Lucas Bean

CEO @ Social Proof | Leader, Ai, Adtech, Analytics, AiO, Fintech, Games, Entertainment, Web3, Creator Economy | ex Atari, Sony, Experian, Deloitte | User Acquisition Expert | speaker, advisor, ENTP

I’m a seasoned tech executive with deep entrepreneurial experience ready to help you build, scale and win.

I'm top 3 globally in:
• User acquisition
• Retention
• Community building
• UX optimization

20+ years in marketing, data science and product leadership
Author of Community Market Fit - Published April 2025 
Ex-Atari, Sony Pictures, Experian, Deloitte
Founder, CEO, GM, CMO, COO, SVP of Marketing & Ops

I specialize in scaling businesses fast through:
• User acquisition & retention strategy
• Data-driven marketing
• Product development
• P&L management
• Advanced automation
• Consumer experience design
• Growth operations

Proven wins:
✔️ Helped raise over $50M in venture capital
✔️ Built & exited a solo venture at $500K+/year
✔️ Took an adtech company public (founded in 2008, IPO in 2017)
✔️ Executive roles at 3 companies that exited for $1.4B+ combined

Marketing expertise:
• Copywriting
• SEO
• Email marketing
• Content creation
• Influencer strategy
• Video & display ads
• Marketing automation
• Flywheel effects
• Full-stack paid media (desktop/mobile)

Industry experience:
Fintech, Adtech, Gaming, Entertainment, Dating, Web3, Creator Economy, Social E-commerce

Leadership style:
I’ve built scrappy teams from scratch and turned underperforming teams into high-output machines.

I believe complex systems can be distilled into simple, marketable messages that resonate deeply with customers, fans, and stakeholders.

Now? I’m focused on helping others build fast, scale smart and stand out.
Open to clients, partnerships, and strategic opportunities.

GM & Head of Product 

Strategic Consulting to startups, founders, executive management of fortune 1,000 companies. Providing expert advice and execution on Web3, NFT, Operations, General Management, digital marketing efforts, Web3 onboarding, core operational issues, Data Analysis, Strategy, P&L Management, Product Development, Product Innovation, User Experience, User Acquisition & Retention. 

I help turn new and existing businesses into finely tuned digital powerhouses by auditing current 
 internal processes. I then use analytics, acquisition, retention, mentoring & media management to determine KPI's and hyper improve performance metrics with precise strategic tactics. 

Channels Leveraged: Analytics, Influence Marketing, Community Building, Social, Display, Search Paid + Natural, email, mobile.

Current Business fields of expertise (no one is an expert, always learning):
NFTs
Web3 (P2E Gaming, Metaverse etc.)
Gaming and esports 
Mobile Gaming
Fintech
Influence Marketing
e-commerce (social selling)
Entertainment 
Mobile Apps
Digital Products
Digital & IRL Events

Increase your luck surface area by showing up

90% of success is literally just showing up.

So create your own luck 

How many:

days
weeks
months
decades

were they showing up consistently? 

They showed up everyday and you call it luck?

It only takes that one time to land an opportunity of a lifetime or to miss it. 

Be consistent.


Follow me Lucas Bean for more

Lucas Bean 

20 years Marketing, Data Science & Product Executive | Author of Community Market Fit | ex Atari, Sony, Experian, Deloitte | User Acquisition & Retention Expert | consultant, speaker, advisor, Ai Automation Expert

How to practice extreme ownership:
(and say sorry less often) 

People say 'sorry' way too much in life

The value of a sorry means nothing now

You know what does have value? Owning it 


I used to say sorry for everything.

Even when it wasn't my fault:

↳ I'm sorry you have to get up
↳ I'm sorry you didn't like your choice
↳ I'm sorry you have to restart your computer 


 🚩 Over-apologizing hurts our credibility.

Here's how high performers handle apologies and maintain respect:

Asking Questions
❌ Sorry if this is stupid
✅ I'd like some clarity on...

Can't Attend
❌ Sorry I can't make it
✅ I have a previous commitment 

Making Requests
❌ Sorry to bother you
✅ When you have a moment...

Setting Boundaries
❌ Sorry, but I need...
✅ Here's what works for me

Running Late
❌ Sorry I'm late
✅ Thanks for your patience

Small Mistakes
❌ Sorry about that
✅ I'll fix this right away

Following Up
❌ Sorry to bug you
✅ I'm following up on our discussion

During meetings
❌ Sorry to interrupt
✅ I have something to add

Asking for Feedback
❌ Sorry if I did this wrong
✅ I'd like your feedback on this

Getting Feedback
❌ Sorry I messed up
✅ Thanks for the feedback

Getting Attention
❌ Sorry for talking so much
✅ Thank you for listening

Missing A Deadlines (don't miss deadlines is easier) 
❌ Sorry for the delay
✅ I appreciate your flexibility


Save "sorry" only when its truly needed. 

