Hey Headsetters, we're back with a new interview episode, this time with Verano's George Archos and Aaron Miles. We cover their wholesale strategy, a unique approach to loyalty and visions for the future. Listen closely and you might actually catch the date that Schedule 3 is scheduled to happen (not really). In this conversation, George Archos and…

In this conversation, Cy and Emily discuss the recent announcement by the DEA that they will recommend rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III. They explore the potential implications of this decision, including its impact on the capital markets, banking reform, and the ongoing Commerce Clause case. They also touch on the significance of this shift i…

Watch out Florida Man, the new headline is going to be about the big numbers that Florida will be putting up in a post adult-use legalized cannabis world. Join Cy Scott (CEO of Headset) and Emily Paxia (Managing Partner of Poseidon) discuss the exciting news that adult-use cannabis legalization has been approved for the November 2024 ballot in Flor…

The commish is cracking down in New York, bringing the full might of the OGS to the legal cannabis market. Emily Paxhia and Cy Scott take a laid-back data-backed look at all the latest headlines coming out of New York -- good and bad! New York Must Figure Out How to Fix Cannabis Mess, Hochul Orders [NYTimes] Jenny's cannabis sales [Headset] The Com…

Okay, so it's been a little while but we are back (by popular demand)! The High-Rise returns with an all-new episode where we discuss what's coming for the show this year, and cover the stories we think we'll be talking a lot about during this upcoming year. New York City vs. Upstate, Ohio timelines, Vapor Pen sales continued rise and Hemp D9 THC i…

We did it everyone, 2023 is done!! Well, for the High-Rise podcast anyway. On this episode, Emily and Cy wrap up the year with a podcast episode discussing the significant growth and trends in the cannabis industry throughout 2023 and a look back at what was discussed throughout the year from 75 episodes worth of content! They wrap up the podcast a…

In the latest High-Rise, Cy and Emily discuss the latest updates on cannabis legalization in New York and Ohio. They cover the settlement in New York and the approval of licenses for existing medical operators to transition into the adult-use market. They also discuss the disappointing progress of the cannabis industry in New York over the past yea…

New York is (probably) back baby! So, in our latest episode, we dove into New York's cannabis scene – and let me tell you, it's been a wild ride. We kicked things off talking about how New York's retail footprint in cannabis exploded by 2600% - that's going from 1 to 27 stores, which is huge, right? But there's a catch; it's still just 27 stores, a…

Hey all, hope you had a great Thanksgiving! In this episode of the "High-Rise Podcast," co-hosts Cy and Emily delve into the intricacies of Green Wednesday in the cannabis industry as its happening, focusing on emerging trends, market comparisons, and the nuances of consumer behavior. They examine the distinct dynamics between markets like Missouri…

This episode explores 'whole day units' in Ohio's medical cannabis program and their impact on the market. Hosts Cy and Emily compare Ohio's cannabis regulations with other states, focusing on patient counts, dispensary numbers, and sales. They discuss Ohio's transition to legal adult cannabis use and speculate on its potential effects. The convers…

Join Emily Paxhia and Cy Scott in the latest episode of High-Rise, where they unpack Ohio's surprising jump into legalizing adult-use cannabis. It's a big deal, not just for Ohioans, but also for the political chessboard. The conversation then takes a turn into the world of cannabis heavyweights, diving into the Q3 financial drama of Multi-State Op…

In this 150th episode of The High Rise podcast, hosts Cy Scott and Emily Paxhia celebrate milestones for the show and Cy's company Headset. Headset recently processed its 50 billionth dollar in cannabis point-of-sale data, equating to nearly 1 billion transactions. They also launched a free tool called Brand Explorer that lets anyone search and ana…

Join Emily and Cy as they host Darren Weiss, President of Verano as they discuss the genesis of the historic lawsuit filed against the federal government challenging cannabis prohibition under the Commerce Clause. The lawsuit argues that the federal government's current contradictory stance on cannabis - where it is illegal at the federal level but…

In this episode of the podcast, Cy and Emily dive into the latest pre-roll industry report from Headset. They discuss how pre-rolls are exploding in popularity, especially in Canada where they now make up a third of all cannabis sales. Cy compares Canada's love of pre-rolls to Ned Flanders' Canadian counterpart and his fondness for doobies. The hos…

In this week's episode, Cy Scott and Emily Paxhia dive deep into the shifting dynamics of the cannabis market. They begin with a closer look at Missouri, where the top 5 local cannabis brands are emerging strong, now accounting for almost 30%. What's fueling this rise, and what does it signify for other regional players? The discussion then transit…

We are live! Or, were live for that matter. Cannabis pioneer Kris Krane joins the High Rise at Benzinga in Chicago to reflect on his 25+ year career. He discusses pivotal moments like legalization in 2012 and his shift from advocacy to industry. Krane also provides an insider perspective on dynamics shaping the Illinois market and future growth opp…

