Managing Partner @ CannaBIZ Collects & CCA | 🌎 Travel | Innovative Disrupter | Helping companies collect their 💰

I’m driven by the challenge to build great businesses with great people to solve real problems. 

My career began in 2015 after being promoted to CEO of a vertically integrated cannabis company in Colorado, where I gained hands-on experience and deep insights into the industry.

Later, I co-founded a specialty child-resistant cannabis packaging business, where I served as CEO. In 2022, I sold my shares in the company, achieving a personal exit while the business continued operating independently.

Currently I’m the Founder & Managing Partner of CannaBIZ Collects, the nation’s first and leading cannabis-focused collection agency started in 2017. In this role, I work to support cannabis businesses in navigating the unique legal and financial challenges related to A/R and collections.

I’m also the founder of the Cannabiz Credit Association, the first trade credit group in the cannabis industry, where we provide tools for risk monitoring and credit assessments to help businesses make better financial decisions and manage risk effectively.

I earned a BBA in Finance from The University of Georgia, and today, I’m based in St. Petersburg, FL. I’m committed to exploring new opportunities, improving business practices in the industry, and mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs who are looking to make an impact.

Brett Gelfand

I can’t tell you how many times we hear this:

“We were waiting to see what happened.”
“We thought they’d turn it around.”
“We didn’t want to strain the relationship.”

Then the company closes.
Or goes into receivership.
And suddenly they want to collect.

Here’s the hard truth most operators don’t understand:

Once a cannabis company shuts down or enters receivership, collectability is basically zero.

At that point:
 • Cash is gone
 • Inventory is liquidated
 • Secured creditors are first in line
 • Unsecured vendors are last

And if there’s no personal guarantee, you cannot just “go after the owner.”

An LLC or corporation exists specifically to shield personal assets.
No PG = no personal exposure.

That means:
You extended trade credit to a legal entity that no longer has assets.

Game over.

In cannabis, this happens more than in most industries because:
 • Thin margins
 • Regulatory volatility
 • Cash flow constraints
 • Overleveraged operators

Waiting until collapse is not a strategy. It’s hope.

The operators who consistently reduce bad debt do three things differently:
1. They monitor payment behavior early.
2. They tighten terms at first signs of distress.
3. They escalate before insolvency, not after.

Collections is about timing.

If you’re placing accounts only after a closure announcement, you’re not managing credit risk. You’re documenting a loss.

And in this industry, prevention will always outperform recovery.

The goal isn’t to collect from bankrupt companies.

The goal is to never let it get there.

Founder @ CannaBIZ Collects & Cannabiz Credit Association (CCA) | Recovering unpaid 💰 and reducing credit risk for cannabis companies

Big news. And big moves with the team over at Cannabiz Credit Association.

View company: Cannabiz Credit Association

We’re excited to announce that TerrAscend has officially joined the Cannabiz Credit Association community!

TerrAscend is one of the leading vertically integrated cannabis operators in North America, with operations spanning multiple states and a reputation for disciplined growth.

Adding strong, established MSOs like TerrAscend to the CCA network continues to strengthen the quality of shared trade data across the industry. The more leading operators who participate, the more transparent and accountable cannabis credit becomes for everyone.

We’re proud to have them as part of the community.

#WelcomeMarijuanaVenture #CannabisMedia #CannabisIndustry #CannabisBusiness #CannabisInsights #CannabisCommunity #CCAMembers

“We already know who the good and bad payers are…”

We see this every day at Cannabiz Credit Association.

Then six months later they place $100,000+ in collections to CannaBIZ Collects.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth:

Anecdotal memory is not a credit policy.

In cannabis, most credit decisions are still made based on:
- A rep’s personal experience
- Word of mouth
- “They’ve always paid us”
- A relationship from three years ago

That’s not risk management. That’s optimism disguised as familiarity.

And in a capital-constrained market, optimism is expensive.

The operators who’ve been humble enough to adopt data-backed credit risk ratings have seen something very different:

- Reduced DSO
- Fewer surprise defaults
- More disciplined credit limits
- Faster approvals with less internal debate

Because they stopped relying on:

1. Traditional trade credit associations with long meetings and delayed decision-making or 2. Legacy credit bureaus or new credit risk startups with little to no meaningful cannabis payment data

And started leveraging real cannabis payment data built on over 10 years of credit and collections experience in the industry.

Cannabis is not CPG.
It’s not manufacturing.
It’s not distribution in any other vertical.

You cannot underwrite it with generic data.

The best operators don’t assume they “just know.”

They validate what they think with real data… and not just blind scoring/heresay they trust. 

That humility is what protects margins.

We see these credit mistakes every day in the cannabis industry, not because teams don’t care, but because structure is missing.

1. Extending credit without vetting - Trust isn’t credit data. Without visibility into payment behavior and existing trade debt, you’re guessing and guessing is expensive.
2. No written escalation process - If there’s no clear plan for 30, 60, or 90 days past due, invoices stall. Delay weakens leverage and signals tolerance.
3. Waiting too long to act - The longer an invoice sits unpaid, the harder it is to recover. Early action protects both cash flow and relationships.
4. Confusing loyalty with risk tolerance - Familiar partners can still be high risk. Longevity doesn’t cancel financial reality.

In cannabis, credit discipline isn’t aggressive. It’s necessary. Good intentions don’t pay invoices.

Want to spot risk earlier? Cannabis-specific credit data makes the difference. 

#CannabisBusiness #CannabisFinance #TradeCredit #AccountsReceivable #CannabisCredit #CashFlowManagement #CannabisOperators #RiskManagement

Credit Mistakes - CannaBIZ Collects

When we started building CCA, the first thing we did was call the traditional credit bureaus. We assumed they already had cannabis credit data. They had few trade lines. Almost no verified payment history.

