show

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tobebluntpod.substack.com

Miranda Cummings launched MACY|MKTG; an experiential marketing consulting agency focused on helping cannabis companies evolve through consumer experiences. In this episode, Miranda talks about the importance of creating moments that matter between your products and consumers. She also talks about the state of the Oklahoma cannabis market.

[00:01 – 04:24] Opening Segment and Introduction of Guest

[04:25 – 13:05] Miranda’s Story

[13:06 – 18:08] Cannabis Experiential Marketing in Both the Medicinal Only and the Recreational Only States

[18:09 – 32:21] Creating Cannabis Experiences and Moments that Matter

[32:22 – 42:23] Create authentic brands that care for their clients. Don’t just ride the CBD Train.

[42:24 – 53:21] What’s going on in Oklahoma?

[53:22 – 57:47] Final Thoughts and Call to Action

 

Miranda has been dedicating herself to motivating the masses through creative experiences for as long as she can remember. After graduating from Columbia College in Chicago with a double major in Marketing Communications and Public Relations, she snagged an internship with a global advertising agency (FCB) and headed to Prague, Czech Republic for the summer. There she was part of a team that successfully built an experiential campaign for a new snack pack product – which lead to her desire to continue developing the strategies behind how humans experience brands or products.

Once returning to the states she jumped right into the Engagement Director position with Blue Zones Project, a National Geographic x Blue Cross Blue Shield wellness initiative centered around making healthy choices easier through the built environment. All this talk about wellness and positive environments eventually landed her in the beautiful and active Mile High City. As the rise of the cannabis industry was growing – Miranda landed a gig at Westword Newspaper, a local lifestyle publication that took pride in working with cannabis brands and dispensaries.

After building many relationships and connections with local and national cannabis and cannabis adjacent brands, she decided to launch her own experiential marketing consulting agency that was more focused on helping cannabis companies to evolve through consumer experiences. MACY|MKTG quickly became a trusted consulting agency specializing in experiential marketing efforts. Soon after launching, MACY|MKTG landed a venue management contract with one of the most sought-after cannabis consumption friendly venues in the state of Colorado (Invisible City), where Miranda quickly accelerated her agency’s portfolio of cannabis consumption friendly experiences. She now works with several cannabis brands on various marketing needs and is currently working on launching a flower line in OK with a few fellow experts in the industry in 2021. With creativity, charisma, and communication at the epicenter of each project Miranda encounters, if her skill set doesn’t get her there, her determination will.

Follow Miranda on Instagram @mirandamacy and @macymktg. You can also follow Noble Nectar Extracts on Instagram @noblenectarextracts

Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness br

RESTART CBD
RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
restartcbd.com

Support the show

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tobebluntpod.substack.com

Narbé Alexandrian is the President and CEO of Riv Capital, a venture capital firm in Canada specializing in cannabis. In this episode, Narbé walks us through building capital for sustainable cannabis business and the state of the Canadian cannabis market.

 

[00:01 – 17:52] Riv Capital’s Background and the Canadian Cannabis Market

[17:53 – 25:09] The Different Cannabinoids and the Vital Role of Research for the Industry

[25:10 – 32:20] Medicinal and Recreational Use, and Vertical Integration in the Industry

[32:21 – 37:08] Accessibility of Licenses in the Canadian Cannabis Market

[37:09 – 43:12] Riv Capital and Canopy Growth News

[43:13 – 50:36] Final Thoughts and Call to Action

 

Narbé Alexandrian is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Canopy Rivers, a venture capital firm specializing in cannabis. Prior to joining Canopy Rivers, Narbé was a Senior Associate at OMERS Ventures, one of the most prominent technology venture capital funds in Canada. During his tenure, Narbé helped fundraise for two funds ($520M of capital), sourced and lead multiple debt/equity financings, and acted as a Board Observer for a number of portfolio companies. Prior to OMERS Ventures, Narbé was a Senior Strategy Manager in TELUS’ Internet of Things (IoT) group where he helped launch operational go-to-market strategies to TELUS’ executive leadership team. He has also held roles at Firmex Inc., a leading virtual data room company based in Toronto, and Deloitte LLP, where he held roles in Financial Advisory and Consulting (fka Monitor Deloitte). Follow Narbé on Twitter @narbe87 and Canopy Rivers on Instagram @canopyriversinc. You can also visit their website.

Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi

Tweetable Quotes:

“If you’re a business in the US in a limited license state and you got your license, and you’re operating. At the back of your mind, you need to understand that in the long-term, your license doesn’t mean sh*t.” – Narbé Alexandrian

“The difference between strong CPG brands and weak CPG brands really comes down to how management of the company understands the consumer.” – Narbé Alexandrian

 

Resources Mentioned:

• Canopy Rivers and Canopy Growth cuts their ties

 

SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needs!

LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing t

RESTART CBD
RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
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Support the show

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tobebluntpod.substack.com