Cannabis Unlocked

In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Jill Ellsworth (Founder of Willow Industries) joins Jordan Youkilis (Founding Partner at KEY Investment Partners) to dive into the critical issues of cannabis safety, regulatory challenges and the importance of product safety. The conversation kicks off with Jill's transition from running a Juice business to cannabis, highlighting her pioneering efforts in cannabis decontamination with Willow Industries. Jill shares insights on consumer misconceptions regarding cannabis safety and the rigorous testing it undergoes. The discussion then explores the evolution of safety measures from reactive to proactive strategies across the industry and the implications of disjointed state regulations and the potential for federal oversight in the future. The episode wraps up with a look at Willow's latest innovation, Willow Air, which tackles air contamination in cultivation facilities. Please enjoy!

In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Kelly Coyne (Partner at D4 Investments) sits down with Jordan Youkilis (Founding Partner at KEY Investment Partners) to discuss the current state of cannabis investing, opportunities for growth, and the shift in buyer demographics being seen nationwide. The conversation begins with a dive into Kelly's background, her path towards D4 Investments, an overview of D4 investments investing strategies and their investment in Talarya. From there, Kelly talks through D4’s experience merging distressed assets to create a stronger business and how that experience lends itself to success in the battered cannabis industry. The talk continues with Kelly and Jordans perspectives around cannabis brands, their successes and how they represent a strong growth path for the cannabis industry. This episode concludes with an overview of the demographics of cannabis buyers and how the buyer persona of a “cannabis user” is changing. Please enjoy!

In this episode we welcome back Dave Nuendorfer, CEO of Open Book Extracts, a cannabinoid ingredients, formulations and finished goods manufacturing company and KEY portfolio company. Dave has spent the better part of the past decade in cannabis and recently celebrated 5-years at Open Book. We discuss the history of Open Book, the growth and trends of the cannabis industry and the rise of the hemp derived cannabinoid industry. Stay tuned for some exciting news and developments as Open Book takes cannabis into the future! Enjoy!

In this episode, we welcome back an old friend of KEY, David Culver,who recently headed up Canopy Growths Global Government Relations. David Culver is now at the US Cannabis Council (USCC) as Senior Vice President of Public Affairs. David is arguably one of the most plugged-in regulatory experts in Washington D.C. and in this episode we discuss what is the USCC, and then we move over to the regulatory topics: SAFE Banking and Re-Scheduling. Stay tuned as we have some exciting regulatory developments and predictions to share!

In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Scott Jordan (Founder of Alternative Finance Network) sits down with Jordan Youkilis (Founding Partner at KEY Investment Partners) to talk through cannabisreschedulings impact on access to capital, credit card processing and even back taxes. The conversation begins with Scott’s thoughts on cannabis rescheduling, 280E and the implication for 280E in the event of rescheduling. From there, Scott dives into the role his company, Alternative Finance Network provides the cannabis space and how it helps cannabis operators connect with lenders and money sources. The talk continues with Jordan and Scott's thoughts on how credit card processing and access to capital or debt would change if rescheduling was to occur. This episode concludes with Scotts perspectives on how retroactive 280E taxes will be managed once rescheduling happens. Please enjoy!

In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Guillermo Rodriguez CPA, FPAC (Virtual CFO with Summit Virtual CFO by Anders) sits down with Jordan Youkilis (Founding Partner at KEY Investment Partners) to discuss the hurdles of cannabis taxation as well as the present and future implications of 280E. The conversation begins with Guillermo’s background in corporate accounting and his journey into the cannabis space. From there, Guillermo talks through his process of learning the cannabis space, his networking efforts, and how he identified the need for better financial practices in the cannabis industry. The talk continues with Guillermo’s thoughts on the current 280E taxation issue currently faced by all cannabis operators and what could shift for operators with impending legislative changes. This episode concludes with thoughts on what operators should do regarding outstanding 280E taxes prior to any major legislative shifts. Please enjoy!

In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Katie Neer Esq. (Of Counsel at Dickinson & Avella) sits down with Jordan Youkilis (Founding Partner at KEY Investment Partners) to discuss the New York cannabis market and the opportunity it holds for those willing to navigate its complex regulatory structure. The conversation begins with Katie’s journey into the cannabis industry through government relations efforts for Acreage Holdings and later as counsel for a cannabis delivery service, Lantern. From there, Katie and Jordan dive into the nuanced complexities of transitioning an existing industry into a regulated industry. From 280E taxation to banking limitations and access to capital, Katie speaks to the seemingly never ending hurdles the industry regularly overcomes. The talk continues with an in depth review of New York’s efforts to legalize and roll out adult use cannabis. This episode concludes with Katie explaining the current state of New York's cannabis licenses and next steps residents can expect for dispensaries opening. Please enjoy!

In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Mara Sheldon (Principal at Squire Patton Boggs) sits down with Tiby Erdely (Founding Partner at KEY Investment Partners) to discuss the recent U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommendation to the Department of Justice to reschedule cannabis from a Schedule 1 drug to Schedule 3. The conversation begins with Mara’s thoughts on HHS’ recommendation and what rescheduling could mean for the cannabis industry.

From there, the conversation shifts to the positive and negative implications of a schedule 3 reclassification and the political pressure this recommendation creates. Please enjoy!

In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Jeff Samuels (President of Frontier Risk Group) sits down with Jordan Youkilis (Founding Partner at KEY Investment Partners) to discuss the intricacies of cannabis insurance and its importance in such a rapidly expanding industry. This conversation begins with an overview of Jeff's background in insurance and how this led up to his involvement in the cannabis space. From there, Jeff talks Jordan through the role and value insurance plays in the highly regulated and highly volatile cannabis industry. The talk continues with an overview of the main factors considered when insuring cannabis businesses and how that affects the premiums these businesses pay. This episode concludes with Jeff’s thoughts on the impact cannabis has on creativity and its importance to culture. Please enjoy!

In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Jan Hardorp (Founding Partner at re.Mind Capital) sits down with Jordan Youkilis (Founding Partner at KEY Investment Partners) to discuss the mental health crisis, the rise of psychedelic assisted therapies and the opportunities within this new wave of medicine. The conversation begins with a look into Jan’s background, the founding of his fund re.Mind Capital, and an overview of re.Mind’s focus on solving mental and neurological health issues. From there, Jan and Jordan dive into the realities of the growing mental health crisis and how society can overcome this rise. The talk continues with the impact psychedelics can have on mental health, the importance of creating a measuring system to monitor mental health, and what the psychedelic regulatory landscape looks like globally. This episode concludes with Jan’s recommendation for those that are interested in learning more about administering psychedelic therapies. 

Please enjoy!