How Ayr Wellness Is Resizing for Reality — What Operational Efficiency Really Means ft. George DeNardo
It’s not about planting flags anymore. It’s about profitability.As the cannabis industry shifts from rapid growth at all costs to operational precision, hard decisions are being made.Which assets are sized properly? Where can we build a well-rounded, potentially profitable business given the realities of today’s market? And how do we make the right calls for our teams while positioning for the world we’re actually in—not the one we hoped for?Ayr Wellness is deep into this approach, actively sizing its business for today’s environmentThis week we sit down with George DeNardo, President of Ayr Wellness, to discuss how Ayr is redefining success in cannabis:The shift from expansion to optimization: why less is moreData-driven decisions and automation tools Ayr is betting onWhy Ayr is still growing in Florida—and not waiting on the feds Chapters00:00 Introduction to George DiNardo and AYR Wellness03:05 Transitioning to President of AYR Wellness05:55 Operational Efficiency and Integration Challenges09:05 Data-Driven Decision Making in Cannabis11:57 Technology Adoption and Automation in Cannabis14:52 Balancing Investment in Technology and Operational Needs18:01 Facility Consolidation and Strategic Growth20:56 Future Plans for Expansion in Florida23:58 Navigating Florida's Cannabis Market Dynamics26:11 Quality Control and Brand Strategy in Cannabis28:16 Data Management and Crop Planning Efficiency30:35 The Importance of Internal Communication and Reporting33:10 Operational Challenges and Market Adaptation36:30 Leadership and Team Engagement in Cannabis38:31 Advice for New Entrepreneurs in the Cannabis Space40:45 The Value of Time Over Material Gifts42:43 Future Outlook for the Cannabis IndustryGuest Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgedenardo/http://www.ayrwellness.comhttps://x.com/AyrWellnesshttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ayr-wellness-inc/Our Links:Bryan Fields on TwitterKellan Finney on TwitterThe Dime on TwitterAt Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain The Dime is a top 5% most shared global podcastThe Dime has a New Website. Shhhh its not finished.The Dime is a top 50 Cannabis PodcastSign up for our playbook here:🎥 YouTube: The Dime📸 Instagram: The Dime
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44:30
Why Cannabis Companies Must Face Reality, Make Hard Choices, and Follow the Data ft. AnnaRae Grabstein
While it feels like progress isn’t happening — and that may be true at the federal level — inside the industry, it’s a completely different story.The financial model you built, the regulatory category you operate in, the market dynamics, the consumer behavior — every one of those variables is in motion. Constantly evolving. And new competitors are entering, disrupting your playbook from every angle.Reality is, the shakeout isn’t ending anytime soon. This industry is not for the faint of heart.The one thing that doesn’t lie? Data.Ground yourself in it. Use it to make decisions — the hard decisions. Because if you don’t, eventually the market will make them for you.Yes, it’s insanely difficult right now.But that’s par for the course in a billion-dollar startup industry with a constantly shifting foundation.This week we sit down with Annarae Grabstein to discuss the following:Why most cannabis financial models were doomed from the startThe THC beverage boom and what it reveals about consumer demandGo Wide vs. Go Deep: A strategy framework to actually survive this market Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Cannabis Industry and Guest Background03:02 Consumer-Centric Market Dynamics06:08 Navigating Regulatory Challenges08:52 The Intersection of Hemp and Cannabis11:55 Market Realities and Strategic Adaptation15:00 The Role of Data in Cannabis Operations17:59 Growth of Cannabinoid Consumption21:04 Future of Regulation and Market Access28:08 Defining Objectives for Market Success29:31 Deep vs. Wide Market Strategies32:14 Understanding Market Dynamics and Customer Relationships35:36 The Role of Technology in Cannabis39:32 Balancing Investment in Technology42:28 Integrating Data into Business Practices44:05 Future Trends in the Cannabis Industry46:45 Qualitative Due Diligence in Investment DecisionsGuest Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annarae/Instagram (@annarae_g)AnnaRae Grabstein (@annarae_g) on Xhttps://wolf-meyer.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/wolf-meyer/Our Links Bryan Fields on TwitterKellan Finney on TwitterThe Dime on TwitterAt Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain The Dime is a top 5% most shared global podcastThe Dime has a New Website. Shhhh its not finished.The Dime is a top 50 Cannabis PodcastSign up for our playbook here:🎥 YouTube: The Dime📸 Instagram: The Dime
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48:29
How Leafwell is Disrupting Healthcare: The Data Doctors Can’t Ignore ft. Emily Fisher & Dr June Chin