Your words have meaning. 
Your words shape how you are perceived 
Choose your words wisely.
_____

P.S. Which phrase would help you grow your career?

♻️ Repost to help your network elevate their performance!

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No alternative text description for this image

I’ve learned not to hold people hostage 
to who they used to be.

We all carry outdated versions of ourselves: 

mistakes we’ve made
ignorance we’ve acted on 
pain caused before we knew better 

I’ve seen how one bad chapters can become someone’s whole story in the eyes of others 

But people grow
They stumble
They learn 

They often try to make things right. 

We all have regrets
but that doesn’t mean we can’t begin again.
I’ve watched friends become softer,
more grounded. 

Change isn’t always dramatic
it’s often slow and quiet. 


But it’s real. 


When we dismiss someone for who they were
we miss who they’ve worked to become.

No one should be forever judged
by a version they’ve outgrown.

If we offer ourselves grace
we should offer it to others too.

in 2026 let's all try to do a better job at this. 

♻️ Share this with someone who inspires you 
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10 things to ask in your next Job Interview,
(And what NOT say):

Interviews are like any first meetings,
Awkward and uncomfortable.

They only give you 60 minutes to:

✅ See if you’re a fit.
✅ Sell your strengths.
✅ Show your enthusiasm.

To do your research is to be prepared
Practice what you'll say and how you'll say it

Avoid saying these 10 things:
(And what to say instead)

1/ "I don't have any questions."
↳ Why: Shows zero preparation or interest
↳ Instead: Ask specific questions about the team's current projects or culture

2/ "I’ll take any job right now."
↳ Why: Signals desperation, kills your negotiating power
↳ Instead: Highlight skills that match specific role

3/ "I don't like taking direction."
↳ Why: Makes you seem un-coachable
↳ Instead: Share how you've grown from feedback

4/ "I don’t have any weaknesses."
↳ Why: Sounds unrealistic and arrogant
↳ Instead: Share a real weakness and how you're improving

5/ "I hate my current boss."
↳ Why: Raises red flags about professionalism
↳ Instead: Focus on your career growth goals

6/ "I'll figure it out as I go."
↳ Why: Suggests you don’t prepare
↳ Instead: Emphasize your (proven) ability to learn quickly

7/ "This is a stepping stone for me."
↳ Why: Companies don't want to invest in short-term employees
↳ Instead: Share your interest in growing with the company

8/ "What's your work-from-home policy?" (too early)
↳ Why: Makes work flexibility seem like your top priority
↳ Instead: First discuss role, fit and get them interested

9/ "What time do people leave?"
↳ Why: Implies you're just watching the clock
↳ Instead: Ask about daily workflows and responsibilities

10/ "I don't handle stress well."
↳ Why: Suggests you'll crack under pressure
↳ Instead: Describe how you organize work to manage deadlines

Remember:
Be Prepared and be positive, they go a long way.


P.S. What's your #1 interview tip? 👇



♻  Repost toinspire your network 
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This is why most people quit.

When
it takes
more work
than we thought
it would.

It’s way easier to:

- quit
- make excuses
- get discouraged
- go watch Netflix
- grab a bottle of booze
- go and smoke weed and zone out 


Instead, set yourself up to win by:

- setting time blocks
- setting expectations
- setting up exact tactics
- setting up a realistic timeline


Our aspirations are always greater
then the reality of how much work it is.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 > 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Don’t let 2025 get away from you 


share this to help others in your community 
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We miss you Mr. Obama

Be brave enough to suck at something new 


Scared to:

→ write that article 
→ publish that video
→ post that comment 
→ send that DM to someone
→ Just do it and figure it out later


Your goals should be that of action:

→ have a sense of urgency
→ take action instead of overthinking
→ Focus on the future, not on the past 
→ plan 20% and execute 80% of the time

A ship does not sail on yesterday's wind. 

________________________________

♻️ share to help others take the leap

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10 Signs You're Emotionally Intelligent:
(and you might not know it)

First how do you define emotional intelligence?

Emotional Intelligence is the ability to recognize, 
understand and manage emotions in yourself and others.


The pros: 
These powerful skills help you bring out the best
in both yourself and others.


The cons:
They can leave you feeling drained and exhausted
having to manage peoples emotional state to get the best out of them. 


