High Five: Alex Kemper-McCall

What’s the biggest challenge facing the cannabis industry right now, and how are you and/or your company addressing it?

Operating from a place of desperation and fear. The industry is so difficult, from the patchwork regulatory and tax schemes in each market, to limited and expensive access to capital, that just surviving is considered winning. But fighting for survival also means there’s less appetite for investments in innovation and partnerships if they don’t bring an immediate return. At Dablicator, we’re building true partnerships with our brand partners, investing in the relationship through no-cost marketing support, market intelligence, and training programs. And we see those brand partners who work with us in true partnership, taking full advantage of our support and sharing the insights they’re seeing on the ground, are the ones who are the most successful across all their categories.

Where do you see the most exciting opportunity for growth and innovation in cannabis?

Giving patients and consumers choice and access to their medicine and product. Nearly all cannabis products are intended for a single use case: vapes for inhalation, edibles for eating, concentrates for dabs, etc. But with the economy straining patients’ wallets, giving them the freedom of choice on how they can use their medicine not only brings more value to patients and consumers but also offers a real opportunity for companies to drive more innovation in their portfolio.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone looking to break into the cannabis industry?

Know why you’re entering the cannabis industry. This industry is incredibly challenging and requires absolute commitment to survive and succeed. You’re going to get knocked down repeatedly, and having a core reason for being in this industry is going to keep you picking yourself up again. I believe in the benefits of cannabis as medicine, having personally seen the positive impacts this plant can have for so many people. This belief is what keeps me striving forward in the face of all the challenges the cannabis industry presents.

What is the most important thing you have learned from your experiences in the cannabis industry?

Be nimble yet patient. Things change quickly in cannabis, and it’s key to be able to roll with the punches and adjust your strategy as necessary. Yet, at its core, the cannabis industry is an agricultural industry. You can’t make cannabis plants grow faster than they grow. So, just like cannabis plants, you may have to adjust your plans as things progress but have patience to see your plans (and plants) come to fruition.

What do you want your legacy to be as it relates to the cannabis industry?

Helping patients and breaking the stigma around cannabis. As cannabis legalization expands and the industry becomes more similar to other consumer packaged goods products, it’s critical that we don’t forget the beginnings of the fight for medical cannabis rights and patient access to cannabis. There’s a push and pull between keeping patients at the forefront of what we do while expanding the industry and breaking down that stigma about cannabis use for both medical and recreational users, and I want to be remembered as someone who never forgot patients.anged it.”

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