It all starts to set in when you’re standing at the foot of Washington’s tallest skyscraper, towering an impressive 76 stories above you. What brought you here? The answer, if you had an invitation in hand, was to attend OMD’s 3rd Annual Mixer – An exclusive networking event bringing together industry entrepreneurs, influencers, and leaders to celebrate the year before and the year ahead. We ran into a few other professionals dressed to impress and took the elevator 1000 ft. up to be greeted at the doors of the Columbia Tower Club with gold gift bags from Leafly & Printwest, the event’s main sponsors. As we walked into the venue, the sunset outside spilled light into a room full of elite professionals – We were here.

As we walked into the venue, the sunset outside spilled light into a room full of elite professionals – We were here.

And we mean that both physically, but more so figuratively. The cannabis industry has had more than its fair share of triumphs and failures, progressions and setbacks and this event last week really made it set in that we had come so incredibly far. We were a diverse group of cannabis industry professionals from across the country in Washington’s most exclusive venue celebrating the plant that brought us here together. It was most certainly one for the books. It’s annual events like these, that Jared Mirsky, CEO of OMD Agency and his team design that give its invitees a unique opportunity to reflect on the past, present and future of their careers and passion for this industry.

“In this space especially, you have an incredibly passionate group of people who are aligned with this vision of ending cannabis prohibition” said Paul Campbell, President of Leafly. Around us, conversations wove together to create an unparalleled ambiance of intellect, passion, and business. There were both new introductions and age-old high fives and handshakes. Groups of well-dressed professionals gathered for photos, ordered alcoholic beverages from the bar, and slipped hand-rolled joints from the party favor table into their pockets for later.

It was a night that succeeded in new connections, fresh perspectives, and new partnerships to take into the new year.

Pairs of professionals gathered around floating cannabis leaf centerpieces at draped tabletops. The theme of the party was gold and it was everywhere – from the gold-leaf Evergreen Market logo glinting from the photo backdrop to the gold accessories everyone seemed to have on their wrists and bare necks. This collection of people made the air vibrate with energy – It was a night that succeeded in new connections, fresh perspectives, and new partnerships to take into the new year.

Standing tall in his light gray suit, event sponsor Cy Scott of Headset.io shared his excitement in seeing “the enormous number of new brands and products introduced every month.” Pair that with Cheryl Shuman adding that “marijuana is officially mainstream” and we knew were in the right place.

The best part? Having the opportunity to talk about cannabis 1000 feet above Seattle’s skyline. Cannabis industry leaders and influencers – If you are reading this – We’ve made it. Now let’s take this momentum and keep with the pace!

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Michael Christopher – Founder of Loft Tea

Years ago, Michael Christopher took up yoga as a way to deal with his old athletic injuries. In doing so, he ignited an inner passion for health and wellness that directly laid the foundation for Loft Tea; a company that offers infusions aimed to enhance daily wellness routines through the application of proprietary blends that are optimized for active mornings, energizing afternoons and restful evenings. For Michael, success means more that simply building a website and throwing up product. Success means education, wellness and the promotion of an overall health based lifestyle. Loft Tea is accomplishing this idea by focusing on the non-combustible cannabis delivery systems. According to Michael, it’s time to ‘give our lungs a break’. Recently he gave us a break and came down from his ‘loft’ to ‘tea’ch us a thing or two about how he became who he is today.

What was the deciding factor for you to join the cannabis industry?

I’ve been familiar with cannabis as a plant since I was a young man. When I was 18, I traveled through Europe and was able to go to Amsterdam. Like many people who visit, I really took notice as to how legalized private and public consumption worked, and how it could establish a quality marketplace. It was then that I had a vision of what a legal market could really provide as far as cannabis experience and lifestyle.

Fast forward ten years and the global cannabis industry is seeing an uptick in legalization, legislation, proposals and it is directly leading to a burgeoning cannabis market. Because of these developments, I really started to pay attention and study the industry. I was able to jump into the job market a couple of years ago and that is really what brought me to where I am today.

Loft Tea was born out of a desire to find more healthful, non-combustible means of consumption.

What skills from your previous career/experiences helped you in what you are doing now?

My professional background comes from the technology industry. One of my first post college jobs, based out of Manhattan, was with a very young startup company that was innovating POS (point of sale) software for mobile devices. I spent days, nights, and weeks in the hospitality and technology industries trying to really improve service and reduce cost pertaining to software infrastructure for hospitality clients (restaurants, bars, cafés, nightclubs, hotels). Eventually, the startup was acquired by Groupon, Inc.. Throughout the entire process, I got to really experience what it was like to build and launch something completely new into the digital world with real world implications. More importantly, it was something that actually improved on the service and customer experience, which was rewarding. Today there are anywhere from 3,000-4,000 restaurants, bars and nightclubs  using that software product.

Today I use a lot of my brand management and product development experience that I gleaned from my Groupon acquisition. We went from a very small team of three to an organization of 11,000, there is a ton that you learn from and experience like that. We had to scale quickly and Groupon was very good at giving us an amazing assortment of tools and technology to make this a seamless transition for our customers.

My first exposure to the business of cannabis came through a referral from a Groupon colleague who invited me to attend a panel group for a cannabis packaging design startup based in New York in 2012.  I was always trying to find a path to work within the cannabis industry and I decided to leave Groupon after 2 years, and dove into the industry. The packaging design firm was specialized for the cannabis industry and during my time there, I was able to interact with businesses, customers and industry professionals in legal states as an ancillary business. I found out what problems the customers were having and the difficulties businesses were dealing with when it came to design and labeling restriction. It really gave me a great first hand account of what the industry was doing out west, where cannabis was becoming more prevalent.

Tell me about the point in time you realized the ‘green rush’ was coming?

My first trip out to Denver was two and a half years ago. It was a huge eye-opener. They were so far ahead of New York (and every other state for that matter), and they still are. I saw that there is a top tier of companies out there that are truly doing an incredible job leveraging existing technologies from agriculture in their businesses. Additionally, I saw software companies, POS companies and other tech companies also finding success in the industry. They were putting a system in place that was really going to legitimize the industry and undoubtedly lead to legalization on a wider, hopefully national, scale.

Personally speaking, the green rush became apparent to me when I started to get phone calls from my friend’s parents, who wanted to ask me about cannabis stock advice. These weren’t people that you would expect to be interested in the cannabis industry, but people are seeing the financial opportunity and I think that is a microcosm of the bigger picture. Cannabis was becoming a more widely accepted industry.

I don’t think cannabis should be thought of any different within the mix of natural remedies, because it is a plant that has been used for centuries.

The onus falls on us to keep pushing the safety and efficacy of the products, using technology. The industry needs to show users, both new and old, that we can actually implement safety, regulation and access to these products with the proper supervision and management. If we can do that we can provide real growth and opportunity for everyone involved.

What in particular are you doing to impact the cannabis industry?

While we have a handful of important missions, our primary goal is to discover new and more healthful delivery methods for consuming cannabis. Right now, there are roughly 7-10 different ways to actually consume cannabis. Loft Tea was born out of a desire to find more healthful, non-combustible means of consumption. We’re not focused on  the combustion of raw flowers through traditional joints or water pipes with actual lighters. We’re actually focused on a more health-focused consumer that I believe has been overlooked up until this point and are under-served.

The exciting part of the vaporizer space is the amazing technology. There’s some amazing companies doing great work, and the price and the cost of vaporization has come down enough to where we can start to actually rely on it as a primary method of consumption. We started with that in mind. We said ‘we know we don’t want to be burning it, we want a more healthful means, give our lungs a little bit of a break’. We wanted to create an experience behind these products that had more to do with consuming cannabis than just medicating or just getting high.

Our tea business is at the forefront of our company.

You have an entire active wellness movement going on in the U.S. with running & yoga lifestyles,  where mindfulness can be connected through an overall natural wellness approach to life. I don’t think cannabis should be thought of any different within the mix of natural remedies, because it is a plant that has been used for centuries. Along the same line, teas and also other natural herbs have been used for centuries for various sources of wellness as well. I’m really trying to educate new or less frequent cannabis users that there are actual wellness benefits more than just feeling the psychoactive effects of THC.

Who is a person that you consider your role model or someone who has been a mentor to you? Why and how did this person impact your life?

Peter Thiel. He has been a technological leader in building amazing products. Peter is also really focused on the biotech space, so there’s a lot of interesting and risky things he’s doing to change how the world works. I find that amazing and inspirational.

Personally speaking, I don’t really have to look too far beyond my parents. My mother, for example, works for a mutual fund company out west. She’s an amazing inspiration. She went from personal banking to  very large accounts and product management on the financial product side. She tells amazing stories and has experience working with people in all walks of life, so I look to her to as my source of motivation and inspiration. If I’m half the person she is, I think I’ll be all right at the end of my life.

I encourage people to attend meetup groups, find internships or simply reach out to companies that inspire you.

Tell me about an esteemed achievement of yours.