10 signs you are an emotional intelligent powerhouse:

1. You sense what people need
↳ You can tell when someone needs to talk
 vent or just be left alone.

2. You read between the lines
↳ A short “okay” in Slack tells you everything you need to know.

3. You absorb emotional tension
↳ People naturally calm down when talking to you
 even if you don't say much.

4. You speak everyone’s language
↳ You know exactly who needs all the details 
 and who just wants the headlines.

5. You catch unsaid questions
↳ You notice when someone wants to speak but stays silent.

6. You feel others' stress
↳ Deadlines, tough meetings you feel nervous for your coworkers 
 even when you’re not involved.

7. You notice fake enthusiasm
↳ You can tell the difference between genuine excitement
 and polite agreement.

8. You're everyone’s reality check
↳ People often ask, "How did that really go?" 
 because they trust your judgment.

9. You sense when meetings go off track
↳ You recognize the moment people start checking
 their phones more.

10. You spot hidden burnout
↳ You notice when colleagues aren’t themselves
 even if they try to hide it.


♻️ Repost to inspire someone.
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9 ways to keep great employees for good: 
(without having to worry)

Your team is your greatest asset.
They keep the machine running.

To earn their loyalty they need to be:

1. Paid Well
↳ A well-compensated team is a motivated team.
↳ Make sure your pay rates are competitive.


2. Mentored
↳ Mentoring helps them learn and evolve.
↳ Invest in their professional development.


3. Challenged
↳ Stagnation causes boredom. Keep them challenged!
↳ Level up their tasks to keep them engaged.


4. Promoted
↳ No one likes to be stuck. Promote deserving employees!
↳ Use this to show you value their contributions.


5. Involved
↳ Transparency is key. Involve them in decision-making.
↳ Use this to create a sense of ownership.


6. Appreciated
↳ Recognition fuels motivation. Show them they're appreciated
↳ Celebrate their achievements, big or small.


7. Trusted
↳ Trust fosters loyalty. It makes them feel valued.
↳ Delegate tasks and show faith in their abilities.


8. Empowered
↳ Empowerment leads to innovation.
↳ Encourage them to take on new projects.


9. Valued
↳ Everyone wants to be valued. Show them they matter!
↳ Valuing them creates a productive environment.

____

Remember, It's not just about keeping your crew.
It's about helping them grow. 

Leadership is not about being in charge. 
It's about taking care of those in your charge. 


Which one of these is your favorite? 


♻️ Repost to help others 
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7 Simple Rules to Live an Amazing Life: 
(number 2 is my favorite) 

1. Let it go
↳Don't take yourself too serious 
↳ Don'r ruin a good day by thinking about a bad day

2. Ignore them 
↳ Don't listen to what other people think of you
↳ People want you to succeed but not more than them

3. Give it time
↳ Give it time, time heals all 
↳ People act out of emotions, don't let them affect you

4. Don't compare 
↳ Don't compare you act 1 to another act 13
↳ The people you compare yourself to are only human

5. Stay Calm
↳ Stay calm, its ok to not have everything figured out
↳ It's a super power to be calm when others are are upset 

6. It's on you
↳ You are 100% responsible for your life 
↳ Harsh truth, no one is coming to save you

7. Smile 
↳ You will never be as young as you are now
↳Life is short, enjoy the moment, this time right now


Which is your favorite? 
Tell me below  ↓ 



♻️ Repost this to help your community!

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7 simple rules for an amazing life 

Hard truth: every relationship is transactional
(here's how to make it work for you)
 
Every connection runs on exchange.
Some trade trust, others trade time or attention
The flow is always there.


Work is clear.
You get paid. You perform.
The deal is direct and defined.

Friendship is quieter.
No terms, but the contract exists.
Support, loyalty and time are traded.


Scarcity mindset
When you meet someone for gain,
you think short term.
You ask before you give.
Trust fades before it grows.


Growth mindset
See people as long term partners.
Invest first. Listen first. Give first.
That is how trust compounds.


Here are 8 ways to build social capital:

1. Play long term games
↳ Act like every bond will last decades.

2. Build before you need
↳ Offer help early, without a return.

3. Make introductions
↳ One link can create years of value.

4. Stay in touch
↳ Send notes. Celebrate wins. Show up.

5. Invest in depth
↳ Spend real time when it matters most.

6. Earn reputation
↳ Do work that speaks when you are silent.

7. Be patient with asks
↳ Quick favors reveal short term thinking.

8. Think in decades
↳ What if this person stayed for 40 years?


Charisma can open doors fast.
But trust keeps them open.
Short term charm fades.
Consistency endures.


Strong relationships are built slowly.
They outlast opportunity.


P.S. Do you agree? 

P.P.S. which is is your favorite? 


♻ Share if you believe real trust compounds.
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Here is a list of things that are not doing the thing:

“Preparing to do the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Scheduling time to do the thing isn't doing the thing.

Making a to-do list for the thing isn't doing the thing.

