Periodic Effects: Cannabis Business Podcast

As State markets mature, there is a lot of uncertainty on how cannabis will progress at the federal level. Will the federal government step in with control and influence over regulations? Or will they allow States to have autonomy over their markets? Our guest is Don Murphy, Director of Federal Policies at the Marijuana Policy Project. We discuss the STATES Act, MORE Act, SAFE Banking Act and what hurdles we still have to overcome. Link to Join Email List Community for insights we don’t share anywhere else.

Business focused episode. 2 topics, 1: How to approach budtender training to make more money and consumer-centric insights 2: What’s going on in Massachusetts? A State with high sales and very few businesses. Our guest is Winston Boney, Co-Founder of The Highly Educated, who previously filled multiple cannabis roles in several States. Link to Join Email List Community for insights we don’t share anywhere else.

There is a lot of competition in the matured cannabis markets, while most new markets will eventually reach saturation and increased competition. How can a dispensary stand out in such a crowded market? Our guest is Randa Shahin Larkin, Co-Founder of Home Grown Apothecary. We discuss strategies for differentiating dispensaries and brands. Link to Join Email List Community for insights we don’t share anywhere else.

Most cannabis consumers know that edibles & smoking produce very different results. But if new users don’t understand the different impacts of THC metabolism when eaten vs inhaled, it can lead to a negative experience! We’ll dive deeper into the science of how THC is converted into 11-OH-THC across consumption methods to help you communicate the difference in experience to customers. Link to [Periodic Budtender Sessions] FB Group One Article Discussed [1] “11-OH-THC: The High that Comes from Within Us” from Terpenes and Testing Magazine

As a budtender, you aim to provide the best customer experience & product choices. But this role requires a uniquely demanding skill set somewhere between a salesperson & a pharmacist - how do you successfully ride that line? We'll discuss 5 simple tips for educating yourself & customers that will set you up for successful interactions that naturally build customer trust. Link to [Periodic Budtender Sessions] FB Group One Article Discussed [1] “The Best Budtenders do these things really well” from Leafly

Is all “Full Spectrum” the same? There are many types of concentrates and extracts, but what makes them different? In this episode we simplify all the concentrates into 4 simple categories to better understand their different attributes and determine what cannabis product is best for you or your customers. Our guest is Educator Emma Chasen and this is Part 2 from Pe124. Link to Email List sign up “Join our Community” and get insights we don’t share anywhere else

Cannabis is one of the most complex plants on Earth, which is why it’s known to help with so many different use cases. As we discover more about the science of cannabis it becomes difficult to predict which products will work for different use cases. Our guest is Educator Emma Chasen and we discuss how the many compounds in cannabis could be useful for different effects and ailments. Link to Email List sign up “Join our Community” and get insights we don’t share anywhere else.

The vaping crisis prompted drastic responses from states to protect public health. But Oregon’s flavored vape ban has been met with lawsuits, as has the full ban in Massachusetts - where local government is wrestling federal corruption investigations for their treatment of the industry. Get caught up on what’s happening with the vaping crisis. Link to [Periodic Budtender Sessions] FB Group One Article Discussed [1] “Oregon Court Blocks State's Ban On Flavored Vape Products Containing Cannabis” from Oregon Public Broadcasting

Even with progress made on the state-level, federal cannabis prohibition remains a massive hurdle for businesses & consumers. A new motion by the House will create a bill to deschedule cannabis & provide equity to those effects by the War on Drugs, both landmark developments for the industry. Get updated on the potential push toward federal legalization & learn why we still have work to do to get there. Link to [Periodic Budtender Sessions] FB Group One Article Discussed [1] “US House panel passes federal cannabis legalization bill in historic vote” from Marijuana Business Daily

Consumers ask budtenders to suggest the highest quality cannabis. The indoor vs outdoor grow debate has raged for years, with both camps claiming their way is best - but which really produces better flower? We examine what "high-quality" means when it comes to cannabis, what indoor & outdoor can offer, and the limitations of both cultivation methods. One Article Discussed [1] “Outdoor vs Indoor Cannabis Cultivation” from Terpenes & Testing Magazine

The hardest part of running a successful cannabis company is the constantly shifting landscape. What worked last year might not work this year. Our guests are Carrie Solomon & Jody Ake, Co-Founders of Leif Goods and Greater Goods. We discuss their journey and insights on bootstrapping THC products in Oregon, going through a cannabis accelerator program, raising money and now launching a line of Hemp CBD products and Retail store front. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Hiring for Sales Account Manager for West Coast, also hiring for chocolatier soon, discussed at end of episode.

