Mark Carlson on Cannabis Packaging, Leadership & Building Brands in Minnesota

Mark Carlson on Cannabis Packaging, Leadership & Building Brands in Minnesota

What role does packaging play in the future of cannabis? In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, Steven Eigenmann sits down with Mark Carlson of The John Roberts Company to talk about the intersection of packaging, branding, entrepreneurship, and Minnesota cannabis culture. After decades working in printing and packaging across markets like Colorado, California, Oregon, and Washington, Mark witnessed firsthand how cannabis evolved into a billion-dollar industry and how packaging became a major part of compliance, branding, and customer experience. The conversation explores: *  Cannabis packaging and compliant branding  *  Minnesota’s growing hemp-derived THC beverage market  *  Why packaging matters in a competitive cannabis industry  *  Leadership lessons from athletics and business  *  Mentorship, trust, and relationship-building  *  Supporting small cannabis businesses  *  The evolution of print and packaging technology  Mark also reflects on his time at the University of Minnesota, learning from leaders like Tony Dungy and Mike Shanahan, and why trust remains the foundation of both business and leadership. The Canna Connect Show highlights the builders, innovators, and community leaders helping shape Minnesota cannabis from the ground up. Chapter Markers 00:00 Disclaimer  00:45 Introducing Mark Carlson of The John Roberts Company  01:00 Minnesota Cannabis Growth & Hemp Beverage Packaging  02:55 Early Exposure to Cannabis Packaging Through Heidelberg  04:20 Watching Cannabis Markets Grow Across the U.S.  05:40 Why Packaging Matters in Cannabis Branding  06:35 Supporting Cannabis Businesses Through Print & Packaging  07:45 Joining The John Roberts Company After 34 Years  09:25 Growing Up in Chicago & Winning a State Championship  11:20 Leadership Lessons from Sports & Business  12:00 Tony Dungy, Recruitment & the Big Ten  14:25 Mike Shanahan & Coaching Leadership  16:30 Athletics, Business & Life Lessons  18:20 How Printing & Media Have Changed  19:00 Leadership, Mentorship & Building Trust  22:00 75 Years of The John Roberts Company  23:00 Packaging for Minnesota Cannabis Brands  24:00 Why Customer Service Still Wins  25:00 Hemp Beverages Are Exploding in Minnesota  25:30 The Future of Cannabis Packaging & Regulation

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.