The Latest

Advocacy
/ Community
/ Education

Securing The Future of Cannabis Through Standardization

Mr. Black is an accomplished and results-driven analytical chemist, Material Scientist, and Quality Manager/Engineer. With over 35 years of experience practicing quality engineering and management, working in manufacturing, R&D, working as a food safety scientist and Preventive Control Qualified Individual (PCQI), practicing as a cGMP consultant in cannabis, and Quality/Process Consultant for the sports equipment […]
Mr. Black is an accomplished and results-driven analytical chemist, Material Scientist, and Quality Manager/Engineer. With over 35 years of experience practicing quality engineering and management, working in manufacturing, R&D, working as a food safety scientist and Preventive Control Qualified Individual (PCQI), practicing as a cGMP consultant in cannabis, and Quality/Process Consultant for the sports equipment PPE industry. He is the Principal Consultant for CK Black Group providing GMP services to the cannabis and food industries, Sports Equipment PPE regulations/quality systems, and auditing services. Mr. Black is currently the Chairman of ASTM D37.06, the Personnel Training, Assessment, Credentialing in Cannabis subcommittee. Throughout his 19 years of experience working with ASTM, Mr. Black has been the technical contact and principal author of 9 ASTM standards.

Advocacy
/ Community
/ Education

Navigating Legal and Regulatory Challenges in Both Emerging and Established Cannabis Markets

Justin M. Brandt is Founding Partner at Bianchi & Brandt. He blends nearly a decade of business litigation experience with business-development savvy, setting the course for Bianchi & Brandt’s top-down, holistic support of licensed cannabis operators. In addition to overseeing the firm’s litigation practice and daily operations, he excels in proactive risk management and business […]

Justin M. Brandt is Founding Partner at Bianchi & Brandt. He blends nearly a decade of business litigation experience with business-development savvy, setting the course for Bianchi & Brandt’s top-down, holistic support of licensed cannabis operators. In addition to overseeing the firm’s litigation practice and daily operations, he excels in proactive risk management and business transaction strategy.

He has been named Top 40 Under 40 Rising Stars by Marijuana Venture and Top 40 Under 40 by the Phoenix Business Journal, receiving notable recognition as a cannabis attorney and business leader.

Bianchi & Brandt was founded in 2019 and is a full-service Arizona-based law firm specializing in the burgeoning cannabis and psychedelic industries. Partners Laura Bianchi and Justin Brandt have a combined 24 years of experience balancing the irregularities of state versus federal legalities largely unknown to other attorneys.

The firm has served as a strategic partner to more than 500 clients to date and not only assists with legal matters but is also an expert at risk management, compliance, M&A, expansion, real estate, and human resources issues that present unique challenges in highly regulated industries.



Advocacy
/ Community
/ Education

Risks for New License Holders in New East Coast Cannabis Markets

Isaac Bock has served as a member management/ executive team of AlphaRoot for the last 2+ years. Prior to helping spin AlphaRoot, Isaac was a leading member of the Customer Success (renewal/client advisory) team of Founder Shield, which is the company AlphaRoot was initially founded. He brings 6+ years of cannabis-specific experience and 8 years […]

Isaac Bock has served as a member management/ executive team of AlphaRoot for the last 2+ years. Prior to helping spin AlphaRoot, Isaac was a leading member of the Customer Success (renewal/client advisory) team of Founder Shield, which is the company AlphaRoot was initially founded. He brings 6+ years of cannabis-specific experience and 8 years of client advisory work.

Isaac earned his Master’s in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics from the University of Maryland and graduated with Honors from the University of Pennsylvania. He holds his Associate in Risk Management (ARM) credential, which he earned during his first year as a professional.

We get into what’s happening at the state level, starting with New York, which has seen criticism for its slow roll-out of adult-use licenses. With that, there’s some frustration around that. We talk about what Isaac sees as an important thing for new dispensary license holders to understand and keep in mind as they launch in New York.



