Canna Connect Show

Brandon Padget on Cannabis Banking, Compliance & Building Careers in Minnesota Cannabis

What does it actually take to bank a cannabis business in Minnesota? In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, Stephen Eigenmann talks with Brandon Padget, Chief Deposit Officer at Union Bank & Trust, about the realities of cannabis banking and the infrastructure needed to support a growing legal market. Brandon shares the story behind Union Bank & Trust’s approach to cannabis, why their team believes banking should be accessible for entrepreneurs, and how thoughtful financial systems can help businesses grow sustainably. The conversation explores: *  Cannabis banking compliance  *  Supporting cannabis entrepreneurs in Minnesota  *  Banking fees and financial accessibility  *  Workforce development and union values  *  Building long-term cannabis careers  *  The role of community partnerships  *  Cannabis as a professional and skilled industry  This episode offers an inside look at one of the least understood but most important parts of the cannabis industry: access to financial services and the people working to make that access better. The Canna Connect Show highlights the builders, advocates, entrepreneurs, and organizations shaping Minnesota cannabis culture from the ground up. #CannaConnectMN #MinnesotaCannabis #CannabisPodcast #CannabisBanking

Tony Beman on Cannabis Energy Costs, Grow Lighting & Minnesota’s Infrastructure Challenge

The cannabis industry in Minnesota is evolving quickly, and behind every cultivation facility is a major conversation about energy, infrastructure, and long-term sustainability. In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, Stephen Eigenmann is joined by Tony Beman of the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) to explore how cannabis businesses can reduce costs through lighting rebates, energy-efficient systems, and smarter facility planning. Tony shares insights on: *  LED lighting rebates for cannabis businesses  *  Why energy infrastructure matters more than most operators realize  *  Real estate challenges facing Minnesota cultivators  *  The economics of cannabis cultivation  *  How Xcel Energy programs support microbusinesses  *  Long-term planning for cannabis entrepreneurs  *  Why efficient grow design can dramatically improve runway and profitability  This conversation offers a practical look at the business side of cannabis and the systems helping shape Minnesota’s emerging market. The Canna Connect Show highlights the people, businesses, and conversations building Minnesota cannabis culture from the ground up. #CannaConnectMN #MinnesotaCannabis #CannabisPodcast

Evolving the Industry with Don Raleigh III of Evolve Payment

Minnesota cannabis is no longer just an idea. It’s becoming a real industry in real time. In this special episode of The Canna Connect Show, Stephen Eigenmann sits down with Don Raleigh III of Evolve Payment to talk about the evolution of cannabis in Minnesota ahead of the Evolving the Industry event happening May 14th at The Minneapolis Club. Together, they discuss: *  the rapid growth of Minnesota cannabis  *  why compliant payment systems matter  *  the hidden costs of cash-heavy operations  *  NECANN and the importance of industry collaboration  *  cannabis banking challenges  *  what operators should know about payment compliance  *  how Minnesota cannabis is becoming more mainstream  The conversation also highlights the importance of community, relationships, and celebrating the operators building this industry from the ground up. If you’re working in cannabis, curious about the future of the market, or planning to attend NECANN week in Minneapolis, this episode captures a unique snapshot of where the industry stands today and where it’s heading next. 🎧 Presented by Canna Connect and Evolve Payment. 📍 Evolving the Industry  May 14, 2026  The Minneapolis Club  4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Grab tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985763963470

THC Drinks, Cannabis Quality & the Ganjier Movement | Elizabeth Sage

Elizabeth Sage’s cannabis story starts long before the Ganjier Guild. In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, we sit down with Elizabeth live from Lucky Leaf to talk about cannabis beverages, hemp regulation, product quality, education, and how the industry is evolving. We discuss: *  THC drinks and mainstream adoption  *  Why cannabis quality goes beyond THC percentage  *  Hemp vs marijuana regulation  *  Cannabis as a harm reduction alternative to alcohol  *  Elizabeth’s path from corporate consulting into cannabis  *  The creation of the Ganjier Guild and cannabis education movement  This is one of the broader conversations we’ve had about where cannabis culture and infrastructure are heading next.

Building NativeCare: Community, Culture, and Cannabis in Minnesota

Cannabis in Minnesota isn’t just about business. It’s about people, culture, and creating something that reflects the community it serves. In this episode, recorded live at Lucky Leaf Expo, we sit down with the team behind NativeCare to talk about what it means to build with intention in a new market. Terrell Charnoski and Shyanne McDaniel share their perspective on launching in Minnesota, the importance of representation, and how NativeCare is approaching cannabis differently. This isn’t just about opening doors. It’s about doing it the right way. We talk about: *  What NativeCare is building in Minnesota  *  The role of culture and community in cannabis  *  Navigating a brand new market as it unfolds  *  Why collaboration matters more than competition right now  As the industry grows, the voices shaping it matter. This is one of those voices. Listen in and stay connected with the community.