High Touch with Jake & Duffy

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High Touch with Jake & Duffy dives into how today’s cannabis businesses create emotional impact and real-world value—from seed to software, and store design to storytelling. Hosted by two cannabis tech founders who’ve seen it all (and still have questions), each episode brings candid conversations with the founders, creatives, and operators shaping the industry's future. Whether you're in the biz or just curious, expect human stories, hard-won insights, and maybe even a little lift along the way.

Episodes

  1. Hospitality, Hemp & the Future of Adult Beverage | Jon Halper

    DEC 3

    Hospitality, Hemp & the Future of Adult Beverage | Jon Halper

    When people talk about retail disruption, they usually focus on pricing, scale, or e-commerce. But in this episode, we get specific about the thing most operators miss: how hospitality turns a “routine run” into a real experience—and why that matters even more as new categories like hemp THC explode. Jake and Duffy sit down with Jon Halper, CEO and owner of Top Ten Liquors, to unpack the playbook behind one of the most innovative independent beverage retailers in the country. From competing head-to-head with Total Wine to building a 150,000+ member loyalty engine, Jon breaks down what it takes to scale service, design promotions that create credibility, and lead through the messy reality of regulation—especially as hemp THC beverages reshape consumer behavior. If you care about modern retail strategy, experiential merchandising, or where alcohol, hemp, and cannabis collide next, this one’s for you. Topics Covered: How an “outsider” perspective helped Top Ten out-innovate legacy liquor retailBuilding a service culture that scales (and why short lines aren’t the goal)The loyalty + club pricing model behind 150,000+ membersSunday Specials and the difference between a promotion and a brand-killerWhy THC beverages took off—and why most customers still haven’t tried themThe compliance + education playbook for selling hemp THC responsiblyWhat AI can (and can’t) replace in the in-store experienceWhy hemp, cannabis, and alcohol should compete and collaborateAbout Our Guest: Jon Halper is the CEO and owner of Top Ten Liquors, a Minnesota-based retailer that’s grown from four stores to 15 (with more on the way). With a background spanning corporate law, retail operations, merchandising, and leadership, Jon has built Top Ten into a modern “adult beverage store” known for customer experience, smart pricing strategy, and early leadership in hemp-derived THC beverages. Links & References: Top Ten Liquors

    55 min
  2. From Luxury Fashion to Cannabis Tech | Melissa Hanson

    AUG 20

    From Luxury Fashion to Cannabis Tech | Melissa Hanson

    What can cannabis learn from luxury fashion retail? Melissa Hanson, VP of Operations at Flowhub, brings decades of experience leading teams at Michael Kors and scaling cannabis retail at MedMen and Sunburn. Now at Flowhub, she’s focused on helping dispensaries operate smarter, smoother, and more profitably. In this conversation, Melissa explains why true retail excellence comes down to people, process, and purpose—not hype. She shares her philosophy on clienteling, building technology that empowers budtenders, and the importance of data-driven decision making in a fast-changing regulatory landscape. Whether you’re an operator, brand, or tech partner, this episode offers practical insights into creating cannabis retail experiences that last. Topics Covered Lessons cannabis can borrow from luxury fashion retailClienteling vs. loyalty programs in dispensariesHow Flowhub’s tools support budtenders and operatorsThe pitfalls of chasing “shiny objects” in product strategyCompliance complexity and adapting to shifting regulationsUpselling, promotions, and smarter inventory decisionsThe role of empathy and culture inside Flowhub’s teamE-commerce and pre-ordering as game-changers for cannabis retailBalancing open APIs with seamless all-in-one solutionsThe future: data-driven operators and lighter regulatory burdensAbout Our Guest Melissa Hanson is the Vice President of Operations at Flowhub. She has led 500-person retail teams at Michael Kors, launched cannabis delivery operations at MedMen, scaled vertically integrated retail in Florida, and now helps dispensaries run smarter with technology that empowers their staff and streamlines compliance. Links & References Flowhub: https://flowhub.com

