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High Spirits

Author: AnnaRae Grabstein and Ben Larson

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Hosts Ben Larson and AnnaRae Grabstein serve up unfiltered insights, reveal their insiders' perspectives, and illuminate transformative ideas about the cannabis industry for people who want to make sense of it all.


43 Episodes
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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 eye of a legislative storm, with our guest's seasoned insights guiding us through the implications for everyone from small farmers to bold investor...
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 investment strategies, consumer trends, and the hemp beverage boom that's got even the big players like Curaleaf taking a sip.As we wrap this episod...
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 influence and industry reform are at the forefront of our discussion, offering a glimpse into the current maze of the cannabis business landscape.Ventu...
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 the Senate's latest legalization bill. Let's raise our glasses to the trailblazers and the continuing support of our vibrant listener community - th...
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. Tune in and gain insight into the strategic partnerships and carefully curated product suites that have propelled Kiva's presence from California to...
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 farming, uncovering the organic movement's influence on cannabis and the unique terroir that sets California apart. Unpacking the hustle of event se...
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. As we navigate the vibrant landscape ranging from solar eclipses to surges in beverage trends, our conversation turns to the strategic utilization o...
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 for continued strides in cannabis decriminalization. We also analyze how the convergence of hemp and cannabis under potential new regulatory framewo...
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 progressive cannabis policies. This wave isn't just making waves; it's rewriting the playbook on industry growth and political discourse in regions...
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 drinks. As we tour through cannabis culture at events like the Budist launch party and Hall of Flowers, you'll get a taste of how THC is blending wi...
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 Day; we're drawing inspiration from the pioneering women of the cannabis industry, including Krista's trailblazing team. Step inside the competi...
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 state regulators face in the shadow of absent federal guidance, and discover how the human element shapes an industry at the crossroads of growth...
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 like Kiva Confections and Curaleaf. This episode is your backstage pass to the strategies, companies, and people shaping the market.Embark on a se...
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 far beyond emulsion chemistry, touching the very fabric of our personal and professional lives with love and gratitude.Navigating the cannabis indu...
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 in hemp-derived cannabinoid beverages, with marketers now skilfully quenching the digital thirst on platforms where traditional cannabis marketing w...
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 of their sales cycles while they handle the heavy lifting of logistics. This episode promises to give you the insider’s perspective on nurturing b...
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 and shape New Jersey's legal cannabis landscape. Her fiery dedication to community and legal advocacy is a beacon guiding the industry towards a mo...
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 from Blunt Strategies sharing their firsthand experiences from the 'Minnesota is Ready' campaign, this episode offers a unique glimpse into the legi...
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 the economic forces and policy shifts shaping hemp and cannabis' future. As we dissect the Farm Bill's fine print, we shed light on the mi...
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, Cannabis vs. Hemp, Federal Policy Changes, and the various Legal Battles plaguing the industry. Finally, we opine on what it all means for 2024.A...
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