E82 - The curious case of why Canadian growers destroyed 425 million grams of cannabis last year

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 and the year by thinking through 2024 and what is ahead for California. 

Thanks to everyone who's been with us this year, I hope your 2023 was great and your 2024 will be even better.

Headset

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 year. 

The bulk of the discussion is on the recently legalized Ohio,  where they explore the recent legalization and the proposed changes to the law, including tax increases, home cultivation limits, criminal expungement, and more. They also touch on the potential impact of these changes on the Ohio market and the use of Luster Pods in the state.

Links:

• https://www.headset.io/industry-reports/ohio-cannabis-market-overview
• https://www.marijuanamoment.net/ohio-senate-marijuana-bill-keeps-criminalization-and-undermines-equity-despite-expungements-and-home-grow-advocates-warn/

Headset

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, and we've got thousands of unlicensed ones around.

We chatted about the CAURD program - that's the Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary program. It's been a bit of a slow burn, honestly. There was this lawsuit from disabled veterans that really put things on ice. Now, there's a proposed settlement that might just shake things up, and we might see these stores finally opening up.

There's a lot of potential brewing in New York's cannabis market. It's about getting those doors open, making sure everyone's included, and maybe, just maybe, we'll see some serious growth. Let's keep our fingers crossed and see what unfolds!

Show notes:

• Adult-Use License Types
• $83M for 3Qs in New York

Headset

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 and California, highlighting the differences in discounting strategies and sales patterns. The episode further explores the impact of store closures and shortened hours on sales trends, offering a unique perspective on how these factors influence market behavior.

A significant portion of the discussion is dedicated to the evolving landscape of vaping in the cannabis industry. The co-hosts dissect the popularity of vaping among Gen Z consumers, emphasizing how this preference is shaping the market. They discuss the technological advancements in vaping, drawing parallels to the evolution of smartphones, and explore how these innovations are influencing consumer choices and preferences. The episode also touches on regulatory aspects and market compliance, providing a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities within the cannabis industry.

Headset

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 conversation also covers Snoop's decision to quit smoking and its implications for the industry. A significant portion of the podcast is dedicated to 'Green Wednesday,' highlighting consumer trends and sales patterns in cannabis before Thanksgiving. 

Show notes:

• Washington's Dream on SNL
• Snoop Dogg says he’s giving up smoking after years of marijuana use

Headset

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 Operators like Ascend, GTI, Terrasend, Verano, Trulieve, and Curaleaf. Emily lends her sharp expertise to dissect trends, successes, and the not-so-small matter of navigating the infamous 280E tax code. They also touch on the potential seismic shifts in federal policy and what this could mean for cannabis businesses. 

Wrapping up, our hosts explore the evolving strategies of cannabis companies, showing us how the industry is growing up, getting smarter, and maybe, just maybe, figuring it all out. Whether you're deep in the cannabis game or just casually tuning in, this episode is a delightful blend of insight, analysis, and just the right touch of humor - perfect for anyone who enjoys a smart take on the ever-evolving cannabis industry. 🌱🎧

Show notes:

• Ramaswamy's lame excuse for voting NO
• What the heck is a buckeye

Headset

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 analyze cannabis brands and their performance. 

The hosts then discuss normalization and mainstreaming of cannabis, including Total Wine putting THC beverages on display in Minnesota and Green Thumb partnering with New York bakery Magnolia for cannabis edibles. They see these major brand crossovers as helping destigmatize cannabis use. 

• Headset Cannabis Brand Explorer
• THC at Total Wine
• GTI & Magnolia Bakery Collaboration

Headset

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 allowed and regulated in many states - violates the Commerce Clause by interfering with intrastate cannabis commerce.

The lawsuit is spearheaded by law firm Boies Schiller Flexner with support from a coalition of cannabis companies. Verano president Darren Weiss explains how the Commerce Clause was originally intended to regulate commerce between states, not commerce within states. He argues the federal regulation of intrastate cannabis markets contradicts the original intent.

Cy, Emily and Darren discuss how the contradictory federal policy impacts businesses of all sizes, from multi-state operators down to small social equity licensees. The lawsuit aims to open up banking, reduce tax burdens, and create fairness across the industry. While the case will likely take years to reach the Supreme Court, it represents a new front in the ongoing fight for cannabis law reform.

Headset

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 hosts talk about the growth of the connoisseur pre-roll segment, which has fueled much of the category's growth. They also touch on the rise of multipacks and some of the production challenges in scaling pre-roll manufacturing. 

Show notes / links:

• Headset Industry Report - Pre-Rolls: Analyzing category performance & sales trends
• "They warned me Satan would be attractive." - Ned Flanders

Headset

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 transitions to a recap of the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago. Cy and Emily recap the High Rise's first-ever live episode on stage at the event—a few key takeaways, and what a blast it was to podcast in front of a live audience. Emily also recapped on Meadowlands another industry event in Norther California organized by Meadow a leading point-of-sale tech platform in the industry.
  
 Last but not least, they delve into the data, breaking down the sales metrics for cannabis in September. With their unique blend of expert analysis, casual banter, and a dash of humor, this episode promises to be both informative and entertaining for all listeners.

https://www.benzinga.com/events/cannabis-conference/

https://meadowplatform.com

https://www.headset.io/markets

Headset