Cannabis Economy

Betty Aldworth returns to give us an update on what SSDP is up to leading up to election day. She’s doing her best to ensure that the youngest voting demographic registers to vote and does in fact vote in this ridiculous, inane, disgusting yet remarkably important election. Marvin Washington discusses what good coaching or leadership means and then dive into his involvement in cannabis. He’s interested in ensuring that he doesn’t get pigeonholed simply as a former NFL player- he’s wants to understand and communicate what the whole plant can do for the masses. We finish by Marvin discussing how the cannabis movement can help the current societal racial unrest and ensure that all of society has the opportunity to be involved.

Michael Bronstien of the American Trade Association of Cannabis and Hemp joins us to discuss his background in politics which includes a White House internship turning into full time eploy as well as working for Tony Blair, the former Prime Minister of England. He shares his views from the inside of electoral politics albeit at a low level at the time and how that informed his work now with ATACH. We first speak with Will and Jim of the Yes on 4 campaign in Massachusetts. Will and Jim share how it’s set up, where the money goes and how it plays or doesn’t with the current medical initiative. 

Barbara Blazer, mother of Debby Goldsberry and RN at Magnolia joins us to discuss her philosophy on cannabis. She shares her very first experience with cannabis and what exactly she’s doing now to educate fellow boomers. Programming note- we do a quick change after Barbara and we’re in the main room at Magnolia so it’s active around us. Following her mother, Debby Goldsberry then brings us through her journey which of course includes the early days of cannabis legalization advocacy. Debby shares how Barbara, civics class and redirect helped lead her to the being on the road with Jack Herer among other familiar notables. And Debby reminds us that after election day is when the actual work begins on legislation passed.

Amanda Reiman returns to give us an update on Prop 64. She takes us through the actual legislation, where the money goes as well as where polling is as we speak. We wanted to get this out as soon as possible so while the content is current the sound quality is less than ideal. Then Congressman Jared Polis joins us to give us an overview cannabis in Colorado. The congressman takes us through what’s working in Colorado as well as what’s working in congress. He does have a fairly bullish outlook on what’s possible which I guess is what comes with the territory as a politician. He’s a busy man so we didn’t have a ton of time but there’s a lot packed in to the conversation we had.

Joe Brezny of Nevada Question 2 joins us to discuss the initiative. He outlines how the current medical program is going and how that affects the coming potential adult use legislation. Joe shares the current polling numbers and the fact that it’s a little too close for comfort as we speak. THE Wanda James then joins us and shares her unique background. We thank her for her Naval intelligence service for our country…and then dive into her thoughts on why oh so many folks in the space have served our country. She shares her work in politics with the likes of Jared Polis and Barack Obama and how that all led to her her current place in cannabis. 

With some interesting prognostications, Aaron Justis returns. He discusses what might just happen in cannabis as we move, albeit deliberately, towards legalization nationwide. His focus now though is on the city of Los Angeles as state wide regulations come in to existence. Aaron shares that the year of 2017 is when the work gets done in the city and the state. We move into a conversation around the similarities between cannabis and wine as well as cannabis and coffee…and the potential ultimate outcome of “cannabis as medicine."

Dr. Mark Ware, the Vice Chair of Canada’s Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation discusses the fact that adult-use cannabis legalization is a matter of how not if in Canada. Dr. Ware takes questions from the Lift Cannabis Expo audience which cover everything from the Endocannabinoid system to each of the potential distribution systems the task force is considering. But first Jeremy Jacob give us an on the ground account of the dispensary licensing happening as we speak in Vancouver and Victoria. The province of British Columbia and those aforementioned cities are behaving like geographies you know and love in the US. Jeremy also takes us through his new position as the head of Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries. 

John Whiteman of Wana Brands joins us to discuss the Wana story. He takes us through his personal history and how he found himself in the cannabis space. John discusses the early days of the medical market in Colorado and the various products Wana tested before settling in on the current product assortment. The conversation happened a few weeks back and John brings up polling in Nevada…which works out well as Andrew Jolley of NV returns to give us an update on where we are with that ballot initiative as the opposition gets underway. 

Jesce Horton returns and gives us an update on his new venture Saints cannabis as well as the latest on the MCBA. We go back to episode 78 to get some personal history and  then Jesce and I find ourselves in Bryant Park in NYC having a straightforward conversation about race. We discuss the concept of “other” and what’s presented to all of us through the mass media. As we learn that cannabis is so much more than we initially conceived, we discover the fact that the cannabis industry by way of being marginalized by prohibition has the opportunity to lead the way regarding ratcheting down the concept of other by discovering similarities. An MCBA Spotlight episode.

Viv McPeak kicks us off by sharing the difference between Hempfest 25 and Hempfest 1 as well as all that goes in to producing the inimitable event. We then have a cavalcade of guests including acclaimed actor Eric Roberts, of the Emery’s Jodie Emery, of the Endocanabinoid system, Dr. Bob Melamede, state house candidate Stephanie Viscovvich, Chief Greenleaf  and THE Ed Rosenberg. We finish the episode by sitting down with John Davis who is name checked quite often when we speak of Washington state so it was great to get a chance to say hello and hear what’s on his mind at this moment in time.

