Under the Microscope with Jenny

Jenny Germano
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

I am your host, Jenny Germano - the founder of ICS Consulting. With over 17 years of hands-on experience in the regulated cannabis Industry, I spent 6 years operating vertically integrated licensed facilities in Colorado and the last 11 years consulting nationally across the U.S. This podcast is dedicated to new and existing cannabis operators and those looking to launch a licensed cannabis business in one state or across multiple. Expect candid conversations on compliance, market-specific insights, startup pitfalls, operational strategies, and tips to manage the overwhelm that comes with launching and scaling in this complex industry. Join Jenny Germano every Wednesday at 12pm EST in navigating cannabis compliance and launching successful regulated cannabis operations. Whether you’re just entering the industry or scaling up, this is your go-to resource for real talk, real truths, expert insights, and actionable strategies. I've got a great line up of interviews, expert breakdowns and host insights.

  1. 4d ago

    Ep. 76: Cannabis Operator Series & Fireside Chat with Zach Schopp Founder & CEO of Seed of Life

    🎙️In this episode of Under The Microscope with Jenny, host Jenny Germano continues the Cannabis Operator Series with Zach Schopp, founder and CEO of Seed of Life in Montana, to explore his journey from budtender to building a vertically integrated cannabis business. Zach shares how he entered the industry in 2015, navigated changes to Montana's medical cannabis program, and built his first 3,000-square-foot cultivation facility in 2017. Through self-funding, hands-on learning, and strategic expansion, he grew Seed of Life into a multi-location operation spanning cultivation, manufacturing, kitchen operations, packaging, wholesale, and retail, with its 12th retail store preparing to launch. Jenny and Zach discuss the realities of scaling a cannabis business, from building a strong team and empowering managers to navigating market downturns, planning dispensary buildouts, evaluating new markets, and expanding into different regions. The conversation takes a close look at cannabis compliance at scale, including Montana's changing rules, building a compliance focused culture and how evolving requirements can create significant operational challenges as a business grows. They also explore expansion strategy, mature cannabis markets, and the importance of building operational systems that can keep pace with growth. Zach shares lessons learned from growing Seed of Life and tips for operators navigating changing regulations and increasingly complex compliance requirements. This episode delivers practical insight for cannabis operators and business owners focused on vertical integration, multi-location operations, cannabis compliance, inventory controls, cultivation, expansion strategy, and sustainable business growth.   🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting 🌎 𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://www.icsconsultingservice.com 🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Zach Schopp Founder & CEO of Seed of Life 🌎𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: https://www.seedoflifelabs.com   ⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀⏰ 00:56 Zach's Cannabis Origin Story 03:12 Early Growth & Expansion 05:59 From Sears to Budtender to Cannabis Business Owner 07:10 Taking the Leap Into Ownership 11:38 Building the Team 16:56 Montana Cannabis Regulation Changes 25:58 Cannabis Compliance at Scale 29:43 Managing Cannabis SKUs &  Inventory 31:13 Metrc Data-Entry Compliance Traps 32:08 Early Cultivation Growing Pains 33:13 Pest Management & Biosecurity 34:12 Navigating Cannabis Market Downturns 39:20 Montana Cannabis Expansion Strategy 44:07 Evaluating New Cannabis Markets 46:27 Expansion Beyond Montana 49:50 Lessons From Mature Cannabis Markets 51:38 Cannabis Compliance Advice & Wrap-Up   𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The content shared on this channel - including all videos, podcasts, interviews, and discussions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, compliance, or business consulting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis and related industries vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified attorney or licensed professional before making decisions that could have legal or regulatory consequences for your business. Listening to or viewing this content does not create a client relationship between you and ICS Consulting, Under the Microscope with Jenny, Jenny Germano, or any of the podcast’s guests. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICS Consulting or its affiliates.