    38 min
  3. Trust, Timing & the Long Game in Cannabis | Patrick Rea

    AUG 7

    Trust, Timing & the Long Game in Cannabis | Patrick Rea

    In cannabis, fast growth used to be the story. Now? It’s all about staying power. In this episode, we sit down with Patrick Rea—investor, mentor, and co-founder of Canopy Boulder—to unpack what staying power actually looks like in a volatile, still-maturing space. Jake and Duffy trace Patrick’s journey from the natural products industry to building one of cannabis’ first accelerators, to his current role managing Poseidon's $50M growth fund. Along the way, they explore what great founders have in common, why operators need to design for profitability over flash, and how smart use of AI and networks can unlock real value for cannabis businesses. If you’re raising capital, investing in cannabis, or wondering how to future-proof your business for the next wave of federal reform—this one’s for you. Topics Covered: Green flags (and red ones) in a great investor pitchWhy brands are the future—but not the present—of cannabisWhat federal rescheduling actually means for operatorsHow Poseidon’s team evaluates modern dispensary opportunitiesThe role of AI in lean startup operationsCommunity as capital: lessons from Arcview and Canopy BoulderHow founders can prepare for the “Friday at 5pm” momentAbout Our Guest: Patrick Rea is the Managing Director of the Poseidon Garden Fund and co-founder of Canopy Boulder, one of the earliest and most prolific cannabis accelerators. With a background in natural products and wellness, Patrick has brought analytical rigor and deep consumer insight to early-stage cannabis investing, backing over 115 companies in the space. He currently leads Poseidon’s efforts to support capital-efficient, growth-ready cannabis businesses across the U.S. Links & References: PoseidonCanopy Boulder

    40 min
  4. Design, Discipline & the DNA of Great Cannabis Brands | Ryan Cook

    JUL 31

    Design, Discipline & the DNA of Great Cannabis Brands | Ryan Cook

    Most cannabis brands obsess over strains, stores, or scale. But Ryan Cook has always approached the industry differently—by designing cannabis businesses from the ground up with intention, precision, and soul. In this episode, Jake and Duffy sit down with Ryan, co-founder of The Clinic, The Lab, and The Bank, to explore how world-class operations translate into unforgettable customer experiences. From the earliest days of caregiver licenses in Colorado to running dispensaries with 25 counters and designing vertically integrated systems for national MSOs, Ryan shares how thoughtful design, regulatory insight, and good old-fashioned craftsmanship shape the cannabis experience. Whether you're building a brand, refining a retail footprint, or just trying to stay ahead of shifting regulations, this conversation offers a masterclass in high-touch strategy and execution. Topics Covered: What makes a dispensary experience truly stand outHow regulatory hurdles shaped store design and innovationThe evolution of vertically integrated cannabis brandsLessons from scaling Juva to MSO statusWhy F1 hybrid genetics could transform the industryDesigning for operational excellence in cultivation and retailHow automation is changing the cannabis workforceAbout Our Guest: Ryan Cook is a cannabis pioneer and expert operator. He co-founded The Clinic, The Lab, and The Bank—award-winning cannabis brands based in Colorado—and later helped scale Juva to a national MSO. Today, he leads CFE Consulting Group, where he helps operators around the world design better businesses and deliver better experiences. Links & References: CFE Consulting Group

    29 min
  5. Trust, Touchpoints & The Brands That Belong | Angela Pih

    JUL 16

    Trust, Touchpoints & The Brands That Belong | Angela Pih

    When people talk about cannabis marketing, the conversation usually starts and ends with compliance hurdles. But in this episode, we go deeper—into how brands actually earn trust, scale innovation, and show up meaningfully in consumers’ lives. Jake and Duffy sit down with Angela Pih, a powerhouse brand strategist behind top names like Papa & Barkley, CannaCraft, StateHouse, and CCell. From fashion to wellness to tech, Angela brings a cross-industry lens to cannabis that’s all about design, storytelling, and building real community. She shares the secrets behind one of the industry’s most successful customer activations (involving tour buses and Palm Springs seniors), what occasion-based marketing can unlock, and why budtender education remains her number-one priority. If you care about brand-building, retail strategy, or where cannabis can go when we stop playing defense, this one’s for you. Topics Covered: Why dispensaries won’t sell your product for you—and what to do about itHow to run a true 360° campaign (without a million-dollar budget)What cannabis can learn from HIMSS, Halston, and White ClawThe surprising power of senior citizens and bus toursWhy understanding “occasion usage” changes everythingHow minor cannabinoids and menu mix signal real maturityWhat makes brick-and-mortar in cannabis totally uniqueWhy product launches fail—and how to build for success anywayAbout Our Guest: Angela Pih is a brand and marketing leader with deep roots in both global CPG and cannabis. She’s helped build and scale category-defining brands across wellness, fashion, and tech—including Papa & Barkley, CannaCraft, and StateHouse. A firm believer in budtender education and consumer-centric innovation, Angela is a frequent speaker, board member, mentor, and founder of PNT Brand, a cannabis brand studio that balances clarity, creativity, and cultural traction. Links & References: Angela Pih on LinkedInPapa & BarkleyCannaCraft

