Under the Microscope with Jenny

Ep. 50: Cannabis & Banking: Bridging the Gap Between Operators & Institutions

🎙In this episode of Under the Microscope with Jenny, host Jenny Germano, sits down with Chris Van Dyke, Partner at Cogent Law, to break down one of the most complex and often misunderstood areas of the cannabis industry: banking. Chris brings a rare, dual-perspective background, having helped launch one of the early cannabis banking programs and serving as a state regulator during the rollout of the 2014 FinCEN guidance. Today, he advises banks and credit unions on how to safely and effectively serve cannabis-related businesses (CRB’s). Together, Jenny and Chris unpack the fundamentals defining key terms like BSA (Bank Secrecy Act), and SARs (Suspicious Activity Reports) while exploring the shared compliance burden between operators and financial institutions. They walk through the real risks banks face, particularly around BSA/AML compliance, and why many institutions remain cautious despite growing demand.
The conversation also addresses common misconceptions about cannabis banking, the evolving regulatory landscape, and why financial institutions are increasingly entering the space from fee-based revenue opportunities to portfolio diversification and long-term customer loyalty. Jenny and Chris dive into practical guidance for operators, including how to vet a cannabis-friendly bank, what to expect during onboarding and due diligence, and how to position your business as a low-risk, transparent customer. This episode is a must listen for operators looking to secure and maintain strong banking relationships, reduce compliance risk, and better understand how financial institutions are navigating the cannabis industry behind the scenes.
 
🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting🌎 𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://www.icsconsultingservice.com
🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁:   Chris Van Dyke, Partner at Cogent Law🌎𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: https://cogentlaw.com
 
⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀⏰
01:05 Chris Intro & Background04:53 Defining CRB’s & Indirect CRB’s07:50 Shared Compliance Burdens13:24 BSA & SAR Definitions 15:06 Misconceptions about Cannabis Banking & Progress20:23 Stigma Shifts & Rescheduling23:11 Three Circles of Risk25:41 FinCEN Guidance26:40 Why Banks Bank Cannabis29:20 Hemp Banking Uncertainty32:32 Vetting Your Cannabis Bank36:24 CRB Onboarding & Due Diligence37:55 Deposits, Lending & Underwriting40:13 MSO Versus Small Operator Risk42:25 Being a Transparent CRB Customer46:49 Avoid Banking Relationship Pitfalls48:38 Final Tips & Wrap-Up
 
𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The content shared on this channel - including all videos, podcasts, interviews, and discussions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, compliance, or business consulting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis and related industries vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified attorney or licensed professional before making decisions that could have legal or regulatory consequences for your business. Listening to or viewing this content does not create a client relationship between you and ICS Consulting, Under the Microscope with Jenny, Jenny Germano, or any of the podcast’s guests. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICS Consulting or its affiliates.

Ep. 49: Are You Overwhelmed by Cannabis Software Platforms? You’re Not Alone

🎙In this episode of Under the Microscope with Jenny, host Jenny Germano sits down with Dina Nagib, Principal Consultant at Grass Goddess Consulting, to break down one of the biggest operational pain points in cannabis - software overload. Dina brings a unique perspective from her background in pharmaceuticals and software development. Together, Jenny and Dina explore why dispensaries in particular face a heavy software burden, managing everything from POS systems and e-commerce to marketing tools and state track-and-trace systems like Metrc. They walk through the software categories every operator encounters, including payroll systems, product ordering platforms, and analytics tools while highlighting the real risks of overcomplicating your tech stack. Jenny and Dina also talk about how to properly vet software vendors and why understanding your data structure is critical. They discuss the dangers of fragmented, non-integrated systems, the risks associated with switching POS platforms, and how poor integration can create compliance and operational gaps. This episode delivers practical, real-world guidance to help operators simplify their systems, stay compliant, and make smarter technology decisions as they scale.
 
🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting🌎 𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://www.icsconsultingservice.com
🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁:  Dina Nagib, Principal Consultant at Grass Goddess Consulting LLC. 🌎𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: https://www.grassgoddessconsulting.com
 
 
⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀⏰
01:19 Meet Dina Najeeb03:47 Why Software Overwhelms05:52 Core Software Categories07:38 Compliance & Traceability10:41 Essential vs Nice to Have13:41 Demo Prep Reality Check16:46 Switching POS and Data Risks22:48 All-in-One vs Stack25:38 Integration Risk Concerns26:01 Choosing Software Wisely28:38 Evaluating Data Structure29:48 Demo Red Flags32:26 Fragmented Data Problems46:05 Simple Software Advice50:08 Final Thoughts & Wrap Up
 
 
𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The content shared on this channel - including all videos, podcasts, interviews, and discussions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, compliance, or business consulting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis and related industries vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified attorney or licensed professional before making decisions that could have legal or regulatory consequences for your business. Listening to or viewing this content does not create a client relationship between you and ICS Consulting, Under the Microscope with Jenny, Jenny Germano, or any of the podcast’s guests. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICS Consulting or its affiliates.
 
 
 

Ep. 48: HR Strategies for Growing Cannabis Businesses

🎙In this episode of Under the Microscope with Jenny, host Jenny Germano, welcomes Amanda Eastling, Founder of Eastling Services. Amanda shares her path into cannabis HR, starting with a Minnesota-based, tribally owned cannabis startup where she built HR systems from the ground up developing policies, procedures, and operational frameworks tailored to the industry’s unique and highly regulated environment. Together, they unpack the complexities of cannabis HR, including layered compliance across state, federal, and tribal jurisdictions, employee badging and background checks. The conversation dives into the must-have HR policies every operator should have in place such as attendance and call-out procedures to technology use, recording restrictions, and security protocols around phones and restricted areas. Jenny and Amanda tackle common HR pitfalls, recordkeeping requirements including employee file retention and proper I-9 storage. As businesses scale, they highlight the importance of building HR systems that grow with the company, including benefits planning and staying aligned with legal counsel and regulatory expectations. This episode is a practical, no-nonsense guide to building compliant, scalable HR systems in cannabis while still protecting company culture and setting your team up for long-term success.
 
 
🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting🌎 𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://www.icsconsultingservice.com
🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Amanda Eastling, Founder of Eastling Services🌎𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-eastling
 
⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀⏰
00:47 Intro Amanda Eastling04:29 Compliance & Labor Laws07:28 Must-Have HR Policies14:49 Onboarding Systems18:13 Training & Retention23:38 Promote from Within26:55 Avoiding HR Mistakes28:14 Impairment on the Job28:50 No Consumption on Premises33:23 Compliance & Recordkeeping35:24 File Retention and I-9 Rules40:03 Scaling HR Systems & Benefits44:03 Protecting Culture While Growing45:59 HR Platforms & Reporting48:06 HR Tips & Wrap-Up
 
𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The content shared on this channel - including all videos, podcasts, interviews, and discussions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, compliance, or business consulting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis and related industries vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified attorney or licensed professional before making decisions that could have legal or regulatory consequences for your business. Listening to or viewing this content does not create a client relationship between you and ICS Consulting, Under the Microscope with Jenny, Jenny Germano, or any of the podcast’s guests. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICS Consulting or its affiliates.
 
 

Ep. 47: Cannabis Operator Series | Fireside Chat with Anthony Mollins of AJ's Craft Cannabis

