Episode #15
Episode 15 | The Fear Disappears the Moment You Jump
EP 15 | The Fear Disappears the Moment You Jump This is an episode for anyone standing at the edge of a decision they already know the answer to. Mike Lamy spent a decade climbing the ranks in finance, and the whole time, something in him knew it wasn't it. Crystal sits down with him to talk about the five years he spent researching the cannabis industry before he actually jumped, the 43% pay cut that came with the leap, and the moment driving home from work that told him everything he needed to know. In this episode: Crystal sits down with Mike Lamy, founder of CannaBiz Ventures, for a conversation that starts with wholesale strategy and ends up somewhere a lot more personal. Mike spent close to a decade in finance before he let himself get curious about cannabis, and once he did, it took five more years of research, trade shows, and quiet obsession before he finally quit to take a part-time job at a dispensary. He calls it going from the passenger seat of his life to the driver's seat, and once you hear the story, you'll understand why. This one is for anyone who's been doing the "responsible" thing while a different pull keeps tapping them on the shoulder. Mike is honest about the fear that came with walking away from a stable career, how that fear never fully disappears, and why he thinks the edge is always scarier than the jump itself. He also gets into what he's learned building structure inside an industry that's still figuring itself out, and why he believes the cannabis companies that last are the ones that never leave the culture behind. Toward the end, Mike shares something urgent and specific to Massachusetts: an out-of-state, alcohol-backed effort to repeal the state's adult-use cannabis market is on the ballot this November. If you're in Mass, or you know someone who is, this part matters. What we get into: Why small and mid-sized cannabis brands are missing basic sales structure, and how Mike built a fractional wholesale role to fill that gap Leaving a decade-long finance career for a 43% pay cut and a part-time budtender job, and the "passenger seat to driver's seat" moment that followed Why the fear doesn't disappear until you actually take the leap, and how to tell the difference between intuition and practical fear Why "equal balance of culture and corporate" is what separates cannabis brands that last from the ones that don't Why education has to happen outside the dispensary counter, and how it’s possible to fill that gap The Massachusetts ballot measure to repeal adult-use cannabis, and what listeners in and out of state can do about it Timestamps: [00:00] Intro [00:01:00] Meet Mike Lamy, founder of CannaBiz Ventures [00:02:00] Why small and mid-size cannabis brands need wholesale structure [00:06:00] Mike's backstory: business school, the financial crisis, and a decade in finance [00:09:00] Discovering cannabis in 2014 and researching it for five years before the leap [00:11:00] Quitting finance for a dispensary job (and the 43% pay cut) [00:16:00] "See you later": what leaving finance taught him about the decision [00:17:00] Passenger seat to driver's seat, and why the fear disappears once you jump [00:20:00] How cannabis has supported him personally, and how that relationship has shifted over time [00:26:00] The education gap in cannabis, and the parallel gap in finance [00:28:00] Righting the wrongs: cannabis, stigma, and the war on drugs [00:33:00] Launching The Hash Bar to educate consumers outside the dispensary [00:37:00] Authenticity in cannabis: "you don't have to pretend who you are here" [00:41:00] Legacy market vs. licensed industry, and why the culture can't be left behind [00:46:00] Advice for anyone waking up feeling like they're wearing a mask [00:50:00] The Massachusetts ballot measure to repeal adult-use cannabis, and how to help [00:55:00] Closing thoughts and outro About Mike: After more than a decade in financial services, Mike Lamy walked away from an established career to pursue something he genuinely believed in: helping build the emerging cannabis industry. The decision followed years of reflection and ultimately became one of the most defining choices of his life. Today, Mike brings deep industry expertise, leadership, and a forward-thinking perspective to his work. Grounded by spirituality and guided by intuition, he approaches life with ambition, kindness, curiosity, and a belief that our biggest leaps often bring us closer to who we are meant to become. Connect with Mike & Cannabis Ventures: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cannabizviews/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldlamy/ Connect with Crystal & Gaia's Gift: Website: www.gaiasgift.love Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crystalclearwithintention LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-coker-gaiasgift/ Green Wisdom 44: https://gaiasgift.love/greenwisdom44 Enjoyed this episode? Thanks for tuning in! If this episode sparked something real, leave a quick review and share it with someone who's ready to bloom consciously, too. And if you've been craving something consistent to bring yourself back to center, I want to invite you into Green Wisdom 44. It's a 44-day journey of short, grounding soundbites dropped into a private Telegram space, just 3 to 7 minutes a day, exploring expression, intention, stillness, and space. Only $44. Cannabis always welcome, never required. Grab your spot: https://gaiasgift.love/greenwisdom44 This content is intended for adults 21+ only. All information shared is for educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional with any health-related questions. Please adhere to your local cannabis laws. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Conscious Bloom or Gaia's Gift.
