Kaya Cast

On this episode of Kaya Cast, host Tommy Truong sits down with John Yang, CEO of Treez, to explore how a cannabis retail operating system is transforming back‑office chaos into efficiency and growth. John delves into Treez’s end‑to‑end solution — from point of sale to payments, e‑commerce, and loyalty — and how AI is being applied to cut hours of manual work. A highlight is invoice ingestion: retailers can reduce processing time from hours to minutes as product shells, descriptions, images, and attributes are auto-generated and refined through retailer feedback. The conversation covers how Treez unifies data across the customer journey to give retailers a single, accurate view of their business, and how internal AI adoption loops with careful integration to source‑of‑record systems like Salesforce, QuickBooks, and the POS. They discuss the strategic acquisition of Gap Commerce to strengthen Treez’s e‑commerce capabilities, the complexities of payments and reconciliation, and why Treez remains an integration layer rather than a processor. John shares near‑term roadmap ideas, including inventory demand signals, personalized online menus, and the balance between ambitious AI features and real‑world risk. The episode closes with thoughts on industry trends, the evolving regulatory landscape, education, and Treez’s unwavering focus on helping retailers grow profitability through service, data, and a partner‑first approach. Find out more about Treez at:https://www.treez.io/https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-yang-6138896/https://www.linkedin.com/company/treez-io/ 00:00 Two Hour Invoice Problem00:09 Podcast Intro and Guest Welcome01:03 AI Adoption in SaaS02:05 Mac vs PC for POS Demos03:52 How Teams Use AI Internally04:59 Connecting AI to Company Data07:05 Treez Data and Retailer Automation08:37 Invoice Automation Deep Dive10:34 Supply Chain Content and AI Limits13:44 Personalization and Demand Prediction16:30 Why Consumer AI Recs Aren't Ready20:12 Onboarding and Data Migration Wins21:55 Metrc Reconciliation Reality Check23:41 Roadmap Driven by Customer Pain25:21 Build vs Buy and Ecom Acquisition26:30 Acquisition Wins27:50 Owning the Buyer Journey28:42 Payments Pain Points29:51 Treez Pay Integration Layer32:26 Restaurant vs Cannabis Tech33:52 Cannabis Community Grind35:47 Health Cannabinoids Future36:46 Rescheduling and Retail Growth37:43 Uncertainty and AI Moats40:56 Robotics Around the Corner42:42 Debt Markets and Hard Assets45:25 AI Jobs and Economic Shifts47:59 Treez Differentiators 202649:14 Closing and Where to Find Treez #kayacast #cannabis #tips #dispensaries #business #podcast

Most cannabis brands are advertising to the wrong people — and paying for it. In this episode of Kaya Cast, Tommy Truong talks with Jake Litke, founder of MediaJel and MJBiz Agency of the Year winner, about how cannabis advertising actually works when Google and Meta won't take your money.Jake breaks down building the first cannabis-approved programmatic ecosystem, why attribution is king, and how the right data corrects your audience assumptions fast — like the accessory brand whose best customers turned out to be sourdough-baking suburban moms. Practical, surprising, and full of steps you can apply to grow your dispensary. Find out more about MediaJel at:https://www.mediajel.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlitke/https://www.linkedin.com/company/mediajel/home/ 00:00 – Advertising's Money-Grab Problem00:30 – How Jake Got "Tricked Into" Cannabis02:00 – Two Problems: Ad Access & Attribution04:30 – Building Cannabis-Approved Ad Supply07:00 – Why One Ad Is Never Enough09:00 – Cannabis Ads on Connected TV10:00 – Where Cannabis Ads Actually Run11:00 – How Dialed-In Targeting Gets15:00 – The Sourdough Moms Surprise17:00 – What a Winning 90-Day Campaign Looks Like19:00 – Budgets & Audience Size21:00 – Fix This Before You Advertise24:00 – Building Landing Pages With AI25:00 – Display vs. Search vs. Social27:00 – The Funnel & Narrowing the Top30:00 – Storytelling & the Value Exchange32:00 – Why BMW Advertises to Its Own Customers35:00 – Find Jake + Agency of the Yearcannabis advertising, cannabis marketing, programmatic