Clones, tissue culture, gen-zero cloning—cultivation science dictates both the health, effects, and financial return on each cannabis plant. This week, we’re diving deep to understand how these techniques work and why they’re game-changers for the cannabis industry.
We sit down with Kristian Andreassen from Conception Nurseries to explore:
Gen-zero vs. gen-one
Impact on genetic resets on yield & quality
Conception Nurseries’ commitment to breeder rights
With over 100 million visits a year, 1.3 million product reviews, and millions of orders, Leafly stands at the unique crossroads of cannabis consumers, brands, and retailers. Navigating the diverse challenges across states, highlighting brand leaders, and adapting to shifting consumer needs, Leafly’s content flywheel isn’t just powerful—it’s predictive. By harnessing insights from every digital interaction, Leafly crafts timely, relevant content that educates consumers at every stage of their journey.
This week, we sit down with Leafly CEO Yoko Miyashita to discuss:
How the content flywheel works
Leafly’s value to the cannabis ecosystem
Educating consumers and tackling new markets
Key Topics Discussed
Yoko’s background and how she found her way into the cannabis industry (00:01:22)
The importance of compliance and regulation in the legal cannabis industry (00:04:28)
How Leafly aims to educate consumers and connect them with retailers/brands (00:07:04)
Challenges around data, product information, and the consumer experience (00:09:50)
Leafly’s relationship and initiatives with budtenders (00:11:19)
Navigating the differences between hemp and cannabis products (00:37:07)
Emerging consumer trends and the future outlook for the industry (00:58:35)
“Diplomacy is the art of letting someone else have your way.” — Daniele Vare
Are we underestimating the role cannabis could play in shaping global influence?
U.S. brands have historically had global appeal, but could cannabis open the door to new trade opportunities and strategic value on an international scale?
Who will lead these global negotiations when the U.S. is still struggling with a state-by-state approach?
Can state-level influence accelerate global change, and what would the timeline for such a shift look like?
This week, we sit down with Hirsh Jain to explore these critical questions and more.
Cannabis Shifting Global Policies
Key Red States to Watch
The Role of Soft Power in Shaping International Cannabis Policy
Key Topics Discussed:
Hirsh’s background and journey into the cannabis industry (00:02:06 – 00:06:05)
The United States’ potential to influence global cannabis policy and legalization (00:06:41 – 00:14:32)
The importance of state-level legalization progress in the U.S. and its impact on federal action (00:14:44 – 00:18:28)
Predictions on key states to watch for future legalization efforts (00:18:29 – 00:20:01)
The role of hemp products and their impact on the cannabis industry (00:38:22 – 00:45:04)
The responsibility of the cannabis industry and public health authorities to educate on cannabis (00:45:19 – 00:49:10)
Hirsh’s “dream smoking session” with three historical figures (00:49:18 – 00:50:31)
Hirsh’s contrarian view that regulators need to be held more accountable (00:50:37 – 00:51:20)
The potential for the U.S. to leverage cannabis legalization for strategic international alliances (00:51:48 – 00:53:26)
About Hirsh Jain
Hirsh Jain is the Founder of Ananda Strategy, a strategy consultancy which advises leading cannabis brands, retailers, ancillary technology businesses and venture capital funds in the United States, Canada and Western Europe. Hirsh also serves as Vice Chair of the Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, which aims to promote the common interests of cannabis businesses by advocating for sound public policy and facilitating collaborations between cannabis operators. In addition, Hirsh is on the Board of Directors of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) in California, which for fifty years has been working to reform California’s cannabis laws. Prior to working in cannabis, Hirsh was the Global Policy Lead at Airbnb in San Francisco. Before that, he worked as an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company in New York City. Hirsh has a B.A. in Philosophy from UC Berkeley, and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.
Humbling… How many times have we thought catalysts were on the way, only to find out at the last minute it was just a pawn or a negotiation tactic?
The question remains for optimists like myself: Is the thesis still intact? Yes, but the timing was off. A hard lesson learned—never count on DC for simple, sound decisions on a reasonable timeline.
Let’s revisit the thesis.
Gone are the days of unicorns, but we’re now in a phase where challenges persist, and change could come quickly. Optimist Bryan is still holding on.
How do you balance emotional attachment with a clear perspective on the investment thesis, recognizing these businesses are moving in the right direction and poised to explode?
This week, we sat down with Jesse Redmond to revisit this thesis and explore exactly that.
Cannabis Investing: A Generational Opportunity?
