FAQs

Who am I?

I have spent my entire professional career of 20 years in the business of cannabis. I am intricately involved in all levels of the supply chain from cultivation to retail. I spend every day makings deals, selling products, crafting collaborations and partnerships, and developing products, brands, promotions, and marketing strategies. Cannabis is my life and I love it. 

Why did I write this book?

To shed light on the business of cannabis from the inside. To clearly explain how the business works from seed to shelf and show you how to be successful in each area of the supply chain. Through my personal stories, deals, and experiences I reveal my principles and strategies that will allow you to build a cannabis kingdom of your own. 

What’s in the book?

I give a quick history of cannabis, discuss the anatomy of the amazing cannabis plant and the different ways to grow it. Then I talk about all the different product types in the modern dispensary and where opportunities lie. Next I lay out the playing field and supply chain followed by 12 winning business strategies for success and dozens of my personal deals, stories, and lessons from 20 years of wheeling and dealing. Then I detail how to be successful in each specific sector of the business: cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, retail, and even a testing lab. Then I get into taxes, the black market, proven selling strategies, and overall principles to follow for sustained success in the crazy world of cannabis. 

How can I help you?

My unique and extensive experience has given me a very clear understanding of the cannabis space. I see what is needed and not being offered. I know where the price points need to be. I can differentiate between a hot trend that will quickly fade away and a product or idea that is here to stay. I know how and where to effectively market and promote in this space as well as the best ways to offer brand support. I know what raw materials should cost, where to get them, and what to do with them to maximize your profit as well as visibility and sustainability. I know which business models win and why in a young, heavily taxed and regulated industry. I also have an extensive network covering all sectors of the business. Through my network, you have immediate access to any raw materials you may need in bulk, national distribution, and shelf space in the top retail storefronts, as well as countless collaboration opportunities that will provide your brand and products with invaluable marketing and visibility. If it sounds like I am a salesman, it’s because I am. But what I am not is a con artist. Everything I do is built on transparency, honesty, and building long-term, valuable relationships. My strategy is to provide win-win solutions and create deals and business models that ensure sustainable success for all involved. 

When is the best time to get into this budding business?

Now! It’s still very early. The rules have been laid out. Because cannabis is still not federally legal, the big boys have not joined the party yet. (Big tobacco, Big alcohol, Big food, and Big pharma). Make no mistake, they are planning and waiting and they will be swooping in as soon as they can. This unique situation offers you an opportunity to start your business and not have to compete with these gigantic, national and international organizations who can grow, distribute, and sell better and cheaper than we can. Get in now, build your business and when the big boys get involved, you can sell your business to them and go retire in the Bahamas or try to hold onto your market share and continue to service your clients and community and enjoy selling the best plant on Earth. Either way, the time to get in is now. 

Where do you start?

Start by going to several dispensaries in your area and seeing what products they sell. How they are packaged. What are the price points. Talk to the budtenders and ask questions. What are the best selling products? Why? Then figure out where you would be most successful. Cultivating, manufacturing, distributing, retail storefront, delivery, or a testing lab. Think about your skill set, experience, and network to help you figure out which area of the supply chain you would do best or maybe all of them! Then research the permit and licensing procedures in your area with the help of a lawyer. I also suggest reaching out to someone like myself for guidance to ensure you make the right moves at the right time, meet the right people, and avoid costly and potentially detrimental mistakes. 

What if you are already operating a business in the cannabis space?

My book will definitely help you. Helping cannabis businesses improve and adapt to rapidly changing conditions in order to succeed and build for long term growth is what I do. I show companies how to cut operational and manufacturing costs, create and execute marketing campaigns and promotions, develop new products and fine tune the brand messaging to ensure it resonates with the cannabis culture as a whole and their target market. Often times a brand will hit a wall and growth will stagnate. When this happens there are several things that need to be done in order to regain momentum. A few of these are to offer additional brand support for the retailers, deliver aggressive promotions accompanied by new product releases, and create fresh, new content for both your media platforms and your retail partner’s channels as well. Spicing up your in-store presence with new displays, signage, brochures, and/or video content is another effective way to get your brand’s mojo back. If your brand does hit a wall, embrace the challenge and use the opportunity to improve your business

Will cannabis ever be federally legal?

Absolutely. As of now, 36 states in the U.S. allow for either medical and/or recreational use of cannabis. There is massive scientific evidence proving the countless medical benefits of cannabis with life changing opportunities, treatments, and cures in the medical field. Furthermore, the states are raking in tax dollars from the various cannabis taxes. The federal government has a massive debt and is spending money faster than ever. They need the extra revenue and they can’t ignore the fact that the vast majority of the population is in favor of cannabis. Cannabis is proven to help our brave military with PTSD as well as assist addicts in effectively quitting Fentanol and other hard drugs thatare killing millions. Furthermore, the government is finally coming to terms with the detrimental effects of the completely ineffective and overtly racist “war on drugs.” In doing so they are releasing many individuals from prison who received unjust sentences for possession of marijuana and other non-violent drug offenses. This current social climate, the scientific communities’ support and research, the massive revenue that will be generated, and the thousands of jobs that will be created all but guarantee cannabis will be legal on a federal level in the near future. 

Am I available for consulting, training or speaking engagements?

Yes. I am always available to help you in your cannabis journey. You can reach me anytime at jared@cannabisquarterback.com.