In this episode of Thinking Outside the Bud, host Bruce Eckfeldt interviews Jason Ambrosino, founder and CEO of Veterans Holdings. Jason shares his journey from Army officer to cannabis entrepreneur, discussing his personal experience with cannabis as an alternative to VA medications. He delves into the challenges of entering New York's cannabis market, the founding of Veterans Hemp Market, and his company’s mission to provide affordable, accessible cannabis products for veterans. Jason also offers insights into the current state of the New York cannabis industry, its rapid growth, and his strategies for staying competitive and adaptable in a dynamic market.

In this episode of Thinking Outside the Bud, host Bruce Eckfeldt interviews Max Majot, expert grower at Royal Queen Seeds. Max shares his journey into the cannabis industry, beginning with his early exposure to tribal cannabis cultivation in New Caledonia and his passion for the plant’s therapeutic benefits. He discusses Royal Queen Seeds’ innovative approach to cannabis breeding, particularly their focus on F1 hybrids, which offer greater consistency and quality in cannabis cultivation.

In this episode of Thinking Outside the Bud, host Bruce Eckfeldt interviews David Kostiner, CEO and Co-Founder of Lumenary, and Robbie Schneider, Inventor and CTO. David and Robbie share the story of their innovative journey in the cannabis industry, highlighting the development of the Beam laser vaporizer—a cutting-edge device that leverages laser technology to offer a purer, healthier vaping experience. They discuss the challenges of pioneering this new technology, the meticulous process of prototyping and perfecting the product, and their strategy to position the Beam as a game-changer in the market. The conversation also touches on their plans for future product developments, the importance of safety in cannabis devices, and how they aim to revolutionize the industry with their technology-driven approach.

In this episode of Thinking Outside the Bud, host Bruce Eckfeldt interviews Harrison Bard, Co-Founder of Custom Cones USA. Harrison shares his journey from working at Amazon to diving into the cannabis industry, driven by a passion for innovation. They explore the evolution of Custom Cones USA, from its humble beginnings selling custom-branded pre-rolled cones to becoming a leader in the pre-roll and packaging market. Harrison discusses the importance of quality control, compliance, and innovation in creating a wide variety of products for companies of all sizes. He also delves into the technical challenges and advancements in the industry, the growing trend of infused pre-rolls, and the company's approach to developing new products that enhance the consumer experience.

In this episode of "Thinking Outside the Bud," host Bruce Eckfeldt sits down with Tracey Lancaster Miller, Executive Vice President at Peake ReLeaf. Tracey shares her journey from academia to the cannabis industry, highlighting the early days of Colorado’s market and the lessons she brought back to Maryland. They discuss the founding of Peake ReLeaf, navigating the complex regulatory landscape, and the challenges of balancing medical and adult-use cannabis products. Tracey emphasizes the importance of patient advocacy, the evolution of Maryland’s cannabis market, and the critical role of teamwork in building a successful business. She also touches on the future of the industry, including the potential for expansion and the impact of changing regulations.

In this episode of "Thinking Outside the Bud," host Bruce Eckfeldt welcomes David Zelinger, a board member at CLS Holdings and founder of Canis Major Partners. David shares his journey from being a chef to working in finance, eventually transitioning into the cannabis industry. He highlights the compliance-heavy nature of both finance and cannabis sectors and discusses the opportunities and challenges in the evolving cannabis market, particularly in New York. The conversation covers the importance of scalable systems and procedures, the volatility of the market, and the strategic positioning within the supply chain to mitigate risks. David also touches on how different states' regulatory environments impact the industry's growth and the potential future federal developments in the U.S. cannabis market.

In this episode of "Thinking Outside the Bud," host Bruce Eckfeldt welcomes Alexandra Chong, CEO and Co-Founder of Jacana, a wellness company integrating cannabis, CBD, and psilocybin. They discuss Jacana's evolution from a tech founder to a cannabis entrepreneur, driven by Jamaica's rich botanical heritage. Alexandra highlights their journey, challenges in regulatory shifts, and strategic pivots, emphasizing values like sustainability and purity. They delve into Jacana's expansion, resilience amidst market changes, and their pioneering work with psilocybin in Jamaica's less regulated landscape. Alexandra outlines future prospects and strategic uncertainties, particularly in navigating global cannabis and psychedelics regulations.

