PODCAST · business
High Rise: Cannabis MSOs, Products & Market Analysis
by Headset, Inc.
A laid-back, data-backed discussion on the cannabis market with notable industry leaders.
Episodes
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E172: 420 2026 — Live! Inside the Data on Cannabis's Biggest Weekend
Live from 4/20/2026 — Cy Scott (Headset) and Emily Paxhia (Poseidon) break down the fully-closed 420 weekend (Fri 4/17 – Sun 4/19) across every connected US and Canadian market in the Headset sample. Plus the culture, the myths, and what Grok 4.20 has to do with any of this. The headline numbers...
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E171: Gelatinous Cubes, Texas Hemp, and the 4/20 Weekend Setup
Cy Scott and Emily Paxhia are back for a no-guest 4/20 special. They start in Alabama, where the state's first dispensary is set to open on May 4 with a menu that includes "gelatinous cubes" but no flower, no vapes, and no pre-rolls. From there, they move through Virginia's latest legalization...
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E170: The Army Wants Stoners Now — And Other Cannabis Contradictions
This week on The High-Rise: The US Army drops marijuana barriers for recruits while DHS deports people for possession — the federal hypocrisy is getting surreal. The White House schedules emergency CBD policy meetings, Ohio breweries go to war over hemp drinks, and Michigan’s new 24% tax is…
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E169: Vape Pens vs. Flower in California, Texas Hemp Ban & State Market Updates
Cy and Emily dive into the data showing vapor pens closing in on flower as the top cannabis category in California — with only a $5M gap in February 2026 sales. They explore the Gen Z consumer shift driving vape growth, then cover Texas banning smokeable hemp through new THCA testing rules...
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The $28 Billion Ban: Hemp's Last Stand | The High-Rise Ep. 168
The FDA just blew past a congressionally mandated deadline on hemp regulation — and a $28 billion industry is counting down to a November ban. Missouri is already passing state-level bans, while New York wants liquor stores selling cannabis drinks. Illinois posted its first-ever annual sales...
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E167 - Bluegrass Bud: Kentucky Medical Cannabis Arrives
The Bluegrass State is joining the green rush—but in true Kentucky fashion, they're doing it their own way. Join Emily Paxhia (Poseidon) and Cy Scott (Headset) as they break down Kentucky's cautious entry into medical cannabis, and what it means for operators, investors, and entrepreneurs. In…
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E166 - Headset Wrapped 2024 and Looking Ahead to Next Year
In this year-end edition of The High-Rise, Cy Scott (Headset) and Emily Paxhia (Poseidon) revisit their 2024 cannabis industry predictions to see where they hit the mark and where reality diverged from their forecasts. They delve into the growth (and growing pains) of key state…
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E165 - Making cannabis fun again!
Cy & Emily return fresh (or maybe not so fresh) from MJ BizCon in Las Vegas to dish on their 25-second meetup, cowboys everywhere, and what happens when you mix cannabis conference attendees with rodeo folks and AWS techies! 🤠 Plus: Green Wednesday numbers are in! Beverages went absolutely…
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E164 - Uber Eats weed burritos
If you have any information on a weed burrito, be sure to contact Washington Township NJ police department at 856-589-0330! In this conversation, Cy Scott and Emily Paxhia discuss the significance of Green Wednesday in the cannabis industry, particularly during the Thanksgiving holiday week. They...
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E163 - Hot Hemp
In this episode of The High Rise, Cy Scott and Emily Paxia discuss the latest developments in the cannabis industry, focusing on the implications of the Farm Bill and its potential revisions. They explore the impact of intoxicating 'hot hemp' products on the legal market and the ongoing…
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E162 - Welcome back to the High-Rise!
The High-Rise Episode 162: Welcome Back to the High-Rise! Join hosts Cy Scott (Headset) and Emily Paxhia (Poseidon) as they return to analyze October cannabis market data, discuss Q3 MSO earnings, and explore emerging industry trends. After a brief hiatus, The High Rise is back with data-driven...
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E161 - A Post-Earnings Verano Deep-dive with George Archos and Aaron Miles
Hey Headsetters, we're back with a new interview episode, this time with Verano's George Archos and Aaron Miles. We cover their wholesale strategy, a unique approach to loyalty and visions for the future. Listen closely and you might actually catch the date that Schedule 3 is scheduled to happen...