advertising for cannabis, dispensary advertising, how to advertise cannabis legally, cannabis ad attribution, MediaJel, Jake Litke, Kaya Cast podcast, cannabis brand marketing, open web advertising, connected TV cannabis ads, cannabis advertising compliance, ROAS for cannabis brands, cannabis audience targeting, geofencing and retargeting, cannabis marketing funnel, dispensary customer acquisition, why can't cannabis brands advertise on Google and Meta, best advertising channels for cannabis dispensaries, cannabis e-commerce conversion rate, how to run cannabis ads without getting shut down, cannabis marketing attribution platform, storytelling in cannabis branding #kayacast #cannabis #tips #cannabisadvertising #cannabisads #dispensaries #business #cannabispodcast

In this episode of Kaya Cast, host Tommy Truong sits down with Andrew Bish, president of the Hemp Feed Coalition, to navigate the regulatory labyrinth facing industrial hemp and the broader cannabinoid space. Andrew shares his front-row view on how federal policy—especially the 0.4 mg THC cap and the farm bill’s gaps—affects grain and fiber hemp, seed byproducts, and downstream products. They explore why Congress and federal agencies—from USDA to FDA—have struggled to create a practical regulatory pathway, the potential split between floral hemp and grain/fiber regulation, and what a realistic framework could look like. The conversation also covers White House actions and executive orders aimed at expanding CBD access, the politics of lobbying, and why industry unity matters more than ever. Importantly, Andrew emphasizes that his coalition is industrial hemp first and remains pro-cannabinoid, but that true progress will come from sensible rules that prioritize safety, testing, and rotational crops. Listeners will come away with a clearer view of what’s at stake, how to engage lawmakers effectively, and what to expect as regulation moves forward. Find out more about Hemp Feed Coalition at:https://hempfeedcoalition.org/https://bishenterprise.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewbish/https://www.linkedin.com/company/hempfeedcoalition/ 00:00 Welcome to Kaya Cast00:26 Meet Andrew Bish00:56 The 0.4mg THC Cap02:24 Industry Unity Challenges03:15 Inside Washington Talks04:46 Hemp vs Intoxicants07:20 Farm Bill Gaps and FDA09:20 Where Congress Is Heading12:42 White House and CBD Push14:15 Call for Smart Regulation17:12 Safety and Testing Concerns19:11 Closing Thoughts and Outroindustrial hemp regulations, hemp feed, cannabinoid regulation, 0.4% THC cap, farm bill gaps, hemp seed byproducts, downstream hemp products, USDA hemp regulations, FDA hemp policies, federal hemp policy, hemp fiber vs floral regulation, hemp farming rules, hemp lobby, White House CBD policies, executive orders CBD access, hemp industry unity, hemp safety regulations, hemp testing requirements, rotational crops in hemp farming, hemp farming framework, hemp coalition advocacy, hemp farming politics, cannabis lobbying, hemp industry compliance, hemp market regulations, hemp feed coalition, hemp crop rotation benefits, hemp industry standards, CBD regulations, hemp in agriculture, hemp farm bill, cannabinoid policy challenges, hemp product safety, hemp testing labs, hemp THC threshold, hemp production laws, hemp processing rules, hemp regulatory uncertainty, cannabinoid safety testing, hemp for animal feed, hemp grain processing, hemp fiber industry, hemp as a commodity, hemp supply chain issues, hemp farming best practices, hemp production permits, hemp export regulations, hemp import policies, hemp compliance challenges, lobbying for hemp regulations, hemp farming sustainability, CBD access regulations, hemp-derived CBD, hemp product classification #kayacast #cannabis #tips #dispensaries #business #podcast

