• BEST OF Insights into National and International Market Trends with Kelly Nielsen

    Insights into National and International Market Trends with Kelly Nielsen today on NCIA's Cannabis Industry Voice only on Cannabis Radio. Kelly is the Vice President of Insights and Analytics with BDSA. She leads the Insights and Analytics team and engages with clients to generate insights from a vast quantity of data to make informed business decisions and drive results. Together with her team, she works with manufacturers, retailers, and investors to deliver unmatched insights and analytics to drive their businesses forward. Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, BDSA is the premier global cannabis market research firm helping businesses improve revenues, reduce innovation risk, and prioritize market expansion. We start by talking broadly about the cannabis movement which is beyond national and now global.



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    17m | Aug 29, 2023
  • BEST OF Harnessing Terpenes, Sensory Effects + Replacing Opioids

    Harnessing Terpenes, Sensory Effects + Replacing Opioids with Eybna, Nadav Eyal today on NCIA's Cannabis Industry Voice with Bethany Moore only on Cannabis Radio. Nadav Eyal is the CEO and Co-Founder of Eybna, a pioneering cannabis technology company, and terpene manufacturer headquartered in California and R&D Center in both Colorado and Israel. Nadav's professional background is rooted in the field of data science. Nadav has long been passionate about botanical medicine and how it can offer a more effective medicinal treatment than pharmaceutical products.



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    19m | Aug 15, 2023
  • BEST OF The Future of Social Equity and Interstate Commerce

    The Future of Social Equity and Interstate Commerce with Mark Slaugh from NCIA’s DEI Committee today on NCIA’s Cannabis Industry Voice. CEO and owner of iComply, Mark works in the specialist sector of compliance for the medical, retail, and hemp industries and has over 13 years of experience in cannabis industry development, consulting, and operational compliance and over 22 years experience in regulations and risk management. He is a qualified expert witness on cannabis compliance and regulations in Colorado. iComply provides operational compliance services and validation of over 200 cultivation, manufacturing and processing, and dispensing facilities since 2011, and iComply consults for a variety of communities, organizations, and governments.

    We dive into the intersection of DEI issues and how interstate commerce plays into that. First, we define what interstate commerce is and why the industry as a whole wants to achieve this. We talk about how social equity licensees and operators going to be impacted when federal legalization finally happens and we have some form of interstate commerce available to the cannabis industry. So currently in our 36 states with legal medical cannabis and 18 with adult use, most if not all have some form of social equity program giving black and brown business owners more equality in our industry. We talk about what’s working so far currently, as well as where it falls short.

    Mark Slaugh is a leading niche asset for the dynamic cannabis market worldwide. His innovative work in cannabis compliance, regulatory affairs, policy monitoring, political reform, and social justice reflects an extensive understanding of cannabis, its benefits, and its social transformation from illicit “vice” to a legal substance under licensing and regulation. Mark progressively works to move this new market forward at political, policy, and operational levels. He represents objective knowledge about cannabis and its economic, social, and political implications on society as a trusted resource for the media, marijuana businesses, and governments. He regularly speaks at National and International conferences on topics regarding policy, market development, and operational cannabis compliance. All today on The Future of Social Equity and Interstate Commerce with Mark Slaugh, DEI Committee on NCIA’s Cannabis Industry Voice.



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    18m | Jul 26, 2023
  • BEST OF Emerging Markets and Data Compliance with Chad Bronstein

    Emerging Markets and Data Compliance with Chad Bronstein of Fyllo today on NCIA's Cannabis Industry Voice with Bethany Moore only on Cannabis Radio. Chad Bronstein is the founder of Fyllo and brings expertise gained during a career leading the sales and marketing teams of some of the largest businesses in advertising, media, and technology. His experience leading large-scale acquisitions, venture fundraising, strategic partnerships, and corporate exits has resulted in the scaling of several startups into national leaders. Under Chad’s leadership, Fyllo has revolutionized marketing technology for highly regulated industries, allowing the most ambitious cannabis, CBD, and consumer brands to overcome the complexities of compliance at scale.



