Canna Connect Show

Canna Connect
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Entrepreneurship

The Canna Connect Show introduces you to the people building Minnesota cannabis. Hosted by Canna Connect founder Stephen Eigenmann, each episode brings together growers, operators, entrepreneurs, advocates, professionals, and community members for real conversations about the work, challenges, ideas, and stories shaping Minnesota's emerging cannabis industry. 

  1. 2d ago

    Jess Jackson: Social Equity, Grants & the Next Phase of Minnesota Cannabis I Season 2, Episode 18

    Minnesota's cannabis market is moving from licensing into something bigger: building businesses, creating jobs, investing in communities, and figuring out what support operators actually need. Jess Jackson, Director of Community and Economic Development at the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management, joins Stephen Eigenmann on The Canna Connect Show to unpack what that work looks like from inside OCM. Jess shares what OCM has learned through its Social Equity Mixer series, including the finding that 33% of social equity verified participants surveyed were pursuing their first business venture. That reality has helped shape a broader conversation around business readiness, cannabis compliance, access to resources, and what entrepreneurs need beyond simply receiving a license. Stephen and Jess also dig into Minnesota's cannabis grant programs, including CanRenew and CanGrow, and why funding doesn't always flow directly from OCM to an individual business or farmer. They discuss the challenges surrounding cannabis financing, the role of intermediary organizations and CDFIs, and where changes to state law may require the industry to organize and advocate for itself. The conversation expands into social equity eligibility, workforce development, labor, community engagement, expungement resources, tribal sovereignty, and the challenge of serving Minnesotans who have very different perspectives on cannabis. It's an inside look at a side of OCM that doesn't always get as much attention, and a reminder that building Minnesota's cannabis industry involves more than getting businesses licensed. Learn more about Canna Connect, subscribe to The Cannaverse, and find upcoming community events at CannaConnectMN.com. Become Part of the Canna Connect Community Network Every episode, Community Spotlight, and partner profile helps connect Minnesota's cannabis industry. Visit CannaConnectMN.com to explore interviews, resources, events, and the trusted organizations helping shape the future of cannabis in Minnesota.

    Jess Jackson: Social Equity, Grants & the Next Phase of Minnesota Cannabis I Season 2, Episode 18

  2. 6d ago

    From the Vault: Tara Falk on Building Cannabis Brands in the Real World, Season 2, Episode 17

    What does it actually take to build a cannabis brand once the product leaves the warehouse? For this episode of The Canna Connect Show, we're reaching back to a conversation recorded in November 2025 with Tara Falk, founder of Aim and Fire. Tara has built her career around experiential and trade marketing, working across industries including tech, beauty, consumer products, beverages, and cannabis. Her work has taken her from retail activations and field teams to major events and festivals, giving her a perspective on what strong brands look like when they meet customers face to face. In cannabis, Tara saw an opportunity to bring some of those same systems, expectations, and professionalism into an industry that was still figuring out how brands should show up. Stephen and Tara get into trade marketing, retail activations, distribution relationships, field teams, compliance, and the importance of building a consistent brand experience beyond social media and advertising. They also talk about Tara's early work with infused beverage brands, how cannabis beverages can change the way people experience the plant, and what Minnesota operators can learn from more developed cannabis markets like California. The conversation is especially relevant for anyone launching a product, entering retail, planning an event activation, or trying to figure out how to turn a cannabis company into a recognizable brand. Recorded in November 2025, this one still feels timely as more Minnesota brands begin moving from licensing and product development into the much harder question: How do you actually get people to notice, understand, and remember what you've built? Come meet Tara Falk at Cannabis & Community on October 15th in Duluth, MN! Become Part of the Canna Connect Community Network Every episode, Community Spotlight, and partner profile helps connect Minnesota's cannabis industry. Visit CannaConnectMN.com to explore interviews, resources, events, and the trusted organizations helping shape the future of cannabis in Minnesota.

  3. Sep 30

    Cannabis & Community Duluth Preview Episode | Season 2, Episode 16

    Open your window and come on in to the Canna Connect Show for a Cannabis & Community update!  We are hosting a cultivation celebration, brand showcase, and market update on October 15th at Clyde Iron Works.  Thank you to our sponsors: ANANG Native Cannabis CompanyCannasureComcast BusinessGreen GoodsMoxie Creative NECANNNorthStar Cultivation Supply Park State Bank SAX, LLP What RebatesListen for more information about the Official After Party hosted by ANANG and Thrive Agritech. We'll be giving away a Volcano by Storz & Bickel during the event.  Tickets on sale now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cannabis-community-a-cultivation-celebration-tickets-1991495727330 Become Part of the Canna Connect Community Network Every episode, Community Spotlight, and partner profile helps connect Minnesota's cannabis industry. Visit CannaConnectMN.com to explore interviews, resources, events, and the trusted organizations helping shape the future of cannabis in Minnesota.

