Weed Wonks

Episode 116: Attorney Jason Adelstone on Cannabis Policy Around the Globe and the Impact U.S. Drug Policy Has Overseas

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 21:17:40 +0000

In our latest episode, Jordan Wellington and attorney Jason Adelstone of Harris Sliwoski talk about international cannabis policy and how the cannabis conversation differs outside the U.S. They also look at ongoing cannabis policy developments in countries across four continents and how the U.S. is missing out on a rapidly expanding international cannabis market.

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Episode 115: Mike Hennesy of Wana Brands on the “One-plant Solution” and Bridging the Marijuana-hemp Policy Divide

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 18:20:45 +0000

In our latest episode, host Jordan Wellington and Mike Hennesy, Vice President of Innovation at Wana Brands, discuss the marijuana-hemp policy divide, why it is stifling the cannabis industry as a whole, and sensible, concrete steps that can be taken to advance a unified national cannabis policy and federal regulatory framework.

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Episode 114: Riana Durrett on the CPI Symposium, Rating Cannabis Markets, and Nevada Regulatory Issues

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 20:37:42 +0000

In our latest episode, Jordan Wellington and Riana Durrett, executive director of the Cannabis Policy Institute at UNLV, recap the latest CPI Symposium and discuss tribal cannabis law, Nevada regulatory issues, and rating cannabis markets.

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Episode 113: How Researchers at Johns Hopkins University Plan to Clear Up the “Guesswork” on Medical Cannabis

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:33:16 +0000

In the latest episode of Weed Wonks, Jordan Wellington hosts Johns Hopkins University researchers Dr. Cerina Dubois, Dr. Johannes Thrul, and Dr. Ryan Vandrey for an in-depth look at the massive study they have launched on medical cannabis care and how the national repository they’re working on could change our understanding of it.

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Episode 112: Do Cannabis Attorneys Already Have a Legal Workaround for 280E?

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 19:10:57 +0000

In the latest episode of Weed Wonks, Jordan Wellington hosts attorneys Jen Benda, Rachel Gillette, and Nate Pollock for a discussion about Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code and a case in U.S. Tax Court that could be a game-changer for cannabis companies, even if rescheduling never happens.

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Episode 111: Law professors Courtney Barnes and Scott Seder on the Bottom-up Movement to Legalize Psychedelics

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 19:45:07 +0000

In the latest Weed Wonks, Jordan Wellington hosts University of Texas Law School professors Courtney Barns and Scott Seder to discuss their course on psychedelics and the law, the movement to legalize psychedelics, and how it differs from the marijuana policy reform movement.

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Episode 110: Marijuana Policy Project's Adam Smith and Karen O'Keefe on Legalization, Civil Rights, and stopping “Neo-prohibitionists”

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 04:45:00 +0000

Jordan Wellington hosts longtime legalization activists Adam Smith and Karen O'Keefe of the Marijuana Policy Project for a conversation about the battle for civil rights at the heart of the cannabis legalization movement, “neo-prohibitionist” efforts to roll back reform, and why messaging matters.

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Episode 109: Vermont Cannabis Control Board Chair James Pepper on Their “Very Vermont” Approach to Legal Marijuana

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 21:42:02 +0000

Jordan Wellington hosts James Pepper, chair of the Vermont Cannabis Control Board, for a look at how the state crafts its cannabis policies to reflect Vermont’s values and culture. This includes taking steps to transition legacy growers and longtime consumers into the regulated market.

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Episode 108: Mary Jane Oatman of the ICIA and Riana Durrett of the Nevada CCB on tribal engagement in cannabis

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 22:03:37 +0000

In the latest Weed Wonks episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Mary Jane Oatman, founder of the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association, and Riana Durrett, vice chair of the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board, for a conversation about tribal cannabis businesses. They discuss the cannabis-related policies and politics of tribal communities, what it takes to make tribal cannabis businesses successful, and what these companies and the cannabis hospitality industry can learn from one another.

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Episode 107: Eugene Hillsman of the California Department of Cannabis Control on Social Equity and Having an Investor Mindset on Policy

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 16:28:31 +0000

Jordan Wellington hosts Eugene Hillsman of the California Department of Cannabis Control for an in-depth look at cannabis social equity and what it takes for states to develop thriving cannabis markets that can help mend some of the damage caused by the war on drugs. They also discuss why empathy and understanding are important in policymaking and why states must back up good intentions with meaningful investment in social equity programs.

