Talent in Cannabis

FlowerHire

5.0 (2)
Careers

Talent in Cannabis is the FlowerHire podcast featuring candid conversations with leaders and professionals shaping the cannabis industry. Each episode goes beyond job titles to humanize executive careers—exploring real journeys, lessons learned, and what it truly takes to build and lead in cannabis.

Oct 14 · Bonus

From the Vault: Kate Miller of Miss Grass

Originally published July 7, 2025 as part of FlowerHire’s Sunset Sessions. How do you build a cannabis brand by putting community first? In this From the Vault conversation, FlowerHire CEO David Belsky sits down with Kate Miller, founder and CEO of Miss Grass, to talk about her journey from budtender in LA’s medical cannabis market to building a nationally recognized cannabis brand. Kate shares how Miss Grass got its start as a content platform, building a community around consumers who weren't represented by traditional cannabis brands before ever launching a product. She and David explore the early days of Venice Beach's cannabis scene, the evolution of cannabis culture, and how strategic partnerships helped Miss Grass reach new audiences. They also discuss the opportunities and challenges of expanding into multiple states, the growing influence of hemp-derived products, and Kate's approach to hiring and building a team that can adapt as the industry evolves. In this episode: From budtender to founder of Miss GrassBuilding a community and content platform before launching productsThe early days of Venice Beach's cannabis industryReaching new consumers through branding and strategic partnershipsNavigating multi-state expansionThe role of hemp-derived products in expanding cannabis accessHiring for hard work, flexibility, and passionBuilding a cannabis brand in an evolving industryFrom the Vault revisits conversations from FlowerHire’s archives with the people who have helped shape the cannabis industry. Instagram: @flowerhire YouTube: @flowerhire LinkedIn: @flowerhire
Oct 6

Frank Perullo of Ascend Wellness Holdings

Frank Perullo, Co-founder and President of Ascend Wellness Holdings, entered cannabis in 2012, during the Green Rush. Capital was flowing in, companies were trying to expand at any cost, and simply getting a license could provide an opportunity. Since the Green Rush, companies have had to become sharper, leaner, and much more intentional about how they operate. That’s exactly what Ascend Wellness did. And it got them from a single-state vertically integrated business to a seven-state MSO with 60 stores. In this episode of the Talent in Cannabis Podcast, Frank Perullo joins David Belsky to talk about what it takes to build in an industry that has changed dramatically over the past decade. Frank shares what he’s learned from navigating growth, pressure, setbacks, and the constant need to adapt. Frank shares: What changed between the early “green rush” years and today’s more disciplined cannabis market, and what companies need to do to make itThe hiring mistakes Ascend made early on, especially around cultivation and manufacturing talentWhy Ascend has kept a decentralized leadership model instead of forcing corporate teams back into an officeHow talent reviews, performance management, and clear goals help Ascend develop and retain employees
Sep 22

Drew Duval of Cresco Labs

Drew Duval and his wife, Karen, started FloraCal Farms from a VW bus in Sonoma County in 2014. After 4 acquisitions and a decade later, Drew is now President of Operations at Cresco Labs, leading over 1,300 employees. In this episode of the Talent in Cannabis Podcast, Drew joins David Belsky to share how his small family business led to Cresco Labs. He dives into what it takes to manage wholesale operations across multiple state markets, including cultivation, manufacturing, product development, and day-to-day facility operations. Plus, learn: How Drew and Karen built FloraCal Farms around quality and consistencyThe acquisitions that ultimately brought FloraCal into CrescoWhat makes California’s cannabis market so difficult for operatorsHow Cresco balances companywide standards with local decision-makingWhen cannabis automation delivers a real returnHow Cresco develops employees from entry-level roles into leadership positionsWhy Drew is optimistic about Ohio, Kentucky, and emerging Southern marketsWhy post-harvest remains one of cannabis’s most overlooked investmentsThe research every candidate should complete before interviewing with an MSO Find leaders for your cannabis company: www.flowerhire.com Connect with Drew Duval: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-duval-119963139/ Connect with David Belsky: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbelsky/ Check out Cresco Labs: https://www.crescolabs.com/ Check out FloraCal Farms: https://www.floracalfarms.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerhire/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FlowerHire LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flowerhire/
Sep 16 · Bonus

From the Vault: Lulu Tsui of On The Revel

Originally published August 27, 2025 as part of FlowerHire’s Sunset Sessions. What does it take to build a real community around cannabis? In this From the Vault conversation, FlowerHire CEO David Belsky sits down with Lulu Tsui, co-founder and Chief Experience Officer of On The Revel, to talk about building community in New York’s evolving cannabis market. Lulu shares how On The Revel got its start in 2016, creating more accessible and diverse spaces for cannabis professionals, enthusiasts, and curious consumers to connect. She and David dig into what makes New York’s cannabis culture and market unique, how consumer behavior is shaping the industry, and why successful entrepreneurs need to show up, do the research, and be ready to pivot. They also discuss bringing cannabis together with New York’s music, food, and art communities, the evolution of On The Revel’s events, and Lulu’s work expanding into psychedelics and new community experiences. In this episode: Building authentic community in cannabis The origins and evolution of On The Revel What makes New York’s cannabis market different Understanding New York cannabis consumers Creating events at the intersection of cannabis, music, food, and art Why entrepreneurs need to listen, learn, and pivot Expanding community-building beyond cannabis From the Vault revisits conversations from FlowerHire’s archives with the people who have helped shape the cannabis industry. Instagram: / flowerhire YouTube: / flowerhire LinkedIn: / flowerhire
Sep 8