Telling people you're going to do the thing isn't doing the thing.

Messaging friends who may or may not be doing the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Writing a banger tweet about how you're going to do the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Hating on yourself for not doing the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Hating on other people who have done the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Hating on the obstacles in the way of doing the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Fantasizing about all of the adoration you'll receive once you do the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Reading about how to do the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Reading about how other people did the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Reading this essay isn't doing the thing.

The only thing that is doing the thing is doing the thing.” 

— Strangest Loop

Now go do the thing

I’ve mistaken movement for momentum.
Being too busy, as if that’s winning.

It isn't.

I’ve seen teams sprint nonstop:

endless activity
new projects
new goals

And yet months later,
they wonder why nothing has changed.

Because motion isn’t momentum.
And being busy isn’t progress.

Speed is exciting.
It makes us feel like we’re ahead.

But without direction,
 you’re just running in circles, faster.

True momentum requires:

✅  Clear goals
✅ Aligned priorities
✅ Consistent execution

The ones who live their dreams
aren’t the fastest.

They’re the most focused.

💡 Progress isn’t about speed.
 It’s about moving forward with intention.


👉 Do you ever confuse busy with progress?


♻ Share this with someone chasing clarity

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Rules to be 500% better at networking:
(In 5 minutes or less) 


People remember how you made them feel, not what you said


Follow these rules and you’ll win:


1. Do Your Research First
↳ Look them up on Google, YouTube, LinkedIn.
↳ Know their past jobs, passions, and recent content.


2. Know Your Goal
↳ Be clear: are you here to make friends, get a contact, or land a client?
↳ No wrong answer but clarity wins.


3. Listen to Actually Listen
↳ Don’t wait to talk—pay attention.
↳ Repeat what they said, then add value. 
They’ll feel heard.


4. Find Common Ground Fast
↳ Talk about the venue, their drink, a mutual interest.
↳ Bonding happens when there’s shared joy.


5. Lead with Humor
↳ Make a tasteful, self-deprecating joke.
↳ Confidence is being able to laugh at yourself.


6. Don’t Overshare
↳ Keep your mess to yourself.
↳ Stay positive. No one needs your trauma dump at a networking event.


7. Add Real Value
↳ Buy a drink, make an intro, or offer a solid compliment.
↳ Over-deliver, even in small moments.


8. Respect Their Time
↳ Keep your ask short and clear.
↳ Know when to leave, exit on a high note.


9. Exit Smoothly
↳ “It was great meeting you, I’m off to [X]. Hope we connect again soon.”
↳ Always leave them smiling.


10. Follow Up Like It Matters
↳ Your follow-up is your brand.
↳ Treat every one like it could change your life.



Which one are you going to use at your next event?

#3 changed the game for me.

—

♻️ Share this with someone trying to level up.
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How to be great at networking in 5 minutes or less 

What’s Michael Phelps secret to success? 
 It’s these 3 things:


1.  Show up everyday 


2.  Especially on the days you don’t 
want to, put in the work anyway. 


3.  Do this for 5 years without missing a day. 


This is what it takes to be successful.


Is today is today the day you start? 



Share this with your community ♻️ 


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Two things that hold most people back:

1. Fear of failure.
2. Fear of embarrassment. 

Everyone has to climb cringe mountain 
to make it to the land of cool. 
Easy to say right?

The only true way to beat the thing
is by doing the thing. 

So just start doing it.

don't think about doing it
don't write about doing it 
don't say you're gonna do it tomorrow
don't tell someone else you're doing it 

just do the thing. 

when you find one path that doesn't work
take another path.

You're aloud to change course 
anytime you want to, 
as many times as you want. 

who cares what anyone thinks. 


When I ran marketing for a fortune 500 brand
I had major restrictions on me

→ My job
→ My boss
→ The optics 
→ The company I worked for

You're not aloud to be an online person
when you worked at a fortune 500 company
and anytime you're speaking anywhere
you are speaking for that brand

today, its different. 

brands are looking for:

→ people that have audiences already. 
→ that can articulate and communicate well. 
→ That aren't scared to talk to people or the camera. 
→ That think fast on their feet. 

Today you have access to the biggest stage in the world
You don't need a Tedtalk

You need your smart phone and thick skin. 

Thats it. 

Use that smart phone
Develop that thick skin 
or you'll always fear
going for it.

♻️ Share this with some one who needs to hear it 
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Be courteous to all 
but intimate 
with few 

and let those few 
be welled tried before 
you give them your trust 

Happy Holidays my friends.

Feeling stuck? 
That's because 

you are.

New results don’t come from old habits.
Change isn’t luck. 
It’s action.

You want a new future?
Do something different today.