🎙In this episode of Under the Microscope with Jenny, host Jenny Germano continues her Cannabis Operator Series with Anthony “AJ” Mollins, Founder of AJ’s Craft Cannabis Farm in Colorado, for a deep dive into legacy cultivation, innovation, and what it really takes to build a sustainable cannabis operation in today’s market. AJ shares his journey from California’s legacy market, including launching Tahoe Herbal Care in Northern Lake Tahoe in 2009 and exiting in 2014, before relocating to Colorado to design and build a truly unique underground cultivation facility. Built on living soil, natural sunlight, and geothermal cooling and to produce high-quality, terpene-rich cannabis. Jenny and AJ get into the realities operators are facing today from increasing regulatory pressure, testing costs, and recalls to the industry’s continued shift toward large-scale, high-volume “pump and dump” production. AJ contrasts that model with craft cultivation, emphasizing plant health, environmental control, and post-harvest precision as the true differentiators in quality.
They discuss the “why” behind his design - leveraging diffused and full sunlight cycles, low power consumption, gravity-fed water systems, and multi-room drying and curing environments to maintain consistency and control. The conversation also dives into the real challenges of bringing a non-traditional facility to life, including navigating permitting hurdles and engineering complexities. 
This episode is packed with real operator insight, technical cultivation strategy, and honest perspective on what it takes to stand out in an increasingly competitive and regulated market.
 
🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting🌎 𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://www.icsconsultingservice.com
🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Anthony “AJ” Mollins, Founder of AJ’s Craft Cannabis Farm
🌎 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: https://www.ajsmj.com
🌎𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺: https://www.instagram.com/ajs_kush
 
⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀⏰
02:05 AJ’s background03:43 California vs Colorado08:50 Design Inspiration13:24 Permits and Build Challenges15:08 Scaling and Market Pressures17:16 Cultivation Philosophy21:40 Living Soil vs Hydro23:42 Sustainability Meets Profit27:58 Efficiency and Climate Control31:55 Craft vs Commercial32:59 Terpenes and Old Strains37:02 Standing Out in Wholesale41:17 THC Hype vs Terps47:38 Cleanliness and Culture50:46 Living Soil and Companion Plants52:34 Recalls, Testing, and Scale54:36 Wrap Up & Final Thoughts
 
𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The content shared on this channel - including all videos, podcasts, interviews, and discussions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, compliance, or business consulting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis and related industries vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified attorney or licensed professional before making decisions that could have legal or regulatory consequences for your business. Listening to or viewing this content does not create a client relationship between you and ICS Consulting, Under the Microscope with Jenny, Jenny Germano, or any of the podcast’s guests. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICS Consulting or its affiliates.
 

Ep. 46: Cannabis Industry Pitfalls & The Mistakes Quietly Killing Operators

In this episode of Under the Microscope with Jenny, host Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting, shares lessons learned from operating vertically integrated cannabis facilities in Colorado during the early days and from years of experience guiding operators nationwide. She outlines the most common pitfalls quietly hurting cannabis businesses. Jenny emphasizes the difference between winning a license and achieving true operational readiness, stressing continual SOP updates, reinforced training, especially around seed-to-sale systems like Metrc, and routine internal auditing rather than waiting for regulators to flag non-compliance. She identifies silent profit killers such as inventory variances, sampling abuse, waste tracking issues, and reconciliation errors. Operators also face risks from data overload without actionable insights, cashflow blind spots, rapid promotions without leadership development, safety gaps in cultivation and manufacturing, and compliance complacency both in emerging and mature markets. Jenny shares practical strategies to identify risks early, tighten operational controls, and build systems that scale with evolving regulations, protect profits, and maintain compliance discipline. Listeners will walk away with a clear roadmap for operational discipline, a strong compliance culture, and management systems needed to build a sustainable, profitable cannabis business.
 
 
🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting🌎 𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://www.icsconsultingservice.com
 
⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀⏰
01:35 Why Pitfalls Matter02:12 Licensing Versus Readiness04:48 Operational SOP Reality10:47 Training That Sticks13:39 Inspections and Self Audits15:45 Systems Not Improvising18:04 Compliance in Daily Workflow20:15 Silent Profit Killers21:57 Sampling and Destruction Logs25:26 Waste Control and FIFO28:41 Metrc Reconciliation Discipline30:12 Inventory Compliance Stakes31:21 Small Operators vs MSOs32:17 Stop Leakage With Audits33:31 Data Into Decisions34:56 Cashflow Blind Spots36:43 Middle Manager Gap43:31 Safety and OSHA Risks46:39 Audit Rhythm and Futureproofing51:00 Systems to Stay Operational54:45 Wrap Up 
 
 
𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The content shared on this channel - including all videos, podcasts, interviews, and discussions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, compliance, or business consulting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis and related industries vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified attorney or licensed professional before making decisions that could have legal or regulatory consequences for your business. Listening to or viewing this content does not create a client relationship between you and ICS Consulting, Under the Microscope with Jenny, Jenny Germano, or any of the podcast’s guests. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICS Consulting or its affiliates.

