Talent in Cannabis

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

Ryan Basore of Redemption Cannabis

In this conversation, David Belsky interviews Ryan Basore, the CEO of Redemption Cannabis, who shares his journey from being a caregiver in Michigan's cannabis market to founding a successful cannabis brand. Ryan discusses the challenges he faced, including a two-year prison sentence, and how these experiences shaped his commitment to the cannabis community. He highlights the mission of the Redemption Foundation, which supports social equity and provides grants for expungements and commissary programs for cannabis prisoners. The conversation also covers the evolution of the cannabis industry in Michigan, the importance of strategic partnerships, and Ryan's vision for the future of cannabis legalization and market strategies. Chapters 00:00 The Journey Begins: From Caregiver to Cannabis Advocate 03:15 Overcoming Adversity: The Birth of Redemption Cannabis 10:09 Giving Back: The Mission of the Redemption Foundation 16:20 Navigating the Cannabis Landscape: Michigan's Evolution 22:04 Strategic Partnerships: Expanding Redemption's Reach 34:12 Future Outlook: Rescheduling and Market Strategies