In this episode of the Ganjapreneur podcast, host TG Branfalt is joined by Witt Rabon, co-founder and COO, and Jamar Brown, co-founder and President of Brand Development for DRO, a Colorado-based cannabis lifestyle brand that has been redefining cannabis culture since its launch in 2014. DRO stands out by weaving authentic storytelling, cultural id…

In this episode of the Ganjapreneur Podcast, host TG Branfalt speaks with Tom Lauerman, better known as Farmer Tom, a longtime cannabis advocate, organic cultivator, and educator. As the founder of Farmer Tom Organics, Tom has worn many hats in his cannabis career, from medical grower and activist to consultant and federal educator. In this insight…

In this episode, TG Branfalt sits down with Morgan Fox, Political Director for NORML, one of the nation's leading cannabis advocacy organizations. Morgan brings over a decade of experience in cannabis policy reform to the conversation, discussing the Biden administration's announcement on cannabis rescheduling and the real-world impact it may—or ma…

In this episode of the Ganjapreneur Podcast, host TG Branfalt sits down with Jessica McElfresh, Chair of the Cannabis Law Institute and board member of the International Cannabis Bar Association, to explore the evolving landscape of cannabis law. Jessica shares her experiences practicing cannabis regulatory law in Southern California since 2010 and…

In this episode of the Ganjapreneur Podcast, host TG Branfalt is joined by LJ Dawson, the Editor-in-Chief of The Outlaw Report, a Washington, DC-based cannabis news outlet covering the dynamic cannabis landscape in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region. LJ shares her journey from criminal justice reporting to leading an independent cannabis-f…

In this episode of the Ganjapreneur podcast, host TG Branfalt is joined by Dr. Sean Myles, an associate professor of agriculture at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, who brings a wealth of knowledge on plant genetics. While Dr. Myles has made significant contributions to the study of plant varieties in apples and grapes, today's focus i…

In this episode of the Ganjapreneur podcast, host TG Branfalt connects with the multi-talented Ngaio Bealum. Ngaio is a true cannabis renaissance man—comedian, musician, writer, actor, and activist—known for his work as a host of numerous events and shows, including the International Cannabis Business Conference, and the Emerald Cup. In this engagi…

Brian Applegarth is the founder of Applegarth Strategies, an agency that operates at the intersection of cannabis and travel. He's also the head of the Cannabis Travel Association, leads the Cannabis and Task Force for the California Travel Association and Destinations International, serves as an industry consultant, and holds a certification as a …

This episode of The Ganjapreneur Podcast features Tara Rosenblum, an investigative reporter for News 12, who has recently released a compelling documentary titled "Cannabis Contest." The documentary offers an in-depth look at the social equity aspects of cannabis licensing in New York City, showcasing the challenges and triumphs of hopeful licensee…

The Ganjapreneur Podcast is back! In this episode, host TG Branfalt welcomes Jeremy Rivera, co-founder and CEO of Terp Bros, a dispensary in Astoria, Queens. Rivera, a beneficiary of New York’s Conditional Adult Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) program, shares his journey from the legacy market and facing multiple cannabis convictions to launching his…

For decades, cannabis research in the U.S. was hindered by steep federal requirements, foot-dragging enforcement agencies, and an archaic rule limiting the source of research-grade cannabis to just one cultivator in Mississippi. But thanks to a lawsuit against the DEA by Dr. Sue Sisley MD, a doctor who spent years trying to get federal approval for…

From transitioning out of a self-described "boring" career in finance to heading one of the East Coast's biggest multistate operators, to eventually moving to California to focus on team- and brand-building for Lowell Farms, few people have experience in the cannabis industry like George Allen.In the latest Ganjapreneur.com Podcast interview, Georg…

Joseph Ori is co-founder of Six Labs, a Michigan-based manufacturer of craft cannabis products.With nearly one million medical cannabis caregivers licensed in the state, Michigan is an often undersung hub of cannabis culture, cultivation, and industry expertise. In a recent interview covering entrepreneurship and the Michigan marketplace, Joseph an…

TJ Stouder is the founder and CEO of MyHi, which offers stir STIKs containing water-soluble and fast-acting THC powder designed for a truly convenient and sociable cannabis experience.As cannabis becomes more and more ubiquitous in social circles and even in public spaces, it's important for new cannabis products to collectively drive the industry'…

Chris Ray is the general manager for The Tree House, a cannabis dispensary in Anchorage, Alaska. In this episode of the Ganjapreneur.com Podcast, Chris joins our host TG Branfalt to discuss the early days of Alaska's cannabis marketplace, Chris' transition from working in cultivation to the retail side of the industry, and strategies for improving …

Keith Stephenson is the owner and founder of Purple Heart, the first Black-owned cannabis business to be licensed in the U.S. and the longest-running cannabis dispensary in Oakland, California. During the sweeping social justice protests last year, Purple Heart was hit by a series of burglaries that ultimately crippled the company — Keith is still …

