Talent in Cannabis

Colton Griffin of Flourish Software

What does it actually take to run a cannabis operation? Colton Griffin has spent nearly a decade building the answer. On episode 6 of the Talent in Cannabis Podcast, David Belsky, CEO at FlowerHire, sits down with Colton Griffin, founder and CEO of Flourish Software.  Flourish Software is the operating system powering cannabis cultivators, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers across the country.  Before cannabis, Colton was deep in supply chain engineering for some of the most complex warehouse operations in the country. When he saw how cannabis operators were running million-dollar businesses off spreadsheets and gut instinct, he knew exactly what needed to be built. In this episode, Colton shares what it really takes to run a tech company in the most regulated, fragmented, and unpredictable industry in America. They cover: * Why 80% of a software implementation is change management — not the tech itself * The real cost of not knowing what's on your shelves (and what it's doing to your cash flow) * Why cannabis operators need industry-specific software — and what happens when they try to bolt SAP onto a grow operation * How Colton thinks about AI right now * What rescheduling actually means for medical operators on the ground today * His honest advice for entrepreneurs who want to build in cannabis This one's for you if you’re an operator, the builder, or ever inherited a spreadsheet that was supposed to be a "system." Host: David Belsky | Guest: Colton Griffin, CEO, Flourish Software

Gibran Washington of Ethos Cannabis

In episode 5 of the Talent in Cannabis Podcast, David Belsky, CEO at FlowerHire, welcomes Gibran Washington, CEO of Ethos Cannabis, a vertically integrated multi-state cannabis operator in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Ohio.  Gibran is a high-velocity venture builder and multi-industry expert who brings a rich, rare mix of operational expertise, a personal connection to the plant, and deep respect for cannabis culture.  Before joining Ethos, he built his career across food and beverage, hospitality, airport operations, restaurants, and multi-unit retail. He has a deep breadth of experience that prepared him to lead in one of the most complex, fast-moving industries in the country. In this episode, Gibran dives into: * Why Ethos positions itself as a craft cannabis company rooted in research, education, and medical efficacy * What experienced executives from other industries need to understand before jumping into cannabis * How cannabis culture differs across Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Ohio. * Why Ethos made the bold decision to close retail on 4/20  * What Pennsylvania needs to do to move adult-use cannabis forward * Why cannabis M&A is still difficult * Why attitude, curiosity, and passion for the plant matter more than cannabis experience alone when hiring

Rachel Roberts of the Kentucky Cannabis Industry Alliance

In episode 4 of the Talent in Cannabis Podcast, Rachel Roberts, Executive Director of the Kentucky Cannabis Industry Alliance, former state legislator, and 16-year yoga studio owner, joins David Belskey, CEO at FlowerHire.  As someone who spent years championing the legislation that ultimately made medical cannabis legal in KY, Rachel is uniquely positioned to know what building an industry from zero really looks like. She dives into: * The unexpected KY political dynamics that made medical cannabis possible in one of the most conservative legislatures in the country * What the first 16 months of a brand-new state program actually look like on the ground * The hidden barriers keeping patients out, and how KCIA is fighting back * Why well-intentioned regulations are creating unintended problems for operators and patients alike * What Kentucky’s timeline looks like for adult-use, and why the window may be shorter

Joe Andreae of Culta

In this episode of the Talent Cannabis Podcast, host David Belsky interviews Joe Andreae, CEO of Culta, discussing his journey in the cannabis industry, the evolution of cannabis markets, and the challenges faced during the California cannabis bubble. Joe shares insights on building a strong team, the impact of COVID-19 on cannabis brands, and Culta's strategy in the Maryland market. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration within the industry and outlines his future goals for Culta.

Matt Stang of High Times

High Times launched in 1974 — and didn’t just cover cannabis culture. It helped build it. After a short pause, the iconic brand is back. And Episode 2 of Talent in Cannabis goes straight to the source with Matt Stang, Partner and Chief Revenue Officer at High Times. Matt’s story is pure cannabis industry lore. In 2002, he reached out to High Times for a quote for his senior thesis. They were so impressed, they offered him an internship — kicking off a 25-year run at the center of cannabis media, events, and culture as the industry evolved from legacy to corporate. In this conversation, Matt breaks down what most people miss about the business behind cannabis media and the operational reality of producing major events. Plus, learn why the next era of High Times is all about community, quality storytelling, and independent journalism. In this episode, we cover: * How Matt’s career in cannabis started – and how it scaled * How High Times went from print to digital – what changed, what stayed, and what media disruption forced High Times to rethink * The real complexity behind producing cannabis events at scale * How the Cannabis Cup in New York ignited its comeback * Why the transition from legacy to corporate cannabis is messy and why it matters * The parallels between psychedelics and cannabis, and the regulatory reality holding psychedelics back * What entrepreneurs need to be ready for if they want a real shot in this industry * Where High Times is heading next and what they’re building toward