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:

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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

You produced the product.
They said they needed terms — “as soon as it sells, we’ll pay.”
But the days kept going by… and nothing came in.

In cannabis, collections are brutally difficult. With limited banking and tight cash flow, cash is king. So how do you know who’s trustworthy? Who’s a repeat offender? And where do you even go to collect?

Sadly, this scenario is far too common — and it’s crushing the industry.

This week we sit down with Brett Gelfand, founder of CannaBIZ Collects and the Cannabis Credit Association, to explore:

• How to protect your business before extending net terms
• What to do when customers ghost you on payment
• How big of an issue is this, really?

Guest Links:

• https://www.linkedin.com/company/cannabiz-collects/
• https://x.com/cannabizcollect
• https://www.instagram.com/cannabiz.collects/
• https://www.cannabizcollects.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/cannabizcredit/
• https://www.instagram.com/cannabizcredit/
• https://www.cannabizcredit.com/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Cannabis Industry Challenges

03:09 Brett Gelfand's Journey into Cannabis

05:59 The Importance of Credit Policies in Cannabis

09:11 Proactive Approaches to Collections

12:12 Building a Credit Association for Cannabis

14:47 Data Aggregation and Industry Insights

18:01 Navigating Legal and Ethical Challenges

20:52 Market Trends and Future Outlook

24:30 Understanding the Cannabis Industry's Financial Challenges

32:03 Navigating the Debt Collection Process

39:00 The Unique Aspects of Cannabis Collections

43:53 The Current State of Cannabis Debt and Collections

It’s not about planting flags anymore. It’s about profitability.

As the cannabis industry shifts from rapid growth at all costs to operational precision, hard decisions are being made.

Which assets are sized properly? Where can we build a well-rounded, potentially profitable business given the realities of today’s market?

And how do we make the right calls for our teams while positioning for the world we’re actually in—not the one we hoped for?

Ayr Wellness is deep into this approach, actively sizing its business for today’s environment

This week we sit down with George DeNardo, President of Ayr Wellness, to discuss how Ayr is redefining success in cannabis:

• The shift from expansion to optimization: why less is more
• Data-driven decisions and automation tools Ayr is betting on
• Why Ayr is still growing in Florida—and not waiting on the feds

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to George DiNardo and AYR Wellness

03:05 Transitioning to President of AYR Wellness

05:55 Operational Efficiency and Integration Challenges

09:05 Data-Driven Decision Making in Cannabis

11:57 Technology Adoption and Automation in Cannabis

14:52 Balancing Investment in Technology and Operational Needs

18:01 Facility Consolidation and Strategic Growth

20:56 Future Plans for Expansion in Florida

23:58 Navigating Florida's Cannabis Market Dynamics

26:11 Quality Control and Brand Strategy in Cannabis

28:16 Data Management and Crop Planning Efficiency

30:35 The Importance of Internal Communication and Reporting

33:10 Operational Challenges and Market Adaptation

36:30 Leadership and Team Engagement in Cannabis

38:31 Advice for New Entrepreneurs in the Cannabis Space

40:45 The Value of Time Over Material Gifts

42:43 Future Outlook for the Cannabis Industry

Guest Links:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgedenardo/
• http://www.ayrwellness.com
• https://x.com/AyrWellness
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/ayr-wellness-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

While it feels like progress isn’t happening — and that may be true at the federal level — inside the industry, it’s a completely different story.
The financial model you built, the regulatory category you operate in, the market dynamics, the consumer behavior — every one of those variables is in motion. Constantly evolving. And new competitors are entering, disrupting your playbook from every angle.

Reality is, the shakeout isn’t ending anytime soon. This industry is not for the faint of heart.

The one thing that doesn’t lie? Data.
Ground yourself in it. Use it to make decisions — the hard decisions. Because if you don’t, eventually the market will make them for you.

Yes, it’s insanely difficult right now.
But that’s par for the course in a billion-dollar startup industry with a constantly shifting foundation.

This week we sit down with Annarae Grabstein to discuss the following:

• Why most cannabis financial models were doomed from the start
• The THC beverage boom and what it reveals about consumer demand
• Go Wide vs. Go Deep: A strategy framework to actually survive this market

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Cannabis Industry and Guest Background

03:02 Consumer-Centric Market Dynamics

06:08 Navigating Regulatory Challenges

08:52 The Intersection of Hemp and Cannabis

11:55 Market Realities and Strategic Adaptation

15:00 The Role of Data in Cannabis Operations

17:59 Growth of Cannabinoid Consumption

21:04 Future of Regulation and Market Access

28:08 Defining Objectives for Market Success

29:31 Deep vs. Wide Market Strategies

32:14 Understanding Market Dynamics and Customer Relationships

35:36 The Role of Technology in Cannabis

39:32 Balancing Investment in Technology

42:28 Integrating Data into Business Practices

44:05 Future Trends in the Cannabis Industry

46:45 Qualitative Due Diligence in Investment Decisions

Guest Links:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/annarae/
• Instagram (@annarae_g)
• AnnaRae Grabstein (@annarae_g) on X
• https://wolf-meyer.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/wolf-meyer/

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

Can cannabis be the key to lowering healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes?

Impossible, right?

Think again.

Leafwell has analyzed millions of data points and uncovered staggering, undeniable results—cannabis patients experience fewer ER visits, reduced prescription drug use, and better health outcomes compared to non-users. These findings aren’t just groundbreaking—they’re a wake-up call.

This is just the beginning of unlocking the true potential of plant medicine, and with further research, education, and access, millions more could benefit.

This week, we sit down with Emily Fisher & Dr. June Chin of Leafwell to discuss:

• The shocking data proving cannabis' impact on healthcare
• How employers are integrating cannabis into their benefits
• How insurance coverage could change the future of medical cannabis

Guest Links:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-arida/
• Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card Online - Leafwell
• Instagram (@leafwell_official)
• https://x.com/Leafwell
• Leafwell
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/leafwellofficial/

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

“It’s this crazy melody of things constantly happening, and you need an incredible degree of grit and fortitude. Even the best-prepared individuals with meticulous plans have to throw them up in the air like confetti. It’s an intangible feeling—until you get into it, you really don’t know.”

This quote from Christina Betancourt Johnson perfectly captures the cannabis industry—where relentless highs and lows force constant adaptation. The question is: are we just treading water, or pushing forward to something greater?

This week, we sit down with Christina Betancourt Johnson, CEO of Standard Wellness Maryland, to discuss:

• How even the best-laid plans evolve in cannabis.
• The balance between compliance, funding, and long-term growth.
• The mindset and strategies needed to thrive in an unpredictable industry.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Cannabis Journey

02:55 Transitioning into the Cannabis Industry

05:52 Navigating the Application Process

09:03 Understanding the Dichotomy of Cannabis Business

11:50 The Importance of Vertical Integration

15:11 Challenges of Operationalizing a Cannabis Business

18:01 Managing Stakeholder Expectations

20:49 Resilience and Adaptability in Cannabis

26:31 Navigating the Cannabis Landscape

30:49 Challenges of Social Equity in Cannabis

33:37 The Importance of Agility in Leadership

36:50 Engaging in the Legislative Process

39:42 Empowering Communities Through Education

43:54 Future Trends in the Cannabis Industry

48:09 Lessons from Experience

Guest Links

• https://www.standardwellness.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/standardwellnesscompany/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/standard-wellness-company/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinabjohnson/

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