Claim OwnershipHigh Spirits: The Cannabis Business Podcast
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© 2025 High Spirits: The Cannabis Business Podcast
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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.
118 Episodes
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On this special This Week in Cannabis episode Presented by Cultivated Media, High Spirits hosts Ben & AnnaRae join Jay & Jeremy from Cultivated and Marc Hauser of Cannabis Musings to break down the biggest cannabis policy story of the year: the federal push to reschedule marijuana to Schedule III. Recorded live just days after the announcement, this conversation cuts through the hype to examine what actually changes—and what still hangs in the balance—for cannabis, hemp, banking, and ...
This episode of High Spirits is a little different. Recorded live just days before a major federal shakeup, hosts Ben & AnnaRae dive headfirst into the state of cannabis media, policy uncertainty, and what survival really looks like heading into 2026. From the collapse of trusted cannabis journalism to bold predictions around Schedule III, hemp legislation, M&A, and THC beverages, this conversation captures the raw, unfiltered realities of an industry that refuses to die—even when no ...
Recorded live on December 5th from Las Vegas, this recording of "This Morning in Cannabis Live" brings together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and experts for candid conversations about the current state and future of cannabis and hemp. The hosts—Jay Rosenthal, AnnaRae Grabstein, Marc Hauser, and Jeremy Berke—guide discussions on rapid business growth, regulatory challenges, market innovation, and the importance of advocacy and data-driven decision-making. The episode features in-depth inte...
Recorded Live on December 3rd from Las Vegas, this special episode of "This Week in Cannabis" brings together industry leaders and insiders to discuss the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the cannabis and hemp sectors. We dive into federal policy, market expansion, retail innovation, and the evolving landscape of cannabis journalism. Featuring in-depth interviews with entrepreneurs, executives, and retailers, the episode offers a candid look at the state of the industry, ...
The mics take a breather, but the cannabis market doesn’t. We’re wheels up for MJBizCon and our High Spirits Morning Mixer on Thursday, and then straight to BevNET, while state and federal moves reshape the map from Texas to Virginia to Minnesota to California. We start with Texas, where regulators approved nine new medical licenses in a historically tight program. It’s a modest step with big implications: recognition that demand is outpacing capacity, but who will be the winners? For operat...
We unpack the 365-day clock facing hemp-derived THC beverages, why the category exploded, and how a policy rider vaulted prohibition-style limits into law. Martín Caballero of BevNet joins us to map realistic paths forward, where coalition power lives, and what compromises might actually work. • why hemp-derived THC drinks resonated with mainstream shoppers • how a funding bill rider created the new 0.4 mg per package limit • why fragmented advocacy loses to unified, well-funded lobbies • le...
We unpack the federal push to restrict hemp products, then turn to a grounded model for the future: regenerative organic cannabis. Darren Story from Coastal Sun shares how soil health lowers costs, why OCAL matters, and how compassion and affordability can scale. • hemp policy shock and what it means for access • lessons for advocacy and industry unity • Darren’s path from blueberries to cannabis • WAM partnership and medical-first roots • OCAL certification and consumer education • regenera...
We explore how local elections shape cannabis policy on the ground, then dive into the real map of cannabis patents with Dr. Ruth Fisher. She explains who holds the IP, why enforcement is scarce for now, and how one big verdict could change the industry overnight. • grounding in stoicism and local civic action • breaking news on recalls and lawsuits in New York and Florida • Dr. Ruth Fisher on 10,000+ cannabis patents and prior art • global patent holders across pharma, tobacco, academia, an...
We explore how hemp-derived THC beverages are redefining adult drinking, why big brands hesitate while startups build, and how “vice wellness” turns ritual into wellness-driven status. Jeff Cantalupo of Listen Ventures shares what gets a VC to yes, how portfolios form, and where retail wins. • consumer demand driving THC beverage mainstream adoption • integration of life lessons into leadership and team communication • news on lawsuits and AG letters shaping risk perception • why incumbents ...
We unpack why cannabis retail still can’t run on normal card rails, how debit and alternative payments increase average tickets, and what federal legality would actually change. Aubrey Amatelli of PayRio shares data, pitfalls, and a playbook for safer, smoother checkout. • why Visa and Mastercard rules block standard cannabis card payments • cashless ATM and debit as the current stable rails • 34% average ticket lift moving from cash to debit • 22–27% additional lift when adding credit optio...
