A veritable smorgasbord of Cannabis All-Stars descend upon the microphone at the 2nd Annual MPP Arm Wrestling Fundraiser.  While you’re listening to the fun, go to MPP.org and donate to the state of your choice, but Nevada, Arizona and Massachussetts are of particular interest. Not for the feint of heart- it gets loud as there truly is a competition going on in the background- so please do grin and bare it.  And there’s plenty to enjoy:

Amanda Reiman, DPA, Lindsay Robinson, MPP; Troy Dayton, ArcView Group; Jaime Lewis, Mountain Medicine; Rob Kampia, MPP; Dani Geen, Harborside Health Center; Nate Bradley, CCIA; Andrew DeAngelo, Harborside Health Center; John Downs, Infusion Factory; Sabrina Fendrick, Berkeley Patients Group; Patrick Rea, Canopy Boulder; Aaron Smith, NCIA; Kris Krane, 4Front Ventures; Chelsey McKrill, OpenVape; Jaime Lewis, Mountain Medicine; Emily Paxhia, Poseidon Asset Management; Jade Netanya Ullmann, MAPS; Diane & Jay Cazarkowski, Canna Advisors; Nate Bradley, CCIA; Pro Wrestler Rob Van Dam and yes, Jaime Lewis, Mountain Medicine Thanks to our supporters: Hoban & Feola, Medically Correct, Incredibles & FOCUS

We first go back to Hempfest 2015 where we talked with Tommy about his outlook on the cannabis landscape and how he’s happy to see the beginnings of greater society focusing on the benefits of cannabis and hemp.  Tommy goes on to talk about his experience with the George W. Bush administration and even brings us back to a scene from the iconic “Up in Smoke."  Tommy then joins us by phone to discuss the history leading up to the movie as well as what he knew he needed to do to leave a mark.  Tommy also touches on why we owe a thank you and/or apology to Mexico and Mexicans and his exceptionally non-white experience with Cheech.  And speaking of Cheech, Tommy shares specifically what makes the duo work so well through the “Dave’s Not Here” bit.  Enjoy the ride with Tommy Chong.

Special Thanks to this episodes supporters:  

Auntie Dolores: www.AuntieDolores.com, Treatibles: www.Treatibles.com

Gateway: www.GatewayIncubator.com, Boveda: www.Boveda.com 

 

An MD and MBA who knows a ton about the endocannabinoid system, Dr. Rachel Knox expounds on the miraculous nature of the ECS and it’s effect on man…and womankind. Doc Knox shares her deep knowledge on integrated medicine in a digestible way.  And you’ll come to find that the path that she’s on, is the one that she’s always sought. 

Adam Orens from the Marijuana Policy Group discusses Economic Impact of Marijuana in Colorado.  Adam and I discuss revenue, tax revenue, jobs and truly the overall impact of the cannabis industry on the economy of Colorado.

Ben Reagan returns to share exactly what’s happening as we speak in Washington State. New regulations have him refitting his current medical marijuana facility into updated 502 standards from the state.  Ben takes us through how he’s balancing what the state wants with what his patients needs.  He’s essentially engineering his supply chain to ensure that the 502 approved farmers with which he’s working provide him with dose appropriate, specific, personalized and cost effective product for each of his patients to ensure that they don’t have to turn to the illicit market. Feel free to send feedback to engage@canneconomy.com.

Tim McGraw returns.  Tim’s back to discuss SB 10 which on a dime completely changes the Illinois cannabis landscape.  We discuss the extension of the sunset provision, patient counts, the relationship between the legislature and the governor, how the governor now sees the program and the addition of PTSD to the list of qualifying conditions.  Out of the shadows and into the light for Illinois cannabis.  Feel free to send feedback to engage@canneconomy.com.

Betty Aldworth of course of SSDP gives us an update from UNGASS- the UN General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem- as they call it. Betty also shares feedback from the SSDP event as well as what folks should be doing in gearing up for the ballot measures this fall. As a bonus, we've got a piece from Episode 36, Betty's first appearance where she takes us through what it was like on the ground with Amendment 64.  And if you're in Oakland Sunday, June 19th come on down for the Sensible Celebration: ssdp.org/events/sensible-celebration.  Either way, we'd love your feedback, please feel free to send an email to engage@canneconomy.com. 