    Ep. 76: Cannabis Operator Series & Fireside Chat with Zach Schopp Founder & CEO of Seed of Life

  2. Oct 7

    Ep. 75: Cannabis Operators Series & Fireside Chat with Fadi Boumitri CEO of Ascension

    🎙️In this episode of Under The Microscope with Jenny, host Jenny Germano continues the Cannabis Operator Series with Fadi Boumitri, CEO of Ascension in Ohio, to explore the realities of building and scaling a cannabis business. Fadi shares his path into the cannabis industry and his experience navigating Ohio's competitive licensing process, including real estate challenges, strict application deadlines, and the pressure of getting licensed and operational. Jenny and Fadi discuss building Ascension's cultivation operation, pivoting from a processing-focused model to craft flower, sourcing genetics, facility design, cultivation strategy, and a $16 million expansion. They also examine the lessons learned from building a cannabis facility under aggressive timelines and evolving supply-chain conditions. The conversation covers dispensary site selection, fundraising, processing, pricing strategy, and the realities of competing in Ohio's cannabis market. Fadi also shares his experience navigating Ohio compliance requirements, changing rules, inspections, DEA registration, and the challenges of operating as federal and state requirements continue to evolve. Jenny and Fadi discuss market dynamics, consumer safety, and cross-border enforcement. Fadi also shares lessons for cannabis operators on building correctly, starting small, managing growth, and balancing the business and operational sides of the industry. This episode delivers practical insight for cannabis operators navigating licensing, compliance, cultivation, expansion, dispensary operations, and scaling a regulated cannabis business.   🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting 🌎 𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://www.icsconsultingservice.com 🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Fadi Boumitri, CEO, Ascension BioMedical LLC 🌎𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: https://ascensioncann.com   ⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀⏰ 01:12 Fadi Boumitri Introduction 03:20 Ohio Cannabis License Application 06:47 Racing to Get Operational 10:55 Facility Pivot & Expansion 12:49 Genetics & Cultivation Strategy 13:58 Cannabis Facility Design Mistakes & Lessons 17:55 Craft Cannabis Vision 20:37 Dispensary Launch & Site Selection 23:34 Funding, Processing & Pricing 28:58 Dispensary Pricing Strategy 30:16 Drive-Through Convenience 31:25 Ohio Cannabis Compliance Learning Curve 35:25 Rule Changes & Inspections 39:12 DEA Registration Reality 44:34 Ohio Cannabis Market Surprises 46:50 Ohio Hemp Ban & Consumer Safety 49:54 Cross-Border Enforcement 53:44 Industry Advice & Wrap-Up   𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The content shared on this channel - including all videos, podcasts, interviews, and discussions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, compliance, or business consulting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis and related industries vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified attorney or licensed professional before making decisions that could have legal or regulatory consequences for your business. Listening to or viewing this content does not create a client relationship between you and ICS Consulting, Under the Microscope with Jenny, Jenny Germano, or any of the podcast’s guests. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICS Consulting or its affiliates.

    Ep. 75: Cannabis Operators Series & Fireside Chat with Fadi Boumitri CEO of Ascension

  3. Sep 30

    Ep. 74: Cannabis Rescheduling & 280E: Does It Really Mean Tax Relief?