So we built the reporting network ourselves. And built a tech-forward SaaS platform specific to cannabis, with hundreds of CRB companies contributing real payment data. 

The only source of truth to know who pays and who doesn't.

When we first started building the CCA, we did what anyone would do.
We called the “normal” credit bureaus.

We asked about cannabis data. Trade lines. Payment history. Risk scoring.

And the answer was always some version of the same thing:
 “It’s limited.”
 “It is hard to collect.”
 “It’s difficult to verify back to companies.”

The reality is simple. For decades, cannabis operated in the shadows. Cash businesses. No traditional banking. No consistent reporting. A lot of legitimate operators, but very little structured credit data.

So, of course, the files were thin.

Instead of accepting that, we decided to build what didn’t exist.

We worked directly with D&B analysts. We partnered with operators. We built reporting pipelines. We standardized how trade data gets captured. And we kept going until the picture started to look real.

Today, the CCA captures payment and trade data from more than 200 companies nationwide.

Not guesses. Not vibes. Actual reported performance.

That’s how you build the most comprehensive credit bureau in cannabis.
Because this industry may have started in the black market, but its future runs on transparency, accountability, and real credit data.

And someone had to do the hard work to capture it.

To know more about how CCA works, visit us at - https://lnkd.in/gG58eey6

#CannabisIndustry #CannabisBusiness #CannabisFinance #CannabisCredit #TradeCredit
#CreditRisk #CreditData #ARManagement #AccountsReceivable

CCA is the strongest source of credit data and insights to know whose who in cannabis.

Our Michigan data set is getting stronger every day with leading operators and CRBs actively reporting verified trade lines.

If you’re in Michigan and feel a Facebook group or he says/she says is a better credit process… I’d love to challenge you and get a demo set up with our team. 

It’s time to move this industry forward together.

We’re excited to announce that Northwoods Cannabis has officially joined the Cannabiz Credit Association community!

Northwoods Cultivation is a mission-driven cannabis grower in Michigan focused on premium flower, clean cultivation practices, and thoughtful genetics. With a commitment to sustainable growing and careful attention to plant health at every stage, they produce consistent, high-quality cannabis that resonates with both patients and adult-use consumers alike.

Their craft-focused approach and dedication to excellence make them a valued new member of the CCA network.

We’re proud to welcome their passion, leadership, and commitment to quality.

#WelcomeNorthwoods #CannabisCultivation #PremiumCannabis #CraftCannabis #CannabisIndustry #CannabisBusiness #CCAMembers

probably #1 reason I see companies struggling with cash flow and AR issues today. way too much reactivity. when proactive solutions exist... finally.

Most cannabis companies still operate in reactive mode.

A retailer places an order? Ship it.
They ask for terms? Sure.
Need a little higher limit? No problem.
Everybody gets a loan.

And when they eventually don’t pay… that’s when action happens. The emails start. The calls get tense. Then it ends up in collections through @Cannabiz Collects.

That’s the old playbook.

The new age operator looks very different.
They check credit before extending terms.
They decide how much to extend based on actual trade data.
 And if they’re already doing business, they monitor credit exposure over time.

Because companies can go south quickly in this market. A license change. A tax issue. A cash crunch. One bad quarter and suddenly everyone’s chasing the same dollars.

You don’t want to be the last to know.

Reactive businesses send accounts to collections.

Proactive businesses adjust limits before there’s a problem.

The industry is maturing. The question is whether your credit process is.

#CannabisIndustry #CannabisBusiness #CannabisFinance #CannabisCredit #TradeCredit #CreditRisk #AccountsReceivable #ARManagement #CashFlow #RiskManagement

I’m a financial expert with a career that spans from Big4 public accounting to entrepreneurship and leadership in the cannabis industry. I began my professional journey in the rigorous environment of Big4 accounting, where I developed expertise in financial analysis, auditing, and regulatory compliance. This experience provided me with a robust foundation and a comprehensive understanding of financial frameworks and best practices.

Driven by a passion for innovation and client success, I founded my own accounting and advisory firm. As a trusted advisor and CFO, I have been instrumental in enhancing clients' cash flows, streamlining internal processes, and navigating complex regulatory landscapes. My expertise includes interactions with Federal and State revenue agencies, the FDA, and the USDA, ensuring clients remain compliant while optimizing operational efficiency.

DOPE CFO Certified Advisor Solutions

Onboarding and Cleanup
- Onboarding and cleanup systems

Bookkeeping and Accounting
- Bookkeeping, reconciliations, payroll, HR, month-end close, cost accounting
- Month-end error correction and GAAP accruals
- Permanent audit trail

Financial Planning and Analysis
- Cash forecasting using our proprietary tools
- Capital needs templates and cash control systems
- Analytics for decision making, startup models, and tools

Tax Services
- Annual tax planning and solutions
- GAAP-compliant, tax-ready books

Advisory and Support
- Issue resolution to focus on product/brand
- Responsive, organized, timely, and accurate service
- Value-enhancing ideas for owners

Audit and Compliance
- Systems for error detection, audit readiness, internal controls, and risk mitigation
- Network of CFOs, CPAs, and resources

Business Management Benefits
- Enhanced management and easier access to capital
- Capability to withstand audits and add value at exit or M&A
- Increased cash flow and business growth
- Long-term stability and sustainability

Additional Skill Sets and Tools
- Tax resolution, audit support, advanced planning
- Cannabis-friendly banking, merchant services
- Compliance support for seed to sale and POS systems
- Insurance, performance improvements, valuations, and forensic work

Capital Raising and Assurance Services
- Due diligence, data room maintenance, investor introductions
- Compilations, reviews, audits, and pre-audit prep

M&A and Exits
- Pitch deck review, financial models, cap tables, entity structure, investor Q&A


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