<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2241898/open_sms">Send us a text</a>Recorded live on December 5th from Las Vegas, this recording of &quot;This Morning in Cannabis Live&quot; 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 interviews with executives, attorneys, journalists, and scientists, offering insights into scaling cannabis businesses, navigating shifting policies, and driving product innovation. From the realities of launching new markets to the science of cannabinoids and the power of industry collaboration, this episode provides a comprehensive look at the evolving cannabis landscape.Guests and Timestamps:Kim Sanchez Rael (Azuca) Starts at ~2:06 Discusses Azuca’s growth, quality partnerships, ingredient branding, and the challenges of scaling in cannabis.Jason Tarasek (Vicente LLP) Starts at ~30:16 Covers Minnesota’s cannabis rollout, federal and state policy impacts, and the prospects for medical cannabis in Wisconsin.Jeremy Berke Arrives (Cultivated) Starts at ~52:00 Shares perspectives on industry trends, the capital crunch, and the role of journalism in cannabis.Rick Bashkoff (Lit Alerts) Starts at ~1:09:00 Explains how data is transforming cannabis business decisions and the need for industry-wide advocacy.Chris Emerson (LEVEL) Starts at ~1:22:00 Explores cannabinoid innovation, consumer education, and the challenges of multi-state expansion.Hosts: Jay Rosenthal, AnnaRae Grabstein, Jeremy Berke, Marc Hauser-- High Spirits is brought to you by <a href='https://www.vertosa.com/'>Vertosa</a> and <a href='https://wolf-meyer.com/'>Wolf Meyer</a>. Your hosts are <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminjlarson/'>Ben Larson</a> and <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/annarae/'>AnnaRae Grabstein</a>. Follow High Spirits on <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/company/96044317/admin/feed/posts/'>LinkedIn</a>. We&apos;d love to hear your thoughts. Who would you like to see on the show? What topics would you like to have us cover? Visit our website <a href='http://www.highspiritspod.com'>www.highspiritspod.com</a> and listen to all of our past shows. THANK YOU to our audience. Your engagement encourages us to keep bringing you these thought-provoking conversations. Remember to always stay curious, stay informed, and most importantly, keep your spirits high.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2241898/open_sms"&gt;Send us a text&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Recorded live on December 5th from Las Vegas, this recording of &amp;quot;This Morning in Cannabis Live&amp;quot; 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.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The episode features in-depth interviews with executives, attorneys, journalists, and scientists, offering insights into scaling cannabis businesses, navigating shifting policies, and driving product innovation. From the realities of launching new markets to the science of cannabinoids and the power of industry collaboration, this episode provides a comprehensive look at the evolving cannabis landscape.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Guests and Timestamps:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Kim Sanchez Rael (Azuca)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Starts at ~2:06&lt;br/&gt;Discusses Azuca’s growth, quality partnerships, ingredient branding, and the challenges of scaling in cannabis.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Jason Tarasek (Vicente LLP)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Starts at ~30:16&lt;br/&gt;Covers Minnesota’s cannabis rollout, federal and state policy impacts, and the prospects for medical cannabis in Wisconsin.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Jeremy Berke Arrives (Cultivated)&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/b&gt;Starts at ~52:00&lt;br/&gt;Shares perspectives on industry trends, the capital crunch, and the role of journalism in cannabis.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Rick Bashkoff (Lit Alerts)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Starts at ~1:09:00&lt;br/&gt;Explains how data is transforming cannabis business decisions and the need for industry-wide advocacy.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Chris Emerson (LEVEL)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Starts at ~1:22:00&lt;br/&gt;Explores cannabinoid innovation, consumer education, and the challenges of multi-state expansion.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Hosts:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Jay Rosenthal, AnnaRae Grabstein, Jeremy Berke, Marc Hauser&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;--&lt;br/&gt;High Spirits is brought to you by &lt;a href='https://www.vertosa.com/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Vertosa&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href='https://wolf-meyer.com/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Wolf Meyer&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Your hosts are &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminjlarson/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ben Larson&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/annarae/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;AnnaRae Grabstein&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Follow &lt;b&gt;High Spirits&lt;/b&gt; on &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/company/96044317/admin/feed/posts/'&gt;LinkedIn&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;We&amp;apos;d love to hear your thoughts. Who would you like to see on the show? What topics would you like to have us cover? &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Visit our website &lt;a href='http://www.highspiritspod.com'&gt;www.highspiritspod.com&lt;/a&gt; and listen to all of our past shows.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;THANK YOU&lt;/b&gt; to our audience. Your engagement encourages us to keep bringing you these thought-provoking conversations. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Remember to always stay curious, stay informed, and most importantly, keep your spirits high. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us a text 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 feature...