Ep. 45: Designing Cannabis Facilities for Success in Emerging Markets

🎙In this episode of Under the Microscope with Jenny, host Jenny Germano sits down with Evan Bliss, Owner and Design Director of Studio Bliss, to discuss what it really takes to design cannabis facilities in emerging markets. Evan shares his journey from traditional architecture into cannabis starting with extraction labs in California and expanding into cultivation and dispensary projects across the country. Together, they break down common misconceptions operators face, including underestimating total building size beyond licensed canopy and misallocating budget dollars. They emphasize the importance of engaging experienced design, engineering, and construction teams early to prevent workflow inefficiencies, storage and vault constraints, biosecurity gaps, and costly code-compliance issues. Key topics include phasing facilities for scalable growth, understanding the budget impact of HVAC and utility infrastructure, avoiding redesigns caused by fire egress and permitting missteps, navigating multi-agency approvals, managing equipment lead times, and preventing expensive power upgrade surprises through early load calculations.This episode delivers practical, real-world guidance for operators planning new builds or expansions in emerging cannabis markets.
 
🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting🌎 𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://www.icsconsultingservice.com
🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Evan Bliss, Owner and Design Director of Studio Bliss🌎 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: https://studioblissla.com
 
⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀⏰
01:24 Evan’s Origin Story04:24 Emerging Market Reality Check05:05 Canopy vs Facility Size06:19 Phased Build Strategy07:46 Engage Design Team Early11:19 Budgeting and Delivery Model14:53 Profit Drivers HVAC First16:01 Designing for Licensing Success17:44 Avoid Redesign and Code Traps20:31 Permitting Delays and Cities24:44 Upfront Steps and Equipment Lead Times27:10 Operational Flow and GMP Thinking29:24 Dispensary Layout Pitfalls34:02 Vault Design Essentials35:20 Space Constraints in Dense Cities37:48 Inspections and Regulator Variability43:13 Scaling Manufacturing Infrastructure46:41 Phased Grows and Flexible Buildouts48:14 Costly Pitfalls Utilities and Power59:38 Plan Ahead and Final Takeaways
 
𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The content shared on this channel - including all videos, podcasts, interviews, and discussions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, compliance, or business consulting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis and related industries vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified attorney or licensed professional before making decisions that could have legal or regulatory consequences for your business. Listening to or viewing this content does not create a client relationship between you and ICS Consulting, Under the Microscope with Jenny, Jenny Germano, or any of the podcast’s guests. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICS Consulting or its affiliates.

Ep. 44: Cannabis Operator Series | Fireside Chat with Joey Coleman Founder & CEO of KAI Dispensary

🎙 In this episode of Under the Microscope with Jenny, host Jenny Germano continues her Cannabis Operator Series with Joey Coleman, Founder and CEO of KAI Dispensary. Joey shares how a paragliding accident in Colombia that caused a severe spinal injury led him to cannabis and ultimately into the industry. He discusses transitioning from operating a 40-acre hemp/CBD farm and extraction business to launching an adult-use dispensary in Grand Junction, Colorado. Joey walks through winning a license via lottery, building from the ground up, and navigating complex zoning, planning, and permitting delays. The conversation explores what sets KAI apart: thoughtful architectural design by his brother, a light-filled retail space with a courtyard and sawtooth roofline, curated merchandising including a “smell bar,” and strong community engagement through local artist partnerships and First Friday events. Joey also shares candid lessons on staffing, compliance systems, capital constraints, supply chain logistics to the Western Slope, and building a hospitality-driven culture without micromanaging. They close by previewing KAI’s one-year anniversary celebration in March, highlighting how intentional operations and community connection help a single-store operator compete in Colorado’s mature market. Listeners will walk away with practical insights on navigating licensing and delays, building a differentiated retail experience, and leading with both compliance and hospitality at the forefront.
 
🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting🌎 𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://www.icsconsultingservice.com
🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Joey Coleman, Founder & CEO KAI Dispensary🌎 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: https://www.kaidispensary.com
 
⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀⏰
00:57 Joey’s Origin Story01:15 Crash and Recovery01:48 Finding Cannabis Relief04:33 From Hemp to Adult-Use07:07 Designing Kai Dispensary15:37 Customer Experience and Product Curation20:46 Licensing Lottery and City Relations25:44 Delays and Inspections28:01 Cannabis Taxes Funding Community29:16 Operational Surprises30:39 Systems and Growth Wins31:43 First Store Reality Check33:28 Staffing Lessons Learned35:01 Capital and Cash Cushion38:12 Supply Chain to Western Slope43:14 Community Events and Local Art46:27 Employee Culture and Service54:58 Wrap Up & Final Thoughts
 
𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The content shared on this channel - including all videos, podcasts, interviews, and discussions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, compliance, or business consulting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis and related industries vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified attorney or licensed professional before making decisions that could have legal or regulatory consequences for your business. Listening to or viewing this content does not create a client relationship between you and ICS Consulting, Under the Microscope with Jenny, Jenny Germano, or any of the podcast’s guests. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICS Consulting or its affiliates.

Ep. 43: Scams & Fraud Targeting Cannabis Operators & How To Protect Yourself

🎙 In this episode of Under the Microscope with Jenny, host Jenny Germano breaks down the growing wave of scams and fraud targeting licensed cannabis operators across the U.S. Drawing from her experience operating vertically integrated cannabis facilities in Denver since 2009 and her work through ICS Consulting for over the last 10 years, Jenny explains why cannabis businesses are uniquely vulnerable due to regulatory complexity, cash-heavy operations, evolving licensing frameworks, and limited banking access.
The conversation outlines six major scam categories affecting operators nationwide - including regulator impersonation, fake licensing and social equity programs, payment diversion schemes, delivery and reporting fraud, and investment scams. Jenny walks through real-world examples and regulator alerts while highlighting common red flags like spoofed communications, urgent payment demands, threats of license action, and attempts to bypass internal controls.
✨ This episode delivers practical safeguards operators can implement immediately, including SOPs for verifying regulator communications, stronger payment controls, role-based employee training, and clear response protocols when scam attempts occur - helping cannabis businesses protect their licenses, finances, and teams in an increasingly complex environment.
 
🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting
🌎 𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://www.icsconsultingservice.com
 
⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀⏰
03:39 National Scam Overview06:52 Red Flags Basics08:52 Regulator Scam Warnings12:15 Colorado + other State Scams13:14 Fake Licensing & Social Equity Scams19:03 Investor Fraud & Phishing24:22 Federal Investment Schemes26:27 Building Scam Safeguards28:01 Cybersecurity Essentials28:30 Phishing & Phone Scams29:43 Money Verification Controls32:17 Verifying Regulators33:56 Crypto Payment Red Flags35:37 Recommended Controls & Drills38:28 Payment & Licensing Protections43:17 Frontline Staff Training46:56 Accounting Scam Risks50:46 Key Takeaways + Wrap-Up
 
𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The content shared on this channel - including all videos, podcasts, interviews, and discussions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, compliance, or business consulting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis and related industries vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified attorney or licensed professional before making decisions that could have legal or regulatory consequences for your business. Listening to or viewing this content does not create a client relationship between you and ICS Consulting, Under the Microscope with Jenny, Jenny Germano, or any of the podcast’s guests. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICS Consulting or its affiliates.