Hard truth:
You’re not stuck because life’s unfair.
You’re stuck because comfort feels safer than change.

♻️ Share this with someone who needs to hear it 
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What People Think Marketing Is:

→ Cold emails
→ Pop-up ads
→ PR headlines
→ Trendy logos
→ Funny TikToks
→ Clever taglines
→ TV or radio spots
→ Weekly newsletters

What Marketing Really Is:

 → Split testing
 → Earning trust
 → Crafting offers
 → Guiding prospects
 → Tracking data + ROI
 → Mapping experiences
 → Building communities
 → Knowing buyer behavior

And that’s just the start.
Most assume marketing is about being loud, catchy or viral.

But real marketing isn’t surface-level.

It’s about creating trust,
guiding decisions,
and building relationships that last.

♻ Repost if you agree 
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Post inspiration from Tom Pestridge give him a follow

Seth Yakatan

Raising & Selling 📈 $1B+ Raised 💰 22 Companies Sold 🤝

Are you struggling to communicate your vision to the capital gatekeepers?

Are you exploring selling your business but don’t know anything about:
✘ Due diligence
✘ Term sheets
✘ Earnouts

Friend, you're lucky you found me...

I'm Seth Yakatan.

I have 30-odd years experience as a corporate finance professional.

My specialties are:
💰 Raising money
🤝 Selling companies

And I’m f**king good at it.

I’ve raised over $1B and sold 22 businesses.

My career has mostly been supporting small-cap and major corporations seeking capital to grow, or
to find strategic acquirers.

Most of these companies are in: 
— biotech
— cannabis
— pharmaceuticals
— DTC consumer goods

I’ve been on boards, taken companies public, gone up against multinational corporations, raised from VC and PE funds.

All of it. 
Many times over.
Whatever your problem is, I’ve seen it before.

But let me level with you:

What I REALLY love is helping people to get to the finish line.

Talking to entrepreneurs excites me.

But in my experience, entrepreneurs are mostly s**t at raising capital and selling companies.

** They just don’t understand investors **

And that’s where I come in.

Together, we workshop: 
✔ Your pitch
✔ Your deck
✔ Your strategy 

And help you raise the capital to GROW and SELL your business.

If you need this help—and almost every business does—send me a DM.

Like, now.

Don't lose another potential investor or acquirer with the wrong pitch.

Seth ✌️

Co-Founder

Merchant Bank / Advisory / Family Office

Well...it happened: Wyld + Grön announced a definitive merger yesterday.

If you've been following me or listening to my BS, this is great news.

Why?

1. This represents a hallmark transaction for the industry and can foster a new era of M&A in the future

2. The combined company fully illustrates the importance of PLATFORMS driven by BRANDS

3. This represents the first national platform (and in ANT other industry this would be the basis of a Private Equity roll up deal/strategy)

4. It illustrates that there are companies (i) of scale, (ii) generating revenue and profit, (iii) that can find exits, (iv) that are Founder-led and (v) that can be stronger and grow together !!!

5. With this announcement and some form of Federal change on the horizon, 2026 could be our best year YET.

Congrats to all my friends at both companies on an AMAZING deal...

Aaron Morris and Christine Apple you should both be proud… and thank you both for showing the world what IS POSSIBLE!!!!

And if you know Draper Bender, then you know how and why this got done. Period.

Here is to the future for us all.

P.S. This video was recorded July 17, 2025 with Michael Krefman and Michael Peterson on From the Weeds to the Clouds

Even a broken clock is right twice a day....

Germany is officially importing TONS of lettuce.

The EU’s biggest single c@nnabis market is sprinting toward 600 metric tons of annual imports.


>> What's Happening?

Germany's medical cannabis imports have climbed quarter over quarter.

From 41 metric tons in early 2025 to 57 t in Q3 2025, crushing records.

German regulators even raised the annual import ceiling once the original quota was exhausted.

Prescription access is expanding and telemedicine is growing…the trajectory now looks like hundreds of tons annually…

>> Why Is This Important?

Germany is now Europe's largest regulated medical cannabis market and its explosive import growth is a global signal.

Deutschland’s policy reforms have created predictable patient access and a huge upstream opportunity for exporters and supply chain players.

At 600 tons of annual imports, that is global supply chain scale and a new benchmark for what "big cannabis" might look like outside North America.


>> What Am I Watching?

Can anyone in Europe actually grow weed at scale, or will the country remain dependent on imports long term?

How pricing, pharmacy networks, and telemedicine evolve and can a patient market can coexist with both social clubs + adult use.

Which countries and companies position themselves as primary exporters into Europe's hottest cannabis corridor?