Jon O’Connor and Amy Cirincione O’Connor are the co-founders of Humboldt Social, which offers pro-cannabis lodging, dining, and event spaces.As cannabis reforms become more and more widespread, the traditional tourism industry has unfortunately been slow to accept the cannabis community. Even in Humboldt County, California — which is world-famous f…

Luxury cannabis products constitute a peculiar segment for the cannabis industry: where many consumers might scoff at what they consider an overpriced product, there are many others for whom the added charm (and promise of excellence) is worth the extra cost. To learn more about the growing market for luxury cannabis products, we turned to Sebastie…

Reginald Stanfield is the CEO and head horticulturist of JustinCredible Cultivation, a Massachusetts cannabis cultivator.To launch a successful cannabis cultivation facility, one requires a significant amount of planning, resources, and initiative. Launching during a worldwide pandemic, however, makes things infinitely harder but that was the unfor…

With Arizona's recent switch to an adult-use market, cannabis enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and investors are also scrambling to learn as much as possible about the state's new cannabis opportunities. The Open Dør is an Arizona-based cannabis dispensary franchise that specializes in providing a comfort-focused and modern retail experience.In this pod…

New Jersey's cannabis legalization bid was a long-sought and hard-fought victory, only achieved through the collaboration of advocates, lobbyists, and lawmakers. As President of the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association — which works to promote jobs and growth in a sustainable, responsible cannabis industry — Edmund DeVeaux was closely attuned to th…

Ryan Douglas is the author of the new book From Seed to Success: How to Launch a Great Cannabis Cultivation Business in Record Time, wherein he breaks down the process of starting and growing a successful cannabis cultivation business. Formerly the master grower for Tweed Inc., Ryan pivoted to cannabis industry consulting in 2016 and since then has…

John McLeod is the co-founder of Michigan-based Cloud Cannabis Co. — which operates brick-and-mortar cannabis retailers in Ann Arbor, Muskegon, and Traverse City — and a former police officer for the city of Detroit.In this podcast interview, John discusses how an on-duty leg injury ultimately opened his eyes to the effectiveness of cannabis medici…

Alvin Edwards is the founder of Fruits of Our Labor, which hires former prisoners to provide professional services; David Moss is the chief development officer for cannabis dispensary From the Earth. Together, they have created an equity-building partnership in the cannabis space. In this podcast interview, Alvin and David join our host TG Branfalt…

Elliot Lewis is the owner and founder of Catalyst Cannabis Co., a competitive chain of cannabis retailers in Southern California. As an entrepreneur, Elliot lives for — and loves — the competition of business. For the latest Ganjapreneur.com Podcast episode, he joins our host TG Branfalt to discuss the business philosophy that drives Catalyst Canna…

Zappy Zapolin is the filmmaker and activist behind The Reality of Truth, a documentary that follows Hollywood movie star Michelle Rodriguez and several of her friends through a journey of personal discovery fueled by psychedelics. Before finding success as a filmmaker, Zappy was a pioneering entrepreneur and domain name trader during the 1990s.In t…

Bob Eschino and Derek Cumings are co-founders of Medically Correct, a Colorado-based cannabis edibles firm that was founded in 2010. In this episode of the Ganjapreneur.com Podcast, Bob (who is also the company's president) and Derek join our host TG Branfalt to discuss their various cannabis edibles brands, the early years of Colorado's cannabis i…

Kenny Wright is the co-owner of High Peaks Glassworks, an independently owned smoke shop in Saranac Lake, New York. In this episode of the Ganjapreneur.com podcast, our host TG Branfalt catches up with Kenny to discuss how the smoke shop industry has adapted to changing times, what cannabis business owners can do to maintain good relationships with…

In any industry, consumer product testing is a key part of maintaining safe and trustworthy operations. While the cannabis industry is no different, there are often (and unfortunately) big differences between the testing labs that conduct consumer safety tests.In this podcast interview, Antonio Frazier talks to our host TG Branfalt about the import…

Will Read is the founder and president of CannaPlanners, a Vermont-based web design and marketing company that specializes in the needs of the cannabis industry. Between strict regulations that vary from state to state and the long-lasting remnants of anti-cannabis rhetoric and stigmas, cannabis marketing is an inherently tricky job. The challenge,…

Tim Fair is the founder of Vermont Cannabis Solutions and an attorney who advises hemp and cannabis businesses in Vermont and defends individuals accused of cannabis-related crimes. In this podcast interview, Tim joins our host TG Branfalt to discuss prospects for a future Vermont cannabis marketplace after the state became the first to legalize ca…

Shawn Gold is the founder and CEO of Pilgrim Soul Creative, a cannabis lifestyle brand based on using cannabis to encourage creative thinking. For this episode of the Ganjapreneur.com podcast, Shawn joins our host TG Branfalt to discuss the relationship between cannabis and creativity and the recent success of Pilgrim Soul's Creative Thinking Journ…

After co-founding and leading Illinois' PharmaCann for several years, Teddy Scott departed to found Ethos Cannabis, a multistate cannabis operator based in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic and East Coast regions.Teddy recently spoke with our podcast host TG Branfalt about his experience and the complexities of founding and operating a multi-state cannabis com…

