Q1 2021 Quarterly Pitch Day Recap with Brent Johnson of Hoban Law Group

As season 4 heads into the final straightaway, RJ welcomes Marcus Williams, the Vice President of Community Growth Partners (CGP) based in Massachusetts, to the show.  

Unfortunately Claire was under the weather but as Marcus had invited the I'm with RJ show to check out CGP's first location, a beautiful farmhouse-style dispensary in Great Barrington, MA, called Rebelle Dispensary, we couldn't delay the recording - sorry Claire! 

Buttttttt...we're damn sure glad we didn't reschedule because this episode is a full hour of truth as Marcus breaks down the market in Massachusetts, the opportunities and challenges facing retailers and brands in New England and what its like to be a black cannabis executive with a passion for the plant and a previous career in technology.

With so much to discuss, forget this description and just check out the episode. 

So press play, turn the volume up and open up your mind as Marcus Williams joins the I'm with RJ show and drops some seriously valuable knowledge that every cannabis regulator, investor, entrepreneur, laborer and consumer needs. 

Season 4 - Episode 11 - here. we. go. 

Connect with RJ:

• IMwithRJ.com
• Outspoke IO
• Instagram
• Twitter 
• Linkedin - RJ
• Linkedin - Claire

Connect with Marcus and Community Growth Partners

• Website - Community Growth Partners
• Website - Rebelle Dispensary
• Linkedin - Marcus Williams 

2021 was a hell of a year - glad you are all still with us.

Season 4 has made it to double digits and the conversation is a dandy as RJ and Claire connect with David and Chef Phil from Acronym Investments, the team behind Kush Kitchen Oils and Misty Mountain Carts.

Claire connected with the Kush Kitchen team while budtending and running social media strategy for Wonderbrett's retail location - energetic, focused and respectful of the plant best described their first meeting and in a lot of ways, the Acronym family of brands. 

The conversation focuses on the roots of AI, which began in Washington D.C. - D.C. operates under decriminalization rather than legalization and the market is something of a sandbox environment, evident by the number of sku's Acronym has available in the east coast.

The conversation also covers what it's like launching products in the California market and the uniqueness of both Kush Kitchen, a flavored tincture designed for use with food, and Misty Mountain Carts, which is making 1 of the only full gram rosin 510 thread cart available in California. 

Join us for another kick-ass conversation this time with a focus on food and the future of cannabis as Claire and RJ connect with Acronym Investments 

Connect with RJ:

• IMwithRJ.com
• Outspoke IO
• Instagram
• Twitter 
• Linkedin - RJ
• Linkedin - Claire

Connect with David, Chef Phil and Acronym Investments

• Website - Kush Kitchen
• Website - Misty Mountain 
• Instagram - Misty Mountain

Join RJ for another great conversation, this time with Gordon Lewis, CEO of Massachusetts-based CRoP

With a site planned for Framingham, MA, CRoP intends to offer mature cannasseurs an unforgettably invogatoring experience, a concept that has been overwhelming under prioritized until now despite the obvious need and demand for it. 

Gordon and RJ dive into the rich history of pot in Massachusetts, discussing the good ol hash-filled days and the impact those experiences have had on Gordon and the retail store. 

This is a great conversation for cannabis entrepreneurs, investors and consumers of all ages, so  if you're lucky enough (and old enough) to have some oily, fragrant temple ball hash laying around, pull out your best hash pipe and open your mind to this I'm with RJ episode featuring Gordon Lewis of CRoP.

Connect with RJ:

• IMwithRJ.com
• Outspoke IO
• Instagram
• Twitter 
• Linkedin - RJ
• Linkedin - Claire

Connect with Gordon Lewis and CRoP

• Website - CRoP
• Linkedin - Gordon Lewis 

Join RJ and Claire for the first interview of the year, featuring Wana Brand's VP of Innovation, Mike Hennesy.

Mike's story is a classic one, having started as a sales person and worked his way to an executive role where his voice is now shaping one of the highest valued edible companies in all of cannabis. 

If you're just starting your career in cannabis or you're wondering what Wana brands is up to behind the scenes, this episode was made for you. 