Last year, I was asked to work for an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) based out of Japan. I was selected as a music, art, and technology expert. They brought me to South America to integrate and interact with indigenous and local institutions on the ground. Our goal was to help protect the Patagonian region of South America and propose protection to UNESCO.

I took a month out of my life to focus completely on the environment and the native people. We toured all the way from the north of Chile to the south of Argentina. We were trying to import some of the technology and infrastructure, while at the same time raising awareness back in New York and with our social media. That experience was a first for me. It was hugely rewarding and I still draw upon that experience every day.

How would you advise someone who wants to get his or her start in the industry?

I think that, if you’re a person that would like to get into the industry, you should start by identifying your strong suit. Find out what your best pre-existing talents are and figure out how to most efficiently apply them to this industry. Research who might want those talents and who might need them. Then start reaching out.

Find out what your best pre-existing talents are and figure out how to most efficiently apply them to this industry.

Advocacy groups are probably the first place to look. I think Drug Policy Alliance and NORML events attract a lot of key industry players and policy makers that actually have to interact with both sides of this issue. Currently I would say most of the help actually is needed on the policy side. If you’re a writer, if you’re a social media influencer, if you’re a great networker, that’s really all you need to start making a difference.

I encourage people to attend meetup groups, find internships or simply reach out to companies that inspire you. Start by offering some sort of service, just to get your foot in the door. That’s really how I started and I think the rest lines up if you have the right intention.

What inspires you? Where do your great ideas come from?

At the end of the day I’m not normal unless I practice my yoga. I’ve been doing it for a while now. I’m a former athlete, so I keep it up to help me deal with old injuries, but it really helps my mind calm down and remove distraction. That is actually how Loft Tea was born; through a small group of yoga practitioners that are software coders, designers and herbalists. We started by making teas and products for just ourselves. Once we noticed the amazing health benefits in each other, we started giving them out. For me, yoga is a place where I’m always able to go, think about whichever problems I’m facing and find the solution that suits me best.

The entire Loft Tea experience was born from our desire to enhance the quality and effectiveness of yoga practice, mindfulness and spirituality. We wanted to do that by promoting the physical wellness benefits that cannabis research already supports. Much of it is privately funded or not truly accepted by the FDA, but I think there is a whole other mindfulness aspect to the cannabis plant in addition to the medical implications. I hope that our brand helps tell that story, while also showing new and less frequent users that there is much more to cannabis than getting high.

For us, it is about the entire experience, lifestyle and education behind everything we do.

What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader in this space?

We have worked to build a meaningful, trustworthy bond with our initial customers right out of the gate. Our first round of products is providing enticing and valuable information on how to use cannabis products. Generally speaking, we think this will be a lasting strength of ours as we use our marketing and user outreach to create the storyline that aligns our products with what we are truly focused on doing. Building that trust, especially when you do it genuinely, is the foundation for customer retention and successful business development. It goes far beyond building a website and throwing a bunch of products up for sale. For us, it is about the entire experience, lifestyle and education behind everything we do.

If we are sitting across from each other a year from now, how do you think our conversation about the ‘green rush’ will be going?

First off, we’ll be a couple months out from the presidential election. My hope is that, whichever candidate makes it into the White House; they support the ongoing path of cannabis legislation. There are too many people working tirelessly for legalization to move backwards. While all that remains to be seen, hopefully we’ll be hopefully talking about four or five states voting on full adult-use legislation. If that passes next November, we can actually look to other state markets without federal incursion and start building the businesses that so many other entrepreneurs are dreaming of doing within the correct regulatory stature and tax framework.

What is your favorite cannabis delivery system?  How about the best advice you have ever received? Join the conversation and comment below!

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AmeriCanna Café: A wholly owned subsidiary of North American Cannabis Holdings Inc. (OTC:USMJ)

Swinging the door of the storefront open with one hand, while juggling your laptop in the other, you quickly spot out the perfect nook in the corner with an outlet. The whirring sounds of the café surround you, drawing you to the counter to place your order. Would you prefer a delectable cup of coffee, an oh-so refreshing glass of cold-pressed juice, or a robust smoothie packed with all your favorite greens? At AmeriCanna Café you can’t go wrong – they’re all healthy choices and… infused with cannabis!

The Foundation

North American Cannabis Holdings, Inc. (OTC:USMJ) was the undertaking of four US military veterans who came together to develop a socially responsible and profitable opportunity within the cannabis sector. Motivated by a common interest to provide for a community, bring value to a marketplace, and empower the competitiveness of cannabis consumer products, they created a subsidiary called American Seed & Oil Company (OTC:ALGA) to pilot various ventures in the space. After 18 months of operations, AmeriCanna Café arrose as the company’s first mainstream full-development initiative and it’s on its way to becoming ‘The Starbucks of Cannabis’.

The Value

The AmeriCanna Café will be a destination beverage company with health and wellness at its core and what better way to do that than infuse an already health-conscious drink with the benefits of hemp and/or cannabis? Both are great sources of protein, boast anti-oxidant properties, and have specific compounds (CBD) that have been highlighted in the news for aiding those suffering from degenerative diseases. Now, aside from offering a host of top-shelf healthy beverages, customers will also be tended to by a knowledgeable staff that can answer questions about the various products. This is one of the keys to their innovative success – They are pairing a superior product with boundless education!

The Partnership

You might be asking how they are sourcing this well-trained staff for their stores and this is certainly a great question and one that the company has already taken into the realm of execution. They are acquiring a well-established, 10 years in the running, flagship company in Dallas, TX and with that, their staff of knowledgeable health professionals! As a team they will move forward through a few different phases such as offering the AmeriCanna products in the currently existing stores, opening an AmeriCanna flagship store, and eventually opening up the opportunity to franchise those stores.

The Vision

Steven Rash, CEO of North American Holdings Inc. (OTC:USMJ), is one of the founders of the company and truly believes that ‘cannabis is a natural resource that is both good for humans and their surrounding environment.’ For a long time, the United States has lost its way in regard to utilizing the benefits of cannabis, but it’s innovative ventures like Americana Café that are going to play a part in getting us back on track to better health with a cannabis-infused café right around the corner!

What do you think about hemp and CBD infused beverages? Have you tried any before? Join the conversation by commenting below!

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Corey Hunt: #illegallyhealed

A camera blurs into focus to reveal a little boy and his parents on either side of him. He takes a deep breath and draws us in as he conveys his struggles, his pain, and his frustration with a failed political system that’s limiting his access to the only medicine that works: cannabis. This little boy’s story is one of many and it’s a maverick like Corey Hunt, co-founder of #illegallyhealed, who is committed to sharing stories like his to empower legalization across the United States. He’s strategic, focused, sharp and in the business of changing the unjust laws of our country.

What was the deciding factor for you to join this particular industry?

After I found out how cannabis was positively affecting so many people, particularly children, I could not sit idly by and do nothing for the cause. I had to use every ounce of my creativity to create change and re-educate the world.

What were you doing before the green rush?

I was a creative director for one of the largest repair companies in the mobile industry. I also have been at the forefront of digital media and marketing for the past 15 years.

What are you doing to impact the industry?

We are storytellers, content creators and community builders. We focus on telling the patient stories and pairing those stories with the science. This creates a loyal community of people that are hungry for more cannabis education. With engaging media, we can help people understand the power of this plant. We have been able to change the hearts and minds of thousands of people, including state Governors.

With engaging media, we can help people understand the power of this plant. We have been able to change the hearts and minds of thousands of people, including state Governors.

Describe your work ethic to us in one word.

Driven.

What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader in this space?

We are constantly working to create lasting relationships with professionals and advocates in our industry that are experts in their niche. We create opportunities for their talents to shine through our content and our calculated efforts. My philosophy is to let them do what they do best and integrate that into what we are doing.

Also, we never settle. We are constantly on the lookout for what we can be doing better. We are continually reworking our strategy and dialing in our skills. Growth is a continuous process. Right now, we are taking the next step and developing MedicateMate, a revolutionary platform for patients to connect and discover cannabis in an entirely new way.

What book have you read that you’ve been inspired by? Any particular read we should put on our list?

‘The Four Hour Workweek’ by Tim Ferris is an absolutely brilliant read. If you want to learn how to live your life, be happy and make a truck load of money, read this book. Also, ‘Medical Marijuana in America: Memoir of a Pioneer’ by Alice Oleary-Randall is an exclusive look at the beginnings of medical cannabis in America.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?

Prior Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

How would you advise someone who wants to join the industry?

Don’t even attempt to enter this industry without a solid team. I have sought out the top journalist partners and the top medical professionals and brought them all on board. You need to realize that you can’t do everything yourself and aligning yourself with other talented people is crucially important. If it were any other industry other than cannabis, you may be able to succeed without a strong team, but in our space, you absolutely need it. It doesn’t need to be a big team, but it needs to be a solid team.

You need to realize that you can’t do everything yourself and aligning yourself with other talented people is crucially important.