Alex Cooley of Solstice returns to give us not only an update but a history of legislation and regulation around legal cannabis in Washington. We initially go back to Alex’ first visit in episode 56 to give you a sense of who he is- and then come back and dive into how we have what we have in Washington State. Alex goes back to the pre-2012 vote and explains what it was like on the ground providing medicine to patients. He then covers  i502 and the inherent differences between that initiative and amendment 64 in CO. The conversation turns to 5052 and finally what it’s like post July 1st 2016. 

Brian Smith from the Liquor & Cannabis Board in Washington State discusses the fact that the state is in fact regulating cannabis like alcohol.  We discuss the initial lottery and the ensuing HB 5052. Finally, Brian takes us through the post July 1, 2016 reality. Nevada native Andrew Jolley then joins us and discusses his family’s history in the state which harkens back further than most. He takes us through the overall economic picture and then dives in to the cannabis economy in Nevada.  Andrew lets us know about some of the qualifying conditions as well as how reciprocity is in fact working regarding out of state cards and recommendations.

With better news than expected, JP Holyoke, the executive chairman of the ballot initiative in Arizona takes us through what’s happening on our way to election day in the copper state. Jeremy Unruh of PharmaCannis operating in both Illinois and New York then shares an update from his perspective on each market. He discusses why his partners all of whom come from traditional industry’s are all in on the promise of the currently nascent programs. Our man in Arizona, JP Holyoak followed by Jeremy Unruh of the land of lincoln and empire state.

Ari Hoffnung joins us as our first guest operating in New York. He takes us through where the medical program is in regards to license holders, patients and physicians. He discusses his unique history and how his background became the foreground for his participation in legal cannabis in New York. But first Nial Demena of Manna Molecular joins us to take su through what’s happening in New England from an operators perspective. His reporting suggests that the polling in Massachusetts is simply way too close for comfort. Ari Hoffnung preceded by Nial DeMena

Of Giving Tree Dispensaries, Lilach Power gives us an on-the-ground account of the Arizona cannabis economy.  She shares how Giving Tree has grown along with the medical program and discusses future growth to that end. Lilach is kind enough to take us through her military service as she grew up in Israel and every Israeli citizen must serve. She’s brought her laid back Israeli approach to the Copper State. But first, Oscar Velasco Schmitz has a lot to share about the state of affairs in the State Washington which is great as that’s precisely what we’ve asked him to do. He looks to put a silver lining around the news coming out of the  Evergreen State. Oscar Velasco-Schmitz followed by Lilach Power.

Nurse Heather returns as she’s just launched Nature Nurse which truly focuses on plant medicine including but not limited to cannabis.  She even gives us a great Hippocrates quote, so stay tuned for that specifically and just enjoy Nurse Heather being Nurse Heather generally. Jamie Lowell then takes us through a history of legal cannabis in Michigan.  He discusses how the upstart program got going and the various hurdles it’s faced along the way and continue to face. Jamie does move around during the interview- so please bear with him. He also discusses the concept of conspiracy and conspiracy theory, so know that going in. But then again we haven’t spoken to too many folks in Michigan. Jamie Lowell preceded by Nurse Heather.

Two time Super Bowl champion Leonard Marshall joins us to discuss CTE, PTSD and cannabis as medicine. He talks about the disconnect of benefits for the “pre-98” retirees from the NFL and his current work with Brain Unity Trust. He talks about his work on the movie Concussion and that- in his words- “it didn’t need to get to this point." And then Ricky Williams joins us to discuss goal setting which he credits for how he won the Heisman Trophy and of course his unique relationship and thoughts on cannabis. We were shooting for Family, Business- documentary on the Williams Family running Medicine Man so he opens with the fact that there’s no relation and that the connection comes from mutual friend Liz Nichols.  Ricky Williams preceded by Leonard Marshall    

Eben Britton, Charlie Adams, Nate JacksonRiley Cote, former NFL and NHL athletes join a roundtable discussion with Heather Jackson of Realm of Caring and Dr. Marcel Bon Miller of the University of Pennsylvania on pain management. We talk about how marijuana is currently used by pro athletes despite the medicine being banned by all professional leagues. The athletes share, to a person, that the stigma associated with cannabis is not so present in the locker room, as long as a teammate delivers. But first Amanda Reiman returns to share how the cannabis regulatory framework is shaping up in Oakland and to provide an update on Prop 64.

Terryn Niles Buxton of Oakland Extracts discusses his rich history in Northern California Cannabis.  We touch on philosophy, jazz and even race relations from a Generation X perspective. But first Neill Franklin returns.  Based on his 30+ years of policing service, he shares his thoughts on what can be done to bridge the current societal divide. We talk about the concept of one community and one race. A MCBA Spotlight episode.

Giadha Aguirre deCarcer a very impressive person indeed takes us through her journey and how she stumbled upon the need for her organization. She takes us through her diverse european background and her journey from finance to homeland security to cannabis which includes her first person account of 9/11. But first, Alison Draisin from Ettalew’s Edibles takes us through some not so great news from Washington State. While we cover some tough subject matter- to paraphrase Giadha- Hey, you’re on a rollercoaster, it’s gonna be what it’s gonna be, so you might as well enjoy the ride.