Episode 234: Alibi Founder Marianne Cursetjee on Building an Award-Winning Cannabis Brand with Purpose

Recorded live at ICBC Berlin 2026, Chuck sits down with Marianne Cursetjee, founder of Alibi, to discuss how a personal battle with cancer inspired one of the cannabis industry's most respected brands. From Oregon to New York, Alibi has built a reputation for producing award-winning flower and pre-rolls while staying committed to quality, employee wellbeing, and authentic cannabis experiences. Marianne shares how the company has navigated highly competitive markets, why premium flower matters, and what it takes to stand out in today's rapidly evolving cannabis industry. The conversation also explores European cannabis regulations, the future of international expansion, why cannabis should be treated as medicine, and the importance of cultivating clean flower instead of relying on remediation technologies. Whether you're interested in cannabis cultivation, entrepreneurship, premium products, or the future of the global cannabis market, this episode offers valuable insights from one of the industry's most passionate founders. 🔥 Topics Covered • Building Alibi from a personal healing journey • Expanding from Oregon to New York • Winning top cannabis awards in multiple states • Creating award-winning pre-rolls • Why premium flower always comes first • Paying employees a living wage in cannabis • European cannabis regulations and medical markets • The debate over cannabis remediation • International expansion opportunities • The future of premium cannabis brands 👤 Guest Marianne Cursetjee Founder, Alibi 🌐 Website: https://alibicannabis.com/ ⏱️ CHAPTERS 01:05 First impressions of Europe's cannabis market 01:40 The story behind Alibi 02:14 Expanding from Oregon to New York 03:05 What makes Alibi different 03:57 Building a people-first company 04:13 Winning Best Flower and Best Pre-Roll 04:29 The secret to award-winning pre-rolls 05:35 Creating a lifestyle cannabis brand 06:24 The future of Alibi 07:41 European cannabis and medical access 08:19 Why remediation concerns cultivators 09:37 New products and fashion collaborations 10:28 Where to learn more about Alibi 💬 What do you think? Should cannabis brands focus on producing the highest-quality flower, even if it means charging a premium? And as more countries embrace medical cannabis, do you think the U.S. should adopt more of Europe's approach to patient access? Share your thoughts in the comments below! #CannabisTech #CannabisCultivation #CannabisBusiness #Alibi #CannabisInnovation WEBSITE: https://cannatechtoday.com/ Make sure to follow our other social media platforms to stay up-to-date on all things Cannabis & Tech Today. https://twitter.com/cannatechtoday https://www.facebook.com/CannaTechToday https://www.instagram.com/cannatechtoday