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.

Max explains the challenges of maintaining genetic stability in an evolving market, highlighting the complexity of producing consistent cannabis plants for both medical and recreational use. He emphasizes the importance of technological advancements, like in-vitro storage and breeding programs, in creating standardized plants that meet industry demands.

The conversation also delves into global market trends, with Max comparing the differences between home-growing cultures in Europe and the U.S. He explores the future of the cannabis industry, predicting that research-based breeding will drive the next phase of cannabis cultivation, especially in the medical sector. Max concludes by discussing the shifting consumer preferences in cannabis flavors and aromas and how Royal Queen Seeds is adapting to meet these trends.

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 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.

n 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 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.