It takes a lot of courage to found your first company — especially if you are leaving behind a comfortable and respected corporate IT position — but that didn't stop Jen Jackson, Founder and CEO of the Baltimore-based CBD brand Be Jubie.In a recent podcast interview, Jen joined our host TG Branfalt to talk about why she founded Be Jubie, what it me…

Between regulations and the still-dwindling stigma from decades of prohibition, cannabis companies have an inherently tricky job when it comes to advertising and growing their customer base. In a recent interview, Jon Lowen of Surfside joined our podcast host TG Branfalt to discuss the nature of cannabis advertising, what differentiates cannabis ma…

Noel Abbott, CEO of Ganjapreneur, and Graham Abbott, our Chief Editor, are brothers native to the northwestern corner of Washington state who started blogging about cannabis in 2012. In 2014, they partnered with venture capitalist and digital-era entrepreneur Andrew Rosener to found Ganjapreneur.com, which has since grown into a multifaceted resour…

Cannabis beverages are becoming more and more common as the industry takes shape. As a self-made expert in cannabis beverage infusions, Jake recently joined our podcast host TG Branfalt to discuss Cann's company history, explain how his background in mainstream finance influenced his decision to enter the cannabis space, and describe cannabis consu…

Brent and Barry Walkers are the two brothers behind Dub Bros, a California-based cannabis company with a foothold in multiple state-legal marketplaces. This conversation with our podcast host TG Branfalt covers Dub Bros' early entrance to the space, the business strategies that have driven their success so far, transitioning out of the gray market …

Jeremy O'Keefe is the CEO of Yobi, a streamlined software platform that addresses the unique point of sale and seed-to-sale requirements of the cannabis industry. Jeremy and Ganjapreneur's podcast host TG Branfalt recently connected for a conversation about cannabis software, where many technology companies in the space have gone wrong, the importa…

David recently joined our podcast host TG Branfalt to discuss the potential of Agrify's cultivation technology, the important role being played by data collection and analysis in the modern cannabis industry, his advice for entrepreneurs who are feeling overwhelmed by the advent of technology in cultivation practices, and more!Topics covered in thi…

For his second appearance on the Ganjapreneur.com podcast, Morgan joins our host TG Branfalt to discuss federal cannabis policy progress in 2020 and in the post-coronavirus political landscape. In this episode, Morgan shares where he thinks industry lobbyists have succeeded so far, where more progress is needed, how cannabis businesses can utilize …

Catharine Dockery is a founding partner of Vice Ventures, a venture capital fund that focuses on industries typically avoided by mainstream investors. In this podcast interview, Catharine shares how she transitioned into the unique investment model, her advice for finding and building a successful brand, and more.Topics covered in this podcast:http…

Keegan Peterson recently joined TG Branfalt, host of the Ganjapreneur.com Podcast, to share Wurk's vision for the cannabis space and to discuss major challenges and opportunities facing the industry, including high employee turnover rates, the slow but steady evolution of cannabis employee benefits, the importance of human resources and innovative …

Andi Novick is a New York lawyer/activist combo and Brian Farmer is co-founder of the Cannabis Conservancy — together, they have partnered to help lead New York Small Farma in its push for regenerative and sustainable cannabis farming in the state of New York. For the latest Ganjapreneur.com podcast, the two joined our host TG Branfalt to discuss N…

Pamela Althoff is Executive Director of the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois, the state's top cannabis industry trade organization, and a former state senator. Pamela joined our host TG Branfalt for a discussion in January about the launch of Illinois' adult-use cannabis program, the legislative efforts that preceded it, the work being don…

Chris Treville is the Co-Founder of GrowEx, a high-tech cannabis cultivation company focused on improving and innovating indoor growing systems. Chris joined our podcast host TG Branfalt recently for a conversation about GrowEx and the company's high-tech cultivation capabilities. In this interview, Chris shares the story that brought him into the …

Brian Applegarth is the CEO and founder of Emerald Country Tours, founder of the Cannabis Trail, and founder of the California Cannabis Tourism Association. Now that local social use rules have kicked in and California's legal cannabis market is fully operational, the tourism industry is intersecting with cannabis in countless ways. For his second …

Benjamin Jesse is the founder of the Australian Cannabis Awards, an event that celebrates Australia's cannabis industry and highlights successful leaders in the space. For the latest Ganjapreneur.com Podcast episode, Benjamin recently joined our host TG Branfalt to talk about Australia's cannabis progress in recent years. In this interview, Benjami…

Mara Gordon is the co-founder of Aunt Zelda's, a California medical cannabis brand that emphasizes a scientific understanding of cannabis's medicinal qualities. Mara recently joined podcast host TG Branfalt to talk about cannabis medicine, medical cannabis research developments from around the world, using data and technology to drive the medical c…

Chris Hagedorn is the general manager for Hawthorne Gardening Company, a business venture that provides all the cultivation needs of a state-legal cannabis operator. Chris recently joined our podcast host TG Branfalt for an interview that ranges from broad entrepreneurialism to the latest federal cannabis policy developments. During their conversat…