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Episode 106: CANNRA Executive Director Gillian Schauer on Product Safety, Balancing Marijuana and Hemp Regulations, and Public Safety

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 21:38:29 +0000

Cannabis Regulators Association Executive Director Gillian Schauer joins Jordan Wellington to discuss the state of regulated marijuana markets, the national emergence of consumable hemp products, and how regulators can advance public safety alongside a thriving cannabis industry. She also explains why, when it comes to legal marijuana, everything is nuance.

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Episode 105: Government Affairs Expert and “Practical Politics” Podcast Host Sabrina Noah Discusses the Promise of True Legalization

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 17:57:38 +0000

Jordan Wellington picks up the conversation where he left off in our previous episode with Sabrina Noah, principal at NRM Consulting and host of the Practical Politics podcast. They discuss their paths to the cannabis policy space and what it will take for the industry to fully realize the promise of legalization. They also discuss Sabrina’s upcoming Cannabis Law Institute panel on the transition from the legacy market to the legal industry.

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Episode 104: Cannabis Law Institute Panelists Zack Kobrin and Victoria Cvitanovic on Smart Policy and moving from Medical to Adult-use

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 16:22:57 +0000

Jordan Wellington hosts attorneys Zack Kobrin and Victoria Cvitanovic, who will be panelists at the upcoming Cannabis Law Institute hosted by the International Cannabis Bar Association in collaboration with Strategies 64. They discuss the unique challenges and opportunities that come with working in cannabis law and the considerations at play when medical-only markets shift to adult-use.

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Episode 103: Cannabis Law Institute Panelists Lara DeCaro and Shay Aaron Gilmore on Women in Cannabis and going from Legacy to Legal

Mon, 26 May 2025 17:08:22 +0000

Jordan Wellington hosts attorneys Lara DeCaro and Shay Aaron Gilmore, who will be panelists at the upcoming Cannabis Law Institute hosted by the International Cannabis Bar Association in collaboration with Strategies 64. Their conversations touch on women and diversity in cannabis, cannabis policy advocacy, and what it takes to shift from a legacy market to the legal cannabis trade.

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Episode 102: David Vaillencourt of the GMP Collective on the Regulatory Challenges of Cannabis Labeling

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 16:55:16 +0000

In the latest Weed Wonks episode, Jordan Wellington hosts David Vaillencourt, founder and CEO of GMP Collective, for a conversation about the broken state of cannabis labeling policy, how it went awry, and why QR codes may be the key to improving effectiveness, efficiency, and standardization. They also discuss the importance of Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations and why they are critical to the future of the cannabis industry.

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Episode 101: Meredith Buettner of the Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition on Legalization—and the Need for Positivity and Patience in PA

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 18:49:39 +0000

Jordan Wellington hosts Meredith Buettner, executive director of the Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition, for a discussion about her group’s ongoing efforts to legalize adult-use cannabis via the state’s General Assembly. They touch on some of the victories legalization advocates have had in the Commonwealth, what is needed to get adult-use legislation over the finish line, and how state-level policy changes can contribute to progress at the federal level.

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Episode 100: Former Top Massachusetts Cannabis Regulator Shawn Collins on Finding the “Goldilocks Approach” to Cannabis Policy

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 21:38:16 +0000

Jordan Wellington hosts Shawn Collins of the Homegrown Consulting Group for a discussion about the cannabis policymaking process. Collins, who served as the first head of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, describes the importance of convening a “community of experts,” and he explains how state officials can work with the cannabis industry to craft regulations that strike the right balance between public safety and a viable market.

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Episode 99: Government Affairs Expert Sabrina Noah on Cannabis Advocacy and How the Industry and Authorities Can Work Together

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 22:40:27 +0000

Jordan Wellington hosts Sabrina Noah, principal at NRM Consulting for an in-depth talk about the cannabis policymaking process and the critical role empathy and listening play in crafting regulation. They also look at how lobbyists help cannabis companies navigate regulatory demands and why it is so important that the industry and lawmakers identify and work to accomplish shared goals.

