#120 - Cannabis by the Numbers: Cy Scott, CEO of Headset on Rescheduling & 2026 Signals

New year, new signals—and cannabis is entering 2026 with policy momentum, consolidation heat, and a growing demand for real numbers (not vibes). In Episode 120 of High Spirits, hosts Ben Larson  & AnnaRae Grabstein sit down with Cy Scott, Co-Founder & CEO of Headset, to break down what 2025 actually told us—and what to watch as rescheduling moves forward and markets keep maturing.From New York’s explosive growth to the margin squeeze hitting legacy states like California and Michigan, Cy brings a data-driven lens to the questions operators and investors are asking right now: Where is growth still real? Why do prices keep falling in mature markets? And how could Schedule III reshape profitability, M&A, and investment appetite across the industry?What You’ll LearnThe biggest 2025 market storylines (and why New York is still “emerging”)What price compression is really doing to top-line sales and retailer survivalHow discounting impacts baskets, margins, and the downstream supply chainThe potential financial upside of rescheduling—especially via 280E reliefWhy cannabis retail data may be more reliable than traditional CPG measurementHow hemp beverages and mainstream retail exposure could reshape consumer adoptionMeet the GuestCy Scott is the Co-Founder & CEO of Headset, a leading cannabis retail data and analytics platform used by brands, retailers, and investors to understand market performance in real time. Before Headset, Cy co-founded Leafly, helping define early consumer discovery in legal cannabis—and he’s been building in the space since the industry’s earliest days.Why Tune In?Because 2026 won’t reward guesswork. If you’re making bets on growth, pricing, capital, or brand strategy this year, this episode helps you read the signals—and stay ahead of what rescheduling, consolidation, and consumer behavior are about to change.y0VRUCtHX8mBEyMyDDdbHave 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.