Florida and New York are massive markets — but they’re still early. Everyone’s fighting for attention, trust, and long-term positioning.
So how did The Flowery rise to the top and become the go-to partner for the industry’s premier brands?

710 Labs. Wizard Trees. Preferred Gardens. Doja Pak the list goes on.
These brands are some of the most sought-after names in the entire cannabis industry.
They drive traffic into the store, signal trust with customers, and are built on quality and brand recognition.

This week we sit down with Ilya Shmidt, of The Flowery, to uncover how his team became the trusted home for the most influential names in cannabis — and how they're scaling that same trust across Florida and New York.

In this episode, we dive into:

• How The Flowery earned partnerships with the industry’s top-tier brands
• The systems behind scaling quality and consistency at retail
• Why New York’s market share shifted fast — and what’s next in Florida

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Flowery and Ilya Schmidt

01:07 Ilya's Journey into the Cannabis Industry

02:41 Building Brand Partnerships in Cannabis

05:07 The Vetting Process for Brand Collaborations

06:01 Vertical Integration in Cannabis Production

10:30 Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing Among Brands

12:51 Creating Unique Cultivars and Market Disruption

13:06 Learning from Other Industries

14:59 Balancing Brand Visibility and Shelf Space

18:05 Expanding into New Markets like New York

22:54 Navigating the Cannabis Market in New York

29:42 The Importance of Education in Cannabis

35:00 Emerging Brands and Market Trends

39:01 Lessons Learned in the Cannabis Industry

00:00 Introduction to Flowery and Ilya Schmidt

01:07 Ilya's Journey into the Cannabis Industry

02:41 Building Brand Partnerships in Cannabis

05:07 The Vetting Process for Brand Collaborations

06:01 Vertical Integration in Cannabis Production

10:30 Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing Among Brands

12:51 Creating Unique Cultivars and Market Disruption

13:06 Learning from Other Industries

14:59 Balancing Brand Visibility and Shelf Space

18:05 Expanding into New Markets like New York

22:54 Navigating the Cannabis Market in New York

29:42 The Importance of Education in Cannabis

35:00 Emerging Brands and Market Trends

39:01 Lessons Learned in the Cannabis Industry

Guest Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilyashmidt/https://theflowery.co/
https://www.instagram.com/floweryflorida/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-floweryco?trk=public_profile_topcard-current-companyhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEhtokhIFa7UFWeSQqtR3Xg

Our Links

Bryan Fields on Twitter

Kellan Finney on Twitter

The Dime on Twitter

At Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.

8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain

The Dime is a top 5% most shared global podcast

The Dime has a New Website. Shhhh its not finished.

The Dime is a top 50 Cannabis Podcast

Sign up for our playbook here:

🎥 YouTube: The Dime

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Big Tobacco knows cigarettes are dead.
They’re sitting on cash, looking for growth — and cannabis is the obvious move.

They’re no longer silently watching from the sidelines. They’re investing, expanding — some through public acquisitions, others through quieter plays. But one thing is clear: it’s no secret anymore. Big Tobacco is here, leveraging its resources to capture market share quickly, while cannabis companies continue to struggle.

And on the other side of the coin? The global unlock continues.
With U.S. operators mostly stuck within national borders, Canadian companies are finally getting the green light to activate dormant facilities and feed growing EU demand. Companies like Curaleaf are thriving in the international arena — and it’s just getting started.

This week, we sit down with global cannabis strategist Deepak Anand to break down:

• Tobacco’s positioning — and what they’re likely eyeing next
• Which U.S. companies Deepak expects to head overseas
• Which international markets are heating up next

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Cannabis Landscape

03:05 Deepak's Journey into Cannabis Consulting

06:11 Understanding CPG Companies' Entry into Cannabis

08:58 Market Dynamics and Regulatory Challenges

11:48 Consolidation Trends in the Cannabis Industry

15:09 The Booming German Cannabis Market

18:06 International Expansion and MSO Strategies

21:02 Future Outlook for Cannabis Companies

26:23 Emerging Opportunities in the Australian Cannabis Market

29:12 Navigating Regulatory Challenges in International Markets

30:51 The Evolving Landscape of Recreational Cannabis

34:05 Strategic Moves by Tobacco Companies in Cannabis

36:35 Crafting Tailored Strategies for Cannabis Clients

40:00 International Perspectives on U.S. Cannabis Policies

42:26 Insights from the GCRS Event in Washington, DC

Guest Links:

• https://x.com/_deepakanand
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/ananddeepaks/

About Deepak Anand

Advisory Board Member at CB Company, MJBiz, Lift Events & Experiences, ASTM International, Cannabinoid Research & Development Global (CRDG) Network; Cannabis Industry Management Advisor at ASDA Consultancy Services; Vice Chairman Of The Board at Medical Cannabis Canada; Strategic Advisor at CanMar; Adjunct Instructor at Osgoode Professional Development

Our Links

Bryan Fields on Twitter

Kellan Finney on Twitter

The Dime on Twitter

At Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.

8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain

The Dime is a top 5% most shared global podcast

The Dime has a New Website. Shhhh its not finished.

The Dime is a top 50 Cannabis Podcast

Sign up for our playbook here:

🎥 YouTube: The Dime

📸 Instagram: The Dime

Specialization is coming — and surviving will mean doing one thing better than anyone else.

But that’s only the beginning. Getting there takes a relentless growth mindset: an obsession with stacking small operational wins — data, tech, genetics, process — to create massive separation over time.

Extraction isn’t simple. And in a world of margin compression, “this is how we’ve always done it” won’t cut it.

Micah shares how applying best-in-class manufacturing principles has helped LEEF reach elite levels of efficiency — and how just a 1–2% gain in yield can unlock millions in value. He also shares how they’re continuing to push the envelope to stay ahead.

This week we sit down with Micah Anderson to discuss:

• What it takes to earn trust from the world’s biggest brands
• Why world-class manufacturing technologies is massive edge
• Expansion plans in NY and what’s next for “the farm”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Micah Anderson and Leaf Brands

02:49 Journey into the Cannabis Industry

05:51 The Focus on Extraction

09:02 Challenges and Lessons Learned

11:49 Data-Driven Decision Making

14:52 Procurement and Supply Chain Dynamics

18:03 Extraction Modalities and Client Collaboration

20:58 Investment in Cultivation and Expansion Plans

24:11 Strategic Moves into New Markets

27:13 Navigating Market Challenges and Future Outlook

36:35 Navigating New Markets: The New York Strategy

41:13 Operational Challenges: Training and Culture in Expansion

44:44 Bitcoin: A New Asset Class for Cannabis Companies

52:40 Understanding Monetary Policy: Recommended Reads

57:36 Fixing the California Cannabis Market: Tax Reforms

About LEEF Brands: LEEF Brands' vision is to become the largest vertically integrated extraction company in the world. Follow our journey here. CSE: $LEEF OTC: $LEEEF

Guest Links:

• https://www.linkedin.com/company/leef-brands-inc/
• https://x.com/micah_A_leef
• https://leefbrands.com/
• https://x.com/LeefBrands
• https://www.instagram.com/leefbrands/
• https://www.youtube.com/@LEEF_Brands
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/leef-brands-inc/

Our Links

Bryan Fields on Twitter

Kellan Finney on Twitter

The Dime on Twitter

At Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.

8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain

The Dime is a top 5% most shared global podcast

The Dime has a New Website. Shhhh its not finished.

The Dime is a top 50 Cannabis Podcast

Sign up for our playbook here:

🎥 YouTube: The Dime

📸 Instagram: The Dime