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GrassRoots Marketing curates thought-provoking dialogue with an exclusive class of thought leaders who will offer high-end round table business strategies and solutions that seek to prune and harvest great ideas in each 30-minute episode. We will also explore the landscape of the states seeking to legalize and their coming initiatives. Thought leaders in the cannabis industry convene here to share some of their best practices and protocols. Let’s chart the growth of this burgeoning industry - one of the world’s premier cash crops.
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Alex Anderson, co-founder and CEO of Skyworld and a member of the Tuscarora Nation, was interviewed about the New York-based indigenous cannabis brand. Skyworld is rooted in the "Skyworld" creation story and operates with a "human forward" approach dedicated to creating the best possible experience from staff to product. Anderson highlighted the brand's high-profile marketing collaboration with NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony on the "Hall of Flame" flower line, describing it as an honor that provided an unparalleled platform to elevate the indigenous voice. He discussed Skyworld’s mission to deepen its presence in New York’s licensed cannabis market, highlighting the significant economic and community benefits Indigenous nations contribute. He also spoke to the parallel tribal-side work of leaders like Jay Randolph on the Shinnecock Reservation, emphasizing shared purpose and collective progress.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Jay Randolph Wright, store manager for Little Beach Harvest, detailed the dispensary's operations under the Shinnecock Indian Nation's Cannabis Regulatory Division, emphasizing its independence from New York State's OCM and its focus on tribal cultivation and community advocacy, with 4% of revenue supporting the Shinnecock Nation. We highlighted the limited tribal involvement in the national cannabis market, while Jay noted Little Beach Harvest's product offerings, competitive pricing, and ongoing efforts to ensure product quality and sustainability for the tribe. The Shinnecock Nation is prioritizing the growth of cannabis operations and other sustainability initiatives over casino development.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Grassroots Marketing welcomed MacKenzie McClain Hill, the founder of the BIPO owned CBD-powered beauty and wellness brand LumiBloom, for a recording session, where MacKenzie discussed how the discipline from their elite athletic background translates into entrepreneurship. MacKenzie detailed the Lumi Sport line's focus on deep recovery and natural pain management using CBD and CBG, which includes products like a pain relief stick, soothe stick, bath salts, and pain spray, and emphasized that LumiBloom is a lifestyle brand promoting inclusivity and empowering women across areas like beauty, pain relief, energy, and focus. MacKenzie also recommended specific Lumi Bloom products, such as tinctures for stress management and the soothe stick, body scrubs, shower steamers, and bath bombs, as holiday gift options.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Spherex Chief Revenue Officer Ryan Hunter discussed the company's significant market demand, evidenced by $250,000 in back orders. He outlined a holistic, consumer-product-focused marketing approach that moves beyond traditional dispensary pop-ups to include building strong relationships with retail staff and hosting large consumer-facing events, such as a 700-person Halloween roller skate party.Hunter detailed Spherex's strategy to compete with illicit and unregulated hemp products by offering safer alternatives across a range of price points. He also addressed the financial challenges in the cannabis industry due to the lack of traditional banking, which necessitates immediate reinvestment of retail revenue into inventory like hardware and raw cannabis. Key product successes covered were the proprietary, defect-free 4-gram XVapes cartridge and a popular sleep gummy featuring Rishi mushrooms. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Kristin Rogers, co-founder of LEVIA, details the company's decision to reacquire the cannabis beverage brand from MSO Air Wellness. The decision was driven by the competitive pressure from the unregulated hemp market, which the smaller, private LEVIA can now address by pivoting faster than the MSO. Kristin outlined plans for expansion into other regulated markets and leveraging the hemp market to provide broader access to their products. She also voiced serious concern over a campaign to repeal the legal cannabis industry in Massachusetts, emphasizing that such a move would result in significant job and financial losses. LEVIA's current product strategy includes its popular 5-milligram THC seltzers and the newly introduced, higher-dose 1,000-milligram drink drops, which are available in over 200 Massachusetts stores.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Maui Boyz, a North Carolina dispensary, recently celebrated its one-year anniversary, showcasing substantial growth in customer base and revenue. The dispensary has successfully integrated a "Maui vibe" into its operations, offering a laid-back, positive atmosphere and treating customers as "ohana" (family). Founder James Bowersox discussed the impact of North Carolina's Senate and House Bill 328, which introduces age restrictions and packaging changes. Manager Wes Carter reported increased customer flow and a growing interest in hash and medicinal edibles, particularly among older clientele. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Gigli is a THC-infused beverage recognized as one of the 20 "best non-alcoholic beverages of the year" at a 2025 international non-alcoholic competition.Kam Talebi, Gigli founder and CEO, attributed their success to focusing on taste, and emphasizing their "good for you" approach, including being alcohol-free, gluten-free, vegan, all-natural, and under 80 calories.We also discuss market expansion, product formulation, support for market regulation and dosage standards, and health benefits of their products.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Grassroots Marketing welcomed SANLight Senior Agricultural and Technical Account Manager Allison Zervopoulos. Allison discussed SANLight, an Austrian company that specializes in LED grow lights. Their products, including the Evo, Evo Compact, and Sticks series, are optimized for cannabis cultivation efficiency and consistent cannabinoid expression, thanks to an R&D license for cannabis-specific testing. SANLight is committed to sustainability by minimizing electricity usage and HVAC needs, offering customized lighting solutions based on PPFD goals, and providing comprehensive client support for seamless integration and scalability.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Jasmine Johnson, CEO of GŪD Essence, is a black female pioneer in the cannabis industry. She discussed the importance of blending hospitality with cannabis, advocating for precise cannabis terminology, and Good Essence's strategy for creating black generational wealth through employee ownership, partnerships, and expansion into apparel, lifestyle, and wellness. GŪD Essence is also planning new store openings in Clearwater, Jacksonville, and Orlando.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
XRpure is a company specializing in cannabis decontamination using X-ray technology, emphasizing its cold process and minimal impact on cannabinoids.Jeff Adams and Joseph Bancheri detailed the company's expansion into Canada through a partnership with Strangford Consulting, viewing it as a strategic move for international growth due to Canada's federal legalization and ease of product movement.They also discussed the X-ray decontamination process, the differences between the XR12 and XR16 machine models, public perception of cannabis decontamination, and XRpure's leasing program.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Grassroots Marketing welcomes Theo Terris, CEO of Uncle Arnies, a rapidly growing THC and hemp-infused beverage brand, recently closed a $7.5 million Series A funding round to accelerate national expansion.Theo details Uncle Arnie's growth strategy, which included dominating the California market before expanding into 10 new states, securing partnerships with major retailers like Total Wine and Circle K, and relaunching their website to boost e-commerce. Theo also outlines Uncle Arie's diverse product line, emphasizing their commitment to great-tasting, fast-acting, and affordable THC beverages.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Drew Cesario, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Jaunty, to the podcast, discussing Jaunty's strategy for maintaining its top-selling vape brand status in New York through strong retail partnerships and a focus on sales velocity. Drew detailed Jaunty's approach to scaling in the New York cannabis market, navigating regulatory challenges like the delayed seed-to-sale tracking system, and ensuring a reliable supply chain. He also discussed their future-proofing strategy beyond vapes, focusing on R&D and innovation to compete in the evolving market.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Jeffrey Miller, CEO of Honey Projects, joined Grassroots Marketing, to talk about Honey Projects' focus on small-batch, independent cannabis brands, advocating for conscious leadership and integrating storytelling from their documentary background into the cannabis industry. Miller also discussed the company's vision to bridge adult-use cannabis with psychedelic-assisted wellness, predicting a medical model for psychedelics while leveraging cannabis's current legal status to build infrastructure for conscious use and advocacy. Main talking points included award confidentiality, introductions, storytelling in cannabis, Honey Projects' cultivation approach, supporting smaller brands, bridging cannabis and psychedelic wellness, and the future of cannabis and psychedelics.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Jennifer Gierum, Founder and CEO of High Life Health, elaborated on their dispensary's unique approach in the competitive New York cannabis market, emphasizing a commitment to quality, safety, and consumer education by providing resources like lab reports. Jennifer also discussed how their background in acting and modeling contributes to redefining the narrative around cannabis by starting a reality TV show featuring their family's journey in the industry, and addressed community concerns in New Rochelle by highlighting the dispensary's contributions to the ongoing revitalization through tax revenues and charitable donations. Jennifer also discussed the challenges of combating the illicit cannabis market in New Rochelle, navigating the licensing process as a woman-owned equity license dispensary, and describing High Life Health's diverse product range aimed at educating and evolving customers.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
