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.
Keith Cich is Co-Founder and President of Sunderstorm, a leading California cannabis company that manufactures and distributes award winning Kanha gummies. Sunderstorm self-distributes to over 500 retail locations throughout California and is a pioneer introducing nano-tech products to the cannabis industry.
In the middle of Central Valley, where plants abound while jobs are sparse, Sister Kate was determined to create work and leadership opportunities for more women like her. She looked to the newest, most interesting deregulating market in her new home state of California: the cannabis industry. In the Fall of 2009, she founded a non-profit cannabis collective and opened for business in 2010.
At just 18, Michelle was one of the first females to provide IT and field radio support to a Special Operations Command in the Navy. Being the only female in what is probably the single most male-dominated community proved to be an invaluable experience that tested and strengthened her mental and physical boundaries.
Matt Hawkins is the founder and managing principal of Entourage Effect Capital (EEC), formerly known as Cresco Capital Partners, a venture capital firm focused specifically on investing in the legalized cannabis industry. Since 2014, the firm has made close to 70 investments invested out of two funds, co-investment vehicles and special purpose entities.
Punit is a seasoned strategy and operations management executive with 10+ years of experience and specializations in program management, strategic planning, operations management, people management, coaching, executive communication, human resources management, and turnaround/transformation management.
Hadas is an Israeli-American attorney who advises companies on matters of regulatory compliance, policy advocacy, risk management, strategic planning, revenue models, corporate governance, and dispute resolution. A committed creative problem-solver, Hadas is a restorative justice practitioner and community organizer dedicated to using the law to expand equitable access to plant medicine.
Jonathon Goldrath is a successful entrepreneur and investor who moved away from the traditional finance world and into the legal cannabis industry in 2016. His experience in the cannabis industry started as an operator - winning one of Pennsylvania’s first twelve cannabis Grower/Processor licenses in 2017. Jonathon went on to co-found a number of cannabis businesses that have been some of the first of their kind across the country.
Shawn Gold is the Founder and CEO of Pilgrim Soul, a mission-driven cannabis brand focused on optimizing human creative performance to gain a competitive edge in business and life. Until recently, Shawn was CMO of Lowell Herb Co., one of the fastest-growing, most talked about cannabis companies in North America.
Matt Kurtzman, a seasoned data scientist and founder of Canold, is an expert in predictive modeling and data visualization focusing on the cannabis industry. With a formal education in supply chain management and accounting from Northeastern University, a lean six sigma black belt certification from Staples, and management consulting experience from Boston Consulting Group, Matt and his team at Canold solve challenges around data modeling and analytics specific to cannabis.
Jason Pickle is a passionate, forward thinking cannabis entrepreneur with a keen sense of market evolution. Co-Founding Volunteer Botanicals, he sees the future potential of non-psychoactive cannabinoids as a key driver to the acceptance of the cannabis plant. Jason and his team are focused on converting and reconstituting cannabinoids and terpenes into dynamic delivery forms that are precise, easy to consume and enjoyable.