What is a skill or trait that you think is necessary to make an impact in this industry?

Don’t be afraid to fail. Our biggest failures have given us insight to create our biggest successes. We’ve spent a lot of resources reworking the promotion of our content. It’s those little tweaks that make the difference. If it’s not performing, we modify it and republish it. It goes back to what I said about never settling – Commit yourself to reworking the solution until it’s something that exceeds your goals.

What are your thoughts on large corporations entering the space?

Large corporations are already here. They’ve been here and are nothing to fear. There’s plenty of room in the cannabis space for small, medium and large businesses. If you focus on what you do best, have a great product and stay in your lane; you will be just fine. To put it in perspective, we are outperforming all the ‘top players’ in drug policy reform 3 to 1 with growth and engagement, and we spend a fraction of their yearly budget.

Large corporations are already here. They’ve been here and are nothing to fear. There’s plenty of room in the cannabis space for small, medium and large businesses.

If we are sitting across from each other a year from now, how will our conversation about the ‘green rush’ be going?

That all depends on what happens on the federal level in 2016. Hopefully, we will be educating millions of new patients (and physicians) on cannabis and the endocannabinoid system.

Have a question for Corey Hunt? Leave a comment below…

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Matthew Mills: Med-X, Inc.

Mr. Mills and his company are focused on bringing innovation to a space that demands immediate innovative thinking, by developing safe and effective products for a new industry and its patients, as well as resolving the problems that occur in cultivation. Needless to say, they are aiming far and wide at accomplishing major goals in the cannabis industry. How are they doing it? What are the steps they are taking to develop their team and execute on their milestones? We have brought on Matthew Mills, President and COO of Med-X, Inc., to talk to us about the cannabis industry and what Med-X, Inc. can bring to the table.

What is the story behind your involvement with the cannabis industry?

My core competency is capital raising; crowd-funding. I’ve raised capital for a number of companies since I started in the dot-com arena as the new millennium came into place. I raised about $20 million for a dot-com project during my tenure. Not only did I get the opportunity raise and manage capital, but I was given the chance to climb the corporate ladder of the company, with multiple promotions from Executive to VP to Senior VP and Investor Relations Director and Spokesperson, but finally Chief Operating Officer of the company. It all evolved when our company went public and the investors I was involved with made a great deal of capital. During the growth of the project, I had begun several relationships with physicians, biochemists, mathematics and financial professionals into mutual investors in the project. We started a kinship and after I became semi-retired, I was convinced by my partners (who are now physicians and biochemists that sit on my Board of Directors) convinced me that I should undertake a new venture.

The focus on product development and capital raising continued to support efforts to mature a number of green scene products. As the cannabis industry began to evolve, we gathered as a team comprised of these professionals – physicians, biochemists, operational, mathematics, and financial gurus that have a great deal of net worth and knowledge. We recognized back in 2013 that this industry was going to continue to evolve, so we started to educate ourselves. My CEO is a physician and his last 2 years of continuing education that was required to keep his medical practice, has had a great deal of focus in the medical marijuana industry. At the same time, my CFO has been constantly educating himself on the financial side of the industry. Simultaneously, I have been focusing my attention on cultivation, agricultural engineering, and pest management.

As the cannabis industry began to evolve, we gathered as a team comprised of these professionals – physicians, biochemists, operational, mathematics, and financial gurus that have a great deal of net worth and knowledge.

I am a California licensed pest control applicator for agriculture, commercial, and the residential arenas. I don’t usually go out into the field as a pest control technician. I became licensed for the education side of things. When we started building our laboratory and scaling our product development, we were positioned to be able to jump right in. We decided back in 2013 that we were going to get into this industry due to the number of road blocks and problems that were evolving in the industry, such as the use of pesticides and the inbred problems with mold and fungus. I was in the process of developing a natural pesticide product while this industry was in its infancy.

Lo and behold, we now have a pesticide product that’s approved by the Agriculture Department of Colorado for the cultivation of cannabis, as well as being registered with the EPA on a national basis. That same product is also moving into hospitality, pest control, home & garden while negotiating with forestry services and the military. Professionals came together, saw an opportunity, gathered, became educated, and now we’re moving on the combination of it all.

Professionals came together, saw an opportunity, gathered, became educated, and now we’re moving on the combination of it all.

What were you doing before?

Prior to starting Med-X, I was in the crowd-funding world for about 15 years and raised a number of projects through the crowd-funding world. I was also was involved with a lot of product development, operations, and Internet e-commerce media. That’s what’s brought us to where we are today.

What other industry might you compare the ‘green rush’ to and why?

That’s a tough question. I can’t really say I compare it to any other industry. I compare it to a growth factor: The industrial revolution and the dot-com explosion are very similar in regards to the business growth.

Right now, where are you guiding your passion and energy towards?

Until the Federal Government removes Cannabis from a Schedule 1 status to a Schedule 2, our company is going to focus on the ancillary side of our business model – like our “Nature-Cide” product line and our media company “Marijuana Times,” which is focused on bringing comprehensive information to the masses who are seeking it. Our energy is guided towards becoming profitable in those realms, while also taking the company to the public markets through the recently announced Regulation A+. Securing capital in the open markets will ensure that we’ll be in place to pursue cultivation as Congress moves to schedule changes.

Who is a person that you consider as a role model? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you? Why and how did this person impact your life?

Well, I think that I had a lot of mentorship from the people I’ve worked for in the past. I’m a very enthusiastic to learn and always follow success. It might not have been so much the people that have mentored me, but it’s been the people that I’ve read about that do things other than just make money. They’re philanthropists; They’re focused on community and of course, making money but making that money works for the community itself and helps people. Our team has had a lot of success and we’re all very different people. You look at people like Warren Buffet and Richard Branson who are guys that have done one hell of a job in their careers and you greatly admire them. I admire them and intend to follow in their footsteps in the ways that they have led their careers in a positive direction while staying focused on community.

What inspires you the most about this space?

I’m inspired by our ability to come in and help; this industry needs a lot of help. There are a lot of issues on the medical side. 95% of medical cannabis found in dispensaries on a national basis is riddled with pesticides and mold. Med-X has a solution for that and it’s going to help a lot of people! We believe that our research and development is cutting edge, and it’s going to be sought after as this business matures.

95% of medical cannabis found in dispensaries on a national basis is riddled with pesticides and mold. Med-X has a solution for that and it’s going to help a lot of people!

Tell us about an esteemed achievement of yours.

I had a major achievement in the dot-com realm. I raised capital for a Dot-Com company that went from $0 to $200 million in revenue and had a market capitalization of $600 million. I’m going to say that professionally, that has been my biggest career achievement. However, the biggest overall achievement is collecting a team of people who make a difference daily to many, my partners are by far my biggest achievement.

 Where do your great ideas come from?

Well, when you surround yourself with great people, it’s easy. We use a ‘think tank’ approach and come together as a group. Our products evolve as the physicians, financial experts, and mathematics professionals on our team recognize a problem and come up with a solution. This certainly isn’t the Matthew Mills show – This is a show of a group of people that think out loud and think together as a group to benefit the community.  That’s our focus, and it’s turned into something really great for us. Our great ideas are a group effort.

What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader in this space?

As we become a profitable business and become a publicly traded company in order to gain access to market capital, we believe our management team will be sought after for the collective vision we have. Now that our products are in the process of being approved for agriculture nationally and registered with the EPA, I envision we’ll be able to get to that profitable point and experience continued growth. Our focus long-term is to become a cultivator and feed the supply chain. Now that’s going to be a massive opportunity! I would think that with the knowledge that we have, we’d eventually end up being acquired. The big boys are going to get involved in this when the schedules change and they’re going to want to tap into the knowledgeable people in the industry. We believe we are those people.

Now that our products are in the process of being approved for agriculture nationally and registered with the EPA, I envision we’ll be able to get to that profitable point and experience continued growth. Our focus long-term is to become a cultivator and feed the supply chain. Now, that’s going to be a massive opportunity!

What is important to you – mission, vision, or core values? Why?

Our mission is to innovate an area that needs innovation. Cultivation of marijuana is a difficult task. Obviously, there are a lot of issues in the cultivation area currently according to the Agriculture Department of Colorado and finding solutions for those issues is our focus. We are seeking to provide products and services that benefit patients, especially those that need medicinal products to relieve themselves of pain, stress, and myriad of other ailments. Our focus is on the community itself and fulfilling the need for patient care.

If we are sitting across from each other a year from now, how will our conversation about the ‘green rush’ be going?

By next year, Med-X should be recognized as a publicly traded company. At that point, we should be in position to build our first cultivation center here in Southern California and I would also think that we would be profitable by that point solely due to our pesticide products, which are so desperately needed in this industry. Also, we will have acquired a number of different businesses that are related to the industry as we are already planning.

