#087 - From Hedge Funds to Hash: Inside Cannabis IR with Jesse Redmond

Jesse Redmond, Head of Investor Relations and Business Development at Leaf Brands, brings his unique perspective as a former Wall Street investor and cannabis dispensary owner to discuss the challenging landscape of public cannabis companies. His insights reveal why certain companies are weathering the storm better than others and how innovative strategies like Bitcoin treasury reserves and strategic farm investments are positioning some for future growth despite industry headwinds.• Cannabis public markets have experienced a brutal 95% decline since February 2021, creating unprecedented challenges for companies and investors• Successful cannabis companies focus on operational excellence rather than regulation-dependent growth strategies• Leaf Brands is developing a 187-acre cannabis farm expected to dramatically reduce production costs from $20-40/lb to approximately $10/lb• First cannabis company to implement a Bitcoin treasury strategy to strengthen their balance sheet against dollar devaluation• The high cost of maintaining public company status ($80-100K monthly) is driving some cannabis companies to consider going private• State-by-state regulatory changes create complex strategic decisions, particularly around hemp/THCA cultivation versus traditional cannabis• Personal connection to cannabis's medical benefits keeps many professionals committed despite financial challenges• Investors should be selective rather than taking a "buy the basket" approach, focusing on companies with strong balance sheets and clear growth catalystsIf you enjoyed this episode, please drop us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Until next time, stay curious, stay informed, and keep your spirits high.Have a question for us? Send us a text. We may answer it in the next show!--High Spirits is brought to you by Vertosa and Wolf Meyer.Your hosts are Ben Larson and AnnaRae Grabstein.Follow High Spirits on LinkedIn. We'd love to hear your thoughts. Who would you like to see on the show? What topics would you like to have us cover? Visit our website www.highspiritspod.com and listen to all of our past shows.THANK YOU to our audience. Your engagement encourages us to keep bringing you these thought-provoking conversations. Remember to always stay curious, stay informed, and most importantly, keep your spirits high.