    Cannabis & Community Duluth Preview Episode | Season 2, Episode 16

  4. Sep 23

    From the Vault: Brad Obermueller on Energy, Cannabis & Building Smarter in Minnesota

    Some conversations are worth coming back to. For Season 2, Episode 15 of The Canna Connect Show, we're reaching into the vault for a conversation originally recorded in October 2025 with Brad Obermueller of the Center for Energy and Environment. A lot has changed in Minnesota cannabis since we recorded it. But listening back, we were struck by how much of this conversation still matters. Brad and Stephen Eigenmann talk about one of the less glamorous, but incredibly important, pieces of building a cannabis business: energy. From LED cultivation lighting and utility costs to rebates and facility planning, Brad explains why operators should be thinking about efficiency early and how available resources can help businesses reduce the long-term cost of operating. The conversation also goes well beyond cultivation. Brad talks about energy assessments and efficiency opportunities for retailers and other businesses, why he wants CEE to become part of the checklist for Minnesota cannabis entrepreneurs, and what it means to build an energy-intensive new industry while thinking about the demands being placed on the electrical grid.  Then the conversation gets personal. Brad shares his experience being diagnosed with blood cancer, undergoing treatment, and having a physician at Mayo Clinic suggest he explore cannabis for symptom relief. He describes how cannabis became part of his experience navigating treatment and eventually helped shape his passion for supporting Minnesota's emerging cannabis industry.  Stephen and Brad also get into the changing stigma around cannabis, Minnesota's unique relationship with hemp-derived THC beverages, home growers, small businesses, and a bigger question that feels just as relevant today: What can we do now to make Minnesota cannabis better five years from now? This one may be from the vault, but the conversation is far from outdated. 🎙️ The Canna Connect Show | Season 2, Episode 15 Recorded October 2025. Become Part of the Canna Connect Community Network Every episode, Community Spotlight, and partner profile helps connect Minnesota's cannabis industry. Visit CannaConnectMN.com to explore interviews, resources, events, and the trusted organizations helping shape the future of cannabis in Minnesota.

    From the Vault: Brad Obermueller on Energy, Cannabis & Building Smarter in Minnesota

  5. Sep 17

    Kyle Sattler: Getting Cannabis Businesses Found in the AI Era

    Cannabis businesses face marketing challenges that most industries don't. Accounts get restricted. Content can disappear. Advertising options are limited. And now AI is changing how people discover businesses and information online. So what do you do? Kyle Sattler, co-founder of So Good, joins Stephen Eigenmann on The Canna Connect Show at CannaCon Midwest to talk about building visibility in a restricted industry. Kyle shares the story of working with a Texas dispensary that couldn't initially afford his company's services. He gave the owner four things to change on the business's Google Business Profile. Kyle says that three months later, foot traffic had increased 94.6%. From there, the conversation gets practical. Kyle shares four areas cannabis businesses should pay attention to on Google: choosing the right category, consistently asking for reviews, adding new images, and posting updates. Stephen and Kyle also explore educational YouTube content, blogs and FAQs, AI-driven search, AEO/GEO/AIO, website crawlability, and why answering real customer questions can help businesses build authority over time. Kyle is equally clear that his approach isn't designed to produce customers overnight. He talks about the six-month to one-year mindset he asks businesses to consider when investing in long-term brand visibility, and why he'll refer a company elsewhere when what they actually need is immediate lead generation. It's a conversation about marketing, but also about something we see constantly at Canna Connect: bringing what you know into an emerging industry while staying curious enough to learn what you don't. Connect Explore the free AI Visibility Check and learn more about Kyle's work: https://sogoodteam.com/  Follow more conversations from Minnesota cannabis, subscribe to The Cannaverse, and find upcoming Canna Connect events:  https://cannaverse-newsletter.beehiiv.com/ Become Part of the Canna Connect Community Network Every episode, Community Spotlight, and partner profile helps connect Minnesota's cannabis industry. Visit CannaConnectMN.com to explore interviews, resources, events, and the trusted organizations helping shape the future of cannabis in Minnesota.