Can cannabis be the key to lowering healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes?Impossible, right?Think again.Leafwell has analyzed millions of data points and uncovered staggering, undeniable results—cannabis patients experience fewer ER visits, reduced prescription drug use, and better health outcomes compared to non-users. These findings aren’t just groundbreaking—they’re a wake-up call.This is just the beginning of unlocking the true potential of plant medicine, and with further research, education, and access, millions more could benefit.This week, we sit down with Emily Fisher & Dr. June Chin of Leafwell to discuss:The shocking data proving cannabis' impact on healthcareHow employers are integrating cannabis into their benefitsHow insurance coverage could change the future of medical cannabisGuest Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-arida/Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card Online - LeafwellInstagram (@leafwell_official)https://x.com/LeafwellLeafwellhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/leafwellofficial/Our Links:Bryan Fields on TwitterKellan Finney on TwitterThe Dime on TwitterAt Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain The Dime is a top 5% most shared global podcastThe Dime has a New Website. Shhhh its not finished.The Dime is a top 50 Cannabis PodcastSign up for our playbook here:🎥 YouTube: The Dime📸 Instagram: The Dime
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45:52
The Hard Thing About Hard Things: A Melody of Grit & Fortitude ft. Christina Betancourt Johnson
“It’s this crazy melody of things constantly happening, and you need an incredible degree of grit and fortitude. Even the best-prepared individuals with meticulous plans have to throw them up in the air like confetti. It’s an intangible feeling—until you get into it, you really don’t know.”This quote from Christina Betancourt Johnson perfectly captures the cannabis industry—where relentless highs and lows force constant adaptation. The question is: are we just treading water, or pushing forward to something greater?This week, we sit down with Christina Betancourt Johnson, CEO of Standard Wellness Maryland, to discuss:How even the best-laid plans evolve in cannabis.The balance between compliance, funding, and long-term growth.The mindset and strategies needed to thrive in an unpredictable industry. Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Cannabis Journey02:55 Transitioning into the Cannabis Industry05:52 Navigating the Application Process09:03 Understanding the Dichotomy of Cannabis Business11:50 The Importance of Vertical Integration15:11 Challenges of Operationalizing a Cannabis Business18:01 Managing Stakeholder Expectations20:49 Resilience and Adaptability in Cannabis26:31 Navigating the Cannabis Landscape30:49 Challenges of Social Equity in Cannabis33:37 The Importance of Agility in Leadership36:50 Engaging in the Legislative Process39:42 Empowering Communities Through Education43:54 Future Trends in the Cannabis Industry48:09 Lessons from Experience Guest Links https://www.standardwellness.com/https://www.instagram.com/standardwellnesscompany/https://www.linkedin.com/company/standard-wellness-company/https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinabjohnson/Our Links:Bryan Fields on TwitterKellan Finney on TwitterThe Dime on TwitterAt Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain The Dime is a top 5% most shared global podcastThe Dime has a New Website. Shhhh its not finished.The Dime is a top 50 Cannabis PodcastSign up for our playbook here:🎥 YouTube: The Dime📸 Instagram: The Dime
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51:34
Premium Should Mean Organic: How Jetty Extracts is Leading the Clean Cannabis Movement ft. Ron Gershoni
Want to know what a company really values? Look at where they spend their money.In cannabis, where cash is a rare commodity, Jetty Extracts is choosing to invest in:Thousands of dollars each month in additional third-party testing that isn’t requiredOCal-certified cannabis, the cleanest on the marketMost companies can’t even consider this level of investment. Jetty does it because they’ve spent over a decade building a brand on quality.As the industry shifts toward clean products, organic certification, and transparency, Jetty is making a conscious choice to lead, not follow.This isn’t just compliance—it’s a brand separator. And that’s what makes them different.This week we sit down with Ron Gershoni Co Founder Jetty Extracts to discuss the followingWhy solventless extraction is the future.Why OCal certification is a game-changer.How Jetty built a brand on quality and consistencyChapters00:00 Introduction to Jetty Extracts and Ron Grishoni02:39 Ron’s Journey into the Cannabis Industry10:24 Building Jetty Extracts: Early Challenges and Growth15:14 Scaling and Expanding Jetty Extracts21:19 The Importance of Consistency in Cannabis Products35:57 The Shift Towards Clean Cannabis43:10 Future of Jetty Extracts and Industry InsightsGuest Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-gershoni-1ba1271/https://jettyextracts.com/https://www.instagram.com/jettyextracts/https://x.com/jettyextractsOur Links:Bryan Fields on TwitterKellan Finney on TwitterThe Dime on TwitterAt Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain The Dime is a top 5% most shared global podcastThe Dime has a New Website. Shhhh its not finished.The Dime is a top 50 Cannabis PodcastSign up for our playbook here:🎥 YouTube: The Dime📸 Instagram: The Dime
The $100+ billion cannabis industry is fueled by innovative strategies and visionary leaders. Each week, we explore the journeys of CEOs from publicly traded giants, world-renowned scientists, and underground legacy growers shaping the future of this transformative market.
Bryan and Kellan uncover how these pioneers built their businesses, navigated failures and found success in this rapidly growing space. Join us to explore the lessons and insights driving the cannabis industry forward.
Netherlands