The Canna Connect Show

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The Canna Connect Show provides an open window to the Canna Connect brand. 

  1. 9H AGO

    Drying, Yield, and Consistency: Ed Wells of Cannatrol on Post-Harvest Cannabis

    We sat down with Ed Wells from Cannatrol at Lucky Leaf for a conversation that started with life and quickly moved into one of the most overlooked parts of cannabis production. Drying and curing. Ed breaks down how small inefficiencies after harvest can lead to meaningful losses for operators, especially in emerging markets like Minnesota where pricing is still strong. We also talk about consistency, and why it’s one of the most important factors in building a cannabis brand that people come back to. In this episode:  What most growers get wrong after harvest  How drying impacts yield, quality, and profitability  Why consistency is what separates brands long term  The role of process and standardization in scaling operations  New Cannatrol products and what’s coming next This episode is part of our Live from Lucky Leaf series, where we’re documenting the people building Minnesota cannabis in real time. Connect with Cannatrol: https://www.cannatrols.com Follow Canna Connect for more conversations like this: https://cannaverse-newsletter.beehiiv.com/

    18 min

  2. 4D AGO

    Local 49, Pensions, and the Future of Minnesota Cannabis

    In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, we sit down with Benjamin Mike and Dan Gilbert of Local 49 at Lucky Leaf Expo 2026 in Minneapolis. With nearly 100 years of history, Local 49 is stepping into the Minnesota cannabis industry with a focus on partnership, worker protection, and simplifying benefits for business owners. We cover pensions vs 401k plans, Labor Peace Agreements, microbusiness support, and how unions are positioning themselves in cannabis and hemp. If you’re an operator, builder, or just curious about where labor fits into this industry, this conversation offers a grounded perspective. Chapters:  0:00 Disclaimer  0:44 Introduction  1:35 The 100-Year History of Local 49  2:17 Benjamin Mike’s Career Path  4:22 Benefits Provided by Local 49  5:08 “We Were Told 401k’s Were the Future”  8:05 Goals in the Cannabis Industry  9:45 How Unions Entered Hemp & Cannabis  11:00 Craft Brewery & Hemp Beverage Involvement  12:26 Supporting the Cannabis Industry  13:40 What Local 49 Offers Business Owners  16:36 Labor Peace Agreements Explained  20:30 Mental Health Support & Benefits  23:20 How to Get in Touch with Local 49

    24 min
  3. Building the Plane While Flying It | Carol Moss on Minnesota Cannabis Law

    6D AGO

    Building the Plane While Flying It | Carol Moss on Minnesota Cannabis Law

    Minnesota cannabis is still being shaped in real time and few people are closer to that process than Carol Moss. In this episode of the Canna Connect Show, Stephen Eigenmann sits down with Carol from Hellmuth & Johnson to talk about what it really means to practice law in a brand new industry. From interpreting unclear statutes to helping clients navigate risk without a clear roadmap, Carol shares the realities behind the work. As she explains, there is no scoreboard until enforcement happens and that creates a constant balancing act for both attorneys and operators.  The conversation also breaks down a major recent win where her team challenged an OCM policy that attempted to restrict direct shipping of hemp products. The outcome reinforced an important idea that has been true since the early days of hemp in Minnesota: access matters, and so does protecting in-state businesses. This episode covers:  • The challenges of practicing cannabis law in Minnesota  • How legal interpretation shapes the industry  • The story behind the OCM shipping case  • Why collaboration across operators and attorneys matters  • The importance of rural access and local economies  • What the future of Minnesota cannabis could look like At its core, this is a story about people building something new together. From early community meetups to courtroom decisions, every step is shaping what comes next. Connect with us at the next event.  Tag us to be featured and join the community using #CannaConnectMN

    20 min
  4. The Canna Connect Show Live from Lucky Leaf w/ Chris Hanna, Comcast Business

    MAR 17

    The Canna Connect Show Live from Lucky Leaf w/ Chris Hanna, Comcast Business

    In this episode of The Canna Connect Show I sit down with Chris Hanna, Director of Sales Engineering at Comcast Business. During the interview we discuss his background as a North Saint Paul native, with hobbies that include cars, in-line skating, and gardening.  Chris has worked at Comcast Business for over 13 years and he currently serves as a Sales Engineer, helping connect the customer with the technology solution required. During the interview he shares best practices around phishing scams, what connectivity means in 2026, and how Comcast can serve cannabis entrepreneurs today in Minnesota.  Beyond the basics we get into the, "Internet of Things" as well as hooking up and connecting cameras, kiosks, order fulfillment, and RFID tracking for small, medium, and large businesses. I also learn more from Chris about cyber security and how Comcast Business is already serving the cannabis industry today.  This is a great interview if you want to learn more about how a Fortune 50 company is already serving the cannabis industry through ancillary products and services. It's also worth listening to the end to hear where I think we'll see more growth in Minnesota's cannabis industry.  And as always, we touch on compliance.  Thank you so much to Comcast Business for sponsoring Canna Connect's Official Lucky Leaf After Party at Earl Giles. For more information on how you can get in touch with Comcast Business click here:

