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 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱…

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 ligh…

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 h…

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, an…

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…

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 professional…

🌱🎙️ 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…

🌿🎙️ 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 di…

🌿 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 Associat…

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 ex…

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 …

🌿 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 …

🎙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 ea…

🌿 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 polic…

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 challen…

🌿 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 b…

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 renown…

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 …

🎙 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 Cann…

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…

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 featur…

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 op…

Unlock the complexity of hemp legislation's ever-changing landscape with the help of Michelle Bodian from Vicente LLP, who joins hosts AnnaRae and Ben in their exploration of new Farm Bill language and state level policy. In this whirlwind of an episode, we analyze the seismic shifts rocking the hemp industry. Brace yourself for a ride through the …

Discover the future of the cannabis industry through the eyes of Ian Dominguez from Delta Emerald Ventures. From the perplexing world of PPP loans to the seismic shift anticipated with Biden's Schedule 3 announcement, this episode is a journey through the current state of the cannabis industry. We're not just talking politics; we're breaking down i…

Chris Jackson of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus joins us to shed light on the fascinating and, at times, tumultuous world of the cannabis industry. Amid the buzz of finance and policy, we zero in on the unexpected resilience of smaller cannabis firms against their behemoth counterparts. The wide-reaching implications of shifts in policy infl…

Celebrate with us as we pop the cork on High Spirits' 41st episode and our brand new look, toasting to a groundbreaking shift in cannabis policy reform. Ben and AnnaRae guide us through the DEA's landmark decision to reschedule cannabis. You won't want to miss the insights gained from the recent draft of the Farm Bill and the vital discussions on t…

Embark on a journey into the heart of cannabis brand expansion with us, Ben Larson and AnnaRae Grabstein, as we unravel the story of Kiva's bold foray beyond the Golden State. With the guidance of Colin Keeler from Kiva, we dissect the intricacies of spreading a rooted brand into new markets and the fresh challenges of the burgeoning hemp sector. T…

Experience the fusion of cannabis culture and community as AnnaRae and Ben engage with Joyce Cenali, COO of Sonoma Hills Farm and Big Rock, in a deep-rooted discussion on the nuances of California craft cannabis. We traverse Joyce's fascinating journey from growing for personal use, to deploying capital through Big Rock, and back to the fields of f…

Unlock the secret to thriving in the cannabis industry through the power of ESOPs, without getting tangled in the tax web of 280E. Ben Larson and AnnaRae Grabstein, with the acumen of Darren Gleeman, bring you a timely tax season symphony that harmonizes the potential of Employee Stock Ownership Plans with the cannabis sector's unique challenges. A…

Discover the seismic shifts in the hemp THC retail sphere and the implications of a national market in our latest deep dive with David Gonzalez. As Total Wine and DoorDash venture into THC beverages, we peel back the layers on the political and societal impacts of this move, emphasizing the triumphs in low-dose hemp accessibility while advocating f…

Discover how the tides are turning in America's heartland as we navigate through the unexpected 'red wave' of cannabis legalization with Hirsh Jain, an incredibly seasoned cannabis strategist. In our lively discussion, we examine the churning political currents within states like Missouri, where traditional conservative views are being eclipsed by …

Discover the thrill and potential of the THC beverage market as we uncork the secrets behind a sparkling $10 million investment fund with Aaron Edelheit. Our spirited conversation with Aaron will not only pour you a glass of industry insights but will also reveal how he transitioned from trading small-cap stocks to betting big on cannabis-infused d…

Unlock the transformative strategies of retail excellence with Krista Raymer, the visionary behind Vetrina Group, as she joins AnnaRae. Together, they delve into the art of data-driven decision-making, pinpointing why focusing on your top revenue-generating customers can supercharge your business. We're not just celebrating International Women's Da…

Leap into the intricacies of cannabis regulation with us as we celebrate a special leap year episode of High Spirits, featuring the powerhouse duo of Gillian Shauer, PhD, Executive Director of CANNRA, and Nicole Elliott, Director of the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) in California. Prepare to have the veils lifted on the complexities that sta…

Join Ben Larson on a solo flight through High Spirits, as we navigate the ever-evolving cannabis landscape with industry luminaries Jocelyn Sheltraw and Claudio Miranda. Get ready to unravel the intricacies of cannabis consumerism, from the birth of Budist—a game-changing social review and rating platform—to the seismic shifts happening with brands…

When passion meets innovation, magic happens. Just ask Dr. Harold Han, Ben's partner at Vertosa and the maestro behind some of the most pioneering infusion technologies in the cannabis space. This episode isn't just a peek into the lab where homogenous and stable infused products are born; it's a heart-to-heart with the man whose influence extends …

