Hit the ground running when you arrive in D.C.!
Get fully prepped for NCIA’s 13th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days & National Stakeholder Summit with this AI-generated podcast designed just for participants. The episode walks you through the full schedule of events, offers a deep dive into key federal cannabis legislation, and shares essential talking points and insider tips to help you make the most of your time on Capitol Hill.
In Episode 3 of NCIA’s Voice of Cannabis Podcast, produced in partnership with Pro Cannabis Media, we’re diving into the evolving relationship between cannabis and Big Pharma—and exploring the competitive edge of New York’s emerging retail market. NCIA CEO Aaron Smith and broadcaster Jimmy Young are joined by two standout voices in the industry:
Dr. Shane Johnson, CEO of Bay Medica (a division of InMed Pharmaceuticals), shares insights on the growing role of pharmaceutical companies in cannabinoid research and what that means for independent cannabis operators.
Arana Hankin-Biggers, President & CEO of The Travel Agency, one of NYC’s hottest new dispensaries, discusses how retail innovation, consumer education, and cultural shifts are transforming the New York cannabis scene.
In Episode 2 of NCIA’s Voice of Cannabis Podcast, produced in partnership with Pro Cannabis Media, we’re joined by Gillian Schauer, Executive Director of the Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA).
Aaron Smith and Jimmy Young sit down with Gillian to discuss the evolving role of regulators in shaping cannabis policy, the challenges of balancing public health and business innovation, and how CANNRA is working to bridge gaps between state and federal frameworks. Topics covered include the role of state regulators in federal cannabis reform, insights into the rescheduling process and regulatory readiness, public health considerations in cannabis legalization, the importance of collaboration between industry and regulators, and more.
Tune in for an inside look at the conversations driving the future of cannabis policy across the U.S.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Charlie Alovisetti is a partner at Vicente Sederberg and chair of the firm’s Corporate Department. He is recognized by Chambers & Partners as one of the top cannabis lawyers in the United States and is the co-author of The Business of Cannabis: Understanding Law, Finance, and Governance in America’s Newest Industry (Routledge, 2020).
Prior to joining VS, Charlie worked as an associate in the New York offices of Latham & Watkins and Goodwin, where he represented public companies and private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies in a range of corporate transactions.
So bigger picture here, cannabis companies have a myriad of challenges in operations and financial issues and banking. Some cannabis companies are finding it difficult to operate and keep their heads above water in a sustainable way for their businesses to survive. Considering 280E and banking issues, this is a tenuous situation so we dive into that and much more.
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.
Angel Fernandez is a plant scientist at UC Berkeley in plant genetics and molecular biology. He is also a recognized researcher and scientist specialist in plant genomics and molecular breeding. As our CEO, he is committed to delivering the promise of revolutionizing the industry by applying all his knowledge, time, and effort to developing innovative solutions to break the barriers that growers and breeders face.
MyFloraDNA is a genomic laboratory based in Sacramento California, delivering modern genomics for the cannabis industry. Services include Trait detection (cannabinoid profile and sex/gender ID), Pathogen Detection, and Genetic Validation Services.
We start by looking into the microscope and taking a closer look at the cannabis plant, beyond even the terpenes and cannabinoids. Angel explains why the genetics of the cannabis plant is important, and what information we can get by looking at the genome of the plant.
When we’re cultivating cannabis, we think about sunshine and water and the basics of agriculture, but there are clearly some very high-tech aspects to growing cannabis. Our guest defined the genetic makeup part of it. We dive into what is “molecular breeding” and how is it different from traditional or “classic” breeding of plants.
On the construction side of the cannabis industry, before the facility or dispensary opens its doors before any plants are growing before any customers walk in the front door, is an important side to the whole process. After a certain number of years here of legal cannabis in the U.S., there are certainly some best practices, as well as some DOs and DON’Ts in this process.
Andrew Halbert, a member of the Fox Rothschild’s Cannabis Law Practice Group, counsels clients on structuring, vetting, and closing purchases and sales of licensed cannabis businesses and provides guidance on regulatory compliance in Illinois and other states where cannabis has been legalized. He also advises clients in cannabis and other industries on a full range of corporate transactions, including debt and equity offerings and corporate governance.
Ron Williams is a seasoned construction lawyer who has advised numerous businesses, including major players in the cannabis industry, on the legal, contractual and operational aspects of major construction projects throughout the U.S. and abroad. In short, Ron helps clients structure and implement construction agreements that mitigate risk and facilitate efficient, on-time completion of projects.
In the previous episode, we focused a lot on the customer experience, but there are other aspects to a cannabis dispensary, like how design impacts those who work there. There’s the front of the house, so to speak, where the employees interface with the customers, and then the back of the house where they maybe store their lunch and hang their jackets. We dive into how the front-of-house design impacts employees and much more in today’s episode.
Kevin Quinlan is an entrepreneur and serves as a Principal of Mintropy which specializes in Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire Protection design consulting services in support of cannabis cultivation and retail facilities. Mintropy’s design approach strives to find ways to incorporate our technological advancements back into harmony with mother nature.
Brian Anderson is a founding Partner of Anderson Porter Design, with over 25 years of experience, and focuses on cannabis industry projects. Brian has now designed facilities for cultivation totaling over 3 million SF, and he has designed nearly 50 retail dispensaries. He has developed a proven process of project delivery in the Cannabis Industry. Brian is an active member of the Lean Construction Institute and implements lean methods in facility design and the construction process.
Michael has been at NCIA for over 9 years, and Michelle is close to her 9-year anniversary working at the organization. That date back to when two states, Colorado and Washington state, was just rolling out their adult-use cannabis laws for the first time. So with this, we discuss the tone and temperature when it comes to pro-cannabis policy reform in the halls of Congress at that time.
Lobby Days is easily our favorite NCIA event, and we think many people share the sentiment. Pre-COVID pandemic was always encouraging to see, year after year, the number of NCIA members attending Lobby Days in D.C. grow and grow, reaching over 300 in 2019. So now we see more and more Congressional offices take our group and our concerns seriously. We talk about what are our guest’s reflections on that and much more!
Michelle Rutter Friberg is deputy director of government relations and has worked at NCIA since 2014. Michelle graduated from James Madison University in 2012, where during her studies, she held a year-long internship with Virginia House of Delegates member Tony Wilt (R).
Michael Correia is the director of government relations for the National Cannabis Industry Association. Prior to joining NCIA, Michael spent many years working on Capitol Hill, including working for Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA), who retired in 2010, and the House Committee on Resources, serving three different Chairmen. Previously, he was director of federal affairs for the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and senior project manager for the Committee for Responsible Federal Budget.
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This Just In
DOJ Reschedules Medical Cannabis to Schedule III & Announces June 2026 Hearing on Broader Rescheduling
National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) to Convene Industry Leaders in Washington for Annual Lobby Days, Bringing Together a Unified Voice for Federal Cannabis Reform