Under the Microscope with Jenny

Jenny Germano
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I am your host, Jenny Germano - the founder of ICS Consulting. With over 16 years of hands-on experience in the regulated cannabis Industry, I spent 6 years operating vertically integrated licensed facilities in Colorado and the last 10 years consulting nationally across the U.S. This podcast is dedicated to new and existing cannabis operators and those looking to launch a licensed cannabis business in one state or across multiple. Expect candid conversations on compliance, market-specific insights, startup pitfalls, operational strategies, and tips to manage the overwhelm that comes with launching and scaling in this complex industry. Join Jenny Germano every Wednesday at 12pm EST in navigating cannabis compliance and launching successful regulated cannabis operations. Whether you’re just entering the industry or scaling up, this is your go-to resource for real talk, real truths, expert insights, and actionable strategies. I've got a great line up of interviews, expert breakdowns and host insights.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Ep. 50: Cannabis & Banking: Bridging the Gap Between Operators & Institutions

    🎙In this episode of Under the Microscope with Jenny, host Jenny Germano, sits down with Chris Van Dyke, Partner at Cogent Law, to break down one of the most complex and often misunderstood areas of the cannabis industry: banking. Chris brings a rare, dual-perspective background, having helped launch one of the early cannabis banking programs and serving as a state regulator during the rollout of the 2014 FinCEN guidance. Today, he advises banks and credit unions on how to safely and effectively serve cannabis-related businesses (CRB’s). Together, Jenny and Chris unpack the fundamentals defining key terms like BSA (Bank Secrecy Act), and SARs (Suspicious Activity Reports) while exploring the shared compliance burden between operators and financial institutions. They walk through the real risks banks face, particularly around BSA/AML compliance, and why many institutions remain cautious despite growing demand. The conversation also addresses common misconceptions about cannabis banking, the evolving regulatory landscape, and why financial institutions are increasingly entering the space from fee-based revenue opportunities to portfolio diversification and long-term customer loyalty. Jenny and Chris dive into practical guidance for operators, including how to vet a cannabis-friendly bank, what to expect during onboarding and due diligence, and how to position your business as a low-risk, transparent customer. This episode is a must listen for operators looking to secure and maintain strong banking relationships, reduce compliance risk, and better understand how financial institutions are navigating the cannabis industry behind the scenes.   🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting 🌎 𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://www.icsconsultingservice.com 🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁:   Chris Van Dyke, Partner at Cogent Law 🌎𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: https://cogentlaw.com   ⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀⏰ 01:05 Chris Intro & Background 04:53 Defining CRB’s & Indirect CRB’s 07:50 Shared Compliance Burdens 13:24 BSA & SAR Definitions  15:06 Misconceptions about Cannabis Banking & Progress 20:23 Stigma Shifts & Rescheduling 23:11 Three Circles of Risk 25:41 FinCEN Guidance 26:40 Why Banks Bank Cannabis 29:20 Hemp Banking Uncertainty 32:32 Vetting Your Cannabis Bank 36:24 CRB Onboarding & Due Diligence 37:55 Deposits, Lending & Underwriting 40:13 MSO Versus Small Operator Risk 42:25 Being a Transparent CRB Customer 46:49 Avoid Banking Relationship Pitfalls 48:38 Final Tips & Wrap-Up   𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The content shared on this channel - including all videos, podcasts, interviews, and discussions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, compliance, or business consulting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis and related industries vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified attorney or licensed professional before making decisions that could have legal or regulatory consequences for your business. Listening to or viewing this content does not create a client relationship between you and ICS Consulting, Under the Microscope with Jenny, Jenny Germano, or any of the podcast’s guests. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICS Consulting or its affiliates.

