Canna Connect Show

Canna Connect
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Entrepreneurship

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

  1. Episode 34 | Jen Reise on The Biggest Challenges Facing Minnesota Cannabis Businesses

    2d ago

    Episode 34 | Jen Reise on The Biggest Challenges Facing Minnesota Cannabis Businesses

    As Minnesota’s cannabis industry moves closer to a fully operational adult-use market, operators are navigating a rapidly evolving landscape of legislation, licensing, compliance, and competition.  In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, Stephen Eigenmann sits down with Jen Reise, Founder of North Star Cannabis Consulting, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing cannabis businesses across Minnesota.  The conversation covers:  Legislative updates and proposed cannabis policy changesSupply chain challenges for medical and adult-use operatorsThe future of cannabis events and consumption loungesCapital access and barriers facing small businessesThe North Star Accelerator program and supporting emerging operatorsHow dispensaries can compete in a crowded marketplaceCraft cannabis, customer experience, and local marketingFederal rescheduling and the future of cannabis regulationHemp legislation and what it could mean for Minnesota businessesJen also shares her perspective on where Minnesota's cannabis market is headed as more licenses are awarded, more dispensaries open, and competition increases.  One of the biggest themes throughout this episode is that success in cannabis won't simply come from having a license, it will come from building strong businesses, creating exceptional customer experiences, and adapting to a market that is changing faster than ever. Sign-up for Jen's newsletter: https://northstarcannabis.beehiiv.com/ Chapter Markers 00:00 Intro & Cannabis Industry Disclaimer 01:13 Minnesota Legislative Session Update & Cannabis Priorities 02:02 Event Licenses: Adoption Challenges & Future Opportunities 03:05 Public Consumption, Event Licensing & Consumption Lounges 04:10 Medical vs Adult-Use Supply Chains Explained 05:08 Why Unifying the Supply Chain Matters for Small Operators 06:32 Vireo, GTI & the Challenges of Medical Market Reform 07:05 Federal Rescheduling, DEA Hearings & What Comes Next 08:14 Rescheduling vs Descheduling: The Future of Cannabis Policy 09:17 Hemp, Marijuana & Why Cannabis Needs One Definition 10:34 Launching a Minnesota THC Beverage Brand 11:30 Jen Reise's Journey from Attorney to Cannabis Consultant 12:45 Building North Star Cannabis Consulting & Industry Education 13:15 Inside the North Star Accelerator Program 15:05 Opening a Dispensary Is Just the Beginning 15:40 Will Minnesota Have Too Many Dispensaries? 23:00 Consumer Education & Supporting Local Cannabis Businesses 27:24 How Small Cannabis Operators Can Compete and Win 30:00 Social Equity, Capital Access & Industry Challenges 35:00 The Future of Hemp Beverages & the Federal Hemp Debate

    39 min
  2. Episode 33 | Mark Carlson on Cannabis Packaging, Leadership & Building Brands in Minnesota

    May 27

    Episode 33 | Mark Carlson on Cannabis Packaging, Leadership & Building Brands in Minnesota