    43 min
  6. From Budtender to Brand Builder | Kristi Ryder

    JUL 16

    From Budtender to Brand Builder | Kristi Ryder

    When Kristi Ryder stepped into her first dispensary job, she didn’t smoke weed, didn’t know an eighth from a gram, and definitely didn’t see it as a long-term career. Fifteen years later, she’s leading sales and field strategy at PAX, one of cannabis’ most iconic and innovative brands. In this episode, Jake and Duffy sit down with Kristi to talk about her journey from behind the bud bar to the forefront of brand-building. They dig into how PAX carved out a premium position in a crowded vape category, why most cannabis branding starts from the wrong end, and how field marketing and community activations can unlock real customer loyalty. Kristi also shares her vision for the future of dispensary retail—from destigmatized experiences to the power of merchandising and education that actually resonates. If you're thinking about what great sales, smart retail, and real consumer connection look like in cannabis, this episode’s a must-listen. Topics Covered: Why true cannabis brands start with consumer insight, not excess inventoryHow PAX used tech and taste to rewrite the vape playbookLessons from hospitality that still shape Kristi’s sales strategyThe power of personalization: inside PAX’s custom engraver magicWhat dispensaries can learn from wine shops and chip aislesWhy THC percentages are overrated—and what matters moreHow Kristi’s marketing budgets beat price wars every timeAbout Our Guest: Kristi Ryder is Head of Sales at PAX and a 15-year veteran of the cannabis industry. She began her career on the dispensary floor during Colorado’s early medical era and went on to pioneer live resin cartridges, launch flagship retail experiences, and scale national sales programs. Kristi blends deep operational knowledge with a passion for education, hospitality, and brand-building in one of the most complex categories in CPG. Links & References: PAXSparkPlug

    46 min
  7. Experience, Edge & What Cannabis Could Be | Emily Paxhia

    JUL 10

    Experience, Edge & What Cannabis Could Be | Emily Paxhia

    When people talk about cannabis brands, they usually focus on flower, flavor, or maybe THC percentage. But in this episode, we zoom out—and zoom way in—on what makes a brand actually matter. Jake and Duffy sit down with Emily Paxhia, co-founder of Poseidon and one of cannabis’ earliest institutional investors, for a wide-ranging conversation on what separates products from platforms, and trends from real traction. From low-dose drinks to Sunburn’s origin story to why every good brand needs a point of view, Emily breaks down what it takes to stand out—and stick around—in a crowded, fast-moving space. If you care about brand-building, experience design, or where the cannabis category is headed next, this one’s for you. Topics Covered: What makes a cannabis brand actually defensibleWhy most hemp drinks feel like copy-paste jobsLessons from Red Bull, LaCroix, and Napa ValleyWhat cannabis retail can learn from wine tasting roomsThe problem with potency as the only selling pointA peek inside Sunburn’s immersive brand strategyWhat lounges, loyalty, and low-dose formats might unlockAbout Our Guest: Emily Paxhia is the co-founder and Managing Partner of Poseidon Investment Management, one of the first cannabis-focused investment firms in the U.S. She’s been backing and advising brands since 2013, with a background in consumer behavior, brand strategy, and product development for companies like HBO, American Express, and PepsiCo. She lives in California and continues to shape the future of cannabis through investments, storytelling, and advocacy. Links & References: Poseidon Investment ManagementSunburn CannabisCharlotte Figi & the CBD Origin Story

    43 min
  8. Budtenders, Buyers & the Menu That Moves | Danny Gold

    JUL 9

    Budtenders, Buyers & the Menu That Moves | Danny Gold

    When people talk about “experience” in cannabis retail, they usually mean the furniture, the lighting, maybe even the packaging. But in this episode, we zoom in on two overlooked pillars of customer experience: training and inventory. Jake and Duffy sit down with Danny Gold, COO and Head of Product at Happy Cabbage and former co-founder of ZolTrain, to unpack how real-world retail is shaped by the systems behind the scenes. From onboarding budtenders to curating menus to turning inventory every 14 days, this conversation is full of hard-won lessons on how to run a tighter, more intentional, more customer-centric shop. If you’re thinking about margins, menus, or mentorship inside your dispensary, this one’s for you. Topics Covered: Why budtender training is experience designThe shift from push to pull in brand/retailer dynamicsHow to onboard new staff to reflect your store’s standardsThe ROI of turning your inventory every 14 daysWhy most dispensaries carry too many SKUsThe bias trap of buyers and budtendersStrain names vs. effect-based educationHow Happy Cabbage is helping retailers prioritize what movesAbout Our Guest: Danny Gold is COO and Head of Product at Happy Cabbage Analytics, where he helps cannabis retailers and brands turn insights into revenue through smarter marketing and inventory strategy. He previously co-founded ZolTrain, one of the first cannabis training platforms built specifically for budtenders and brands. Danny lives in Colorado with his wife and kids, and has been building in the space for over seven years. Links & References: Happy Cabbage Analytics

    39 min
  • 8 Episodes

About

High Touch with Jake & Duffy dives into how today’s cannabis businesses create emotional impact and real-world value—from seed to software, and store design to storytelling. Hosted by two cannabis tech founders who’ve seen it all (and still have questions), each episode brings candid conversations with the founders, creatives, and operators shaping the industry's future. Whether you're in the biz or just curious, expect human stories, hard-won insights, and maybe even a little lift along the way.

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