This week, we’re joined by Shahbaaz Kara-Virani, Canadian Sales Leader for dutchie - a technology platform providing e-commerce solutions for dispensaries. Shahbaaz is also a Founding Member of the Ontario Cannabis Policy Council.
Our discussion explores the complex history of the Canadian medical cannabis market, the blurry line between recreational and medical cannabis use, and where the illicit market fits in.
→ View full show notes, summary, and access resources here:
https://www.canverse.global/shownotes/e128
About Shahbaaz Kara-Virani
Shahbaaz's mission is to help create global accessibility in the cannabis industry. He is a community builder who focuses on facilitating discussions between retailers, brands, cultivators, budtenders, and everything in between. Currently, he is the Canadian Leader at dutchie, and a founding member of the Ontario Cannabis Policy Council, helping shape cannabis legislation in Canada's most populous province. Prior to joining dutchie, Shahbaaz spent six years at Salesforce and 18 months as the Head of Sales at Lift, a key player in helping drive the early days of Canadian Cannabis. In addition, he is a co-founder/player on the Canadian Beach Soccer team, and the cannabis channel moderator for the Pavillion.
Quotables
‘The biggest gap in our industry is… accessing reliable information’ 19:45
‘[When recreational cannabis was legalised] everyone forgot about the medicinal market’ 20:00
‘There isn’t much of a difference between recreational and medical products’ 23:20
Resources
Join Shahbaaz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahbaaz-kara-virani-51936b30/?originalSubdomain=ca
dutchie’s Website: https://dutchie.com/
Follow dutchie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/getdutchie/
Follow dutchie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearedutchie/