In cannabis, fast growth used to be the story. Now? It’s all about staying power. In this episode, we sit down with Patrick Rea—investor, mentor, and co-founder of Canopy Boulder—to unpack what staying power actually looks like in a volatile, still-maturing space.

Jake and Duffy trace Patrick’s journey from the natural products industry to building one of cannabis’ first accelerators, to his current role managing Poseidon's $50M growth fund. Along the way, they explore what great founders have in common, why operators need to design for profitability over flash, and how smart use of AI and networks can unlock real value for cannabis businesses.

If you’re raising capital, investing in cannabis, or wondering how to future-proof your business for the next wave of federal reform—this one’s for you.

Topics Covered:

• Green flags (and red ones) in a great investor pitch
• Why brands are the future—but not the present—of cannabis
• What federal rescheduling actually means for operators
• How Poseidon’s team evaluates modern dispensary opportunities
• The role of AI in lean startup operations
• Community as capital: lessons from Arcview and Canopy Boulder
• How founders can prepare for the “Friday at 5pm” moment

About Our Guest:
Patrick Rea is the Managing Director of the Poseidon Garden Fund and co-founder of Canopy Boulder, one of the earliest and most prolific cannabis accelerators. With a background in natural products and wellness, Patrick has brought analytical rigor and deep consumer insight to early-stage cannabis investing, backing over 115 companies in the space. He currently leads Poseidon’s efforts to support capital-efficient, growth-ready cannabis businesses across the U.S.

Links & References:

• Poseidon
• Canopy Boulder