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Brian Brunelle: Budfolio LLC

Our traditional education system doesn’t encourage any of us to seek the path of an entrepreneur. Perhaps it’s because it’s difficult, consuming, and can be both extremely rewarding and trying. It’s a contrasting experience, but it’s one that Brian Brunelle of Budfolio LLC sought to pursue. As a medical cannabis patient himself, he knew there was a lack of communication between the community and instead of sitting back and waiting for someone else to build and develop a solution, he decided to take it and run with it! So, without further ado, let’s dive into the mind of the man who brought this platform to life.

What was the deciding factor for you to join this particular industry?

The deciding factor was my passion for marketing and belief in cannabis as a medicine. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2010 and after trying dozens of different products with varying side effects, I knew there was a better way and that’s how I came to look at cannabis. I’ve always wanted to run my own business and work for myself. So, seeing the opportunity with the cannabis industry seemed like a great way to do that while also living out my passion for this plant as medicine!

I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2010 and after trying dozens of different products with varying side effects, I knew there was a better way and that’s how I came to look at cannabis.

What were you doing before?

I moved to California in 2000 and have been moving around for the last 15 years. I went straight to work after graduating SDSU in 2008 and have worked primarily in sales. I started in advertising sales and sales management while attending school and continued doing advertising sales for the next two years, eventually transitioning to foodservice distribution management. I started Budfolio on the side of my full-time job with the hope of eventually transitioning to making it a full-time endeavor by the end of this year.

Tell us about the point in the time you realized the coming of the ‘green rush’?

It was in 2010 when I became a medical cannabis patient. I began searching out available dispensaries in my area and after seeing the vast number of them throughout the state, I knew this was going to be big business. As Colorado and Washington legalized recreational cannabis in 2013, it was clear that cannabis was here to stay. At that time, I reached back out to some of my business partners and created a plan to enter the space and create value by developing what is now Budfolio.

Right now, where are you guiding your passion and energy towards?

Right now, my passion and energy is spent scaling Budfolio and reaching new users. Budfolio recently closed a round of seed funding which has created many new opportunities for the business. My main focus at the moment is to build brand awareness and presence and I’m progressing in that regard, in a number of ways. I’m increasing marketing efforts and online advertising, as well as attending various trade shows to put Budfolio in front of potential users! We want to bring attention to our brand and our incredibly innovative platform. We are unlike any other and are committed to showing consumers and users just how unique and user-friendly we are!

Describe your work ethic to us in one word.

Persistent.

Who is a person that you consider as a role model? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you? Why and how did this person impact your life?

My father has always been a role model of mine. Growing up, I watched him run and operate his own business which provided for his family. This taught me very early on about creating my own work and starting a business I could call my own that sustained my well being.

What book have you read that you’ve been inspired by? Any particular read we should put on our list?

“The $100 Startup” by Chris Guillebeau. My friend gave it to me as a birthday gift and it really opened my eyes to how many ways you can create a business doing something you love. I had been struggling with being motivated working on what seemed like everything alone and this book was a breath of fresh air for the ups and downs that come with running a start-up.

I had been struggling with being motivated working on what seemed like everything alone and this book was a breath of fresh air for the ups and downs that come with running a start-up.

Tell us about an esteemed achievement of yours.

Launching Budfolio was a great achievement of mine. It was the first time that I had worked in the technology space, managed a software development project, and brought a product to market. Empowering myself as an entrepreneur has enabled me to grow in so many ways and seeing this project from its conception stage to a live product has been an amazing growing experience.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?

The best advice I’ve ever received was to above all, follow my dreams. It is easy to follow someone else’s dream and vision, but it is not as easy to actualize and fulfill your own. In school, we are often given a template of sorts – go to school, get good grades, get a job. It’s very rare that our traditional academic system encourages entrepreneurship. They don’t tell us to discover our passion and build a business around it; to veer off the beaten path takes courage and drive. The idea for Budfolio had been at the back of my mind and when I decided to take it and run with it, I had to persevere through the background noise and the people who said I couldn’t do it. It’s a great skill to learn!

What is the most important thing for us to know now about the legal marijuana industry?

The most important thing to know about the legal cannabis industry is that it is alive and thriving. The industry is picking up tons of momentum and the need for proper and solid information regarding cannabis is at an all-time high right now. Those who are providing and congregating that data for patients, consumers, and curious onlookers will be at the forefront of the movement. Information is everything, so always remember to continue to educate yourself.

The industry is picking up tons of momentum and the need for proper and solid information regarding cannabis is at an all-time high right now.

If we are sitting across from each other a year from now, how will our conversation about the ‘green rush’ be going?

The conversation will be exciting. In 2016 we will be discussing the new states in the U.S. which have adopted medical and recreational cannabis laws. This movement and new political landscape will bring about a major push for acceptance and education. That is exactly why information and communication is so important and that is why Budfolio will be at the bow of opening that conversation for patients.

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Derek Silverio: Lifted Industry

In a way that is unique only to him, he’s a gentleman who can not only captivate you in conversation, but can entrance the oh-so darting human eye with his gorgeously engineered vape products. His work ethic is engrained in his DNA and his vision emanates something that is simple, cool, and bold and embodies the essence of a household favorite, Bruce Lee. Have we piqued your curiosity yet? Derek Silverio is the founder of Lifted Industry and the story of how the brand became and has evolved into the beauty it is today, unravels below for you to explore!

What was the deciding factor for you to join this particular industry?

I had the great fortune of being able to choose my path between 2 clear options: One would be to further advance my trajectory within the corporate world of consumer electronics, while the other would be to build upon my current successes and dive head first into something self-created. I believe every industrial designer sees themselves as a brand or business owner at some point in their career. It is part of our DNA as we are involved in the creation of mass produced objects. The moment that I and 40 others were part of a “workforce reduction”, I immediately devised plans to fuse my two passions, industrial design and cannabis, into what we now call Lifted Industry. Both industrial design and cannabis have the ability to enhance peoples’ lives in tremendous ways. The intersection of personal health and technology is fascinating to me. I believe there isn’t a single person in the entire world better equipped than me to combine these two things and that’s where my passion and drive comes from.

Both industrial design and cannabis have the ability to enhance peoples’ lives in tremendous ways. The intersection of personal health and technology is fascinating to me.

What were you doing before engaging in Lifted Industry?

For 5 years prior to Lifted Industry I had the great honor of managing a talented team of 9 graphic, industrial, and soft case designers across 3 business units with over 6 different brands some of which included designed video game controllers and accessories for Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo. We also designed toys and mobile products for brands like Skylanders, Star Wars, Star Trek and Pokémon. Moreover, we also created our own line of Bluetooth mobile gaming controllers and premium headphones for gaming and music. We did this all soup-to-nuts – from sketches to prototypes to production in China. Thinking back, I am always amazed about how much great work we pulled off in such short periods of times!

Previous to that, I worked within numerous multidisciplinary design and engineering teams that created automatic external defibrillators, medical ultrasounds, digital multi-meters, and tradeshow booths to name just a few.

Tell us about the point in the time you realized the coming of the ‘green rush’?

I think just being from Seattle I was always immersed in the culture, but the tipping point really came after Washington legalized. Cannabis became an even larger part of the nationwide vernacular and I saw more and more people in the professional world opening up and communicating about it good, bad, or otherwise. I know I am just one of many professionals from the consumer product world who is “crossing over” so I am excited to see the emerging talent and awesome ideas around the corner!

Cannabis became an even larger part of the nationwide vernacular and I saw more and more people in the professional world opening up and communicating about it good, bad, or otherwise.

Right now, where are you guiding your passion and energy towards?

Right now, I am focusing all of my energy and passion into our crowdfunding campaign to launch our first product, the RIZE personal vaporizer, a completely customizable, versatile, and rugged vaporizer for all of your vaping needs. We have a unique perspective in implementing user-centered research and design into the product development process, a first with these types of products. We are looking at the entire experience and putting people at the forefront of it all. We are on a mission to humanize the form and function of consumer products in the cannabis industry and vaporizers are only the beginning… We designed the RIZE to be a lasting and quality solution that lives within an open architecture for e-liquid, oil, wax, other extracts and dry herb.

Describe your work ethic to me in one word.

IMPROVING.

Who is a person that you consider as a role model? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you? Why and how did this person impact your life?

Aside from my parents who have fully shaped my atoms from day 1 and have served as shining examples of the American dream, I would say Bruce Lee, or actually the embodiment and spirit that is Bruce Lee. He is the reason I began training in martial arts at a very young age. I tried to apply as much of his perspective and style into all of my work. We at Lifted Industry want our products to embody this essence of cool, simplistic, and bold confidence.

What book have you read that you’ve been inspired by? Any particular read we should put on our list?

To be honest, I haven’t read a book in ages! I swear though I have enough life stories to write my own book every year

Tell me about an esteemed achievement of yours.

I think just getting Lifted Industry off the ground and doing it the way I always envisioned is a great achievement of mine. I keep a laminated card with “starting a company, or brand” as one of my professional goals in my wallet. It’s been one of my dreams for a while now and it just so happens it coincides with this “green rush”

What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?