 

Dina Rollman takes us through the current the medical program in Illinois.  We discuss the sunset provision, patient counts, the relationship between the legislature and the governor, how the governor sees the program, the list of qualifying conditions, the controversial thumb printing rule, and everything in between.  Last week Illinois lawmakers passed SB 10 which adds PTSD to the list of qualifying conditions and extends the program through July 2020. This interview was recorded prior to SB 10 passing. Special thanks to Mark Passerini for putting us in touch with Dina.  Enjoy the conversation.  Feel free to send an email to engage@canneconomy.com.

Chuck Smith of Dixie Elixirs is the guy who puts Dixie into Dixie Elixirs.  As you might remember from Episode 148 with Gen Murray, Seth was in the Dixie Elixirs offices at the time.  That’s because Seth was meant to meet Chuck at the office that day- unfortunately his plane was canceled and Chuck had this conversation with Seth in Chuck's office, and Chuck in Alabama…hence the Dixie reference and moniker.  Either way, you get a nice behind the scenes of the top of the Dixie Brands machine.

And you’re so inclined, please complete our new survey at https://survey.libsyn.com/canneconomy  

As you’ll hear immediately, John Lord is from New Zealand.  After growing up on a dairy farm, he ran an import/export business until he got tired of traveling literally around the globe on business each business trip.  John had realized he could make more money by morning tea than by pulling teets, and that global treks were a thing of the past so he settled down in Colorado before the cannabis industry came to town.  But he did of course eventually get into the business.  A prospective tenant of his wanted to open a dispensary and well, the rest is history.  And you’re so inclined, I’d very much appreciate you filling out our new survey at https://survey.libsyn.com/canneconomy

No matter your opinion on Project Claudia- the Toronto dispensary raids from this past week, we most likely all agree that safe patient access is paramount.

Unlike Vancouver and Victoria in British Columbia, Toronto does have a regulatory framework for it’s dispensaries.  And as you might know, the federal regulatory framework (MMPR) does not account for dispensaries.  Thus the Toronto dispensaries are in a legal limbo which isn’t necessarily grey.  So we had perfect timing with the Lift Cannabis Expo Roots panel recorded live last week just after the raids.  We discussed BCCCS’s upstart, MMAR (Marijuana Medical Access Regulations) and MMPR (Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations).  We also discussed the upcoming re-write of MMPR in August, what to make of the raids, and what how to take action in support of legal cannabis in Canada.  Special thanks to David Brown at Lift for pulling the whole thing together.  And as a bonus, Jeannette Ward opens with an MCBA update.

Brian Vicente of Vicente Sederberg returns for an update on the progression of the cannabis legalization movement.  Brian discusses current thoughts on consumption legislation, what’s happening on the ground in Colorado and key states around the country.  On the one hand we discuss the concept of “first world marijuana problems,” and the potential ‘full-blown’ end to prohibition, but we also discuss the forces still working against legalization and where they might succeed…which is why his song choice at the end of the conversation makes all the sense in the world.  

Our very first guest, Gen Murray returns.  Things are completely different for Gen and she takes us through what happened from her perspective.  Special thanks to Joe Hodas at Dixie Elixirs for letting us use his office.  If you’re so inclined, I’d very much appreciate you filling out our new survey at https://survey.libsyn.com/canneconomy  

With a dip back in history to Aaron Smith's first visit on Episode 7, we continue to the present as it’s high tide for Aaron and the NCIA as Lobby Days just occurred in DC and the Cannabis Business Summit is coming up in Oakland.  Aaron takes us through the activity in DC and key wins from Lobby Days.  Aaron also talks through some key sessions coming up at the Cannabis Business Summit. And if you have 4 seconds, we’d very much appreciate you filling out our survey at survey.libsyn.com/canneconomy

If you’ve heard of Charlotte’s Web in relation to cannabis- the moniker is named after little Charlotte Figi who’s been taking CBD for her epilepsy.

Paige Figi, her mother, returns to catch us up with companion bills in the House and Senate which hope to Deschedule CBD which with the rest of the cannabis plant is a schedule 1 substance in the US.  Paige has found some unlikely allies in the House and Senate and she shares just how she’s done it.