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Episode 98: Top Missouri Cannabis Regulator Amy Moore on How Much Weed the State Needs and Why Its Legalization Rollout Has Worked

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 19:33:59 +0000

Jordan Wellington hosts Amy Moore, Director of the Division of Cannabis Regulation at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, for an in-depth look at the successful rollout of Missouri’s legal cannabis market. They discuss how Missouri’s program was influenced by the experiences of other states, its decision to maintain a minimum number of licenses, and the constant analysis it performs to ensure the market is meeting consumer demand.

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Episode 97: Riana Durrett of the Nevada CCB on Cannabis Policymaking and the Inaugural Cannabis Policy Institute Symposium

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:54:08 +0000

Jordan Wellington hosts Riana Durrett, vice chair of the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board and director of the Cannabis Policy Institute at UNLV, for a discussion about the impact of legal cannabis in Nevada, its relationship with the gaming industry, and why it is so important to get cannabis hospitality right. They also discuss the importance of ongoing research and stakeholder engagement, which were at the heart of the policy symposium co-hosted by CPI and Strategies 64 during MJBizCon.

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Episode 96: Michael Bronstein and Chris Lindsey of ATACH on What it Will Take to End Cannabis Prohibition Once and for All

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 16:21:44 +0000

In the latest episode of Weed Wonks, host Jordan Wellington speaks with Michael Bronstein and Chris Lindsey of the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp about the state of legal cannabis and policy reform efforts a decade after the nation’s first legal adult-use cannabis sales. They also discuss how the world is looking at cannabis differently these days and how much farther there is to go to fully end marijuana prohibition.

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Episode 95: David Culver of the U.S. Cannabis Council on How Cannabis Policy Reform Was Victorious This Election — Despite the Setbacks

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 03:00:00 +0000

Marijuana legalization initiatives in three states were defeated on Election Day, but that doesn’t mean cannabis wasn’t a winner at the ballot box.

In the latest episode of Weed Wonks, host Jordan Wellington speaks with David Culver, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at the U.S. Cannabis Council about why there is reason to be optimistic about cannabis policy reform in the wake of the 2024 presidential election — and why even with the setbacks in Florida and elsewhere, there are clear signs of progress heading into 2025.

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Episode 94: Lauren Niehaus of Trulieve on Cannabis Ballot Initiatives and Putting Legalization on the Ballot in Florida

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 19:23:30 +0000

If Florida votes to legalize adult-use cannabis on November 5, it would be a massive step forward for the cannabis policy reform movement and the legal cannabis industry. In the latest episode of Weed Wonks, host Jordan Wellington speaks with Trulieve Executive Director of Government Relations Lauren Niehaus about the long and arduous campaign to get legalization on the ballot in Florida, as well as the strategies and compromises involved in crafting cannabis legalization initiatives.

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Episode 93: Scot Rutledge and Christopher LaPorte of RESET on How Consumption Lounges Can Advance the Cannabis Industry

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 18:46:19 +0000

In the latest episode of Weed Wonks, Jordan Wellington and guests Scot Rutledge and Christopher LaPorte of RESET take a deep dive into cannabis consumption lounges and the role they will play in the future of the cannabis industry. They look at different business models for cannabis hospitality, how lounges and other social-use venues will advance the normalization of cannabis, and the benefits these real-life gathering spots have to offer consumers and the industry.

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Episode 92: Erik Gundersen of ERG Strategies and Mackenzie Slade of Cannabis Public Policy Consulting on Building Viable Cannabis Markets

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 23:49:03 +0000

In the latest episode of Weed Wonks, Jordan Wellington hosts Erik Gundersen, founder and principal of ERG Strategies, and Mackenzie Slade, executive director of Cannabis Public Policy Consulting, for a long discussion about what is working — and what is not — in cannabis policy. They discuss how cannabis policy seeks to balance public safety and market stability, the role of science and data in new market formulation, and what it takes to get businesses licensed in a manner that creates viable legal cannabis markets.

