Don’t Just Survive MJ Unpacked—Dominate It: The Tactical Operator’s Blueprint

You’re Not Just Networking—You’re Auditioning for a Seat at the Industry Table

This isn’t just another cannabis event. This is your playbook. Your tactical guide. Your war room strategy kit for building real growth, forging real alliances, and protecting everything you’ve fought for...

P.S. Normally, I like to save resources for last. But no gatekeeping is the best policy. I wanted to get the resources higher up in this blog so you have them at your fingertips while you navigate MJ Unpacked—no endless scrolling, no guessing.

You'll find everything you need to navigate the event here:
📅 Full Conference Schedule (https://mjunpacked.com/schedule/)
🎤 Full Speaker List (https://mjunpacked.com/speakers/)
🤝 Official Sponsor Directory (https://mjunpacked.com/sponsors/)
🗺️ Full Expo Floorplan (https://mjunpacked.com/floorplan/)
📚 Past Conference Content (https://mjunpacked.com/past-events/)
🎯 On Point Webinars (https://mjunpacked.com/webinars/)

That said—don’t shortchange yourself by stopping there.
The real meat and potatoes? It's the rest of this guide: the mindset shifts, the tactical questions, the survival moves.
That’s what’ll make sure you’re not just busy—you’re building.

MJ Unpacked isn’t where you collect business cards—it’s where you sharpen your survival skills, your expansion plans, and your operator instincts.

This guide gives you everything you need to move like it. (And let's be real: either you move smart, or you get moved out. Period.)

Curated Events Are Battlefield Tests, Not Brand Parades

MJ Unpacked isn't a tourist event. It’s a strategic battleground for cannabis operators who are still standing in 2025, when many others are not.

You're not here to shop for swag.
You're here to find the partners, ideas, and pathways that will actually carry you through the next market cycle. (Spoiler: the loudest booths aren’t the always the smartest bets.)

The brutal truth: MJBizDaily (https://www.mjbizdaily.com/) recently reported that the cannabis retail sector shrank by 5% nationally between 2023 and early 2025—the first contraction in a decade.

The room is filled with survivors and rebuilders. Treat every conversation accordingly. (Translation: the ones worth your time aren't flexing—they're building.)

Peer Questions to Ask:

• "When federal reform stalled last year, how did your company adapt—or did it?"

• "What systems did you build internally when external momentum slowed down?"

• "Who in your leadership team actually survived previous market contractions?"

• "What were your three biggest pivots after 2024—and which one mattered most?"

• "If the market stayed frozen for 24 more months, what’s your survival play?"

What People Actually Want: Solvers, Not Sellers

The operators in this room are battling shrinking margins, fractured supply chains, cash flow strain, and political inertia.

According to New Frontier Data’s 2025 Market Report (https://newfrontierdata.com/), average cannabis business margins dropped another 7% between 2024 and 2025 due to increased taxation and regulatory slowdowns.

Nobody wants to hear a pitch.
They want allies who can fix real problems—today. (If your solution needs a TED Talk to make sense, it's already dead in the water.)

Vendor Questions to Ask:

• "How have you restructured your offering in the past 12 months to meet real operator pain points—not just trends?"

• "What's the biggest operational risk you solve for cannabis businesses today?"

• "If margins shrink another 5%, how does your solution keep operators afloat?"

• "How many of your cannabis clients are still standing after 2024?"

• "What’s one cannabis-specific failure you learned from—and how did it change your service?"

Respect Isn’t Optional—It’s the Cost of Entry

Power in cannabis doesn’t always wear a tailored blazer. It often wears a hoodie and boots.
The operator standing quietly at the back of the room might own licenses across five states.

Disrespect costs deals.
Dismissiveness costs markets.
Arrogance costs reputations. (And trust us—word travels faster than any press release.)

Self Check:

• "Am I networking based on curiosity—or on assumption?"

• "Am I approaching conversations to listen—or just to validate my own plan?"

• "Am I open to unexpected opportunities—or clinging to my comfort zone?"