    Kyle Sattler: Getting Cannabis Businesses Found in the AI Era

  6. Sep 8

    Shawn Worth of Paragon Payroll: Finding Your Place in Minnesota Cannabis

    Minnesota cannabis is being built one relationship at a time. In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, Stephen Eigenmann sits down with Shawn Worth of Paragon Payroll for a conversation about cannabis, business, relationships, and finding your place inside an industry that's still taking shape. Paragon Payroll specializes in payroll, HR, compliance, and workforce solutions for cannabis businesses. That puts Shawn in a unique position to work alongside companies navigating the operational realities that come with building in a highly regulated industry. But the conversation is bigger than payroll. It's about understanding the people you're working with, building relationships, solving problems, and recognizing that a successful cannabis industry requires an entire ecosystem behind the businesses consumers see. Minnesota's market is still young. Cultivators are coming online. Dispensaries are opening. New employees are entering the industry. Service providers are learning the market. And relationships being formed today may continue shaping the industry for years to come. That's why we're documenting these conversations now. The Canna Connect Network Paragon Payroll provides payroll, HR, compliance, and workforce support for cannabis businesses. Paragon Payroll Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) works with qualifying Minnesota indoor agriculture businesses in Xcel Energy territory to explore LED grow-lighting rebates and energy-efficiency opportunities.  CEE Grow Lighting Rebates Trailhead Cannabis Company is a family-owned Minnesota cannabis company connecting cultivation, manufacturing, and retail under one roof in Brainerd.  Trailhead Cannabis Company World Insurance works with businesses navigating insurance, risk, and the evolving needs of the cannabis industry. World Insurance Become Part of the Canna Connect Community Every episode, Community Spotlight, partner profile, and event helps connect another piece of Minnesota's cannabis industry. Visit CannaConnectMN.com to explore interviews, resources, events, The Cannaverse, and the organizations helping shape Minnesota cannabis. Become Part of the Canna Connect Community Network Every episode, Community Spotlight, and partner profile helps connect Minnesota's cannabis industry. Visit CannaConnectMN.com to explore interviews, resources, events, and the trusted organizations helping shape the future of cannabis in Minnesota.

    Shawn Worth of Paragon Payroll: Finding Your Place in Minnesota Cannabis

  7. Sep 2

    Season 2, Episode 12 | Davis Tiburzi of CannaZip: Building Better Cannabis Brands Through Packaging

    Packaging is more than a container. It influences perceived value, protects product quality and can determine whether a cannabis brand is prepared when harvest or production arrives. Davis Tiburzi, Founder and CEO of CannaZip Packaging, joins Stephen Eigenmann to explain when operators should begin planning their packaging, why CannaZip emphasizes U.S.-made products and short lead times, and how emerging brands can balance compliance, creativity and cost. Davis also shares how nearly a decade in commercial printing led him to identify gaps in the packaging industry and launch Custom Flex Packaging and its cannabis-focused brand, CannaZip. The conversation explores Minnesota’s developing market, low minimum order quantities, the importance of customer service, and how federal legalization could reshape cannabis culture and competition. CannaZip is the official packaging partner of Canna Connect. Learn more at https://www.cannazip.com or contact orders@cannazipbags.com. Become Part of the Canna Connect Community Network Every episode, Community Spotlight, and partner profile helps connect Minnesota's cannabis industry. Visit CannaConnectMN.com to explore interviews, resources, events, and the trusted organizations helping shape the future of cannabis in Minnesota.

    Season 2, Episode 12 | Davis Tiburzi of CannaZip: Building Better Cannabis Brands Through Packaging

  8. Aug 26

    Every Cannabis Market Is Its Own Rubik's Cube | Munir Haque, Cure8 | Season 2 Episode 11

    There isn't one blueprint for building a cannabis business. Regulations change from state to state. So do security requirements, technology needs, infrastructure costs and the challenges operators encounter once they actually open. Munir Haque has watched those differences play out across cannabis markets around the country. In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, Munir joins Stephen Eigenmann for a candid conversation about what Minnesota can learn from other states while building a market of its own. They discuss security and technology requirements, the cost of compliance, Minnesota's relationship between craft beer and craft cannabis, the rollout of adult-use businesses, and why operators need the right partners around the table early. Munir also shares an important perspective on social equity: a license creates an opportunity, but entrepreneurs still need education, resources and trusted people around them to turn that opportunity into a sustainable business.  And because not every piece of cannabis technology belongs in every facility, Stephen puts Munir through Tech I'd Buy, Tech I'd Skip. This episode is about technology, but it's really about something bigger: How do we build cannabis businesses that actually work? The Canna Connect Show connects Minnesota's cannabis community through conversations with the people building the industry. Become Part of the Canna Connect Community Network Every episode, Community Spotlight, and partner profile helps connect Minnesota's cannabis industry. Visit CannaConnectMN.com to explore interviews, resources, events, and the trusted organizations helping shape the future of cannabis in Minnesota.

    Every Cannabis Market Is Its Own Rubik's Cube | Munir Haque, Cure8 | Season 2 Episode 11
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The Canna Connect Show introduces you to the people building Minnesota cannabis. Hosted by Canna Connect founder Stephen Eigenmann, each episode brings together growers, operators, entrepreneurs, advocates, professionals, and community members for real conversations about the work, challenges, ideas, and stories shaping Minnesota's emerging cannabis industry. 

Information

  • Creator
    Canna Connect
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Canna Connect Show
  • Show Website
    Canna Connect Show