High Spirits: The Cannabis Business Podcast

AnnaRae Grabstein and Ben Larson
  • 4.7 (12)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Hosts Ben Larson and AnnaRae Grabstein serve up unfiltered insights, reveal their insiders' perspectives, and illuminate transformative ideas about the cannabis industry for people who want to make sense of it all.

  1. TWICL ( May 1, 2026) - Cannabis Rescheduling: What We Still Don't Know

    1D AGO

    TWICL ( May 1, 2026) - Cannabis Rescheduling: What We Still Don't Know

    It's been one week since cannabis rescheduling to Schedule III was announced — and the questions keep multiplying. Jay Rosenthal, Marc Hauser, and Ben Larson unpack the real-world implications for operators, lawyers, accountants, and states navigating this seismic shift. In this episode: The DEA registration question: does it matter for 280E relief? The "Schrödinger's Cannabis" problem — how the same product can be Schedule I and Schedule III simultaneously State-level ripple effects: South Carolina, Nevada, Indiana, Texas, and more The 60-day application window and what it means (or doesn't) Congressional pushback: an appropriations bill that could defund rescheduling? Political dynamics: Trump, Kim Rivers, and the hemp connection 4/20 data: pre-rolls dominate, infused pre-rolls surge nationally Plus clips from Mike Feldman (NABIS General Counsel) and Rick Bashkoff (Lit Alerts) on what rescheduling means operationally and at retail. Hosts: Jay Rosenthal, Cultivated Marc Hauser, Cannabis Musings Ben Larson, High Spirits Streamed live May 1, 2026 Join us every Friday at 12PM ET / 9AM PT 🔔 Subscribe for weekly cannabis industry analysis, news, and live conversations. Have a question for us? Send us a text. We may answer it in the next show! -- High Spirits is brought to you by Vertosa and Wolf Meyer. Your hosts are Ben Larson and AnnaRae Grabstein. Follow High Spirits on LinkedIn. We'd love to hear your thoughts. Who would you like to see on the show? What topics would you like to have us cover? Visit our website www.highspiritspod.com and listen to all of our past shows. THANK YOU to our audience. Your engagement encourages us to keep bringing you these thought-provoking conversations.  Remember to always stay curious, stay informed, and most importantly, keep your spirits high.

    24 min
  2. #135 - The Rescheduling Order: A Legal Deep Dive

    6D AGO

    #135 - The Rescheduling Order: A Legal Deep Dive

    Is it time to get giddy or stay skeptical? The federal rescheduling of cannabis is the biggest regulatory shift in decades, but it comes with a complex web of DEA registrations and international treaty considerations. Join Ben Larson and AnnaRae Grabstein as they sit down with top legal minds Alyssa Samuel (Husch Blackwell), Eric Berlin (Dentons), and Michael Cooper (Madison J Solutions) to unpack what happens when the DEA portal opens and how you can position your business to be a winner in this new era. 💡 What You’ll Learn: The DEA Registration Roadmap: How the new 60-day registration window works and why being "deemed compliant" is the first step toward federal legality.The Interstate Commerce Conflict: Will Schedule III trigger the Dormant Commerce Clause and finally break down the "closed-loop" state systems?Banking & Capital Markets: Why Schedule III status could be the "mic drop" moment for NASDAQ listings, SBA loans, and institutional investment.The Future of Adult-Use: The legal hurdles involving international drug treaties and the upcoming June hearing that could decide the fate of recreational markets. 🌟 Meet the Guests: Alyssa Samuel: An attorney at Husch Blackwell with over a decade of experience in the Colorado and multi-state markets, specializing in complex regulatory compliance.Eric Berlin: Lead of the US and Global cannabis sector at Dentons, the world’s largest law firm, bringing 18 years of specialized cannabis legal expertise.Michael Cooper: Founder of MadisonJay Solutions and Chair of Policy for the NCIA, Michael is a leading voice in regulatory strategy for cannabinoids and spirits. 📅 Why Tune In? The "Knife Fight" for survival just got a lot more technical. If you are a cannabis operator, investor, or policy wonk, this episode provides the direct legal clarity you need to navigate the next six months of federal transition without falling for industry misinformation. Have a question for us? Send us a text. We may answer it in the next show! -- High Spirits is brought to you by Vertosa and Wolf Meyer. Your hosts are Ben Larson and AnnaRae Grabstein. Follow High Spirits on LinkedIn. We'd love to hear your thoughts. Who would you like to see on the show? What topics would you like to have us cover? Visit our website www.highspiritspod.com and listen to all of our past shows. THANK YOU to our audience. Your engagement encourages us to keep bringing you these thought-provoking conversations.  Remember to always stay curious, stay informed, and most importantly, keep your spirits high.

