Why the Industry’s Premier Brands Choose The Flowery — and What’s Coming Next in New York & Florida ft. Ilya Shmidt
Florida and New York are massive markets — but they’re still early. Everyone’s fighting for attention, trust, and long-term positioning.So how did The Flowery rise to the top and become the go-to partner for the industry’s premier brands?710 Labs. Wizard Trees. Preferred Gardens. Doja Pak the list goes on.These brands are some of the most sought-after names in the entire cannabis industry.They drive traffic into the store, signal trust with customers, and are built on quality and brand recognition.This week we sit down with Ilya Shmidt, of The Flowery, to uncover how his team became the trusted home for the most influential names in cannabis — and how they're scaling that same trust across Florida and New York.In this episode, we dive into:How The Flowery earned partnerships with the industry’s top-tier brandsThe systems behind scaling quality and consistency at retailWhy New York’s market share shifted fast — and what’s next in FloridaChapters00:00 Introduction to Flowery and Ilya Schmidt01:07 Ilya's Journey into the Cannabis Industry02:41 Building Brand Partnerships in Cannabis05:07 The Vetting Process for Brand Collaborations06:01 Vertical Integration in Cannabis Production10:30 Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing Among Brands12:51 Creating Unique Cultivars and Market Disruption13:06 Learning from Other Industries14:59 Balancing Brand Visibility and Shelf Space18:05 Expanding into New Markets like New York22:54 Navigating the Cannabis Market in New York29:42 The Importance of Education in Cannabis35:00 Emerging Brands and Market Trends39:01 Lessons Learned in the Cannabis Industry00:00 Introduction to Flowery and Ilya Schmidt01:07 Ilya's Journey into the Cannabis Industry02:41 Building Brand Partnerships in Cannabis05:07 The Vetting Process for Brand Collaborations06:01 Vertical Integration in Cannabis Production10:30 Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing Among Brands12:51 Creating Unique Cultivars and Market Disruption13:06 Learning from Other Industries14:59 Balancing Brand Visibility and Shelf Space18:05 Expanding into New Markets like New York22:54 Navigating the Cannabis Market in New York29:42 The Importance of Education in Cannabis35:00 Emerging Brands and Market Trends39:01 Lessons Learned in the Cannabis IndustryGuest Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilyashmidt/https://theflowery.co/https://www.instagram.com/floweryflorida/https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-floweryco?trk=public_profile_topcard-current-companyhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEhtokhIFa7UFWeSQqtR3XgOur LinksBryan Fields on TwitterKellan Finney on TwitterThe Dime on TwitterAt Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain The Dime is a top 5% most shared global podcastThe Dime has a New Website. Shhhh its not finished.The Dime is a top 50 Cannabis PodcastSign up for our playbook here:🎥 YouTube: The Dime📸 Instagram: The Dime
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45:00
Big Tobacco Is Moving on Cannabis, the Global Strategy Is Unfolding, and Deepak Anand Reveals Where’s Next
Big Tobacco knows cigarettes are dead.They’re sitting on cash, looking for growth — and cannabis is the obvious move.They’re no longer silently watching from the sidelines. They’re investing, expanding — some through public acquisitions, others through quieter plays. But one thing is clear: it’s no secret anymore. Big Tobacco is here, leveraging its resources to capture market share quickly, while cannabis companies continue to struggle.And on the other side of the coin? The global unlock continues.With U.S. operators mostly stuck within national borders, Canadian companies are finally getting the green light to activate dormant facilities and feed growing EU demand. Companies like Curaleaf are thriving in the international arena — and it’s just getting started.This week, we sit down with global cannabis strategist Deepak Anand to break down:Tobacco’s positioning — and what they’re likely eyeing nextWhich U.S. companies Deepak expects to head overseasWhich international markets are heating up nextChapters00:00 Introduction to the Cannabis Landscape03:05 Deepak's