Cannabis Economy

Susan Chicovsky is a shrewd business leader. Her company Green Mountain Harvest was the first medical marijuana harvest & trim to be compliant in Colorado, and as a result she's now advising the Nevada State government on how to properly regulate trim facilities, and building more Green Mountain Harvest locations across the country. On top of all that, she's one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. Enjoy!

You can't expect the expected.  And with that understanding Julie Berliner, Owner, Sweet Grass Kitchen was in Boulder as House Bill 1284 came to be...and had the opportunity to turn her traditional Chocolate Chip Cookie into a Cannabis infused edible.  That's just what she did, first creatively attaining her first kitchen, then realizing her very own single strain grow...and most recently graduating to a larger kitchen.  She studied psychology and education but took the fork in the road that led to legal cannabis...and hasn't looked back.

Don't let the last name fool you, Sally is of the Williams family.  And don't let the gender fool you, she is a Medicine Man.  Sally takes us through the lessons learned from her nomadic childhood.  She applied those lessons in school, coming away with a duel Chemistry and Business degree.  After a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry, she was perfectly suited to work with brothers Andy and Pete Williams on the very well know Medicine Man brand.  Sally does a great job of explaining how if you work hard, good luck finds you.

It's not often that you hear a lawyer say something like "Trust the Universe," but Christian Sederberg isn't your ordinary, average, everyday lawyer.  As one half of Vicente Sederberg Christian was instrumental in the campaign for Amendment 64.  And through his involvement on the Task Force thoughtfully conceived by Gov. Hickenlooper Christian helped shape the landscape of legalized Cannabis. He now chairs the Council on Responsible Cannabis Regulation, sponsor of this episode.

As a patient he found it difficult to find medicine.  And so when he found it, he began to help others.  His word of mouth business grew so large that he, Kayvan Khalatbari scrapped together $4K and a third partner put in the initial grow to start Denver Relief.  From just before House Bill 1284 through today, Ean has been providing medicine through Denver Relief.  He's got a number of other businesses and he's the Chair of the NCIA.

As Executive Director of the National Cannabis Industry Association, Aaron Smith is an indisputable leader in the industry and a powerful advocate on behalf of cannabis. In this interview, he discusses an early incident that helped shape a burning desire to legalize cannabis and fight for liberty in general. Over the past 10 years he's done immeasurable good for the industry, from his experience with the MPP to his current post at the NCIA. He gives us all the details, and the full scoop on where he thinks the industry is headed from here.  A special thank you to the NCIA for sponsoring this episode.

As our first Canadian guest, Jamie Shaw was kind enough to give us an overview of the genesis of the Canadian cannabis marketplace, as well as the current rules and regulations in Vancouver and at the federal level. We hear all about her zig-zagged path to the industry, gain some enlightening perspective on the US market compared to our neighbors in the north, and understand the deep compassion and care Jamie has for patients. Enjoy!

Nurse Heather believes in the power of cannabis to heal and teach us, and has fought hard to make sure veterans with PTSD and others in need of care get proper access to it. From her roots near the Native American reservations in the four corners, to testifying in front of state supreme courts, she's already helped thousands of patients throughout her life, and she's just getting started.

A true New Yorker (in upbringing and accent), Joel Schneider found his way into the cannabis industry through a life-long appreciation and respect for the plant. Schneider’s commitment to a social culture in regards to cannabis and life is as evident in his business as it is in his gregarious personality. His Bud & Breakfast model of cannabis-friendly lodging is truly groundbreaking in providing a safe, secure place for consumers and patients to responsibly use cannabis. Enjoy.

Competitive and tenacious from his Jesuit upbringing, all the way through his varied professional career, Tripp Keber has firmly established himself as one of the most public and influential voices in cannabis. We hear all about how Tripp’s risk-taking attitude and "delusional confidence" made him well disposed for success in the nascent cannabis industry, and the various bumps and bruises he’s taken on the way to that success.

Originally a Chef by trade, Scott worked his way from washing dishes, all the way to a stint as the private chef at the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, MA. When an opportunity presented itself for Scott to use his expertise as a chocolatier to make medicated edibles for the cannabis market, he quickly established Bhang Chocolate as the leading company in the field.

The first episode features Gen Murray, Founder and President of CannLabs. Gen discussed her start in the industry, going door-to-door convincing dispensaries they should invest in testing, all the way up to helping the Governor outline statewide drug policy for Colorado as part of the Amendment 64 Task Force. She is a rare combination of scientist and entrepreneur, and is re-setting the standard for women in both fields. Enjoy!