The best advice that I have consistently used is to have my own genuine, point-of-view and to stand by it. I apply this to design when it comes to shaping the way objects look and feel. I am in an always evolving process of defining what “cool” is, or what cool is supposed to be in the near future as it relates to the products I am designing. I want to design things that capture a certain emotion or feeling in a physical form. And because of the very permanent nature and short lifespan process of manufactured goods, you need to have a lasting and unique design perspective to set yourself apart from the rest of the pack. The design ethos, engineering, marketing, and everything else within a company is always more compelling when delivered with a unique personality and perspective. I always try to answer the question: “What does this product say and how do I want someone to feel using it?”

I am in an always evolving process of defining what “cool” is, or what cool is supposed to be in the near future as it relates to the products I am designing. I want to design things that capture a certain emotion or feeling in a physical form.

What is the most important thing for us to know now about the legal marijuana industry?

I believe that there is still a huge education and awareness gap from all parts of the ecosystem. From our point of view we meet people all over who have a lot of confusion about how to consume cannabis and the varied delivery methods. Safety and transparency of information are key to any product, but especially in one that can alter your mood and physical well-being. People in legal states have little clue to the vast amount of good that this plant can provide medically, recreationally, and otherwise.

If we are sitting across from each other a year from now, how will our conversation about the ‘green rush’ be going?

I think a year from now there will only be more of everything; Any product or service will have a cannabis counterpart with many leading brands whereas, there might only be a couple or few today. We live in a fast paced business environment where everything becomes rushed and sometimes rushing can lead to unfortunate results. There is something to be said about slowing the design and development process down, researching and testing, learning from users and taking the time to continuously improve. I think the same goes for the cannabis industry in terms of its momentum. I am confident that there will be more innovation, education and a respectful caution for the journey that brought the industry to this point today.

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Trent Woloveck: American Cannabis Company (OTC:AMMJ)

He’s really the kind of businessman who consistently aims to get down to the foundation of the problem at hand and he’s here with us now, speaking on some of the most problematic issues of them all. He’s an innovator, he’s a communicator and he’s a business connector, and through those skills and his vast array of other strengths, he is leading the American Cannabis Company (OTC:AMMJ)as COO and ‘growing the next frontier!’

What was the deciding factor for you to join this particular industry?

At the time, I had just moved from Ohio to Denver, Colorado to manage sales for Cardinal Health, a Fortune 19 pharmaceutical and medical supplies distributor. While I was living in Denver, my cousin who is an owner and operator, would always look at the samples and returns that I was bringing back from my dock and mention that she used that either at her dispensary or at her cultivation facility and asked if I could give it to her. I said “Sure, absolutely! Let me price you off and see if I can actually beat the pricing for what you’re doing today.” Long story short, I would and I had asked Cardinal Health to see if they wanted to become distributors in the space and unfortunately, they decided not to.  So, I took the opportunity to start my own business and break into the space as a small business owner and entrepreneur.

What were you doing before the green rush?

Well, I graduated from the Miami University with a degree in finance, spent about a year and a half as a consultant specifically focused around Sarbanes-Oxley doing supply chain management, audits, and a few pre-IPO works, and then left there and did financial planning and analysis for Cardinal Health, eventually transferring into sales specifically around the physician office business for our inventory care division.

What are you doing to impact the industry? 

The American Cannabis Company are what I would say are the bellwethers for the industry. We really are there as the markets are starting to look at how the rules and regulations affect their business models. We’re able to work with individual entrepreneurs or businesses that are looking to develop and bring their expertise and their vision into these new markets to be able to best serve the patients of those states.

The American Cannabis Company are what I would say are the bellwethers for the industry. We really are there as the markets are starting to look at how the rules and regulations affect their business models.

We’re with them from the inception of their business through the application and licensing process. Once we obtain the license for our clients, we then design and build out their facilities, whether it’s for cultivating, refining, or dispensing the medicine. We are bringing to life what we promised the state in the application process and then we are there to ensure a successful implementation of the program and of the business. This not only positively affects the state and its given program, but more importantly it ensures medicinal access to patients of that state.

Describe your work ethic to us in one word.

Relentless.

Tell us about a time in your career that didn’t go as planned and what you did about that? How did you handle it?

I graduated from Miami University with a focus in commercial and investment banking in 2008 and if you’ll remember, that was the kickoff time for the Great Recession. Being a recent college graduate in a time when a massive amount of people were being let go from their jobs, was not ideal. So, it really prompted me to look and better understand what I exactly wanted to do. I had to put myself in a position where I could start a career in business that would be best for my situation.

I started right out of college and then began continually growing, learning, and challenging myself on an every-other-year basis. I think those are really values to live by in the ever-changing economic climate that the job market is in today.

What book have you read that you’ve been inspired by? Any particular read we should put on our list?

One of my all-time favorite books is Memos From The Chairman. It’s a Warren Buffett book and it takes you through his thought process and gets into why he makes an investment and what he thinks makes a strong management team.  If you know anything about Warren, he truly does invest in the management team, so it’s great to see and understand what he looks for from that executive level of management. That’s always been a great book for me to reference.

Then, the new book that I would recommend for people to go and check out is Bold by Stephen Kotler, which is about the advancement of technology and how it’s really changing society’s views on a lot of these businesses. It talks about Airbnb versus Hilton and what they’ve been able to accomplish in a very short amount of time versus what they’ve been building up for generations. Those are two books that I would lean on for advice.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?

I would have to quote Biggie Smalls in this situation: “Don’t get high on your own supply.” But no, in all seriousness, I think as I’ve progressed in my career and have got to interact with a lot of individuals both outside and inside the cannabis industry, change is the only consistent in the business world and really, just life in general – Being able to understand and grasp that concept, is really the only way you’re going to look at a situation and be able to determine the next best steps that will then yield the most success for you and your business.

In all seriousness, I think as I’ve progressed in my career and have got to interact with a lot of individuals both outside and inside the cannabis industry, change is the only consistent in the business world and really, just life in general…

How would you advise someone who wants to join the industry?

My advice would be to be patient and really understand what your strengths are – Look for the right opportunity; don’t go out and just rush into the industry because its something that everyone is doing. Know your strengths, know your weaknesses, and really be able to say “Here are the two or three things that I truly believe I can help progress in this industry.” Then, be patient and grow from there because that is really what it’s going to take to drive the success of this industry as a whole.

What is a skill or trait that you think is necessary to make an impact in this industry?

I think the most important skill that I could tell people out there is to be adaptable and know and understand your audience because, as I’m sure a lot of people are aware, this was a very underground cottage industry previously, a bro-brah industry. Now, as we’ve seen it come above ground, we’re seeing a lot of medical influence. People have come into the industry because we’re starting to look at what the plant can do and achieve, as well as some very wealthy individual business men and women and corporations. So, being able to play and speak towards all three of those audiences is something you have to be able to adapt to and really be able to understand and speak their given language.

What are your thoughts on mega-corporations entering the cannabis space?

My two cents is that I think it’s naïve for people not to think that this is a big business industry. It’s a very well-known fact that statistics expect this industry to rise and become a $60 billion a year industry. That’s big business! Now, only $2.7 billion of that is currently above ground and legally licensed, so we still have quite a long way to go to fill that gap. But again, it’s inevitable that big business will come into this the market. They will see the growth potential and they will eventually step in.

Now, that being said, I feel like the progression of our industry will be similar to that of alcohol – Yes, there will be the big brands, but there will still be room for that mom and pop, micro-brew business as well. A lot of activists and people who have dedicated their careers to getting the industry to where it’s at to this day, might be upset that big corporation is coming in. They just have to realize that there’s still a niche in the market and it will always be there for them. Again, just look at alcohol.

A lot of activists and people who have dedicated their careers to getting the industry to where it’s at to this day, might be upset that big corporation is coming in. They just have to realize that there’s still a niche in the market and it will always be there for them. Again, just look at alcohol.

If we are sitting across from each other a year from now, how will our conversation about the ‘green rush’ be going?

Is Hillary Clinton going to be president or not will probably be the first topic of conversation. Then, we’ll be talking about what our outgoing president and our new incumbent president, are doing from a federal perspective in moving forward on medical cannabis as a whole; because by that time, I really do feel that we’re going to be seeing anywhere from 30-35 states with a medical cannabis program in place. I think that will be the time when the national conversation will need to be had.

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Paris Holley: MANTIS Ad Network

When you meet a gentleman who relates the cannabis industry to the age of space exploration, you know you’ve met someone that is capable of navigating this exciting terrain. His interesting take on the future of business in cannabis is one that we have yet to see and as CTO of MANTIS Ad Network, we aren’t surprised in the least. Him and his partner, Matthew Price, are to credit for building the most expansive ad network in the realm of cannabis, a unique achievement for being in an industry limited by traditional outreach. He has the mind of an entrepreneur and the drive of a maverick and he’s making quite impression on the cannabis space.