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E160 - 4/30 is the new 4/20! What we know about Schedule 3
In this conversation, Cy and Emily discuss the recent announcement by the DEA that they will recommend rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III. They explore the potential implications of this decision, including its impact on the capital markets, banking reform, and the ongoing Commerce Clause…
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E159 - Florida, man! Look out California, Florida is going to be THE market.
Watch out Florida Man, the new headline is going to be about the big numbers that Florida will be putting up in a post adult-use legalized cannabis world. Join Cy Scott (CEO of Headset) and Emily Paxia (Managing Partner of Poseidon) discuss the exciting news that adult-use cannabis legalization…
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E158 - The Commish!
The commish is cracking down in New York, bringing the full might of the OGS to the legal cannabis market. Emily Paxhia and Cy Scott take a laid-back data-backed look at all the latest headlines coming out of New York -- good and bad! New York Must Figure Out How to Fix Cannabis Mess, Hochul…
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E157 - What's Ahead for Cannabis in 2024
Okay, so it's been a little while but we are back (by popular demand)! The High-Rise returns with an all-new episode where we discuss what's coming for the show this year, and cover the stories we think we'll be talking a lot about during this upcoming year. New York City vs. Upstate, Ohio...
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E156 - ... And that's a wrap on 2023 folks!
We did it everyone, 2023 is done!! Well, for the High-Rise podcast anyway. On this episode, Emily and Cy wrap up the year with a podcast episode discussing the significant growth and trends in the cannabis industry throughout 2023 and a look back at what was discussed throughout the year from 75...
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E155 - Ohio cannabis officially legal, but... no sharing (maybe)?
In the latest High-Rise, Cy and Emily discuss the latest updates on cannabis legalization in New York and Ohio. They cover the settlement in New York and the approval of licenses for existing medical operators to transition into the adult-use market. They also discuss the disappointing progress…
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E154 - 2600%! Why we're (cautiously) excited about New York again
New York is (probably) back baby! So, in our latest episode, we dove into New York's cannabis scene – and let me tell you, it's been a wild ride. We kicked things off talking about how New York's retail footprint in cannabis exploded by 2600% - that's going from 1 to 27 stores, which is huge,...
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E153 - Green Wednesday (Live!) and New Vapor Pen Insights
Hey all, hope you had a great Thanksgiving! In this episode of the "High-Rise Podcast," co-hosts Cy and Emily delve into the intricacies of Green Wednesday in the cannabis industry as its happening, focusing on emerging trends, market comparisons, and the nuances of consumer behavior. They…
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E152 - Whole Day Units, Ohio Data and Green Wednesday
This episode explores 'whole day units' in Ohio's medical cannabis program and their impact on the market. Hosts Cy and Emily compare Ohio's cannabis regulations with other states, focusing on patient counts, dispensary numbers, and sales. They discuss Ohio's transition to legal adult cannabis…
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E151 - O(high)O legalization news and Q3 earnings wrap
Join Emily Paxhia and Cy Scott in the latest episode of High-Rise, where they unpack Ohio's surprising jump into legalizing adult-use cannabis. It's a big deal, not just for Ohioans, but also for the political chessboard. The conversation then takes a turn into the world of cannabis heavyweights,...
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E150: Cannabis Going Mainstream - Total Wine, Magnolia Bakery & Major Milestones
In this 150th episode of The High Rise podcast, hosts Cy Scott and Emily Paxhia celebrate milestones for the show and Cy's company Headset. Headset recently processed its 50 billionth dollar in cannabis point-of-sale data, equating to nearly 1 billion transactions. They also launched a free tool...
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E149: From Wheat to Weed: Commerce Clause and Cannabis
Join Emily and Cy as they host Darren Weiss, President of Verano as they discuss the genesis of the historic lawsuit filed against the federal government challenging cannabis prohibition under the Commerce Clause. The lawsuit argues that the federal government's current contradictory stance on...
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E148 - Going for a Doobie: Pre-Rolls Take Off in Canada
In this episode of the podcast, Cy and Emily dive into the latest pre-roll industry report from Headset. They discuss how pre-rolls are exploding in popularity, especially in Canada where they now make up a third of all cannabis sales. Cy compares Canada's love of pre-rolls to Ned Flanders'...