• "Am I reading titles—or reading track records?"

• "Am I chasing hype—or building smart relationships that outlast market cycles?"

The Smartest Operators Say "No Thanks" Quickly

At MJ Unpacked, every wrong-fit conversation you drag out is a real opportunity you’re not having elsewhere.

Operators who build power protect their time.
Operators who survive say no faster. (If it’s not a "heck yes," it’s a "heck no." Move accordingly—at least for now.)

Self Questions After a Meeting:

• "Would I bet my license, my capital, or my team's energy on this relationship?"

• "Would I introduce this person to my inner circle without hesitation?"

• "If this vendor ghosted me post-sale, would I survive or sink?"

• "Does their solution save me time, save me money, or save me stress—or is it just noise?"

• "Am I walking away feeling sharper—or just sold to?"

A "No" Is a Strategic Seed

Not every connection at MJ Unpacked needs to turn into a deal.
Handled right, a respectful "no" grows your reputation faster than any billboard. (In this industry, how you exit a conversation says just as much as how you enter it.)

The person you kindly redirected today might recommend you to a million-dollar opportunity next year.

Reflection:

• "Did I leave every conversation with dignity—whether or not there was a deal?"

• "Did I truly listen—or was I just waiting to talk?"

• "Did I protect my standards without closing my mind?"

• "Did I offer real value—or just ask for it?"

• "Would someone walk away from me thinking, ‘That’s someone I want to work with’?"

2024 Was a Bloodbath. 2025 Demands Sharper Operators.

According to Whitney Economics (https://whitneyeconomics.com/), only 27% of cannabis businesses were profitable by the end of last year.

And this year?
Margins are tighter.
Banking reform is still stalling (FinCEN 2025 update: https://www.fincen.gov/).
Operator fatigue is real.

Survival in 2025 isn’t happening by accident.
It’s happening because you show up sharper than your competition. (If you're still moving like it’s 2020, you’re already losing.)

Tactical Vetting: Questions Every Operator Should Be Asking

For Growers:

• "How does your solution protect me from price compression, not just promise better yields?"

• "What’s your success rate helping growers stabilize pricing after harvest?"

• "How do you support small-to-mid-sized operators differently than MSOs?"

• "What risks in post-harvest processing do you help mitigate?"

• "How are you adapting your genetics or services for evolving consumer demands?"

For Retailers:

• "What operational pivots have you supported in 2024-2025 to defend retailer margins?"

• "How do you help retailers maintain basket size when foot traffic slows?"

• "What tech integrations do you recommend to boost operational efficiency?"

• "How do you stay ahead of consumer trend shifts without burning inventory?"

• "How are you helping retailers de-risk local regulatory pressures?"

For Manufacturers/Processors:

• "If I had to recall a batch tomorrow, how fast could your systems support compliance?"

• "What safeguards do you have in place for cross-state manufacturing challenges?"

• "How do you help operators cut costs without sacrificing compliance?"

• "What's your failure response protocol—and how fast is it tested?"

• "How have you adapted your SOPs for 2025’s tightening supply chain risks?"

For Ancillary Providers:

• "What's your survival rate among cannabis clients during 2024's contraction?"

• "How do you prove ROI beyond basic usage stats?"

• "What emergency scenarios have you actively supported a client through?"

• "How does your solution help defend client margins, not just operational fluff?"

• "How many cannabis-specific case studies can you actually show—not just testimonials?"

For Investors:

• "How do you vet operational resilience beyond spreadsheets?"

• "What % of your cannabis investments survived 2024’s contraction?"

• "How do you assess leadership toughness beyond a pitch deck?"

• "What risk factors do you weight highest when backing multi-state expansions?"

• "How do you vet survival instinct—not just market opportunity—in founders?"

For New Licensees:

• "Can you prove your track record helping operators clear launch hurdles without burning capital?"

• "What’s the first thing you cut if the market slows after launch?"

• "What licensing delays have you helped clients overcome—and how?"

• "How do you prevent early cash burn before revenue hits?"