Community
/ Education

The Dispensary Experience – Inspiring Interior Design for Customers

Melinda Yoo designs innovative, profitable, and award-winning cannabis retail dispensaries across North America. Her work is inspiring, her clients are notable and her vision for the cannabis industry is unparalleled. She leads her team thoughtfully through the creative and technical processes of creating unique retail experiences that are both jaw-dropping and profitable. After over a […]

Melinda Yoo designs innovative, profitable, and award-winning cannabis retail dispensaries across North America. Her work is inspiring, her clients are notable and her vision for the cannabis industry is unparalleled. She leads her team thoughtfully through the creative and technical processes of creating unique retail experiences that are both jaw-dropping and profitable.

After over a decade at a traditional, residential interior design firm in Chicago, Melinda followed her curiosity to retail interior design and merchandising. She quickly fell in love with dispensary design and all the quirks and challenges that go with it.

Since then, she has grown and led Sungrown Studio and received press recognition for her magazine-worthy retail environments and thought leadership. Sungrown Studio was named Dispensary Design Master 2022 by mg Magazine. Melinda continues to design amazing retail stores that reflect her client's values and brands.



Community

Asian Americans and Cannabis | Ophelia Chong & Frank Louie

On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto and Kay Villamin: Ophelia Chong and Frank Louie. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that […]
On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto and Kay Villamin: Ophelia Chong and Frank Louie. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that cannabis brings to the reshaping of our nation and communities. We also provide our take on select news stories, in particular how these stories impact diverse communities. On this episode: Ophelia Chong has, from 2005 to the present, specialized in marketing and designing for photographers, photography monographs, and photography agencies. Ophelia teaches Marketing and Self-Promotion to photography students at the Art Center College of Design and has been an art director in the MFA writing program at CalArts since 2008. Founded StockPot Images in 2015, the first and only stock photo agency to specialize in cannabis, hemp and psilocybin, she also founded Asian Americans for Cannabis Education in 2015 with Monica Lo and Tiffany Wu. Frank Louie is the Chief Operating Officer at California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce, he is a successful sales and business development leader with a proven track record for growing revenues in early growth stage and Fortune 500 technology companies. His experiences includes ongoing success in selling and supporting technology, document management solutions and helping to pioneer and develop the emerging electronic customer communications industry. We record live every Monday, on NCIA's LinkedIn Live, at 10am PT / 1PM ET. So be sure to tune in, as well as to subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms.

Advocacy
/ Community
/ Education

Cannabis Bed and Breakfast – Merging Tourism & Hospitality

Chris Chiari is a driven entrepreneur and award-winning film producer with a wealth of experience in corporate strategy and regional politics. Skilled in marketing and messaging, he has engaged exclusively with the cannabis industry since 2011 and is a tireless advocate for cannabis policy reform and fostering industry growth. Chris is a former Deputy Director […]

Chris Chiari is a driven entrepreneur and award-winning film producer with a wealth of experience in corporate strategy and regional politics. Skilled in marketing and messaging, he has engaged exclusively with the cannabis industry since 2011 and is a tireless advocate for cannabis policy reform and fostering industry growth.

Chris is a former Deputy Director of Colorado NORML, serving for over eight years. When not working on The 420 Hotels portfolio, Chris likes to stay involved with grassroots advocacy and advancing social reform

Chris owns and operates Denver’s historic Patterson Inn, the keystone of The 420 Hotels portfolio. As CEO, he uses his expertise in hospitality, operations, and community outreach to address the stigmas and ignorance that still exist around cannabis use while creating a unique and upscale environment for cannabis consumption. The 420 Hotels aims to be amongst the nation’s first hotel chains where guests will be able to consume cannabis onsite in legally licensed lounges.



Advocacy
/ Community
/ Education

Veterans and Cannabis Equity in New York

Justin Battles is a passionate advocate for service-disabled veterans in the cannabis industry. After serving in the Army for 8 years, including time as an airborne infantryman and quartermaster chemical repairer, he was medically discharged due to knee injuries from his airborne service. This led Justin to pursue his interest in horticulture business management and […]

Justin Battles is a passionate advocate for service-disabled veterans in the cannabis industry. After serving in the Army for 8 years, including time as an airborne infantryman and quartermaster chemical repairer, he was medically discharged due to knee injuries from his airborne service. This led Justin to pursue his interest in horticulture business management and cannabis studies.