What was the deciding factor for you to join this particular industry?

A few years ago, my partner and I saw a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a positive impact in a new industry through our patient focused work at Medical Jane. It was through that experience that Mantis Ad Network was born and we began our quest to find ways to bring technology to a growing market.

What skills from your previous experiences helped you in what you are doing now?

As a former enterprise consultant to Fortune 500 companies across the country, software is a domain that I have been in since my first freelance job at the age of 13. While technology is at the core of what we do, business development proves to be just as important.

Tell us about the point in the time you realized the coming of the ‘green rush’?

While the “green rush” has been a term coined during our tenure in the industry, I do not think it is an accurate representation of today’s environment. I see more similarities being drawn to space exploration than to the “gold rush” of earlier generations. While everyone is anxious to be the first to make it, no one really knows what the future holds when we do. How does one survive the climate change post-legalization? What does that look like? While a company may be the first to put its flag down, any number of regulations or cultural shifts can drastically change business models across all verticals.

 I see more similarities being drawn to space exploration than to the “gold rush” of earlier generations. While everyone is anxious to be the first to make it, no one really knows what the future holds when we do.

What are you doing to impact the industry?

With MANTIS Ad Network, I think we are in a prime position to not only provide a service that is sorely needed in this growing space, but also represent what responsible marketing can look like. If you look at the growth of regulated industries like alcohol and tobacco, many lessons can be learned to help prevent similar restrictive policies from affecting cannabis. I think we all must be conscious of the images we portray in the media and how those messages are delivered. It isn’t just government regulations that must change, but also the mindset of individuals to help drive a cultural shift in our country.

Describe your work ethic to me in one word.

Relentless

What does a typical work day look like for you in your business?

I wish I knew what a typical work day looked like! As a small startup, our team often wears many hats day-to-day. Between software development, client support, sales, business development, and design; each interaction brings more opportunities as well as challenges. Regardless of what role we play at the time, it is very likely that we are still in front of a computer screen.

How do you find inspiration in this industry? What have you found that has inspired you?

I think most, if not all, entrepreneurs in this space can find inspiration in knowing the positive effects of growing the industry into a sustainable economy. From the many patient stories across the country of ailments being treated with cannabis to the strides toward social equality through sensible drug enforcement and legalization. There are plenty of industries available to open a successful business in, but none as rewarding as ours.

From the many patient stories across the country of ailments being treated with cannabis to the strides toward social equality through sensible drug enforcement and legalization. There are plenty of industries available to open a successful business in, but none as rewarding as ours.

Tell me about an esteemed achievement of yours.

The fact that a small, unfunded team was able to take an idea and turn it into the largest digital platform in the space. We recently hit a milestone of 6 million people reached per month through our network, a feat achieved within our first year of operation. Moving forward, digital is going to be a huge component of this industry (especially amongst millennials) and we hope to be a driving force behind it.

How would you advise someone who wants to join the industry?

Be unique. So often I see bright minds come into the space only to hop on a train that is already heading down the tracks. Spend some time in it first, get to know the environment, the businesses, and the patients and build up enough knowledge to supplement the passion you have. My partner and I went through numerous proofs of concepts and business plans before landing on one that had some legs. The industry changes fast and competition is only going to increase over time, so get in early and solidify your position with a unique offering.

The industry changes fast and competition is only going to increase over time, so get in early and solidify your position with a unique offering.

If we are sitting across from each other a year from now, how will our conversation about the ‘green rush’ be going?

We would probably ask each other if we “struck it big” then laugh because most of the long road ahead of us has yet to be traveled. Until we see the same level of investment and growth that other sectors (such as technology) see, I would say that the “green rush” hasn’t happened yet.

What do you think? Is the cannabis the new age of space exploration?

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David Bernstein: WeedHire International, Inc. (OTC:WDHR)

The foundation of any successful company is its team. Without a driven, dedicated, and well-equipped team, the execution of an idea only goes so far. There are a number of facets that need to be implemented into the cannabis industry in order for it to grow to be respected – A key facet is developing a secure and reliable platform for employers and candidates to interact and build vital teams of skilled professionals. David Bernstein, CEO of WeedHire International, Inc. (OTC:WDHR), has a vision to do just that by solidifying the future career path for professionals seeking to work in cannabis.

What was the deciding factor for you to join this particular industry?

I think, like any industry, you look at the long-term opportunities for growth and you look at the landscape for the business and personal satisfaction you could get from being a part of it. The cannabis industry has a promising future, both personally and professionally for me. When you look at the benefits of what this plant can do, it’s hard to argue that, medicinally, at the very least, it is a tremendous asset to the general population.

What skills from your previous experiences helped you in what you are doing now?

Well, WeedHire is a jobs board, much like Monster.com. Having owned a small business for over 20 years, I realized that the most important thing you can do is surround yourself with quality people. We realized that for this industry to be legitimized and for it to move forward progressively, we would need to retain the best possible workforce. And to ensure that, you have to create a credible industry in which people can have a future. This will enable these businesses to have the best possible employees and staff and thereby grow their businesses and help the industry grow!

We realized that for this industry to be legitimized and for it to move forward progressively, we would need to retain the best possible workforce. And to ensure that, you have to create a credible industry in which people can have a future.

Tell us about the point in the time you realized the coming of the ‘green rush’?

Well for us, it was early January 2014 when we saw the amount of people lined up at a job fair in Colorado, where there was an overwhelming number of people looking for employment and just a small handful of jobs available for them. The realization for us was that there’s got to be a better way – There’s going to be tremendous growth in this industry, which created the opportunity for us to create a model that connected employers and candidates, so they could start careers together.

Describe your work ethic to us in one word.

Persistence. I think with any industry, especially this one, you have got to look at the long-term. It’s going to require persistence and patience.

Who is a person that you consider as a role model? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you? Why and how did this person impact your life?

Well, there’s been a number of people, but there are two that I definitely need to credit: my parents. My parents have clearly played a huge role in helping me understand how to live my life in the best and most reasonable way, how important it is to surround myself with family and friends, and how to always appreciate what I have around me. Those would probably be most defining people in my life; they have been instrumental to me as mentors.

How do you find inspiration in this industry? What have you found that has inspired you?

So, obviously cannabis presents the opportunity for people to make decisions on their own, adult decisions, but the medicinal benefits of what cannabis represents is so much more than that. It can’t be ignored! When you see that there are children and adults suffering with diseases that don’t have access to this, it’s infuriating – And to know that it’s more of a political issue than a real health issue makes me work even harder to create a company that will help others run their business better for this industry.

When you see that there are children and adults suffering with diseases that don’t have access to this, it’s infuriating – And to know that it’s more of a political issue than a real health issue makes me work even harder to create a company that will help others run their business better for this industry.

Tell us about an esteemed achievement of yours.

Just recently we launched the first ever marijuana jobs app, both on iTunes and Android; they are the very first apps for individuals seeking an employment opportunity in the legal cannabis industry. We think those are tremendous milestones because it’s helping legitimize the industry and push it forward, while also bringing valuable technology to the space.

How would you advise someone who wants to join the industry?

Planning is important. I think it’s crucial to obtain a skill that you feel will be beneficial to the industry and to yourself. There’s not a lot of people with industry experience, so you have a unique opportunity to understand and gain experience in areas that are touching the industry. A lot of people want to touch the plant or be around the plant, but candidly, whether you are in agriculture, water filtration, lighting, or hydroponics, or in sales, marketing, design, or IT, there’s ways to experience cannabis. As the industry moves forward, more opportunities will present themselves.

Where do your great ideas come from?

My ideas come from past experiences and lessons learned. The best way to learn in life is to make an effort, fail, learn from the failure, and build from it. Warren Buffett once said, “Somebody sits in the shade of a tree because someone else planted that tree.” We believe that what we do today, whether it be a success or failure, will benefit generations in the future.

What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader in this space?

I continue to be innovative; I continue to work on partnering with other reputable organizations in and outside of the industry, and I strive to always bring value to our customer base by implementing tools to help them grow their businesses. One of the most important things we do and how we ensure that we continue to grow is by publishing our quarterly Cannabis Jobs Report, which seeks to educate the population about opportunities for employment in the industry. Most of the reports out there for this industry are more about the numbers, amount of sales, and amount of tax revenues; they don’t cover the business development opportunities at hand. Our Cannabis Jobs Report focuses on what the other reports leave out.

If we are sitting across from each other a year from now, how will our conversation about the ‘green rush’ be going?

I think there will be lot of excitement about the November elections in 2016. That’s where we are hoping to see a lot of momentum. Our hope is that a lot of states poll positively for that initiative to pass; that’s going to be a defining moment for this industry.

Photo Credit: Startup Stock

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Hans Enriquez: LazyDaze Co.