The MJ Bowl, a new bi-coastal cannabis competition, launching at MJBizCon, with Emilie Lewis (Senior Vice President at MJBiz) highlighting its significance in the industry's evolution towards consumer and product quality, and Jocelyn Sheltraw (co-founder and CEO of Budist) emphasizing fostering connoisseurship. The competition will feature five categories, judged by Budist expert critics and consumers via the Budist app, with winners announced at MJBizCon in Las Vegas. The MJ Bowl will feature five categories: flowers, pre-rolls, concentrates, edibles, and vapes. Judging will be led by Budist expert critics using a standardized rubric, with winners announced at MJ BizCon in Las Vegas. Consumers will also participate by rating and reviewing products through the Budist app via consumer judging kits.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Upling, a medical cannabis delivery app, is set to officially launch Bud-E, an AI integration designed to provide personalized cannabis recommendations. Bud-E aims to optimize cannabis infusion by combining personal health data, patient feedback, and genetic insights, transforming strain selection into a science-backed process. Speaking to Colin Fraser, founder of the first Black-owned delivery-focused cannabis app, Bud-E functions as a precision medicine tool that analyzes a user's endocannabinoid system to match it with plant genetics, similar to 23andMe. Currently in beta testing, Bud-E addresses user trust by offering survey options and community-curated recommendations. A full launch is planned for October. Colin developed the app and the idea for Bud-E after caring for his mother during her cancer diagnosis.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Lulu Tsui, co-founder and Chief Experience Officer at On the Revel, discussed the upcoming Revelry Festival in New York City, a two-part event designed to expand the consumer cannabis market and address industry challenges. The festival includes an invite-only Buyers Club on September 12th for vetted operators and brands to conduct business, and a public festival on September 13th at Pier 36. This public event will feature around 200 cannabis brands, music, food, cultural speakers like Black Thought, Chef Nikki, and Scotty Beam, and performances by Angel and Dren, Dos Flakos, and Phony People. On the Revel, a homegrown New York organization since 2016, secured Pier 36 after a year of effort, becoming the first cannabis event to utilize the venue. Lulu Tsui emphasized the festival's focus on community, user experience, and adapting to New York's unique market, where 70-80% of cannabis operators are social equity or minority-owned.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Jamey Grosser, Founder and CEO of Pour Me Bev discusses the profound impact of the proposed 2026 Farm Bill on the hemp industry, highlighting its potential redefinition of hemp to include total THC and a ban on synthesized cannabinoids, which poses an existential threat to the over $8 billion industry. He reveals hidden provisions within the appropriations bill that would further undermine the industry and explains how increasing state-level regulation, while necessary, complicates interstate commerce due to potential federal illegality. Grosser also draws parallels between the historical moonshine industry and the evolving THC beverage market, addressing challenges in federal versus state regulation and crucial taxation issues within the burgeoning sector.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Grassroots Marketing features an exclusive interview with the incomparable Rohan Marley, a dynamic entrepreneur, former Miami Hurricane football sensation, and an esteemed scion of the iconic Marley family. As the visionary co-founder of Lion Order, a proprietary cannabis brand now proudly available at Goldflower Cannabis, Rohan discussed the brand's profound connection to the spirit of Rastafari and the enduring legacy of his revered father, Bob Marley. He delved into Lion Order's compelling philosophy and its deep roots in South Florida, highlighting Goldflower Cannabis's significant community impact. The conversation underscored the critical role of influential figures in championing cannabis legalization, while also exploring the Marley lineage's powerful message of unity and love, the pervasive cultural influence of Bob Marley's music and groundbreaking biopic, and the vital importance of preserving Miami's rich local culture.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Weed, an AI-powered, decentralized Web3 well-being platform, and founder Darin Phillips detailed its "uncensored and unfiltered" approach, providing personalized insights from petabytes of data. Phillips discussed their licensing-based commercialization strategy, highlighting a significant partnership with Khalifa Kush for global expansion, and explained their plans for community engagement through a decentralized ecosystem and a robust cryptocurrency, "weed," developed by an experienced team. Phillips also addressed the challenge of redefining the word "weed" from its negative connotations to represent well-being, citing inspiration from DJ Saul and Liquid Death, and outlined future plans including a Weed-branded beverage line launching in Q4 in Texas and Florida.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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