Pick & Shovel Strategies vs. MSOs in Cannabis
Balancing Political Catalysts and Investment Approach
Topics Discussed:
Jesse’s background and path into the cannabis industry (00:02:05)
The current state of the cannabis investment thesis and opportunities ahead (00:06:18)
The potential impact of catalysts like Florida going adult-use and Schedule 3 rescheduling (00:09:37)
The relationship and dynamics between the cannabis and hemp industries (00:18:57)
Strategies for investing in the cannabis space, including ETFs and specialized companies (00:22:03)
The importance of understanding the “why” behind being involved in the cannabis industry (00:59:55)
Jesse’s predictions for the next 12 months in the cannabis market (01:04:14)
About Jesse Redmond is the Managing Director at Water Tower Research where I cover cannabis and natural products. Before this, I founded two hedge funds and a leading California cannabis collective. I began my career at Franklin Templeton, was an early employee of Fisher Investments, and spent a decade co-managing multiple hedge funds. In this role, I allocated more than $1 billion to hedge fund strategies and conducted more than 1,000 due diligence visits around the world.
In 2016, I founded a dispensary outside of Santa Barbara, California, that became number one in its region. In 2020, I founded Higher Calling Consulting, where he helped investors find the best cannabis investments. Through these experiences, I bring a unique perspective to the sectors I cover.
In addition to publishing written research, I’m the co-host of The Water Tower Hour and Higher Exchanges podcasts.
Our founders embarked on a journey to seek greater balance in their lives that took them from the Amazon rainforest, to the jungles of West Africa, to the ancient cultures of Asia, including transformational lessons from a respected spiritual guide in India.
This spiritual journey profoundly impacted them and taught them how people from different cultures have learned to live in harmony with the world and how plant based medicine like cannabis can lead to a life of optimal wellness.
KANHA reflects the way we see cannabis and its role in connecting the world around us, serving as a metaphor that expresses how cannabis offers a better life and a stronger community through your own personal journey to happiness. KANHA strives to lead you on a joyful journey with delicious, reliable edibles. As a leading edible brand in the nation, KANHA delivers delectable gummies in an incredible variety of dosages, effects and flavors — so that consumers can taste the bliss at every step of their journey.
We’re dedicated to carefully crafting our wide range of products using only all-natural ingredients and premium cannabis oil extracted from pesticide-free flower, resulting in a perfectly consistent, accurate and delicious dose every time.
Hemp beverages have exploded over the last 24 months, and they are likely the tip of the spear for broader cannabis reform, helping to normalize cannabis through a familiar form factor.
The opportunity to produce hemp-based products in a single facility and distribute them across state lines offers benefits throughout the supply chain, providing consumers with more cost-effective products—much like how global giants like Coca-Cola operate. However, the rules governing this are still very grey.
In contrast, regulated markets require brands like Keef to establish individual operations in each state, leading to massive capital expenditures and challenging returns, especially when confined to a single state’s population. Now, Keef sometimes finds itself competing with others—or even itself—as those who can distribute more broadly enjoy better unit economics without the burden of regulatory headaches and infrastructure costs.
Balancing these two models—considering the investments, the state of the market, and the opportunities at hand—is far from simple. Especially when you consider that Keef has been pioneering cannabis beverages for the past 14 years.
This week, we sit down with Erik Knutson to discuss:
Building a beverage brand in 2010
The differences between the regulated cannabis market and the hemp-derived market
Key manufacturing and strategy decisions
And much more
Chapters:
Introduction and Background (00:00:00) – The hosts introduce their guest, Eric Knutson, co-founder of Keef Brands, and discuss his early introduction to the cannabis industry in Colorado.
Keef Brands Origin Story (00:01:28) – Eric shares the story of how Keef Brands was founded, starting with their initial focus on cannabis-infused beverages and the challenges they faced in developing the manufacturing process.
Navigating Expansion and Licensing (00:07:46) – Eric discusses Keef Brands’ expansion efforts, the challenges of licensing their brand in different states, and the importance of vetting partnerships.
Regulated vs. Hemp-Derived Markets (00:27:26) – Eric explains the differences between the regulated cannabis market and the hemp-derived market, including the regulatory landscape, supply chain considerations, and Keef Brands’ approach to each.
Planning and Forecasting in a Rapidly Changing Industry (00:42:32) – Eric shares insights on the challenges of planning and forecasting in the cannabis industry, emphasizing the need for flexibility and caution when it comes to investments and production.
Advice and Closing (00:46:01) – Eric provides advice for first-time cannabis beverage consumers and shares where listeners can find more information about Keef Brands.
Born in Boulder, Colorado in 2010, Keef Brands is a leader in the cannabis beverage space with a suite of products that offer a new generation of consumers an alternative to alcohol and an innovative new way to celebrate, have fun and enjoy life.