Journey into Cannabis Consulting06:11 Understanding CPG Companies' Entry into Cannabis08:58 Market Dynamics and Regulatory Challenges11:48 Consolidation Trends in the Cannabis Industry15:09 The Booming German Cannabis Market18:06 International Expansion and MSO Strategies21:02 Future Outlook for Cannabis Companies26:23 Emerging Opportunities in the Australian Cannabis Market29:12 Navigating Regulatory Challenges in International Markets30:51 The Evolving Landscape of Recreational Cannabis34:05 Strategic Moves by Tobacco Companies in Cannabis36:35 Crafting Tailored Strategies for Cannabis Clients40:00 International Perspectives on U.S. Cannabis Policies42:26 Insights from the GCRS Event in Washington, DCGuest Links:https://x.com/_deepakanandhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ananddeepaks/About Deepak Anand Advisory Board Member at CB Company, MJBiz, Lift Events & Experiences, ASTM International, Cannabinoid Research & Development Global (CRDG) Network; Cannabis Industry Management Advisor at ASDA Consultancy Services; Vice Chairman Of The Board at Medical Cannabis Canada; Strategic Advisor at CanMar; Adjunct Instructor at Osgoode Professional DevelopmentOur Links Bryan Fields on TwitterKellan Finney on TwitterThe Dime on TwitterAt Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain The Dime is a top 5% most shared global podcastThe Dime has a New Website. Shhhh its not finished.The Dime is a top 50 Cannabis PodcastSign up for our playbook here:🎥 YouTube: The Dime📸 Instagram: The Dime
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48:42
Secrets Behind World-Class Extraction: How 1% Add Millions ft. Micah Anderson
Specialization is coming — and surviving will mean doing one thing better than anyone else.But that’s only the beginning. Getting there takes a relentless growth mindset: an obsession with stacking small operational wins — data, tech, genetics, process — to create massive separation over time.Extraction isn’t simple. And in a world of margin compression, “this is how we’ve always done it” won’t cut it.Micah shares how applying best-in-class manufacturing principles has helped LEEF reach elite levels of efficiency — and how just a 1–2% gain in yield can unlock millions in value. He also shares how they’re continuing to push the envelope to stay ahead.This week we sit down with Micah Anderson to discuss:What it takes to earn trust from the world’s biggest brandsWhy world-class manufacturing technologies is massive edgeExpansion plans in NY and what’s next for “the farm”Chapters00:00 Introduction to Micah Anderson and Leaf Brands02:49 Journey into the Cannabis Industry05:51 The Focus on Extraction09:02 Challenges and Lessons Learned11:49 Data-Driven Decision Making14:52 Procurement and Supply Chain Dynamics18:03 Extraction Modalities and Client Collaboration20:58 Investment in Cultivation and Expansion Plans24:11 Strategic Moves into New Markets27:13 Navigating Market Challenges and Future Outlook36:35 Navigating New Markets: The New York Strategy41:13 Operational Challenges: Training and Culture in Expansion44:44 Bitcoin: A New Asset Class for Cannabis Companies52:40 Understanding Monetary Policy: Recommended Reads57:36 Fixing the California Cannabis Market: Tax Reforms About LEEF Brands: LEEF Brands' vision is to become the largest vertically integrated extraction company in the world. Follow our journey here. CSE: $LEEF OTC: $LEEEFGuest Links:https://www.linkedin.com/company/leef-brands-inc/https://x.com/micah_A_leefhttps://leefbrands.com/https://x.com/LeefBrandshttps://www.instagram.com/leefbrands/https://www.youtube.com/@LEEF_Brandshttps://www.linkedin.com/company/leef-brands-inc/Our Links Bryan Fields on TwitterKellan Finney on TwitterThe Dime on TwitterAt Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain The Dime is a top 5% most shared global podcastThe Dime has a New Website. Shhhh its not finished.The Dime is a top 50 Cannabis PodcastSign up for our playbook here:🎥 YouTube: The Dime📸 Instagram: The Dime
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59:42
If You’re Chasing Invoices in Cannabis, Listen to This ft. Brett Gelfand