Hans Enriquez is quite the personality. He’s witty, driven, and personable. He’s committed to his vision, enraptured by his clientele, and has succeeded in creating a new type of experience for the cannabis consumer community. For years, the cannabis community has found themselves wandering into dingy storefronts being sold only low-quality products and vessels in the stereotypical dark and sketchy atmosphere, but with the changing tide of cannabis in mainstream culture, they’ve been looking for something more. That is where Hans sought to explore the opportunity to create a new smoke shop experience, one that empowers its customers rather than shaming them, and that is the niche in which him and his team at LazyDaze Co. are seeking to bring worldwide.

What was the deciding factor for you to join this particular industry?

I was majoring in Biology and prepping to become a doctor and I got bored with the redundancy of Microbiology and cellular mumbo jumbo. I dropped all my classes that semester and changed my major to Business.  I was introduced to the counterculture industry by getting a job at the local smoke shop during college for my weekend beer money. After I graduated, I was working at the mall in a management training program that was going nowhere. Some buddies encouraged me to open my own smoke shop, and basically said to me, “Hey, you can work at the mall or you can start your own business.” You can have all the weed in the world, but you still need a pipe to smoke it… Thus, the Lazydaze Counterculture was born.

What were you doing before?

I have been preparing for where I am now. I haven’t had a job since I started Lazydaze Counterculture, which was about 10 years ago now.  All my previous jobs were in retail stores like NIKE, Banana Republic, and the Buckle, which all gave me the perspective I needed to fine-tune the skill set I needed to start my own business. In the past years, I have been refining those skills and learning from the ground floor up.

Tell us about the point in the time you realized the coming of the ‘green rush’?

After I graduated college, I focused on starting my career path as an entrepreneur. I could not yet venture into the legal grow and recreational retail space quite yet, though I knew it was only a matter of time, so I had to move on from that idea. What piqued my interest was the ancillary sector, the ‘everything else’ category. Until marijuana became legal, I could sell everything else that the cannabis culture needed. I knew the counterculture lifestyle was alive and well and continuing to evolve and “grow up.” The fragmented smoke shop industry would soon need a strong dose of corporate structure at some point to evolve with our target market, as to grow with the market and be what they’d desire in the future. I knew that the typical ‘smoke shop concept’ would need a complete revamp from its dark and dingy storefront and I knew I was capable of bringing that kind of value to the market. I realized that we needed to fill that gap as marijuana became more and more acceptable in mainstream culture. If we created a smoke shop with the look of Urban Outfitters, with the customer service of Nordstroms, while offering the quality of products and convenience of Macy’s, we would surpass the dingy image of the typical smoke shop and become something more… We would be COUNTERCULTURE!

I knew that the typical ‘smoke shop concept’ would need a complete revamp from its dark and dingy storefront and I knew I was capable of bringing that kind of value to the market. I realized that we needed to fill that gap as marijuana became more and more acceptable in mainstream culture.

Right now, where are you guiding your passion and energy towards?

I just want to focus and do what we do best, which is offer a retail experience that completely differentiates us from every other smoke shop in existence. I strive to create true value by creating a company that is truly scalable with multiple streams of revenue. And in order to do that, I must continue to build a team of steamrollers and strategic partners who are eady to execute, assist in franchise and corporate expansion, Round 1 capital raise, add value to the company, transform this company into a brand name, and complete the mission at hand. We have created a store for ladies and gentlemen who live the counterculture lifestyle and enjoy living free of stereotypes and plan on continuing to pursue on becoming the #1 Premier Counterculture Retailer in the World, through a combination of corporate and franchised brick and mortar stores and an E-commerce site. Our Franchise Disclosure Documents are complete and we have some pending international license agreements, so the time is now and we are ready to work!

Describe your work ethic to us in one word.

ONWARD!!

Who is a person that you consider as a role model? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you? Why and how did this person impact your life?

My dad. He delivered babies when he was a mere 23 years old. He’s been a psychiatrist for about 30 years now, listening and helping people with their struggles. He took care of his family! And last, but not least, he was an Army Reserve Captain. He’s done so much in his life, so it’s very hard for me to make excuses not to succeed when I’ve seen everything he’s been capable of accomplishing. He has supported me since day 1, even though we did not agree on Business 101 matters for a very long time, we now love talking business together.

He’s done so much in his life, so it’s very hard for me to make excuses not to succeed when I’ve seen everything he’s been capable of accomplishing. He has supported me since day 1, even though we did not agree on Business 101 matters for a very long time, we now love talking business together.

What book have you read that you’ve been inspired by? Any particular read we should put on our list?

I’ll give you my list, which I believe is a good collection that is crucial for all entrepreneurs: Rich Dad Poor Dad, Good to Great, Trust me I’m Lying, Breakthrough Branding, The Nordstrom Way, Why She Buys, Eat People, and the Beatles Biography.

Tell us about an esteemed achievement of yours.

My most esteemed achievement is my daughter. I am 34 years old and I have a 17 year old daughter who is getting ready for college, and hopefully be taking over this company in the future to stomp all over the competition.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?

Cliché advice : Look both ways before you cross the street and don’t eat yellow snow.

Actual Advice:  Don’t be like stagnant water; you’re just stinkin’ up the place.

My Advice: Evolve or Die.

What is the most important thing for us to know now about the legal marijuana industry?

The industry is still in its infancy. It is rolling, moving fast, and changing quickly! Be ready to adapt, because the big players are here, and many more ready to move in.

If we are sitting across from each other a year from now, how will our conversations about the ‘green rush’ be going?

More states will have legalized medical and recreational consumption. I hope that either Congress, our current President, or the incumbent will finally flip the switch and re-schedule marijuana so that vets, sick, and disabled patients will have access to their medicine. Recreational will follow as the states figure out the tax issues and so forth.  I will probably say…. Damn!! Someone made a lot of money last year!? I am confident we will be leading the way in counterculture retail. We are definitely just getting started.

Looking for more information on LazyDaze? Visit them online, inquire about franchise opportunities, or call them directly at 512.947.6425

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Joel Schneider: The MaryJane Group, Inc. (OTC:MJMJ)

After watching the cannabis industry evolve for many years and taking it upon himself to learn all that he could about what he could personally offer to its growth, he jumped into this opportunity headfirst and hasn’t stopped exploring and making his mark on this space since he did. When he caught himself holing up in local hotel bathroom, feeling ridiculous as he blew the smoke from his joint into the toilet, he realized that there was something wrong with this picture. Now, Joel Schneider, CEO of The MaryJane Group, Inc. (OTC:MJMJ), has become the leader of the canna-hospitality and lodging niche and with two Bud & Breakfast locations already running, his endeavors are reaching even further. His passion for problem-solving, his dedication to innovation, and his foundation of strong core values are just a few of the things that makes him a leader of our industry. Everything else, you can find out from our interview with Mr. Schneider below.

What is the story behind your involvement with the cannabis industry?

I have been watching the cannabis space for the last six to seven years and have always been very interested in it. I came out to Colorado in 2010 when vertical integration became a law, which basically meant that dispensaries and grows became a married system, either by contract or by ownership. To me, that was the prelude to the tax model that would ultimately make marijuana recreationally legal here in Colorado. I’ve been following the industry for a very long time – I was involved in helping a group of people in Connecticut get their license in New Jersey. I got involved with an online head shop company and I honestly just wanted to learn about the industry as best as I could. When marijuana became legal in Denver on January 2014, that was the moment when I finally decided to make the move. In February, I came out and started looking for businesses and I acquired several of them, but ultimately, at the end of the day, I realized that the canna-friendly lodging and hospitality industry was a virgin territory and thus, we founded Bud & Breakfast.

I’ve been following the industry for a very long time – I was involved in helping a group of people in Connecticut get their license in New Jersey. I got involved with an online head shop company and I honestly just wanted to learn about the industry as best as I could. When marijuana became legal in Denver on January 2014, that was the moment when I finally decided to make the move.

What were you doing before?

I was a securities attorney in New York for about 30 years. I pretty much hated every day of it, but that’s what I did. In that position, I represented public companies, which is one of the reasons why the The MaryJane group is public (OTC: MJMJ). I was very drawn to bringing MaryJane public due to my expertise and knowledge of how public companies operated.

What other industry might you compare the ‘green rush’ to and why?

Well, you know, you could go all the way back to the gold rush, or rather, the several gold rushes, where people flocked out to find their fortunes. You could compare it to the dot-com’s where people ran out to find their fortunes, many of whom just played games and thought if they put up a dot-com next to anything, it would be a successful business. That’s really the two industries I would compare to the cannabis space. When I look at the gold rush, I look at what we do at Bud & Breakfast and compare it to that – We look at ourselves as the tent guys. Back in the gold rush days, you had people that made picks, axes, and shovels, and Levi Strauss was launched during that time, selling jeans to miners. Well, at the end of the day, you know the gold dried up, but the companies that were ancillary to it like my company and like the Levi Strauss’ of the world, survived. So I look at it like this: We rushed out here, a lot of people rushed out here, and a lot of people think that they have the magic ingredient to be successful; but what we do is a little bit different. While we are definitely excited for this green rush, we’d like to see it grow and continue growing for a long time to come.