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Episode 91: Sam Flynn of the Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program on Bipartisan Politics and Knowing What You Don’t Know in Cannabis

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 21:45:31 +0000

In October, Kentucky will hold a lottery to see which of the thousands of applicants will receive the state’s several dozen highly-coveted medical cannabis licenses. In the latest Weed Wonks, Jordan Wellington hosts Sam Flynn, Executive Director of the Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program, for a look at the steps the Bluegrass State has taken to build a medical marijuana market that focuses both on patient access and ensuring the economic viability of the market for the state’s cannabis companies. The two also discuss the importance of adult education and how Kentucky has looked at the experience of other states to build a medical cannabis market that will work for patients and businesses alike.

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Episode 90: NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano on Federal Rescheduling and Seismic Shifts in Cannabis Politics and Public Opinion

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 16:14:29 +0000

In the latest Weed Wonks, Jordan Wellington and Mason Tvert of Strategies 64 host NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano for a look back at the last few decades of cannabis politics and policy reform and what it took to get where we are today. The three cannabis policy veterans discuss the subjectivity of marijuana’s “potential for abuse,” the critical role played by public perception, and why cannabis rescheduling would be the biggest shift in cannabis policy — ever.

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Episode 89: Top Colorado Marijuana Regulator and CANNRA President Dominique Mendiola on Cannabis Policy and the Natural Medicine Program

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 04:02:12 +0000

In the latest Weed Wonks, Jordan Wellington hosts top Colorado marijuana regulator and CANNRA President Dominique Mendiola for an in-depth talk about the long and winding road of cannabis policy, how policy has been shaped by the past decade of legal cannabis, how policymakers have become more data-driven, and how the experience of legal cannabis policy is shaping the state’s alternative medicine initiative.

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Episode 88: Adam Fine of Vicente LLP on the Maritime Marijuana Dispute and Righting the Ship for Massachusetts Cannabis

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 21:18:02 +0000

The agency in charge of regulating cannabis in Massachusetts is facing heightened scrutiny from the media and the governor. Weed Wonks host Jordan Wellington is joined by attorney Adam Fine of Vicente LLP’s Boston office for a discussion about the criticism levied at the Cannabis Control Commission, the firm’s successful lawsuit to allow maritime transport of legal cannabis, and why regulatory agencies shouldn’t be afraid to fail and make big moves.

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Episode 87 part 2: Amber Littlejohn and Mitzi Vaughn on Where Cannabis Policy and Legalization Stand in 2024

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 19:52:14 +0000

In the second half of a two-part Weed Wonks episode ahead of the International Cannabis Bar Association’s annual Cannabis Law Institute conference, Jordan Wellington hosts INCBA Board Member Amber Littlejohn, who is of counsel at Ice Miller, and Mitzi Vaughn, shareholder at Karr Tuttle Campbell, for a talk about the policy implications of rescheduling, why incremental process is so important for cannabis legalization and normalization, and the difference between cannabis policies that sound good and those that will actually be effective.

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Episode 87 Part I: Attorneys Jason Horst and Shabnam Malek on the Critical Legal Issues Facing Cannabis

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 03:16:23 +0000

In the first of a two-part Weed Wonks episode ahead of the International Cannabis Bar Association’s annual Cannabis Law Institute conference, INCBA Board President Jason Horst and 1906 Chief Legal Officer Shabnam Malek discuss the legal complexities of a federally illegal industry, trademark law in the cannabis sector, and what it means when lawyers “find their tribe” in the cannabis space.

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Episode 86: Lewis Koski of Metrc on Cannabis Legalization in Germany and the Lessons Learned from Colorado

Tue, 14 May 2024 02:37:00 +0000

Earlier this year, Germany became the first European country to legalize cannabis for adult use, sparking excitement across the continent and around the cannabis world. What will legal marijuana look like in Europe's largest economy? And how will it compare to legalization in the U.S.? Jordan Wellington hosts Lewis Koski, Chief Strategy Officer at Metrc and a former Colorado cannabis regulator, for an in-depth talk about what cannabis regulation will look like in Germany, how German cannabis cultivation clubs will work, and what the country can learn from Colorado and other states that have already legalized.

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Episode 85: Nick Richards of Greenspoon Marder LLP on How Tax Policy is Affecting the Future of Cannabis

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 17:04:19 +0000

The promise of marijuana tax revenue was a key selling point for legalization, and it continues to be a major policy issue for the regulated cannabis industry. It is also a pain point for many businesses, as well as the consumers they serve.

