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The Dime

The Dime

Written by: Bryan Fields & Kellan Finney
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The $100+ billion cannabis industry is fueled by innovative strategies and visionary leaders. Each week, we explore the journeys of CEOs from publicly traded giants, world-renowned scientists, and underground legacy growers shaping the future of this transformative market. Bryan and Kellan uncover how these pioneers built their businesses, navigated failures and found success in this rapidly growing space. Join us to explore the lessons and insights driving the cannabis industry forward.© 2026 The Dime Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership Science
Episodes
  • How Top Teams Balance Art and Process in Extraction ft. Brian Adams
    Jan 29 2026
    Exceptional extraction has long been treated as an art.What separates the best teams is not creativity.It is the ability to repeat quality, consistently.And it is not SOP alone.It is judgment applied consistently under real constraints. Constraints that define what is technically possible, operationally realistic, and economically viable.Those constraints tart with understanding your system and tracking the right operational parameters at a level of detail most teams never reach.That depth of understanding is what allows teams to produce a consistent, high-quality end product instead of relying on feel or memory.This week we sit down with Brian Adams to discussHow to balance SOPs with operator flexibilityHow to think clearly about your extraction system and its limitsWhether rolling back adult use in Massachusetts is real or noise Chapters00:00 The Complexity of Extraction Processes03:06 Adapting SOPs for Optimal Results06:04 Understanding Cost Structures in Extraction09:12 The Importance of Hardware in Product Quality12:07 Navigating Consumer Expectations and Feedback15:10 Quality Control and Brand Reputation18:11 Expanding Product Categories and Maintaining Standards21:07 Educating Consumers on Concentrate Differences23:56 The Future of the Cannabis Industry in Massachusetts30:32 The Current State of Cannabis in Massachusetts34:27 The Threat of Opposition and Industry Response39:55 Navigating Negative Perceptions and Future Outlook41:14 The Importance of Industry Unity and Consumer Education42:29 Engaging with Consumers and Building a BrandSummaryIn this conversation, Bryan Fields and Brian Adams delve into the complexities of extraction processes in the cannabis industry, emphasizing the importance of flexibility in Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to achieve optimal results. They discuss the significance of understanding cost structures, the role of hardware in product quality, and the challenges of maintaining brand reputation amidst consumer feedback. The conversation also touches on the need for consumer education regarding concentrate differences and the potential future of the cannabis industry in Massachusetts. In this conversation, Brian Adams discusses the current challenges facing the cannabis industry in Massachusetts, particularly in light of recent negative news and opposition movements. He emphasizes the need for industry unity to combat misinformation and protect the rights of consumers. The discussion also touches on the importance of educating consumers about cannabis production and the potential impact of regulatory changes on the industry.Guest Links:https://www.nimbuscannabisco.com/https://www.nimbuscannabisco.com/Our Linkshttps://www.nimbuscannabisco.com/https://www.instagram.com/nimbuscc/https://www.linkedin.com/company/nimbus-cannabis-co/https://www.linkedin.com/company/hudson-botanical-processing/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jb-adams/Bryan Fields on TwitterKellan Finney on TwitterThe Dime on TwitterExtraction Teams: Want to cut costs and get more out of every run? Unlock hidden revenue by extracting more from the same input—with Newton Insights.At Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.The Dime is a top 5% most shared global podcastThe Dime is a top 10 Cannabis Podcast The Dime has a New Website. Shhhh its not finished.🎥 YouTube: The Dime📸 Instagram: The Dimehttps://www.newton-insights.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    43 mins
  • Robotics vs Automation in Cannabis Manufacturing ft. Nohtal Partansky
    Jan 22 2026

    Most cannabis automation fails for a simple reason.
    It optimizes motion instead of understanding.

    Automation executes. Robotics adapts.
    That distinction matters in an industry where variability is unavoidable and capital is limited.

    This episode breaks down why feedback loops matter more than machines, why fully automated facilities are still far off, and how teams should think about constraints before investing.

    This week, we sit down with Nohtal Partansky to cover:

    • Why automation breaks under variability
    • Automation vs robotics, clearly defined
    • How to avoid expensive missteps

    Chapters

    00:00 Understanding Automation in Cannabis Manufacturing

    03:02 The Role of Robotics vs. Automation

    05:45 Consultative Approach to Automation

    08:54 Challenges in Cultivation Automation

    11:59 Designing for Variability in Automation

    15:01 Iterative Development and Customer Feedback

    18:08 Identifying Design vs. Customer Issues

    21:06 Adapting to Environmental Nuances

    23:55 Conveying Value in Automation Solutions

    27:09 Strategic Approaches to Automation in Supply Chain

    30:10 Optimizing Pre-Roll Production Processes

    33:44 Understanding Tolerance Levels in Manufacturing

    36:39 Intellectual Property in the Cannabis Industry

    42:26 Innovations in Cannabis Manufacturing

    45:32 Challenges in Automation and Scaling

    50:51 Improving Processes and Training in Cannabis Operations

    Summary

    In this conversation, Bryan Fields and Nohtal Partansky delve into the intricacies of automation and robotics within the cannabis manufacturing industry. They discuss the differences between fully automated and automated processes, the consultative approach to implementing automation, and the challenges faced in cultivation. The conversation highlights the importance of feedback loops in robotics, the iterative design process, and the need for a deep understanding of customer needs. They also touch on the significance of protecting intellectual property while fostering innovation in a rapidly evolving industry.

