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What’s the biggest challenge facing the cannabis industry right now, and how are you and/or your company addressing it?
The biggest challenge facing the cannabis industry right now is stability, both operational and financial. Rapid growth, inconsistent regulation, and limited access to traditional banking have made it difficult for operators to build sustainable foundations. Many businesses are running lean teams that juggle compliance, payroll, and HR without the right infrastructure or support.
At CanopyHR, we’re helping to change that by bringing enterprise-level HR, payroll, and compliance solutions to cannabis companies of all sizes. We focus on simplifying the employee lifecycle — from onboarding to benefits and beyond — so operators can focus on growth while knowing their people and compliance processes are protected.
Where do you see the most exciting opportunity for growth and innovation in cannabis?
The most exciting opportunity for growth in cannabis right now is in professional infrastructure like systems, technology, and people operations that will define the next generation of this industry. As more states legalize and established markets mature, companies that invest in scalable HR, compliance, and operational frameworks are going to separate themselves from the pack.
We’re seeing a shift from survival mode to structure. Operators are realizing that sustainable growth depends on having the right tools to manage people, benefits, compliance, and culture
What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone looking to break into the cannabis industry?
My advice is simple:
Bring endurance, flexibility, and a real commitment to growth. This industry will test both your patience and your creativity. It’s not for people who want quick wins, it’s for people who can adapt, learn, and keep showing up no matter how uncertain things get.
Jim Rohn said, “Work harder on yourself than you do on your job.” That’s never been more true than in cannabis. The people who last here are the ones who keep learning, stay curious, and invest in their own development just as much as the companies they’re building.
What is the most important thing you have learned from your experiences in the cannabis industry?
The most important thing I’ve learned is that when you set a goal and relentlessly pursue it (especially out of passion) anything is possible. This industry rewards persistence and authenticity. It’s not an easy path, but if you stay consistent and keep your purpose at the center of what you do, it will open doors you never imagined.
For me, cannabis has been the definition of the American dream. I started at the entry level and worked my way up to enterprise-level business strategy and leadership. That didn’t happen overnight. It came from believing in the mission, learning constantly, and refusing to quit when it got hard.
If you put in the work and stay true to your purpose, this industry will give back everything you invest in it, and more.
What do you want your legacy to be as it relates to the cannabis industry?
I want my legacy to be about legitimization and lifting people up. This industry is full of good people who just need other good people around them. That’s how we all win.
My goal has always been to help professionalize cannabis while never losing sight of its roots. To take care of others, to create real opportunity, and to build systems that make it easier for good operators and good people to thrive.
At the end of the day, it’s simple: help me help you. If I can leave the industry a little stronger, more respected, and more connected than when I found it, that’s the legacy I want.