    🎙️In this episode of Under The Microscope with Jenny, host Jenny Germano sits down with Rachel Gillette, Partner, Cannabis Industry Group at Holland & Hart, to discuss whether federal cannabis rescheduling really means tax relief for cannabis operators. Rachel explains the April 2026 federal action placing qualifying state-licensed medical marijuana in Schedule III and how that differs from the broader proposal to reschedule marijuana. She breaks down 280E and how Schedule III treatment can affect the deduction of ordinary business expenses for qualifying medical cannabis operations. The conversation covers questions surrounding retrospective 280E relief, expense apportionment for co-located medical and adult-use operations, IRS audits, refund claims, and the New Mexico Top Organics/Ultra Health case. They also discuss an IRS action involving TerrAscend and what operators should understand before assuming rescheduling automatically eliminates their tax exposure. Jenny and Rachel discuss DEA registration, evolving federal compliance expectations, inspections, and the potential compliance costs. The episode also explores the uncertainty surrounding adult-use cannabis, interstate commerce, international treaty requirements, and how operators can begin preparing for changing federal expectations. This episode delivers practical insight for cannabis operators, business owners navigating cannabis rescheduling, 280E, DEA registration, federal compliance, tax planning, and the evolving relationship between state-licensed cannabis businesses and federal regulation.   🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting 🌎 𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://www.icsconsultingservice.com 🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Rachel Gillette, Partner, Cannabis Industry Group at Holland & Hart LLP 🌎𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: https://www.hollandhart.com   ⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀⏰ 00:40 Rachel Gillette Introduction 04:18 Rescheduling Explained 07:30 Ultra Health Test Case 11:34 How 280E Works 16:18 DEA Registration Basics 22:18 Compliance Costs and Risks 25:23 Unknowns & Future Shifts 29:01 Preparing for Inspections 31:51 280E Retroactive Relief 33:10 State vs Federal Compliance 37:01 Planning for Tax Relief 38:13 Refund Claims & Audits 41:31 Why 280E Fuels Black Market 44:33 Rescheduling Confusion 50:22 Common Misconceptions 55:04 Final Thoughts & Wrap Up   𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The content shared on this channel - including all videos, podcasts, interviews, and discussions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, compliance, or business consulting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis and related industries vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified attorney or licensed professional before making decisions that could have legal or regulatory consequences for your business. Listening to or viewing this content does not create a client relationship between you and ICS Consulting, Under the Microscope with Jenny, Jenny Germano, or any of the podcast’s guests. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICS Consulting or its affiliates.

    Ep. 74: Cannabis Rescheduling & 280E: Does It Really Mean Tax Relief?

  4. Sep 23

    Ep. 73: 7 Training Gaps Putting Cannabis Dispensaries at Compliance Risk

    🎙️In this episode of Under The Microscope with Jenny, host and ICS Consulting founder Jenny Germano breaks down seven common training gaps that can put cannabis dispensaries at compliance risk and provides practical strategies for strengthening employee training and competency. Jenny explains why employees are the ones executing compliance every day and why training must be treated as a system, not simply a signed policy acknowledgment or completed video. She breaks down a training framework built around policy, training, demonstration, supervision, documentation, and retraining. The conversation examines seven common training gaps, including compliance-first onboarding, diversion and loss prevention, de-escalation and security awareness, seed-to-sale errors, training documentation, and a structured 90-day ramp to competency. Jenny also discusses the importance of hands-on competency, ongoing training, reconciliation, root-cause analysis, and documenting employee training. She explains why dispensaries need to identify and address training gaps before they contribute to an inspection issue, compliance violation, inventory discrepancy, or other operational incident.This episode delivers practical insight for cannabis dispensary owners, managers, and compliance professionals looking to strengthen employee training, reduce compliance risk, and build more consistent operations.   🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting 🌎 𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://www.icsconsultingservice.com   ⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀⏰ 01:25 Why Cannabis Dispensary Training Matters 03:04 Employees Drive Compliance 05:04 Building an Effective Training System 07:01 Compliance-First Onboarding 16:43 Medical Claims & Customer Communication 26:03 Diversion & Loss Prevention 29:58 Spotting Diversion Risks 30:16 De-Escalation & Security Awareness 33:43 Practice, Not Paperwork 36:10 Seed-to-Sale Mistakes 45:53 Reconciliation & Root Causes 47:41 Training Documentation 50:44 90-day Ramp to Competency 54:03 Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up   𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The content shared on this channel - including all videos, podcasts, interviews, and discussions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, compliance, or business consulting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis and related industries vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified attorney or licensed professional before making decisions that could have legal or regulatory consequences for your business. Listening to or viewing this content does not create a client relationship between you and ICS Consulting, Under the Microscope with Jenny, Jenny Germano, or any of the podcast’s guests. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICS Consulting or its affiliates.

