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Artwork for High Spirits: The Cannabis Business Podcast

High Spirits: The Cannabis Business Podcast

AnnaRae Grabstein and Ben Larson
Cannabis Industry
New York
United States
Artificial Intelligence
Cannabis
Interstate Commerce
Georgia SB 220
Missouri
Ignite It
Cannabinoids
Farm Bill
Canada
DEA Registration
Ohio
Leaflink
Wyld
Grön Edibles
THC Beverages
TUMI Genomics
Georgia Hemp Regulations

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.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes156Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BusinessEntrepreneurshipInvesting

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Artwork for High Spirits: The Cannabis Business Podcast

Latest Episodes

What happens when a 115-year-old family farm bets its entire legacy on the future of cannabis? You get New York’s top-selling beverage and vape brand, bringing in over $75M in retail sales.

In this episode of High Spirits, host AnnaRae Grabstein hol... more

The cannabis industry is sprinting toward major U.S. stock exchanges, but a high-stakes showdown in Washington could completely rewrite the rules of the game. 

On this episode of This Week in Cannabis Live, host Jay Rosenthal and the Cultivated Medi... more

Live from the media stage at IgniteIt Chicago, High Spirits co-host AnnaRae Grabstein conducts five lightning-round interviews with the industry’s sharpest minds. From the realities of major M&A integration and enterprise AI deployment to a wild on-s... more

The federal government has officially rewritten the history books by shifting medicinal cannabis to Schedule III—and Glass House Brands is making a massive, unprecedented chess move to capitalize on it.

About This Episode

In this episode of High Sp... more

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Recent Guests

Alleh Lindquist
Founder and CEO of FloraWorks
FloraWorks
Episode: #140 - Unlocking the Power of Minor Cannabinoids: Proving the Science of CBN with Alleh Lindquist of FloraWorks
Marc Hauser
Contributor, Cannabis Musings
Cannabis Musings
Episode: TWICL(May 29, 2026) - NY's $10M for Seed-to-Sale, Curaleaf's Reverse Split & SAM Gets Tossed
Melanie Nash
CEO of TUMI Genomics, former COO at Dark Heart Nursery and Purple City Genetics
TUMI Genomics
Episode: #138 - Unmasking Cannabis Pathogens with TUMI Genomics CEO Melanie Nash
Judson Hill
Market President for Fine Fettle in Georgia
Fine Fettle Georgia
Episode: TWICL (May 15, 2026) - DEA Registration Wave, GA's Medical Milestone & What Earnings Season Told Us
Jason Zelinski
VP of North American Retail at NielsenIQ; expert on retail data for cannabis/beverage category
NielsenIQ
Episode: #137 - The $11B THC Beverage Roadmap with Jason Zelinski (NielsenIQ)
Gail Rand
Co-founder, CFO and patient advocate for Forward Grow; founder of Grand Consulting
Forward Grow; Grand Consulting
Episode: #136 - Rescheduling Financial Deep Dive with Gail Rand & Michael Harlow
Michael Harlow
Managing Partner, CohnReznick DC Metro; national lead for cannabis practice
CohnReznick
Episode: #136 - Rescheduling Financial Deep Dive with Gail Rand & Michael Harlow
Rick Bashkoff
Lit Alerts contributor
Lit Alerts
Episode: TWICL ( May 1, 2026) - Cannabis Rescheduling: What We Still Don't Know
Alyssa Samuel
Attorney at Husch Blackwell
Husch Blackwell
Episode: #135 - The Rescheduling Order: A Legal Deep Dive

Hosts

Ben Larson
Host of High Spirits: The Cannabis Business Podcast; frequent contributor on regulatory, finance, and market strategy topics.
AnnaRae Grabstein
Co-host and host; focuses on policy, regulatory context, and operator perspectives.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 25 ratings
  • Information is critical to cannabis operations

    I do not miss an episode of this podcast. The guests are brilliant, and the questions really get to the heart of the issues surrounding the cannabis industry. The information shared in this fun-to-listen-to podcast is so useful to cannabis operators across the country/world!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Grandiose10
    United States2 months ago
  • Interesting & Informative

    I’ve learned so much from this podcast. They cover the most current and relevant topics that everyone in this space needs to know in a fun and interesting way. Helpful for newbies and those well versed in this biz. I look forward to every new episode!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mer3dith
    United Statesa year ago
  • SUCH a strong show! Highly recommend.

