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Big Mike Talks US Rescheduling, Global Market Ripple Effects

By Shadd Dales On Jul 25, 2025

Shadd Dales and Anthony Varrell sit down with Big Mike Straumietis, founder and CEO of Advanced Nutrients, for the Friday Trade To Black Podcast. Big Mike gives his thoughts in a no-nonsense discussion about US cannabis rescheduling, California’s enforcement chaos, and the future of global cannabis cultivation. What sort of ripple effect can we expect if rescheduling happens, and how will Big Alcohol react? That’s what we’ll chat about in this episode.

Big Mike has been in the cannabis space since the late 1980s, witnessing the plant’s evolution from underground grows to a global multibillion-dollar industry. With US rescheduling now closer than ever, he shares why this moment could be one of the most important turning points in cannabis history. Cannabis rescheduling, Big Mike believes, would trigger a domino effect worldwide, due to America’s dominant influence on global drug policy.

We also dig into the ICE raids shaking California’s market, including the recent Glass House Brands (OTC: GLASF) raid that had the industry on edge. Are these isolated enforcement actions, or could they signal a wider federal crackdown just as the legal market struggles with pricing pressure and illicit competition? Or could it be something more insidious—like rival operators undercutting the competition?

Big Mike believes it might be the latter. He emphasized that this kind of behavior reflects growing tension in California’s cannabis sector, where legal businesses are under pressure from high taxes and illicit operators. He also noted that while Glass House was raided, no product was seized—something he sees as telling—suggesting it may have been more about intimidation than a legitimate crackdown.

If the US moves cannabis off Schedule I, how quickly will other countries follow? Big Mike shares insights from his global network—highlighting where momentum is building in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. He also breaks down Advanced Nutrients’ 8th‑Generation product line, new sustainability protocols, and how AI-driven systems, vertical farming, and precision agriculture are shaping the future of cannabis cultivation.

Later in the episode, chart analyst Dan from The Chart Guys highlighted strong weekly performances from cannabis and psychedelic stocks, including ATAI Life Sciences and Compass Pathways.

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Shadd Dales

Shadd Dales is the Founder and President of The Dales Report and has an extensive background in the business media industry.

His work translates into over 15 years in mainstream media that included roles with BNN Bloomberg, CTV Properties and the iHeart Radio Network.

Shadd is considered one of the leading on air talents in both the cannabis and psychedelic space and has interviewed some of the most notable CEO names in the industry.

Shadd’s vision is to establish a content platform that is equivalent to a mainstream broadcast produced in a format that is relevant for today’s investor.