    Ep. 73: 7 Training Gaps Putting Cannabis Dispensaries at Compliance Risk

  5. Sep 16

    Ep. 72: DEA Inspections & What Cannabis Operators Can Learn from Mississippi

    🎙️In this episode of Under The Microscope with Jenny, host Jenny Germano sits down with Henry Crisler, Executive Director of the Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association to discuss Mississippi's medical cannabis program, DEA inspections, and what cannabis operators can learn from the state's experience. The conversation examines the challenges Mississippi cannabis operators are facing as federal requirements evolve, including DEA inspections and what inspectors are looking at, such as documentation, security plans, ownership records, inventory controls, felony disqualification standards, and questions surrounding Schedule III compliance. Jenny and Henry also discuss what operators should be thinking about as federal oversight develops, including SOPs, inventory controls, documentation, ownership records, and preparing for increased federal scrutiny. They explore potential implications of international treaty requirements, DEA registration, distribution models, fees, production limits, and interstate commerce, along with questions operators are asking about the future of medical cannabis under federal rescheduling. This episode delivers practical insight for cannabis operators navigating DEA inspections, cannabis compliance, federal rescheduling, medical cannabis regulations, inventory controls, SOPs, and changing federal requirements.   🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting 🌎 𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://www.icsconsultingservice.com 🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Henry Crisler, Executive Director of the Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association 🌎𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: https://www.3mams.org   ⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀⏰ 00:45 Henry Crisler Introduction 06:11 Mississippi Cannabis Market Snapshot 09:50 Market Saturation & Operator Pain Points 16:21 DEA Inspections Begin 21:26 Schedule III Compliance Questions 27:48 What DEA Looks For 29:07 DEA Security Plan Scrutiny 30:19 Felony Lookback Requirements 34:54 Will DEA Rewrite Cannabis Rules? 37:06 UN Treaty & Cannabis Distribution 39:58 Why Register With DEA? 42:25 Interstate Cannabis Commerce Questions 45:09 October Deadline Reality 47:36 Pharmaceutical Framework 50:36 Cannabis Operator Tips 55:18 Compliance & Market Consolidation 56:40 3MA Resources and Wrap-Up   𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The content shared on this channel - including all videos, podcasts, interviews, and discussions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, compliance, or business consulting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis and related industries vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified attorney or licensed professional before making decisions that could have legal or regulatory consequences for your business. Listening to or viewing this content does not create a client relationship between you and ICS Consulting, Under the Microscope with Jenny, Jenny Germano, or any of the podcast’s guests. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICS Consulting or its affiliates.

    Ep. 72: DEA Inspections & What Cannabis Operators Can Learn from Mississippi

  6. Sep 9

    Ep. 71: Ohio Cannabis - How the Market Has Evolved and Where It’s Going

    🎙️In this episode of Under The Microscope with Jenny, host Jenny Germano sits down with Lenny Berry, founder and CEO of the Ohio Cannabis Health & Business Summit, to explore the evolution of Ohio's cannabis market and the challenges and opportunities shaping the industry. Lenny shares his journey from more than 30 years in music, radio, and marketing into Ohio cannabis in 2017. He opened medical cannabis clinics, gaining firsthand insight into patient needs, cannabis stigma, dosing challenges, and gaps in dispensary education. Those experiences led Lenny to create an education and networking-focused cannabis summit. Jenny and Lenny discuss how the event grew from its launch in 2019 to attract more than a thousand attendees and bring together cannabis professionals from Ohio and beyond. The conversation examines Ohio cannabis regulations, the expansion of adult-use cannabis, competition, mergers and acquisitions, Michigan market pressure, social equity setbacks, and the future of Ohio's regulated cannabis market. They also discuss the role of budtenders and brand ambassadors, responsible consumption education, ancillary cannabis businesses, and why education and community remain important as the market evolves. This episode delivers practical insight into Ohio cannabis, cannabis business opportunities, market evolution, regulations, M&A, education, and building stronger industry connections.   🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting 🌎 𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://www.icsconsultingservice.com 🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Lenny Berry, Founder and CEO of the Ohio Cannabis Health & Business Summit 🌎𝗟𝗲𝗻𝗻𝘆 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗟𝗜: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenny-berry-7959176 🌎𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: https://ochbs.com   ⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀⏰ 00:45 Lenny Berry Introduction 01:11 From Music to Cannabis 03:16 Starting a Cannabis Recommendation Clinic 05:08 Lessons From Cannabis Patients 08:55 Cannabis Stigma & Family 13:02 Creating the Ohio Cannabis Summit 16:49 Growing the Cannabis Business Event 23:10 Building Cannabis Industry Community 25:18 Ohio Cannabis Market Realities 27:51 Cannabis Ancillary Opportunities 29:19 Ohio Cannabis Social Equity Setbacks 30:13 The Future of Ohio Cannabis Regulations 31:44 Challenges Facing Cannabis Operators 33:14 Cannabis M&A & Market Shakeup 34:00 Michigan Border Ban 35:58 Medical vs. Adult-Use Cannabis 43:08 Budtenders on the Front Line 46:29 What Makes Cannabis Conferences Valuable 54:26 Cannabis Networking Tips 58:04 Ohio Cannabis Summit Dates & Wrap Up   𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The content shared on this channel - including all videos, podcasts, interviews, and discussions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, compliance, or business consulting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis and related industries vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified attorney or licensed professional before making decisions that could have legal or regulatory consequences for your business. Listening to or viewing this content does not create a client relationship between you and ICS Consulting, Under the Microscope with Jenny, Jenny Germano, or any of the podcast’s guests. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICS Consulting or its affiliates.

