Explore the cutting-edge world of cannabis technology with Socrates Rosenfeld, the CEO and co-founder of Jane Technologies. Prepare to be intrigued by the potential shifts in federal cannabis reform as we discuss the surprising nomination of Matt Gaetz for US Attorney General by President-elect Trump. Join AnnaRae Grabstein as she recounts the latest developments in the cannabis industry from the Benzinga Cannabis Market Spotlight and Agrify's strategic acquisition of Señorita, marking a bold...

Join Ben and AnnaRae on Thursday for a special post-election recording of High Spirits as we unpack Tuesday's election results, focusing specifically on the presidential race, various state ballot measures related to cannabis, and the broader implications for hemp and cannabis policy. We're thrilled to welcome back Hirsh Jain, one of our industry's brightest policy minds, for an in-depth analysis of what these results might mean for the future of cannabis legalization and regulation.🚀 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗧...

Join us for this week's recording of 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘀, where we're diving into the intricate world of Wana Brands, North America's leading edibles brand. We're sitting down with Joe Hodas, the recently appointed President of Wana, to discuss the brand's innovative strategies and his journey from Chief Marketing Officer to President.🚀 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲: In this discussion, Joe Hodas shares his experiences and the dynamic shifts within Wana Brands following its acquisition by Canopy Growth Corpora...

Curious about the exciting world of cannabis beverages and how it's reshaping consumer habits? We sit down with Diana Eberlein, a leading figure in the industry and current president of the Cannabis Beverage Association. Diana shares her journey from cannabis beverage consumer to chair of the Coalition for Adult Beverage Alternatives, shedding light on the strategic moves being made to align with the alcohol industry. With a recent move to Washington DC, Diana is at the forefront of policy ad...

Seth Yakatan, a key player and influencer in cannabis finance and M&A, joins us to unravel the financial intricacies of the cannabis industry. Gain invaluable insights as Seth shares his extraordinary journey from health and wellness to becoming a significant figure in raising capital and selling companies within the cannabis sector. Discover how his unique experiences provide a fresh perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry today.Embark on a journey through the...

What if cannabis businesses could harness the power of AI to revolutionize their operations? Join us as we uncover this fascinating intersection and other topics in our first CEO roundtable following the close of Benzinga Chicago with industry leaders Cameron Clarke of Sunderstorm, Michael Murphy of Prelude, Heather Molloy of Speedwell Partners, and your hosts, Ben Larson of Vertosa and AnnaRae Grabsteinf of Wolf Meyer. In a rapidly evolving landscape, they share their strategies for navigati...

Let's be honest, it's been a solid run of shows this year for two busy CEO's self-producing and coordinating (and writing these descriptions). Travel schedule has definitely ramped back up and we somehow got to the beginning of this week and hadn't really thought about it! So we're falling back to our original inspiration for the show and recording our weekly check-in on all things cannabis business.This week, we attended hashtag#Meadowlands, David Hua and Meadow's California-famous gathering...

Jeremy Berke, founder and editor-in-chief of Cultivated Media, joins us this week as our guest co-host. Despite juggling cannabis news coverage and MBA studies, Jeremy takes time out to share his experience and expertise in the space. Jeremy gives listeners an inside look at Cultivated, a daily newsletter dedicated to cannabis industry professionals, detailing how his journey from Business Insider led to his own entrepreneurial venture. In our deep dive into New York's cannabis market, w...

🌱🎙️ Join Ben & AnnaRae as we saddle up for another deep dive into the Texas cannabis scene. This time, we're exploring the booming hemp market with Benjamin Meggs, CEO of Bayou City Hemp Company and the beverage brand HOWDY . Ben's unique journey from the Oil and Gas industry to hemp cultivation and CBD retail has positioned him as a pivotal figure in shaping Texas's hemp landscape. In this episode, we'll uncover the challenges and opportunities of building a hemp business in the heart of...

🌿🎙️ Join Ben & AnnaRae this week as we explore the intricate world of cannabis compliance with Michael Johnson, CEO of Metrc. Now synonymous with seed-to-sale tracking, Metrc stands at the forefront of regulatory compliance in the cannabis industry. In this episode, we'll uncover the human element behind the platform, the challenges of balancing diverse stakeholder needs, and the future of cannabis compliance.🚀 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲: To operators in the cannabis industry, Metrc is the backbo...

🌿 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝟑𝟎 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬: 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐲'𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 🌿Join Ben & AnnaRae on High Spirits as we delve into the whirlwind experience of the first 30 days following the launch of a brand new dispensary in New Jersey. Our guest, Tahir Johnson, CEO of Simply Pure Trenton NJ and President of the Minority Cannabis Business Association, shares his firsthand insights and the roller-coaster ride of opening one of the first Black-owned social-equity cannabis businesses in the ...

Could the fragmented cannabis market in Latin America be the next big thing for savvy investors? Join us as we uncover the secrets of this untapped market with our special guest, Javier Hasse, the Managing Director at Benzinga and founder of El Planteo. In this episode, Javier shares his unique insights into the challenges and opportunities that exist within various Latin American countries, detailing how cultural acceptance and patient advocacy are reshaping the industry. With his extensive ...

