Cannabis Economy

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. And you’re so inclined, I’d very much appreciate you filling out our new survey at https://survey.libsyn.com/canneconomy

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.  

Kris Krane, 4Front Advisors joins us to discuss  how the history of adult-use legislation will affect the current ballot initiatives and the east coast in general.  Kris also takes us through his thinking on how this unique presidential election will play out for cannabis. The audio on Kris’ side is not perfect- so thank you for bearing with us...but to that end, the content IS perfect, so enjoy.

Thomas and Nadeem (or Deemo) are young entrepreneurs out of Arizona building a business called baked bros.  Thomas has a scientific background and Deemo has experience in cultivation.  As you’ll hear, both of them are 100% focused on helping ease the pain of patients in Arizona.

Jeannette Ward formerly of a few Fortune 500 companies, now of the Minority Cannabis Business Association joins us for a frank and candid conversation. After discussing personal and professional fulfillment through work, we discuss personal dealings with race and religion which leads to a discussion on how the War on Drugs set the stage for the MCBA's mission of providing equal access in cannabis. Our second MCBA Spotlight Episode.