In this Weed Wonks episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Nick Richards, Partner at Greenspoon Marder LLP for a deep dive into the tax policies surrounding cannabis and what a lack of guidance and no shortage of trial and error has meant for the cannabis industry.

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Episode 84: Douglas Fischer of Advanced Vapor Devices on What the Cannabis World Can Learn from the E-Cigarette Industry

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 03:35:00 +0000

What can the cannabis world learn from U.S. federal regulation of the e-cigarette industry? In this episode of Weed Wonks, host Jordan Wellington talks with Douglas Fischer, general counsel for Advanced Vapor Devices, about regulatory challenges the e-cigarette industry has faced and what they may portend for the cannabis industry following federal legalization. They also discuss the importance of sensible federal oversight and how regulatory failure can lead to market failure.

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Episode 83: Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commissioner Kimberly Roy on Marijuana Education, Public Safety, and Leveling the Playing Field

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 03:05:00 +0000

In this episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Kimberly Roy of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission for a talk on how the state is educating veterans and other consumers, both young and old, about cannabis. They also discuss the recent state-issued pardons for cannabis offenses, efforts to “keep things honest” when it comes to cannabis testing, and the steps being taken to level the playing field for legal cannabis in the Commonwealth.

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Bonus Episode: From VS Strategies to Strategies 64 — What’s In a Name (and Number)?

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 20:23:04 +0000

For nearly a decade, VS Strategies has been a top consulting firm in the cannabis space and home to some of the utmost experts on cannabis policy, including Weed Wonks host Jordan Wellington.

In this special bonus episode, Jordan and fellow VSS partners Christian Sederberg and Mason Tvert discuss the firm’s new name, Strategies 64, and how Colorado’s historic marijuana legalization initiative, Amendment 64, served as a major nexus for the company and its leaders.

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Episode 82: Stephen Goldman of Kaycha Labs on the challenges of cannabis testing

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 02:55:00 +0000

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to produce the lab results that appear on your favorite cannabis products - and what they mean - this is the episode for you.

Hear Jordan Wellington and Stephen Goldman, Chief Science Officer at Kaycha Labs discuss the big questions that surround cannabis testing, what the data tells us about cannabis product safety, and what it takes to establish the safety of consumer products in an industry that lacks universal standards.

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Episode 81: Henry Crisler of 3MA Talks Cannabis Testing and Product Safety in Mississippi

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 20:18:07 +0000

It has been two years since the Mississippi Legislature approved the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act (SB 2095), establishing a legal medical cannabis market in the Magnolia State. In this episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Henry Crisler, the Executive Director of the Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association (3MA) for an in-depth talk on patient access and the obstacles cannabis companies face in Mississippi. They also discuss how the state is dealing with intoxicating hemp products and the devastating testing crisis it faced when one of its two licensed cannabis testing labs was suspended in January.

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Episode 80 Part II: Brian Vicente of Vicente LLP on “The Absolute Landmark Event” that is Cannabis Legalization in Ohio

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 20:58:04 +0000

In the second half of our two-part series on cannabis legalization in Ohio, Cincinnati native Brian Vicente of cannabis law firm Vicente LLP discusses the “absolute landmark event” that is legalization in the bellwether state of Ohio. Brian and Jordan get into the details of what will be allowed under cannabis legalization in Ohio, how many recreational dispensaries and cannabis grows will be permitted in the state, how the lottery for adult-use cannabis dispensaries works, and the emphasis the state is putting on social equity.

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Episode 80 Part I: Brandon Lynaugh on Cannabis Legalization in the Great State of Ohio

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 17:04:15 +0000

In the first installment of a two-part Weed Wonks episode on legalization in Ohio, Brandon Lyndaugh, managing partner of Strategic Public Partners and a leader of the Issue 2 campaign, discusses the initiative’s passage and efforts currently underway to implement the measure and establish the state’s legal cannabis market. Brandon and host Jordan Wellington also dive into what it’s like to run a legalization campaign, the roles played by polling and technology, and why voters’ political leanings are not always an indicator of their support for reform.