On this Kaya Cast episode, host Tommy Truong sits down with Rob Sanchez of Apartment 113, a cannabis software veteran who began as a cultivator and hash maker before becoming one of the industry’s most sought-after tech consultants. Rob shares practical lessons from implementing software for more than 100 operators, focusing on day-to-day operator needs, end-to-end inventory, multi-location scaling, and how to avoid shiny object syndrome in a fast-changing market. He explains how to separate real value from buzzwords like AI, and why you should define your top pains, involve frontline users, and vet software partners on problem solving, urgency, and compliance. Drawing on experience across the United States, Colombia, and Canada, Rob discusses market maturity, cross-border considerations, and what a truly scalable cannabis software stack looks like—from two-way inventory to seamless roll-ups and analytics. He also shares the kinds of questions operators should ask when evaluating POS and ERP solutions, how to plan for growth from a single shop to a multi-store operator, and what it takes to get real ROI from your software. The episode reveals Rob’s origin story with Apartment 113 and his passion for solving frontline challenges—budtenders, inventory managers, and store crews who keep the industry running. Tune in for an insightful, no-fluff conversation about building software that actually moves the business, plus a rapid-fire Q&A closer to the end. Find out more about Apartment 113 at:https://apt113.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-sanchez-apt113/https://www.linkedin.com/company/apartment-113/ 00:00 Business Is the Work00:14 Meet the Guest01:37 Avoiding Buzzword Traps02:20 Demos With End Users03:59 POS Workflow Questions07:11 Scaling Multi Location10:36 Vendor Support Reality12:44 POS Economics and Monetization15:20 Define Your Pain Points17:34 AI Hype vs Real Value22:07 AI for Analytics Reporting24:01 Lean Ops and Global Culture25:04 Export-Driven Markets26:26 Canada Retail Reality27:04 Automation and Maturity29:15 Taxes and Transparency29:54 Solving Operator Pain31:22 Software Picks and Tradeoffs35:00 ERP Meets Cannabis35:53 Apartment 113 Origin38:04 Rapid Fire Stories41:54 Connoisseurship and Terpenes44:40 Lower Potency Future45:27 Where to Find Rob46:14 Closing Thankscannabis software, cannabis POS systems, cannabis ERP solutions, dispensary inventory management, end to end cannabis inventory, two way inventory sync, cannabis retail technology, multi location dispensary scaling, MSO software strategy, cannabis tech stack, compliant cannabis software, state cannabis compliance tracking, seed to sale software, METRC integration, BioTrack integration, cannabis analytics dashboard, real time cannabis reporting, dispensary KPI tracking, cannabis ROI from software, cannabis automation tools, AI in cannabis retail, cannabis AI reality vs hype, shiny object syndrome tech, cannabis operations management, budtender workflow optimization, cannabis inventory reconciliation, shrinkage reduction cannabis, cannabis purchasing controls, cannabis wholesale tracking, cannabis cultivation software insights, hash maker to tech consultant, Rob Sanchez Apartment 113, Apartment 113 consulting, cannabis implementation best practices, software rollout dispensary, frontline user adoption cannabis tech, change management cannabis retail, cannabis software vendor evaluation, POS vs ERP cannabis, cannabis data roll ups, multi store reporting cannabis, cross border cannabis operations, United States cannabis market, Canada cannabis market #kayacast #cannabis #tips #dispensaries #business #podcast

On this Kaya Cast episode, host Tommy Truong sits down with Dr. Bonni Goldstein of Goldstein Wellness to unpack the science, medicine, and business of cannabis in epilepsy and beyond. Dr. Goldstein is the Chief Medical Advisor for Neurotech International, helping to develop effective cannabinoid-based formulations for autism and other pediatric neurologic conditions.From the endocannabinoid system to multimodal cannabinoids like CBD, CBDV, CBG and CBDA, they discuss how clinicians tailor regimens for pediatric and adult patients, why dosing is start low and go slow, and what the latest clinical data show about seizure reduction and quality of life. Bonni shares her journey from pediatric emergency medicine to medical cannabis, the Charlotte story that helped launch CBD in epilepsy, and practical dosing, safety, and drug interaction considerations. They also talk about the business side: educating clinicians, ensuring product quality, and Goldstein Wellness's free clinician education program with about 50 videos, plus a patient-facing network of vetted cannabis clinicians. If you’re a dispensary executive, grower, or clinician, this episode offers actionable insights on education, regulation, and patient-centered cannabis care. Find out more about Goldstein Wellness at:https://goldsteinwellness.