The Dime

Bryan Fields
  • 4.9 (113)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Most cannabis companies won't survive the next three years. The ones that do will have better capital discipline, sharper regulatory reads, and operational frameworks built for compression, not growth. The Dime is where cannabis operators, executives, and investors hear directly from the CEOs and founders making those decisions right now: MSO strategy, state-by-state market dynamics, cultivation and extraction economics, brand positioning, and the financing structures keeping companies alive. Bryan Fields hosts weekly conversations built for operators, not observers.

  1. 2D AGO

    Joe Lustberg: What Cannabis Lenders See That Operators Miss

    The number in your head and the number you actually need are not the same number. That gap is where most cannabis businesses break. Joe Lustberg has financed operators across the country for years and watched that gap swallow businesses that looked fine on paper. He has also spent over two years paying rent on a Hamptons dispensary he cannot open because a municipality tried to rezone his property out from under him. The person telling you to build in 1.5X as your burn capital cushion has been living inside exactly the scenario he warns everyone about. When the lender financing your industry has lived the same nightmare, the advice changes. This week we sit down with Joe Lustberg,  to discuss the following  NY Regulatory Battlefield 280E Gone: What Changes Lending Specifics   Chapters 00:00 Navigating the Cannabis Landscape: A Personal Journey 02:51 Understanding the Financial Risks in Cannabis Operations 06:01 The Importance of Burn Capital for Cannabis Startups 09:02 Lending Dynamics in the Cannabis Industry 11:55 Market Trends and the Future of Cannabis Financing 14:51 The Impact of Rescheduling on Cannabis Operators 18:01 Identifying Strong Operators in a Competitive Market 21:05 Evaluating Financial Health: Key Indicators for Success 26:01 Evaluating Limited Markets: The Ohio Perspective 28:24 Navigating Unique Financing Requests 29:12 Surprising Success Stories in Cannabis Financing 32:04 The Importance of Experience in New Ventures 35:46 Identifying Undervalued Markets in Cannabis 38:00 The Future of Cannabis Markets and Interstate Commerce Guest Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-lustberg-23076722 Our Links: Bryan Fields on Twitter Kellan Finney on Twitter The Dime on Twitter Extraction Teams: Want to cut costs and get more out of every run? Unlock hidden revenue by extracting more from the same input—with Newton Insights. At Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry. The Dime is a top 5% most shared  global podcast The Dime is a top 10 Cannabis Podcast  The Dime has a New Website. Shhhh its not finished. 🎥 YouTube:  The Dime 📸 Instagram:  The Dime https://www.newton-insights.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    44 min

  2. MAY 8

    The Hidden Margin Killer for MSOS ft. Braunz Muller

    Cannabis operators aren't short on data. They're drowning in it. The real problem is what happens when that data gets handed to the wrong person, read at the wrong time, or used to justify the wrong decision. Overproduction cycles, steep discounting, margin pressure building back into manufacturing: most of that traces back to data being used reactively instead of as a decision guidance tool. Layer on the reality of multi-state operations where every market runs a different system, tracks different items, and reports differently. Making sense of what the numbers are actually saying across that footprint isn't just a technology problem. It's an interpretation problem with real financial consequences. Think of it like a compass that's slightly off calibrated. Over a short distance, no one notices. Across 15 facilities and hundreds of SKUs, you end up miles from where you intended. This week we sit down with Braunz Muller, to discuss the following  Margins in Cannabis Supply Chains Hydrocarbon SOP Secrets THC Efficiency as the Real KPI Chapter 00:00 Data Problems in Cannabis Manufacturing 12:50 The Complexity of Decision-Making 20:31 Dynamic SOPs in Extraction 30:14 Balancing Flexibility and Control in Operations 32:08 Empowering Operators Within Structured Systems 35:03 The Importance of Data in Extraction 39:27 Understanding Yield and Efficiency 43:00 Closing the Loop in Extraction Processes 48:40 Optimizing Cultivation for Better Efficiency 54:04 Auditing for Efficiency in Manufacturing 56:51 The Future of Hydrocarbon Extraction Knowledge   Guest Links: linkedin.com/in/braunz-muller-98382018b   Our Links: Bryan Fields on Twitter Kellan Finney on Twitter The Dime on Twitter Extraction Teams: Want to cut costs and get more out of every run? Unlock hidden revenue by extracting more from the same input—with Newton Insights. At Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry. The Dime is a top 5% most shared  global podcast The Dime is a top 10 Cannabis Podcast  The Dime has a New Website. Shhhh its not finished. 🎥 YouTube:  The Dime 📸 Instagram:  The Dime https://www.newton-insights.com/   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    58 min

