Cannabis Tech Talks

What happens when a cannabis manufacturer decides to challenge the industry’s biggest problem: products that are overpriced and underdosed? In this episode sponsored by SHOPLINE in association with ICBC and hosted by Mary Jane Gibson on the MJBizCon 2025 show floor, Carl Clouse and Preston Jackson of Bellasoft CBD explain how their Fresno operation expanded from a 500-square-foot startup to a 3,500-square-foot manufacturing facility, while partnering with brands like Dr. Zodiac to produce federally compliant hemp-derived THCA products that can ship directly to consumers in 38 states. WEBSITE: https://cannatechtoday.com/ Make sure to follow our other social media platforms to stay up-to-date on all things Cannabis & Tech Today. https://twitter.com/cannatechtoday https://www.facebook.com/CannaTechToday https://www.instagram.com/cannatechtoday

Recorded live at MJBizCon 2025, host Mary Jane Gibson sits down with Dawne Morris, CEO of Proteus 420, to talk about building privacy-first cannabis tech that helps operators compete smarter. From early compliance challenges to the launch of Phoebe AI, this conversation explores how secure, business-owned data can support better pricing, stronger retail performance, and more trustworthy cannabis operations. Sponsored by SHOPLINE in association with ICBC. WEBSITE: https://cannatechtoday.com/ Make sure to follow our other social media platforms to stay up-to-date on all things Cannabis & Tech Today. https://twitter.com/cannatechtoday https://www.facebook.com/CannaTechToday https://www.instagram.com/cannatechtoday

Recorded live at MJBizCon 2025, this episode of CannaTech Talks features host Mary Jane Gibson interviewing Simon Knobel, CEO and co-founder of Calyx Containers. Sponsored by SHOPLINE in association with the @International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC), the conversation traces Knobel’s leap from selling Bitcoin at 22 to building an 80-person cannabis packaging company. We discuss Calyx Cure’s 14% terpene retention gains, the compliance-focused Calyx Command platform, and how fast production timelines help brands stay ahead of shifting state regulations. WEBSITE: https://cannatechtoday.com/ Make sure to follow our other social media platforms to stay up-to-date on all things Cannabis & Tech Today. https://twitter.com/cannatechtoday https://www.facebook.com/CannaTechToday https://www.instagram.com/cannatechtoday

Recorded live at @MJBizCon 2025, this episode of Cannabis Tech Talks, hosted by Mary Jane Gibson and sponsored by @SHOPLINE in association with ICBC, features @Brett Harris, founder and CEO of LuvBuds. Known as the “King Bong,” Harris built a company now supplying roughly 30% of American dispensaries by helping retailers navigate federal tax code 280E through ancillary product sales that unlock legal overhead deductions. From the show floor, Harris breaks down the industry’s current “trough period,” marked by consolidation, debt-heavy MSOs, and mounting pressure on independent operators. WEBSITE: https://cannatechtoday.com/ Make sure to follow our other social media platforms to stay up-to-date on all things Cannabis & Tech Today. https://twitter.com/cannatechtoday https://www.facebook.com/CannaTechToday https://www.instagram.com/cannatechtoday

With more than 30 years in banking, Michael Andrud founded Lüt to confront one of the cannabis industry’s most entrenched obstacles: a payments system dominated by networks that penalize banks for serving the sector. In this episode hosted by Mary Jane Gibson live at MJBizCon 2025, Andrud details how Lüt developed the first new proprietary payment rails in 50 years, bypassing Visa and MasterCard to deliver faster settlement, lower costs, and FDIC-insured banking support through First Federal Bank of Florida. From its partnership with GreenCheck Verified to its focus on compliance, security, and operational efficiency, Lüt is advancing a purpose-built financial infrastructure designed to reduce cash risk and bring stability to high-growth, high-risk commerce. WEBSITE: https://cannatechtoday.com/ Make sure to follow our other social media platforms to stay up-to-date on all things Cannabis & Tech Today. https://twitter.com/cannatechtoday https://www.facebook.com/CannaTechToday https://www.instagram.com/cannatechtoday

When cannabis products began failing state microbial tests, @Radsource turned to an unexpected solution: medical x-ray technology. In this episode, George Terry and David Hyde explain how photonic, through-transmission decontamination eliminates pathogens like salmonella, E. coli, and aspergillus without harming cannabinoids or terpenes. This conversation, hosted by MJ Gibson live at MJBizCon 2025 breaks down why contamination is an agricultural reality, how regulations are evolving, and what proven, GMP-backed technology means for cannabis safety and product quality. WEBSITE: https://cannatechtoday.com/ Make sure to follow our other social media platforms to stay up-to-date on all things Cannabis & Tech Today. https://twitter.com/cannatechtoday https://www.facebook.com/CannaTechToday https://www.instagram.com/cannatechtoday

