Cannabis Economy

Dr. Vandrey is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins.  His research focuses on the behavioral pharmacology of cannabis among other things.  Heather Jackson from Realm of Caring is who introduced us to Dr. Vandrey and he let’s us know what he’s doing with them.  On researching the plant, Dr. Ryan Vandrey.  

Chelsea Sutula runs the Sespe Creek Collective out of Southern California.  As it's California, delivery is a thing, which Chelsea discusses.  But she also discusses the vast difference between Southern California and Northern California...or any other active cannabis economy for that matter.  Chelsea and SoCal are making their way out of the shadows through the new MMRSA regulations and slowly but surely into the sun grown light.  

The MCBA has been created specifically to progress the cannabis industry by increasing diversity, creating equal access and economic empowerment for cannabis businesses, their patients, and the communities most affected by the war on drugs.  After a recent Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) meeting, we turned on the microphones where the chairman Jesse Horton and some of the board members- Jennette Ward of MJ Freeway, Shaleen Title of THC Staffing, Jason Ortiz of MVFR, our old friend Shabnam Malek of Brand + Branch, Judge Shelli Hayes, Dani Kizaire Sutton and Ngaio Bealum all shared a bit. 

We first spoke with the Drug Policy Alliance head of marijuana reform and cat enthusiast Amanda Reiman, in Episode 49.  Amanda returns to share what's happening with cannabis regulations in California.  While a tremendous amount of work has been done, there's still more to do to cross the finish line.  If this is your introduction, you should know that Amanda's PhD dissertation, "Cannabis Care," was the first study focusing on how medical marijuana dispensaries operate as health service providers.

You know Julianna from her Bay Area based brand for humans Auntie Dolores.  And you know Julianna from her CBD based brand for pets- Treatibles.  And you might even know Julianna from Episode 48.  Julianna has a great story and I’m happy to call her a friend.  We get an update on Auntie Dolores, Treatibles and of course Julianna herself.

Brooke Gehring of LiveGreen (formerly Patient’s Choice) is an original.  She’s been in the cannabis space in Colorado from the beginning.  Brooke takes us through not only her story, but the greater Colorado narrative from the old 1284 days through day 1 of adult use up to today.  Incidentally, check out the companion episode to this one- Episode 112- the LiveGreen tour also featuring Brooke.

Just in time for Spannabis, Marti Canavas of DMT Advocates joins us to give us an update on Cannabis in Spain, Catalunya and Barcelona- and while he’s at it he gives us a geopolitical update on the plan for Catalan’s to succeed from Spain.  An enlightening episode all around.  

Dr. Michelle Ross of The Impact Network is a neuroscientist, bringing her knowledge to the Cannabis industry. Michele has had some battles along the way including a raid of her home. Speaking of home, for reality tv fans, you might remember Michele from Big Brother Season 2. Having said that, she really knew what she was getting herself into- and has used that show as a platform for doing good. 

Ben Larson is starting up Gateway, a new incubator, accelerator and working space in Oakland dedicated completely to Cannabis.  Ben comes to Cannabis by way of the Founder’s Network where he worked with tech companies getting them from concept to launch.  Ben takes us through what an investor expects in a pitch from an entrepreneur as well as what we can expect from Gateway,

Saul Kaye of Israel Cannabis joins us and discusses the State of Cannabis in the State of Israel.  Saul is a licensed pharmacist born in South Africa, raised in Australia and working in Israel on moving the cannabis industry forward in the middle east…and eventually globally.  He talks about how he expects the industry to move online the same way that the pharmacy business did beginning about 10 years ago.  

Late last week, February 17th, Senator's Nelson's efforts to pass legislation on the regulation of legal cannabis in the US Virgin Islands were set back.  He's vowed to continue the fight.  This interview was recorded just before the setback.  Senator Nelson has officially changed his name to Positive- and he explains why.  He shares how the infrastructure of the legislation he's working on is based on learnings from legal states. Finally, TA Positive Nelson explains how he became a Tae Kwon Do Black Belt Rastafarian Senator.

Charlotte’s Web is an extract, shorthand for a set of laws- and is shorthand in general for CBD.  Charlotte’s Web is named after now 9 year old Charlotte Figi who suffers from a rare form of epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome.  One of our guests is her mother Paige Figi who runs the Coalition for Access Now which is focused on a Federal Bill to deschedule cbd & hemp.  Our other guest, Heather Jackson runs Realm of Caring - The Roc in Colorado Springs, working on Research, Education, and Advocacy.  The two form a perfect pair helping and educating families with anything from epilepsy to chrones to find the research and solutions they need to heal their children. To donate to the Realm of Caring, please go to http://www.theroc.us To donate to the Coalition for Access Now go to http://www.coalitionforaccessnow.org/

In today’s episode, we talk with the author of The Cannabist, Ricardo Baca, to discuss his passion for journalism and how it led him to the cannabis industry. Baca shares how he initially became a music critic for the Denver Post, and later created the Underground Music Showcase (UMS), an indie music festival in Denver, Colorado. Since then, Baca accepted the Denver Post’s offer in 2013 to be an active voice in the growing cannabis movement, and has continued to grow The Cannabist with budding success. Enjoy!

In today’s episode, we talk with Oscar Velasco-Schmitz of Dockside Co-op as he shares his exciting story with us. From being raised in rural California, to working at Microsoft, and then starting Dockside Co-op in 2011, this hopeful entrepreneur tells it all while further sharing his perspective on the migration of cannabis with us. Enjoy!

In today’s episode, we talk with the founders of Brand & Branch, Shabnam Malek and Amanda Conley as they share with us their formative years and fore into the cannabis industry. These two high energy individuals discuss important issues regarding intellectual property services in the cannabis space, and offer valuable insight into how one can avoid “Brandelism” and successfully setup their brand with the most ease possible. Enjoy!

In today’s episode, we talk with none other than the CEO of the Alaska Cannabis Club, Charlo Greene. This determined activist, most recently in the limelight for passionately quitting her reporting job on live TV, shares her “why” as to how she puts her everything into what she does, and the energy that Greene's “Fuck it, I quit” dialogue brought to the Alaskan cannabis movement and around the world. Enjoy!

In today’s episode, we talk with Nicole Smith of Mary’s Medicinals, as she tells us about taking after her father’s entrepreneurial footsteps and jumping into the cannabis industry. Smith shares how she initially came up with her famous transdermal patch concept, and takes us through the exponential growth her company has seen in the past two years; now having products sold in over 1,200 stores. Enjoy!

In today’s episode, we talk with Tangy Daniel of Jayn Grene, as she shares her adventurous story with us leading up to the cannabis industry. This former marine details her two deployments in Iraq, and how the lessons and work ethic she has learned from those events, have crossed over to her life in topicals today. Enjoy!

In today’s episode, we talk with Brendan Kennedy of Privateer Holdings to discuss his formative years, and what he is currently up to in the cannabis industry. Kennedy shares his stories and goals behind Leafly, Tilray, and Marley Natural, while also expressing his perspective on the changes surrounding cannabis throughout the world. Enjoy!

In today’s episode, we talk with Dale Sky Jones, Executive Chancellor of Oaksterdam University as she takes us on her journey into the cannabis industry. This compelling individual shares how making the most out of opportune moments, and chance meetings in California, have led to the start, and outreach of the university, as well as in family and life.