  3. APR 24

    Ed Rosenthal and Greg Baughman: You're Still Growing Cannabis Wrong

    A customer walks into the dispensary and asks the budtender for a flower recommendation. They end up with a degraded version of the once high-end flower that graced your cultivation floor. They do not know it. Your brand took the blame. Ed Rosenthal, the most referenced name in cannabis cultivation history, says the cannabis supply chain has a freshness problem that starts in the dry room and compounds at every handoff. The smell of your drying room that everyone loves walking into? Those are your terpenes leaving the building. This week we sit down with Ed Rosenthal and Greg Baughman to discuss: How Canada already solved this Why most are still cultivating wrong Freeze drying vs. traditional drying Chapters 00:00 The Freshness Debate: Cannabis vs. Produce 03:01 Consumer Awareness and Dispensary Practices 05:55 Post-Harvest Processing: Ensuring Quality and Consistency 08:59 Innovations in Freeze-Drying Cannabis 11:48 The Science Behind Freeze-Drying: A Deeper Dive 14:52 Testing and Refining the Freeze-Drying Process 17:54 The Future of Cannabis Processing: Quality and Efficiency 28:28 Post-Harvest Efficiency and Cost Reduction 30:26 Cultivation Methods and Labor Costs 35:09 Crisis Management and Industry Change 39:22 Market Maturity and Operational Efficiencies 43:00 Future of Cannabis Cultivation 47:04 Innovations in Drying and Curing Processes 52:46 Consumer Perception and Quality Assurance Guest Links: http://cryocure.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-baughman-2869b4218/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/edrosenthal-/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/cryocurecannabis/ Our Links: Bryan Fields on Twitter Kellan Finney on Twitter The Dime on Twitter Extraction Teams: Want to cut costs and get more out of every run? Unlock hidden revenue by extracting more from the same input—with Newton Insights. At Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry. The Dime is a top 5% most shared  global podcast The Dime is a top 10 Cannabis Podcast  The Dime has a New Website. Shhhh its not finished. 🎥 YouTube:  The Dime 📸 Instagram:  The Dime https://www.newton-insights.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    55 min

  4. APR 6

    The Legal Market Was Never Built for Payments, Why Cannabis Still Breaks the Rules ft. Aubrey Amatelli

    The largest payment processor in the world handles cannabis in Canada. In the U.S., they will not touch it. That’s the gap. Aubrey Amatelli left JP Morgan believing that if you followed the rules, aligned with card brand requirements, and structured things correctly, you could build a compliant, stable payment product. Then came Mastercard shutdowns, a failed tech partner that cost six figures, and a stretch where 5,000 dispensaries lost payment access in a matter of weeks. What came out of that was a different approach to building in cannabis. Redundancy is not a feature. It is the product. This week we sit down with Aubrey Amatelli to discuss the following: • JP Morgan to cannabis payments • A failed partner and six figures lost • Why moving from cash to card changes ticket size   Chapters 00:00 Navigating the Cannabis Payment Landscape 02:55 Understanding Payment Processing Challenges 05:57 Building Redundancies in Payment Solutions 09:02 The Impact of Federal Legislation on Payments 12:08 Consumer Education and Payment Solutions 15:03 Product Development and Market Needs 18:02 The Evolving Nature of Cannabis Payments 21:28 Navigating Cannabis Payment Solutions 22:12 The Rise of Cryptocurrency in Alternative Medicine 26:36 The Future of Cannabis Banking and Federal Legalization 30:22 AI's Role in Payment Processing 33:57 Understanding Payment Processing Challenges in Cannabis 37:10 The Importance of Average Ticket Growth   Guest Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/aubreyamatelli/ https://payrio.co/ Our Links Bryan Fields on Twitter Kellan Finney on Twitter The Dime on Twitter Extraction Teams: Want to cut costs and get more out of every run? Unlock hidden revenue by extracting more from the same input—with Newton Insights. At Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry. The Dime is a top 5% most shared  global podcast The Dime is a top 10 Cannabis Podcast  The Dime has a New Website. Shhhh its not finished. 🎥 YouTube:  The Dime 📸 Instagram:  The Dime https://www.newton-insights.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    41 min

  5. MAR 27

    Gretchen Gailey: Cannabis Industry Has No Idea How DC Works, Why Rescheduling Is Delayed

    Politics is a dirty business. Sometimes being feared is the influence you need because access is not the problem. Politicians say "we'll take care of this." Gretchen Gailey has a different approach: stab them in the back, push them down the stairs, and take credit for the fall. It's time to put fear behind cannabis. She spent 20 years on Capitol Hill. She's watched cannabis show up once a year for fly-ins, throw money at the wrong politicians, and wonder why nothing changes. This episode breaks down why incrementalism is the only path, why banking matters more than you think, and why the industry needs to stop picking out curtains when it hasn't built a basement. This week we sit down with Gretchen Gailey: Stab them in the back politics Curtains before basement problem Project Champion playbook   Timestamps: 00:00 - The industry's fundamental misunderstanding about Washington politics 02:35 - Challenges with incrementalism versus desire for rapid change 04:47 - Supporting pro-cannabis politicians like Cynthia Loomis 06:45 - The role of education and public awareness campaigns 10:06 - Building a basic regulatory foundation: banking, safe products, and rescheduling 13:23 - The limitations of state-led models and the need for federal coordination 15:50 - The importance of transparency and federal standards for consumer safety 18:43 - The influence of political operatives and the importance of direct advocacy 22:51 - Using industry tools and data to inform policy and educate policymakers 26:15 - The significance of Congressional engagement and how to make cannabis an urgent issue 30:10 - The importance of political will and executive orders in advancing reform 34:40 - The disconnects within Washington and how industry can better influence policy 37:19 - Opportunities in leveraging symbolism like Veterans issues and Congressional events 41:14 - The disconnect between access and influence, and how to effectively make the case 44:40 - The necessity of creative strategies, public pressure, and celebrity involvement 50:21 - Successful stories: case of Cory Booker and the impact of direct constituent advocacy 52:16 - Final thoughts: how to stay engaged and educate the industry and policymakers Summary:  In this episode, Gretchen Gailey shares over 20 years of experience navigating Washington's complex cannabis legislation. We explore how industry players can effectively engage with policymakers, the importance of foundational regulations, and strategies to accelerate federal progress on cannabis reform. Guest Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchengailey https://projectchampion.org/ https://x.com/GretchenGailey Our Links Bryan Fields on Twitter Kellan Finney on Twitter The Dime on Twitter Extraction Teams: Want to cut costs and get more out of every run? Unlock hidden revenue by extracting more from the same input—with Newton Insights. At Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry. The Dime is a top 5% most shared  global podcast The Dime is a top 10 Cannabis Podcast  The Dime has a New Website. Shhhh its not finished. 🎥 YouTube:  The Dime 📸 Instagram:  The Dime https://www.newton-insights.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    53 min

