#094 - The Leadership Journey: From Prop 215 to Pioneering CEO with AnnaRae Grabstein and Sabrina Noah

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In this special episode of High Spirits, we share with you AnnaRae's guest appearance on Practical Politics with friend and Lobbyist Lady Sabrina Noah.

From brewing espresso during California's groundbreaking Prop 215 campaign to revolutionizing cannabis quality standards, AnnaRae Grabstein's journey through the cannabis industry offers a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership. Her story begins in the Castro district of San Francisco, where as a teenager she witnessed the birth of medical cannabis advocacy from the AIDS crisis—planting seeds that would later blossom into pioneering entrepreneurship.

Combining her natural business acumen with formal education, she co-founded Steep Hill Lab—the world's first cannabis testing laboratory—while simultaneously pursuing her MBA. This groundbreaking venture not only introduced scientific methodology to cannabis evaluation but created an entirely new sector within the industry.

The conversation reveals profound insights about the delicate balance between ambitious vision and practical execution that defines successful cannabis leadership. AnnaRae candidly shares how early leadership challenges taught her the importance of mentorship and honest feedback—experiences that now inform her work as a strategic advisor through her firm Wolf Meyer. Her three-pillared approach helps cannabis companies define their purpose, establish clear objectives with quantifiable goals, and develop aligned KPIs that enable everyone in the organization to understand what winning looks like.

Perhaps most valuable is AnnaRae's perspective on being a "truth teller" in an industry where executive teams often lack honest outside voices. Whether helping companies transition to employee ownership or realigning compensation structures for profitability, her ability to deliver difficult messages while driving meaningful transformation demonstrates the unique value strategic advisors bring to cannabis businesses navigating complex challenges.

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High Spirits is brought to you by Vertosa and Wolf Meyer.

Your hosts are Ben Larson and AnnaRae Grabstein.

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