The Brand that Pioneered Functional Cannab*s | Peter Barsoom, 1906

On this episode, we’re joined by Peter Barsoom, the Co-Founder & CEO of 1906, the fast-acting, function-first cannabis brand that has defied the odds to become a leader in the space.A former Wall Street exec turned plant-medicine operator, Peter breaks down how 1906 customized their rapid onset tech, why they started with pressed pills and how naming SKUs by effect helped create an entirely new lane in cannabis.Peter takes us inside 1906’s R&D playbook, the terpenes and edibles myth, and best-selling SKUs.We also dive into what’s broken in the dispensary experience, where hemp-derived products are headed, and how 1906 became the largest importer of kanna in North America.—---------------Episode Highlights:💊 Why pressed pills came first🧪 Rapid onset tech: platform basics, patents, and real-world onset times🧉 Edibles & terpenes: A myth🔬 How 1906 validates efficacy🏆 Best-selling SKUs🤝 State-by-state expansion🎨 Brand identity, clear effect naming, and packaging strategy🛍️ What’s broken in dispensary CX🌿 The hemp landscape🥂 Off Duty: a flavorless, sugar-free “add to anything” beverage in your pocket🌺 Kanna👥 The 1906 team—---------------Table of Contents: 00:52:17 - 1906 intro and origin story 03:57:07 - The early days of product development 07:53:09 - Rapid onset tech, patents 10:39:01 - Edibles and terpenes, it’s a “myth” 12:10:28 - How the rapid onset tech works 14:00:00 - How 1906 decided what SKUs (effects) to launch with first 15:35:03 - Validating the efficacy of a product in development 19:24:12 - Best selling SKUs 21:03:21 - Building strong, state-by-state partnerships 25:28:25 - Brand identity, messaging, packaging design 29:05:07 - Succeeding where others have failed 34:23:25 - The flaws of the dispensary customer experience 37:01:22 - Where hemp is heading 41:50:27 - Off Duty, the new new 45:47:23 - 1906 is the largest importer of Kanna in N.A. 46:49:16 - The 1906 team—---------------Links:1906 – https://1906.shop/Follow Peter on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/pbarsoom/ Follow me on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-martin-steinberg/ For help with CPG production design - packaging and label design, product renders, POS assets, retail media assets, quick-turn sales and marketing assets and all the other work that bogs down creative teams - check out KitPrint.Shout out to my friends over at Glimpse, the go-to partner for automating retail-related back-office operations and unlocking margin trapped in invalid fees and manual processes.Are you in the market for a new flexible packaging partner? Check out HD Packaging. Third-generation, family-owned and built for the needs of category leaders like Newman’s Own and A Dozen Cousins. Faster launches, lower costs, and no artwork fees.