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnigoldsteinmd/https://www.linkedin.com/company/goldstein-wellness/ 00:00 CBD Seizure Success00:17 Meet Dr Bonni00:58 From ER to Cannabis02:00 Cancer Patient Turning Point04:30 ECS Explained Simply08:16 Receptors and Evolution11:44 Dysfunction and Conditions13:40 Research Barriers and COVID16:42 CBD for Intractable Epilepsy19:51 Charlotte Figi Breakthrough24:13 How CBD Calms Seizures26:47 Dosing and Other Cannabinoids29:54 Beyond Seizure Control31:08 Medical vs Recreational Divide31:50 Medical vs Adult Use32:39 Teaching Cannabis Literacy34:26 Beyond CBD and THC34:53 CBG Effects and Dosing38:53 CBG Biomarkers Research41:16 CBN and Sleep Evidence43:32 CBDA Raw Anti Inflammatory46:55 CBDA vs CBD Decisions50:41 Future Biomarker Guided Care52:23 THCV Metabolism and Caution57:06 Synthetic Cannabinoid Risks01:00:03 Wrap Up and Resourcesmedical cannabis, cannabis for epilepsy, CBD for seizures, CBDV research, CBG benefits, CBDA cannabinoids, endocannabinoid system explained, pediatric epilepsy treatment, adult epilepsy cannabis, seizure reduction data, cannabinoid dosing guidelines, start low go slow cannabis, cannabis drug interactions, CBD drug safety, medical cannabis for autism, pediatric neurologic conditions, cannabinoid formulations, evidence based cannabis medicine, clinical data cannabis epilepsy, quality of life seizure patients, Dr Bonni Goldstein, Goldstein Wellness, Neurotech International, cannabinoid clinical trials, CBD epilepsy Charlotte story, Epidiolex discussion, cannabis and seizure disorders, neurologist cannabis education, clinician cannabis training, cannabis CME education, vetted cannabis clinicians network, patient centered cannabis care, cannabis compliance and regulation, dispensary education strategy, cannabis product quality standards, GMP cannabis manufacturing, lab tested cannabinoids, full spectrum vs isolate CBD, multimodal cannabinoids, entourage effect science, cannabis pharmacology, cannabis titration strategy, pediatric dosing cannabis, cannabis safety in children, cannabis and antiepileptic drugs, clobazam CBD interaction, valproate CBD interaction, liver enzyme monitoring cannabis, seizure frequency reduction, refractory epilepsy cannabis, Lennox Gastaut syndrome CBD, Dravet syndrome CBD, autism spectrum disorder cannabis research, neuroinflammation and cannabinoids, CB1 and CB2 receptors, endocannabinoid deficiency theory, cannabis telemedicine clinicians, state medical marijuana laws, Schedule III cannabis implications, dispensary operator insights #kayacast #cannabis #tips #dispensaries #business #podcast

In this episode of Kaya Cast, host Tommy Truong sits down with Sara Gullickson of CB Advisors, a strategist who has helped secure more than 75 cannabis licenses and orchestrated successful exits. Sara breaks down the enduring licensing formula—local alignment, capital, industry know-how, and real estate—and shares why the four ingredients hold true whether a state uses a lottery or a merit based system. Learn how to avoid common traps like falling in love with the opportunity or overspending on builds, and how to structure projects that scale and endure beyond one founder.The conversation dives into AI and workflow automation for cannabis operations, from tracking legislative changes to turning dense statutes into actionable memos for investors and teams. Sara explains how she uses AI and open frameworks to streamline compliance, due diligence, and dealmaking, while keeping humans in the loop to protect interests and maximize value.You’ll gain practical insights on exit strategy, partnership models, and how to align capital with operators through joint ventures and licensing plays across markets. We explore 2026 opportunities in Virginia, Nebraska, Wisconsin, the Virgin Islands, and more, emphasizing the importance of local experts, community alignment, and market dynamics over chasing a single hot asset.Sara also shares her entrepreneurial pivots, the role of coaching and self-work in growing a cannabis business, and a candid look at her personal journey. Find Sara at saragullickson.com and cannabisbusinessadvisors.com. Find out more about CB Advisors at:https://thecannabisbusinessadvisors.