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Episode 79: Dan Smith of VS Strategies on Why 2024 Will Be One of the Most Interesting Years Ever for Cannabis Policy

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 17:18:12 +0000

From coast to coast in the U.S. and across the pond in Europe, 2024 is shaping up to be one of the most interesting years ever for cannabis policy. In this episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Dan Smith of VS Strategies for an in-depth look at what we can expect in newly legal states like Minnesota and Ohio, what could happen with legalization in Europe, and the pros and cons of state-run cannabis stores.

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Episode 78: Jeff Brown of the NJ-CRC on the State of Legal Cannabis in New Jersey

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 16:33:09 +0000

Jordan Wellington hosts fellow New Jerseyan Jeff Brown, Executive Director of the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission, for an up-close look at how the Garden State has handled cannabis policymaking and regulation. From social equity, to the importance of data and stakeholder engagement, to the question of whether cannabis-infused smoked salmon can be shelf stable, the two leave no stone unturned when it comes to legal cannabis in New Jersey.

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Episode 77: Former Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board Executive Director Tyler Klimas on What the State is Doing Right on Cannabis

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 17:57:51 +0000

In our latest episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Tyler Klimas, the former Executive Director of the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board, for an in-depth talk about how the state developed its cannabis regulations and why it’s so important to have accountability and transparency when making cannabis policy. The pair also discuss how Nevada is handling non-compliance and what the state is doing to make sure cannabis consumption lounges are a success in the entertainment capital of the world.

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Episode 76: Top Maine Cannabis Regulator John Hudak on Why Legalization Requires Preparation

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 05:00:00 +0000

In our latest episode, Jordan Wellington hosts John Hudak, Director of the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy, for an in-depth talk about the state’s cannabis program and his journey from the Brookings Institution to the world of marijuana regulation. The two also discuss how states can work together both with supporters and opponents of legalization, why the 2018 Farm Bill was a “disaster of legalization without preparation,” why state agencies should regularly clean out their regulatory closet, and why Hudak will never buy medical cannabis in Maine.

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Episode 75: Chris Tholkes on Minnesota’s New Approach to Legal Cannabis

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 14:37:00 +0000

In our latest episode, Jordan Wellington speaks to Chris Tholkes, Director of the Office of Medical Cannabis at the Minnesota Department of Health, about the state’s unique approach to legal cannabis. They discuss the state’s intoxicating hemp and medical cannabis markets and what to expect in the 15 months or so before adult-use dispensaries open their doors. They also look at what Jordan describes as how Minnesota represents “a complete paradigm shift on what we’ve seen” in legal cannabis markets today.

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Episode 74: Jason Tarasek on Why Minnesota Will Be Such a Fascinating Legal Cannabis Market

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 23:00:36 +0000

In our latest episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Jason Tarasek, the head of the Minnesota office of the cannabis law firm Vicente LLP for a deep and nerdy dive into what is shaping up to be one of the most fascinating cannabis markets in the country. From the popularity of intoxicating hemp beverages in Minnesota and the fact that you can drink them inside a bar in the state to the future of the medical marijuana market, Jordan and Jason leave no stone unturned.

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Bonus Episode: Colorado Governor Jared Polis Shares His Cannabis Proposals for the New State Budget and What They'll Mean for the Industry

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 21:19:33 +0000

In this special Weed Wonks episode, Jordan Wellington and Mason Tvert host Colorado Governor Jared Polis for a whirlwind talk about the governor’s cannabis proposals for the new state budget released a day earlier and why they’re important for cannabis operators, and how the state can continue to be a leader and an innovator in legal marijuana, more than a decade after legalization.

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Episode 73: Hirsh Jain and the Ongoing March Towards Progress in Cannabis

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 19:23:21 +0000

In the latest Weed Wonks session, Jordan Wellington hosts Ananda Strategy Founder and California Cannabis Chamber of Commerce Vice Chair Hirsh Jain for a fascinating talk about the work that remains in legal markets long after legalization is put into effect. From how states can ensure protections are in place for cannabis users to what Colorado and California are doing right and what makes Michigan great for investors, it’s an episode you won’t want to miss.

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Episode 72: What makes a cannabis market successful?

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 05:02:00 +0000

In our latest episode, Jordan Wellington hosts longtime policy partner in crime Andrew Livingston of Vicente LLP for a long discussion about what makes a legal cannabis market successful and how the concept of “success” in legal cannabis has changed in recent years. The duo also looks at how attitudes and approaches to cannabis social equity programs have changed and what this means for the industry.