#117 - Live from Las Vegas with Cultivated Media & Cannabis Musings Part 2

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2241898/open_sms">Send us a text</a>Recorded Live on December 3rd from Las Vegas, this special episode of &quot;This Week in Cannabis&quot; 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, from regulatory hurdles to product innovation and community building.Guests and Timestamps:<ul><li>Thomas Winstanley (Edibles.com) Starts at ~2:08 Discussion on hemp-derived THC, federal policy, and the future of edibles and consumer access.</li><li>Vahan Ajamian (High Tide) Starts at ~23:23 Insights on High Tide’s expansion into Germany, the dynamics of the German cannabis market, and international retail strategy.</li><li>John Prentice (JointCraft, &quot;Pre-Roll King of Canada&quot;) Starts at ~39:39 Covers the evolution of pre-roll manufacturing, scaling production, quality control, and the importance of specialization in cannabis business.</li><li>Chris Casacchia (Journalist, Cultivated/MJBiz) Starts at ~1:14:03 Explores the state of cannabis journalism, the impact of media coverage on the industry, and regulatory issues in New York and beyond.</li><li>Elisa Keay (K&apos;s Pot Shop, Toronto) Starts at ~2:01:51 Shares lessons from running a community-focused cannabis retail store, navigating licensing, competition, and building customer loyalty.</li></ul>Hosts: Jay Rosenthal, Marc Hauser, AnnaRae Grabstein, Ben Larson, Jeremy Berke -- High Spirits is brought to you by <a href='https://www.vertosa.com/'>Vertosa</a> and <a href='https://wolf-meyer.com/'>Wolf Meyer</a>. Your hosts are <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminjlarson/'>Ben Larson</a> and <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/annarae/'>AnnaRae Grabstein</a>. Follow High Spirits on <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/company/96044317/admin/feed/posts/'>LinkedIn</a>. We&apos;d love to hear your thoughts. Who would you like to see on the show? What topics would you like to have us cover? Visit our website <a href='http://www.highspiritspod.com'>www.highspiritspod.com</a> and listen to all of our past shows. THANK YOU to our audience. Your engagement encourages us to keep bringing you these thought-provoking conversations. Remember to always stay curious, stay informed, and most importantly, keep your spirits high.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2241898/open_sms"&gt;Send us a text&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Recorded Live on December 3rd from Las Vegas, this special episode of &amp;quot;This Week in Cannabis&amp;quot; brings together industry leaders and insiders to discuss the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the cannabis and hemp sectors. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;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, from regulatory hurdles to product innovation and community building.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Guests and Timestamps:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Thomas Winstanley (Edibles.com)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;em&gt;Starts at ~2:08 &lt;/em&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Discussion on hemp-derived THC, federal policy, and the future of edibles and consumer access.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Vahan Ajamian (High Tide)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;em&gt;Starts at ~23:23 &lt;/em&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Insights on High Tide’s expansion into Germany, the dynamics of the German cannabis market, and international retail strategy.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;John Prentice (JointCraft, &amp;quot;Pre-Roll King of Canada&amp;quot;)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;em&gt;Starts at ~39:39 &lt;/em&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Covers the evolution of pre-roll manufacturing, scaling production, quality control, and the importance of specialization in cannabis business.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Chris Casacchia (Journalist, Cultivated/MJBiz)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;em&gt;Starts at ~1:14:03 &lt;/em&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Explores the state of cannabis journalism, the impact of media coverage on the industry, and regulatory issues in New York and beyond.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Elisa Keay (K&amp;apos;s Pot Shop, Toronto)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;em&gt;Starts at ~2:01:51 &lt;/em&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Shares lessons from running a community-focused cannabis retail store, navigating licensing, competition, and building customer loyalty.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Hosts:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Jay Rosenthal, Marc Hauser, AnnaRae Grabstein, Ben Larson, Jeremy Berke&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;--&lt;br/&gt;High Spirits is brought to you by &lt;a href='https://www.vertosa.com/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Vertosa&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href='https://wolf-meyer.com/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Wolf Meyer&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Your hosts are &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminjlarson/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ben Larson&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/annarae/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;AnnaRae Grabstein&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Follow &lt;b&gt;High Spirits&lt;/b&gt; on &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/company/96044317/admin/feed/posts/'&gt;LinkedIn&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;We&amp;apos;d love to hear your thoughts. Who would you like to see on the show? What topics would you like to have us cover? &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Visit our website &lt;a href='http://www.highspiritspod.com'&gt;www.highspiritspod.com&lt;/a&gt; and listen to all of our past shows.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;THANK YOU&lt;/b&gt; to our audience. Your engagement encourages us to keep bringing you these thought-provoking conversations. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Remember to always stay curious, stay informed, and most importantly, keep your spirits high. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us a text 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...

#116 - Live from Las Vegas with Cultivated Media & Cannabis Musings Part 1

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2241898/open_sms">Send us a text</a>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 operators eyeing long-term positioning, Texas remains a massive, underdeveloped prize where patience, compliance, and local partnerships can compound. Minnesota faces a different pressure: the looming federal hemp THC ban embedded in a congressional minibus. The state’s hemp-derived THC market—thousands of retailers and strong consumer buy-in—could be gutted overnight. The governor is exploring rapid rulemaking, carve-outs, and potential court challenges to protect businesses until adult use retail is fully stood up. How Minnesota responds may become the national playbook for preserving economic activity amid federal whiplash. Virginia looks ready to convert legalization on paper into real stores. A bill targeting adult use sales in 2026 would finally establish a regulated retail framework, address social equity, and balance political priorities after years of stalls and illicit market growth. If it moves, Virginia could become the first Southern state with full adult use, forcing regional recalculations and opening a high-potential market. And California turns the screws on packaging. With a new top regulator and CalRecycle implementing SB54, brands must enroll in a PRO, report packaging at the SKU level, plan for recyclability and compostability by 2032, and meet aggressive plastic recycling targets. Expect cost shifts, supplier consolidation, and innovation in materials, especially for vapes and multi-layer plastics. The winners will treat compliance as strategy, integrating sustainability into brand and supply chain decisions. Headed to Vegas? Come say hi at the High Spirits Morning Mixer on Thursday. If this breakdown helped you navigate the noise, follow, share, and leave a quick review—what state move should we unpack next?-- High Spirits is brought to you by <a href='https://www.vertosa.com/'>Vertosa</a> and <a href='https://wolf-meyer.com/'>Wolf Meyer</a>. Your hosts are <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminjlarson/'>Ben Larson</a> and <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/annarae/'>AnnaRae Grabstein</a>. Follow High Spirits on <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/company/96044317/admin/feed/posts/'>LinkedIn</a>. We&apos;d love to hear your thoughts. Who would you like to see on the show? What topics would you like to have us cover? Visit our website <a href='http://www.highspiritspod.com'>www.highspiritspod.com</a> and listen to all of our past shows. THANK YOU to our audience. Your engagement encourages us to keep bringing you these thought-provoking conversations. Remember to always stay curious, stay informed, and most importantly, keep your spirits high.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2241898/open_sms"&gt;Send us a text&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;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 operators eyeing long-term positioning, Texas remains a massive, underdeveloped prize where patience, compliance, and local partnerships can compound.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Minnesota faces a different pressure: the looming federal hemp THC ban embedded in a congressional minibus. The state’s hemp-derived THC market—thousands of retailers and strong consumer buy-in—could be gutted overnight. The governor is exploring rapid rulemaking, carve-outs, and potential court challenges to protect businesses until adult use retail is fully stood up. How Minnesota responds may become the national playbook for preserving economic activity amid federal whiplash.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Virginia looks ready to convert legalization on paper into real stores. A bill targeting adult use sales in 2026 would finally establish a regulated retail framework, address social equity, and balance political priorities after years of stalls and illicit market growth. If it moves, Virginia could become the first Southern state with full adult use, forcing regional recalculations and opening a high-potential market.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;And California turns the screws on packaging. With a new top regulator and CalRecycle implementing SB54, brands must enroll in a PRO, report packaging at the SKU level, plan for recyclability and compostability by 2032, and meet aggressive plastic recycling targets. Expect cost shifts, supplier consolidation, and innovation in materials, especially for vapes and multi-layer plastics. The winners will treat compliance as strategy, integrating sustainability into brand and supply chain decisions.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Headed to Vegas? Come say hi at the High Spirits Morning Mixer on Thursday. If this breakdown helped you navigate the noise, follow, share, and leave a quick review—what state move should we unpack next?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;--&lt;br/&gt;High Spirits is brought to you by &lt;a href='https://www.vertosa.com/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Vertosa&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href='https://wolf-meyer.com/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Wolf Meyer&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Your hosts are &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminjlarson/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ben Larson&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/annarae/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;AnnaRae Grabstein&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Follow &lt;b&gt;High Spirits&lt;/b&gt; on &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/company/96044317/admin/feed/posts/'&gt;LinkedIn&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;We&amp;apos;d love to hear your thoughts. Who would you like to see on the show? What topics would you like to have us cover? &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Visit our website &lt;a href='http://www.highspiritspod.com'&gt;www.highspiritspod.com&lt;/a&gt; and listen to all of our past shows.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;THANK YOU&lt;/b&gt; to our audience. Your engagement encourages us to keep bringing you these thought-provoking conversations. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Remember to always stay curious, stay informed, and most importantly, keep your spirits high. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us a text 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 winn...

