Chris Day from the Global Cannabis Network Collective catches up with Emerald Lane Recruitment founder and CEO, Stephanie Pow about her multifaceted career path, her passion for the plant, and where the opportunities are for those looking to get ahead in the global cannabis sector.
Moving beyond the hype cycle of early legalization markets, they discuss the industry’s shift toward greater professionalism, regulation, and operational maturity across regions including the U.S., Europe, and emerging international markets such as Portugal, Germany, and parts of Latin America.
Stephanie draws on her global background and experience building cannabis recruitment infrastructure to emphasize that sustainable success in the sector depends less on capital or product innovation and more on intentional hiring, clear organizational structure, and alignment around purpose—particularly a strong personal “why” for working in cannabis.
The conversation highlights ongoing challenges such as burnout, talent mismatches, and legacy market transitions, while underscoring the importance of storytelling, cross-border talent mobility, and people-centric leadership as the industry continues to globalize and professionalize.