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/saragullickson/https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecbadvisors/ 00:00 License Recipe Basics01:20 Avoiding Costly Mistakes01:57 Buildout and MVP Mindset03:29 Getting Started With AI06:07 AI for Research and Compliance10:57 Planning for an Exit17:28 What Buyers Look For19:55 Agentic Workflows in Cannabis23:10 Matchmaking and Social Equity24:54 Pivot to Policy26:01 Industry Talent Shift27:20 Why 2026 Matters29:21 License Recipe Basics30:55 Local Partners Win33:08 Real Estate Reality34:06 New Markets Education35:00 Predictions and Picks37:37 Florida and Texas Outlook39:43 Hardest and Best States41:21 AI and IP Efficiency42:13 Rolling Loud Rapidfire43:49 Cannabis Stories and Wrapcannabis licensing strategy, cannabis license application consulting, how to win a cannabis license, merit based cannabis licensing, cannabis license lottery strategy, local alignment cannabis, cannabis real estate strategy, cannabis capital stack, cannabis joint venture structure, cannabis exit strategy, cannabis M&A advisory, cannabis business advisors, Sara Gullickson CB Advisors, Tommy Truong Kaya Cast, cannabis workflow automation, AI for cannabis compliance, cannabis legislative tracking, cannabis due diligence process, cannabis deal structuring, cannabis investor alignment, cannabis partnership models, cannabis licensing formula, scaling a cannabis business, multi state cannabis expansion, cannabis market entry strategy, cannabis license consulting firm, cannabis regulatory strategy, cannabis statutes analysis AI, cannabis compliance memos, cannabis investor reporting automation, cannabis project finance, cannabis buildout budgeting, avoiding cannabis buildout overspend, cannabis operational scale, cannabis founder succession planning, cannabis governance structure, cannabis capital raising strategy #kayacast #cannabis #tips #dispensaries #business #podcast

On this episode of Kaya Cast, host Tommy Truong sits down with Jake Kuczeruk of ILGM to unpack why education, community, and old-school cannabis genetics matter in building a sustainable cannabis business. Jake describes ILGM's Grow Club—a nationwide program of home-grow workshops, local mentors like Danny Danko in New York, Jungle K in Chicago, and Christina Wong in LA, plus an online hub that helps hobbyists become confident growers, troubleshoot with experts, and connect with fellow plant lovers. They discuss the magic of home growing, the hands-on relationship with the plant, and how growing at home sharpens your palate for quality cannabis in the market.Beyond cultivation, Jake shares his philosophy as a super connector who mentors founders, builds partnerships, and educates on fundraising, pitching, and navigating policy. They dive into old-school genetics and the craft-beer mindset for cannabis, why age statements and landrace beans deserve shelf space, and how education can de-stigmatize health-focused, wellness oriented cannabis products such as THCV to reach more people.From California as an innovation hub to the emerging markets across the country, they cover growth strategy, the Farm Bill landscape, and what it takes to launch a brand—from assembling the right team to in real life events, PR, and long-term planning. Jake offers candid thoughts on Schedule 3, interstate commerce, and empowering social equity players.If you’re a retailer, cultivator, or founder, this episode shares practical lessons, real-world anecdotes, and a reminder that education and community are the engines of growth in cannabis. Find out more about ILGM at:https://ilgm.