    Guest Links

    • https://www.instagram.com/sortingroboticsinc/
    • https://www.youtube.com/@sortingrobotics
    • https://www.linkedin.com/company/sortingrobotics/
    • https://www.sortingrobotics.com/
    • https://www.linkedin.com/in/nohtal/

    Our Links

    Bryan Fields on Twitter

    Kellan Finney on Twitter

    The Dime on Twitter

    Extraction Teams: Want to cut costs and get more out of every run? Unlock hidden revenue by extracting more from the same input—with Newton Insights.

    At Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.

    The Dime is a top 5% most shared global podcast

    The Dime is a top 10 Cannabis Podcast

    The Dime has a New Website. Shhhh its not finished.

    🎥 YouTube: The Dime

    📸 Instagram: The Dime

    https://www.newton-insights.com/


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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    51 mins
  • Building Jaunty Into One of New York’s Top Cannabis Brands ft. Nicolas Guarino
    Jan 15 2026
    Jaunty’s rise to the top of the New York cannabis market was not an overnight success.It was built through discipline in a market uniquely designedNew York’s rollout remains unforgiving.One store openings, supply and demand constraints, and continuous price compression forced every decision into the open.This week we sit down with Nicolas Guarino, Co-Founder and CEO of Jaunty, to break down what it actually takes to survive and scale in one of the most interesting cannabis markets in the country.This week we sit down with Nick to discuss:Why consistency becomes the only real moat as prices fallHow New York’s rollout punished assumptions and rewarded preparednessCapital discipline, supplier trust, and avoiding overspend death spiralsChapters00:00 Introduction to Jaunty and Nicolas Guarino03:06 The Journey into the Cannabis Industry06:07 Challenges and Lessons Learned in CBD09:00 Transitioning to Recreational Cannabis11:54 Building a Brand in a Competitive Market15:07 Navigating Market Dynamics and Growth Challenges18:07 The Importance of Support and Resilience20:49 Understanding Market Economics and Consumer Behavior23:55 Future Prospects for Cannabis in New York31:48 The Economics of Cannabis Production36:29 The Importance of Consistency in Branding41:11 Navigating Challenges in Cannabis Operations46:10 Strategic Planning for Future Growth51:56 Inventory Management and Cost Control56:02 Preparing for Market Consolidation58:11 Final Thoughts and Future Directions About: Nicolas Guarino is Co-Founder and CEO of Jaunty. As a GMP-certified 100% New York company working in cannabis extraction since 2017, Jaunty has been producing and distributing the finest solventless hash, live resin, and distillate cannabis products in its mission to close the gap between flower and oil. With state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Hoosick Falls, NY, Jaunty is one of New York's leading companies licensed for all adult-use cannabis supply chain activities outside of retail, including cultivation, processing, manufacturing, and distribution. They produce and distribute one of New York’s best-selling cannabis vape brands, available in all of the state’s licensed dispensaries, and their product portfolio also features gummies, concentrates, and disposable vapes.SummaryIn this episode, Bryan Fields interviews Nicolas Guarino, co-founder and CEO of Jaunty, discussing his journey in the cannabis industry, the challenges faced in the CBD market, and the transition to recreational cannabis. They explore the importance of brand consistency, financial strategies for growth, and the dynamics of the New York cannabis market. Nicholas shares insights on consumer education, market predictions, and the future vision for Jaunty emphasizing the need for adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced industry.Guest Linkshttps://jaunty.com/https://x.com/getjauntyhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/get-jauntyhttps://www.instagram.com/get_jaunty/https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas-guarino-43939b103/Our Links:Bryan Fields on TwitterKellan Finney on TwitterThe Dime on TwitterExtraction Teams: Want to cut costs and get more out of every run? Unlock hidden revenue by extracting more from the same input—with Newton Insights.At Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.The Dime is a top 5% most shared global podcastThe Dime is a top 10 Cannabis Podcast The Dime has a New Website. Shhhh its not finished.🎥 YouTube: The Dime📸 Instagram: The Dimehttps://www.newton-insights.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    57 mins
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