PODCASTS
Cannabis Capital: The Podcast builds upon Ross O’Brien’s book Cannabis Capital: How To Get Your Business Funded in the Cannabis Economy where he asserts that cannabis is not an industry, but a global macro economy. The impact of legalization is not creating one industry, but multiple multifaceted and dynamic industries in their own right. In short, cannabis has reached every boardroom of every company in every sector.
On the podcast, we dig deeper into current finance, business, M&A and regulatory issues in the cannabis economy. We interview trailblazers and thought-leaders, leading investors and influencers. We dispel myths and elevate conversations in the cannabis economy.
Psychedelic Capital: Join us for in-depth interviews with leading investors, entrepreneurs, researchers, and policymakers, pioneering a new future and healthcare with your host, Ross O'Brien, founder of Venture Capital firm, Bonaventure Venture Equity, author and lifelong entrepreneur. As an early investor in this new frontier, it's Ross's goal to share with you the conversations that he's having on an ongoing basis with the thought leaders and pioneers at this defining moment. We are in the midst of a mental health crisis, and an addiction crisis. Pain is an epidemic, and for the first time, we now have the legal pathways to develop psychedelic science to bring a new paradigm in medicine to the patients who need it most. As we imagine this new future, Ross is inspired every day by these visionaries and excited and privileged to introduce them to you.
Cannabis Capital Podcast
S1:E24 Ed Permultter | Holland and Knight
Ross O'Brien from Bonaventure Equity, interviews Ed Perlmutter, a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives and a leading figure in the cannabis reform and regulation space. Perlmutter discusses the long journey to reforming banking regulations around cannabis, including the historic passage of the Safe Banking Act, which has faced numerous roadblocks in Congress. He highlights the importance of bipartisan support, the public safety and equity aspects of cannabis reform, and the challenges faced in navigating the Senate and the House of Representatives. Perlmutter also delves into the rescheduling of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III and the potential implications for taxation, research, and regulatory development in the industry, emphasizing the positive impact on business profitability and scientific understanding of the plant.
Psychedelic Capital Podcast
S1:E5 Michael Werner | Holland & Knight
Ross O'Brien from Bonaventure Equity interviews Michael Werner from Holland & Knight, discussing the regulatory landscape for psychedelics. Michael, a partner at the law firm, explains that while the FDA sees itself as a public health agency focused on ensuring safe and effective products, the DEA approaches controlled substances like psychedelics from a law enforcement perspective due to their potential dangers. He highlights that while many drugs, including psychedelics, have potential benefits, the FDA emphasizes the importance of rigorous clinical trials to establish their safety and efficacy, particularly in a landscape where recreational and unregulated use is also prevalent.
Cannabis Capital Podcast
S1:E22 Steve Ham of Altmore Capital
Ross O'Brien from Bonaventure Equity, welcomes listeners to another episode of the Cannabis Capital podcast and introduces his guest, Steve Ham, founder of Altmore Capital. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the cannabis industry, including the importance of strong management teams and the emergence of successful brands. They also touch on the complexities of regulatory compliance and the potential for future changes in the industry.
Cannabis Capital Podcast
S1:E21 Jeremy Berke of Cultivated News
Ross O'Brien from Bonaventure Equity welcomes Jeremy Burke, a leading thinker and journalist in the cannabis industry. Jeremy discusses his new venture, Cultivated News, a B2B newsletter providing insights on the cannabis industry for professionals. They also delve into the public health risks associated with the illicit cannabis market and the need for effective regulation in the industry.
Psychedelic Capital Podcast
S1:E4 Unleashing the Power of Psychedelics
Exploring the Potential of Psychedelics and Natural Compounds Dick Simon, the founder of Sensorium Therapeutics, discusses his journey and motivation in the field of psychedelics. Inspired by a friend's success with psychedelics in treating mental health issues, Dick embarked on a mission to advance research and de-stigmatization. He he joins Ross O'Brien from Bonaventure Equity to talk about co-founding Sensorium to create novel pharmaceuticals using a comprehensive database of psychoactive plants and fungi, leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning for drug discovery. The company aims to have a significant impact in mental health and provide alternative treatment options for those who may not benefit from traditional psychedelics therapies.
Psychedelic Capital Podcast
S1:E3 Cliché Busting: Navigating the Legal Challenges of the Cannabis and Psychedelic Industries
Jennifer Fisher and Bill Growney, two partners at Goodwin Proctor, a law firm specializing in the cannabis industry join Ross O'Brien from Bonaventure Equity to talk about their practice and their work advising companies in the cannabis and psychedelic spaces. The conversation covers topics such as regulatory compliance, legal challenges, and unique challenges faced by emerging companies in these industries.
Psychedelic Capital Podcast
S1:E2 Exploring the Future of Psychedelic Medicine: An Entrepreneur's Journey with Greg McKee
In this episode host Ross O'Brien from Bonaventure Equity interviews Greg McKee, the founder and CEO of Journey Life Sciences and a managing partner at Bonaventure Equity. O'Brien and McKee discuss the emerging world of psychedelics and venture capital, and the need for new paradigms of medicine to address the mental health, addiction, and pain epidemics. They talk about entrepreneurship and the importance of testing the market demand for new ideas, especially in the context of psychedelics as potential therapeutics. McKee shares his background in finance and drug development, and how he came to be interested in psychedelics. The episode concludes with a discussion of Journey's mission and how the company is working to bring psychedelic therapies to market.
Psychedelic Capital Podcast
S1:E1 Nick Norris
U.S. Navy SEAL veteran, entrepreneur, and founder of Protekt Products Nick Norris joins Ross O'Brien from Bonaventure Equity to explain how psychedelic therapy helped him reignite his passions, restore his connection with his family, and give him a second chance at appreciating life. He explains how Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS) helps U.S. military veterans seeking psychedelic-assisted therapies for traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, and other health conditions.
Cannabis Capital Podcast
S1:E20 Alleh Lindquist, CEO of FloraWorks
Discussing the Challenges of Hemp-Derived Cannabinoids and Entrepreneurship
Cannabis Capital Podcast
S1:E19, Encore Episode Caitlyn Krebs, Co-Founder & CEO, Nalu Bio
Learning from nature, delivering through chemistry.
Cannabis Capital Podcast
S1:E18 Encore Episode, TJ Stouder, Co-Founder & CEO, HoliSTIK Wellness and MyHi
In this episode, TJ joins Ross and Maggie to explain why the opportunities for cannabis beverages are so great and advises aspiring cannabis entrepreneurs to adhere to business basics and not fall victim to the "green-rush" hype.
Cannabis Capital Podcast
S1:E17 Brianna Kilcullen, CEO of Anact
While transitioning from a career as a sustainability expert for large corporations, Brianna Kilcullen identified a need for a better towel. Realizing that hemp fiber is more durable, more absorbent and more odor resistant than cotton she founded Anact to create a hemp towel. She joins Ross O'Brien and Maggie Kelly from Bonaventure Equity. to talk about why it is important to design products to be reused and why we should stop purchasing products that are designed to be discarded.
Cannabis Capital Podcast
S1:E15 Holly Bell, Cannabis Director, Florida Department of Agriculture
"The cannabis industry is its own best friend and worst enemy".
Cannabis Capital Podcast
S1:E14 Eleanor Kuntz, Co-founder & CEO, LeafWorks
“Cannabis agronomy and science is not up to pace with market needs or demands.”
Cannabis Capital Podcast
S1:E13 Peichen Chang, Co-Founder & CEO, tCheck
In the premiere episode, Peichen reveals some very blunt truths from the cannabis economy, "Entrepreneurship is hard, entrepreneurship in the cannabis industry is even harder, you better be ready". Any entrepreneur will benefit from his advice.
Cannabis Capital Podcast
S1:E12 Rachael Rapinoe, Co-founder & CEO, Mendi
“Greatness is slow-cooked.”
Cannabis Capital Podcast
S1:E11 Andrew DeAngelo,
Cannabis Industry Consultant & Strategy Advisor,
The Last Prisoner Project
"40,000 people are in prison for doing the same thing that we are doing every day".
Cannabis Capital Podcast
S1:10 Ross O’Brien & Maggie Kelly, How We VC
"We are in the service of entrepreneurship." In this episode of Cannabis Capital: The Podcast, hosts, Ross O'Brien and Maggie Kelly take a pause to discuss Ross's recent journal article, "How We VC," and publicly share their firm, Bonaventure Equity's, views on venture capital and the 10 core foundations to which their firm adheres.
Cannabis Capital Podcast
S1:E9 Jeremy Berke, Senior Reporter, Business Insider
"No one knows what will happen in the next five years."
Cannabis Capital Podcast
S1:E8 Tyler Beuerlein, Chief Business Development Officer, Hypur Inc.
“Compliance, it's the business that everyone in cannabis is in, whether they know it or not.”
Cannabis Capital Podcast
S1:E6 & S1:E7 EduPod Series, Raising Capital, PT 1 & 2
If you ever found yourself googling “how to raise capital” or “what is EBIDTA,” these episodes are for you.
In the EduPod Series, Ross and Maggie take a deeper dive into the business and finance fundamentals discussed in their weekly interviews.
Cannabis Capital Podcast
EP4: Mike Sanchez, Founder & President, Emergent Layer
In this episode, Mike joins Ross and Maggie to discuss the relevance and importance of developing a PR strategy at the beginning stages of your startup.
Raising Cannabis Capital: Episode 288
Ross and Dan discuss how Covid-19 has changed the cannabis investing landscape. Ross shares valuable insight for companies that are wrestling with less than ideal options in order to survive and potentially thrive.
Raising Cannabis Capital: Episode 247
Ross joins Dan to talk about the Challenges of 2020 and What to Expect in 2021
Raising Cannabis Capital: Episode 208
Ross and Dan discuss opportunities and navigating the waters of cannabis investing.
Fried on Weed: Veritas Farms & Cannabis Capital
Taking the Stigma Off The Table: Investing in Cannabis
Family office & cannabis investing? In this segment of Fried on Weed, Jim Fried connects with Bonaventure Equity Founder and Managing Partner, Ross O’Brien, to discuss the outlook for 2020 and market trends.
Fried on Weed: The Cannabis Economy with Ross O’Brien and Host, Jim Fried
Jim talks with guest Ross O’Brien about the Cannabis Economy and discusses the impact it is having in the US and across the world.