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E147-Missouri brands, Benzinga to Meadowlands, and September metrics
In this week's episode, Cy Scott and Emily Paxhia dive deep into the shifting dynamics of the cannabis market. They begin with a closer look at Missouri, where the top 5 local cannabis brands are emerging strong, now accounting for almost 30%. What's fueling this rise, and what does it signify…
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E146 - High-Rise Live at Benzinga Chicago 2023 with Kris Krane
We are live! Or, were live for that matter. Cannabis pioneer Kris Krane joins the High Rise at Benzinga in Chicago to reflect on his 25+ year career. He discusses pivotal moments like legalization in 2012 and his shift from advocacy to industry. Krane also provides an insider perspective on...
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E145 - Tipping Points: Cannabis Movement on Capitol Hill Finally…Maybe
This week, Cy and Emily dive deep into the transformative shifts in the cannabis industry. The much-anticipated SAFE Banking Act is finally approaching a Senate Committee vote, a monumental step in ensuring the industry's legitimacy. But the progress doesn't stop there! The Cannabis Users’...
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E144 - From Politics, to Crab Cakes, to Pot: Maryland's Evolving Cannabis Narrative
In this episode, Cy and Emily discuss the shifts in Maryland's cannabis scene. They reference a Brookings Institute study which highlights surprising support for cannabis in the state's November '22 election. Interestingly, even traditionally conservative regions in Maryland backed the move to...
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E143 - Let’s talk about August sales numbers—and not so much about cannabis schedule III news
On this episode of the High Rise Cy and Emily decide not to talk too much about the recent news of the U.S. government’s potential move to reschedule cannabis to a schedule III controlled substance. At this point there’s no need to pontificate amongst all of the speculation bouncing around the...
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E142 - Green Light or Red Tape? Ohio's Cannabis Vote
In this episode of High Rise, Cy and Emily delve into the unfolding narrative of Ohio's imminent cannabis ballot initiative. The hosts unpack the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol's journey to secure signatures, detailing the suspenseful race against time and the subsequent validation...
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E141 - Cannabis Brands and Their Thirst for Beer Ventures
On this episode of the High Rise Cy and Emily paint a vivid picture of how cannabis brands are quenching their thirst for beer ventures specifically, Tilray purchasing eight beverage brands from AB/InBev. The discussion explores the implications of this cross-industry relationship on the evolving...
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E140 - Exploring Leadership, Strategy, and Growth with John Hartmann, CEO of Ascend Wellness
Join Cy and Emily in an insightful conversation with John Hartmann, the new CEO of Ascend Wellness, as they delve into the dynamic world of leadership, strategy, and growth in the cannabis industry. The discussion takes a deep dive into Ascend Wellness's strategic operations. John shares unique...
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E139 - Jersey Strong? Social Equity, Curaleaf's Decisions, and Market Dynamics
Join Cy and Emily on The High Rise as they explore the dynamic landscape of New Jersey's cannabis program. In this episode, they begin by delving into the recent amendments made by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission, prioritizing cannabis licensing for social equity applicants for three months...
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E138 - C’mon Feel the Illinoise
In this episode of The High Rise, Cy and Emily provide a comprehensive look at the state of Illinois' cannabis program, exploring recent modifications to 55 new adult-use licenses. Tune in as they discuss the key changes in the licensing process, the use of a lottery system for selecting winners,...
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E137 - It’s time to talk about inflation — THC inflation
In this episode of The High Rise, Cy and Emily dive into the intriguing phenomenon of THC inflation in the cannabis industry. They begin by addressing Organigram's recent earnings call, where CEO Beena Goldenberg highlighted the issue of falsely labeled cannabis products with exaggerated THC...
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E136 - Hold my beer while I throw a ‘Z’ at the end of my product name to avoid trademark infringement
In this episode of The High Rise, we delve into the latest news in the cannabis industry regarding a trademark infringement case. Tune in as we discuss the case involving the popular marijuana strain Zkittlez, which recently faced legal pressure from confectioner Wrigley, the owner of the…
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E135 - Summer sales trends: Maryland’s first big weekend and a little 4th of July nuance
Join Cy and Emily as they uncover some of the buzz around Maryland's initial weekend of legal cannabis sales. Plus, get a nice little breakdown on 4th of July sales trends across the U.S. cannabis industry, delving into the evolving dynamics of cannabis consumption that occurs during this festive...
