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.
Gillian Levy, the Co-Founder & CEO at Humboldt Apothecary, a women-owned and run company in the heart of Humboldt County is passionate about crafting the highest quality cannabis-based tinctures and topicals, offering safe, effective solutions to target a wide variety of conditions and support general health and wellness
Cayla Rosenblum is a co-founder of Very Good CBD, an artisanal hemp flower brand. As a graduate student studying healthcare informatics, Cayla blended her love for data with her interest in the medicinal cannabis industry. Her research allowed her to present at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society Global Health Conference on the potential barriers and benefits of medicinal cannabis integration into our electronic health record
BeautyGrass is an all-natural, plant-based, CBD-infused skincare line founded by LA beauty guru, Jenny Evans, in partnership with IN GOOD CO. Inspired by the bounty of the Plant Kingdom and powerful ancient wisdoms, BeautyGrass launched in 2018 as a celebration of vibrant self love. Using the purest, most powerful ingredients our planet has to offer, BeautyGrass is a high-end yet approachable brand with spirit — immediately recognizable and pioneering within a fast-growing space.
With over 17 years of global brand event curation, Sasha is not your typical CEO. As the Creative Experience Officer and founder of Revolver Productions, Sasha started her company with the intention to produce experiences with purpose. Through her work, she’s raised awareness around mental wellness, female empowerment, entrepreneurship, and cannabis as a lifestyle tool.
Dasheeda Dawson is The WeedHead™ - a global cannabis advocate, award-winning executive strategist and author. An industry thought leader featured across multiple outlets, including a historic Times Square billboard campaign, Entrepreneur.com, Huffington Post, Black Enterprise, and Essence Festival, Dasheeda is a corporate crossover pioneer spearheading the “rebranding” of cannabis as medicine for mainstream consumer market adoption.
Alex Pasternack, the executive vice president of Binske, was born and raised in Miami, FL.Alex joined Binske as Head of Sales in March of 2017. Since then, Alex has been promoted to EVP, where he focuses on sourcing licensing deals, coordinating and managing strategic partnerships, while also staying busy with general marketing, packaging, and keeping his the finger on the Instagram trigger!
