2024 Cannabis Industry Pitfalls on Blast

10/01/24 • 35 min

In this episode, we hear from seasoned cannabis industry advisor, Marc Hauser, and host Hilary Bricken, about the top pitfalls and traps in today’s cannabis industry. Marc, a former practicing transactional and corporate attorney, is the current Chief of Staff of Jardin, a well-known Nevada-based cannabis retailer. Marc shares with listeners the variety of issues he’s witnessed in the past seven years in the cannabis industry, including with federal enforcement, state regulation, public and private markets, cannabis company governance, and misguided perceptions of the industry. Marc also discusses the current perils tied to cannabis politics, rescheduling, “hemp versus marijuana”, and the industry scuttlebutt surrounding the same. If you want to cut through the noise to get down to the hardline cautions currently in the cannabis industry, tune in now!

Previous Episode

Cannabis Companies and the Corporate Transparency Act

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) seeks to increase corporate transparency and combat financial crimes in the U.S. such as money laundering and terrorist financing. Enacted in January 2021 as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, the CTA requires certain business entities to disclose their beneficial owners—individuals who ultimately own or control the company. Namely, corporations, limited liability companies, and similar entities must report their beneficial owners to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. Some entities, such as large operating companies, regulated entities (banks, insurance companies, etc.), and entities already subject to extensive federal regulation, are exempt from these reporting requirements. There are steep penalties for non-compliance or falsifying information, including fines and possible imprisonment. Even though cannabis companies are federally illegal, they are not exempt from reporting under the CTA. In this episode host Hilary Bricken, and Yuefan Wang, corporate, M&A, and securities partner at Husch Blackwell, discuss the mechanics of the CTA and how and when cannabis companies must comply, including consequences to cannabis companies if they fail to report.

Next Episode

Building a Lasting Cannabis Brand with Tiffany Chin from Death Row Cannabis

Tiffany Chin is the current CEO of Death Row Cannabis, which is Snoop Dogg’s cannabis brand company that has now launched numerous cannabis products in the U.S. cannabis market. Death Row Records played a significant role in hip hop and cannabis culture over more than 30 years, selling 40 million albums across the country and it’s one of the best-known labels worldwide when it comes to advocacy and support for cannabis and the cannabis community. Borrowing from that star and branding power, Death Row Cannabis is increasingly becoming a household cannabis brand. That wasn’t always the case though, and under Tiffany’s leadership and vision, the brand has grown and continues to thrive. In this episode, Husch Blackwell's Hilary Bricken and Tiffany Chin walk listeners through the ups and downs of cannabis branding and how to vet and choose wholesale partners accordingly. She also discusses the various highs and lows experienced by Death Row Cannabis as well as some of its branding goals for the future. If you’re interested in how great cannabis brands are built, last, or fail, be sure to tune in now!