Bottom line:

Europe's medical cannabis boom isn't theoretical anymore…

It is measurable, explosive, and reshaping global supply chains.

If you haven't been tracking Germany's trajectory closely, you're late.

In case you missed it 

Wyld and Grön was announced earlier this week...

Have to give props again to both teams on the absolute magnitude of this deal for the industry....I am still amazed by this one....

And do not forget why....and what else is possible and for who...

Jeeter - a DreamFields Brand
Timeless
Nova Farms
Standard Wellness
C3 Industries

Thank you Aaron Morris + Christine Apple for showing the WORLD what this industry CAN DO !!!!

Here is to the future for us all...
and never sleep on Draper Bender (might just be the best in the business) 

P.S. This video was recorded July 17, 2025 with the amazing squad of Michael Krefman and Michael Peterson on From the Weeds to the Clouds
(MORE PROGNOSTICATIONS FORTHCOMING.... )

I am never giving up on California...EVER...

Keep an eye on my friends at Embarc
Keeping it REAL FOR EVERYONE....

CA is still #1 and will be #1 for a while.

We ain't going nowhere...

Just training for the next 12 rounds....

I LIVE for the haters….Every. Single. One.


I live by the mantra that if you’re not evoking a response then you are not trying hard enough.


Period.


Also…secretly, your haters are your best fans..


They’re the loudest.


They’re the most likely to push your stan’s into deeply loyalty.


They inspire you to be GREATER.


Here’s a little story.


I had a hater.


So I reached out.


We had a 1-1 discussion.


I changed his mind.


Became his mentor.


Turned a hater into a friend.


Peep the screenshot!


Embrace all the opinions, it will only make you STRONGER.


And always, ALWAYS pay it forward.

Don't like the Industry ???

Not excited ???

Great, then leave....

And find something EASIER....

Like Alcohol ???

Its easy, boring, legal, no big companies, safe products...

Sales growing, great unit economics, huge exit potential...

and leave all the fun to me and Rachel Wright, CPA, MST

Was that an earthquake?? No, its just falling prices at a California dispensary near you…

California’s cannabis market Is shrunk AGAIN.

And it’s NOT a demand problem.

Think you have seen price compression in your state….you ain’t seen NOTHIN’ yet.


>> What’s Happening?

Q3 2026 California recorded $939M in legal cannabis sales…that’s the lowest quarterly total in more than FIVE years.

That’s: 9% down YoY /  25% below the 2021 peak

That puts us at less than $4B annualized, down from nearly $6B at the peak.

Retailers are closing…brands are consolidating…

This is a trend folks.


>> Why Does This Matter?

California’s struggles expose a core flaw in U.S. cannabis policy:

It’s not a demand problem. It’s a POLICY and ECONOMICS problem.

Punitive taxes stacked at the state and local level and municipal opt-outs are choking retail access.

You can’t tax a market into health.

>> What Am I Watching?

DCC Leadership change (we shall see…)

Can lawmakers actually internalize that higher taxes ≠ higher revenue?

Do recent moves (Newsom backing off a 25% tax hike & SF delaying increases) show real policy recalibration?

California should be the center of the cannabis universe.

Instead, it’s becoming the clearest case study in how bad policy can kill a good market.

The industry doesn’t need cheerleading.

It needs structural fixes.

Tick tock.

Three blind mice, three blind mice, see how they run, see how they run….

C@nnabis, Hemp & Alcohol…ALL STUMBLING TOWARD THE SAME FUTURE.

>> What’s Happening?

C@nnabis thinks it invented the culture.

Hemp thinks it's hacked distribution (we'll see how well that works)

Alcohol thinks it can buy the future while pretending THC doesn’t exist.

Three blind mice.

Same path...same blindfold…same destination.

Zero coordination.

>> Why This Matters?

Cannabis built the consumer, the language, the vibe, the demand.

Hemp cracked the code on ubiquitous distribution…until McConnell whacked it.

Alcohol is the king of occasions and the emperor of on-premise…but people STOPPED drinking!

>> What I’m Watching

1. Who forms cross-industry alliances first

Cannabis credibility + Hemp access + Alcohol scale = the real category killer.


2. Who professionalizes the fastest

Federal alignment is coming. Whoever is already operating clean will skate through.

Everyone else gets flattened.

3. Who realizes the on-premise is THE battleground

This isn’t about dispensaries anymore..it’s about stadiums, bars, clubs, restaurants, festivals — the social fabric

—

There are no heroes.

There are no villains.

There are only Three Blind Mice trying to lead a category they barely understand.

The consumer already voted.

They want lighter, social, functional, feel-good options.

If these industries stop tripping over each other and start building the future together…everyone wins


Credit to Charlie Weiss at NABIS for the post which inspired this one.

