High Spirits: The Cannabis Business Podcast

280E isn't just a cannabis problem anymore. If the federal hemp ban passes, liquor stores, distributors, and beverage brands could be staring down a tax nightmare they never planned for. In this episode, hosts Ben Larson and AnnaRae Grabstein sit down with Nick Richards, Partner and Tax Attorney at Greenspoon Marder LLP, to unpack the chaotic intersection of cannabis, hemp, and federal taxes. From Trulieve’s $100M+ tax refund playbook to the looming threat of 280E crushing the hemp beverage m...

Is the multi-million dollar Florida cannabis license dead? How is New York handling millions in unpaid retail debts? This week, the market is serving up harsh financial realities alongside some surprising data wins. AnnaRae brings her sharp operator's edge to This Week in Cannabis Live. Joining Jay Rosenthal, Jeremy Berke, and Marc Hauser, the crew dissects the most disruptive headlines impacting cannabis operators, retail dynamics, and state-level policy. What You’ll Learn: Teen Use Hits R...

While the cannabis industry fixates on the slow drip of domestic legislation, the real momentum might be hiding in executive actions and international political shifts. Are you paying attention to the right signals, or just the loudest ones? In this episode, Ben Larson and AnnaRae Grabstein sit down with Jason Adelstone, attorney at Harris Sliwoski, to unpack the complex realities of international cannabis markets and US federal rescheduling. They break down how a global surge in right-leanin...

Is the cannabis industry getting in its own way? With shifting legislation, political action committees playing both sides, and an impending supply chain crunch, the divide between hemp and marijuana has never been more contentious. In this episode, Ben Larson flies solo while AnnaRae is out, welcoming Chris Fontes, Founder and CEO of High Spirits Beverages and President at U.S. Hemp Authority. Chris brings his polite but blunt perspective to unpack the hypocrisy of cannabis political funding...

Is a cannabis contract truly enforceable in federal court? The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals just delivered a ruling that sent shockwaves through the industry—and sent operators rushing to review their legal agreements. In this episode of This Week in Cannabis Live, High Spirits hosts Ben Larson and AnnaRae Grabstein join Jeremy Berke and Jay Rosenthal of Cultivated and Marc Hauser of Cannabis Musings to break down the massive legal precedents, regulatory hurdles, and market shifts altering th...