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kuczeruk/https://www.linkedin.com/company/i-love-growing-marijuana/ 00:00 Two Industries, One Tiny Cannabis World (Networking & Community)00:34 Welcome to Kaya Cast + Meet Jake, the Multi-Hat Cannabis Pro01:24 Why Home Grow Matters: A Human Right & the Plant-Person Bond02:52 Grow Club Origins: Closing the Education Gap for New Home Growers05:24 How Grow Club Works: Local Leaders, Mentors, Online Support & Seed Safety Net06:36 Making Cannabis Education Social Again (Post-COVID Events Without Cliques)07:50 The Plant Is Magic: How Growing Changes Consumers (Terps, Freshness, Quality)10:15 From Solo Cup to Craft Beer: De-stigmatizing Grow With Simple Starts11:20 Renaissance Man: Writing, Reviews, Policy, Fundraising & Being a Super-Connector14:05 Where to Build a Cannabis Career in 2026: Why LA Is the Pressure Cooker16:29 California Terroir & the Rise of Cannabis Regions (Emerald Triangle to Santa Barbara)17:45 Starting a California Brand: The First Five Moves (Team, Ops, PR, Events, Strategy)23:18 Pitching That Actually Works: Test Outside Your Bubble & Iterate Fast24:42 Old-School Genetics as a Brand Angle: ‘Ancient Strains’ and the Craft Narrative25:27 Old-School Genetics Are Back: Landraces, Long-Flower Strains & the Pendulum Swing27:17 Why Bud Aero Stands Out (and Why Retailers Struggle to Stock It)28:22 Breaking the THC-Percent Obsession: Freshness, Terps & the Everclear Analogy29:53 Across-State Markets & Building in Public: Grow Clubs, Storytelling, and Community32:36 Schedule III Reality Check: 280E, MSO Advantage, and Consolidation Ahead35:37 The Wild West of Hemp/Interstate Shipping & Regulatory Uncertainty38:38 How Jake Chooses Projects: Values, “Lifers,” and Cannabis as a Healing Industry40:33 Health & Wellness as the Next Wave: THCV, Low-Anxiety Products, and New Consumers45:43 Upcoming Grow Club Events + Where to Find ILGM (Closing) #kayacast #cannabis #tips #dispensaries #business #podcast

On this episode of the Kaya Cast Podcast, host Tommy Truong sits down with Lucas Gould, co founder and CEO of Spendr, to unpack breaking cannabis news and what it means for operators across the country. They dive into the federal move to reschedule cannabis to Schedule III, its potential impact on medical vs recreational markets, banking, 280E tax relief, research funding, interstate commerce, and what rules might follow as the dust settles. Will state lines stay drawn or start to blur? How might federal oversight influence medical cannabis programs? Then the conversation shifts to Spendr, the cannabis payments and loyalty platform. Lucas explains how Spendr started to solve cash payments and has evolved into turning payments into a retention channel. Learn how end users sign up, fund a digital wallet, and pay with a tap or QR code in store, and how Spendr automatically retargets customers with personalized offers from the dispensaries they shop at. See how Spendr helps 200 plus locations in 13 markets drive loyalty, while being POS agnostic and revenue positive for merchants. The episode also covers growth, hiring, maintaining quality during rapid expansion, and the importance of brand, employee training, and exceptional customer experience in building lasting loyalty. Whether you’re a dispensary operator, investor, or supplier, you’ll come away with practical ideas to boost retention, streamline payments, and position your brand for a post regulatory change cannabis economy. Find out more about Spendr at:https://www.spendr.com/business?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=linkedin-page-buttonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lucas-gould-b67b8311b/https://www.linkedin.com/company/getspendr/about/ 00:00 Breaking News: Trump Admin Moves to Reschedule Cannabis to Schedule III01:11 What Schedule III Could Mean: 280E Relief, Research, and the Medical vs. Rec Gray Area04:23 Banking & Capital Access: How Compliance Burdens Might Ease Under Schedule III05:24 Interstate Commerce Reality Check + Pharma Cannabinoid Opportunities07:05 Meet Lucas & Spendr: Cashless Payments + Loyalty Platform for Dispensaries10:19 The Original Pain Point: Fixing Cash Payments, Then Evolving Into Retention12:23 Turning Payments Into a High-Intent Marketing Channel14:05 Winning Attention: Relevancy Over Spam (and Why Utility Beats “Marketing