On this episode of Cannabis Tech Talks, host Mary Jane Gibson sits down with Darwin Millard, Technical Director at Cannabis Safety and Quality (CSQ), for a sharp, science-forward conversation on what really defines quality in modern cannabis. With nearly two decades in extraction, Millard breaks down live resin vs. live rosin vs. bubble hash, explains why terpene profiles matter more than THC chasing, and shares how ASTM D37 standards are shaping safer, cleaner cannabis from extraction to consumption. Recorded on the MJBizCon show floor and sponsored by SHOPLINE, in association with the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC), this episode is a must-listen for operators, technologists, and consumers who care about what’s actually in their products. 🎧 Listen now and rethink what “quality” really means in cannabis. WEBSITE: https://cannatechtoday.com/ Make sure to follow our other social media platforms to stay up-to-date on all things Cannabis & Tech Today. https://twitter.com/cannatechtoday https://www.facebook.com/CannaTechToday https://www.instagram.com/cannatechtoday

This episode features Blythe Huestis, Vice President of Retail for Sun Theory, in conversation with host Mary Jane Gibson. With more than 13 years in cannabis, Huestis traces her path from Arizona’s medical market to overseeing 13 retail locations across Colorado, spanning four distinct brands built to serve both loyal locals and visiting consumers in one of the country’s most established cannabis markets. She unpacks how shopper behavior has shifted toward convenience-driven products, why better education has led to more responsible consumption, and how knowledgeable budtenders remain essential to positive in-store experiences. Huestis also explains how technology supports growth without sacrificing personal service, drawing on insights shared live at MJBizCon in collaboration with ICBC and episode sponsor SHOPLINE. WEBSITE: https://cannatechtoday.com/ Make sure to follow our other social media platforms to stay up-to-date on all things Cannabis & Tech Today. https://twitter.com/cannatechtoday https://www.facebook.com/CannaTechToday https://www.instagram.com/cannatechtoday

In this episode of Cannabis Tech Talks, host Mary Jane Gibson sits down with Will Read, founder and CEO of CannaPlanners, for a candid conversation recorded at MJBizCon. Read reflects on attending his first conference in 2017 with credit card debt and a lot of nerve, and how that gamble led to building a creative and digital agency that has helped launch nearly 300 cannabis brands. WEBSITE: https://cannatechtoday.com/ Make sure to follow our other social media platforms to stay up-to-date on all things Cannabis & Tech Today. https://x.com/cannatechtoday https://www.facebook.com/CannaTechToday https://www.instagram.com/cannatechtoday

Mary Jane Gibson hosts the latest CannaTech Talks podcast sponsored by SHOPLINE in association with ICBC from MJBizCon 2025 with Rocco Del Priore and Michael Sekula of @Sweed, a retail technology platform built specifically for the cannabis industry. The conversation explores how Sweed streamlines operations for multi-state operators by unifying point-of-sale, inventory management, e-commerce, compliance, and advanced analytics into a single system, eliminating the need for fragmented third-party tools. WEBSITE: https://cannatechtoday.com/ Make sure to follow our other social media platforms to stay up-to-date on all things Cannabis & Tech Today. https://twitter.com/cannatechtoday https://www.facebook.com/CannaTechToday https://www.instagram.com/cannatechtoday

Join host Aron Vaughan and the Cancer Playbook team as they discuss the origins and mission of the Cancer Playbook initiative, which was co-founded by Jim Gerencser after his son was diagnosed with cancer. The company focuses on using technology, data, and patient-reported outcomes to empower cancer patients and provide them with personalized "playbooks" to guide their treatment and recovery. WEBSITE: https://cannatechtoday.com/ Make sure to follow our other social media platforms to stay up-to-date on all things Cannabis & Tech Today. https://twitter.com/cannatechtoday https://www.facebook.com/CannaTechToday https://www.instagram.com/cannatechtoday

Alex Rogers has spent the last decade turning the International Cannabis Business Conference into one of the most influential global gatherings in the industry. In this episode, he reflects on ICBC Berlin 2025, shares his views on market maturity, and explains why cultural nuance matters as much as regulation. WEBSITE: https://cannatechtoday.com/ Make sure to follow our other social media platforms to stay up-to-date on all things Cannabis & Tech Today. https://twitter.com/cannatechtoday https://www.facebook.com/CannaTechToday https://www.instagram.com/cannatechtoday