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Episode 71: The Push for Universal Standards in Cannabis - and Why it Matters

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 04:02:00 +0000

In the latest Weed Wonks episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Jimmy Farrell, the Standards Development Manager at ASTM International, and David Vaillencourt, the Founder and CEO of GMP Collective, for an in-depth talk about what it takes to develop standards in an industry that is still illegal on the federal level. The trio also discusses consensus-building on cannabis standards and why it matters for all of us who care about cannabis testing, packaging, labels, and safety.

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Episode 70: The Weed Beat - Ricardo Baca, John Schroyer, and Mason Tvert Discuss How Journalism Affects Cannabis Policy and the Industry

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 03:30:00 +0000

In the latest Weed Wonks episode, Jordan Wellington hosts a panel of cannabis media experts including Ricardo Baca of Grasslands (and formerly “The Cannabist”), John Schroyer of Green Market Report, and Mason Tvert of VS Strategies for a look at how the media has impacted cannabis policy, how the cannabis beat has changed over the past decade, and what happens when a hot story like legal cannabis stops driving traffic like it used to.

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Episode 69: Joshua Kappel Takes Us on a Long, Strange Trip into the Intricacies of Psychedelics Legalization

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 05:01:00 +0000

In the latest Weed Wonks episode, Joshua Kappel, a founding partner of cannabis law firm Vicente LLP and co-founder of the Microdosing Collective speaks to Jordan Wellington about Colorado’s Natural Medicine Health Act, what it takes to pass psychedelics reform legislation, how to educate lawmakers on psychedelics and the idea of community-based health, and what happens when this model clashes with the state’s desire to exert control.

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Episode 68: Adria G. Berry, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, Sets the Record Straight

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 18:26:59 +0000

In the latest Weed Wonks episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Adria G. Berry of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority for an in-depth discussion of how the state’s wildcatter history is reflected in its medical marijuana market, how much oversupply there actually is in Oklahoma, and how the state is taking the reins on quality control.

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Episode 67: “It Just Gets More and More Complex” - Making Sense of the Intoxicating Cannabinoids Market

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 05:05:00 +0000

In the latest Weed Wonks episode, Jordan Wellington hosts a panel including Dr. Priyanka Sharma of Kazmira, Stephen Cobb of DOSD & Nomad Extracts, and Bia Campbell from VS Strategies for a deep dive into the intoxicating hemp products that have swept across the country in the past few years. It’s a very complicated landscape with a bit of “straight-up alchemy” tossed in, and who better to make sense of it all than some Weed Wonks?

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Episode 66: What Maryland is Doing Right on Legalization with Andrew Garrison of the Maryland Cannabis Administration

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 05:14:00 +0000

In the latest Weed Wonks episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Andrew Garrison of the Maryland Cannabis Administration to discuss the state’s rapid move from the legalization initiative to actual sales, how the state has prioritized social equity and patient access, and how the state is investing its own time and money to ensure legalization is done right. (Featuring a cameo from Andrew’s dog, Francis Scout Key)

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Episode 65: “The Coolest Business Trip of All Time” - Mike Hennesy of Wana Brands’ Weed Journey Across Morocco

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 16:12:17 +0000

Jordan Wellington hosts Mike Hennesy of Wana Brands for an eye-opening talk about Mike’s recent visit to Morocco, where he took to the Rif Mountains to learn from the cannabis traditions of the Amazigh people (what most of us usually call “Berbers”) and what they can teach us about cannabis cultivation and landrace strains, the global impact of the U.S. War on Drugs, and much more.

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Episode 64: “It Was Never About Science” - Shane Pennington of Vicente LLP Talks Federal Rescheduling and the Status of Cannabis

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 05:01:00 +0000

In the latest Weed Wonks episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Shane Pennington, counsel at Vicente LLP, for a deep dive into federal cannabis policy, what the different levels of scheduling mean, how illegality isn’t binary, it’s a spectrum, and why federal prohibition and scheduling levels were never really about science to begin with.

