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.

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On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto: Michael Webster of Falling Leaves Events. 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 Webster is the Founder and Managing Member of Falling Leaves Évents, a US-based company advancing projects in cannabis event organizing. Following a corporate career in technical content development, Webster made the transition to the burgeoning medical cannabis industry. With more than a decade of cannabis experience in both the legacy and regulated markets, he has emerged as an influential voice in the social equity space. He is an ascending force in the area of advocacy and was most recently named host of the National Cannabis Industry Association’s weekly social equity call, The Power Hour. In the news this week: Former California industry leader Flow Cannabis Co. ‘mothballed’ as it seeks to ‘survive’, California Bill to Allow Coffee, Food, and Music at Consumption Lounges, California’s annual cannabis sales fell in 2022 for the first time since adult-use launch, and 100+ Black-Owned Cannabis Businesses to Support Right Now. 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.
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On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto: Rebecca Colett, CEO of CALYXEUM. 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, Rebecca Colett. Rebecca is an experienced serial entrepreneur, technologist, and cannabis advocate. She has over 6 years of experience in the legal cannabis industry championing minority inclusion, veteran access programs, and workforce development. The News This Week: Record Sales in December Pushes Michigan Adult-Use Market Past $3 Billion, Founders of Black and Brown Economic Power in Cannabis have a product now on shelves, Mario Vital and LaDarius McKency are new committee members at NCIA. Michigan based cannabis venture, Calyxeum produces products including dry herbs, concentrates, and topical ointments under a wholesale organic brand and distributes them to dispensaries and providers throughout the state of Michigan. 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.
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On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto: Dr. Mila Marshall, Principal Consutant at Herb & Planning Associates. 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, Dr. Marshall, an ecologist with a focus on the intersection between the environment and the economy, runs a company whose mission is sustainable cannabis rooted in equity. The Herb & Planning team of grassroots experts provides a range of services for entrepreneurs and coalitions seeking to use the emerging marijuana market to address systemic urban social and environmental inequities. They strive to connect leaders, decision makers, entrepreneurs and communites to resourcces and strategies that are economically viable and scaleable. 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.
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On the latest Cannabis Minority Report with Mike Lomuto: Chris Jackson, NCIA Board of Directors Vice Chair. 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, Mike and Chris dive deep on the latest efforts to bring equity to Main Street Cannabis coast-to-coast. They highlight some of the successes in Chris's home state of Michigan while discussing ways that policy efforts have historically fallen short. Chris witnessed how cannabis prohibition directly impacted urban America and is dedicated to reversing the negative damage caused. He is a member of various state and local boards that contribute to economic power and initiatives to drive diversity and inclusion. Aside from serving as Vice Chair for the Board of Directors, Chris serves on the State Regulations Committee for the National Cannabis Industry Association and co-chairs its Diversity and Inclusion sub-committee. His knowledge spans the complex intertwining of governmental and business cannabis issues, while also remaining at the forefront of the pressing interstate commerce issues in cannabis. Chris serves in a number of capacities within organizations that have a direct impact on small businesses and the inclusion of people of color economically including: Cannabis Regulatory Agency – Michigan (DEI Workgroup, Racial Task Force Workgroup), Small Business Association of Michigan (Leadership Council, Legislative Workgroup), AQUME Foundation (Board Chair), Main Street Pontiac (Past President). 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.
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Each week Khadijah Adams and Mike Lumoto host cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Mike and Khadijah are joined by Eddie and Brandon of King Palm. #BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential © 2022 National Cannabis Industry Association and NCIA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee
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Each week Khadijah Adams and Mike Lumoto host cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Mike and Khadijah are joined by cannabis entrepeneur Heather Fowler of Mary Jane’s Place. #BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential © 2022 National Cannabis Industry Association and NCIA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee
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Each week Khadijah Adams and Mike Lumoto host cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Mike is joined by Alexis Angulo of Pretty and Posh. Website: https://www.prettyandposh.us/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prettyandposh_inc/ #BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential #PRIDE © 2022 National Cannabis Industry Association and NCIA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee
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Each week Khadijah Adams hosts cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Mike Lomuto guest hosts for Khadijah and is joined by Doug Kelly and Peter Contos of Cannabis Equity Illinois Coalition. Follow CEIC on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. #BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential #PRIDE © 2022 National Cannabis Industry Association and NCIA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee
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Each week Khadijah Adams hosts cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Mike Lomuto guest hosts with Khadijah and is joined by Nydia Zamorano-Torres of UR Wellness LLC. #BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential #MainStreetCannabis © 2022 National Cannabis Industry Association and NCIA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee
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Each week Khadijah Adams hosts cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Mike Lomuto guest hosts for Khadijah and is joined by Elizabeth Becker of hibnb. #BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential #PRIDE © 2022 National Cannabis Industry Association and NCIA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee
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Each week Khadijah Adams hosts cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Mike Lomuto guest hosts for Khadijah and is joined by Christopher Johnson and Kenny Cottrell of Cannalean. #BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential #PRIDE © 2022 National Cannabis Industry Association and NCIA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee
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Each week Khadijah Adams hosts cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Mike Lomuto guest hosts for Khadijah and is joined by Josh Gold of National Business Capital. Listen through the episode for a special promotion offer from National Business Capital, exclusively for Cannabis Minority Report listeners. #BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential #PRIDE © 2022 National Cannabis Industry Association and NCIA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee
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Each week Khadijah Adams hosts cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Khadijah is joined by Mike Lomuto, who oversees NCIA's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and who co-founded Dao Mastery Consulting #BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential #HappyPride 🏳️‍🌈 © 2022 National Cannabis Industry Association and NCIA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee
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Each week Khadijah Adams hosts cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Khadijah is joined by Ken Tays of Green Leaf Marketers. #BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential © 2022 National Cannabis Industry Association and NCIA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee
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Each week Khadijah Adams hosts cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Khadijah is joined by Aja Atwood, CEO of Trella Technologies, Inc. #BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential © 2022 National Cannabis Industry Association and NCIA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee
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Each week Khadijah Adams hosts cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Khadijah is joined by Dr. Elizabeth Hughes. #BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential © 2022 National Cannabis Industry Association and NCIA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee
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Each week Khadijah Adams hosts cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Khadijah is joined by Tucky Blunt of blunts+moore. #BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential © 2022 National Cannabis Industry Association and NCIA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee  
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Each week Khadijah Adams hosts cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Khadijah is joined by Brian Adams of The Harrington Institute. #BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential © 2022 National Cannabis Industry Association and NCIA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee
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Each week Khadijah Adams hosts cannabis industry operators, advocates, and allies to discuss issues related to social equity and highlight their experiences, challenges and success stories as people of color in the cannabis industry. This episode, Khadijah is joined by Michael Diaz-Rivera of Better Days Delivery. #BlackLivesMatter #StopAsianHate #CannabisIsEssential © 2022 National Cannabis Industry Association and NCIA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee      
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