• "Can you walk me through a client launch timeline that actually stayed profitable?"

For Scaling Operators:

• "Where have you failed expanding cross-state—and what did you learn?"

• "How do you build teams that survive scaling pains—not just good quarters?"

• "What operational guardrails do you install before expanding footprint?"

• "What market entry mistakes have you seen—and how do you avoid repeating them?"

• "How do you decide when to slow down growth versus doubling down?"

Now granted—some of these questions are tough. Some vendors might not have a perfect answer on the spot. That’s fine. Give leeway for real-world complexity.

But pay keen attention: evasion is a red flag. Honesty—even in uncertainty—is gold. The most impactful partners won’t fake it. They’ll look you in the eye and say,
"I’m not sure—but I’ll find out for you."

That right there? That’s real commitment. That’s someone who values your survival, your growth, and your time.

Because in this business, you don't need perfection—you need people who are willing to go to work with you.

And if they don’t treat you like you’re worth it?
Walk. Build smarter. Win bigger.

Essential Operator Resources for MJ Unpacked (At Your Fingertips)

📅 Full Conference Schedule (https://mjunpacked.com/schedule/)
🎤 Full Speaker List (https://mjunpacked.com/speakers/)
🤝 Official Sponsor Directory (https://mjunpacked.com/sponsors/)
🗺️ Full Expo Floorplan (https://mjunpacked.com/floorplan/)

Everything you need to move smarter is already at your fingertips. (Use it. Winging it is for amateurs.)

Operator FAQs: What You Really Need to Know

Is MJ Unpacked open to the public?
No. Only licensed THC cannabis operators, brand executives, active investors, and nonprofit researchers are allowed. Budtenders and aspiring managers can attend the third day only.

Can I share recordings of the conference?
No. Content recordings are exclusive to paid attendees and protected under copyright (MJ Unpacked Official Policy).

Where can I access extra education if I can't attend?

• Past Conference Content (https://mjunpacked.com/past-events/)

• On Point Webinars (https://mjunpacked.com/webinars/)

Why This Matters Right Now: April 2025 and Beyond

You survived 2024. That wasn’t luck—that was war.

But survival in cannabis doesn’t entitle you to comfort.
It demands sharper decisions, stronger partnerships, and ruthless focus moving forward.

MJ Unpacked isn’t just an event—it’s an opportunity to build the foundation of your next five years. (And if you're treating it like a free vacation? Someone else is building while you’re chilling.)

Operators who treat it casually will get left behind.
Operators who treat it as battlefield preparation will own the next market cycle.

The choice is yours. (Bet wisely.)

Closed Mouths Don’t Get Fed

You didn’t fight through last year’s chaos just to collect lanyards and tote bags.

You came to sharpen.
You came to build.
You came to connect with the people who move the needle when no one else can.

Speak clearly.
Ask sharper questions.
Move like your next five years depend on it—because they do.

And remember:
Cannabis commitment isn’t claimed—it’s proven. (Anyone can talk it. Only a few can walk it.)

Quick Pulse Checks: Questions That Separate Talkers from Walkers

• "What’s the hardest cannabis-specific challenge you solved this year—and how?"

• "When the market tightened, what did you cut—and what did you double down on?"

• "Who depends on you right now—and would they actually vouch for you?"

• "What’s your survival plan if federal reform drags out another five years?"

• "How do you show up for operators when nobody’s clapping?"

• "What’s one mistake you made scaling—and what did it teach you?"

• "Are you built for the next downturn—or just riding the last upturn?"

Because real operators don’t just survive the tough seasons—they're built by them.

Bonus Invitation: Where to Find Us

When in doubt—if you need a friendly face, a real conversation, or just someone to help point you toward the right resources—come find us at Booth #924.

No pressure, no pitch.
Whether you're curious about what we do, want to learn more about partnering, or just want to laugh about which food booth had the best snacks, swing by.

We’ll talk real.
And we’ll be rooting for you—no matter what. (Because real recognizes real.)