When does a celebrity brand officially hit the skids?

When it turns into a $50M lawsuit.

Iron Mike Tyson and The Nature Boy Ric Flair just turned their brand in weed biz into federal lawsuit.

And the allegations are wild.


>> What’s Happening?

Tyson and Flair filed a 76-page RICO-heavy lawsuit against their former cannabis partners at Carma Holdings.

Accusations include all the good stuff: wire fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, extortion and securities fraud. 

And further accused management of siphoning off cash and company funds for private jets, yachts, home renovations, mortgages and lavish perks.

NY Post has the scoop if you want to read the details...

Tyson & Flair are seeking more than $50 million in damages.


>> Why This Matters?

RICO is typically reserved for organized fraud and systemic corruption not partner disputes.

Defendants are pushing back hard, calling the suit “fiction dressed up as a lawsuit.” 

Celebrity + cultural icons + weed business + alleged internal theft = BAD LOOK

As an industry we do NOT need further headline drama.


>> What Am I Watching?

Does this show anything about governance, IP control, and fiduciary accountability?

Or does it just becomes another in a long list of “bad-celebrity brand” tabloid footnotes?

Can RICO stick here?

Which is the next celebrity cannabis brand to go ass over tea kettle? 

Bottom line:

Celebrity cannabis brand launches make headlines.

Celebrity cannabis boardroom lawsuits makes worse headlines.

Can we just NOT do any more celebrity brands, PLEASE??

Happy holidays everyone!

LOTS to be thankful for and PLENTY to feel positive about for the coming year...

Who's ready for a HUGE 2026???

Enjoy the break. Celebrate with your families. Go easy on the nog.

As always, I appreciate every single one of your. 

ESPECIALLY the haters 😘

✌️

P.S. Happy Hanukkah

Here's the latest speculation on Schedule 3…


A few weeks ago a Senator proposed a measure that would direct the AG of the USA to create a commission charged with making recommendations on a c@nnabis regulatory system….


That MODELS for what is currently in place for ALCOHOL….YUP.

>> What's Happening?

Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) introduced the PREPARE Act.


This directs the U.S. Attorney General to establish a Federal Regulation of Cannabis Commission.

This will draft a regulatory framework for post-prohibition cannabis.


Safety standards, labeling, crop and trade practices, banking & revenue systems, and social equity impact.

The bill would effectively give the AG Trump's a formal job to coordinate federal cannabis policy and set rules before full legalization.

>> Why is this Important?

A commission BEFORE legalization is scary.

That's not helping us….that's pre-ordained federal architecture by committee, which seems to create MORE problems.

The industry deserves clarity on issues like taxation, banking, and ADA/FTC guidance.


Not MORE mechanisms based on bureaucracy.


>> What Am I Watching?

Does this commission actually draft binding regulatory standards or just recommendations that Congress can ignore?

Which stakeholders get a seat at the table?

Does this become the new pretext to delay real federal legalization until the next election cycle?

Commissions are easy press releases. Regulation is hard law.

Don't confuse politicking with legalization.

Contact your elected officials today…PLEASE.

Everything early stage is HARD...
Next to impossible actually

I don't have a solution for early..

C@nnabis
Biotech
SaSS
AI
Retail
CPG/Beverage

All hard...

We just have 2 arms tied behind our backs on top of it all...

Grateful for the spot on From the Weeds to the Clouds
Michael Krefman + Michael Peterson

The Yellowhammer State might just GO GREEN!

Alabama’s Medical cannabis program might finally be real.

It only took four years….

>> What’s Happening?

Alabama regulators awarded dispensary licenses in a medical cannabis program that’s been legal since 2021 (yes really!).

IF this moves as planned, patients could FINALLY see actual dispensaries in 2026.

Legal on paper is becoming legal in practice…ROLL TIDE.

>> Why Does This Matter?

Because legislation without EXECUTION is theater.

Licenses without TIMELINES don’t help patients.

Delays don’t just stall access they burn capital AND credibility.

Alabama “legalized” medical cannabis years ago.

Patients got nothing….until now….we hope!


>> What Am I Watching?

Do lawsuits finally stop and licenses stick?

How fast will product actually reach shelves?

If regulators prioritize access over process?

Medical cannabis doesn’t work if it never shows up.

Let’s see if Alabama finally delivers in the Heart of Dixie!

Michigan just slapped a 24% tax on c@nnabis AND THE COURTS APPROVED IT…


So much for progress…



>> What’s Happening?

A Michigan judge rejected an attempt to block a new 24% cannabis excise tax.

Clearing the way for the NEW TAX to take effect on January 1.

Lawmakers weren’t limited by the original voter-approved legalization law when imposing new taxes.

>> Why Does This Matter?