    23 min

  5. MAR 4

    The Jason Tarasek interview

    Jason Tarasek is a knowledgeable cannabis partner at Vicente LLP. He has been working in the Minnesota hemp and cannabis industry since 2018. In 2019 he served as Minnesota’s Political Director for Marijuana Policy Project, where he helped orchestrate the state’s first-ever legislative hearing on cannabis legalization.  As a cannabis policy advocate, Jason has spent many hours at the Minnesota State Capitol. In 2022, Jason successfully lobbied in favor of Minnesota’s “edible cannabinoid product” law, which sparked an explosion in the popularity of hemp-derived THC beverages throughout Minnesota and the United States. In 2023, he advocated for Minnesota’s passage of an adult-use cannabis bill. Today, Jason continues to strive for sensible policy as Minnesota implements its adult-use cannabis program while expanding its trailblazing hemp-derived THC beverage industry.  In this episode, I sit down with Jason and talk about our long history of working together to connect and improve Minnesota cannabis for hemp entrepreneurs, homegrowers, tribal businesses, consumers, and medical patients. We discuss how Vicente got started, and why it might not be a good idea to have more dispensaries than Starbucks in the Twin Cities.  We cover Jason’s optimism and his hope for equilibrium in 2026 as it relates to supply and demand within Minnesota’s cannabis industry. We also touch on the Wisconsin cannabis industry, or lack thereof, and his work with Tribal organizations who are interested in the Minnesota model and how they can replicate something similar in their state. The only problem? Wisconsin doesn’t even have a medical cannabis program!  Lastly, we clear up a misconception around one of Jason’s clients and his involvement in the delay of the social equity lottery.  This is a really great episode if you’re interested in the Minnesota cannabis industry and the greater opportunity across the midwest. Thanks for listening.

    43 min

  6. FEB 25

    Staying in the Fight: Insurance, Volatility & What’s Next for Minnesota Cannabis with Cory Lake

    In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, we sit down with Cory Lake, CEO of Lake Group Insurance, to break down the real challenges facing Minnesota’s cannabis and hemp businesses, from rising insurance premiums and compliance pressure to market volatility and the federal hemp ban. Cory shares insight on the future of the Minnesota cannabis industry, what dispensaries and hemp operators need to prepare for next, and how his recent merger with World Insurance Associates expands resources for cannabis operators. The conversation also touches on industry consolidation, MSOs, offering a clear look at cannabis insurance, risk management, and business survival in Minnesota.

    52 min

  7. FEB 10

    “Getting Your License Is the Easy Part” — Dutchie on Minnesota’s 2026 Cannabis Reality

    Getting licensed is just the beginning. In Minnesota’s newly opened adult-use market, the real challenge is staying operational in a supply-strained, high-expectation environment. In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, host Stephen Eigenmann sits down with Gus Sevastos of Dutchie to unpack what Minnesota cannabis operators are actually facing as the market enters 2026. As the early “gold rush” gives way to the grind, Stephen and Gus break down the realities behind the headlines—from limited wholesale supply and testing bottlenecks to why culture and community are becoming survival tools for dispensaries. In this episode, we cover: Why 40+ Minnesota retailers are competing for product from a handful of wholesalersHow operators can manage overhead in a margin-tight marketWhat Dutchie is changing in its platform to support supply-constrained statesWhy “Names to Faces” networking matters more than menus and marketingThe difference between getting licensed—and building something that lastsPlus: a quick football detour, because culture still matters off the clock tooWhether you’re an operator, aspiring entrepreneur, or industry professional watching Minnesota’s rollout closely, this conversation offers a clear-eyed look at what it really takes to succeed after the doors open. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 🔗 Connect with Gus Sevastos Dutchie: https://business.dutchie.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gus-sevastos __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 📬 Join The Cannaverse Get Minnesota cannabis insights, event announcements, and industry updates delivered straight to your inbox:  👉 https://cannaverse-newsletter.beehiiv.com __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 🎙 Sponsored by the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) In a market where every dollar counts, CEE helps cannabis operators lower overhead through free energy consultations and LED lighting rebates. Learn more: https://www.mncee.org/growLED __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 🌱 About Canna Connect MN Canna Connect is Minnesota’s community hub for cannabis education, networking, and growth—bringing together operators, professionals, and consumers through trusted conversations and real-world events.

    43 min

  8. JAN 30

    The Canna Connect Show feat. Rachelle Gordon

    Rachelle Gordon is the editor of GreenState, a cannabis news and lifestyle media outlet. An award-winning cannabis journalist, Emerald Cup judge, and Budist critic, Rachelle began her weed writing journey in 2015. She has been featured in High Times, CannabisNow, Beard Bros, MG, Skunk, and many other industry publications. Rachelle was the recipient of the Cannabis Journalist of the Year award at the 2025 Emjays and the Community Cultivator trophy at the 2024 Women's Canna Awards. She is also the two-time host of the California Cannabis Awards at the California State Fair. Follow Rachelle on Instagram @rachellethewriter

    41 min
See All (13)

About

The Canna Connect Show provides an open window to the Canna Connect brand. 

Information

  • Creator
    CannaConnect
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Canna Connect Show
  • Show Website
    The Canna Connect Show

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