    1h 5m
  3. TWICL (Apr 17, 2026) - 4/20 & Rescheduling — Medical Cannabis Goes Federal

    APR 24

    TWICL (Apr 17, 2026) - 4/20 & Rescheduling — Medical Cannabis Goes Federal

    What does rescheduling really change — in the next 90 days, the next year, and the next decade? Jay Rosenthal and Jeremy Berke  from Cultivated are joined by AnnaRae Grabstein and Ben Larson from the High Spirits podcast and Marc Hauser from Cannabis Musings for a live breakdown of the  stories that defined this week in cannabis. Rescheduling: We're bringing in a special guest to help cut through the noise — what does moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III actually change for operators? What happens to 280E? What does it mean for banking, for institutional investment, for the broader legitimacy of the industry? And critically: what doesn't change at all? Subscribe → https://cultivated.news Have a question for us? Send us a text. We may answer it in the next show! -- High Spirits is brought to you by Vertosa and Wolf Meyer. Your hosts are Ben Larson and AnnaRae Grabstein. Follow High Spirits on LinkedIn. We'd love to hear your thoughts. Who would you like to see on the show? What topics would you like to have us cover? Visit our website www.highspiritspod.com and listen to all of our past shows. THANK YOU to our audience. Your engagement encourages us to keep bringing you these thought-provoking conversations.  Remember to always stay curious, stay informed, and most importantly, keep your spirits high.

    38 min
  4. #134 - Centralized Strategy, Local Execution: Inside the iAnthus MSO Turnaround w/ CEO, Richie Proud

    APR 22

    #134 - Centralized Strategy, Local Execution: Inside the iAnthus MSO Turnaround w/ CEO, Richie Proud

    Is the "growth at all costs" era of the MSO officially over? According to Richie Proud, success in today's cannabis market isn't about having the most square footage—it’s about operational efficiency, consumer engagement, and a "flower-first" mentality. About This Episode: On this episode of High Spirits, hosts Ben Larson & AnnaRae Grabstein sit down with Richie Proud, CEO of iAnthus. Since taking the helm in 2023, Richie has led a strategic restructuring of one of the industry's most storied public companies. He shares how his background in high-stakes retail at Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister is shaping the way iAnthus connects with consumers in complex medical markets like Florida and emerging adult-use hubs in the Northeast. 💡 What You’ll Learn: The "Flower-First" Strategy: Why iAnthus is prioritizing craft-quality genetics and cultivation over sheer canopy size to drive brand loyalty.Operational Restructuring: How Richie moved the company from a regionalized model to a "centralized strategy, localized execution" framework.The Florida Market Deep Dive: Insights into the unique medical consumer demographic and why patients "vote with their feet" in a vertical-only state.Transitioning from Big Retail: How to adapt traditional CPG playbooks to the unpredictable and highly regulated world of cannabis without failing.🌟 Meet Richie Proud: Richie Proud is the CEO of iAnthus, a vertically integrated MSO with a significant footprint across the East Coast. With over two decades of experience in retail leadership—including executive roles at Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, and Curaleaf—Richie brings a consumer-obsessed, data-driven approach to cannabis. He is currently focused on steering iAnthus toward sustainable EBITDA expansion and refining its portfolio of brands like The Vault and Cheetah. 📅 Why Tune In? If you are an operator or investor looking for a masterclass in the "stabilize and grow" phase of the cannabis business cycle, this conversation is essential. Richie provides a transparent look at how a public MSO can pivot from legacy baggage to become a lean, consumer-centric competitor in 2026. Have a question for us? Send us a text. We may answer it in the next show! -- High Spirits is brought to you by Vertosa and Wolf Meyer. Your hosts are Ben Larson and AnnaRae Grabstein. Follow High Spirits on LinkedIn. We'd love to hear your thoughts. Who would you like to see on the show? What topics would you like to have us cover? Visit our website www.highspiritspod.com and listen to all of our past shows. THANK YOU to our audience. Your engagement encourages us to keep bringing you these thought-provoking conversations.  Remember to always stay curious, stay informed, and most importantly, keep your spirits high.