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    20m | Jul 12, 2023
  • Securing The Future of Cannabis Through Standardization

    Mr. Black is an accomplished and results-driven analytical chemist, Material Scientist, and Quality Manager/Engineer. With over 35 years of experience practicing quality engineering and management, working in manufacturing, R&D, working as a food safety scientist and Preventive Control Qualified Individual (PCQI), practicing as a cGMP consultant in Cannabis, and Quality/Process Consultant for the sports equipment PPE industry. 

    He is the Principal Consultant for CK Black Group providing GMP services to the cannabis and food industries, Sports Equipment PPE regulations/quality systems, and auditing services.

    Mr. Black is currently the Chairman of ASTM D37.06, the Personnel Training, Assessment, Credentialing in Cannabis subcommittee. Throughout his 19 years of experience working with ASTM, Mr. Black has been the technical contact and principal author of 9 ASTM standards



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    28m | Jun 26, 2023
  • Navigating Legal and Regulatory Challenges in Both Emerging and Established Cannabis Markets

    Justin M. Brandt is Founding Partner at Bianchi & Brandt. He blends nearly a decade of business litigation experience with business-development savvy, setting the course for Bianchi & Brandt’s top-down, holistic support of licensed cannabis operators. In addition to overseeing the firm’s litigation practice and daily operations, he excels in proactive risk management and business transaction strategy. 

    He has been named Top 40 Under 40 Rising Stars by Marijuana Venture and Top 40 Under 40 by the Phoenix Business Journal, receiving notable recognition as a cannabis attorney and business leader.

    Bianchi & Brandt was founded in 2019 and is a full-service Arizona-based law firm specializing in the burgeoning cannabis and psychedelic industries. Partners Laura Bianchi and Justin Brandt have a combined 24 years of experience balancing the irregularities of state versus federal legalities largely unknown to other attorneys. 

    The firm has served as a strategic partner to more than 500 clients to date and not only assists with legal matters but is also an expert at risk management, compliance, M&A, expansion, real estate, and human resources issues that present unique challenges in highly regulated industries.



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    27m | Jun 19, 2023
  • Risks for New License Holders in New East Coast Cannabis Markets

    Isaac Bock has served as a member management/ executive team of AlphaRoot for the last 2+ years. Prior to helping spin AlphaRoot, Isaac was a leading member of the Customer Success (renewal/client advisory) team of Founder Shield, which is the company AlphaRoot was initially founded. He brings 6+ years of cannabis-specific experience and 8 years of client advisory work. 

    Isaac earned his Master’s in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics from the University of Maryland and graduated with Honors from the University of Pennsylvania. He holds his Associate in Risk Management (ARM) credential, which he earned during his first year as a professional. 

    We get into what’s happening at the state level, starting with New York, which has seen criticism for its slow roll-out of adult-use licenses. With that, there’s some frustration around that. We talk about what Isaac sees as an important thing for new dispensary license holders to understand and keep in mind as they launch in New York. 



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    29m | Jun 12, 2023
  • The Dispensary Experience – Inspiring Interior Design for Customers

    Melinda Yoo designs innovative, profitable, and award-winning cannabis retail dispensaries across North America. Her work is inspiring, her clients are notable and her vision for the cannabis industry is unparalleled. She leads her team thoughtfully through the creative and technical processes of creating unique retail experiences that are both jaw-dropping and profitable. 

    After over a decade at a traditional, residential interior design firm in Chicago, Melinda followed her curiosity to retail interior design and merchandising. She quickly fell in love with dispensary design and all the quirks and challenges that go with it. 

    Since then, she has grown and led Sungrown Studio and received press recognition for her magazine-worthy retail environments and thought leadership. Sungrown Studio was named Dispensary Design Master 2022 by mg Magazine. Melinda continues to design amazing retail stores that reflect her client's values and brands. 



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    26m | Jun 5, 2023
  • NCIA Cannabis Minority Report Sneak Preview-Diversity in Cannabis with Michigan’s Chris Jackson

    On this Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto: Chris Jackson, NCIA Board of Directors Vice Chair. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that cannabis brings to the reshaping of our nation and communities. We also provide our take on select news stories, in particular how these stories impact diverse communities. On this episode, Mike and Chris dive deep on the latest efforts to bring equity to Main Street Cannabis coast-to-coast. They highlight some of the successes in Chris's home state of Michigan while discussing ways that policy efforts have historically fallen short. Chris witnessed how cannabis prohibition directly impacted urban America and is dedicated to reversing the negative damage caused.