Connect with RJ:

• IMwithRJ.com
• Outspoke IO
• Instagram
• Twitter 
• Linkedin - RJ
• Linkedin - Claire

Connect with Mike and Wana

• Wana
• Wana's Instagram
• Linkedin - Wana
• Linkedin - Mike 

The 8th installment of I'm with RJ's 4th season may be one of our realest episodes yet.

RJ and Claire are joined by Wes Eder, a successful cannabis entrepreneur and now Global VP of Revenue for publicly traded Bhang Inc.

Wes was extremely honest and heartfelt in every moment of this episode, whether discussing the opportunities and challenges around the domestic cannabis market or whether looking at the trials and tribulations he endured while walking his path to success.

For those who haven't yet met him, drawing on his family's rich history in the liquor distribution game, Wes Eder launched Shelf Life Distribution  with his business partner and wife Courtney Eder as adult-use recreational cannabis came to California back in 2017. 

Prior to that, Wes successful navigated the prop 215 medical market in California, becoming known as one of the best brokers in Southern California. 

The episode covers the entire journey and focuses on several aspects in depth including Wes' successful exit from Shelf Life and his new role as Global VP of Revenue for one of the oldest cannabis chocolate companies in America, Bhang Inc. 

If you manage people, if you're looking to launch a cannabis business or if you're just ready for a great fucking story about an interesting person, it's time to press play on Episode 8 of the I'm with RJ show featuring Wes Eder.


Connect with RJ:

• IMwithRJ.com
• Outspoke IO
• Instagram
• Twitter 
• Linkedin - RJ
• Linkedin - Claire

Connect with Wes Eder and Bhang Inc. 

• Bhang Inc.
• Shelf Life
• Bhang Instagram
• Wes' Instagram 
• Linkedin - Bhang Inc. 
• Linkedin - Wes

If you weren't already excited for the Turkey Day break, sit down and crack open your favorite cannabis beverage as Claire and RJ are live once again from the floor of MJ Unpacked, joined for Episode 7 by Lisa Hurwitz and Joe Reynolds of Happi Beverage Co. 

Featuring uniquely appealing flavors like raspberry honeysuckle and lemon elderflower, Happi's approach can be summed up as low dose, high quality. 

The product is all natural, vegan, non-gmo, a lot healthier than most other "adult" beverages and at 2.5mg's per can, the product is set to be a surefire hit with a wide range of canna consumer categories as dispensary beverage shelves continues to add new options weekly. 

While the episode is a quick one, the details are invaluable for entrepreneurs and investors alike as Lisa's veteran cannabis experience is on display throughout the 20+ minute conversation. 

Join our amazing host for another episode of the I'm with RJ show, live from MJ Unpacked - crowd noise and all - featuring Lisa and Joe from Happi Beverage Co. 

Connect with RJ:

• IMwithRJ.com
• Outspoke IO
• Instagram
• Twitter 
• Linkedin - RJ
• Linkedin - Claire

Connect with Lisa, Joe and Happi

• Site 
• Instagram
• Linkedin - Company 
• Linkedin - Lisa
• Linkedin - Joe 

MJ Unpacked

• Site

Claire and RJ keep the Season 4 joint circle going as they sit down live in Las Vegas for another conversation from MJ Unpacked, this time with Andrew Iwersen, co-owner of Canyon Edibles.

If you haven't had the chance to "suck it, lick it, chew it" Canyon-style, Andrew's wife Morgan Iwersen launched Canyon Edibles back when things were strictly medical in Colorado from her mom's kitchen.

As demand quickly grew and adult-use came online in Colorado, Canyon kicked things into high gear and has became one of the most recognizable Colorado edibles alongside brands like Wana, Mary's Medicinals and Cheeba Chews.
 
While Colorado has produced some classic cannabis CPG's, Canyon may be the only one that's managed to maintain a family-first focus while finding massive success. 

The conversation covers everything from the motivation behind Canyon's packaging changes, and a discussion about the quality of data available from BDSA to the importance of keeping things real as Canyon launches in California.  

Connect with RJ:

• IMwithRJ.com
• Outspoke IO
• Instagram
• Twitter 
• Linkedin - RJ
• Linkedin - Claire

Connect with Andrew Iwersen and Canyon Edibles

• Site 
• Instagram
• Linkedin - Company 
• Linkedin - Andrew

MJ Unpacked

• Site

Join RJ & Claire for another stellar conversation and this time the duo are Live from Las Vegas!