    54 min

  2. 1 APR

    Ep. 49: Are You Overwhelmed by Cannabis Software Platforms? You’re Not Alone

    🎙In this episode of Under the Microscope with Jenny, host Jenny Germano sits down with Dina Nagib, Principal Consultant at Grass Goddess Consulting, to break down one of the biggest operational pain points in cannabis - software overload. Dina brings a unique perspective from her background in pharmaceuticals and software development. Together, Jenny and Dina explore why dispensaries in particular face a heavy software burden, managing everything from POS systems and e-commerce to marketing tools and state track-and-trace systems like Metrc. They walk through the software categories every operator encounters, including payroll systems, product ordering platforms, and analytics tools while highlighting the real risks of overcomplicating your tech stack. Jenny and Dina also talk about how to properly vet software vendors and why understanding your data structure is critical. They discuss the dangers of fragmented, non-integrated systems, the risks associated with switching POS platforms, and how poor integration can create compliance and operational gaps. This episode delivers practical, real-world guidance to help operators simplify their systems, stay compliant, and make smarter technology decisions as they scale.   🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting 🌎 𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://www.icsconsultingservice.com 🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁:  Dina Nagib, Principal Consultant at Grass Goddess Consulting LLC.  🌎𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: https://www.grassgoddessconsulting.com     ⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀⏰ 01:19 Meet Dina Najeeb 03:47 Why Software Overwhelms 05:52 Core Software Categories 07:38 Compliance & Traceability 10:41 Essential vs Nice to Have 13:41 Demo Prep Reality Check 16:46 Switching POS and Data Risks 22:48 All-in-One vs Stack 25:38 Integration Risk Concerns 26:01 Choosing Software Wisely 28:38 Evaluating Data Structure 29:48 Demo Red Flags 32:26 Fragmented Data Problems 46:05 Simple Software Advice 50:08 Final Thoughts & Wrap Up     𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The content shared on this channel - including all videos, podcasts, interviews, and discussions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, compliance, or business consulting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis and related industries vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified attorney or licensed professional before making decisions that could have legal or regulatory consequences for your business. Listening to or viewing this content does not create a client relationship between you and ICS Consulting, Under the Microscope with Jenny, Jenny Germano, or any of the podcast’s guests. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICS Consulting or its affiliates.

    52 min

  3. 25 MAR

    Ep. 48: HR Strategies for Growing Cannabis Businesses

    🎙In this episode of Under the Microscope with Jenny, host Jenny Germano, welcomes Amanda Eastling, Founder of Eastling Services. Amanda shares her path into cannabis HR, starting with a Minnesota-based, tribally owned cannabis startup where she built HR systems from the ground up developing policies, procedures, and operational frameworks tailored to the industry’s unique and highly regulated environment. Together, they unpack the complexities of cannabis HR, including layered compliance across state, federal, and tribal jurisdictions, employee badging and background checks. The conversation dives into the must-have HR policies every operator should have in place such as attendance and call-out procedures to technology use, recording restrictions, and security protocols around phones and restricted areas. Jenny and Amanda tackle common HR pitfalls, recordkeeping requirements including employee file retention and proper I-9 storage. As businesses scale, they highlight the importance of building HR systems that grow with the company, including benefits planning and staying aligned with legal counsel and regulatory expectations. This episode is a practical, no-nonsense guide to building compliant, scalable HR systems in cannabis while still protecting company culture and setting your team up for long-term success.     🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting 🌎 𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://www.icsconsultingservice.com 🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Amanda Eastling, Founder of Eastling Services 🌎𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-eastling   ⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀⏰ 00:47 Intro Amanda Eastling 04:29 Compliance & Labor Laws 07:28 Must-Have HR Policies 14:49 Onboarding Systems 18:13 Training & Retention 23:38 Promote from Within 26:55 Avoiding HR Mistakes 28:14 Impairment on the Job 28:50 No Consumption on Premises 33:23 Compliance & Recordkeeping 35:24 File Retention and I-9 Rules 40:03 Scaling HR Systems & Benefits 44:03 Protecting Culture While Growing 45:59 HR Platforms & Reporting 48:06 HR Tips & Wrap-Up   𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The content shared on this channel - including all videos, podcasts, interviews, and discussions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, compliance, or business consulting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis and related industries vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified attorney or licensed professional before making decisions that could have legal or regulatory consequences for your business. Listening to or viewing this content does not create a client relationship between you and ICS Consulting, Under the Microscope with Jenny, Jenny Germano, or any of the podcast’s guests. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICS Consulting or its affiliates.

    53 min

  4. 18 MAR

    Ep. 47: Cannabis Operator Series | Fireside Chat with Anthony Mollins of AJ's Craft Cannabis

    🎙In this episode of Under the Microscope with Jenny, host Jenny Germano continues her Cannabis Operator Series with Anthony “AJ” Mollins, Founder of AJ’s Craft Cannabis Farm in Colorado, for a deep dive into legacy cultivation, innovation, and what it really takes to build a sustainable cannabis operation in today’s market. AJ shares his journey from California’s legacy market, including launching Tahoe Herbal Care in Northern Lake Tahoe in 2009 and exiting in 2014, before relocating to Colorado to design and build a truly unique underground cultivation facility. Built on living soil, natural sunlight, and geothermal cooling and to produce high-quality, terpene-rich cannabis. Jenny and AJ get into the realities operators are facing today from increasing regulatory pressure, testing costs, and recalls to the industry’s continued shift toward large-scale, high-volume “pump and dump” production. AJ contrasts that model with craft cultivation, emphasizing plant health, environmental control, and post-harvest precision as the true differentiators in quality. They discuss the “why” behind his design - leveraging diffused and full sunlight cycles, low power consumption, gravity-fed water systems, and multi-room drying and curing environments to maintain consistency and control. The conversation also dives into the real challenges of bringing a non-traditional facility to life, including navigating permitting hurdles and engineering complexities.  This episode is packed with real operator insight, technical cultivation strategy, and honest perspective on what it takes to stand out in an increasingly competitive and regulated market.   🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting 🌎 𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://www.icsconsultingservice.com 🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Anthony “AJ” Mollins, Founder of AJ’s Craft Cannabis Farm 🌎 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: https://www.ajsmj.com 🌎𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺: https://www.instagram.com/ajs_kush   ⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀⏰ 02:05 AJ’s background 03:43 California vs Colorado 08:50 Design Inspiration 13:24 Permits and Build Challenges 15:08 Scaling and Market Pressures 17:16 Cultivation Philosophy 21:40 Living Soil vs Hydro 23:42 Sustainability Meets Profit 27:58 Efficiency and Climate Control 31:55 Craft vs Commercial 32:59 Terpenes and Old Strains 37:02 Standing Out in Wholesale 41:17 THC Hype vs Terps 47:38 Cleanliness and Culture 50:46 Living Soil and Companion Plants 52:34 Recalls, Testing, and Scale 54:36 Wrap Up & Final Thoughts   𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The content shared on this channel - including all videos, podcasts, interviews, and discussions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, compliance, or business consulting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis and related industries vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified attorney or licensed professional before making decisions that could have legal or regulatory consequences for your business. Listening to or viewing this content does not create a client relationship between you and ICS Consulting, Under the Microscope with Jenny, Jenny Germano, or any of the podcast’s guests. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICS Consulting or its affiliates.

    1 hr

  5. 11 MAR

    Ep. 46: Cannabis Industry Pitfalls & The Mistakes Quietly Killing Operators

    In this episode of Under the Microscope with Jenny, host Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting, shares lessons learned from operating vertically integrated cannabis facilities in Colorado during the early days and from years of experience guiding operators nationwide. She outlines the most common pitfalls quietly hurting cannabis businesses. Jenny emphasizes the difference between winning a license and achieving true operational readiness, stressing continual SOP updates, reinforced training, especially around seed-to-sale systems like Metrc, and routine internal auditing rather than waiting for regulators to flag non-compliance. She identifies silent profit killers such as inventory variances, sampling abuse, waste tracking issues, and reconciliation errors. Operators also face risks from data overload without actionable insights, cashflow blind spots, rapid promotions without leadership development, safety gaps in cultivation and manufacturing, and compliance complacency both in emerging and mature markets. Jenny shares practical strategies to identify risks early, tighten operational controls, and build systems that scale with evolving regulations, protect profits, and maintain compliance discipline. Listeners will walk away with a clear roadmap for operational discipline, a strong compliance culture, and management systems needed to build a sustainable, profitable cannabis business.     🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting 🌎 𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://www.icsconsultingservice.com   ⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀⏰ 01:35 Why Pitfalls Matter 02:12 Licensing Versus Readiness 04:48 Operational SOP Reality 10:47 Training That Sticks 13:39 Inspections and Self Audits 15:45 Systems Not Improvising 18:04 Compliance in Daily Workflow 20:15 Silent Profit Killers 21:57 Sampling and Destruction Logs 25:26 Waste Control and FIFO 28:41 Metrc Reconciliation Discipline 30:12 Inventory Compliance Stakes 31:21 Small Operators vs MSOs 32:17 Stop Leakage With Audits 33:31 Data Into Decisions 34:56 Cashflow Blind Spots 36:43 Middle Manager Gap 43:31 Safety and OSHA Risks 46:39 Audit Rhythm and Futureproofing 51:00 Systems to Stay Operational 54:45 Wrap Up      𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The content shared on this channel - including all videos, podcasts, interviews, and discussions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, compliance, or business consulting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis and related industries vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified attorney or licensed professional before making decisions that could have legal or regulatory consequences for your business. Listening to or viewing this content does not create a client relationship between you and ICS Consulting, Under the Microscope with Jenny, Jenny Germano, or any of the podcast’s guests. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICS Consulting or its affiliates.

    57 min

  6. 4 MAR

    Ep. 45: Designing Cannabis Facilities for Success in Emerging Markets

    🎙In this episode of Under the Microscope with Jenny, host Jenny Germano sits down with Evan Bliss, Owner and Design Director of Studio Bliss, to discuss what it really takes to design cannabis facilities in emerging markets. Evan shares his journey from traditional architecture into cannabis starting with extraction labs in California and expanding into cultivation and dispensary projects across the country. Together, they break down common misconceptions operators face, including underestimating total building size beyond licensed canopy and misallocating budget dollars. They emphasize the importance of engaging experienced design, engineering, and construction teams early to prevent workflow inefficiencies, storage and vault constraints, biosecurity gaps, and costly code-compliance issues. Key topics include phasing facilities for scalable growth, understanding the budget impact of HVAC and utility infrastructure, avoiding redesigns caused by fire egress and permitting missteps, navigating multi-agency approvals, managing equipment lead times, and preventing expensive power upgrade surprises through early load calculations. This episode delivers practical, real-world guidance for operators planning new builds or expansions in emerging cannabis markets.   🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting 🌎 𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://www.icsconsultingservice.com 🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Evan Bliss, Owner and Design Director of Studio Bliss 🌎 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: https://studioblissla.com   ⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀⏰ 01:24 Evan’s Origin Story 04:24 Emerging Market Reality Check 05:05 Canopy vs Facility Size 06:19 Phased Build Strategy 07:46 Engage Design Team Early 11:19 Budgeting and Delivery Model 14:53 Profit Drivers HVAC First 16:01 Designing for Licensing Success 17:44 Avoid Redesign and Code Traps 20:31 Permitting Delays and Cities 24:44 Upfront Steps and Equipment Lead Times 27:10 Operational Flow and GMP Thinking 29:24 Dispensary Layout Pitfalls 34:02 Vault Design Essentials 35:20 Space Constraints in Dense Cities 37:48 Inspections and Regulator Variability 43:13 Scaling Manufacturing Infrastructure 46:41 Phased Grows and Flexible Buildouts 48:14 Costly Pitfalls Utilities and Power 59:38 Plan Ahead and Final Takeaways   𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The content shared on this channel - including all videos, podcasts, interviews, and discussions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, compliance, or business consulting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis and related industries vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified attorney or licensed professional before making decisions that could have legal or regulatory consequences for your business. Listening to or viewing this content does not create a client relationship between you and ICS Consulting, Under the Microscope with Jenny, Jenny Germano, or any of the podcast’s guests. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICS Consulting or its affiliates.

    1hr 4min

  7. 25 FEB

    Ep. 44: Cannabis Operator Series | Fireside Chat with Joey Coleman Founder & CEO of KAI Dispensary

    🎙 In this episode of Under the Microscope with Jenny, host Jenny Germano continues her Cannabis Operator Series with Joey Coleman, Founder and CEO of KAI Dispensary. Joey shares how a paragliding accident in Colombia that caused a severe spinal injury led him to cannabis and ultimately into the industry. He discusses transitioning from operating a 40-acre hemp/CBD farm and extraction business to launching an adult-use dispensary in Grand Junction, Colorado. Joey walks through winning a license via lottery, building from the ground up, and navigating complex zoning, planning, and permitting delays. The conversation explores what sets KAI apart: thoughtful architectural design by his brother, a light-filled retail space with a courtyard and sawtooth roofline, curated merchandising including a “smell bar,” and strong community engagement through local artist partnerships and First Friday events. Joey also shares candid lessons on staffing, compliance systems, capital constraints, supply chain logistics to the Western Slope, and building a hospitality-driven culture without micromanaging. They close by previewing KAI’s one-year anniversary celebration in March, highlighting how intentional operations and community connection help a single-store operator compete in Colorado’s mature market. Listeners will walk away with practical insights on navigating licensing and delays, building a differentiated retail experience, and leading with both compliance and hospitality at the forefront.   🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting 🌎 𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://www.icsconsultingservice.com 🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Joey Coleman, Founder & CEO KAI Dispensary 🌎 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: https://www.kaidispensary.com   ⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀⏰ 00:57 Joey’s Origin Story 01:15 Crash and Recovery 01:48 Finding Cannabis Relief 04:33 From Hemp to Adult-Use 07:07 Designing Kai Dispensary 15:37 Customer Experience and Product Curation 20:46 Licensing Lottery and City Relations 25:44 Delays and Inspections 28:01 Cannabis Taxes Funding Community 29:16 Operational Surprises 30:39 Systems and Growth Wins 31:43 First Store Reality Check 33:28 Staffing Lessons Learned 35:01 Capital and Cash Cushion 38:12 Supply Chain to Western Slope 43:14 Community Events and Local Art 46:27 Employee Culture and Service 54:58 Wrap Up & Final Thoughts   𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The content shared on this channel - including all videos, podcasts, interviews, and discussions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, compliance, or business consulting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis and related industries vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified attorney or licensed professional before making decisions that could have legal or regulatory consequences for your business. Listening to or viewing this content does not create a client relationship between you and ICS Consulting, Under the Microscope with Jenny, Jenny Germano, or any of the podcast’s guests. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICS Consulting or its affiliates.

