Cannabis Unlocked

Chris Colón - CEO of Highway Cannabis

In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Chris Colón, CEO of Highway Cannabis, joins KEY Founding Partner Jordan Youkilis to unpack how cycles, capital, and timing define success in cannabis retail. Chris shares how he went from scaling fast-casual concepts like Smashburger to launching Highway Cannabis. The conversation covers how Chris sees states cycles over time sharing where smart M&A plays emerge across states like Colorado and California. Chris and Jordan also explore how hemp competes with cannabis retail, what products are moving in stores today, and why Schedule III won’t bring the capital shift the industry needs. In closing, Chris emphasizes the need for operational discipline, trusted product portfolios, and strategic patience in a fragmented market. Please enjoy the episode!

Andrew Davison - CEO of Long Play

In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Andrew Davison, CEO of Long Play Inc, joins KEY Founding Partner Jordan Youkilis to share how he built a national cannabis brand with a true American icon, Willie Nelson. Andrew recounts his path from Crocs’ first CMO to launching Willie’s Reserve in 2016, following a four-day interview with Willie Nelson’s team. The brand has since grown from flower and pre-rolls into vapes, edibles, and now beverages. Next they uncover positive outcomes of the Farm Bill, specifically the emphasis on product quality. In closing Andrew shares how Willie’s Reserve is different from other celebrity brands and how cannabis and music are historically intertwined.

KEY Investment Partners Webinar with David Culver 11/25

KEY Investment Partners Webinar 11/25 : Rescheduling & Cannabis Investing Why now and why it’s exciting): The DOJ/DEA’s Schedule III process is underway, and rescheduling would be the biggest federal shift in cannabis policy in decades.What you’ll learn: What’s real, what’s next. A clear, investor-focused briefing on timing, process, remaining steps, and what Schedule III does and doesn’t change (taxes, banking, listings, and M&A).

Aaron Miles - Chief Investment Officer of Verano Holdings

In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Aaron Miles, Chief Investment Officer of Verano Holdings, joins Jordan Youkilis, Founding Partner at KEY Investment Partners, to share his path from publishing into cannabis. The two dive into what makes Verano different from other cannabis operators.  Aaron kicks off with insights into the challenges of cannabis finance, attracting institutional capital, and the potential impact up-listing could have for public cannabis companies. Next they dive into today’s market themes: shifting M&A activity, price compression, competition from intoxicating hemp, and state-level opportunities. The two close with perspectives on rescheduling, 280E, the cultural role of cannabis, the future of psychedelics, and how Verano is positioning itself to stay ahead of capital markets. Please enjoy the episode!

Guy Rocourt - Founder of GR Consulting and Co-Founder of Papa & Barkley

In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Guy Rocourt (Founder of GR Consulting and Co-Founder of Papa & Barkley) sits down with Jordan Youkilis (Founding Partner at KEY Investment Partners) to talk about the evolution of cannabis product formulation, the history of legalization, and the power of plant medicine. The conversations starts with Guy’s journey into cannabis from the early days of California's care giver program all the way to opening one of the first extraction labs in Colorado, leading to his realization of the importance of full spectrum products and label transparency. Guy and Jordan move on to talk through the head winds the cannabis industry has faced, the opportunities hemp presents and the current political landscape around cannabis. The episode wraps up with Guy’s perspectives on cannabis meditation, his consultancy GR Cannabis, and his product brand CLEA Mid Life. Please enjoy!