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E134 - Exploring Maryland's Big Launch: A Conversation with Mitch Trellis, Co-founder of Remedy
In this episode of The High Rise, Cy and Emily are joined by special guest Mitch Trellis, co-founder of Remedy, a leading retail chain in Maryland. Join them as they dive into an exciting discussion about Maryland's highly anticipated launch into adult-use recreational cannabis. Mitch provides...
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E133-Cannabis rescheduling is on the horizon, HERBL shuts down, and how to survive a shakeout
In this episode of The High Rise, Cy and Emily delve into the latest cannabis news and industry updates. They start by discussing the significant development that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is conducting an administrative review of cannabis scheduling, with plans to...
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E132 - Looks like medical marijuana has a sweet home in Alabama!
In this episode of The High Rise, Cy and Emily explore the exciting developments surrounding Alabama's upcoming medical marijuana program. Join them as they discuss the state's journey, from the signing of the program into law in 2021 to the preparations for the launch expected this year. Delve...
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E131 - A conversation with Jeffrey Schultz — how does NY cannabis evolve from here?
In this exciting episode of The High Rise, Cy and Emily bring their insights straight from New York City as they delve into the rapidly evolving cannabis market in the state. Joining them is special guest Jeffrey Schultz, an attorney and investor with extensive knowledge of the industry.…
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E130 - Emily goes to D.C. and gathers intel on the SAFE Banking Act hearings—there's still hope!
In this week's episode of The High Rise, Cy and Emily dive into the latest update on the SAFE Banking Act. Join them as they discuss the recent developments and insights gained from Emily's investigating the hearings in Washington D.C. Get an inside look at the progress and potential impact of…
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E129 - From the archives: Poolside Sessions with Representative Nancy Mace
In this special rerun episode, we're revisiting our conversation with US Representative Nancy Mace from South Carolina. Pulled from the archives, we sit down with Representative Mace to discuss The States Reform Act, a bill she introduced that seeks to remove cannabis as a Schedule I drug. We…
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E128 - Banking is so hot right now—what’s the latest with the SAFE Banking Act?
This week on The High Rise, we're discussing recent bank failures and closures and their potential impact on the SAFE Banking Act. As more states legalize cannabis, the need for secure banking solutions for cannabis businesses becomes increasingly pressing. Join Cy and Em for a timely discussion…
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E127 - The 4/20 no cap recap: what was different in 2023?
In this week's episode of The High Rise, we're covering 4/20, the unofficial holiday celebrated by cannabis enthusiasts worldwide. Join us as we examine the cultural phenomenon of 4/20 and its impact on the cannabis industry, including exclusive insights into sales numbers from Headset's Insights...
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E126 - Making sense of what Canadian LPs are doing lately—with special guest Andrew Carter from Stifel
In this week's episode of The High Rise, we're thrilled to welcome back Andrew Carter, Director and Consumer Analyst at Stifel. Andrew joins us to delve into the latest notable moves being made by Canadian cannabis LPs (Licensed Producers) and to provide his expert analysis on these developments....
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E125 - Get ready for another quarterly earnings power hour with Matt McGinley
In this week's episode of The High Rise, we're excited to welcome back Matt McGinley, a Managing Director at Needham & Company and a regular guest host on the show. With his wealth of cannabis industry analysis and financial knowledge, Matt joins Cy and Emily to dive into the latest earnings news...
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E124 - No more ‘gifting for weed’ in Washington D.C. and other interesting reforms
So the market for T-shirts, hats, paintings and even motivational speeches is going to get a lot smaller in Washington D.C. and for good reason! They are finally building out their ‘adult-use’ market. For a city known for its dysfunction, the news this week on the new law around DC shows some...
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E123 - Why is a coalition of cannabis companies about to sue New York State regulators?
It seems like with each new legal adult use recreational market that opens up, there’s usually some kind of litigation involved—and the state of New York is no exception. On this episode of the High Rise, Cy and Emily shed some light on some of the drama happening in NY and why several major...
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