    Ep. 71: Ohio Cannabis - How the Market Has Evolved and Where It’s Going

  7. Sep 2

    Ep. 70: Cannabis Operator Series with Matt Kennicott of High Maintenance

    🎙️In this episode of Under The Microscope with Jenny, host Jenny Germano sits down with Matt Kennicott, co-owner of High Maintenance and Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Cannabis Association of New Mexico, to explore the realities of operating a cannabis business in New Mexico. Matt shares his political, legislative, and public relations background, including his involvement in writing portions of New Mexico's Cannabis Regulation Act and his experience working with cannabis licensing and compliance. Matt shares High Maintenance's micro outdoor cultivation, living-soil model along with manufacturing and the challenges of building a cannabis business in a developing market. The conversation examines licensing and operational hurdles, including municipal and state coordination, water rights, regulator turnover, and compliance requirements. Matt explains track-and-trace challenges affecting New Mexico cannabis operators, including the transition between systems, regulatory uncertainty, testing backlogs, cash-flow concerns, and increased operating costs. Jenny and Matt discuss why the Cannabis Association of New Mexico was formed, advocacy for cannabis operators, town halls, lobbying, and efforts to address issues affecting micro farms and independent cannabis businesses. They also explore market consolidation, price compression, independent brands, testing challenges, and DEA site visits. This episode delivers practical insight for cannabis operators navigating licensing, compliance, track-and-trace, cultivation challenges, and changing regulations.   🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting 🌎 𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://www.icsconsultingservice.com 🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Matt Kennicott - co-owner of High Maintenance and Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Cannabis Association of New Mexico 🌎Matt Kennicott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkennicott31 🌎𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: Cannabis Association of New Mexico https://nmcannabis.org   ⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀⏰ 01:21 Matt Kennicott Introduction 03:08 Starting a Cannabis Farm 06:28 High Desert Water Challenges 07:36 Cannabis Products & Pre-Rolls 08:27 New Mexico Cannabis Licensing Roadblocks 15:11 New Mexico Track-and-Trace Crisis 20:49 Bootstrapping the Business 22:05 Launching the Cannabis Association 25:53 Operator Advocacy & Town Halls 28:38 Lobbying for Cannabis Operators 29:51 Regulators vs. Day-to-Day Operations Reality 34:02 New Mexico Market Consolidation & M&A 36:17 Independent Brands & Market Opportunities 37:37 Lessons for Cannabis Operators 41:57 Cannabis Price Compression & Rebound 51:28 Modernizing the Cannabis Industry 56:02 Final Thoughts & Wrap Up   𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The content shared on this channel - including all videos, podcasts, interviews, and discussions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, compliance, or business consulting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis and related industries vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified attorney or licensed professional before making decisions that could have legal or regulatory consequences for your business. Listening to or viewing this content does not create a client relationship between you and ICS Consulting, Under the Microscope with Jenny, Jenny Germano, or any of the podcast’s guests. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICS Consulting or its affiliates.