His journey in the cannabis industry began with growing his own cannabis for pain management, anxiety, and ADHD. He intends to apply for a microbusiness license to further expand his involvement in the industry. Justin serves as the Co-chair of the Veterans Committee of the Cannabis Association of New York (CANY), where he works tirelessly to help as many veterans as possible find success in the cannabis sector.

His primary goal is to ensure that veterans have access to licenses, resources, funding, and affordable cannabis products in a fair and equitable industry. With a vision for the future that includes equal opportunities and access for service-disabled veterans, Justin Battles is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of those he serves.



Advocacy
/ Community
/ Education

Advertising, Storytelling, and Content Marketing in the Cannabis Industry

Ricardo Baca is a 20-year veteran journalist and cannabis futurist, widely respected in both modern media and drug-policy circles. He was appointed The Denver Post’s first-ever cannabis editor in 2013 and founded the news vertical The Cannabist, where he extensively covered the advent of the U.S. adult-use cannabis market and related issues around the world, […]

Ricardo Baca is a 20-year veteran journalist and cannabis futurist, widely respected in both modern media and drug-policy circles. He was appointed The Denver Post’s first-ever cannabis editor in 2013 and founded the news vertical The Cannabist, where he extensively covered the advent of the U.S. adult-use cannabis market and related issues around the world, as seen in the feature documentary Rolling Papers.

Ricardo launched Grasslands: A Journalism-Minded Agency in 2016 to work directly with business leaders in highly regulated industries, from cannabis and psychedelics to spirits and healthcare. Grasslands is a journalism-minded marketing and public relations agency working with bold brands in cannabis and psychedelics.

Named one of Fortune’s 7 Most Powerful People in America’s Marijuana Industry in 2016 and Marketer of the Year by AdCann in 2019, Ricardo has received numerous accolades for his trailblazing work.

They talk about the challenges of advertising in cannabis, social media plays a crucial role in this. Recently Twitter sort of “opened up” some of the cannabis advertising capabilities so we dive into that and much more.



Community

Can Colorado Fix Their Social Equity Problem? | Michael Diaz-Rivera


On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto: Michael Diaz-Rivera. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that cannabis brings to the reshaping of our nation and communities. We also provide our take on select news stories, in particular how these stories impact diverse communities. On this episode: Michael Diaz-Rivera is a formerly incarcerated man, now a community-focused business owner with proven expertise in motivating others to achieve goals while also prioritizing and strategizing for youth/community enrichment programs. He says he 'holds youth, family, and community in high esteem, and interacts with the greatest degree of professionalism and personal integrity." His company aligns with his values, aiming to push for true social equity while holding human and social services close to the heart. We record live every Monday, on NCIA's LinkedIn Live, at 10am PT / 1PM ET. So be sure to tune in, as well as to subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms.

Community
/ Education

A Medical Doctor and Attorney Agree: Cannabis Reform is Still Needed | Dr. Bridget Williams & Natacha Andrews, Esq.