  6. MAR 19

    15 Years of Cannabis Trading . Why I'll Sell Early (Unless This Happens) ft. Dan McDermitt

    Investing in cannabis requires a split personality. Everyone thinks they're early. Dan McDermitt has been trading the sector for 15 years — through the Canadian boom, the Biden promise, and the slow bleed that followed. His take: if you've been through multiple pump-and-dump cycles, you're not early anymore. You're just still here. This is a masterclass in separating trader psychology from fundamental conviction. Dan explains why he keeps a small position just to stay seated, why he already knows he'll sell early on the next catalyst, and why the moment everybody's talking about cannabis on Wall Street Bets is the moment you size up — not before. This week we sit down with Dan McDermitt: The "I'm early" delusion Why traders sell early Catalyst stacking thesis MSOS mechanics breakdown Chapters 00:00 The Catalyst Dilemma in Cannabis 03:03 Trading Strategies and Market Positioning 05:48 Understanding Trader vs. Fundamentalist Perspectives 08:46 The Unique Nature of MSOS Trading 11:51 Market Dynamics and Trading Psychology 15:03 The Role of Uplisting and Rescheduling 18:08 Long-Term Perspectives in a Volatile Market 21:04 Risk Management and Trading Mindset 23:51 The Impact of AI on Trading Strategies  Summary In this conversation, Bryan Fields and Dan McDermitt discuss the current state of the cannabis market, focusing on the challenges and opportunities within the sector. They explore the impact of potential rescheduling and uplisting on cannabis stocks, the differences between trading and fundamental analysis, and the unique trading dynamics of MSOS. Dan shares insights on risk management, trading psychology, and the influence of AI on trading strategies, emphasizing the importance of adapting to market conditions while maintaining a disciplined approach. Guest Links: https://x.com/ChartGuys https://www.instagram.com/chartguys/ https://www.youtube.com/@ChartGuys https://www.chartguys.com/ Our Links Bryan Fields on Twitter Kellan Finney on Twitter The Dime on Twitter Extraction Teams: Want to cut costs and get more out of every run? Unlock hidden revenue by extracting more from the same input—with Newton Insights. At Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry. The Dime is a top 5% most shared  global podcast The Dime is a top 10 Cannabis Podcast  The Dime has a New Website. Shhhh its not finished. 🎥 YouTube:  The Dime 📸 Instagram:  The Dime https://www.newton-insights.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    40 min

  7. MAR 13

    Premium vs Scale in Cannabis: Inside Rubicon’s Strategy ft. Margaret Brodie

    Most cannabis companies chased scale. Rubicon chased quality. What does it actually take to build a premium cannabis brand? Trust sits behind what “premium” really means, why consumers only give brands one chance, how Rubicon evaluates resource capacity and audits operations, and why Europe could become the next meaningful opportunity for their trusted brands. This week we sit down with Margaret Brodie, CEO of Rubicon Organics: • Why premium cannabis starts with flower • Consumers Trust • Internal Resource Audits   Chapters 00:00 Quality Over Quantity in Cannabis 02:58 Building a Premium Cannabis Brand 05:47 Operational Excellence and Team Culture 09:04 The Pursuit of Continuous Improvement 11:45 Understanding Consumer Trust and Brand Loyalty 14:45 Strategic Decision-Making in Cannabis 18:06 Navigating Industry Challenges and Opportunities 27:55 Navigating the Fast-Paced Cannabis Industry 29:13 Investment Priorities for Growth 31:43 Strategic Market Expansion and Brand Development 35:08 Building a Lasting Brand in Cannabis 37:20 Learning from International Markets 40:56 Balancing Speed and Quality in Growth 42:51 Understanding Consumer Dynamics 46:06 Honoring the Legacy Market 49:30 Reflecting on the Journey and Future of Cannabis Guest Links https://www.instagram.com/rubiconorganics/ https://www.rubiconorganics.com/ https://x.com/RubiconOrganics Our Links  Bryan Fields on Twitter Kellan Finney on Twitter The Dime on Twitter Extraction Teams: Want to cut costs and get more out of every run? Unlock hidden revenue by extracting more from the same input—with Newton Insights. At Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry. The Dime is a top 5% most shared  global podcast The Dime is a top 10 Cannabis Podcast  The Dime has a New Website. Shhhh its not finished. 🎥 YouTube:  The Dime 📸 Instagram:  The Dime https://www.newton-insights.com/   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    51 min

  8. MAR 6

    Prop 64 Fine Print, Pesticide Drift, The Economics Behind Concentrates ft. Micah Anderson