    59 min
  5. TWICL (Apr 17, 2026) - $110 Oil, Falling Eighths, and the Hemp Legislation Rollercoaster

    APR 20

    TWICL (Apr 17, 2026) - $110 Oil, Falling Eighths, and the Hemp Legislation Rollercoaster

    On This Week in Cannabis Live, High Spirits hosts Ben Larson & AnnaRae Grabstein join the team at Cultivated for a high-stakes news roundup. From the logistical nightmare of surging oil prices to the "race to the bottom" for cannabis pricing on the East Coast, the crew breaks down the macro-trends hitting operators' bottom lines right now. Plus, a look at the latest hemp-derived THC legislation and the "de-banking" saga that proves no one is safe from the whims of big banks. 💡 What You’ll Learn: The Logistics Crunch: How $110 oil is forcing distributors like Nabis to use AI and "secure roots" just to keep trucks moving.The "Massachusetts Effect": Why East Coast markets are rapidly compressing toward $23 eighths and how operators must find efficiency to survive.Hemp vs. The Farm Bill: A breakdown of the Klobuchar-Rand Paul hemp bill and whether "gas station weed" can actually survive federal scrutiny.The De-Banking Reality: Why even non-plant-touching media companies are getting shut down by Chase and the critical need for financial redundancy.🌟 Meet the Panel: This episode features a "full house" of industry experts, including hosts Ben Larson (Vertosa) and AnnaRae Grabstein(Wolf Meyer), alongside Jay Rosenthal and Jeremy Berke of Cultivated, and Marc Hauser of Cannabis Musings. This group combines deep expertise in cannabis investment, media, legal policy, and supply chain operations. 📅 Why Tune In? Whether you're an MSO executive or a craft hemp brand, the "difficulty level" of the cannabis industry just increased. Tune in to hear how the top minds in the space are navigating the current "knife fight" for profitability and where they see the biggest wins (and losses) heading into the rest of the year. Have a question for us? Send us a text. We may answer it in the next show! -- High Spirits is brought to you by Vertosa and Wolf Meyer. Your hosts are Ben Larson and AnnaRae Grabstein. Follow High Spirits on LinkedIn. We'd love to hear your thoughts. Who would you like to see on the show? What topics would you like to have us cover? Visit our website www.highspiritspod.com and listen to all of our past shows. THANK YOU to our audience. Your engagement encourages us to keep bringing you these thought-provoking conversations.  Remember to always stay curious, stay informed, and most importantly, keep your spirits high.