On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto and Kay Villamin: Dr. Bridget Williams & Natacha Andrews, Esq. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the […]
On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto and Kay Villamin: Dr. Bridget Williams & Natacha Andrews, Esq. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that cannabis brings to the reshaping of our nation and communities.   We also provide our take on select news stories, in particular how these stories impact diverse communities.   On this episode: Natacha Andrews, Esq., is an attorney, speaker, author and cannabis advocate. Originally from NJ, she is a graduate of both Rutgers University and Howard Law.   Natacha’s diverse background brought her to cannabis after practicing a majority of her career as an immigration lawyer. Concerned by the trend she noticed of the disturbing number of detainees facing deportation and permanent family separation as a result of low level, non-violent cannabis convictions, Natacha set out to gain a better understand of the underlying causes and connections. What she discovered led her to seek avenues of advocacy and sensible drug policy reform.   In December 2019 she began to gather a group of attorneys from around the nation, resulting in the formation of the National Association of Black Cannabis Lawyers (NABCL). Today, NABCL works with attorneys from varied practice areas to advocate for equitable, inclusive and reparative justice for those intentionally harmed by the War on Drugs.   Natacha is on a crusade to assist cannabis professionals establish a footing within the industry during the re-legalization of the plant. Natacha provides invaluable expertise and guidance to those seeking equity as they enter the burgeoning cannabis market.   She serves as an advocate for comprehensive drug reform. She is an educator with subject matter expertise, who speaks to audiences ranging from corporate entities to community organizations. She is a volunteer for the Last Prisoner’s Project, directs community engaged for NC-ACT (NC Alliance for Cannabis Transparency), is a Parabola Center Partner and sits on the board of the NABCL.   Dr. Bridget Cole Williams is an established board-certified family physician, best selling author, and the CEO of Green Harvest Health, a medical cannabis and integrative health clinic located in Ohio. With nearly 20 years of experience in family medicine from The Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Bridget combines her medical background with certifications in life and cannabis coaching into her practice. She provides valuable “motivational talks” on medical cannabis, CBD products and business development, life balance and confidence, and a variety of additional topics.   In 2019, Dr. Bridget formulated and launched her own CBD medicinal line of products, followed by her line of hemp infused beauty products. Dr. Bridget also serves as Medical Director for several medical spas, and Collaborating Physician for mental health facilities. When not seeing patients, Dr. Bridget hosts podcast shows, creates educational curriculum, and serves on various boards.   Dr. Bridget also runs a nonprofit, GHH Community Foundation, which helps to fund her book Courage In Cannabis. She uses the nonprofit to provide an opportunity for individuals to share their cannabis stories, and become published authors. Dr. Bridget is honored to have been recognized as Top Female Business, Top Minority Business with the Ohio MBE 2021, Women in Medicine Top Doctor 2021, Top 100 Entrepreneurs 2022, Disruptors 50 Under 50 Brightest Disruptors, and is a respected and sought after thought leader, and expert in the cannabis industry.   We record live every Monday, on NCIA's LinkedIn Live, at 10am PT / 1PM ET. So be sure to tune in, as well as to subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms.

Advocacy
/ Community

Tribal Cannabis: Indigenous Inclusion | Mary Jane Oatman

On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with ⁠Mike Lomuto⁠ and ⁠Chris Jackson⁠: ⁠Mary Jane Oatman⁠. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that cannabis brings […]
On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with ⁠Mike Lomuto⁠ and ⁠Chris Jackson⁠: ⁠Mary Jane Oatman⁠. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that cannabis brings to the reshaping of our nation and communities. We also provide our take on select news stories, in particular how these stories impact diverse communities. On this episode: Mary Jane Oatman, Founder of ⁠THC Magazine⁠ and Executive Director of the ⁠Indigenous Cannabis Coalition⁠. Mary Jane is a descendant of Chief Looking Glass of the Nez Perce Tribe of the Columbia River Plateau, wants to change the public perception of the indigenous population of the Americas and cannabis. Originally from Kamiah, in north-central Idaho, she is launching a nonprofit company called the Indigenous Cannabis Coalition. One project is to develop an interactive map that shows all the Native American cannabis and hemp cultivators, processors, testing facilities, and dispensaries in the nation. This directory, which will include companies run by tribes as well as those run by tribal members, will encourage Native American-owned cannabis businesses to support one another and band together. Mary Jane has been dedicated to reclaiming Indigenous cultures and restoring pre colonial economies in hemp and cannabis. She has worked for her tribe and other communities to advocate to state and federal agencies to protect tribal sovereignty and to ensure more effective government to government relationships are steered by building bridges between diverse stakeholders. In 2009, Oatman was the youngest member appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the National Advisory Council on Indian Education. We record live every Monday, on NCIA's LinkedIn Live, at 10am PT / 1PM ET. So be sure to tune in, as well as to subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms.

Advocacy
/ Community
/ Education

From Woodstock to Wall Street – Challenges in Cannabis Financing

Andrew J. Kaye is a chief commercial officer at Sweet Leaf Madison Capital. He has been involved in all aspects of the financial services industry, working as a fund portfolio investment manager, investment banker, family office investor, and attorney. Kaye has worked with startups on their first raise and supported global enterprises undertaking billion-dollar stock […]
Andrew J. Kaye is a chief commercial officer at Sweet Leaf Madison Capital. He has been involved in all aspects of the financial services industry, working as a fund portfolio investment manager, investment banker, family office investor, and attorney. Kaye has worked with startups on their first raise and supported global enterprises undertaking billion-dollar stock offerings. He also has significant investment experience in the cannabis industry. Financing cannabis is a myriad of challenges. Not only raising capital for a federally illegal business but also regular banking issues for businesses that are regularly losing their bank accounts or struggling with those services. We talk about some other financial challenges cannabis businesses are facing. It’s an exciting but challenging industry, especially as each state operates independently due to the federal status, so we dive into how federal legalization would impact how states are operating in addition to solving what we call the cannabis banking crisis.