Apps”)18:44 How Spendr Works End-to-End: App Setup, QR Pay, Rewards, and Merchant Flow20:57 Repeat Customers on Autopilot: Enrollment, Retargeting, and Multi-Store Behavior23:56 Marketplace vs. Inventory: What Spendr Tracks (and What It Doesn’t)24:36 How Spendr Works at Checkout (Online vs In-Store QR Pay)25:15 Merchant Fees & Why Spendr Sells Loyalty, Not Payments26:56 Marketplace vs Revenue Channel: Subsidized Prices & More Repeat Visits28:57 The Future of Dispensary Loyalty: Experience, Communication & Brand Promise34:07 Why Budtenders Matter: Training, Reviews, and the Personal Nature of Cannabis35:26 Cannabis Buying Is Advisory: Mood, Variety, and Always Trying Something New39:48 2026 Milestones: Scaling to More States Without Losing Quality Support44:49 Founder Mindset: Infinite Problem-Solving, Medical Roots, and Staying Alive47:11 Where to Find Spendr + What’s Next (Wrap-Up)cannabis rescheduling, Schedule III cannabis, federal cannabis news, cannabis legalization update, 280E tax relief, cannabis banking reform, SAFE Banking Act, cannabis compliance, cannabis regulations, federal cannabis policy, medical vs recreational cannabis, cannabis market trends, interstate cannabis commerce, cannabis research funding, DEA rescheduling, cannabis tax reform, dispensary operations, dispensary retention strategies, cannabis payments platform, cashless cannabis, cannabis digital wallet, QR code payments cannabis, tap to pay cannabis, cannabis fintech, Spendr, Lucas Gould, Tommy Truong, Kaya Cast Podcast #kayacast #cannabis #tips #dispensaries #business #podcast

Join Kaya Cast host Tommy Truong for a deep dive with Ryan Hunter of Spherex Labs. From Colorado to multi-state expansion, Ryan shares the playbook behind a disciplined, retailer-focused cannabis brand. Learn how Spherex wins at the shelf through authentic budtender relationships, in-store merchandising, and a full-stack marketing program that travels with retailers across markets. Discover why they keep a lean SKU set, how they iterate products—from rosin cartridges to a sleep gummy—tied to a relentless focus on quality hardware and reliable manufacturing. See how field marketing cadence, retailer partnerships, and data-driven programs drive sell-through and reduce over-assortment risk in a cash-constrained industry. The conversation also covers leadership, overcoming imposter syndrome, meditation and personal development, and how their consulting work intersects with cannabis entrepreneurship. If you’re a dispensary or brand looking to scale sustainably—without chasing every trend—this episode offers actionable GTM and partnership insights you can apply right away. Find out more about Spherex Labs at:https://www.wearespherex.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanhunter/linkedin.com/company/6614091/ 00:00 Net Promoter Score (NPS) Explained + Why It Matters00:51 Podcast Intro + Meet Ryan (Background & How He Entered Cannabis)03:02 What Drove Spherex’s Growth: Team, Discipline, and Relationships04:27 Marketing Personas & The Budtender-First Strategy06:44 Retail Partnerships, Road Game, and Scaling to New Markets10:55 Customer Journey Thinking: Community, Experimentation, and Iteration12:39 Sales + Marketing Shaping Product: Tight SKU Strategy & Quality Control15:04 Why Launch a Rosin Sleep Gummy: Market Insight + Smart Rollout21:57 Budtender Education Playbook + Measuring Impact with NPS26:23 What Sets Spherex Apart in a Commoditized Vape Cartridge Market27:24 Flavor Formulation + Hardware Quality: The Product Fundamentals28:22 Winning Budtenders: The Real Decision-Makers in Dispensaries31:35 Staying Top-of-Mind: Store Visit Cadence & Relationship Building32:14 The Over-Assortment Problem: Sell-Through, Payment Terms & Industry AR33:36 A Costco-Style Dispensary Model? Curating Fewer Brands for Better Turns34:13 Anti-Gravity Consulting: From Go-To-Market Strategy to Coaching & Psychedelics36:28 Imposter Syndrome & Unworthiness: What Shows Up in Coaching38:24 Psychedelic Facilitation (Cannabis): Softening Ego & Reworking Identity40:12 Meditation as the Antidote: Losing Anxiety, Not Your Edge48:56 Attention in a Dopamine World: Mindfulness, ADHD, and Social Media