    31 min
  6. #133 - The Future of THC Beverages: A Policy Deep Dive with Dawson Hobbs of WSWA

    APR 15

    #133 - The Future of THC Beverages: A Policy Deep Dive with Dawson Hobbs of WSWA

    The hemp beverage industry is thriving, but a federal "cliff" in November could bring it all to a screeching halt. With a looming ban on products over 0.4mg of THC, the stakes have never been higher for operators and consumers alike. About This Episode: In this episode of High Spirits, hosts Ben Larson & AnnaRae Grabstein sit down with Dawson Hobbs, EVP of Government Affairs at the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA). As a key player representing 80% of the nation’s wine and spirits distribution, Dawson provides a high-stakes look at the legislative battle in Washington D.C., the push for a three-tier regulatory model, and why the industry must choose between strict regulation or total extinction. 💡 What You’ll Learn: The November 2026 Deadline: Why federal funding bills currently threaten to criminalize nearly every hemp beverage on the market.The Power of the Three-Tier System: How the alcohol model of "Producer-Distributor-Retailer" can provide the safety guardrails Congress is demanding.Legislative Strategy for 218 Votes: Why standalone bills matter and how to find champions on the Hill who prioritize public safety over "gas station weed."The "Perfect vs. Good" Trap: Why the hemp industry must stop suing over state regulations if it wants to survive at the federal level. 🌟 Meet Dawson Hobbs: Dawson Hobbs is the EVP of Government Affairs for the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA). With over two decades of experience navigating alcohol policy, Dawson is one of the most influential voices in Washington regarding the intersection of traditional beverage and emerging THC categories. He leads advocacy efforts for over 380 member companies, bridging the gap between legacy distribution and the future of hemp-derived intoxicants. 📅 Why Tune In? Whether you are a hemp operator, a cannabis MSO, or a beverage investor, this conversation is your roadmap for the next six months. Dawson breaks down the exact "proof of concept" the industry needs to present to Congress to ensure THC beverages stay on shelves and out of the shadows. Have a question for us? Send us a text. We may answer it in the next show! -- High Spirits is brought to you by Vertosa and Wolf Meyer. Your hosts are Ben Larson and AnnaRae Grabstein. Follow High Spirits on LinkedIn. We'd love to hear your thoughts. Who would you like to see on the show? What topics would you like to have us cover? Visit our website www.highspiritspod.com and listen to all of our past shows. THANK YOU to our audience. Your engagement encourages us to keep bringing you these thought-provoking conversations.  Remember to always stay curious, stay informed, and most importantly, keep your spirits high.

    1 hr
  7. #132 - Scaling a Cannabis Empire: Boston Dickerson of Show Me Organics on Missouri and Kentucky Success

    APR 1

    #132 - Scaling a Cannabis Empire: Boston Dickerson of Show Me Organics on Missouri and Kentucky Success

    Is the "show me" state actually showing the rest of the country how to build a sustainable, high-growth cannabis market? In an era where many MSOs are struggling to stay afloat, one family-owned operator is proving that technical expertise and operational discipline are the ultimate competitive advantages. On this episode of High Spirits, hosts Ben Larson & AnnaRae Grabstein are joined by Boston Dickerson, Founder and CEO of Show Me Organics. Boston shares the incredible journey of scaling a "backwards vertical" business—starting with retail and manufacturing before moving into cultivation—and how he grew the company from a two-person startup to a 350-employee powerhouse across Missouri and Kentucky. 💡 What You’ll Learn: The "Backwards" Vertical Strategy: Why starting with retail and manufacturing provided a unique advantage in understanding consumer demand before touching a single plant.The Reality of the "Knife Fight": How oversupply in Missouri shifted power to retailers and what it takes for a brand to survive pricing pressure.Winning with Process: The transition from "founder-led hustle" to using EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) for clarity and accountability at scale.Breaking into Kentucky: The challenges and opportunities of operating in a new, highly restrictive medical market and the importance of localized pride. 🌟 Meet Boston Dickerson: Boston Dickerson is the Founder and CEO of Show Me Organics, one of Missouri’s premier vertically integrated cannabis operators. With a background in biochemistry and a passion for the plant, Boston and his brother Montana have built a diverse portfolio including Blue Sage Dispensaries, Vivid, and Missouri’s Own Edibles. Known for his disciplined approach to capital and operations, Boston is currently leading the company's expansion into Kentucky and eyeing future growth in limited-license markets like Texas. 📅 Why Tune In? If you are an operator trying to navigate the messy transition from startup hustle to enterprise-level scaling, this conversation is a masterclass. Boston provides a rare, transparent look at the "nos" it takes to get a "yes," the discipline required to raise capital in a down market, and why your business plan shouldn't rely on rescheduling as a lifeline. Keep your spirits high! Have a question for us? Send us a text. We may answer it in the next show! -- High Spirits is brought to you by Vertosa and Wolf Meyer. Your hosts are Ben Larson and AnnaRae Grabstein. Follow High Spirits on LinkedIn. We'd love to hear your thoughts. Who would you like to see on the show? What topics would you like to have us cover? Visit our website www.highspiritspod.com and listen to all of our past shows. THANK YOU to our audience. Your engagement encourages us to keep bringing you these thought-provoking conversations.  Remember to always stay curious, stay informed, and most importantly, keep your spirits high.