Etienne Fontan runs the storied Berkeley Patients Group in Berkeley California.  It’s right up the road from Oakland which is East of San Fransisco if you’ve never been…or looked at a map of the region.  Etienne takes us through his history which coincides quite nicely with the history of the cannabis movement.  Listen for stories focused on Jack Herer, Ed Rosenthal, Steve DeAngelo and one of BPG’s founders Debby Goldsberry among others.

Jeff Jones of Oaksterdam University discusses how his fathers passing led him to a life of activism.  Jeff discusses how he found the medical utility in cannabis and didn’t want another person to go through what his dad went through.  He talks about his initial dispensary in Oakland and how that led him to the US Supreme Court.  His loss in the high court was the industry’s gain in the long run and Jeff explains that he knew that the loss was a win in real time.  For more Jones conversation check out Ep. 113 which features Jeff’s wife Dale Sky Jones.  But first, we've got a mini-interview with David Brown of Lift who's running the Lift Expo where Seth will be moderating a panel.  

And finally, if you're so inclined, please fill out our new survey at https://survey.libsyn.com/canneconomy  

Steve DeAngelo, yes that Steve DeAngelo of Harborside & ArcView joins us to give us an update on him, MMRSA and the industry on the whole…he even let’s us know what he thinks might happen this summer and fall in electoral politics.  Steve covers his thoughts following the publishing and feedback of The Cannabis Manifesto, the importance of California's imperfect regulations, the health of the movement and what 1968 might mean to 2016.

And if you're so inclined, please take our survey: http://survey.libsyn.com/canneconomy

Neill Franklin is now the Executive Director of  LEAP- Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.  And he certainly has Law Enforcement bona fides.  Neill was ultimately a Commander in the Maryland State police working his way up from undercover work on the streets as a foot soldier in the war on drugs.  Neill learned for himself the toll that the war on drugs was taking and he takes us through his epiphany and ultimate conversion in thinking regarding incarceration and drug legality.  Thanks to Neill for his service.

Shelley joins her siblings - Sally, Episode 10, Andy, Episode 27 and Pete Episode 68 as a guest.  The four siblings who run Medicine Man are an interesting bunch.  So much so that we’re in the process of filming a 12 part documentary on the family and the business called- you guessed it- Family, Business.  Yesterday we put the first three parts of that documentary up- search for it on youtube with the handle canneconomy. If you’ve heard each of the sibling’s episodes, you know that this is a family that didn’t have it easy growing up.  They took lessons from their mother of learning to fail, not quitting and hustling and put those lessons to work at Medicine Man.  Shelley shares a couple of those lessons.

Former US Deputy Attorney General Jim Cole joins us to discuss the history around the three Cole Memos.  Mr. Cole takes us through the under appreciated Cole Memo 1, the celebrated Cole Memo 2 and Cole Memo 3 which was released of course in concert with FinCEN guidance from the US Treasury. 

Jessica Geran of Duchess Capital has been listening to pitches from folks that want to get into the cannabis industry for years.  Duchess was one of the first groups which invested in the space as you can hear more about in Episode 24 with Doug Leighton and 41 with Jessica.  A lot has changed since we last spoke to Jessica as, among other things, the investment opportunities being presented for her are night and day from less than a year ago.  Please note the special appearance from Poseidon’s Emily Paxhia at the end of the episode.  Here's Jessica Geran Part II

John Davis has been running the Northwest Patients Resource Center for eight years.  As you can hear in Episodes 18, 96 and 103. He’s ensured that he’s done precisely what the Washington regulations have demanded by literally reading every line of every published document going as far as memorizing parts and sections of legislation.  Washington is going through yet another sea change in advance of July 1, 2016 and John is trying to figure out if he’s swimming with or against the tide.  We talked to John on Feb. 5 and then again on March 29.  Here’s an overview of what’s happening with John in two parts.

Steve Fox joins us to discuss what’s happening with various ballot initiatives across the country.  Steve is an important mind and voice in cannabis highlighted by his work in CO.  As we make our way to Nov. 2016 we discuss Arkansas, Ohio and Missouri along with California, Arizona, Nevada and Massachusetts and others.

Johg Ananda of Jambo Superfoods out of Southern California joins us and discusses the opportunity cost of yoga. Johg discusses how he uses his inner chi in the board room traversing the pathway to enlightenment through a sound mind and body.