Best Zachary Schultz Podcasts (2025)

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Know What You Own Starring Scott Grossman 58:38

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11h ago58:38

58:38

This week on Higher Exchanges, we dive into the chaos and clarity surrounding cannabis reform, capital markets, and hemp regulation. Joining us is Scott Grossman of Turning Point Brands for a timely roundtable on what’s real, what’s noise, and what could actually move the needle. 🔍 Topics include: Schedule 3 speculation: Who’s driving the renewed c…

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New York is Rising Starring Jeff Schultz 1:28:26

13d ago1:28:26

1:28:26

In this episode, we sit down with leading cannabis attorney Jeff Schultz, Partner at Foley Hoag, to unpack the real story on New York's adult-use market—what’s working, what’s broken, and where the industry goes from here. We cover: 🔹 The Good: - New York’s adult-use cannabis market is scaling fast—projected to hit $1.5–- $2B+ in 2026, up from just…

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Conquering the Universe with Ted Lidie, Founder of Alien Labs 1:08:43

27d ago1:08:43

1:08:43

In this episode of Higher Exchanges, we sit down with Ted Lidie, founder of Alien Labs, to talk about building one of California’s most iconic flower brands—and what it takes to scale that success across markets. We cover: 🌱 The Alien Labs origin story and legacy in the 215 era 🤝 Partnering with Connected and navigating Prop 64 🔥 What makes truly g…

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The Path Forward Starring Sammy J

1M ago

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In this episode of Higher Exchanges, we sit down with Sammy J to break down what it takes to navigate the cannabis market in 2025. With low or negative growth, tightening margins, and shifting consumer behavior, the landscape is forcing operators to get sharper, leaner, and more strategic. We cover: 📉 Pricing, volume, and profitability in today’s m…

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Conferences, Courts, and Cannabis Updates 1:05:06

2M ago1:05:06

1:05:06

In this episode of Higher Exchanges, we cover: 📈 Bitcoin 2025 recap – key takeaways from the Vegas conference 🗓️ Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference preview – what to expect and who’s attending 🧾 Earnings review – insights and investor signals from the latest quarterly reports ⚖️ BSF update – legal developments and potential implications of the la…

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The Unfiltered Truth with Seth Yakatan 1:12:14

2M ago1:12:14

1:12:14

In this episode of Higher Exchanges, we sit down with Seth Yakatan, Partner at Katan Associates and Strategic Advisor to Glass House Brands. Known for his candid insights and strong voice on LinkedIn, Seth joins us to unpack the hard truths, overlooked opportunities, and evolving dynamics in the cannabis capital markets. We dive into: Seth’s journe…

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The Global Playbook with Zachary George, CEO of SNDL 1:13:39

3M ago1:13:39

1:13:39

Zachary George joins Higher Exchanges to share the strategic vision behind SNDL’s transformation into a debt-free, cash-rich cannabis leader. We cover: 🌱 Zach’s journey from Wall Street to cannabis 🇨🇦 Canada's retail evolution & market reset 🌍 Germany & global growth opportunities 🇺🇸 U.S. expansion strategy & OTC ambitions 💰 Capital deployment: buy…

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Where’s the Growth? Starring Hirsh Jain 1:32:54

3M ago1:32:54

1:32:54

In this episode of Higher Exchanges, we’re joined by one of the sharpest minds in cannabis policy and strategy — Hirsh Jain of Ananda Strategy — for a fast-moving, wide-ranging conversation on where growth is actually happening in the cannabis industry. We cover: 🌍 Germany legalizes adult-use cannabis — and what that means for international markets…

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How to Win in Cannabis with Mitchell Osak 1:02:07

3M ago1:02:07

1:02:07

In this episode of Higher Exchanges, strategic advisor and industry veteran Mitchell Osak joins us to unpack what it really means to win in today’s cannabis landscape. We dig into: 🧬 Mitchell’s journey into cannabis & key lessons from other industries 📊 What defines success today: financials, market share, leadership, & geography 🌎 U.S. vs. Canada …

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Grow Smarter: Learning from Cannabis Failures 1:31:26

3M ago1:31:26

1:31:26

In this episode of Higher Exchanges, Jesse Redmond and Morgan Paxhia dig into three pressing topics shaping the cannabis industry. 🌱 Planting Salisbury Canyon Ranch We kick things off with a look at LEEF’s landmark cultivation project. With 83-day auto-flowering plants going in the ground, the team is on track for a summer harvest and a second repl…

