86. Weedmaps' Big Pivot, with Chris Beals

This week Alex and Donny get on the phone with Weedmaps CEO Chris Beals. Known as Yelp for cannabis, Weedmaps is one of the most visible, powerful, and controversial organizations in the game. Beals discusses his company’s origin as an online community for MED users, its expansion into a full-fledged tech company and its evolving relationship with the traditional market. Also, the hosts argue politely about the business of cannabis worship. And Alex reads a mysteriously insightful Tweet.Follow Weedmaps on Twitter.Read past WeedWeek guest Amanda Chicago Lewis’s in-depth look at Weedmaps, published earlier this year by Wired.  https://www.wired.com/story/weedmaps-grip-california-legal-pot-market/Revisit episodes featuring a Christian cannabis advocate and the interview inspiration for that mysteriously insightful Tweet.https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/weedweek/e/61298752https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/weedweek/e/65737036?autoplay=trueNominate your favorite brands for the Weedy Awards, coming in February.https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/weedysSign up for WeedWeek’s three free newsletters. They’re the best way to keep up with the Green Rush. www.weedweek.net/newsletter Email us your comments, questions or suggestions at [email protected] us on Twitter and Instagram:twitter.com/weedweeknewstwitter.com/alexhalperintwitter.com/donnyshellinstagram.com/weedweeknews