(PART 1) Inside SC Labs: Lessons from a Cannabis CEO Who Sold and Returned

(PART 1) Scaling Smart in Cannabis: The Story of SC LabsWhat does it take to build, scale, and position a business for long-term success in a highly regulated industry? In this episode of Max Value, host Ben Towne sits down with Jeff Gray, the once-and-future CEO of SC Labs, one of the first cannabis testing laboratories in California.Jeff shares how growing up in Santa Cruz led him to co-found SC Labs, the early challenges of legitimizing cannabis testing, and how his company helped shape modern standards for consumer safety and transparency. He also dives into the complex process of scaling across states, working through the shifting regulatory landscape, and finding the right investment partners — all while balancing life and leadership.If you advise business owners or work in valuation, M&A, or strategy, this conversation is full of lessons on exit readiness, scaling models, investor alignment, and leadership resilience.