    When California legalized cannabis, did anyone see 70% of the state opting out. Retail access never recovered. The illicit market stayed durable. And taxes kept compounding pressure on operators. Micah Anderson, CEO of LEEF Brands, explains how local bans strengthened the illicit market, why pesticide drift can wipe out millions in product, and why he is rebuilding a recovery and wellness push with NBA player Jimmy Butler. This week we sit down with Micah Anderson: Pesticide drift killing millions Jimmy Butler recovery line Trump’s CBD signal Chapters 00:00 Introduction: California Cannabis Market Challenges 00:31 Prop 64: A Poorly Executed Initiative 01:38 Local Politics and Industry Complexity 02:28 Fixing California Cannabis Policy 03:23 Industry Engagement and Advocacy 04:02 Reevaluating Prop 64 and Market Structure 05:02 Offense vs Defense in Industry Strategy 06:28 Changing Public Perception and Policy Reform 07:36 Industry Regulation and Taxation Issues 08:07 The Role of Advocacy and Industry Voice 09:19 Hindsight and Lessons Learned 10:41 Industry Participation in Policy Making 11:26 CBD and Medical Cannabis Opportunities 12:17 Brand Revival and Market Expansion 13:16 Supply Chain and Cultivation Strategies 14:09 Innovations in Wellness and Recovery Products 15:40 Educational Campaigns and Consumer Awareness 16:39 Research and Clinical Studies in Cannabis 17:08 Regulatory Barriers and Opportunities in Cultivation 18:12 Operational Challenges and Solutions 19:36 Medical Cannabis and Future Legislation 20:29 Supply Chain Management and Quality Control 21:31 Entry of New Participants and Industry Diversification 22:29 Market Expansion and Interstate Commerce 23:24 Pesticide Scrutiny as Industry Moat 24:22 Industry's Role in Consumer Safety and Transparency 25:29 Understanding Pesticide Regulations and Organic Standards 26:55 Supply Chain Variability and Farm Management 28:25 Cost and Efficiency in Cultivation 29:55 Sampling and Testing Challenges 31:33 Expanding Beyond California 33:50 Complexities of Concentrate Production 36:33 Yield Variability and Cultivation Nuances 38:20 Product Development and Customer Collaboration 40:54 Demand Planning and Market Forecasting 42:08 Data-Driven Decision Making in Extraction 44:24 Margins, Product Mix, and Client Relationships 45:47 Market Entry Strategies and Expansion 47:43 Future of Cannabis and International Markets 48:39 Bitcoin and Cannabis: An Evolving Relationship 51:30 Cryptocurrency as a Business Strategy 53:53 Future of Automation and Robotics in Cannabis Production 55:41 Contact and Follow-up   Guest links https://www.linkedin.com/in/micah-anderson-leef/ https://leefbrands.com/about/   Resources LEEf Brands Website - https://leefbrands.com Elliot Lewis on Pesticide Regulations - https://twitter.com/ElliotLewis California Cannabis Regulations Overview - https://cannabis.ca.gov/regulations/ Bitcoin Official Website - https://bitcoin.org   Our Links Bryan Fields on Twitter Kellan Finney on Twitter The Dime on Twitter Extraction Teams: Want to cut costs and get more out of every run? Unlock hidden revenue by extracting more from the same input—with Newton Insights. At Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry. The Dime is a top 5% most shared  global podcast The Dime is a top 10 Cannabis Podcast  The Dime has a New Website. Shhhh its not finished. 🎥 YouTube:  The Dime 📸 Instagram:  The Dime https://www.newton-insights.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    54 min
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4.9
out of 5
113 Ratings

About

Most cannabis companies won't survive the next three years. The ones that do will have better capital discipline, sharper regulatory reads, and operational frameworks built for compression, not growth. The Dime is where cannabis operators, executives, and investors hear directly from the CEOs and founders making those decisions right now: MSO strategy, state-by-state market dynamics, cultivation and extraction economics, brand positioning, and the financing structures keeping companies alive. Bryan Fields hosts weekly conversations built for operators, not observers.

Information

  • Creator
    Bryan Fields
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    298
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Dime
  • Show Website
    The Dime

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