Join Ben Larson and Anna Rae Grabstein for a spirited recount of CannaDataCon 2024 in Miami, where the mingling of cannabis industry titans led to a rich harvest of insights. Imagine a world where savvy discounts don't just cut costs; they build brand loyalty and encourage adventurous trials of new products. We toast to the innovation bubbling up i…

Embark on a voyage through the world of cannabis distribution with our esteemed guest, Will Brophy, COO of Nabis, who unveils the secrets of managing the ebb and flow of the wild world of cannabis in California. As AnnaRae and Ben Larson chat with Will, they dive into how Nabis is reshaping the distribution model by empowering brands to take charge…

It's Ben's birthday bash of an episode, and we're unwrapping the complexities of DEI, ESG, and CSR within the cannabis sector, with New Jersey's recent advancements serving as our case study. The brilliant Chirali Patel of Blaze Responsibly graces us with her insights, illuminating her influential work on expungement initiatives that both navigate …

Hosts Ben Larson and AnnaRae Grabstein dive into the heart of the hemp revolution as we navigate the intricate waters of Minnesota's march towards cannabis legalization. Discover the strides made in the medical cannabis program, the booming hemp industry, and the anticipated arrival of adult-use cannabis. With Laura Monn Ginsburg and Leili Fatehi f…

Embark on this hemp-infused adventure with Ben & AnnaRae as we ring in 2024 with a burst of enthusiasm and a treasure trove of insights from the cannabis and hemp frontier. Promising an episode that will peel back the layers of the industry's legal landscape, we chat with Bob Hoban and Xavier Jaillet, whose expertise ignites a robust discussion on …

Strap in as we take you through a rollercoaster ride of market trends, legal battles, and news stories that defined 2023 and what Ben & AnnaRae believe it all means for 2024. From the interplay of live music and cannabis culture to the fiscal health of public companies, we've got you covered. We cover the broad topics of Finance, market Dynamics, C…

Discover how the world of cannabis is being reshaped by AI, with our revelatory exploration into the industry's most cutting-edge technology. Before diving into all things AI, join Ben and AnnaRae as they weigh-in on the buzz around Snoop Dogg’s Do It Fluid and Dr. Carl Hart's passionate advocacy for critical thinking in drug policy. We're joined b…

Are you ready to unlock the fascinating science of terpenes in cannabis and hemp? Hosts Ben Larson and AnnaRae bring the latest cannabis industry updates and delve into an engaging discussion with our esteemed guest from a leading terpene research company. We unravel the enigma that is terpenes, examining their potential benefits, their impact on y…

Grab a seat and prepare for a 360-degree view into the world of cannabis branding and marketing, as we welcome the CEO of leading cannabis brand Old Pal, Rusty Wilenkin. Rusty shares the rollercoaster ride of his professional journey, leading us from the bustling streets of New York to the vibrant West Coast. We dive into Rusty's successful creatio…

We're live in Las Vegas for MJBizCon 2023 and giving you the realtime update with some surprise guests. Join Ben and AnnaRae as they welcome Michael Cooper from MadisonJay Solutions and Chris Lindsey from ATACH. We discuss the main takeaways from the week and the general sentiment felt in and out of the conference and the numerous events surroundin…

The Gratitude Episode! Ever wondered why cannabis sales escalate during Thanksgiving week? Turns out, Green Wednesday, the day preceding the holiday, is one of the biggest revenue-generating days for dispensaries. Join AnnaRae and Ben as they discuss how this trend is shaped by consumers' desire for cannabis treats over the long weekend or as a cop…

Meet Erin Gore, the powerhouse behind Garden Society, a California-based brand and manufacturer that's making waves in the cannabis industry, and now expanding into Ohio and New Jersey. With an impressive background in chemical and biological engineering, and a track record of topping the charts of women in cannabis, Erin brings a wealth of knowled…

Picture this: You're standing in a liquor store in front of a new display. Instead of bottled beer and wine, you're looking at cannabis-infused beverages. Intrigued? So are we! This week, we're taking you on a journey through the unexpected twists and turns of big beverage companies like Boston Beer Company making their mark on the cannabis industr…

Ever wonder why cannabis delivery and many MSOs are missing from Washington State's cannabis industry, and how none of the operators in the market are carrying an AR balance? Tune-in as AnnaRae Grabstein and Ben Larson embark on an in-depth journey to uncover the fascinating dynamics of Washington's unique cannabis market, with special insights fro…