Ian Gaffney

Hey 👋 We can’t build the hemp industry on vibes, but we can build it on data. In my latest episode of Women In The Nude Podcast, Kevin Provost and I talk about why real consumer data, feedback loops, and responsible formulation matter if hemp-derived THC is going to survive regulation, and deserve legitimacy. If we want legalization done right, we have to prove safety, consistency, and accountability. Period. If hemp-derived THC is helping people with pain, sleep, anxiety, or alcohol abuse reduction, we need the studies to prove it, and the regulatory space to collect that data responsibly. Science moves industries forward. Watch the episode, Monday the 29th on my YouTube Channel https://lnkd.in/euGZ3i9H or anywhere you get your podcasts. MoreBetter, Ltd. Hippie Water #ClinicalResearch #HealthInnovation #CannabisScience #FutureOfWellness

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What’s becoming clearer every time I look at the Massachusetts data. 43% of adults in Massachusetts used cannabis in the past year, and 61% now buy through licensed retail stores. The industry isn’t just expanding, it’s maturing. What I’m seeing in conversations through Canopy HR is that operators who invest early in strong people systems gain real momentum. Clear processes around payroll, benefits, and compliance give teams the confidence and structure they need to grow. And the businesses that create that clarity tend to build environments where people feel supported and connected to the mission. As the market continues to grow, that kind of intentionality becomes a true competitive advantage. It builds trust, it reduces friction, and it helps teams do their best work. https://lnkd.in/ehRC2-Uf #CannabisIndustry #CannabisBusiness #MassachusettsCannabis #HRStrategy #PeopleOperations #CannabisHR #WorkforceDevelopment Joel Pearson Matthew DiStefano Itsik Bouhbot Gillian Cramner Dallas Zimmerman Stew B. Brian Lee 👊Taylor Mullen Paige Pelczar Greg Cowan

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Thanks Nick Bradley 🌱🥩 and Future-Proof Group Media for this very candid article about the differentiated and value-added cell-cultivated seafood company we are building at BlueNalu, and highlighting my recent Future of Foods podcast hosted by Alex Crisp. There's an outstanding agenda during the upcoming Cultured Meat Symposium and The Future of Protein Production conferences, being held in Chicago on February 24-25. I look forward to presenting our value proposition and latest updates at BlueNalu, learning from the insights that others will be sharing, and connecting with everyone there.

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I have written a lot lately about protein and where the category is heading. This deal is another data point worth paying attention to. Second Nature Brands, the PE-backed snacking platform behind Brownie Brittle, Sahale Snacks and Voortman, just agreed to acquire Tillamook Country Smoker. Tillamook generates more than $175 million in annual sales and makes clean-label zero-sugar jerky, beef sticks and sausages. This is Second Nature's first move into protein snacks. The category numbers explain why. Dried meat snack sales excluding jerky rose 10.7% to $3.3 billion in 2024. PepsiCo entered this year with Good Warrior. Chomps, Jack Link's Protein Snacks and Archer Meat Snacks are all scaling. The category has gone from a niche better-for-you play to one of the most competitive aisles in the store in a very short window. For Second Nature, Tillamook gives them a platform in a category with real consumer tailwinds. For CapVest, the PE firm backing Second Nature, this is the roll-up playbook working exactly as designed. Buy castoffs and undermanaged brands, add distribution muscle and retail relationships, and let the category growth do some of the work. The harder question is whether clean-label meat snacks can hold their positioning as the category gets crowded with scaled players. Full article: https://lnkd.in/gvsRjjzQ

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