    Ep. 70: Cannabis Operator Series with Matt Kennicott of High Maintenance

  8. Aug 26

    Ep. 69: Cannabis Operators: Stop Guessing & Start Using Your Data

    🎙️ In this episode of Under The Microscope with Jenny, host Jenny Germano sits down with Tyler Works, Chief Growth Officer of Canna Spyglass and Colorado Chair of the Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, to explore how cannabis operators can better use the data they already collect. Cannabis businesses generate enormous amounts of data, but many operators struggle to turn that information into useful business decisions. Tyler explains how low data literacy, staffing challenges, software costs, and relying on a single data source can prevent operators from seeing the full picture. Jenny and Tyler discuss how operators can use data to improve inventory decisions, understand sell-through, align production with sales, identify market opportunities, and make more informed operational decisions. The conversation also explores how AI, POS integrations, and MCPs can help operators interpret multiple data sources, identify market white space, understand customer and demographic trends, target the right stores, and reduce errors. Tyler also explains why AI still requires context, oversight, and good underlying data to produce useful results. The conversation examines cannabis market maturity, consolidation, sustainable growth, small brand strategy, and the importance of understanding where a product fits within a specific market. This episode delivers practical insight for cannabis operators looking to use data and AI more effectively, improve decision-making, strengthen operations, and build sustainable cannabis businesses.   🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting 🌎 𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://www.icsconsultingservice.com 🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Tyler Works, Chief Growth Officer of Canna Spyglass & Colorado Chair of the Cannabis Chamber of Commerce.  🌎𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: https://cannaspyglass.com 🌎𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲: https://www.thecannabischamber.com   ⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀⏰  00:51 Tyler Works Introduction  02:33 Do Cannabis Operators Use Data?  04:19 Common Cannabis Data Mistakes  08:04 Cannabis Software Costs  10:14 Why Data Sources Aren't Always the Truth  12:18 How AI Makes Cannabis Data Actionable  19:20 Why AI Needs Context  25:05 Finding Your Cannabis Market  28:06 Where AI Gets Its Data  33:20 Data for Cannabis Grows & Manufacturers  37:34 Mature Cannabis Market Reality  42:22 Cannabis Consolidation & Acquisitions  44:26 Sustainable Small Cannabis Brands  48:35 Three Priorities for Cannabis Operators  56:29 Final Thoughts & Wrap Up   𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The content shared on this channel - including all videos, podcasts, interviews, and discussions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, compliance, or business consulting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis and related industries vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified attorney or licensed professional before making decisions that could have legal or regulatory consequences for your business. Listening to or viewing this content does not create a client relationship between you and ICS Consulting, Under the Microscope with Jenny, Jenny Germano, or any of the podcast’s guests. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICS Consulting or its affiliates.

    Ep. 69: Cannabis Operators: Stop Guessing & Start Using Your Data
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About

I am your host, Jenny Germano - the founder of ICS Consulting. With over 17 years of hands-on experience in the regulated cannabis Industry, I spent 6 years operating vertically integrated licensed facilities in Colorado and the last 11 years consulting nationally across the U.S. This podcast is dedicated to new and existing cannabis operators and those looking to launch a licensed cannabis business in one state or across multiple. Expect candid conversations on compliance, market-specific insights, startup pitfalls, operational strategies, and tips to manage the overwhelm that comes with launching and scaling in this complex industry. Join Jenny Germano every Wednesday at 12pm EST in navigating cannabis compliance and launching successful regulated cannabis operations. Whether you’re just entering the industry or scaling up, this is your go-to resource for real talk, real truths, expert insights, and actionable strategies. I've got a great line up of interviews, expert breakdowns and host insights.

Information

  • Creator
    Jenny Germano
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    76
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Under the Microscope with Jenny