    AnnaRae and Ben bring REAL heart and curiosity to their guests which opens the conversations to super dynamic and useful places. This on top of their delightful energy and authority in the space. Highly recommend.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Highcomms.com
    United Statesa year ago
  • Must Listen for Cannabis Industry Insiders!

    This podcast is a great way to stay up to date in the ever evolving cannabis business world. A must listen every week for founders, CEOs, entrepreneurs, investors or anyone who wants an insiders perspective on the business of cannabis.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RoseteEric
    United Statesa year ago
  • Must Listen for Cannabis Industry Insiders!

    This podcast is a great way to stay up to date in the ever evolving cannabis business world. A must listen every week for entrepreneurs and investors or anyone who wants an insiders perspective, some optimism, knowledge and inspiration.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RoseteEric
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Kept current with regulatory shifts and market dynamics in a clear, practical way.
Industry-savvy and guest-driven, with sharp questions that unpack complex cannabis issues.
Valuable for insiders looking for data-backed insights, though some episodes skew toward business emphasis over culture.
Strong host energy and credible guests; deep dives are common.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#122 - Signals from the Middle: Ashwin Raj on Cannabis’ Next Phase
Q: What are LeafLink's thoughts on verticalization vs specialization, and where is the industry headed?
There is a trend toward verticalization among large operators who aim to become true CPG-like brands, but over the long run specialization will win, with a few players excelling in core competencies and serving a broader network of operators.
#122 - Signals from the Middle: Ashwin Raj on Cannabis’ Next Phase
Q: And can you unpack the DAMA acquisition and explain the vision and benefits to the customer base?
The DAMA acquisition addresses the core industry issues of payments and working capital by providing a digital banking layer for cannabis operators, enabling digital cash management, and connecting the financial flow to the marketplace to create end-to-end compliance from manufacturing to shelf.
#123 - Operating While the Ground Is Moving w/ Thomas Winstanley of Edibles.com
Q: What drew you to hemp-derived cannabinoids as the initial focus for edibles.com, and how does that align with your broader goals for the platform?
The strategy centers on accessibility and a larger total addressable market with hemp, which provides a cleaner entry point and a way to pilot a consumer journey not solely tied to traditional, regulated cannabis. This approach leverages existing Edible Brands infrastructure and aims to showcase a consumer purchase path based on outcomes and wellness benefits, while keeping an eye on regulated markets for future expansion.
#127 - $3 Billion In: What Cannabis Lenders Look For w/ Steven Ernest of Chicago Atlantic
Q: What does Chicago Atlantic look for when underwriting cannabis deals?
We focus on sustainable cash flows, asset-backed collateral, and a history of operating performance. We prefer to work with operators who actually run the business and understand the consumer, not just forecasts. We also price in uncertain tax positions like 280E and structure leverage covenants accordingly.
#134 - Centralized Strategy, Local Execution: Inside the iAnthus MSO Turnaround w/ CEO, Richie Proud
Q: Being a publicly traded company, what does day-to-day decision-making look like for you, and how do you navigate public-market expectations?
Proud describes a balance between transparent public reporting and focusing on long-term operational execution, emphasizing strategic investments in CapEx and efficiency while maintaining a view toward EBITDA expansion and runway for future acquisitions.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A business-focused look at the cannabis industry, with hosts sharing blunt, insider perspectives on regulations, capital, and market dynamics. Episodes frequently feature policy shifts, licensing hurdles, tax and accounting issues, and data-driven insights on retail and product categories, balanced by practical growth strategies for operators and brands. Notable strengths include high-profile regulatory and finance conversations, scene-setting commentary on state-by-state dynamics, and a tendency to pair rigorous analysis with real-world anecdotes from founders, lawyers, and consultants. The show often spotlights emerging markets, legislative timelines, and the evolving landscape of federal-state interactions, making it valuable for operato... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Dime
2. Higher Exchanges
3. The Dales Report | Trade to Black
4. Cannabis Investing Network
5. Cannabis Legalization News Podcast

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this podcast launched 3 years ago and published 156 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Alleh Lindquist
2. Marc Hauser
3. Melanie Nash
4. Judson Hill
5. Jason Zelinski
6. Gail Rand
7. Michael Harlow
8. Rick Bashkoff

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