What’s the biggest challenge facing the cannabis industry right now, and how are you and/or your company addressing it?
Cannabis-related businesses not being offered options or access to essential financial services, especially insurance, remains one of the largest barriers to growth. At Risk Strategies, we specialize in designing custom insurance solutions that give cannabis operators the confidence to scale and protect their assets. We actively work with carriers, regulators, and clients to close the gap between emerging risks and available coverage.
Where do you see the most exciting opportunity for growth and innovation in cannabis?
The most exciting opportunity lies in the normalization of cannabis through professional services—insurance, banking, compliance, and risk management. As infrastructure matures, companies that treat cannabis like any other high-risk business will thrive. Innovation in risk transfer products, data-driven underwriting, and multi-state compliance support is where I see true growth potential.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone looking to break into the cannabis industry?
Lead with value, and learn the history. This is not just a business—it’s a movement. Respect the legacy market, understand the regulatory complexity, and be prepared to adapt quickly. Relationships and trust matter more than in almost any other industry.
What is the most important thing you have learned from your experiences in the cannabis industry?
The cannabis space is a community more than it is an industry. It’s built on shared values, lived experience, and mutual respect. I’ve learned that collaboration, trust, and showing up with authenticity are far more valuable than chasing short-term wins.
What do you want your legacy to be as it relates to the cannabis industry?
I want my legacy to be that I brought quality people together and helped strengthen the cannabis community through transparency, education, and genuine care for the movement’s long-term success. That I played a part in protecting its pioneers, empowering its operators, and helping ensure its growth stayed rooted in purpose.