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The Dime

The Hard Thing About Hard Things: A Melody of Grit & Fortitude ft. Christina Betancourt Johnson

Mar 20, 2025
51:34

“It’s this crazy melody of things constantly happening, and you need an incredible degree of grit and fortitude. Even the best-prepared individuals with meticulous plans have to throw them up in the air like confetti. It’s an intangible feeling—until you get into it, you really don’t know.”

This quote from Christina Betancourt Johnson perfectly captures the cannabis industry—where relentless highs and lows force constant adaptation. The question is: are we just treading water, or pushing forward to something greater?

This week, we sit down with Christina Betancourt Johnson, CEO of Standard Wellness Maryland, to discuss:

  • How even the best-laid plans evolve in cannabis.
  • The balance between compliance, funding, and long-term growth.
  • The mindset and strategies needed to thrive in an unpredictable industry.

 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Cannabis Journey

02:55 Transitioning into the Cannabis Industry

05:52 Navigating the Application Process

09:03 Understanding the Dichotomy of Cannabis Business

11:50 The Importance of Vertical Integration

15:11 Challenges of Operationalizing a Cannabis Business

18:01 Managing Stakeholder Expectations

20:49 Resilience and Adaptability in Cannabis

26:31 Navigating the Cannabis Landscape

30:49 Challenges of Social Equity in Cannabis

33:37 The Importance of Agility in Leadership

36:50 Engaging in the Legislative Process

39:42 Empowering Communities Through Education

43:54 Future Trends in the Cannabis Industry

48:09 Lessons from Experience

 

Guest Links 

  • https://www.standardwellness.com/
  • https://www.instagram.com/standardwellnesscompany/
  • https://www.linkedin.com/company/standard-wellness-company/
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinabjohnson/

Our Links:

Bryan Fields on Twitter

Kellan Finney on Twitter

The Dime on Twitter

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

8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain 

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