You produced the product.They said they needed terms — “as soon as it sells, we’ll pay.”But the days kept going by… and nothing came in.In cannabis, collections are brutally difficult. With limited banking and tight cash flow, cash is king. So how do you know who’s trustworthy? Who’s a repeat offender? And where do you even go to collect?Sadly, this scenario is far too common — and it’s crushing the industry.This week we sit down with Brett Gelfand, founder of CannaBIZ Collects and the Cannabis Credit Association, to explore:How to protect your business before extending net termsWhat to do when customers ghost you on paymentHow big of an issue is this, really? Guest Links:https://www.linkedin.com/company/cannabiz-collects/https://x.com/cannabizcollecthttps://www.instagram.com/cannabiz.collects/https://www.cannabizcollects.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/cannabizcredit/https://www.instagram.com/cannabizcredit/https://www.cannabizcredit.com/Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Cannabis Industry Challenges03:09 Brett Gelfand's Journey into Cannabis05:59 The Importance of Credit Policies in Cannabis09:11 Proactive Approaches to Collections12:12 Building a Credit Association for Cannabis14:47 Data Aggregation and Industry Insights18:01 Navigating Legal and Ethical Challenges20:52 Market Trends and Future Outlook24:30 Understanding the Cannabis Industry's Financial Challenges32:03 Navigating the Debt Collection Process39:00 The Unique Aspects of Cannabis Collections43:53 The Current State of Cannabis Debt and Collections
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50:18
How Ayr Wellness Is Resizing for Reality — What Operational Efficiency Really Means ft. George DeNardo
It’s not about planting flags anymore. It’s about profitability.As the cannabis industry shifts from rapid growth at all costs to operational precision, hard decisions are being made.Which assets are sized properly? Where can we build a well-rounded, potentially profitable business given the realities of today’s market? And how do we make the right calls for our teams while positioning for the world we’re actually in—not the one we hoped for?Ayr Wellness is deep into this approach, actively sizing its business for today’s environmentThis week we sit down with George DeNardo, President of Ayr Wellness, to discuss how Ayr is redefining success in cannabis:The shift from expansion to optimization: why less is moreData-driven decisions and automation tools Ayr is betting onWhy Ayr is still growing in Florida—and not waiting on the feds Chapters00:00 Introduction to George DiNardo and AYR Wellness03:05 Transitioning to President of AYR Wellness05:55 Operational Efficiency and Integration Challenges09:05 Data-Driven Decision Making in Cannabis11:57 Technology Adoption and Automation in Cannabis14:52 Balancing Investment in Technology and Operational Needs18:01 Facility Consolidation and Strategic Growth20:56 Future Plans for Expansion in Florida23:58 Navigating Florida's Cannabis Market Dynamics26:11 Quality Control and Brand Strategy in Cannabis28:16 Data Management and Crop Planning Efficiency30:35 The Importance of Internal Communication and Reporting33:10 Operational Challenges and Market Adaptation36:30 Leadership and Team Engagement in Cannabis38:31 Advice for New Entrepreneurs in the Cannabis Space40:45 The Value of Time Over Material Gifts42:43 Future Outlook for the Cannabis IndustryGuest Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgedenardo/http://www.ayrwellness.comhttps://x.com/AyrWellnesshttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ayr-wellness-inc/Our Links:Bryan Fields on TwitterKellan Finney on TwitterThe Dime on TwitterAt Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain The Dime is a top 5% most shared global podcastThe Dime has a New Website. Shhhh its not finished.The Dime is a top 50 Cannabis PodcastSign up for our playbook here:🎥 YouTube: The Dime📸 Instagram: The Dime
The $100+ billion cannabis industry is fueled by innovative strategies and visionary leaders. Each week, we explore the journeys of CEOs from publicly traded giants, world-renowned scientists, and underground legacy growers shaping the future of this transformative market.
Bryan and Kellan uncover how these pioneers built their businesses, navigated failures and found success in this rapidly growing space. Join us to explore the lessons and insights driving the cannabis industry forward.
France