C3 Podcast No. 42: Tanner Ezell from Highest Ground Coffee
Updated: Jun 7
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C3 Podcast No. 42: Tanner Ezell from Highest Ground Coffee. In No. 42 of the Cannabis Commerce + Chemistry Podcast, host Curt Robbins from Higher Learning LV and co-hosts Dena Putnam from Leafwize Naturals and John Bailey from the Mindset Genesis interview coffee infusion expert Tanner Ezell from Highest Ground Coffee in Scottsdale, Arizona. Highest Ground Coffee formulates and sells cannabinoid-infused coffee blends that are targeted at medical patient customers.

C3 Podcast No. 42: Tanner Ezell from Highest Ground Coffee
Ezell explains how he got into the infused coffee business and why the approach of Highest Ground Coffee is medical, not social or recreational. From a simple goal of treating his own conditions with a consumption avenue other than smoking, Ezell devised a technical approach that allows him to accurately infuse coffee using the popular K-Cup format from Keurig (he explained that he employs only compostable materials to maintain environmental stewardship).
"Ezell detailed how Highest Ground Coffee embraces a range of cannabinoids beyond CBD and delta-9 THC and spent much time discussing THCV."
Ezell detailed how Highest Ground Coffee embraces a range of cannabinoids beyond CBD and delta-9 THC and spent much time discussing THCV, the varin analog to the infamous delta-9 THC molecule that is known for decreasing appetite and delivering energy and motivation.

Highest Ground Coffee Co.
He also explained how the company's use of nanoemulsion technology allows it to give patients and customers important characteristics of a good medicine: Fast onset (10-20 minutes versus the one to two hours of traditional oil-based cannabis edibles), significantly better bioavailability, and sometimes longer duration. These attributes mean that Highest Ground Coffee's customers gain more value from its products than those of many competitors. Patients who suffer pain or anxiety are particularly appreciative of the relatively short onset time of infused beverage products based on nanoemulsion.
"Patients who suffer pain or anxiety are particularly appreciative of the relatively short onset time of infused beverage products based on nanoemulsion."
The group then discussed the opportunity for Highest Ground Coffee to offer customers bespoke medicine via customization of cannabinoid blends. Ezell explained how his process—the details of which cannot currently be discussed due to a patent application—allows him to quickly and efficiently create custom formulations for customers.
Said Ezell during the interview: "That's what really motivates me. That's what I really enjoy about this venture. Being able to take a side of cannabis that people don't look at. You know, when I started, the most common response to [the idea of infused coffee] was 'just smoke it, bro; it's just weed, just smoke it.' It feels very validating, I guess, because there was a lot of that resistance."

🎧 Listen: C3 Podcast No. 42: Tanner Ezell from Highest Ground Coffee
This weekly podcast is targeted at cannabis and hemp industry professionals and is strategically free of profanity and crude dialog. This audio session was edited for length and clarity.
To better understand our favorite cannabis research, listen now at Higher Learning LV, on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and most other major podcasting platforms (including Amazon Music, Anchor, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Pandora, and Stitcher).
C3 No. 42 Show Notes 🎧
Tanner Ezell (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/tannerezell/
Highest Ground Coffee Co.: https://highestgroundcoffee.com/
Visit sponsor Higher Learning LV: https://HigherLearningLV.co/articles
Visit Leafwize Naturals (Dena Putnam): https://leafwize.com
Visit the Mindset Genesis (John Bailey): https://themindsetgenesis.com
Follow Higher Learning LV on Facebook: https://bit.ly/3w6Dyf7
Enroll in the course Core Cannabis: https://bit.ly/3JN4IwW
Subscribe to the Higher Learning LV Deep Dive Series: https://bit.ly/3kWE8Jx

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