    He is a member of various state and local boards that contribute to economic power and initiatives to drive diversity and inclusion. Aside from serving as Vice Chair for the Board of Directors, Chris serves on the State Regulations Committee for the National Cannabis Industry Association and co-chairs its Diversity and Inclusion sub-committee. His knowledge spans the complex intertwining of governmental and business cannabis issues, while also remaining at the forefront of the pressing interstate commerce issues in cannabis. Chris serves in a number of capacities within organizations that have a direct impact on small businesses and the inclusion of people of color economically including: Cannabis Regulatory Agency – Michigan (DEI Workgroup, Racial Task Force Workgroup), Small Business Association of Michigan (Leadership Council, Legislative Workgroup), AQUME Foundation (Board Chair), Main Street Pontiac (Past President). We record live every Monday, on NCIA's LinkedIn Live, at 10am PT / 1PM ET. So be sure to tune in, as well as to subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms.



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    20m | May 30, 2023
  • Cannabis Bed and Breakfast – Merging Tourism & Hospitality

    Chris Chiari is a driven entrepreneur and award-winning film producer with a wealth of experience in corporate strategy and regional politics. Skilled in marketing and messaging, he has engaged exclusively with the cannabis industry since 2011 and is a tireless advocate for cannabis policy reform and fostering industry growth. 

    Chris is a former Deputy Director of Colorado NORML, serving for over eight years. When not working on The 420 Hotels portfolio, Chris likes to stay involved with grassroots advocacy and advancing social reform

    Chris owns and operates Denver’s historic Patterson Inn, the keystone of The 420 Hotels portfolio. As CEO, he uses his expertise in hospitality, operations, and community outreach to address the stigmas and ignorance that still exist around cannabis use while creating a unique and upscale environment for cannabis consumption. The 420 Hotels aims to be amongst the nation’s first hotel chains where guests will be able to consume cannabis onsite in legally licensed lounges. 



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    28m | May 15, 2023
  • Veterans and Cannabis Equity in New York

    Justin Battles is a passionate advocate for service-disabled veterans in the cannabis industry. After serving in the Army for 8 years, including time as an airborne infantryman and quartermaster chemical repairer, he was medically discharged due to knee injuries from his airborne service. This led Justin to pursue his interest in horticulture business management and cannabis studies.

    His journey in the cannabis industry began with growing his own cannabis for pain management, anxiety, and ADHD. He intends to apply for a microbusiness license to further expand his involvement in the industry. Justin serves as the Co-chair of the Veterans Committee of the Cannabis Association of New York (CANY), where he works tirelessly to help as many veterans as possible find success in the cannabis sector.

    His primary goal is to ensure that veterans have access to licenses, resources, funding, and affordable cannabis products in a fair and equitable industry. With a vision for the future that includes equal opportunities and access for service-disabled veterans, Justin Battles is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of those he serves.



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    27m | May 8, 2023
  • Advertising, Storytelling, and Content Marketing in the Cannabis Industry

    Ricardo Baca is a 20-year veteran journalist and cannabis futurist, widely respected in both modern media and drug-policy circles. He was appointed The Denver Post’s first-ever cannabis editor in 2013 and founded the news vertical The Cannabist, where he extensively covered the advent of the U.S. adult-use cannabis market and related issues around the world, as seen in the feature documentary Rolling Papers.

    Ricardo launched Grasslands: A Journalism-Minded Agency in 2016 to work directly with business leaders in highly regulated industries, from cannabis and psychedelics to spirits and healthcare. Grasslands is a journalism-minded marketing and public relations agency working with bold brands in cannabis and psychedelics.

    Named one of Fortune’s 7 Most Powerful People in America’s Marijuana Industry in 2016 and Marketer of the Year by AdCann in 2019, Ricardo has received numerous accolades for his trailblazing work.

    They talk about the challenges of advertising in cannabis, social media plays a crucial role in this. Recently Twitter sort of “opened up” some of the cannabis advertising capabilities so we dive into that and much more. 



