The Cannabis Business Coach Episode 62: Ian Dominguez, Delta Emerald Ventures

Описание: Cannabinoids Are Mainstream: Investing in THC Beverages and the Future of Cannabis

In this episode of The Cannabis Business Coach Podcast, host Michael Zaytsev (Professor Z) talks with Ian Dominguez, Founder and CIO of Delta Emerald Ventures, about how data, policy, and consumer behavior are shaping the cannabis industry—especially the booming market for THC beverages.

Ian shares insights from Delta Emerald’s proprietary research, including the striking fact that daily cannabis consumers have recently outnumbered daily alcohol consumers in America for the first time. He explains why cannabinoids are already mainstream, how hemp-derived beverages may represent the regulatory “path of least resistance,” and why long-term value will accrue closer to the consumer rather than at the cultivation level.

The conversation also explores how becoming a new father has shaped Ian’s perspective on purpose and impact, and why technology and behavioral data will define the next era of cannabis investing.

Topics Discussed:

🥂 Proprietary THC beverage research and adoption trends.
📊 Daily cannabis consumption surpassing alcohol for the first time in U.S. history.
🧭 State vs. federal policy pathways for hemp-derived beverages.
💡 How Delta Emerald leverages behavioral data to anticipate consumer trends.
💰 Where value accrues in the cannabis supply chain (and why it’s not with growers).
👨‍👩‍👦 Ian’s reflections on fatherhood, purpose, and building for the next generation.

Noteworthy Quotes:

“Since 2022, there have been more daily cannabis consumers than daily alcohol consumers in America for the first time since tracking began.” – Ian Dominguez

“The closer you get to the end consumer, the more value gets generated.” – Ian Dominguez

About Ian Dominguez:

Ian Dominguez is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Delta Emerald Ventures, an investment firm focused on intelligently deploying capital in the cannabis industry. He specializes in using behavioral data to capitalize on major consumer trends, drawing on a decade of experience at institutional hedge funds and family offices.

Show Notes (timestamps):

0:00 – Introduction and welcome

2:00 – Fatherhood, founder journeys, and purpose in business

6:30 – Using data to guide investment decisions

11:00 – Cannabinoids have already gone mainstream

16:45 – THC beverages: parallels to the rise of hard seltzer

22:30 – Policy pathways and regulatory considerations

29:00 – Where value really accrues in the cannabis supply chain

35:00 – Why cultivators may not capture long-term value

40:00 – Tech and data as key drivers of the industry’s future

46:00 – Final reflections on impact and the next generation

Connect with Ian Dominguez:

🌐 Website: www.deltaemerald.com

🔗 LinkedIn: Ian Dominguez

📬 Newsletter: The Delta Dispatch

🎤 Event: CannaBevCon

More info @ www.HiMikeZ.com