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Deep Dive with Colin Ferrian: Credit Markets, Pricing Trends, and the Hemp Industry 1:18:35

4M ago1:18:35

1:18:35

In this episode of Higher Exchanges, we’re diving deep into the latest cannabis investment trends, exploring key shifts in credit markets, pricing strategies, and hemp sentiment with Colin Ferrian, Portfolio Manager at Poseidon. Topics Covered: 💰 Credit & Lenders – A deep dive into IIPR’s distress, how other lenders are positioning themselves, and …

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Navigating the New Cannabis Landscape with Ascend’s Sam Brill 55:03

4M ago55:03

55:03

Join us as we sit down with Sam Brill, CEO of Ascend Wellness Holdings, to unpack the latest in cannabis investing and industry strategy. We cover: ✅ Ascend’s strategic evolution and key takeaways from Q4 📊 ✅ Retail expansion and how Ascend is investing for growth in 2025 🏪 ✅ The shift in the cannabis market—from the "Green Rush" to today’s challen…

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The Future of the Cannabis Industry with FiSai's Erich Mauf 1:13:24

4M ago1:13:24

1:13:24

In this episode of Higher Exchanges, we sit down with Erich Mauff, Principal at FiSai, to explore the evolving cannabis investment landscape. From his time at Deutsche Bank and Jushi to launching FiSai, Erich shares key lessons learned. We dive into: 📉 Industry Woes: How we went from the “Green Rush” to today’s struggles—politics vs. industry misst…

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Jason Wild & Ziad Ghanem Break Down TerrAscend’s 2024 Growth & Future Plans 1:27:39

5M ago1:27:39

1:27:39

In this episode of Higher Exchanges, we sit down with TerrAscend Executive Chairman Jason Wild and CEO Ziad Ghanem to break down the company’s Q4 and full-year 2024 results. We cover TerrAscend’s key market strategies across New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio, and dive into how the company has been strengthening its balance shee…

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Breaking Down Cannabis Earnings with CannaVestments 1:32:47

5M ago1:32:47

1:32:47

This week on Higher Exchanges, we’re joined by Nick Gastevich, aka CannaVestments, Vice President of V. Gastevich Investments, for an in-depth look at cannabis industry earnings. 🔍 Topics Covered: ✅ What are we looking for in these earnings reports? ✅ Deep dive into Tier 1 operators: Green Thumb Industries, Verano, and Trulieve. ✅ The conversation …

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The Road Ahead: Sammy J’s Take on Cannabis Industry Recovery 1:29:25

5M ago1:29:25

1:29:25

In this episode of Higher Exchanges, we sit down with Sammy J, VP of Corporate Development at C21 Investments, to discuss the state of the cannabis industry four years into the Great Cannabis Drawdown. Sammy shares his insights on the key factors behind the market’s decline, including revenue drops, margin erosion, and overspending on growth. We ex…

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Can Cannabis Stocks Recover? Insights from Turning Point Brands' Scott Grossman 1:22:43

6M ago1:22:43

1:22:43

In this episode of Higher Exchanges, we sit down with Scott Grossman, VP of Corporate Development at Turning Point Brands, to dive deep into the state of the regulated cannabis and hemp markets. We explore: ✅ Scott’s role at TPB and how legacy brands like Zig-Zag provide unique market insights ✅ Which states are seeing strong unit growth—and which …

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How to Play the Cannabis Beverage Boom With Craig Lewis, Founder & CEO of Flyers Cocktail Co. 1:08:53

6M ago1:08:53

1:08:53

Morgan is fresh off the plane from Vegas, and we start the show by asking how Poseidon is approaching investing in cannabis beverages. We discuss opportunities, risks, and ways to get involved. Twenty minutes in, we are joined by Craig "Lewie" Lewis, Founder and CEO of Flyers Cocktail Co., to explore the fast-growing non-alcoholic and hemp-infused …

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Four Fundamental Catalysts with LEEF Brands CEO, Micah Anderson 1:27:05

6M ago1:27:05

1:27:05

Jesse just joined LEEF Brands as Head of Investor Relations and Business Development. LEEF is one of the leading producers of bulk extracts in California, has a dispensary in Palm Desert, and a wellness line called LEEF Organics. LEEF CEO Micah Anderson joined Jesse and Morgan to discuss his background, the origins of LEEF, and the unique set of fu…

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Signs of Recovery With Kyle Sherman, Founder and CEO of Flowhub 1:25:01

6M ago1:25:01

1:25:01

This week's show starts with a conversation about whether we are seeing signs of the bottom. Jesse and Morgan contrast sentiment with valuations, drawing parallels to the tech bubble and recovery. Kyle Sherman, CEO of Flowhub, joings the show to talk about his cannabis journey, insights from visiting dispensaries across the U.S., and key trends sha…

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Is the MSO Model Broken Starring Jerry Derevyanny 1:41:25

7M ago1:41:25

1:41:25

The first show of 2025 starts with Jesse and Morgan reviewing Senorita Beverages. This is Agrify's first hemp beverage acquisition, and the guys give their thoughts on the two flavors they tried and where they fit in the evolving beverage landscape. Jerry Derevyanny, Partner at Bengal Capital, joins to discuss what has gone wrong with the MSO model…

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2025 Cannabis Investing Predictions 1:02:37

7M ago1:02:37

1:02:37

The boys are back for the final show of the year. This week, they discussed what they got wrong in their 2024 predictions and made fresh predictions for 2025. Topics covered include: - Rescheduling timeline - Boies Schiller Flexner lawsuit - Potential Republican reform - Price compression - Intoxicating hemp - Potential M&A - Dispersion in returns …

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Hemp is Living the Cannabis Dream 1:39:28

7M ago1:39:28

1:39:28

The guys are back from traveling and eager to share lessons learned from the road. Morgan was in Boston for the Boies Schiller Flexner oral arguments and explained what happened that day and the next steps for the case. Jesse went to MJBiz in Las Vegas and offered his take on sentiment, outlooks, and how intoxicating hemp has penetrated the Nevada …

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Boise Schiller Flexner Case Next Steps With Jason Wild, Emily Paxhia, Erik Luna, and Weldon Angelos 59:36

8M ago59:36

59:36

This week's show focuses on the next steps with the Boise Schiller Flexner lawsuit. Oral arguments are on December 5th, and we are joined by Jason Wild, Emily Paxhia, Erik Luna, and Weldon Angelos to dive into the details. Topics covered: * Overview of the case. * What's happening on December 5th? * Key parties involved. * Benefits of the case vers…

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Adapting to Change With AYR Interim CEO Steven M. Cohen 1:13:34

8M ago1:13:34

1:13:34

This week's show begins with Morgan and Jesse talking about the evolution of Agrify. A once stale and forgotten business has new life with an investment from Green Thumb Industries and evolution into intoxicating hemp. The guys talk about the path to get here and how it may evolve. AYR Wellness Interim CEO Steven M. Cohen joins the show and shares …

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Unlocking Potential With Ascend CEO Sam Brill 1:07:44

8M ago1:07:44

1:07:44

This week's show starts with an update on Jesse's experience at Benzinga's California Cannabis Spotlight conference in Anaheim. He explains who attended, what was discussed, and why you can't paint California with one brush. Jesse points out that California operators like LEEF Brands (CSE: LEEF, OTCQX: LEEEF) have transformational catalysts on the …

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Revisiting the Thesis With Dai Truong and Doug Kass 1:32:09

9M ago1:32:09

1:32:09

It's been a wild week in cannabis with elections and earnings results. We were joined this week by Dai Truong, Managing Director at Arlington Capital Partners, and Doug Kass, Founder of Seabreeze Partners. The conversation begins with a recap of the elections, emphasizing Amendment 3 failing in Florida and Republicans sweeping the executive and leg…

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2024 Election Preview Starring Hirsh Jain 1:18:31

9M ago1:18:31

1:18:31

With the election just days away, we are happy to have Hirsh Jain, Founder of Ananda Strategy, join us to break down all the races. We start with the Presidential election and handicap the outcome and potential consequences of a Harris or Trump victory. Cannabis is a state-led growth story, and several new adult-use states are on the horizon, with …

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The Sunshine State Starring Dan Neville and Brady Cobb 1:25:44

