Lumino has officially acquired The Cannabis Conversation, one of the most respected podcasts covering the global cannabis industry.
Originally launched & hosted by corporate lawyer Anuj Desai in 2019, the show spent 4 years documenting the evolution of the cannabis sector through interviews with founders, operators, investors and policymakers. Over time it became a trusted source of insight for professionals navigating the complexities of a rapidly developing industry. In 2022, however, the show entered a 2-year hiatus.
Lumino’s acquisition of The Cannabis Conversation podcast was completed in mid-2025, with the first episode recorded under Lumino’s stewardship in October 2025. Until now, the transition had been kept largely behind the scenes while preparations were made for the next phase of the podcast.
With the public announcement on the 4th of March 2026, Lumino is formally introducing the next chapter of the show.
📝 Are you a journalist wanting to write about this? Skip to the press release version.
Continuing a Trusted Industry Platform
Since its launch, The Cannabis Conversation has become an important resource for industry professionals across Europe and beyond.
Episodes have regularly explored topics such as the science behind the plant, regulatory change, operational strategy, capital markets and the personal journeys of entrepreneurs building companies in one of the world’s most tightly regulated industries.
For Lumino, the decision to acquire the podcast was both strategic and personal.
As Lumino’s leadership explained in announcing the acquisition:
“We've watched this podcast serve this industry for years. Candidates navigating their careers. Operators benchmarking their thinking. It's been a quiet but consistent resource in a market that doesn't have enough of them.”
“When the opportunity came to take it on from Anuj, we looked at each other and said yes before we'd even finished the sentence.”
Moving forward the podcast will be hosted by Thomas Gray and Nikita Cretu, the co-founders of Lumino, with Roberto Perez as the Podcast Producer and Lamey Gomez-Vega as the Podcast Coordinator.
Importantly, The Cannabis Conversation’s founder, Anuj Desai, remains involved as a trusted advisor to the project, helping ensure continuity while allowing the show to evolve under new leadership.
A Natural Extension of Lumino’s Mission
The acquisition reflects Lumino’s broader mission within the cannabis industry.
Founded in London in 2018, Lumino has built its reputation as Europe’s leading recruitment agency specialising in the cannabis sector. The company focuses on connecting companies with experienced professionals across cultivation, pharmaceuticals, compliance, commercial operations and executive leadership.
The company’s guiding belief is simple: “an industry is only as good as the people in it.”
That philosophy aligns closely with the original vision behind The Cannabis Conversation.
As Nikita Cretu, COO of Lumino, explains:
“Lumino, in Latin, means ‘to bring into the light’. We built Lumino on a single belief. This industry is only as good as the people in it.”
“The Cannabis Conversation follows that mission exactly. Instead of seats in a business, we're putting the brightest minds in their respective fields into the podcast seat.”
Through its recruitment work, Lumino has spent years building relationships with many of the key leaders shaping the global cannabis market. The podcast now serves as a platform to bring those conversations into the open.
What Listeners Can Expect Going Forward
Under Lumino’s leadership, the podcast will continue to focus on the people building the cannabis industry from the inside.
Plus this time, The Cannabis Conversation will also be produced in video format to expand its accessibility and for viewers to enjoy across various online platforms.
Future episodes will feature:
Cannabis founders and executives scaling companies across global markets
Operators sharing lessons from cultivation, manufacturing and distribution
Investors discussing capital flows into the sector
Policymakers and regulatory experts explaining how legislation is evolving
However, the show will also expand beyond cannabis.
Lumino plans to bring in leaders from other highly regulated sectors including pharmaceuticals, alcohol and tobacco. These industries have already navigated many of the regulatory, operational and capital challenges that cannabis companies are currently facing.
By drawing lessons from these adjacent sectors, the podcast aims to explore what cannabis must do to earn long term credibility with governments, institutional investors and mainstream markets.
As Lumino’s leadership explains:
“We want their honest read on what this industry needs to do to earn its seat at the table with institutional capital, with governments, with the mainstream.”
A Platform for the Next Phase of the Industry
The global cannabis industry is entering a new stage of maturity. Markets are expanding, regulatory frameworks are evolving and capital is becoming more selective.
In this environment, thoughtful industry dialogue has never been more important.
By acquiring The Cannabis Conversation, Lumino is not simply preserving a respected industry platform. It is expanding a space where the real stories behind the cannabis sector can be shared openly.
Stories about regulatory battles, operational pivots, market lessons and the people doing the hard work to build a legitimate global industry.
And in an industry still defining itself, those conversations matter more than ever.
Press Release Version
London, UK – March 4, 2026 – Lumino, Europe’s leading recruitment agency specialising in the cannabis industry, has officially acquired The Cannabis Conversation, one of the most recognised podcasts covering the global cannabis sector.
Originally founded and hosted by Anuj Desai, the podcast has built a strong reputation over the years by interviewing founders, operators, investors and policymakers shaping the industry.
The acquisition took place in mid-2025, with the first re-launch episode recorded under Lumino’s leadership in October 2025. The transition remained private since then, with the official announcement being made in March 4, 2026 as the relaunch episode was published.
Under its new stewardship, the podcast will be hosted by Lumino leadership, including Thomas Gray and Nikita Cretu, continuing the show’s focus on the people building the cannabis industry. Anuj Desai will remain closely involved as a trusted advisor to the podcast, helping ensure continuity as it enters its next chapter.
In addition to the new hosts, the show will now also be produced in video format, expanding its accessibility across digital platforms. Production of the podcast will be led by Roberto Perez, while episode coordination and guest liaison will be managed by Lamey Gomez-Vega.
“We’ve watched this podcast serve this industry for years,” Lumino’s leadership said in announcing the acquisition. “Candidates navigating their careers. Operators benchmarking their thinking. It’s been a quiet but consistent resource in a market that doesn’t have enough of them.”
Future episodes will continue to feature cannabis founders, operators and investors, while also bringing in leaders from other highly regulated industries such as pharmaceuticals, alcohol and tobacco to share insights relevant to cannabis as it matures.
For Lumino, the acquisition reflects the company’s broader mission within the sector.
“Lumino, in Latin, means ‘to bring into the light’. We built Lumino on a single belief: this industry is only as good as the people in it,” said Nikita Cretu, COO of Lumino. “The Cannabis Conversation follows that mission exactly. Instead of seats in a business, we’re putting the brightest minds in the industry into the podcast seat.”
Founded in London in 2018, Lumino connects cannabis companies with experienced professionals across the global cannabis ecosystem. The acquisition of The Cannabis Conversation expands Lumino’s role as a platform for industry insight and dialogue.
Media Contact:
Roberto Perez at Lumino
press@luminorecruit.com
English (UK)
Deutsch