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

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

Episode 32 | 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

Episode 31 | 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

Episode 30 | 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