Mike Khemmoro of Mango Cannabis

Shortly after high school, Mike Khemmoro started cultivating cannabis as a caregiver in Michigan. Today, he’s the co-founder of Mango Cannabis, a retail operator with 14 dispensaries across Oklahoma, Michigan, New York, and New Mexico. And they have more stores underway in Minnesota and Kentucky. In this episode of the Talent in Cannabis Podcast, Mike Khemmoro, COO of Mango Cannabis, joins David Belsky to share how missing out on a Michigan license led Mango Cannabis to Oklahoma. Oklahoma had a more accessible application process and gave the company its first opportunity to compete. He also talks candidly about the imposter syndrome that can come with growing from a first-time business owner into the leader of a company employing more than 300 people. David and Mike discuss: Why value and premium products don’t have to be mutually exclusive What operating in four very different state markets has taught himWhy legalizing cannabis does not create a healthy or sustainable industryWhat policymakers get wrong when building legal cannabis programsWhy Mike likes Kentucky’s measured approach to licensingWhat Mango looks for when hiring dispensary employeesLearning to defer to experienced HR, finance, and operational leadersInstagram: / flowerhire YouTube: / flowerhire LinkedIn: / flowerhire
Aug 25

Jared Maloof of Standard Wellness

Jared Maloof joined Standard Wellness as CFO. A month later, he was CEO. Since then, he’s helped lead the company through regulatory battles, financial pressure, shifting markets, and expansion across multiple states. In this episode of the Talent Cannabis Podcast, Jared joins David Belsky to share what he’s learned about building a sustainable cannabis company, hiring the right people, and making smarter decisions as the industry evolves. They discuss: Why financial discipline helped Standard Wellness survive some of the industry's hardest yearsWhy Jared wishes the company had prioritized retail earlierWhat Ohio's measured adult-use rollout could mean for the market's long-term healthHow Standard Wellness develops employees by giving them visibility into the entire businessWhy bringing leadership teams together in person still mattersWhat cannabis companies can learn from traditional business operators Why becoming CEO doesn't mean you stop having bosses.His advice for hiring managers, job seekers, and entrepreneursInstagram: / flowerhire YouTube: / flowerhire LinkedIn: / flowerhire
Aug 19 · Bonus

From the Vault: Caleb Counts of Connected Cannabis

Originally published October 8, 2024 as part of FlowerHire's Sunset Sessions. Before the Talent in Cannabis Podcast, there was Sunset Sessions. From the Vault brings some of our favorite conversations from that series back to the podcast feed. In this conversation, David Belsky sits down with Caleb Counts, Founder and CEO of Connected Cannabis, to talk about his journey from the legacy market to building one of the most recognized cannabis brands in the country. Caleb shares how his early experiences in cannabis eventually led him back to the industry, the role a licensing relationship with Berner and Cookies played in Connected's growth, and why the company's commitment to quality has remained at the center of the business. David and Caleb also discuss: 🔸 Why ego has to be left at the door in cannabis 🔸 How R&D and a commitment to learning helped Connected pioneer new cultivation techniques 🔸 Why humility is critical to maintaining quality and innovation 🔸 How Connected approaches partnerships and expansion 🔸 Why staying focused on the company's mission has helped drive its success Instagram: / flowerhire YouTube: / flowerhire LinkedIn: / flowerhire
Aug 11

Sarah Strickler of Grown Rogue

In this episode of the Talent in Cannabis Podcast, David Belsky speaks with Sarah Strickler, co-founder and Head of Community Relations at Grown Rogue. Sarah reflects on the values that have shaped Grown Rogue, including trust, discipline, internal growth, community, and creating an environment where employees feel supported. 🔸 How Sarah’s background as an athlete influenced her approach to teamwork and leadership 🔸 The early beginnings of Grown Rogue in Oregon’s medical cannabis market 🔸 Examples of employees who have grown into larger leadership roles 🔸 Why Grown Rogue invests in leadership training for managers 🔸 Sarah’s belief in supporting employees through personal and professional challenges 🔸 How trust, communication, and everyday interactions shape company culture Instagram: / flowerhire YouTube: / flowerhire LinkedIn: / flowerhire

5

out of 5

2 Ratings

Talent in Cannabis is the FlowerHire podcast featuring candid conversations with leaders and professionals shaping the cannabis industry. Each episode goes beyond job titles to humanize executive careers—exploring real journeys, lessons learned, and what it truly takes to build and lead in cannabis.

Creator

FlowerHire
Years Active

2026
Episodes

16
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2026 Talent in Cannabis
Show Website

Talent in Cannabis