Capital & Cannabis | Keyston Franklin

On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto: Keyston Franklin, Chief Executive Officer for Gallantri Industries. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that […]
On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto: Keyston Franklin, Chief Executive Officer for Gallantri Industries. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that cannabis brings to the reshaping of our nation and communities. We also provide our take on select news stories, in particular how these stories impact diverse communities. This week's headlines: The NBA Is Lifting Its Ban On Marijuana In New Deal With Players Union, NCIA and other orgs call on the leadership of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs to expeditiously take action on the bipartisan SAFE Banking Act. On this episode: Keyston is a US Army Veteran, strategically using his service skills and training to build pivotal partnerships in the cannabis industry that focus on business development, corporate/government relations, and veteran empowerment. As an entrepreneurial visionary and as a result of his dedication to service, Keyston Co-Founded CannaMatch, Halo Holding Group, and the Warrior Summit Coalition (Vice-President, COO). Most recently, Keyston joined the National Cannabis Industry Association’s Banking & Financial Services Committee (BFSC) to assist and make industry recommendations concerning Financial Institutions, Federal Banking Laws, and groups that represent Banking and Payment Solutions. Keyston founded Gallantri Industries to continue his dedication to service by using opportunities in cannabis to further empower veterans, their families, and their communities. We record live every Monday, on NCIA's LinkedIn Live, at 10am PT / 1PM ET. So be sure to tune in, as well as to subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms.

Advocacy
/ Community
/ Education

Insight into New York State’s Cannabis Industry Framework

Axel Bernabe serves as Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Director. Axel is responsible for standing up and overseeing all aspects of the Office of Cannabis Management. Prior to this position, Axel spent 6 years as chief health counsel to Gov. Cuomo, overseeing all legal and policy deliberations in the health portfolio. As part of […]
Axel Bernabe serves as Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Director. Axel is responsible for standing up and overseeing all aspects of the Office of Cannabis Management. Prior to this position, Axel spent 6 years as chief health counsel to Gov. Cuomo, overseeing all legal and policy deliberations in the health portfolio.

As part of his cannabis responsibilities, he led the expansion of the medical program, directed the launch of the State's cannabinoid hemp program, and drafted and negotiated the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA).

The New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) was established upon passage of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) in March 2021 to implement a regulatory framework for medical and adult-use cannabis and hemp in the state of New York. This includes but is not limited to production, licensing, packaging, marketing, and the sale of cannabis.



Advocacy

New York Social Equity | Damian Fagon

On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto and Kay Villamin: Damian Fagon, Chief Equity Officer for the New York State Office of Cannabis Management. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to […]
On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto and Kay Villamin: Damian Fagon, Chief Equity Officer for the New York State Office of Cannabis Management. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that cannabis brings to the reshaping of our nation and communities. We also provide our take on select news stories, in particular how these stories impact diverse communities. On this episode: Damian Fagon. Mr. Fagon was appointed as the Chief Equity Officer of the NYS Office of Cannabis Management in June 2022. In this role, Mr. Fagon oversees the social and economic equity initiatives laid out in the MRTA. As a 3rd-generation farmer with a background in international development, agriculture and small business, he has led development initiatives with castor farmers in Jamaica, rice growers in Sierra Leone, and coffee exporters in Guatemala. Mr. Fagon has also launched and advised commercial cannabis operations in South Carolina, New York, and the Caribbean. We record live every Monday, on NCIA's LinkedIn Live, at 10am PT / 1PM ET. So be sure to tune in, as well as to subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms.

