#143 - Ascend: Moving Fast to Win Deals (ft. Frank Perullo, Co-Founder of Ascend Wellness)

In this episode we are joined by Frank Perullo of Ascend Wellness. Frank is a Co-Founder of AWH and currently serves as President and Chief Strategy Officer. We Discuss: - Frank’s Background in Regulatory Affairs - Early Days of being a Cannabis Consultant in MA - Working with GTI, Tilt, Ianthus, Acreage along with mom & pop operators - Why is it so Difficult to Open a Dispensary in MA? - Genesis: Meeting Abner and Creating Ascend - Moving Fast: Why Ascend was able to win the Friend St Store in Boston - IL: Buying a Distressed Cultivation Asset - Deciding to Double Stack to be ready for Adult Use - NJ: Doing a Deal after Everyone Had Looked at it - Ground Game: Finding Great Retail Locations by Knocking on Doors - How’s the New Jersey Market? - Changing Canopy Sizing based on Projected Supply - Entering PA via acquiring a CR license - Second Mover Advantage - Customers: Value vs Premium and Inflation Pressures - Why Should Investors choose Ascend? Thanks to Frank for joining us for this very fun and informative interview