#115 - Holiday Hiatus & High Spirits News

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2241898/open_sms">Send us a text</a>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 • lessons from retailers and distributors who want the shelf to stay • a pragmatic path: low-dose through three tiers, higher dose in cannabis channels • why beverages won’t simply shift to illicit markets or dispensaries • what data, packaging, and age-gating standards could secure legitimacy • the role of investors, timelines, and state-level regulators • scenarios for compromise without collapsing innovation If you&apos;ve enjoyed this episode, please stop, like, subscribe, share, do all the things -- High Spirits is brought to you by <a href='https://www.vertosa.com/'>Vertosa</a> and <a href='https://wolf-meyer.com/'>Wolf Meyer</a>. Your hosts are <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminjlarson/'>Ben Larson</a> and <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/annarae/'>AnnaRae Grabstein</a>. Follow High Spirits on <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/company/96044317/admin/feed/posts/'>LinkedIn</a>. We&apos;d love to hear your thoughts. Who would you like to see on the show? What topics would you like to have us cover? Visit our website <a href='http://www.highspiritspod.com'>www.highspiritspod.com</a> and listen to all of our past shows. THANK YOU to our audience. Your engagement encourages us to keep bringing you these thought-provoking conversations. Remember to always stay curious, stay informed, and most importantly, keep your spirits high.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2241898/open_sms"&gt;Send us a text&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;• why hemp-derived THC drinks resonated with mainstream shoppers&lt;br/&gt;• how a funding bill rider created the new 0.4 mg per package limit&lt;br/&gt;• why fragmented advocacy loses to unified, well-funded lobbies&lt;br/&gt;• lessons from retailers and distributors who want the shelf to stay&lt;br/&gt;• a pragmatic path: low-dose through three tiers, higher dose in cannabis channels&lt;br/&gt;• why beverages won’t simply shift to illicit markets or dispensaries&lt;br/&gt;• what data, packaging, and age-gating standards could secure legitimacy&lt;br/&gt;• the role of investors, timelines, and state-level regulators&lt;br/&gt;• scenarios for compromise without collapsing innovation&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;If you&amp;apos;ve enjoyed this episode, please stop, like, subscribe, share, do all the things&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;--&lt;br/&gt;High Spirits is brought to you by &lt;a href='https://www.vertosa.com/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Vertosa&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href='https://wolf-meyer.com/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Wolf Meyer&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Your hosts are &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminjlarson/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ben Larson&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/annarae/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;AnnaRae Grabstein&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Follow &lt;b&gt;High Spirits&lt;/b&gt; on &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/company/96044317/admin/feed/posts/'&gt;LinkedIn&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;We&amp;apos;d love to hear your thoughts. Who would you like to see on the show? What topics would you like to have us cover? &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Visit our website &lt;a href='http://www.highspiritspod.com'&gt;www.highspiritspod.com&lt;/a&gt; and listen to all of our past shows.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;THANK YOU&lt;/b&gt; to our audience. Your engagement encourages us to keep bringing you these thought-provoking conversations. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Remember to always stay curious, stay informed, and most importantly, keep your spirits high. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us a text 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-fund...