This week, Cy and Emily dive deep into the transformative shifts in the cannabis industry. The much-anticipated SAFE Banking Act is finally approaching a Senate Committee vote, a monumental step in ensuring the industry's legitimacy. But the progress doesn't stop there! The Cannabis Users’ Restoration of Eligibility (CURE) Act aims to break barrier…

In this episode, Cy and Emily discuss the shifts in Maryland's cannabis scene. They reference a Brookings Institute study which highlights surprising support for cannabis in the state's November '22 election. Interestingly, even traditionally conservative regions in Maryland backed the move to legalize cannabis, proving that the topic transcends ty…

On this episode of the High Rise Cy and Emily decide not to talk too much about the recent news of the U.S. government’s potential move to reschedule cannabis to a schedule III controlled substance. At this point there’s no need to pontificate amongst all of the speculation bouncing around the industry until we get a substantial update from the gov…

In this episode of High Rise, Cy and Emily delve into the unfolding narrative of Ohio's imminent cannabis ballot initiative. The hosts unpack the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol's journey to secure signatures, detailing the suspenseful race against time and the subsequent validation process. They outline the proposed legal framework, i…

On this episode of the High Rise Cy and Emily paint a vivid picture of how cannabis brands are quenching their thirst for beer ventures specifically, Tilray purchasing eight beverage brands from AB/InBev. The discussion explores the implications of this cross-industry relationship on the evolving landscape of both markets. Our hosts also take a qui…

Join Cy and Emily in an insightful conversation with John Hartmann, the new CEO of Ascend Wellness, as they delve into the dynamic world of leadership, strategy, and growth in the cannabis industry. The discussion takes a deep dive into Ascend Wellness's strategic operations. John shares unique insights gained from spending extensive time at each o…

Join Cy and Emily on The High Rise as they explore the dynamic landscape of New Jersey's cannabis program. In this episode, they begin by delving into the recent amendments made by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission, prioritizing cannabis licensing for social equity applicants for three months starting September 27. The hosts discuss the implicatio…

In this episode of The High Rise, Cy and Emily provide a comprehensive look at the state of Illinois' cannabis program, exploring recent modifications to 55 new adult-use licenses. Tune in as they discuss the key changes in the licensing process, the use of a lottery system for selecting winners, and the removal of residency requirements and bonus …

In this episode of The High Rise, Cy and Emily dive into the intriguing phenomenon of THC inflation in the cannabis industry. They begin by addressing Organigram's recent earnings call, where CEO Beena Goldenberg highlighted the issue of falsely labeled cannabis products with exaggerated THC levels. Shockingly, nearly 50% of cannabis flower sales i…

In this episode of The High Rise, we delve into the latest news in the cannabis industry regarding a trademark infringement case. Tune in as we discuss the case involving the popular marijuana strain Zkittlez, which recently faced legal pressure from confectioner Wrigley, the owner of the Skittles trademark. Don't miss this episode that sheds light…

Join Cy and Emily as they uncover some of the buzz around Maryland's initial weekend of legal cannabis sales. Plus, get a nice little breakdown on 4th of July sales trends across the U.S. cannabis industry, delving into the evolving dynamics of cannabis consumption that occurs during this festive summertime holiday. Headset…

In this episode of The High Rise, Cy and Emily are joined by special guest Mitch Trellis, co-founder of Remedy, a leading retail chain in Maryland. Join them as they dive into an exciting discussion about Maryland's highly anticipated launch into adult-use recreational cannabis. Mitch provides valuable insights into the state's regulatory framework…

In this episode of The High Rise, Cy and Emily delve into the latest cannabis news and industry updates. They start by discussing the significant development that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is conducting an administrative review of cannabis scheduling, with plans to present President Joe Biden with a federal cannabis sch…

In this episode of The High Rise, Cy and Emily explore the exciting developments surrounding Alabama's upcoming medical marijuana program. Join them as they discuss the state's journey, from the signing of the program into law in 2021 to the preparations for the launch expected this year. Delve into the details of Alabama's medical marijuana progra…

In this exciting episode of The High Rise, Cy and Emily bring their insights straight from New York City as they delve into the rapidly evolving cannabis market in the state. Joining them is special guest Jeffrey Schultz, an attorney and investor with extensive knowledge of the industry. Together, they explore and analyze the unfolding landscape of…

In this week's episode of The High Rise, Cy and Emily dive into the latest update on the SAFE Banking Act. Join them as they discuss the recent developments and insights gained from Emily's investigating the hearings in Washington D.C. Get an inside look at the progress and potential impact of the SAFE Banking Act on the cannabis industry. Headset…

In this special rerun episode, we're revisiting our conversation with US Representative Nancy Mace from South Carolina. Pulled from the archives, we sit down with Representative Mace to discuss The States Reform Act, a bill she introduced that seeks to remove cannabis as a Schedule I drug. We also dive into her personal journey in the cannabis indu…