Advocacy
/ Community
/ Education

Main Street Cannabis Returns to Washington, D.C. in May

Last year we began to emerge from the restrictions of the pandemic and we were able to return to Washington D.C., but in the interim, we hosted some VIRTUAL LOBBY DAYS to fill the gap. And then returning in person, finally, in September last year, it was just like riding a bike, but with a […]

Last year we began to emerge from the restrictions of the pandemic and we were able to return to Washington D.C., but in the interim, we hosted some VIRTUAL LOBBY DAYS to fill the gap. And then returning in person, finally, in September last year, it was just like riding a bike, but with a few limitations. Mainly the security protocols for getting into the various House and Senate buildings, but things went mostly smoothly, so we discuss our guest's experience.

Some of our goals at Lobby Days have been consistent since Day One, which is generally educating Congress as to why cannabis should be federally legal, and of course, licensed business owners who want to see banking protections and 280E tax reform.

It’s important that we keep doing this work and keep adding to the conversation as it becomes more complex and sophisticated. We discuss the possibility of newer issues or topics that we’re bringing to Capitol Hill more recently or at this next Lobby Days event and much more.

Aaron Smith is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of the National Cannabis Industry Associatio., Prior to launching NCIA, Aaron distinguished himself as a public advocate for marijuana policy reform. First under the auspices of a California-based medical cannabis advocacy group, Safe Access Now in 2005, and then as the California state policy director for the Washington, D.C.-based Marijuana Policy Project until founding NCIA in 2010.

Monica Gray is from Nice Guys Delivery and is also an NCIA Board member. Nice Guys Delivery was incorporated in 2016 by Monica Gray-Fong and her husband Adam Fong. Nice Guys Delivery is a knowledgeable, high-level delivery service that offers the highest-grade flowers, edibles, lotions, teas, tinctures, and more. The couple owns and operates Nice Guys Distribution and Nice Gals, a CBD online retailer.



Community

Platforming Diversity | Tiffany Watkins & Chris Jensen

On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto: Tiffany Watkins & Chris Jensen. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that cannabis brings to […]
On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto: Tiffany Watkins & Chris Jensen. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that cannabis brings to the reshaping of our nation and communities. We also provide our take on select news stories, in particular how these stories impact diverse communities. On this episode: Tiffany Watkins & Chris Jensen. Tiffany is the founder of Vanguard Media. A former IT professional, she's been a grassroots organizer for cannabis for over 30 years. Vanguard is a media platform, a magazine, and most importantly, a movement that's dedicated to Women in cannabis. In addition to showcasing the efforts, innovation and creativity of Women, Vanguard affords me the opportunity to continue to help craft changes in cannabis policy, and social justice. Chris Jensen is a physical security specialist with over a decade in the cannabis space. Chris is an ArcView Group alumni, and longtime NCIA member who has worked on national security rollouts in the USA and Canada with the likes of Canopy Growth, Cresco Labs, and Highly Cannaco to name a few. Chris grew up in Utah and currently lives in Aurora, CO a suburb of Denver. Marijuana MSOs sue New York over adult-use retail license delay, and more. For Women's History Month, we highlight a handful of women in the space including Lindsey Renner, Jessica Velazquez, and previous guest Alexis Angulo. We record live every Monday, on NCIA's LinkedIn Live, at 10am PT / 1PM ET. So be sure to tune in, as well as to subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms.

Advocacy
/ Community

Events As A Safe Space | Kay Villamin

On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto: Kay Villamin of HUSH. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that cannabis brings to the […]
On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto: Kay Villamin of HUSH. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that cannabis brings to the reshaping of our nation and communities. We also provide our take on select news stories, in particular how these stories impact diverse communities. On this episode: Katherine "Kay" Villamin has been an entrepreneur since 2007 and has provided photography, design, branding & marketing services in the last 15 years. Currently, she owns KV Creative - an agency providing photography & creative marketing services and is also the co-founder & creative director of HUSH Chicago: a full-service event & marketing agency for the cannabis industry. Having her own photography business since 2011 has allowed her to participate in a wide gamut of industries & exposure to a diverse clientele, which eventually evolved her business to provide more services such as branding, marketing, graphic and web design. Currently, she provides leadership, strategy, creative direction, and consulting for the company and its clients. Kay’s goal is to continue to lead the development & growth of the company, be a strong influence in the global cannabis community, and be an all-encompassing resource for brands big & small by providing support through creative services, purposeful marketing, mentorship, and business development. She is a member of the National Cannabis Industry Association & currently serving as Chair for the State Regulations Committee. Kay is also a member of the Cannabis Equity Illinois Coalition, Albany Park Chamber of Commerce, and now sits on the board as VP of Economic Development for the North River Commission in Chicago. We record live every Monday, on NCIA's LinkedIn Live, at 10am PT / 1PM ET. So be sure to tune in, as well as to subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms.