9M ago1:25:44

1:25:44

This week's show has two special guests: Dan Neville, CEO of AFC Gamma, and Brady Cobb, Founder and CEO of Sunburn. The episode begins by discussing the vibes in Florida as we head into the adult-use vote on November 5th. Brady shares his optimism and how they are preparing for the potential adult-use launch. Dan offers his perspective on the Sunsh…

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Three Benzinga Takeaways 1:16:18

9M ago1:16:18

1:16:18

Morgan and Jesse are back from a busy week at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago. This week's show focuses on what they learned at the event, and they both share their three biggest takeaways. Topics include institutional involvement, hemp, M&A, Ohio, and more. The guys also discuss the Gartner Hype Cycle and how we feel deep in th…

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Who’s Better for Cannabis: Harris or Trump? 59:09

10M ago59:09

59:09

With no guests this week, Morgan and Jesse had time to catch up on several topics. The episode starts with an update on a recent X poll about moving off Spaces and how the podcast may evolve. Jesse and Morgan are heading to the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago next week and shared what's on their schedules and how to make the most of…

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Efficient Craft Cannabis With Grown Rogue CEO Obie Strickler 1:23:23

10M ago1:23:23

1:23:23

This week's show begins with a discussion about Senator Wyden's Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act, which proposes more regulation for the hemp industry. Jesse and Morgan review the key points and how they may impact the intoxicating hemp market and legal cannabis business. Grown Rogue's CEO, Obie Strickler, joins the show to share how the compa…

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Finding Florida Opportunities With Emily Paxhia 1:08:42

10M ago1:08:42

1:08:42

This week’s show starts with a conversation about the large number of CEO replacements this year. Thus far, AYR Wellness, Ascend, Curaleaf, and The Cannabist all have new leadership. Jesse and Morgan discuss what's driving the changes and what makes a qualified cannabis CEO. Emily Paxhia, co-founder of Poseidon, joins 20 minutes into the episode li…

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Farm Bill Flower Opportunities With Kyle Kazan and Graham Farrar 1:35:56

10M ago1:35:56

1:35:56

Morgan and Jesse just returned from Glass House Brands' first analyst and institutional investor day and were joined this week by Glass House CEO Kyle Kazan and President Graham Farrar. The group recapped the day and shared some of the highlights from the presentations and tours. Glass House is a single-state operator focused on the California mark…

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Unpacking Political Catalysts With Jeff Schultz 1:24:35

11M ago1:24:35

1:24:35

Jeff Schultz, Partner at Foley Hoag, joins the show this week to help us understand the complex political catalysts ahead for cannabis. We start with rescheduling, and Jeff offers his perspective on the ALJ hearing and when we may see a final ruling. A Garland Memo may follow the final ruling and Jeff explains the memo's importance. SAFER Banking m…

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Harvesting Adult-Use Opportunities With AYR Wellness With CEO David Goubert 1:06:00

11M ago1:06:00

1:06:00

The rescheduling process got extended with the announcement of the ALJ hearing on December 2nd. The show starts by discussing whether this is categorically bearish or if going through a more thorough process may yield a net benefit. Jesse and Morgan debate whether this impacts the broader thesis and the types of companies you should own. David Goub…

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Catching Up With CannaVestments 1:15:28

11M ago1:15:28

1:15:28

This week, we were joined by Nicholas Gastevich, Vice President of V. Gastevich Investments, known as CannaVestments on X and Reddit. Gastevich is a seasoned cannabis investor known for his excellent earnings analysis and industry perspective. The conversation began by discussing 2Q earnings results. We saw more differentiation this quarter between…

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Operator Spotlight: TerrAscend With Jason Wild and Ziad Ghanem 1:01:48

11M ago1:01:48

1:01:48

Higher Exchanges this week kicks off with a listener question about whether Schedule III is enough to kick off a lasting bull market. After going around the horn, Jesse, Morgan, and Toby agree that a combination of growth, cash flow, and greater access will meaningfully move share prices. TerrAscend's Executive Chairman Jason Wild and CEO Ziad Ghan…

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Trump Tips His Hand On Cannabis Policy 1:16:14

12M ago1:16:14

1:16:14

It was a busy week in cannabis, and the trichome trio is back to cover all the news. The show starts by analyzing Trump's comments about cannabis and what it may mean for Schedule III and broader reform. The group agrees that the early Republican statements appear to derisk the space and reduce possible opposition to Schedule III. We also explore t…