    59 min
  8. #131 - Sex, Drugs, and MSOs: Tanya Griffin on Illinois Retail & Radical Authenticity

    MAR 26

    #131 - Sex, Drugs, and MSOs: Tanya Griffin on Illinois Retail & Radical Authenticity

    "Stop shaming my sex and drugs." On this episode of High Spirits, hosts Ben Larson & AnnaRae Grabstein sit down with the incomparable Tanya Griffin, a multihyphenate entrepreneur who is rewriting the rulebook on what it means to be a "professional" in the cannabis industry. From building the first vertically integrated national franchise to navigating the "crash landing" of the Illinois social equity market, Tanya’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, systems-building, and radical honesty. We dive deep into the brutal reality of the Illinois retail landscape—where MSOs use MSAs to bypass store caps—and explore Tanya’s provocative thesis: that "dropping into flow states" through cannabis, intimacy, and wellness isn't just a lifestyle choice, it’s a competitive advantage for scaling high-growth companies. 💡 What You’ll Learn: The Illinois "Muddled Mess": An inside look at the X2Vets LLC lawsuit and how MSOs are consolidating power in one of the country's most expensive markets.Franchising vs. Mom & Pop: Can a franchise model provide the operational backbone that social equity operators need to survive against giants like GTI and Cresco?Scaling Sexual Wellness: The "soup-to-nuts" journey of building oOYes, a brand at the intersection of women's health, cannabinoids, and dismantling sexual shame.The Power of Bootstrapping: Why Tanya owns 100% of her companies and her "Crawl, Walk, Run" advice for surviving a market with zero access to traditional capital. 🌟 Meet Tanya Griffin: Tanya Griffin is the founder of Water and Trees, a growth management firm, and the visionary behind brands like oOYes and Uh huh Honey. With over 35 years of experience building retail companies (from midwifery clinics to dispensaries), she is a prominent deal-maker and consultant in the Illinois market. Tanya is also a fierce advocate for harm reduction through her nonprofit, Save My Life, which provides free Narcan throughout Illinois. 📅 Why Tune In? This isn't your average business podcast. If you’re tired of the corporate "suit and tie" narrative in cannabis and want to hear how raw authenticity and lean operations can win against billion-dollar MSOs, this conversation with Tanya Griffin is required listening. Have a question for us? Send us a text. We may answer it in the next show! -- High Spirits is brought to you by Vertosa and Wolf Meyer. Your hosts are Ben Larson and AnnaRae Grabstein. Follow High Spirits on LinkedIn. We'd love to hear your thoughts. Who would you like to see on the show? What topics would you like to have us cover? Visit our website www.highspiritspod.com and listen to all of our past shows. THANK YOU to our audience. Your engagement encourages us to keep bringing you these thought-provoking conversations.  Remember to always stay curious, stay informed, and most importantly, keep your spirits high.

    1h 2m
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4.7
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Hosts Ben Larson and AnnaRae Grabstein serve up unfiltered insights, reveal their insiders' perspectives, and illuminate transformative ideas about the cannabis industry for people who want to make sense of it all.

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