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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?
One of the biggest challenges currently facing cannabis is the patchwork of regulations that make it difficult to scale efficiently across states. What works in New Jersey may look completely different in Missouri, and that creates a lot of wasted time and resources. We built MJ Unpacked to cut though the noise and create a space where licensed operators can easily connect to with their peers from other markets facing similar hurdles. Because we qualify our audience, these peer conversations are strategic and actionable, not just a stack of business cards. That’s how we are helping brands, manufacturers, cultivators and retailers find real growth pathways in a fragmented market
Where do you see the most exciting opportunity for growth and innovation in cannabis?
There are so many opportunities in a newly developing markets like cannabis it’s hard to pick one. For me personally, one of the most exciting opportunities for growth is in how cannabis products are merchandised. Dispensaries came out of the medical market, so they naturally took on a pharmacy vibe. But as the adult-use market expands and restrictions ease, I see huge potential for stores to lean into traditional retail strategies, creating experiential environments that feel more like mainstream shopping and less like a transaction.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone looking to break into the cannabis industry?
Understand your objectives for getting into cannabis to land in the right spot. Always be clear and honest with your skill set, don’t under or over hype what you’ve previously accomplished. Go to local cannabis meet-ups and be active on LinkedIn. Whether you worked for an international mainstream CPG company or been growing weed the last 40 years, be a sponge because there is always more to learn.
What is the most important thing you have learned from your experiences in the cannabis industry?
I’ve learned that cannabis is a marathon, not a sprint. Regulations shift, markets tighten, capital dries up, and then things open back up again. The people who succeed are the ones who adapt quickly and stay committed thought the ups and downs.
What do you want your legacy to be as it relates to the cannabis industry?
I want my legacy to be that I connected people at the right time in the right place to move them and the industry forward. Cannabis is built on relationships, and if folks remember me as someone who showed up authentically, treated people with respect, and created opportunities for others to grow, then I’ll feel like I left it better than in found it.