Right now, where are you guiding your passion and energy towards?

We currently have two bed and breakfast locations, called Bud & Breakfast, and we certainly are looking to expand that to more. Aside from that, what we have on the drawing board, and what we’re working really hard on is Canna-Camp. Canna-Camp will be the first of its kind, just like the Bud & Breakfast was the first of its kind. It will be an all-inclusive camp/ranch experience where you can engage in activities ranging from sports, water sports, arts and crafts, and of course, cannabis-related activities. We’ll have live music and three meals a day. So right now, my energy and passion is really focused on making that successful. We’re trying just to raise the bar for canna-hospitality and canna-lodging, and I think this is the next progression for the company. It’s a major undertaking, but the property is in place, the partners down in Durango are in place, and now it’s time for us to promote it, sell it, and bring people in for our unique camp experience.

Who is a person that you consider as a role model? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you? Why and how did this person impact your life?

You know, I don’t really have an answer for it. I feel like I’ve kind of been a pioneer in this space myself. Certainly, I’ve worked with people in the past that I look up to, but is there one person in particular that I say is a mentor to me? No, I think that you know in my particular case, I’m a little bit of a maverick. I’m a bit of a pioneer. I wanted to do something and put my marker on this earth that indicated my passion and love for cannabis. My ideas and visions are different than most. When I saw this industry, I saw a need for what we do and what we provide and I also believe in the whole social aspect of it all, as well. That’s how we’ve modeled our hotels; it’s not about people just going into their rooms and hiding. It’s about everyone staying together and enjoying the product together.

I feel like I’ve kind of been a pioneer in this space myself. Certainly, I’ve worked with people in the past that I look up to, but is there one person in particular that I say is a mentor to me? No, I think that you know in my particular case, I’m a little bit of a maverick. I’m a bit of a pioneer. I wanted to do something and put my marker on this earth that indicated my passion and love for cannabis.

If I had to name one person in particular, I’d say it’s my son, believe it or not. There’s definitely been some college professors, my parents, certainly my grandparents, and my brother who have mentored me in my life, but my son is definitely someone who sticks out to me. Watching a twenty-five year old/twenty-six year old man grow and move to Los Angeles to start a whole new life is inspiring to me. Those are the kind of people I look up to, those are the people I really respect.

What inspires you the most about this space?

You would think that this industry is run by a bunch of hippies or by a bunch of stoners where it is littered with people that just want to get high – and that’s the furthest thing from the truth! I’ve met and worked with a lot of people in this industry – a lot of tour companies, dispensary owners, growers, manufacturers of infused products, and I can tell you, they’re all extremely professional. I’ve been to countless expos and conferences and everyone I’ve met really want to raise the level of cannabis. We are under a microscope; we are the breeding ground, so to speak, for this industry, and it really is important for us to maintain that high level of professionalism because the world is watching every move we make. What I do at my hotels and with my companies in this industry is to really work hard to raise the bar, raise awareness, and raise the quality of product. That’s what inspires me! This has been very eye-opening for me and the people I work with are all striving for the same thing. We’re all pulling this rope together and seeing to it that this industry grows, and grows correctly.

Tell us about an esteemed achievement of yours.

I said it earlier and I’ll say it again, I’m a father. First and foremost that’s who I am, a father. I have two of my own children and three stepchildren, and they’re all doing very well, all very successful. There is nothing better than building a family and seeing your kids grow up and achieve great things. Yes, my involvement in the creation of this new industry is a significant achievement. Having created the canna-lodging and canna-hospitality industry is something that makes me very proud, but at the end of the day, my biggest accomplishment is my children.

I said it earlier and I’ll say it again, I’m a father. First and foremost that’s who I am, a father. I have two of my own children and three stepchildren, and they’re all doing very well, all very successful. There is nothing better than building a family and seeing your kids grow up and achieve great things.

Where do your great ideas come from?

I’ll tell you how I came up with the great idea for canna-lodging and canna-hospitality. It’s a funny story and I like to tell it: When I first started coming out here to Colorado, I was living in a downtown hotel and when I wanted to smoke, I’d have to retreat to the bathroom… I had to basically lock myself in there, shove a towel under the door, have the shower running, and blow the smoke into the toilet. It just didn’t make sense! This product was meant to be used and meant to be enjoyed. So, I came up with the bed & breakfast concept. I knew that it would be small enough to keep under control and I really wanted to have something with a common space for our guests.

Bud & Breakfast and Bed & Breakfast are private properties, versus a hotel with a lobby that is open to the public. So, I started approaching B&B’s and was lucky enough to find The Adagio. My great idea, like most great ideas, comes from desperation and it comes from feeling as if this is not the correct way to do something – Thinking that there has got to be a better way. Subsequent to that, I’ve hired some really good people to work with me. My graphic designer/art person, a young man named Adam, has so many ideas as it relates to this industry. He has that same passion that I have, but he’s thirty years younger, so he sees things from a completely different perspective than I do. We’ve brought in a consultant that came from the restaurant industry, and he’s also helped us come up with some great ideas. We spend a lot of time around the conference table, in our staff meetings, throwing ideas out there on the table.

While Canna-Camp was an idea of my own, I had someone approach me who had a 172 acre ranch and so we decided to do this together. In that particular case, great minds think alike, but more often than not, ideas come out of desperation. Ideas come out of problems solving and out of situations that don’t appear correct to you. You come up with an idea as a solution to a problem at hand. That’s really how we got into the business and that’s how we’re going to continue growing the business.

What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader in this space?

Well as I said earlier, Canna-Camp is one of the things we’re looking to grow and develop. It’ll be an all-inclusive spa, retreat, and ranch, where you can get massages, lay at the pool, go water skiing, go horseback riding, do arts and crafts, and really do everything that you did when you were young, while also getting an education on cannabis. We plan on expanding it into other facilities as well. We’re even looking at a hotel model, perhaps, similar to what a Ronald McDonald House would be like; we are seeking to be the MMJ Care facility. We want this to be somewhere where we can have entire families come and get the treatment they need, while having fun! This won’t just be in Colorado, either. We’re looking at Washington, Oregon, and other states as well.

Well as I said earlier, Canna-Camp is one of the things we’re looking to grow and develop. It’ll be an all-inclusive spa, retreat, and ranch, where you can get massages, lay at the pool, go water skiing, go horseback riding, do arts and crafts, and really do everything that you did when you were young, while also getting an education on cannabis. We plan on expanding it into other facilities as well. We’re even looking at a hotel model, perhaps, similar to what a Ronald McDonald House would be like; we are seeking to be the MMJ Care facility.

We’re the leader right now and we think just like any other industry leader would think. Competition will come and we have to work hard to stay ahead, so we are looking at securing those additional properties quickly. In doing that, we have to make sure that those properties are located in the proper locations. We really believe that this camp and this concept is going to set us far apart from anybody else in this space. That’s what’s going to keep us as a leader!

What is important to you – mission, vision, or core values? Why?

Well, they all are, but if I’m going to have to say one, it’d be core values. And those are: Security, Education, Safety, and Innovation. We do not let our guests just sit and get stoned to the point where they become incoherent. We want them to learn along the way. We are a resource for them to learn about cannabis, because cannabis here in Colorado is certainly a lot better than the rest of the world. You have great growers here and strong marijuana. We have the concentrates and the edibles, so education about those is important. Security, making sure our guests are safe and ensuring they are well monitored is important to us; we are there as a resource. We are there to guide them if they need guidance, so our core values are certainly important. Our mission and vision are essential as well, but ultimately at the end of the day, it all comes down to our core values.

If we are sitting across from each other a year from now, how will our conversation about the ‘green rush’ be going?

I think it’ll be going a lot like this conversation, but we’ll be talking a lot more about the various facilities as it relates to The MaryJane Group. I think we’re going to be talking about other states that have given us the opportunity to expand since there’s several that will be voting on legalization of recreational marijuana in November 2015. I think that we’ll be talking about the Federal government starting to really take a look at what the opportunities are for them, as it relates to a taxable income. More importantly, I believe that by next year, we’ll have weeded out, and I don’t like to use that word, but there’s going to be movers and shakers, and then there’s going to be fakers, and in a year’s time, I think we’re going to have weeded out a lot of the fakers. Similar to what happened in the dot-com boom, people think that they can just throw the word ‘canna’ onto the name of their company and be successful. It doesn’t work that way.

It works only one way and that’s coming to work everyday and working hard. Taking your ups and downs, lumps, learning, experiencing, and just being involved in this movement. It is a movement to a large extent and we really believe that! I think that a year from now we’re going to have a lot more people understanding and respecting that. This is a space for the pioneers and for the people that see the larger opportunity. We’ll definitely be talking about this in a favorable light.

What do you think about Joel Schneider’s canna-hospitality concept? Comment below…

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