#419: From Payroll to Power Moves: How Green Leaf is Reshaping Cannabis HR & Compliance
Cannabinoid Connect
In this episode, we're joined by Marc Rodriguez, Co-Founder and CEO of Green Leaf Business Solutions—one of the fastest-growing payroll and HR firms serving the cannabis industry. Marc shares his journey from corporate HR roles to launching Green Leaf, the challenges of navigating legal uncertainty, and how his team has built a robust HR infrastructure trusted by operators across the country. We dive into: What makes Green Leaf different from traditional HR/payroll providers How the team landed major partnerships with First Citizens and Vanguard The importance of payroll transparency...
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#418: From Flow Kana to FK+: Reinventing Cannabis for Wellness with Mikey Steinmetz
Cannabinoid Connect
In this episode, I sit down with Mikey Steinmetz, Co-Founder and Chief Servant Officer of Functional Kannabis+ (FK+), to discuss the powerful evolution of cannabis from its legacy market roots to the future of functional, wellness-oriented products. Mikey shares his founding story behind Flow Kana, the rise of sungrown cannabis in Northern California, and the harsh regulatory challenges that forced a major pivot. We dive into how FK+ is reimagining cannabis through precise formulations for sleep, energy, focus, and relaxation—and how science, storytelling, and service are shaping the next...
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#417: How RollPros Engineered the Future of Pre-Rolls: A Conversation with Kyle Loucks
Cannabinoid Connect
Kyle Loucks, Founder & CEO of RollPros, returns to the podcast to share how his company has revolutionized the cannabis pre-roll industry. With over 120 million joints rolled and a commitment to preserving flower quality, RollPros has taken automation to a new level—starting with quality, not scale. In this episode, Kyle shares the story behind the Blackbird and new XXL product lines, how traditional pre-roll machines often fail to preserve the integrity of cannabis, and why design thinking from the consumer perspective is the key to innovation. We also explore the company's new...
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#416: The Cannabis Tax Loophole No One's Talking About: ESOPs Explained with Darren Gleeman
Cannabinoid Connect
What if there was a legal way for cannabis companies to eliminate federal income tax and reward employees with ownership at the same time? Darren Gleeman, Managing Partner of MBO Ventures, joins the show to break down the rise of ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plans) in the cannabis industry. In this episode, we explore: Why ESOPs are a "game-changer" for cannabis companies How they help companies legally avoid the burden of 280E What MSOs (multi-state operators) and smaller cannabis businesses need to know How selling your company to your employees can boost valuation,...
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#415: How Branding & Gratitude Fuel Cannabis Business Growth | Will Read, CannaPlanners
Cannabinoid Connect
In this episode, I sit down with Will Read, Founder & CEO of CannaPlanners—a Vermont-based digital agency on a mission to normalize cannabis through powerful design and branding. From his early days in the music industry to his time at Apple, Will shares how those diverse experiences helped shape CannaPlanners into a go-to partner for cannabis businesses looking to stand out. We talk about his founder journey, how Vermont roots shape the company ethos, the evolution of cannabis marketing, and why gratitude and authenticity are more important than ever for brands in 2024 and beyond. 🚀...
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#414: Veterans' Right to Heal: Jenae Sergio on Cannabis, Mental Health & SB3 in Texas
Cannabinoid Connect
In this episode of Cannabinoid Connect, we sit down with Jenae Sergio, Navy veteran and Director of Development at Grunt Style Foundation & Irreverent Warriors. Jenae shares her personal journey from homelessness to a distinguished federal career and now, a leading advocate for veteran mental health and access to alternative healing modalities, including cannabis. She opens up about her own experience with Delta-9 THC for anxiety and the challenges veterans face with traditional VA mental health treatments, highlighting the alarming suicide rate among veterans. We delve into the ongoing...
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#413: Veterans, Hemp, and the Fight Against SB3: John Burk on Saving the Texas CBD Industry
Cannabinoid Connect
John Burk, Army veteran and co-founder of Shell Shock CBD, joins the show to discuss the battle over Texas Senate Bill 3 (SB3), a controversial piece of legislation that threatens to dismantle the state's hemp industry. In this powerful episode, John shares his personal story, the mission behind Shell Shock CBD, and why he’s leading the charge to defend small businesses, veterans' rights, and access to hemp-based wellness. We dive deep into: The real impact of SB3 on Texas jobs and veteran-owned businesses Misconceptions about hemp vs. marijuana The role of CBD in supporting...
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#412: The Art & Science of Hash: Barron Lutz on Solventless Extraction, Genetics & Quality
Cannabinoid Connect
The cannabis concentrate industry is evolving, and solventless extraction is leading the way. In this episode, I sit down with Barron Lutz, Founder of Nasha Hash, to break down what makes live rosin and ice water hash unique, how genetics are shaping the future of concentrates, and why consumer demand for clean cannabis is rising. 🔹 What live rosin really is & how it differs from other concentrates 🔹 The ancient art of hash-making vs. modern solventless extraction 🔹 Why quality genetics matter for hash production 🔹 How consumer education & pricing impact concentrate sales...
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#411: How Cannabis Brands Win: The Power of Storytelling, Authenticity & Experience
Cannabinoid Connect
In this episode, I sit down with Rama Mayo, co-founder of Hall of Flowers, to discuss the future of cannabis branding, mainstream adoption, and industry evolution. Rama shares insights on why experiential marketing is crucial, how the cannabis industry mirrors music and fashion, and why protecting authenticity is more important than ever. We also dive into: ✅ The 30-year vision for cannabis with Gary Vaynerchuk ✅ How Hall of Flowers revolutionized cannabis trade shows ✅ The importance of branding and experiential marketing ✅ The corporate vs. craft divide in cannabis ✅ What’s next...
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#410: The Future of Clean Cannabis: Joe Edwards on Decontamination, Compliance & Innovation
Cannabinoid Connect
Keeping cannabis clean is more critical than ever. In this episode, I sit down with Joe Edwards, Chief Science Officer at Yofumo Technologies, to discuss the game-changing role of decontamination in the cannabis industry. We dive into: ✅ The hidden contamination risks in cannabis cultivation ✅ How Yofumo’s ozone-based technology is revolutionizing decontamination ✅ The tightening of compliance and new testing regulations ✅ How cultivators can stay ahead of the curve and avoid costly recalls ✅ The future of cannabis decontamination beyond cultivation With over 15 years of experience...
info_outlineAnthony Coniglio is the CEO of NewLake Capital, a cannabis real-estate investment vehicle that has tenants across the supply chain in the U.S. including cultivation, manufacturing and retail.