Dutchie’s Post

I've been reflecting on the Benzinga Cannabis Market Spotlight conference in Los Angeles last week. My fellow panelists - Lauren Carpenter, Guy Rocourt, Mark Collins MBA - and I enjoyed the most upbeat and optimistic audience of the day. We talked about the outlook for retail and how dispensaries can increase profitability. But in other panel discussions and during 1:1 conversations in the hallways, the mood was very different. It was pessimistic, which is in sharp contrast to the general positive vibes California is known for. Look, I live in California so I understand the challenges - both in running successful businesses and dealing with the state government's tangle of red tape. It's not easy. It's not easy running any business, but cannabis is different and more difficult than most. But here's what I know: Those who bet against the industriousness of California usually leave the table with a losing hand. Our panel moderator, Ricardo Baca, asked us each a question near the end of our session: "What gets you out of bed every day to do the work you're doing?" For me, that's an easy one. If someone would have told the high school version of me that I'd one day make an honest living in the cannabis industry, it would have felt like a dream. And yet here I am. And here WE are. And we're all still here because a lot of people care deeply about this industry and are getting out of bed each day to make their dreams a reality. I know the California market will thrive because of the commitment and passion all these operators bring every day. #cannabisindustry #cannabisbusiness

Great for planning your future marketing efforts.

Helpful guide for cannabis folks 👇 We’ll definitely be trying to make it out to at least a few of these!

Why is cannabis access an important conversation to be having in Wisconsin? Let’s face it, our representatives are outclassed by the arguments before them and leadership has taken the position of the ostrich. The only way people seem to be allowed bodily autonomy is by fiat - legislative or divine and in neither of those cases is the will of the people actually being considered. Let’s talk, for a moment, about the drinking culture of my state. In a word, we are robust drinkers. Our wonderful culture celebrates everything at any time with the hoisting of a stein and the friendly offer of a beer. I love it. I’m of this. I’m oftentimes the embodiment of it. To those that can chip away at the icy rough exterior of my fellow Wisconsinites, you’ll see this cheer deep in our souls. It does have its downsides. Rampant alcohol abuse has long lasting effects on our physical and mental well being, not to mention society. Cannabis offers an alternative to that. It helps take the edge off but does it in a way that’s very different than alcohol. We need to have a conversation that still reflects our societal desire, as Wisconsinites, to be hard working, hard playing, and hard partying people and also respect the notion that whether it’s a brandy old fashioned or a gummy or a pint or a bong rip - it’s a tough world and relaxing is ok. Just don’t drive and we’ll be ok- that goes for all of you.

I would love to get something going with the Legal Pathway Society and your program. I’ll try my best to tune into this webinar!

Yesterday's live Florida Supreme Court reaction on our show was nothing short of epic! We were joined by Dan Ahrens COO of AdvisorShares, and had an insightful discussion about Florida's cannabis industry. Highlighted companies in our conversation included Trulieve, AYR Wellness Inc., Planet 13 Holdings, Inc., Cansortium Inc., Verano, Green Thumb Industries (GTI), and Cresco Labs. Don't miss the opportunity to catch up on the insightful analysis and viewpoints shared. Stay tuned for more updates and discussions on pivotal industry moments! (Watch the full discussion. The link is in the comments below.)

The Prophecy Fulfilled: MN Farmer's Cannabis Warnings Come True as Walz Eyes VP Spot As Gov. #TimWalz joins #KamalaHarris's 2024 ticket, Minnesota's cannabis industry faces renewed scrutiny. Local farmer Jeff Brinkman's pre-legalization concerns now warrant closer examination. While media focuses on 'Feed Our Future' and Walz's military record, cannabis sector challenges often go unnoticed. Small businesses and equity advocates continue to face obstacles. Brinkman's early warning: "Please consider small business and equity folks in this bill." Were these concerns addressed? As Walz eyes the VP role, how might his MN cannabis policy record shape national expectations? Stay informed, stay engaged—this story isn't over. Follow our #MediaFreeAmerica documentary series to explore: - Real and raw stories - Regulatory hurdles facing the industry - The growing divide between small operators and larger players - Gaps between legislative intent and real-world outcomes Created by Matt Kowalski, Kowala Media. #MNCannabis #Chaos #Walz #MNLEG #Controversies #SmallBusiness #Equity

Check out a new blog post from our founder!

Now that I've had a day to reflect and catch my breath, here are my thoughts post Benzinga's Cannabis Capital Conference.... 1: The new location is 🔥 I liked the one in Miami proper, but this setup is just plain better. Oh, and the staff treat us like people and not criminals. 2: The meetings that can be had and general quality of attendees is IMPECCABLE. Decision makers, power players, and the industry elite is there and in the mood to make shit happen. 3: The speaker lineup is expertly curated to bring the best of the best, and not just the same 15 people who speak at every event. Real operators. Quality service providers. Legitimate knowledge and wisdom being handed out. 4: The generosity and genuine desire to provide value to attendees, sponsors, speakers, and stakeholders of all sort from the Benzinga Cannabis team continues to be the primary reason they are a step ahead of the pack. Awesome job Elliot and Patrick Lane, Jason Raznick, Kaitlin Domangue, Jamie Millar, Javier Hasse, Emily Lehmann, and so many more! Oh... and welcome to the fold Jerry Ferrara. It was great to meet an experienced leader from the outside who is so hungry to learn and interact with the #cannabis industry. TLDR: Benzinga Cannabis rocks. You should go. If you don't, you deserve all the FOMO. Disclaimer: Yes, I did 4 just so I had one more than Seth Yakatan 😂 Disclaimer 2: The rumors are true. We did in fact order Chil-Fil-A delivery to the after party, and yes there is picture evidence. 🤷♂️😎 #cannabisindustry

"If you're getting into cannabis now as a brand or a retailer, what are you here for?" Wendy Campbell asks in Episode 2 of the CannaBiz Success Show. This episode answers that and then some. Listen to the episode today: https://lnkd.in/g65yiUfx