Brian Weber sits down with Stu Zakim, a seasoned PR professional and advocate, to discuss the challenges and opportunities within New York's evolving cannabis industry. Stu shares his perspective on transitioning from the underground market to legal operations and the story of Happy Munkey's journey from a secretive speakeasy to a legitimate business. The conversation covers the impact of legalization on communities, the importance of strategic public relations, and sheds light on the broader issues facing cannabis entrepreneurs today. Chapters:00:00:00 How Legalization is Changing the Cannabis Landscape00:00:37 Kicking Off: Welcome to How to Flourish in Cannabis00:01:06 Meet Stu Zakim: PR Veteran in Cannabis00:01:35 From Hollywood to Cannabis: Stu's Journey00:04:09 Transition Tales: Moving from Legacy to Legal00:07:08 Happy Munkey’s Evolution: From Underground Speakeasy to Legal Retail00:10:45 Happy Munkey's Strategic Pivot During the Pandemic00:14:00 Overcoming Legal Hurdles: Real Stories from the Cannabis Frontline00:19:39 Mastering PR: Essential Strategies for Cannabis Entrepreneurs00:23:17 Building Trust Through Community Engagement00:27:25 Engaging Your Community: Tips for Effective Media Relations00:31:53 Tapping into New Opportunities: The Future of Cannabis Business00:37:30 Wrapping Up: Key Takeaways and Final ThoughtsLinks and Resources:Stu Zakim on LinkedInBridge Strategic CommunicationsFlourish SoftwareBrian Weber on LinkedInThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Flourish in Cannabis? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube to leave us a review!

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