Pete Olander – Founder of Happie and innovator in cannabis and functional wellness beverages

From J.P. Morgan to mushroom and cannabis beverages, Pete Olander has taken an unconventional path into one of the fastest-growing spaces in food and beverage. As founder of Happie, Olander has built a vertically integrated wellness beverage company focused on hemp-derived THC drinks and functional mushroom products designed to offer consumers approachable alternatives to alcohol and traditional energy drinks.

In this episode of Forktales, Pete discusses the realities of bootstrapping a cannabis brand, the growing sober-curious movement among younger consumers, and why functional ingredients like lion’s mane and cordyceps are reshaping the beverage industry. He also shares insights on branding, consumer trust and navigating the complex regulations surrounding cannabis beverages.