We dig into the rise of THC beverages from dispensary side racks to big-box end caps, then peel back how Uncle Arnie’s raised $7.5M, built distribution state by state, and scaled a team while staying scrappy. Theo shares lessons on dosage, education, and why focused markets beat scattershot launches. • Target’s Minnesota pilot and retail data signals • Ohio’s 90-day hemp ban and policy risks • Uncle Arnie’s Series A and investor sentiment shift • Dispensary versus hemp channels by dosage • D...
We unpack how a federal shutdown freezes cannabis policy progress, why Michigan’s new 24% tax risks shrinking the legal market, and how a Vireo–Schwazze restructuring signals financial maturity. We close with a live “Ode to California” challenging protectionism and calling for true access and scale. • federal shutdown halting rescheduling, farm bill momentum and appropriations • behind the scenes lobbying dynamics during a pause • Michigan’s 24% wholesale tax and illicit market advantage • p...
We trace how a headline-grabbing CBD moment collided with the realities of cannabis policy, then dive into Levia’s rare founder buyback to unpack brand trust, dual-channel strategy, and what it takes to build consistent, safe, and truly approachable THC beverages. The conversation blends practical deal lessons, product innovation, and senior-focused education with a call for higher standards across hemp and regulated markets. • CBD spotlight from a US president and stock whiplash • Schedule ...
Elliot Lewis, CEO of Catalyst Cannabis and famously dubbed "the angriest weed CEO in California," pulls no punches in this revealing conversation about the state of California's cannabis industry. Having built Catalyst into one of California's largest retail chains with over 25 stores, Lewis speaks from experience when he describes the maddening reality of operating under excessive regulation and taxation. The conversation begins with Lewis reflecting on his journey from Berkeley student dur...
Marianne Cursetjee shares how she transformed from cancer patient to cannabis entrepreneur, building Alibi into a premium brand now expanding from Oregon to New York through strategic licensing partnerships. • Breast cancer diagnosis in 2015 led to discovering cannabis's healing potential • Built Alibi Cannabis in Oregon with a focus on premium indoor flower and adventure-focused branding • Butterfly imagery represents breaking down walls for true connection and community • Took five years o...
Cameron Clarke, CEO of Sunderstorm and the Kanha brand, shares his journey of building a global cannabis wellness brand and navigating the complexities of international markets. • Started in California in 2015, believing that success there would translate to success anywhere • Expanded nationally in 2019-2020 after becoming a top 10 brand in California • Entered Thailand in 2022, becoming one of the first Western cannabis brands in Asia • Pioneered nanotechnology in cannabis products ten yea...
Lulu Tsui, co-founder of On the Revel, shares her journey from Bloomberg to becoming the "Queen of New York Cannabis" and how she's building authentic community in the East Coast market. She reveals how New York's cannabis industry has developed its own unique business culture focused on directness, accountability, and community standards. • Raised in Eugene, Oregon by cannabis-friendly "aunties and uncles" after moving from communist China in 1979 • Started in tech in 1994, worked with Bloo...
Former NCIA CEO Aaron Smith shares his insights after 20 years leading cannabis policy reform, reflecting on the evolution from medical advocacy to today's complex marketplace and the challenges of federal reform. • The cannabis industry has seen remarkable progress over two decades, with support for reform growing from just two members of Congress to majorities in both chambers • Current regulatory structures represent a compromise, not the alcohol-style regulation originally envisioned by ...
Rama Mayo, co-founder of Hall of Flowers, shares how he transformed his experience in music, art, and fashion into creating one of cannabis's most respected trade shows focused on high-quality brand and buyer connections. • Building successful cannabis brands requires clear mission, vision, and values as foundation • The tension between "money people" and "cannabis operators" creates challenges that require mutual respect to overcome • Cannabis companies need both business expertise and plan...
A hundred episodes in, and the journey has only just begun. This milestone celebration of High Spirits offers a candid look into what we've learned about cannabis entrepreneurship, regulation, and the future of this evolving industry. When we first started recording our conversations with friends in the cannabis space, we couldn't have predicted the wealth of knowledge that would emerge. Now, as industry veterans share that our show has brought them hope during challenging times, we're remin...
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