Michigan is HARD enough with price compression.

But this is how legal markets get quietly squeezed:

(i) Taxes go up after capital is deployed

(ii) Margins shrink in an already oversupplied market

(iii) The illicit market regains a pricing edge

You don’t tax cannabis into compliance… you price it out of the legal channel.

>> What Am I Watching?

Which states copy this playbook next?

How many operators in MI decide the math no longer works?

Most of all, I’m watching how much longer consumers stay and what they buy…


That’s the real stress test.

Cronos just reminded us all what REAL M&A looks like.

And why CASH still MATTERS.


>> What’s Happening?

Cronos recently announced it’s entering the Netherlands with the acquisition of one of Europe’s largest adult-use cannabis companies.

They just went straight into one of the few fully legal, government-sanctioned adult-use markets in Europe.

No messin’.


>> Why This Matters?

International commerce is coming and will not stop.

Cronos can do this because it’s sitting on $800M+ in cash with no real debt.

Europe doesn’t need more hype right now. It needs patient capital that can survive SLOW regulators and long timelines.

Cronos has that luxury…. most others don’t.

>> What Am I Watching?

Who else makes other follow-on EU moves?

What markets are next? 

Germany stalled, but the Netherlands—a historic c@nnabis market—is a live test case….

This is what real strategic advantage looks like in cannabis:

Not scale…not press releases...but a BIG war chest when everyone else is out of ammo.


Cash isn’t dead.

It’s just extremely unevenly distributed.

Cronos 1, everyone else 0….

Your move.

Question: Does this industry love the idea of M&A more than the math?

Maybe…

Curaleaf just reminded everyone why discipline actually matters.

And maybe someone can tell me what Millstreet is up to, because I cannot figure it out…

>> What’s Happening?

Curaleaf terminated its agreement to buy The Cannabist Company’s Virginia footprint.

This was after a competing offer came in that valued the assets at $130M plus a $30M lease liability.

A price Curaleaf judged BEYOND fair value.

And we now know those assets landed at the doorstep of Millstreet Credit Fund LP.


>> Why is This Important?

The original deal had been inked in December for $110M + assumed liabilities.

This was before a go-shop process allowed higher bids.

Curaleaf expects to collect a break fee of about $3.3M for walking away and says it remains “opportunistic and disciplined” in acquisitions.

And Millstreet…AYR-bolt on??


>> What Am I Watching?

Whether this signals a broader reset in cannabis M&A valuation expectations?

Will deals now be priced on risk-adjusted economics or based upon “growth optics”?

Will MSOs now walk back or re-trade offers that currently look “too rich” on paper as more debt sucks oxygen from underlying cash flows.

Who steps up to buy these assets at rational multiples and actually makes money in the regulated markets?

>> Bottom line

Growth for growth’s sake is a headline. Good for Boris Jordan for not biting the lure…

I cannot figure out the Millstreet move here, I would love to tell you why they did this.

Congrats to Grant Kassel and the team at Moellis for getting this done (these guys are the real winners right now and making the most $$$)

And please can someone smarter than me, like maybe Marc Hauser, break this one down ?

I’m scratching my head here….

What does the future hold?

Don't know...

Could see a future where hemp is sold
C-Store / Big Box/ Gas/ Food/ Drug

Where can c@nnabis is sold in licensed retail...

What say you ???

Love the From the Weeds to the Clouds
Michael Krefman + Michael Peterson

It's not what they say when you are IN the room
It's ALL ABOUT what they say when you are NOT IN the room...

What happens when two rival founders stop competing and start collaborating? 

Ben Larson and AnnaRae Grabstein find out from Draper Bender, President of Grön, as he shares the unlikely beginning of his friendship with Aaron Morris, CEO of Wyld  the man he once viewed as a bold, untouchable industry persona. 

Remember this was a Founder-led deal, there were no bankers. It was a direct, operator-to-operator discussion and transaction. No financial engineering. Just aligned businesses with similar DNA: bootstrapped, profitable, and deeply operational to their cores...

I was not even close to this one. 
Love you Draper and Christine Apple
And Aaron Morris count on me sending more pictures of boxes....
XO

Props to AnnaRae Grabstein + Ben Larson for the LOVE
And get on High Spirits: The Cannabis Business Podcast
On Apple Podcast (apple.co/40e8I2T )
Spotify (spoti.fi/4iUKphY )
and YouTube (https://lnkd.in/g5CMxNAM)

What's Hot ?

Europe....

Germany still pulling it in...
From 
Canada...
Denmark..
Australia....

And the USA ???? 
well...NADA

Stay tuned this will get fun...

Appreciate the love from Alex DeFazio and the squad from The High Index for the spot!

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