Cocktail Whisperer
Nationwide demand for legal cannabis has driven market momentum to an all-time high in recent years. Despite restrictive licensing and operating regulations, new cannabis products and brands have proliferated in the market, creating a hyper-competitive retail environment for consumer-facing cannabis businesses.
Warren Bobrow=WB: Please tell me about yourself.
Annie Holman=AH: I was born the day Martin Luther King JR. gave his “I have a Dream Speech” – smack in the middle of it. I am from the Maine and have been in CA for 38 years. I believe the universe is bigger than me, but not by much. I’m a mother of an adopted daughter, and a wife to a Sonoma County winemaker. I understand the art of the apology.
I’m a storyteller and claim the attention of the room.
Responses from Ana Hory, CEO, Chil (www.chil.com)
Warren Bobrow=WB: Please tell of your path to the plant? Why did you take it in the first place? Are you a Scientist? Alchemist? Both?
Ana Hory=AH: As a resident of California, I have had the fortune of taking cannabis medicinally for aches, pains, and relaxation for many years. A few years ago, when the industry was beginning to move from medical to recreational (in California), I thought, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to combine my passion for cannabis with my consumer product development knowledge to help others appreciate and benefit from it as well. My desire was to come up with unique, effective innovative products people could enjoy.
Let’s Talk About Cannabis!
Warren Bobrow=WB: Why cannabis? What brought you to the plant? When did you first discover it? For what purpose?
Warren Bobrow=WB: Please tell me about yourself. Why cannabis? When did you discover the plant? How old were you?
Jason Harley=JH: I was 11 years old when I discovered the plant. Growing up I was always a bit hyper and hard a hard time focusing, it was the only thing that would help me stay neutral. It helped slow down my mind, and actually be able to concentrate and focus. It is one of the reasons I became a chef, I was able to do 15 things at once without burning the cookies. I even feel that smoking while I cook helps me be a better chef.
Peter Barsoom, Co-Founder and CEO of 1906, believes that cannabis is a crucial part self-care, and that it has been kept from the mainstream public for far too long. He’s on a mission to create products that are approachable by everyone and has brought innovations like fast onset time and the inclusion of other plant medicines to deliver experiences that support self-care routines. From the story behind the brand to his quest to find an alternative to prescription drugs, I asked Peter five questions about the company and its newest line of products. 1906 has an ambitious expansion plan, with new states coming online this year. The company closed $18 million in a capital raise last year that will fund the expansion as well as continued innovation and R&D.
Warren Bobrow: Recently, I spoke with Nick Tennant, Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Precision Extraction Solutions about the importance of extraction technology and how his company keeps its competitive edge in the rapidly changing cannabis industry. We discussed how companies are constantly finding ways to innovate their products and his long-term outlook on the market. Here’s what I learned from our conversation.
Up until a few months ago, the cannabis industry was primarily fueled by brick-and-mortar retail sales. Although relying on physical foot traffic was arguably not the most modern approach to drive sales, retailers and brands were often encumbered by strict delivery or online marketing regulations and needed physical storefronts to educate customers about their products and services. These industry idiosyncrasies were upended nearly overnight when COVID-19 forced dispensaries across the country to move their operations online. By now, most retailers have successfully transitioned to e-commerce platforms and are embracing new tech-driven solutions to engage with potential customers. By forcing retailers and brands to move online, the pandemic has fortuitously pressured the industry to face key obstacles to growth head-on and find inventive ways to boost sales.
Warren Bobrow=WB: Please tell me about your company. What makes Select so valid in a marketplace filled with worthy contenders? What brought you to the cannabis business? What did you do originally?
WB: Please tell me who you are? Where you are from, and where you are now? What is your favorite part of working with the plant?