In a new study on vaping illness patients, the CDC has found the dangerous additive Vitamin E Acetate in all lung samples tested. This is good news for cannabis - so why does the media keep suggesting a link to THC itself? And could there still be other chemical culprits causing lung damage? We discuss the development of the ongoing vaping crisis & what hurdles must still be cleared to protect public health. One Article Discussed [1] “Breakthrough in CDC vaping illness investigation: Vitamin E acetate linked to THC may be to Blame” from CNN

Sales and Distribution models aren’t new, but applying them to cannabis (legally) are. How does a brand get on the shelf? Then cultivate relationships and reputation? Then increase sell through rates? While being logistically efficient with distribution costs? Our guest is Alexi Cashen, CEO & Co-Founder of Elenteny Imports and we discuss those items while predicting the future of imports, exports and interstate commerce.

One Article Discussed [1] “High Times Fires Seattle DOPE Magazine Employees” from Ganjapreneur

For those of us working in our states’ legal cannabis programs, it seems absurd that cannabis is still federally illegal. Like many controversial American institutions, cannabis criminalization is supported by several powerful players with corrupt motivations to prevent legalization.  We discuss the key interest groups who view cannabis as an enemy to their business, how they’ve lobbied to prevent its legalization, and why these motives seem corrupt to true cannabis believers.    One Article Discussed [1] “Meet the Special Interests Keeping Marijuana Criminalized” from Foundation for Economic Education

With Cannabis marketing being so restrictive, how do brands get creative and gain exposure? Our guest is Kirk Evans, Co-Founder of Sherpa, a digital marketing agency. We discuss insights for leveraging SEO and Websites to create foot traffic in dispensaries, along with other digital strategies for brands and product companies.

Working in a dispensary requires a very specialized skill set, so owners often like to promote from within.  However, a good budtender doesn’t always automatically make a good manager - support from upper management is vital to help newly-promoted budtenders succeed. We discuss coaching tips that managers can use to effectively advance the entire dispensary team toward professional & personal fulfillment.    One Article Discussed [1] “Dispensary Managers: Tips to Being a Successful Leader” from MJ Hybrid Solutions

Being a budtender is a game of balancing priorities - your main goal is to provide customers with the right products for their needs & budget, but you must also make money for your dispensary to be successful.  You may be tempted to recommend a cheaper product, or “downsell”, as a way to satisfy the customer - but this tactic is harmful not only to your dispensary’s bottom line, but to the customer’s experience too! Learn what downselling is, why you should avoid it at all costs, and other tactics to gain customer trust without mentioning prices. No Article Discussed - Selling Tips shared from Budtenders like You!

Cannabis Retailers are battling oversaturation with multiple competitors in walking distance. When consumers have so many shops to choose from, how does a Retailer stand out? Some are starting to differentiate themselves by switching to Effects-Based merchandising and education. Today’s guest is Bruce Caruso, General Manager for Green Oasis. We discuss how Bruce stopped selling on Sativa & Indica and what it’s doing for the bottom line.

Dispensaries are plentiful in legal cannabis markets - how do you as the budtender create a great customer experience that ensures repeat visits? One key element is cultivating cannabis product knowledge. Your wealth of knowledge not only advances your personal career, it can also help increase sales in your dispensary significantly. Discover the positive ripple effects that your educational consumer interactions can have on the industry at large.  One Article Discussed [1] “How Cannabis Knowledge can mean more Sales for your Dispensary” from MJ Hybrid Solutions