In this episode of "Thinking Outside the Bud," host Bruce Eckfeldt engages in a conversation with Pankaj, a seasoned executive renowned for driving growth and innovation across diverse industries such as technology, cybersecurity, compliance, and SaaS. Pankaj's leadership roles in companies like McAfee, Compliance Online, and MentorCloud highlight his adeptness at scaling businesses, fostering revenue growth, and orchestrating successful exits. Notable for his strategic vision, Pankaj has transformed struggling enterprises into thriving ventures, earning recognition through prestigious awards. Moreover, his commitment to mentoring and advising startups underscores his passion for nurturing future business leaders. With a solid academic foundation and a wealth of experience, Pankaj assumes the role of President & CEO at Renaissance Park Corporation, where his strategic prowess and mentoring skills promise to navigate the challenges of today's dynamic business landscape effectively.

In this episode of "Thinking Outside the Bud," join host Bruce Heckfelt as he sits down with Kyle Loucks, Founder and CEO of RollPros, to explore the cutting-edge TruRoll technology revolutionizing the cannabis industry. Kyle shares his journey from engineering roles at tech giants like Hewlett-Packard to founding RollPros, driven by the mission to automate and elevate pre-roll production. Discover how RollPros' innovative approach is reshaping the landscape, delivering consistent, high-quality joints at scale while streamlining operations for cannabis businesses.

In this episode of "Thinking Outside the Bud" with Bruce Eckfeldt, Colton Keluche, Director of Marketing at Würk, shares insights into the challenges faced by cannabis businesses and how Würk provides tailored solutions. Colton discusses Würk's mission to normalize payroll and HR services, addressing state regulations and banking issues. He emphasizes scalability and tools for success, highlighting Würk's services across the employee lifecycle. Colton also previews Würk's upcoming initiatives, including data-driven empowerment and new product offerings, while considering the potential impact of federal legalization. This engaging discussion offers valuable insights into the evolving cannabis industry and Würk's role in supporting its growth.

In this episode of "Thinking Outside the Bud," Bruce Eckfeldt interviews Guillermo Rodriguez, a virtual CFO specializing in the cannabis industry. Guillermo shares insights into the complexities of cannabis accounting, discussing operational challenges, tax regulations, and the importance of strategic financial management. As they explore Guillermo's journey into the industry and his passion for health and wellness, listeners gain valuable insights into navigating the dynamic landscape of cannabis business.

In this podcast episode, Bruce Eckfeldt chats with Matha Figaro, CEO of ButACake, a cannabis edibles company. Matha shares her journey from culinary arts to cannabis entrepreneurship, discussing her motivation for entering the industry and her experience as one of the first black women to obtain a cannabis license in New Jersey. She talks about transitioning from selling butter cakes to edibles, navigating licensing challenges, and her product lineup, including peanut butter and jelly brownies. Matha emphasizes her commitment to affordability and social equity in the cannabis industry, concluding with excitement about launching New Jersey's first legal pot brownie.

In this podcast episode, Bruce Eckfeldt interviews Christine De La Rosa, CEO and co-founder of the People's Ecosystem and founding member of the People's Group. They delve into the world of cannabis and hemp, discussing the current state of the industry, recent developments, and future prospects. Christine shares her personal journey into the cannabis space, driven by her own health challenges and the transformative power of cannabis in her life. Christine highlights the importance of honoring the legacy of those who have risked much to provide cannabis as medicine. She emphasizes the need for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the cannabis industry, not only as a moral imperative but also as a business strategy to serve a broader range of consumers. The conversation explores the concept of the People's Ecosystem, a collaborative network of companies within the cannabis industry that work together to leverage resources and maximize impact. Christine discusses the challenges and opportunities in the hemp sector, including regulatory issues and the potential for direct-to-consumer sales via platforms like TikTok. Overall, the episode provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of the cannabis and hemp industries, highlighting the importance of community, innovation, and social responsibility.

In this podcast episode, Bruce Eckfeldt interviews Darren Gleeman, managing partner at MBO Ventures, about Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) in the cannabis industry. ESOPs enable owners to sell to employees without upfront capital, thanks to IRS subsidies, offering tax advantages like deferred capital gains tax and tax-free status. Structured as trusts, ESOPs allocate stock based on vesting schedules, promoting retention. While rare in cannabis due to awareness, successful implementations yield tax savings and employee benefits. Gleeman encourages exploring ESOPs as alternative exit strategies.

Filip is a seasoned marketing executive with a rich background in global companies like Coca-Cola, Molson Coors, and Anheuser Busch InBev. In August 2022, he transitioned to Lucid Green, a cannatech firm focused on streamlining the intricate supply chain and enhancing consumer trust in the cannabis industry. Leveraging his innovative mindset, Filip has become a sought-after speaker, participating in over 20 conferences as both a keynote speaker and panelist.