Boundaries51:13 Savoring & Presence: Relearning Joy in Everyday Moments52:56 Where to Find Ryan + Podcast Wrap-Upcannabis retail strategy, cannabis brand expansion, multi-state cannabis brand, Colorado cannabis market, cannabis merchandising strategy, dispensary shelf strategy, cannabis sell-through optimization, cannabis retail partnerships, budtender relationships, budtender engagement strategy, dispensary product merchandising, cannabis go-to-market strategy, cannabis GTM playbook, cannabis SKU optimization, lean SKU strategy cannabis, cannabis product assortment planning, dispensary inventory strategy, cannabis manufacturing reliability, cannabis hardware quality, rosin vape cartridges, cannabis rosin carts, cannabis sleep gummies, infused sleep gummies cannabis, cannabis product innovation, cannabis brand scaling, cannabis retailer marketing programs, dispensary field marketing, cannabis field marketing cadence, cannabis brand consulting, cannabis entrepreneurship, cannabis leadership development, cannabis founder mindset, cannabis business growth strategy, cannabis retail expansion strategy, cannabis brand partnerships, dispensary sales enablement, cannabis retail analytics, cannabis data-driven retail, cannabis merchandising analytics, dispensary sell-through metrics, cannabis inventory turnover, cannabis retail operations strategy, cannabis retailer loyalty programs, cannabis brand positioning, cannabis product quality strategy, cannabis packaging strategy, cannabis compliance manufacturing, cannabis supply chain reliability, cannabis distribution strategy, dispensary category management, cannabis category optimization, cannabis retail marketing strategy, dispensary marketing partnerships, cannabis consulting services, cannabis operator insights, cannabis podcast insights, Kaya Cast podcast, cannabis industry leadership, cannabis personal development, cannabis founder meditation, cannabis imposter syndrome leadership #kayacast #cannabis #tips #dispensaries #business #podcast

On this episode of the Kaya Cast, host Tommy Truong chats with Jeremy Berke, founder of Cultivated News, about turning a passionate cannabis beat into a full-fledged media platform. From launching Cultivated News from a Substack in 2023 to building a daily briefing, live streams, and a growing community, Jeremy shares the founder’s journey, the emotional realities of leading a cannabis business, and how their coverage supports operators, brands, and investors. The conversation delves into New York’s MRTA rollout, the tension between social equity goals and heavy regulation, and the ripple effects on dispensaries and service providers. They unpack federal hemp policy chaos, including the looming hemp-derived THC ban and what it means for products, retail, and capital. The episode also surveys state-level dynamics—from Florida ballot efforts to Pennsylvania and Virginia—and offers practical takeaways for navigating policy uncertainty, capital access, and growth in a volatile market. Jeremy also offers personal reflections on staying even-keeled as a founder and why compliance and quality matter. If you’re involved in cannabis operations, investing, or media, this episode provides a journalist’s perspective on policy, markets, and the work it takes to build in this evolving industry. For more, subscribe to Cultivated News and follow Jeremy Berke on social and LinkedIn. Find out more about Cultivated Media at:https://www.cultivated.news/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyberke/https://www.linkedin.com/company/cultivated-news/ 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:18 Jeremy's Journey: From Business Insider to Cultivated News02:28 Challenges and Rewards of Running a Cannabis Media Business04:34 New York Cannabis Market: Opportunities and Obstacles14:06 Federal and State Hemp Regulations: A Complex Landscape22:57 Hemp Industry Challenges24:39 State-by-State Cannabis Legalization26:37 Cannabis Legalization in Red States31:33 Federal Cannabis Rescheduling35:05 Challenges in the Cannabis Industry40:55 Rapid Fire Questions on Cannabis44:48 Conclusion and Contact Information #kayacast #cannabis #tips #dispensaries #business #podcast