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    30m | May 1, 2023
  • From Woodstock to Wall Street: Challenges in Cannabis Financing

    Andrew J. Kaye is a chief commercial officer at Sweet Leaf Madison Capital. He has been involved in all aspects of the financial services industry, working as a fund portfolio investment manager, investment banker, family office investor, and attorney. Kaye has worked with startups on their first raise and supported global enterprises undertaking billion-dollar stock offerings. He also has significant investment experience in the cannabis industry.

    Financing cannabis is a myriad of challenges. Not only raising capital for a federally illegal business but also regular banking issues for businesses that are regularly losing their bank accounts or struggling with those services. We talk about some other financial challenges cannabis businesses are facing.

    It’s an exciting but challenging industry, especially as each state operates independently due to the federal status, so we dive into how federal legalization would impact how states are operating in addition to solving what we call the cannabis banking crisis.



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    29m | Apr 10, 2023
  • Insight into New York State’s Cannabis Industry Framework

    Axel Bernabe serves as Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Director. Axel is responsible for standing up and overseeing all aspects of the Office of Cannabis Management. Prior to this position, Axel spent 6 years as chief health counsel to Gov. Cuomo, overseeing all legal and policy deliberations in the health portfolio. 

    As part of his cannabis responsibilities, he led the expansion of the medical program, directed the launch of the State's cannabinoid hemp program, and drafted and negotiated the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA).

    The New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) was established upon passage of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) in March 2021 to implement a regulatory framework for medical and adult-use cannabis and hemp in the state of New York. This includes but is not limited to production, licensing, packaging, marketing, and the sale of cannabis.



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    30m | Apr 3, 2023
  • Main Street Cannabis Returns to Washington, D.C. in May

    Last year we began to emerge from the restrictions of the pandemic and we were able to return to Washington D.C., but in the interim, we hosted some VIRTUAL LOBBY DAYS to fill the gap. And then returning in person, finally, in September last year, it was just like riding a bike, but with a few limitations. Mainly the security protocols for getting into the various House and Senate buildings, but things went mostly smoothly, so we discuss our guest's experience. 

    Some of our goals at Lobby Days have been consistent since Day One, which is generally educating Congress as to why cannabis should be federally legal, and of course, licensed business owners who want to see banking protections and 280E tax reform. 

    It’s important that we keep doing this work and keep adding to the conversation as it becomes more complex and sophisticated. We discuss the possibility of newer issues or topics that we’re bringing to Capitol Hill more recently or at this next Lobby Days event and much more.  

    Aaron Smith is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of the National Cannabis Industry Association, Prior to launching NCIA, Aaron distinguished himself as a public advocate for marijuana policy reform. First under the auspices of a California-based medical cannabis advocacy group, Safe Access Now in 2005, and then as the California state policy director for the Washington, D.C.-based Marijuana Policy Project until founding NCIA in 2010.

    Monica Gray is from Nice Guys Delivery and is also an NCIA Board member. Nice Guys Delivery was incorporated in 2016 by Monica Gray-Fong and her husband Adam Fong. Nice Guys Delivery is a knowledgeable, high-level delivery service that offers the highest-grade flowers, edibles, lotions, teas, tinctures, and more. The couple owns and operates Nice Guys Distribution and Nice Gals, a CBD online retailer. 



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    30m | Mar 27, 2023
  • "Balancing Regulations and Compliance in Future Federal Legalization - Verde Compliance Partners, Harry Bernstein "

    The cannabis industry certainly has a plethora of regulations to follow, so compliance is crucial. In fact, some operators like to joke that cannabis is “more heavily regulated than plutonium”. We talk about some of the complicated or challenging regulations already happening at the state level since it's currently illegal at the federal level.

    So that begs the question of the next stage or next step in all this, as we all look toward federal legalization. We dive into what they see happening on the regulatory side once that happens. Will the states that are more established with a cannabis market need huge changes, or will there be a smoother way to adapt to federal regulations? Harry Bernstein joins us today to discuss all this more!

    Harry Bernstein - executive director of Verde Compliance Partners. As general counsel of a beer and wine wholesale distributor for nearly two decades, Harry handled all legal matters including, contracts, franchise agreements, labor negotiations, as well as state and federal licensing and compliance. For the past 19 years, as an attorney, he has assisted individuals with health care matters and special needs including representing clients at federal administrative hearings at the Social Security Administration.