In this episode of "Thinking Outside the Bud," host Bruce Eckfeldt welcomes Brian Bergman, owner of the Law Offices of Brian Bergman, to discuss cannabis consumption lounges. They delve into the complexities of licensing, regulations, and the potential growth of the cannabis industry through social consumption. Brian shares insights into the evolution of cannabis legalization and the significance of public consumption. They explore various state approaches to consumption lounges, touching on licensing types and regulatory challenges. The conversation covers arguments for and against consumption lounges, including public safety concerns and the potential benefits for tourism. They also discuss the response of the liquor industry and the importance of public education to address stigma. Overall, the episode provides a thorough examination of the landscape of cannabis consumption lounges and the opportunities and challenges they present for businesses and regulators.

In this podcast episode, Bruce Eckfeldt interviews Izzy Kirsh, CEO of mode, a company specializing in innovative cannabis consumption devices. They delve into various aspects of the cannabis industry, exploring consumer trends, product innovation, and market challenges. Izzy opens up about his background in product design and technology startups, motivated by personal experiences with chronic pain. Despite facing funding challenges due to regulatory hurdles, mode successfully developed a sophisticated dosing platform integrated with a mobile app. They emphasize the importance of user-friendly design and catering to both medical and recreational users while maintaining a health-focused brand image. The conversation also touches on data collection for enhancing dosing recommendations and mode's ambitious vision for international expansion and potential diversification into related industries. Despite acknowledging marketing challenges, Izzy expresses unwavering optimism about the future of the cannabis industry.

In this engaging episode of Thinking Outside the Bud, Bruce Eckfeldt leads a captivating conversation with Paul Weaver, Director, Head of Cannabis at the Boston Beer Company. The episode centers on the cannabis beverage industry, exploring regulatory changes, market intricacies, and challenges inherent in entering the cannabis sector. Weaver shares his professional journey from the beer industry to leading product innovation at Canopy Growth Corp, eventually spearheading a cannabis R&D department for the Boston Beer Company and successfully launching their cannabis-infused iced tea, Tea Pot. Weaver emphasizes the social acceptability and powerful branding impact of cannabis drinks, incorporating personal anecdotes, insights into industry evolution, and considerations of potential competition with alcohol. The conversation covers critical factors such as flavor and potency stability, addressing both challenges and opportunities in crafting appealing cannabis products. Delving into disparities in cannabis and alcohol consumption, the dialogue explores onset times, potency variations, and the importance of responsible use. The episode provides valuable insights into the cannabis beverage market, highlighting the rise of rare cannabinoids and the significance of low-dose products. Weaver and Eckfeldt unravel the intricacies of consumer education, particularly regarding onset times and moderation, drawing parallels between public consumption in the cannabis and alcohol industries. The discussion concludes with a focus on branding strategies, where Weaver emphasizes the necessity of exceptional products and discusses challenges stemming from cannabis marketing restrictions. He introduces a double-sale approach to foster brand loyalty by targeting both consumers and budtenders. In its entirety, the episode offers a thorough exploration of the dynamic landscape of the cannabis beverage market, providing considerations for navigating regulations and expanding into diverse markets.

In this episode of "Thinking Outside the Bud," Bruce Eckfeldt, the host, welcomes two guests, Andrew DeAngelo, founder of Andrew DeAngelo Consulting, and Christopher Peak, SVP of Retail Development at ACV Consulting. The discussion revolves around the challenges and innovations in the cannabis industry, particularly focusing on new products and solutions. Andrew, with his background in the vertically integrated cannabis company, Harbor Side, highlights the industry's crossroads and the influx of professionals from diverse backgrounds. Christopher, drawing from his extensive experience in retail development for Universal Studios and Apple, discusses the significance of branding in creating a meaningful and honest connection with consumers. The conversation touches upon the current state of the cannabis industry, the urgency of branding, and the need for sophisticated marketing solutions. Both guests share insights into their advisory business, emphasizing the importance of branding for cannabis companies to survive and thrive in a competitive market. The episode provides a glimpse into the evolving landscape of the cannabis industry and the pivotal role that branding plays in its development.

In this episode of Thinking Outside the Bud, your host Bruce Eckfeldt welcomes Debi Wimberley, the visionary founder of Effective Cannabis Newsletter. Debi, a resilient advocate for medical cannabis education, shares her journey of overcoming chronic pain and lung disease. With a background in medical technology, oncology, and hospital labs, she seized control of her well-being. The episode delves into how Debi, equipped with certifications in Medical Cannabis applications and patient care, is revolutionizing the discourse around medical cannabis. Collaborating with experts in cannabis education, health coaching, and medical professionals, Debi centralizes high-quality, accurate, and fact-based education on her innovative platform, Effective Cannabis. The conversation touches on challenges in the cannabis industry, the need for accurate information, and the importance of education. Join Bruce and Debi in this insightful discussion on the impactful present and promising future of medical cannabis.