    What role does packaging play in the future of cannabis? In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, Steven Eigenmann sits down with Mark Carlson of The John Roberts Company to talk about the intersection of packaging, branding, entrepreneurship, and Minnesota cannabis culture. After decades working in printing and packaging across markets like Colorado, California, Oregon, and Washington, Mark witnessed firsthand how cannabis evolved into a billion-dollar industry and how packaging became a major part of compliance, branding, and customer experience. The conversation explores:  Cannabis packaging and compliant branding  Minnesota’s growing hemp-derived THC beverage market  Why packaging matters in a competitive cannabis industry  Leadership lessons from athletics and business  Mentorship, trust, and relationship-building  Supporting small cannabis businesses  The evolution of print and packaging technology Mark also reflects on his time at the University of Minnesota, learning from leaders like Tony Dungy and Mike Shanahan, and why trust remains the foundation of both business and leadership. The Canna Connect Show highlights the builders, innovators, and community leaders helping shape Minnesota cannabis from the ground up. Chapter Markers 00:00 Disclaimer  00:45 Introducing Mark Carlson of The John Roberts Company  01:00 Minnesota Cannabis Growth & Hemp Beverage Packaging  02:55 Early Exposure to Cannabis Packaging Through Heidelberg  04:20 Watching Cannabis Markets Grow Across the U.S.  05:40 Why Packaging Matters in Cannabis Branding  06:35 Supporting Cannabis Businesses Through Print & Packaging  07:45 Joining The John Roberts Company After 34 Years  09:25 Growing Up in Chicago & Winning a State Championship  11:20 Leadership Lessons from Sports & Business  12:00 Tony Dungy, Recruitment & the Big Ten  14:25 Mike Shanahan & Coaching Leadership  16:30 Athletics, Business & Life Lessons  18:20 How Printing & Media Have Changed  19:00 Leadership, Mentorship & Building Trust  22:00 75 Years of The John Roberts Company  23:00 Packaging for Minnesota Cannabis Brands  24:00 Why Customer Service Still Wins  25:00 Hemp Beverages Are Exploding in Minnesota  25:30 The Future of Cannabis Packaging & Regulation

    32 min
  3. Episode 32 | Brandon Padget on Cannabis Banking, Compliance & Building Careers in Minnesota Cannabis

    May 20

    Episode 32 | Brandon Padget on Cannabis Banking, Compliance & Building Careers in Minnesota Cannabis

    What does it actually take to bank a cannabis business in Minnesota? In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, Stephen Eigenmann talks with Brandon Padget, Chief Deposit Officer at Union Bank & Trust, about the realities of cannabis banking and the infrastructure needed to support a growing legal market. Brandon shares the story behind Union Bank & Trust’s approach to cannabis, why their team believes banking should be accessible for entrepreneurs, and how thoughtful financial systems can help businesses grow sustainably. The conversation explores:  Cannabis banking compliance  Supporting cannabis entrepreneurs in Minnesota  Banking fees and financial accessibility  Workforce development and union values  Building long-term cannabis careers  The role of community partnerships  Cannabis as a professional and skilled industry This episode offers an inside look at one of the least understood but most important parts of the cannabis industry: access to financial services and the people working to make that access better. The Canna Connect Show highlights the builders, advocates, entrepreneurs, and organizations shaping Minnesota cannabis culture from the ground up. #CannaConnectMN #MinnesotaCannabis #CannabisPodcast #CannabisBanking

    28 min
  4. Episode 31 | Tony Beman on Cannabis Energy Costs, Grow Lighting & Minnesota’s Infrastructure Challenge

    May 13

    Episode 31 | Tony Beman on Cannabis Energy Costs, Grow Lighting & Minnesota’s Infrastructure Challenge

    The cannabis industry in Minnesota is evolving quickly, and behind every cultivation facility is a major conversation about energy, infrastructure, and long-term sustainability. In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, Stephen Eigenmann is joined by Tony Beman of the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) to explore how cannabis businesses can reduce costs through lighting rebates, energy-efficient systems, and smarter facility planning. Tony shares insights on:  LED lighting rebates for cannabis businesses  Why energy infrastructure matters more than most operators realize  Real estate challenges facing Minnesota cultivators  The economics of cannabis cultivation  How Xcel Energy programs support microbusinesses  Long-term planning for cannabis entrepreneurs  Why efficient grow design can dramatically improve runway and profitability This conversation offers a practical look at the business side of cannabis and the systems helping shape Minnesota’s emerging market. The Canna Connect Show highlights the people, businesses, and conversations building Minnesota cannabis culture from the ground up. #CannaConnectMN #MinnesotaCannabis #CannabisPodcast

    20 min
  5. Episode 30 | Evolving the Industry with Don Raleigh III of Evolve Payment

