
#416: The Cannabis Tax Loophole No One's Talking About: ESOPs Explained with Darren Gleeman
From Cannabinoid Connect by Kevin Carrillo
July 31, 2025 · 31 min · Episode 416
About this episode
Darren Gleeman discusses how ESOPs can help cannabis companies eliminate federal income tax and reward employees with ownership.
What if there was a legal way for cannabis companies to eliminate federal income tax and reward employees with ownership at the same time? Darren Gleeman, Managing Partner of MBO Ventures, joins the show to break down the rise of ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plans) in the cannabis industry. In this episode, we explore: Why ESOPs are a "game-changer" for cannabis companies How they help companies legally avoid the burden of 280E What MSOs (multi-state operators) and smaller cannabis businesses need to know How selling your company to your employees can boost valuation, reduce taxes, and create long-term loyalty The surprising political role cannabis could play in the 2024 election Whether you're an operator, investor, or just curious about business strategy in cannabis, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. 📘 Darren's Book on ESOPs: https://a.co/d/d6TPq9E 🔗 Learn more at: https://mboventures.com ================== About Cannabinoid Connect Thought-provoking discussions, expert insights, and captivating stories shaping the future of this transformative industry. Subscribe and follow via the following platforms: Website Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube X Instagram…
People in this episode
Host: Kevin Carrillo
Guest: Darren Gleeman
Topics covered
- cannabis industry
- ESOPs
- tax strategies
- employee ownership
- business valuation
- political implications
Keywords
- cannabis tax loophole
- employee stock ownership plans
- federal income tax
- 280E
- multi-state operators
- business strategy
- 2024 election
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: MBO Ventures, Cannabinoid Connect, ESOPs, MSOs
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