#26: How to Succeed with Weed - Interview with Cannabis Entrepreneur Zachary Zises

These days, everyone is feeling the stress of their jobs and of the industry. With so many people just dreaming of starting over, I always hear, I am going to just quit and go work in the Cannabis industry. It is the modern equivalent of saying I am going to run off and join the circus. 

But the reality is more challenging. It is a highly regulated and complex industry, it is illegal on the federal level so you are at the mercy of state regulations and an ever changing political environment. Then you have to be able to produce and sell a fairly technical and complex product that requires a high level of service to the customer. Making money in the business is not as straight forward as you might think.

One thing we have seen is that the Cannabis industry has done very well during the pandemic. It was considered an essential business in most parts and people have been taking advantage of that while locked down. 

There have also been a lot of positive signs about the benefits of the cannabis industry certainly in pain treatment, but also in the reduction of opioid use and related deaths. States have benefitted from the additional tax revenue. In my town here in Evanston Illinois, the city has earmarked taxes from cannabis sales to be put toward reparations.

So, what does it take to be successful in the business? Today I have with me cannabiz entrepreneur and founder of Dispensary 33 here in Chicago, Zachary Zises. Dispensary 33 was one of the first and most successful dispensaries in Chicago. They have grown with the rise of medical cannabis to adult use recreational sales. They have built a large and loyal customer base for both medical and recreational sales with their artisanal consultative, high touch approach to business. Now they are looking to expand their footprint and to get into the grow side of the business.

I’m so excited to learn more about the industry, and what it take to succeed.

Welcome Zachary.