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Episode 63: Meet CANNRA’s Gillian Schauer, “Queen of the Cannabis Nerds”

Tue, 09 May 2023 14:22:00 +0000

Weed Wonks returns! In our first episode back after a rollercoaster year for legal cannabis, Jordan Wellington hosts Gillian Schauer, the Executive Director of the Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA), for an in-depth talk about CANNRA, product safety, “intoxicating hemp,” and the important role the federal government can and should play in the regulation of cannabis.

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Episode 62: A Tribute to Steve Fox

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 19:40:00 +0000

Betty Aldworth, Andrew Livingston, Jordan Wellington, and Mason Tvert join host Kris Krane to talk about the life and legacy of our friend and activist, Steve Fox. Originally aired 2021.

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Episode 61: How New York and New Jersey Are Legalizing Marijuana with Evan Nison

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 20:36:00 +0000

Activist and entrepreneur Evan Nison speaks with hosts Jordan Wellington and Andrew Livingston about how their home state of New Jersey as well as New York, has legalized marijuana, as well as some of the work he’s done and is doing through his PR company NisonCo. Originally aired June 29, 2021.

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Episode 60: Safe Access to Medical Marijuana with Michelle Walker

Tue, 18 May 2021 20:44:00 +0000

Michelle Walker, patient advocate and director at Mothers Advocating Medical Marijuana for Autism, speaks with host Jordan Wellington about her journey as a cannabis activist and the work she’s done to change medical cannabis policy for the better in Colorado, Texas, and on the national level. Originally aired May 18, 2021.

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Episode 59: Microbial Contamination and Testing with Benjamin Katchman, PhD, of PathogenDx

Thu, 06 May 2021 16:27:00 +0000

Benjamin Katchman, PhD, of PathogenDx, speaks with Jordan Wellington about legal cannabis, microbial contamination, and the testing chain. Previously aired May 6, 2021.

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Episode 58: New Mexico’s Foray Into Legalization with Emily Kaltenbach

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 16:36:00 +0000

Emily Kaltenbach, Senior Director of Resident States and New Mexico at the Drug Policy Alliance, joins host Jordan Wellington to talk about the growth and ongoing advancement of marijuana legalization in the state of New Mexico. Previously aired on April 27, 2021.

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Episode 57: Federal Marijuana Policy Reform with Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 16:40:00 +0000

Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D) joins hosts Jordan Wellington and Andrew Livingston to talk about the ongoing push to reform federal cannabis policy, this week’s vote on the SAFE Banking Act, and the legacy of friend and marijuana activist Steve Fox, who passed away last week at the age of 53. Previously aired on April 19, 2021.

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Episode 56: The Nitty Gritty of Cannabis Finance with Charles Alovisetti

Tue, 30 Mar 2021 16:47:00 +0000

Charles Alovisetti joins hosts Jordan Wellington and Andrew Livingston to talk about the finer points of legal marijuana finance, equity, and investment. Previously aired on March 30, 2021.

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Episode 55: The Evolution of Arizona’s Legal Marijuana Industry with Sam Richard

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 16:51:00 +0000

Sam Richard, Executive Director of the Arizona Dispensaries Association, talks with host Jordan Wellington about the history and ongoing evolution of Arizona’s legal marijuana industry. Previously aired on March 23, 2021.

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Episode 54: Can Virginia Legalize This Year? with Ngiste Abebe

Thu, 11 Feb 2021 17:56:00 +0000

Ngiste Abebe joins host Jordan Wellington to talk about the latest developments in legalizing adult-use marijuana in Virginia. Previously aired on February 11, 2021.

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Archive: Justin Strekal Talks Legalization, Federal Cannabis Policy, and the history of NORML

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 15:21:00 +0000

In this episode from the Weed Wonks archive, Jordan Wellington hosts former NORML Political Director and current partner at Useful Strategies Justin Strekal for an in-depth talk on federal cannabis policy, the history of NORML and its approach to consumer rights in cannabis, social equity in the legal marijuana industry, and a whole lot more.

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Archive: Marc Ross on Corporate Social Responsibility in the Cannabis Space

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 15:04:00 +0000

In this episode from the Weed Wonks archive, Jordan Wellington hosts former Vicente LLP Counsel and Chief Instigator at Needle Consultants, LLC, Marc Ross for a long talk on corporate social responsibility and what it means in the cannabis space when companies try to be good citizens.

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