Episode 37 | How Minnesota Cannabis Businesses Are Saving Thousands on Cultivation Buildouts | Brad Obermueller, CEE

Episode 37 | How Minnesota Cannabis Businesses Are Saving Thousands on Cultivation Buildouts | Brad Obermueller, CEE

As Minnesota's cannabis industry moves from licensing into active cultivation, operators are discovering that power, energy efficiency, and facility planning can make or break a project. In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, Steven Eigenmann sits down with Brad Obermueller of CEE (Center for Energy and Environment) to discuss how Minnesota cannabis cultivators are navigating facility buildouts, utility requirements, lighting rebates, and energy planning. Brad shares what CEE is seeing across dozens of cultivation projects, why the Builder's Call Line is one of the most important resources available to growers, and how energy-efficient lighting systems can unlock significant savings for licensed operators. The conversation also explores Minnesota's emerging craft cultivation ecosystem, lessons learned from early cultivation projects, and how growers can position themselves for long-term success. Topics include: • Minnesota cannabis cultivation infrastructure  • Energy-efficient grow facility design  • LED lighting rebates for cannabis businesses  • The Builder's Call Line and utility planning  • Frost Leaf's cultivation project case study  • Craft cannabis cultivation in Minnesota  • Home grow lighting rebates  • Power consumption and cultivation planning  • Building trust within the cannabis industry  • The future of Minnesota cannabis cultivation Meet Brad & the CEE Team at CannaCon Brad and the CEE team will be exhibiting at CannaCon St. Paul on June 26-27, 2025. If you're planning a cultivation facility or exploring energy rebates for your cannabis business, stop by their booth and learn how CEE can help reduce project costs and improve long-term efficiency. Connect with Canna Connect: 🌐 https://cannaconnectmn.com [https://cannaconnectmn.com]

Episode 36 | The Future of Cannabis Jobs in Minnesota with Local 49's Patrick Doran & Benjamin Mike

What role should organized labor play in Minnesota's emerging cannabis industry? In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, Stephen Eigenmann sits down with Patrick Doran and Benjamin Mike of Local 49 to discuss workforce development, employee protections, apprenticeship programs, labor peace agreements, and the future of cannabis employment in Minnesota. As the state's cannabis market continues to take shape, the conversation explores how employers and workers can build sustainable businesses, develop skilled career pathways, and create opportunities that benefit both companies and employees. Local 49 brings more than a century of experience supporting Minnesota workers, and this episode explores how that experience may translate into one of the state's newest industries. The guests also discuss craft cannabis, hemp beverages, workforce training, regulatory uncertainty, and why collaboration will be critical as the market matures.  Get in touch with Local 49  https://cannaconnectmn.com/contact

Episode 35 | Tanner Berris Returns: The Past, Present & Future of Minnesota Cannabis

What has changed in Minnesota cannabis over the past year? In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, Stephen Eigenmann reconnects with longtime friend, former co-host, and Minnesota cannabis historian Tanner Berris for their first recorded conversation together in nearly a year. The discussion explores how Minnesota's cannabis industry has evolved since legalization, including hemp beverages, licensing, compliance, home grow rights, cannabis advocacy, and the role of the Office of Cannabis Management. Drawing on years of experience covering Minnesota cannabis policy and culture, Tanner shares his perspective on where the industry stands today and the challenges that still lie ahead. Topics include: • Minnesota cannabis history and legalization • Hemp beverages and federal policy • Home grow rights and advocacy • OCM regulations and compliance • Cannabis licensing and market development • Community building and cannabis culture • The future of Minnesota's cannabis industry For listeners who have followed Minnesota cannabis over the past several years, this episode serves as both a reflection on how far the industry has come and a conversation about what comes next. Guest: Tanner Berris Follow Tanner's Substack: https://tannerberris.substack.com/ The Canna Connect Show highlights the entrepreneurs, advocates, policymakers, and community leaders helping shape Minnesota cannabis from the ground up.

Episode 34 | Jen Reise on The Biggest Challenges Facing Minnesota Cannabis Businesses

As Minnesota’s cannabis industry moves closer to a fully operational adult-use market, operators are navigating a rapidly evolving landscape of legislation, licensing, compliance, and competition.  In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, Stephen Eigenmann sits down with Jen Reise, Founder of North Star Cannabis Consulting, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing cannabis businesses across Minnesota.  The conversation covers:  * Legislative updates and proposed cannabis policy changes * Supply chain challenges for medical and adult-use operators * The future of cannabis events and consumption lounges * Capital access and barriers facing small businesses * The North Star Accelerator program and supporting emerging operators * How dispensaries can compete in a crowded marketplace * Craft cannabis, customer experience, and local marketing * Federal rescheduling and the future of cannabis regulation * Hemp legislation and what it could mean for Minnesota businesses Jen also shares her perspective on where Minnesota's cannabis market is headed as more licenses are awarded, more dispensaries open, and competition increases.  One of the biggest themes throughout this episode is that success in cannabis won't simply come from having a license, it will come from building strong businesses, creating exceptional customer experiences, and adapting to a market that is changing faster than ever. Sign-up for Jen's newsletter: https://northstarcannabis.beehiiv.com/ Chapter Markers 00:00 Intro & Cannabis Industry Disclaimer 01:13 Minnesota Legislative Session Update & Cannabis Priorities 02:02 Event Licenses: Adoption Challenges & Future Opportunities 03:05 Public Consumption, Event Licensing & Consumption Lounges 04:10 Medical vs Adult-Use Supply Chains Explained 05:08 Why Unifying the Supply Chain Matters for Small Operators 06:32 Vireo, GTI & the Challenges of Medical Market Reform 07:05 Federal Rescheduling, DEA Hearings & What Comes Next 08:14 Rescheduling vs Descheduling: The Future of Cannabis Policy 09:17 Hemp, Marijuana & Why Cannabis Needs One Definition 10:34 Launching a Minnesota THC Beverage Brand 11:30 Jen Reise's Journey from Attorney to Cannabis Consultant 12:45 Building North Star Cannabis Consulting & Industry Education 13:15 Inside the North Star Accelerator Program 15:05 Opening a Dispensary Is Just the Beginning 15:40 Will Minnesota Have Too Many Dispensaries? 23:00 Consumer Education & Supporting Local Cannabis Businesses 27:24 How Small Cannabis Operators Can Compete and Win 30:00 Social Equity, Capital Access & Industry Challenges 35:00 The Future of Hemp Beverages & the Federal Hemp Debate

Episode 33 | 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