As part of I'm with RJ's special MJ Unpacked coverage, join us as we get to know Ben Koppel, co-founder of Loos, a California-based beverage company.

Born at the beach in Santa Cruz, Ben Koppel and business partner Anthony Bendana  created Loos, a 2 oz  - 100 milligram cannabis shot with the cannabis confident in mind.

Now a part of Terry Booth's Audacious, Loos is prepared for some exciting growth in 2022 as the conversation details. 

Despite its short run time, the interview also dives into Ben's time at 710Labs and Plus Products, the oversaturation of cannabis gummy market, the need for competition, the value of collaboration and the major marketing mistake most corporate cannabis companies are making right now.  

It's fair to say Ben knows a thing or two about cannabis CPGs and the interplay between RJ, Claire and Ben is unmistakable gold.  

Join RJ & Claire Live! from Las Vegas as the show says hello to Ben Koppel from Loos Beverages.  


Connect with RJ:

• IMwithRJ.com
• Outspoke IO
• Instagram
• Twitter 
• Linkedin - RJ
• Linkedin - Claire

Connect with Ben Koppel and Loos

• Instagram
• Linkedin

MJ Unpacked

• Site

Join RJ & Claire for a conversation that covers more ground than 4Front Ventures itself as the show is joined by Josh Krane, VP of Operations in California for the industry giant.

If you don't know, 4Front Ventures is a publicly-traded MSO which delivers 18 brands through facilities in 5 states, including a just-opened, 180k sq. ft. manufacturing facility in the California desert.

Josh Krane's career experience is as impressive and diverse as 4Front's edible offerings - prior to launching Field Extracts, Krane's resume includes launching All Games which  was acquired and turned into the video game television channel G4.  Upon many firsts at G4, Josh was the first person to put Twitter on TV.

After working at Comcast, Josh launched a web agency and an e-cigarette business before joining his brother Kris Krane in the cannabis industry and has not looked back.

The conversation covers hype weed, the importance of repeatable experiences, the human impact of automating cannabis edible production, capturing cannabis consumers, the power of budtenders, building sustainable company culture, the fate of small cannabis retailers, the importance of social equity, managing the cannabis supply chain, federal legalization, the benefits of consolidation and more. 

Join RJ, Claire and Josh as they discuss everything and the kitchen sink on Episode 4 of Season 4 of the I'm with RJ Show. 

Connect with RJ:

• IMwithRJ.com
• Outspoke IO
• Instagram
• Twitter 
• Linkedin - RJ
• Linkedin - Claire

Connect with Josh Krane and 4Front Ventures

• Site
• Instagram
• 4Front Linkedin
• Josh's Linkedin

Welcome back to another episode of Season 4 of the I’m With RJ podcast! 

This week, RJ is joined by Marie Montmarquet of MD Numbers along with new co-host, Claire Taylor, for Episode 3.

Season 4 is really heating up as we take the gloves off for a no nonsense conversation with Marie focused on revenue generation and the current supply imbalances plaguing California's outdoor and mixed light cultivators along with the realities of cannabis technology and what life is really like for social equity license holders in California. 

Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, Marie Montmarquet began operating a delivery service in California back in 2015 under the medical laws, aka Pop 215, before expanding into a vertical operation which now includes over 50k sq. ft. of cultivation, a distribution company and a consulting agency.  

To say Montmarquet is a mover and shaker is an understatement and the hour long conversation with RJ and Claire reflects that as the group covers cannabis product and market trends, fundraising and borrowing challenges faced by cannabis businesses and the social equity mentoring and consulting work Marie is doing throughout the state and beyond. 

The conversation also breaks down the challenges that cannabis operators face in building and implementing an efficient, data-driven tech stack and the connection between the federal laws and the lack of progression in the industry. 

If you're ready for a laugh and a healthy dose of reality, strap in and turn on with episode 3 of the new season of I'm with RJ featuring Marie Montmarquet of MD Numbers, inc. 


Connect with RJ:

• IMwithRJ.com
• Instagram
• Twitter 
• Linkedin - RJ
• Linkedin - Claire

Connect with Marie Montmarquet:

• MD Numbers
• Instagram
• Linkedin