    58 min

  8. 18 FEB

    Ep. 43: Scams & Fraud Targeting Cannabis Operators & How To Protect Yourself

    🎙 In this episode of Under the Microscope with Jenny, host Jenny Germano breaks down the growing wave of scams and fraud targeting licensed cannabis operators across the U.S. Drawing from her experience operating vertically integrated cannabis facilities in Denver since 2009 and her work through ICS Consulting for over the last 10 years, Jenny explains why cannabis businesses are uniquely vulnerable due to regulatory complexity, cash-heavy operations, evolving licensing frameworks, and limited banking access. The conversation outlines six major scam categories affecting operators nationwide - including regulator impersonation, fake licensing and social equity programs, payment diversion schemes, delivery and reporting fraud, and investment scams. Jenny walks through real-world examples and regulator alerts while highlighting common red flags like spoofed communications, urgent payment demands, threats of license action, and attempts to bypass internal controls. ✨ This episode delivers practical safeguards operators can implement immediately, including SOPs for verifying regulator communications, stronger payment controls, role-based employee training, and clear response protocols when scam attempts occur - helping cannabis businesses protect their licenses, finances, and teams in an increasingly complex environment.   🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting 🌎 𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://www.icsconsultingservice.com   ⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀⏰ 03:39 National Scam Overview 06:52 Red Flags Basics 08:52 Regulator Scam Warnings 12:15 Colorado + other State Scams 13:14 Fake Licensing & Social Equity Scams 19:03 Investor Fraud & Phishing 24:22 Federal Investment Schemes 26:27 Building Scam Safeguards 28:01 Cybersecurity Essentials 28:30 Phishing & Phone Scams 29:43 Money Verification Controls 32:17 Verifying Regulators 33:56 Crypto Payment Red Flags 35:37 Recommended Controls & Drills 38:28 Payment & Licensing Protections 43:17 Frontline Staff Training 46:56 Accounting Scam Risks 50:46 Key Takeaways + Wrap-Up   𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The content shared on this channel - including all videos, podcasts, interviews, and discussions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, compliance, or business consulting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis and related industries vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified attorney or licensed professional before making decisions that could have legal or regulatory consequences for your business. Listening to or viewing this content does not create a client relationship between you and ICS Consulting, Under the Microscope with Jenny, Jenny Germano, or any of the podcast’s guests. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICS Consulting or its affiliates.

    54 min
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About

I am your host, Jenny Germano - the founder of ICS Consulting. With over 16 years of hands-on experience in the regulated cannabis Industry, I spent 6 years operating vertically integrated licensed facilities in Colorado and the last 10 years consulting nationally across the U.S. This podcast is dedicated to new and existing cannabis operators and those looking to launch a licensed cannabis business in one state or across multiple. Expect candid conversations on compliance, market-specific insights, startup pitfalls, operational strategies, and tips to manage the overwhelm that comes with launching and scaling in this complex industry. Join Jenny Germano every Wednesday at 12pm EST in navigating cannabis compliance and launching successful regulated cannabis operations. Whether you’re just entering the industry or scaling up, this is your go-to resource for real talk, real truths, expert insights, and actionable strategies. I've got a great line up of interviews, expert breakdowns and host insights.

Information

  • Creator
    Jenny Germano
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Under the Microscope with Jenny