#114 - What Comes Next for Hemp THC Beverages w/ Martín Caballero, Managing Editor at BevNET.com

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2241898/open_sms">Send us a text</a>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 • regenerative farming practices and cost • navigating DCC rules and animal integration • brand positioning and diverse consumers • greenhouse tech for organic at scale • expansion via teaching and partnerships • wellness ethos, leadership, and discipline • affordability, SP34 donations, and unit economics • measured growth and a five-year vision Sign up to apply for an invite: highspiritspod.com/morning-mixer If you&apos;ve enjoyed this episode, please stop, like, subscribe, share, do all the things -- High Spirits is brought to you by <a href='https://www.vertosa.com/'>Vertosa</a> and <a href='https://wolf-meyer.com/'>Wolf Meyer</a>. Your hosts are <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminjlarson/'>Ben Larson</a> and <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/annarae/'>AnnaRae Grabstein</a>. Follow High Spirits on <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/company/96044317/admin/feed/posts/'>LinkedIn</a>. We&apos;d love to hear your thoughts. Who would you like to see on the show? What topics would you like to have us cover? Visit our website <a href='http://www.highspiritspod.com'>www.highspiritspod.com</a> and listen to all of our past shows. THANK YOU to our audience. Your engagement encourages us to keep bringing you these thought-provoking conversations. Remember to always stay curious, stay informed, and most importantly, keep your spirits high.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2241898/open_sms"&gt;Send us a text&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;• hemp policy shock and what it means for access&lt;br/&gt;• lessons for advocacy and industry unity&lt;br/&gt;• Darren’s path from blueberries to cannabis&lt;br/&gt;• WAM partnership and medical-first roots&lt;br/&gt;• OCAL certification and consumer education&lt;br/&gt;• regenerative farming practices and cost&lt;br/&gt;• navigating DCC rules and animal integration&lt;br/&gt;• brand positioning and diverse consumers&lt;br/&gt;• greenhouse tech for organic at scale&lt;br/&gt;• expansion via teaching and partnerships&lt;br/&gt;• wellness ethos, leadership, and discipline&lt;br/&gt;• affordability, SP34 donations, and unit economics&lt;br/&gt;• measured growth and a five-year vision&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Sign up to apply for an invite: highspiritspod.com/morning-mixer&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;If you&amp;apos;ve enjoyed this episode, please stop, like, subscribe, share, do all the things&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;--&lt;br/&gt;High Spirits is brought to you by &lt;a href='https://www.vertosa.com/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Vertosa&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href='https://wolf-meyer.com/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Wolf Meyer&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Your hosts are &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminjlarson/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ben Larson&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/annarae/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;AnnaRae Grabstein&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Follow &lt;b&gt;High Spirits&lt;/b&gt; on &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/company/96044317/admin/feed/posts/'&gt;LinkedIn&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;We&amp;apos;d love to hear your thoughts. Who would you like to see on the show? What topics would you like to have us cover? &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Visit our website &lt;a href='http://www.highspiritspod.com'&gt;www.highspiritspod.com&lt;/a&gt; and listen to all of our past shows.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;THANK YOU&lt;/b&gt; to our audience. Your engagement encourages us to keep bringing you these thought-provoking conversations. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Remember to always stay curious, stay informed, and most importantly, keep your spirits high. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us a text 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 educa...

#113 - From Blueberries To Regenerative Cannabis: How Coastal Sun Built A Profitable, Planet-First Brand w/ Darren Story

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.

High Spirits: The Cannabis Business Podcast

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