Ep. 42: Operational Best Practices for Cannabis Retail Payments

🎙In this episode of Under the Microscope with Jenny, host Jenny Germano sits down with Michael Andrud, CEO and Founder of Lüt., to break down operational best practices for cannabis retail payments. Michael shares his background in financial services and how that experience informs his approach to navigating payments in highly regulated cannabis environments. The conversation explores the real risks of cash-heavy operations, common misconceptions around payment processing, and the compliance and regulatory concerns tied to payment options like cashless ATMs. Jenny and Michael also discuss the importance of creating consistent customer payment experiences, aligning payment solutions with business models, and effectively implementing loyalty programs. They dive deeper into staff training, documentation, fraud prevention, transparency, and optimizing payment workflows to reduce risk and improve operational efficiency. This episode offers practical guidance and actionable insights for dispensary operators looking to strengthen their payment processes while navigating an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.
 
🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting🌎 𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://www.icsconsultingservice.com
🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Michael Andrud, CEO and Founder of Lüt🌎 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: https://www.mylut.com
 
⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀⏰
00:57 Guest Introduction: Michael Andrud03:15 Challenges in Cannabis Payment Processing05:33 Operational Risks of Cash Reliance08:01 Common Payment Pitfalls for Dispensaries10:00 Visa and MasterCard's Stance on Cannabis Payments23:36 Customer Trust and Payment Consistency27:47 Leveraging Loyalty Programs for Growth35:09 Bank-to-Bank Transfer Programs36:50 Risks of ACH Transactions41:30 Staff Training and Payment Systems48:35 AI and Fraud Prevention54:54 Compliance Banking and Risk Mitigation57:39 Best Practices & Wrap Up
 
𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The content shared on this channel - including all videos, podcasts, interviews, and discussions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, compliance, or business consulting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis and related industries vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified attorney or licensed professional before making decisions that could have legal or regulatory consequences for your business. Listening to or viewing this content does not create a client relationship between you and ICS Consulting, Under the Microscope with Jenny, Jenny Germano, or any of the podcast’s guests. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICS Consulting or its affiliates.
 
 

Ep. 41: Raising the Bar and Preparing for the Cannabis Industry’s Next Phase

In this episode of Under the Microscope, host Jenny Germano sits down with Alex Hearding, Founder and President of Red Wolf Risk, to break down what’s next for the cannabis industry. From upcoming federal rescheduling and the possibility of full descheduling in the future and what these shifts mean for day-to-day operations. The conversation focuses on how operators can prepare for a more regulated future. Alex explains why aligning with federal standards now is critical and dives into the role Quality Management Systems (QMS) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) will play as the industry matures. Together, they explore how proactive compliance can help operators stay competitive, strengthen operations, empower them to quickly adapt by lowering risk exposures and increase business value ahead of future mergers and acquisitions. Tune in to gain insights into what lies ahead for cannabis operators and positioning your business for the industry’s next phase.
 
🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁: Jenny Germano, Founder of ICS Consulting🌎 𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: https://www.icsconsultingservice.com
🌿𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Alex Hearding, Founder and President of Red Wolf Risk🌎 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: https://redwolfrisk.com
 
⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀⏰
01:07 Introducing the Guest: Alex Hearding02:35 Discussion on Rescheduling and Federal Standards04:33 Impact of Rescheduling on the Cannabis Industry08:25 Compliance and Regulatory Shifts25:09 Proactive Compliance and Future Challenges33:02 The Benefits of Regulating Whole Plant Medicine33:25 Federal vs. State Regulation34:21 Interstate and International Commerce35:02 Understanding GMP and Quality Management Systems38:59 Document Management and Traceability44:41 Impact on Operators, Patients, and Consumers50:23 Preparing for GMP Compliance55:34 Exit Strategies and Industry Consolidation01:01:52 Future Outlook & Wrap Up
 
𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The content shared on this channel - including all videos, podcasts, interviews, and discussions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, compliance, or business consulting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Laws and regulations surrounding cannabis and related industries vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Always consult with a qualified attorney or licensed professional before making decisions that could have legal or regulatory consequences for your business. Listening to or viewing this content does not create a client relationship between you and ICS Consulting, Under the Microscope with Jenny, Jenny Germano, or any of the podcast’s guests. Any opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of ICS Consulting or its affiliates.