Rephonic
Artwork for High Spirits: The Cannabis Business Podcast

High Spirits: The Cannabis Business Podcast

AnnaRae Grabstein and Ben Larson
Cannabis Industry
Cannabis
New York
Regulation
Hemp
United States
Artificial Intelligence
Germany
Alibi Cannabis
Hemp Beverages
Interstate Commerce
California
Cannabis Policy
Texas
THC Beverages
Georgia SB 220
Missouri
Ignite It
Cannabinoids
Farm Bill

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 weeklyEpisodes160Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EntrepreneurshipInvestingBusiness

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for High Spirits: The Cannabis Business Podcast

Latest Episodes

It was a massive week in cannabis policy — and we're breaking it all down live with the teams from Cultivated, High Spirits and Cannabis Musings, Friday at 12 PM ET.

On the docket:

🏛️ The DEA's rescheduling hearing wraps up — what did we learn, an... more

Are you running your cannabis business on gut instinct or hard numbers? In a volatile, state-by-state landscape where headlines rarely tell the whole story, relying on assumptions is a fast track to getting left behind.

In this episode of High Spiri... more

YouTube

The rules of the cannabis economy are being rewritten right now in a small, secure federal courtroom in Northern Virginia. While July usually signals a summer slowdown for the industry, the exact opposite is happening.

In this week's live episode br... more

While most multi-state operators are racing to build massive houses of brands, one independent Ohio operator made the exact opposite bet—and won.

About This Episode: In this episode of High Spirits, hosts Ben Larson & AnnaRae Grabstein sit down with... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

The Dime
The DimeBryan Fields
Higher Exchanges
Higher ExchangesHigher Exchanges
Blunt Business
Blunt BusinessCannabis Radio
Cannabis Legalization News Podcast
Cannabis Legalization News PodcastCannabis Legalization News

Recent Guests

Patrick Lane
Founder of IgniteIt conference
IgniteIt
Episode: IgniteIt Chicago Replay: AI, M&A, and Policy Blitz
Ed Keating
Chief Economist at Emerald Intel; former Cannabis Media co-founder
Emerald Intel
Episode: IgniteIt Chicago Replay: AI, M&A, and Policy Blitz
Sarah McLaughlin
Co-founder of Melt Make; dietitian
Melt Make
Episode: IgniteIt Chicago Replay: AI, M&A, and Policy Blitz
Jordan Eisenstat
Senior Vice President at Marino PR; Cannabis practice founder
Marino PR
Episode: IgniteIt Chicago Replay: AI, M&A, and Policy Blitz
Lucas McCann
CSO and co-founder of CannDelta
CannDelta
Episode: IgniteIt Chicago Replay: AI, M&A, and Policy Blitz
Graham Farrar
President of Glass House Brands
Glass House Brands
Episode: #142 - Is California Cannabis Going Global? Glass House Brands President Graham Farrar on NYSE Up-listing & Schedule III
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
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

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 States3 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 States2 years 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.

Top Entrepreneurship Podcasts

Proven Podcast
Proven PodcastCharles Schwartz
Young and Profiting with Hala Taha (Entrepreneurship, Sales, Marketing)
Young and Profiting with Hala Taha (Entrepreneurship, Sales, Marketing)Hala Taha | Entrepreneurship, Sales, Marketing | YAP Media Network
Business MVP
Business MVPSammy Peterson
The Money Mondays
The Money MondaysDan Fleyshman

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#111 - How Hemp Beverages Are Rewriting Adult Drinking w/ Jeff Cantalupo of Listen Ventures
Q: Why is there a window of opportunity for hemp beverages before large players enter, and how should founders think about this in portfolio planning?
There's a temporary window when large players are cautious due to regulatory uncertainty, allowing niche brands to build value and establish a beachhead; founders should plan with diversification and category-building in mind, anticipating a future where incumbents acquire innovation rather than recreate it from scratch.
#111 - How Hemp Beverages Are Rewriting Adult Drinking w/ Jeff Cantalupo of Listen Ventures
Q: What do you look for in early-stage beverage companies regarding margin structure, and how do you evaluate profitability potential?
We seek a disciplined margin plan with a clear pathway to profitability, including understanding supply chain leverage, cost structures, and omnichannel capabilities; early stage investments require a long-term view on margin realization as scale is achieved.
#111 - How Hemp Beverages Are Rewriting Adult Drinking w/ Jeff Cantalupo of Listen Ventures
Q: What holds big companies back from innovation, and how does that inform your approach to investing in entrepreneurs outside those walls?
Big companies have resources and capabilities, but organizational behavior, incentive design, and the innovators dilemma prevent them from pursuing disruptive changes; this creates an opportunity for external startups to lead innovation until incumbents decide to acquire or imitate.
#101 - From Music to Marijuana: Building Iconic Brands in Cannabis w/ Rama Mayo of Hall of Flowers
Q: What are the differences between the West Coast and East Coast markets for Hall of Flowers?
Differences are more about business environments and regulatory frameworks (e.g., union facilities, permitting) than the product itself; New York presents unique challenges but excitement and appetite are high.
#101 - From Music to Marijuana: Building Iconic Brands in Cannabis w/ Rama Mayo of Hall of Flowers
Q: Do you think there is a true cannabis brand yet, and what about brand loyalty?
He argues that while some brands exist, true consumer loyalty is not yet deeply established in cannabis due to state-by-state fragmentation, marketing challenges, and limited long-term category consistency.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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

Where can I find podcast stats for this podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to this podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does this podcast get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for this podcast, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for this podcast?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for this podcast, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does this podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers this podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

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

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 3 years ago and published 160 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact this podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for this podcast?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for this podcast from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for this podcast?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of this podcast. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Patrick Lane
2. Ed Keating
3. Sarah McLaughlin
4. Jordan Eisenstat
5. Lucas McCann
6. Graham Farrar
7. Alleh Lindquist
8. Melanie Nash

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days