Greg Tannor spent over 20 years in commercial real estate—most notably helping secure Tesla’s global flagship lease in NYC—before making a bold pivot into cannabis. In 2022, he co-founded FlowerHouse New York, where he now serves as CEO. In a major brand move, FlowerHouse recently partnered with NBA legend Carmelo Anthony to launch his personal cannabis brand, STAYME7O. WEBSITE: https://cannatechtoday.com/ Make sure to follow our other social media platforms to stay up-to-date on all things Cannabis & Tech Today. https://twitter.com/cannatechtoday https://www.facebook.com/CannaTechToday https://www.instagram.com/cannatechtoday

Jay Sapovits, founder of Ink’d Stores, joins us to talk entrepreneurial pivots, cannabis merch that actually sticks, and why blockchain might just be the future of branding. From radio to private jets to high-end cannabis swag, Jay shares wild stories, sharp insights, and what he’s printing next. WEBSITE: https://cannatechtoday.com/ Make sure to follow our other social media platforms to stay up-to-date on all things Cannabis & Tech Today. https://twitter.com/cannatechtoday https://www.facebook.com/CannaTechToday https://www.instagram.com/cannatechtoday

X-ray technology meets cannabis safety. In this episode, XRPure Founder Jeff Adams and Sales Manager Joseph Bancheri join host Aron Vaughan to unpack how their innovative decontamination process is changing the game for cultivators, processors, and consumers. Learn why clean cannabis igoes beyond compliance, offering a competitive advantage. WEBSITE: https://cannatechtoday.com/ Make sure to follow our other social media platforms to stay up-to-date on all things Cannabis & Tech Today. https://twitter.com/cannatechtoday https://www.facebook.com/CannaTechToday https://www.instagram.com/cannatechtoday

We catch up with MariMed's new Chief Commercial Officer, Ryan Crandall, to get the scoop on the MSO's latest rollouts. Ryan offers advice on how to build a successful expansion strategy in an industry of complex regulations. WEBSITE: https://cannatechtoday.com/ Make sure to follow our other social media platforms to stay up-to-date on all things Cannabis & Tech Today. https://twitter.com/cannatechtoday https://www.facebook.com/CannaTechToday https://www.instagram.com/cannatechtoday

With 4/20 fast approaching, Zach Santarsiero, CMO of CannaPlanners and Brendan McKee, Co-Founder and COO of Silver Therapeutics dive into what it takes to prepare for the cannabis industry’s biggest sales day of the year. From cutting through the noise with data-driven marketing to managing inventory and staffing for a surge in demand, Zach and Brendan are here to share their playbook for a record-breaking 4/20. WEBSITE: https://cannatechtoday.com/ Make sure to follow our other social media platforms to stay up-to-date on all things Cannabis & Tech Today. https://twitter.com/cannatechtoday https://www.facebook.com/CannaTechToday https://www.instagram.com/cannatechtoday

Aron Vaughan catches up with the host of "Planted with Sara Payan," covering various topics including her personal wellness journey, what inspired her to begin a podcast, legislation, and more. WEBSITE: https://cannatechtoday.com/ Make sure to follow our other social media platforms to stay up-to-date on all things Cannabis & Tech Today. https://twitter.com/cannatechtoday https://www.facebook.com/CannaTechToday https://www.instagram.com/cannatechtoday

In this episode, we sit down with Big Mike Straumietis, founder of Advanced Nutrients, to discuss the science behind premium cannabis cultivation, industry innovations, and what it takes to build a global brand. Tune in for expert insights and entrepreneurial wisdom from one of the biggest names in cannabis. WEBSITE: https://cannatechtoday.com/ Make sure to follow our other social media platforms to stay up-to-date on all things Cannabis & Tech Today. https://twitter.com/cannatechtoday https://www.facebook.com/CannaTechToday https://www.instagram.com/cannatechtoday

Tracee McAfee, co-founder of Cryo Cure, joins Cannabis Tech Talks at MJBizCon to discuss her company’s innovative drying technology. Learn how their patented process delivers fresh, terpene-rich cannabis in just 12 hours, why industry legend Ed Rosenthal joined their team, and how Cryo Cure is partnering with Green Rebates to help cultivators save on energy costs. WEBSITE: https://cannatechtoday.com/ Make sure to follow our other social media platforms to stay up-to-date on all things Cannabis & Tech Today. https://twitter.com/cannatechtoday https://www.facebook.com/CannaTechToday https://www.instagram.com/cannatechtoday