    May 12

    Episode 30 | Evolving the Industry with Don Raleigh III of Evolve Payment

    Minnesota cannabis is no longer just an idea. It’s becoming a real industry in real time. In this special episode of The Canna Connect Show, Stephen Eigenmann sits down with Don Raleigh III of Evolve Payment to talk about the evolution of cannabis in Minnesota ahead of the Evolving the Industry event happening May 14th at The Minneapolis Club. Together, they discuss:  the rapid growth of Minnesota cannabis  why compliant payment systems matter  the hidden costs of cash-heavy operations  NECANN and the importance of industry collaboration  cannabis banking challenges  what operators should know about payment compliance  how Minnesota cannabis is becoming more mainstream The conversation also highlights the importance of community, relationships, and celebrating the operators building this industry from the ground up. If you’re working in cannabis, curious about the future of the market, or planning to attend NECANN week in Minneapolis, this episode captures a unique snapshot of where the industry stands today and where it’s heading next. 🎧 Presented by Canna Connect and Evolve Payment. 📍 Evolving the Industry  May 14, 2026  The Minneapolis Club  4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Grab tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985763963470

    21 min
  6. Episode 29 | THC Drinks, Cannabis Quality & the Ganjier Movement | Elizabeth Sage

    May 6

    Episode 29 | THC Drinks, Cannabis Quality & the Ganjier Movement | Elizabeth Sage

    Elizabeth Sage’s cannabis story starts long before the Ganjier Guild. In this episode of The Canna Connect Show, we sit down with Elizabeth live from Lucky Leaf to talk about cannabis beverages, hemp regulation, product quality, education, and how the industry is evolving. We discuss:  THC drinks and mainstream adoption  Why cannabis quality goes beyond THC percentage  Hemp vs marijuana regulation  Cannabis as a harm reduction alternative to alcohol  Elizabeth’s path from corporate consulting into cannabis  The creation of the Ganjier Guild and cannabis education movement This is one of the broader conversations we’ve had about where cannabis culture and infrastructure are heading next.

    35 min
  7. Episode 28 | Building NativeCare: Community, Culture, and Cannabis in Minnesota

    Apr 30

    Episode 28 | Building NativeCare: Community, Culture, and Cannabis in Minnesota

    Cannabis in Minnesota isn’t just about business. It’s about people, culture, and creating something that reflects the community it serves. In this episode, recorded live at Lucky Leaf Expo, we sit down with the team behind NativeCare to talk about what it means to build with intention in a new market. Terrell Charnoski and Shyanne McDaniel share their perspective on launching in Minnesota, the importance of representation, and how NativeCare is approaching cannabis differently. This isn’t just about opening doors. It’s about doing it the right way. We talk about:  What NativeCare is building in Minnesota  The role of culture and community in cannabis  Navigating a brand new market as it unfolds  Why collaboration matters more than competition right now As the industry grows, the voices shaping it matter. This is one of those voices. Listen in and stay connected with the community.

    15 min
  8. Episode 27 | Inside Tokahe Distribution: Building Minnesota’s Cannabis Supply Chain

    Apr 29

    Episode 27 | Inside Tokahe Distribution: Building Minnesota’s Cannabis Supply Chain

    Before products hit shelves, before brands grow, before consumers ever walk into a store, there’s a system behind it all. This episode pulls back the curtain. Recorded at Lucky Leaf Expo, we sit down with Chad Stout and Brock Friesen to talk about Tokahe Distribution and the broader ecosystem being built through Prairie Island’s cannabis operations. From cultivation to manufacturing to distribution, this is one of the most ambitious vertically integrated efforts in Minnesota. And it’s happening in real time. We get into:  Building a cannabis operation across multiple business units  The reality of scaling from startup to full organization  How tribal cannabis is entering and shaping the state market  The challenges of compliance, logistics, and distribution  Why timing matters when launching in a new market This conversation captures what it looks like to build the infrastructure of an industry while it’s still forming. Minnesota cannabis is coming to life, and distribution is a big part of that story. Listen in and stay connected with the community.

    38 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Canna Connect
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Canna Connect Show
  • Show Website
    Canna Connect Show

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