    Verde Compliance Partners is a national consulting firm focused on guiding clients through federal cannabis permitting and regulatory compliance. The firm prepares and navigates cannabis growers and processors through the regulatory, legal, and administrative requirements necessary to comply with current and future federal regulations. The team consists of senior-level experts with decades of experience consulting in federal, state, and local permitting, regulation, and compliance in the cannabis, alcohol, and tobacco industries. 



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    29m | Mar 6, 2023
  • Equity Financing Challenges and New York Insights

    Charlie Alovisetti is a partner at Vicente Sederberg and chair of the firm's Corporate Department. He is recognized by Chambers & Partners as one of the top cannabis lawyers in the United States and is the co-author of The Business of Cannabis: Understanding Law, Finance, and Governance in America’s Newest Industry (Routledge, 2020). 

    Prior to joining VS, Charlie worked as an associate in the New York offices of Latham & Watkins and Goodwin, where he represented public companies and private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies in a range of corporate transactions.

    “Receivership” - So bigger picture here, cannabis companies have a myriad of challenges in operations and financial issues, and banking. Some cannabis companies are finding it difficult to operate and keep their heads above water in a sustainable way for their businesses to survive. Considering 280E and banking issues, this is a tenuous situation so we dive into that and much more.



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    28m | Feb 13, 2023
  • The Complex World of Cannabis Payment Processing with Gary Strahle

    Gary Strahle is a Technical Architect with over a decade's worth of operational cannabis industry experience. 2023 NCIA Retail Committee Chairman. Avid surfer and golfer with a passion to help others.

    Cannabis Cloud - Applications, Consulting & Payments. Founded in 2015, providing service to over 2,500 cannabis businesses. 

    Specialized as a Salesforce Partner innovating industry standard solutions from seed to sale, Cannabis Cloud’s payments integrated Retail Point of Sale hosts a robust API for connecting external menus such as Weedmaps or Leafly, and much more.



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    28m | Feb 6, 2023
  • Under The Microscope: Cannabis Plant Genetics

    Angel is a plant scientist at UC Berkeley in plant genetics and molecular biology. He is also a recognized researcher and scientist specialist in plant genomics and molecular breeding. As our CEO, he is committed to delivering the promise of revolutionizing the Industry by applying all his knowledge, time, and effort to developing innovative solutions to break the barriers that growers and breeders face.

    MyFloraDNA is a genomic laboratory based in Sacramento California, delivering modern genomics for the Cannabis Industry. Services include Trait detection (cannabinoid profile and sex/gender ID), Pathogen Detection, and Genetic Validation Services.

    We start by looking into the microscope and taking a closer look at the cannabis plant, beyond even the terpenes and cannabinoids. Angel explains why the genetics of the cannabis plant is important, and what information we can get by looking at the genome of the plant.

    When we’re cultivating cannabis, we think about sunshine and water and the basics of agriculture, but there are clearly some very high-tech aspects to growing cannabis. Our guest defined the genetic makeup part of it. We dive into what is “molecular breeding” and how is it different from traditional or “classic” breeding of plants.



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    27m | Jan 30, 2023
  • The Legal Perspective of Constructing Cannabis Facilities

    On the construction side of the cannabis industry, before the facility or dispensary opens its doors before any plants are growing before any customers walk in the front door, is an important side to the whole process. After a certain number of years here of legal cannabis in the U.S., there are certainly some best practices, as well as best practices in all even non-cannabis construction, some DOs and DON’Ts that you've seen in this process.

    Andrew Halbert, a member of the firm’s Cannabis Law Practice Group, counsels clients on structuring, vetting, and closing purchases and sales of licensed cannabis businesses and provides guidance on regulatory compliance in Illinois and other states where cannabis has been legalized. He also advises clients in cannabis and other industries on a full range of corporate transactions, including debt and equity offerings and corporate governance.

    Ron Williams is a seasoned construction lawyer who has advised numerous businesses, including major players in the cannabis industry, on the legal, contractual and operational aspects of major construction projects throughout the U.S. and abroad. In short, Ron helps clients structure and implement construction agreements that mitigate risk and facilitate efficient, on-time completion of projects.



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    28m | Jan 23, 2023
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