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S3 Comments Review and 2Q Earnings Preview 1:11:00

12M ago1:11:00

1:11:00

It's 103 days until the elections, and political theater continues to dominate the cannabis investing news cycle. This week, we learned that Kamala Harris is likely replacing Biden, and Toby helps us understand if this will be beneficial to cannabis and specifically to the Schedule III process. The rescheduling comment period also concluded this we…

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Mid-2024 State Catalyst Review With Hirsh Jain 1:25:25

1y ago1:25:25

1:25:25

Hirsh Jane, Founder of Ananda Strategy, joins the show to discuss the series of state-level catalysts ahead in 2024 and 2025. Ohio is in the process of approving stores and Hirsh updates us on when we might see doors open in the Buckeye State and his expectation for how sales will evolve. Florida is the biggest potential adult-use flip in 2024, and…

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Mid-2024 Federal Catalyst Review 58:08

1y ago58:08

58:08

The trichome trio is back to discuss progress on federal catalysts. The episode begins by discussing the 07/10 holiday, and Jesse updates us on trends he's seeing in the California concentrate market. The bulk of the conversation centers around Schedule III and how to assign probabilities to different outcomes. Morgan also gives us an update on the…

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Curaleaf’s Hemp-Derived THC Launch With CEO Matt Darin 58:10

1y ago58:10

58:10

The show begins this week by sharing due diligence tips when visiting a grow or dispensary. With cultivation, the group agrees there is no one way to grow great cannabis, but there are a handful of best practices. Regarding retail, location, parking, product selection, and budtenders were on the top of the list. Curaleaf CEO Matt Darin joins the co…

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Optimizing Assets With The Cannabist Company CEO David Hart 57:54

1y ago57:54

57:54

Off the top, the guys discuss Verano's announcement of a share repurchase program. The company authorized the repurchase of up to $50 million of shares and we debate whether this is a good use of capital. Toby is more bullish on the program, while Morgan is more concerned about preserving cash and investing for growth. The Cannabist Company CEO Dav…

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The Blame Game 58:22

1y ago58:22

58:22

The episode begins with Toby elaborating on a recent X post stating that a large $90b pension plan recently invested >$100m in a leading cannabis-focused fund. This led to a broader discussion about how institutions are approaching investing in cannabis. The conversation evolves into what's taking place in Florida. We recently saw a Fox News poll s…

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Merger Mania 57:49

1y ago57:49

57:49

It's merger mania week--or merger maybenia as Morgan called it--and this week's show is dedicated to the potential partnerships between GTI and Sam Adams and Cansortium and RIV Capital. We tackle GTI and SAM off the top with an overview of the proposed merger and discuss the timing and synergies. We debate the timing and wonder why now as we are ju…

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Reality Doesn't Bite 1:01:29

1y ago1:01:29

1:01:29

With Toby on holiday this week, Morgan and Jesse kick off this week's show by reviewing recent price action and contrasting it with reality. While falling share prices have eroded sentiment, there are positive developments. Ohio is beginning to turn on adult-use stores next month, and we analyze key dates, estimate the potential size of the adult-u…

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Rescheduling Reaction and Earnings Review With CannaVestments 1:16:47

1y ago1:16:47

1:16:47

Nick Gastevich, known as CannaVestments online, joined us this week. He is one of the most experienced cannabis investors and manages a family office that is active in the space. We discussed cannabis stock’s adverse reaction to the positive momentum on rescheduling and debated time frames for a final ruling. The heart of the conversation centers o…

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Political and Earnings Updates With Cresco CEO Charlie Bachtell 58:59

1y ago58:59

58:59

Cresco CEO Charlie Bachtell joined us this week to discuss the proposed rule on Schedule III and the company's recent earnings results. Cresco is active in Washington, and Charlie shared his perspective on Schedule III’s next steps, timing, and impact on Cresco's business. We also dug into Cresco's progress. 2023 was the year of the core, and Charl…

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Cash Flow Is King With Verano’s George Archos 1:00:51

1y ago1:00:51

1:00:51

Verano Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO George Archos joined the show to discuss the company's recent quarter. The business is beginning to generate significant cash flow, and George shared how he expects revenue to grow and opportunities to use the financial flexibility. We also asked about optimizing Florida assets ahead of the potential adult-use t…