Advocacy
/ Community

Systemic Diversity | Benjamin Larson

On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto: Benjamin Larson of Vertosa. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that cannabis brings to the […]

On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto: Benjamin Larson of Vertosa. Each week on the show, we highlight the journeys, successes, and challenges of Global Majority (aka Minority) leaders in our industry. Mike interviews a leader who has had to navigate innovatively and who believes in the potential that cannabis brings to the reshaping of our nation and communities.

We also provide our take on select news stories, in particular how these stories impact diverse communities. In the news this week, from BeardBros, The Cannabis Community Must Come Together – Even with Your Competition, from MJBiz Daily, Metrc threatens to close accounts of Michigan cannabis firms over late payments, and in California annual cannabis sales fell in 2022 for the first time since adult-use launch.

On this episode: Benjamin Larson is the CEO of Vertosa, the multi-state infusion technology company specializing in beverages and other fast-acting form factors. Prior to Vertosa, Mr. Larson co-founded Gateway Incubator, California’s first business accelerator and co-working space dedicated to the emerging cannabis industry.

He’s a Director and Mentor at Founder Institute where he formerly managed global operations and helped expand the program into over 100 cities around the world. Mr. Larson is a host of the Marijuana Today podcast; a founding board member of the Cannabis Beverage Association and founding member of ATACH’s Cannabis Beverage Council; and he was recently appointed to the Board for the National Cannabis Industry Association. Mr. Larson was a recipient of the San Francisco Business Times 40 Under 40 and was recognized by Forbes in 2022 as one of the 42 pioneers to watch in the green rush.


We record live every Monday, on NCIA's LinkedIn Live, at 10am PT / 1PM ET. So be sure to tune in, as well as to subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms.



Community
/ Education

Balancing Regulations and Compliance in Future Federal Legalization

The cannabis industry certainly has a plethora of regulations to follow, so compliance is crucial. In fact, some operators like to joke that cannabis is “more heavily regulated than plutonium.” We talk about some of the complicated or challenging regulations already happening at the state level since it’s currently illegal at the federal level. This […]

The cannabis industry certainly has a plethora of regulations to follow, so compliance is crucial. In fact, some operators like to joke that cannabis is “more heavily regulated than plutonium.” We talk about some of the complicated or challenging regulations already happening at the state level since it's currently illegal at the federal level.

This begs the question of the next stage or next step in all this, as we all look toward federal legalization. We dive into what they see happening on the regulatory side once that happens. Will the states that are more established with a cannabis market need huge changes, or will there be a smoother way to adapt to federal regulations? Harry Bernstein joins us today to discuss all this more!

Harry Bernstein - executive director of Verde Compliance Partners. As general counsel of a beer and wine wholesale distributor for nearly two decades, Harry handled all legal matters including, contracts, franchise agreements, labor negotiations, as well as state and federal licensing and compliance. For the past 19 years, as an attorney, he has assisted individuals with health care matters and special needs including representing clients at federal administrative hearings at the Social Security Administration.

Verde Compliance Partners is a national consulting firm focused on guiding clients through federal cannabis permitting and regulatory compliance. The firm prepares and navigates cannabis growers and processors through the regulatory, legal, and administrative requirements necessary to comply with current and future federal regulations. The team consists of senior-level experts with decades of experience consulting in federal, state, and local permitting, regulation, and compliance in the cannabis, alcohol, and tobacco industries.



Join the movement

NCIA is leading the cannabis industry's unified and coordinated campaign to ensure our business sector is treated fairly and has the opportunity to reach its full potential. Now - more than ever - is the time to invest in your business and the future of the industry by becoming a member.

This site uses cookies. By using this site or closing this notice, you agree to the use of cookies and our privacy policy.