Money & Access

by Calandra Revering

Cannabis is one of the fastest-growing industries in the country. It’s creating jobs, generating billions in revenue, and opening the door to new kinds of wellness, medicine, and entrepreneurship. But beneath all the headlines and hype, there’s a truth too many people learn the hard way: cannabis is not just about the plant. It’s about money, access, compliance, and relationships. Without those, even the best ideas don’t survive.

You can have a great brand, a strong business plan, and a genuine commitment to doing things the right way, but none of that matters if you don’t have capital. Cannabis is one of the most expensive industries to enter. Licensing fees, real estate, build-outs, equipment, security, insurance, legal and regulatory costs, inventory, staff — all of it adds up, and fast. In many states, entrepreneurs are expected to spend hundreds of thousands, sometimes millions, before they ever make a dollar.

But here’s the problem: access to that money is uneven, confusing, and often feels out of reach even for the most seasoned business owners. It’s precisely why I’ve created the Flourish Investment Forum, taking place on May 12–13, 2026, at the Hilton Minneapolis.

Flourish is not another cannabis event for tasting gummies or sampling infused drinks (although that would be fun). I want to have a serious conversation about cash, investors, banks, and programs to flourish your cannabis business. It’s a financial summit designed to discuss what builds sustainable cannabis businesses in Minnesota and to connect you with legitimate resources and experts.

During this forum, we will bring real conversations about funding options, programs, banks, angel investors, private equity, and patient capital. We’ll also be talking openly about what good investor terms look like, what red flags to avoid, and how to structure deals that don’t strip founders of control.

Minnesota is at a defining moment. We’ve legalized cannabis, created a new regulatory framework, and opened the door to a market that has the potential to generate real wealth, real jobs, and real community impact. But legalization alone doesn’t build an industry. Capital, compliance, and access build our businesses, strengthen our grit, and give us hope for financial freedom. And right now, too many founders are learning that creating a successful cannabis business takes more than passion for the plant. It’s about money, relationships, and navigating a system that is still being built in real time.

I care about this market. I want Minnesota’s cannabis industry to succeed, not just for a few well-capitalized players, but for a broad, healthy ecosystem of operators who can build lasting businesses. I want you to have money for your business. Too many people raise funds without understanding regulatory risk. Too many investors underestimate the impact of compliance on timelines, cash flow, and operations. At Flourish, compliance isn’t an afterthought; it’s part of the foundation of our business.

We’re creating a place where we all have a seat at the cannabis table: owners, investors, financial lenders, banks, and experts. Is this ambitious to the point of madness? Probably. But Minnesota’s cannabis market is worth it.