Imagine launching your first business at just 13 years old. That's precisely what our special guest, Aaron Nosbisch, did, and his entrepreneurial spirit has only grown since. Aaron, now the founder and CEO of Breeze and Lucyd Media, joins us from an airport en route to Burning Man to share his incredible journey. From his early days in the fashion world to the intricate landscape of cannabis and hemp marketing, Aaron brings a wealth of knowledge and some really creative strategies.Our convers...

🌿 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥'𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐚: 𝐔𝐧𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞'𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐥 🌿Join Ben and AnnaRae this week on High Spirits as we delve deep into Georgia’s newly launched cannabis program with Judson Hill, the Georgia Market President for Fine Fettle, one of the state’s six licensed operators. This episode will explore the current landscape of cannabis in Georgia, the emerging dynamics between cannabis and hemp, and what the future holds for patients and consumers in t...

🎙𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐔𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐬 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝-𝐮𝐩!🌿It's been another eventful week in the world of cannabis, and we're excited to talk about it. Here's some of the topics that are top of mind:🇺🇸 Kamala taps Gov. Tim Walz of MN as her running mate🌰 Ohio launches adult use sales❌ Missouri bans Delta 8 and unlicensed retailers📈 Q2 earnings are out and companies are refinancing their debt➕ More!As always, High Spirits is more than a podcast – it's a dynamic conversation among leaders...

🌿 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐊𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦? 🌿Join Ben and AnnaRae this week on High Spirits as we delve into the potential impacts of Kamala Harris' leadership on the cannabis industry and criminal justice reform. With President Biden stepping aside, Kamala Harris' role could become pivotal in shaping the future policies that would significantly affect both the cannabis industry and ongoing criminal justice reform efforts.🚀 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲:As we navigate these...

Join Ben and AnnaRae on High Spirits for a lively discussion with Nico Richardson, CEO of Texas Original (fka Compassionate Cultivation), the leading medical marijuana and cannabis dispensary in Texas. This episode delves into the complex landscape of hemp and cannabis in the Lone Star State, exploring the regulatory, economic, and societal challenges that shape this rapidly evolving market.🚀 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲:Texas is at a crossroads with its hemp and cannabis policies, creating a dynamic b...

🌿 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹?! 🌿Join us this week as we sit down with Amy Deneson, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Cannabis Media Council (CMC), to explore the pivotal role of this groundbreaking organization in reshaping public perception and media narratives around cannabis.🚀 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲:In an era where cannabis is becoming part of mainstream conversation yet still battles against decades of stigma, the need for informed and ethical advertising is more critical th...

How might the Supreme Court's recent decisions reshape the cannabis industry as we know it? This episode of High Spirits promises to answer that and more.We dive deep into the pivotal topic of the Chevron ruling and its sweeping consequences for the cannabis sector, especially with Schedule III reclassification on the horizon. Leah Heise, a renowned legal expert in government enforcement, joins us to break down the complexities. Together, we explore the historical context of Chevron deference...

Unlock the secrets of effective THC distribution and brand presence in our latest episode! We start by breaking down the most recent developments in the cannabis industry, including a GOP congressional panel's controversial attempt to block marijuana rescheduling and Tennessee's strict ban on Delta-8. We'll also discuss Walgreens' bold decision to stock CBD products and the FDA's looming decision on Juul vaping products. Joining us is Scott O'Malley, CEO of the Clarity Company, who offers unp...

🎙 Join us for another 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐬 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝-𝐮𝐩 🌿 In one of those rare occasions we find Ben and AnnaRae in one place at the same time, at the Vertosa HQ, before AnnaRae jets off on her next trip, we have much to catch-up on!🍺 California: Vape Gate Part Deux?👮 Maryland: Historic pardoning of 175,000 cannabis convictions☀️ Florida: The Cannabist exits the Sunshine State❌ 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: All things hemp, cannabis, and Farm Bill➕ Oh, and HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY TO US!!! (belated...oops)As alwa...

Curious about cannabis investment? Join us as we uncover the dynamic world of cannabinoid capital with Heather Molloy. Our adventure begins with a deep dive into the evolving regulatory landscape and its transformative impact on the industry. We then transition to the challenges and triumphs of managing a first-time cannabis-focused investment fund. Initially supported by a single family, Speedwell has successfully invested in promising companies like Garden Society, Terpene Belt Farms, ...

We kick off with insights from CANNRA, a thrilling event where regulators and industry leaders unite to tackle the pressing challenges in cannabis and hemp regulation. Hear firsthand accounts from AnnaRae and Ben about the local market dynamics and the need for robust legislation to steer the industry toward a prosperous future.This episode features the inspiring Wendy Berger, a board member at Green Thumb Industries (GTI) and an ardent supporter of women entrepreneurs. Wendy shares her remar...

Prepare to unlock the secrets of California's cannabis retail market with our special guest, Lauren Carpenter, CEO and co-founder of Embarc. Through her unique journey from MedMen to SweetFlower to leading Embarc, Lauren offers unparalleled insights into the bustling hubs of Los Angeles and Oakland, as well as the challenges and opportunities of opening and operating in more restrictive areas. Plus, catch-up with AnnaRae and Ben on recent conversations around Europe, a potential new book club...