This week on The High Rise, we're discussing recent bank failures and closures and their potential impact on the SAFE Banking Act. As more states legalize cannabis, the need for secure banking solutions for cannabis businesses becomes increasingly pressing. Join Cy and Em for a timely discussion on the latest developments in cannabis banking and th…

In this week's episode of The High Rise, we're covering 4/20, the unofficial holiday celebrated by cannabis enthusiasts worldwide. Join us as we examine the cultural phenomenon of 4/20 and its impact on the cannabis industry, including exclusive insights into sales numbers from Headset's Insights platform. Don't miss out on this highly informative …

In this week's episode of The High Rise, we're thrilled to welcome back Andrew Carter, Director and Consumer Analyst at Stifel. Andrew joins us to delve into the latest notable moves being made by Canadian cannabis LPs (Licensed Producers) and to provide his expert analysis on these developments. Tune in for an insightful and engaging discussion on…

In this week's episode of The High Rise, we're excited to welcome back Matt McGinley, a Managing Director at Needham & Company and a regular guest host on the show. With his wealth of cannabis industry analysis and financial knowledge, Matt joins Cy and Emily to dive into the latest earnings news from major industry MSOs, as well as insights into t…

So the market for T-shirts, hats, paintings and even motivational speeches is going to get a lot smaller in Washington D.C. and for good reason! They are finally building out their ‘adult-use’ market. For a city known for its dysfunction, the news this week on the new law around DC shows some meaningful progress. https://www.marijuanamoment.net/d-c…

It seems like with each new legal adult use recreational market that opens up, there’s usually some kind of litigation involved—and the state of New York is no exception. On this episode of the High Rise, Cy and Emily shed some light on some of the drama happening in NY and why several major cannabis companies have had it with the way policy makers…

Happy Pi Day! Speaking of numbers, banking in the cannabis industry is still a total mess. In light of the recent collapse of Silicone Valley Bank, Cy and Emily felt compelled to talk about the ever persistent banking issues that plague the industry, as well as the historic (now 10 years old) Cole Memo. Headset…

If any category has the ability to differentiate and innovate itself more than most others, its Vapor Pens. Give this episode a full stream to hear Cy and Emily’s data backed analysis on this highly adaptive product category. https://www.headset.io/industry-reports/a-look-at-cannabis-vapor-pen-sales-trends#form https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsle…

This week on the High Rise, Cy and Emily dive into the topic of pricing trends around the industry at large. MJBizDaily recently published an article that scratches the surface on cannabis sales in California falling in 2022. Our hosts decided it would be a good idea to drill into this story much further and look at the pricing data in each market …

Twitter has just announced that they will now open up advertising on its platform to cannabis companies. This is huge news for an industry that's been previously prohibited to advertise on mainstream social media channels. Cy and Emily get into all the interesting details and data points around this positive news, as well as kindly critique a Marve…

Welcome back to the High Rise! We’ve got another great episode for you as Cy and Emily welcome a very special guest, Kyla Sirni CEO and co-founder of Dispense. Dispense is an e-commerce software that empowers cannabis dispensaries to list and sell products on their own website, giving owners the ability to utilize their online menus to increase SEO…

Missouri wasted absolutely no time in setting up its legal cannabis program — the state even opened its doors ahead of schedule! Cy and Emily marvel at this refreshing example of how a new adult use market can legislatively get out of its own way and get things done — unlike many other states that shall not be named here. https://www.ksdk.com/artic…

On this episode of the High Rise Cy and Emily talk about Emily's recent winter trip to New York where she had a chance to visit a couple of the new fully legal cannabis shops in NYC. Our hosts also get into the top of interstate commerce from California and how that ties into other markets on the East Coast. https://twitter.com/mkarnes/status/16202…

Already at the top of the year we’re seeing 4 new states that will soon take us to 25 total states in the US with legal cannabis programs—almost halfway there! Stream the whole episode as Cy and Emily reveal who’s on the docket for legalization and some interesting insights that only the High Rise can give ya. Headset…

Now you can legally buy recreational cannabis in New York! The first legal sale of recreational weed took place in a dispensary in Manhattan, just meeting the state’s deadline to open a store in 2022. Housing Works Cannabis Co., on Broadway and East 8th Street, and the dispensary’s first customer before the doors were opened to the public at 4:20 p…

Welcome back to the High Rise! On this episode we wanted to share a Q&A session from a webinar series produced by Trailblazers, a cannabis content community that seeks to advance the industry, unified by a shared ethos and vision of the future. We hope you enjoy hearing from Cy and Emily while they field some great questions around a 2022 recap and…

This week on the High Rise we are very excited to have two great guests join us on the pod. Sara Stewart CEO and Co-founder of Ritual Cannabis Hospitality and Scot Rutledge Partner at Argentum Partners who'll be breaking how cannabis consumption lounges will work in the great state of Nevada. https://ritualteam.com https://www.instagram.com/mssaras…