A Mejer Journey: Recent Episodes
Michael Mejer
A Mejer Journey, hosted by Michael Mejer, showcases stories from cannabis industry power-players. Guests take listeners on journeys and immerse them in the rollercoaster ride both in and out of the cannabis space that brought them to where they are today. Throughout our conversations, guests share valuable lessons they’ve learned along the way that listeners can use to empower growth in their personal and professional lives.
Harrison Wise is an award-winning agency owner, entrepreneur, problem-solver, and creative. He has experience driving successful outcomes in a range of regulated industries through effective leadership, team building, creative marketing communications strategies & allocation of resources across the entire marketing mix. He’s the Founder & Publisher of The Bluntness Inc., a publication focused on the good, the bad, and the ugly of the cannabis world. Audiences rely on The Bluntness for insightful coverage of industry leaders, trends, innovations, business, and politics. Tune in to learn more!
David Paleschuck, Founder & CEO of Branding Bud Consulting Group, has 20+ years of brand building, omnichannel marketing, and product management experience serving American Express, MasterCard, PepsiCo, and Microsoft. He has participated in developing and marketing many of today’s best-known brands, and has developed, activated, and led comprehensive marketing programs designed to connect brands with relevant communities in consistent, credible, and meaningful ways. His book, “Branding Bud: The Commercialization of Cannabis”–the first book on cannabis branding–released in April 2021 and ramped to be a #1 best-selling book on Amazon. His new book, Cannabis vs. Marijuana: Language, Landscape & Context, is now available for purchase as well. Tune in to hear one in a million cannabis branding insights from David!
Today’s guest is Stella Morrison, Founder of CannaContent, a trusted partner to the cannabis industry that’s fully committed to bringing award-winning journalists and big-brand creatives together to bring cannabis businesses to new heights. Tune in to hear Stella break down the ins and outs of content marketing, how to strategically leverage social media for cannabis brands, and the importance of cannabis industry power players sharing thought leadership content.
Kevin McLaughlin leads Centri Consulting’s Cannabis Practice, providing SEC reporting, IPO readiness, and so much more to public and private companies. In this episode, Kevin will discuss how Centri Consulting supports cannabis businesses and what the common denominator is amongst those who succeed versus those who endlessly struggle to build a strong business foundation. Tune in to learn more!
Jonathan Ballard is the VP of Business and Market Development at LeafyPack, the leader in cannabis packaging automation. In this episode, Jonathan dives deep into the innovation in the packaging vertical within cannabis and shares his perspective on how LeafyPack is leading the movement. The question is, how will this vertical evolve over the next year? Listen now to find out.
Luc Carlin has over six years of experience in the legal cannabis industry and 10+ years in the medical/traditional market. As the founder of High Design, a media platform that showcases the best of cannabis business strategy, culture, and innovation, his YouTube channel, LMC, educates companies and consumers on unique issues and opportunities in the cannabis industry. Through his documentary-style storytelling, he’s covered some of the biggest in the business such as Cookies and Jungle Boys. Listen now to learn more.
Today’s guest is Isaac Liebes, Managing Director of Cannabis Consulting at Green Light Energy Conservation LLC. He leads a team of utility bill audit specialists who help indoor cannabis growers (& other property types) find and fix billing errors and oversights on their electric, gas, and water bills. He’s achieved utility refunds and savings for 135+ cultivation facilities in a dozen states, and is showing no signs of slowing down. Tune in to learn more.
Today’s guest is Stuart Foster, Director of Marketing at REVOLUTION Cannabis. REVOLUTION operates retail locations in 4 states, aiming to provide a welcoming, educated approach to helping consumers find the right product for the right reasons. In addition, REVOLUTION has proprietary strains that have won 14 total Cannabis Cup awards, including 9 first place wins. Tune in to hear about Stuart's journey into the cannabis space, and REVOLUTION's impact on the cannabis community.
Today’s guest, Diane Downey, Co-Founder & CEO of Rebel Spirit, head led the company to become Oregon’s #1 Pre-Roll Brand. The brand’s Pacific Northwest roots are unmistakable, and so is its story of “Uncle Mark”, the original rebel spirit, who was incarcerated for cultivating cannabis in the early 1990s.
Today’s guest is Elliot Lane, Senior Vice President of Event Partnerships at Benzinga. He’s a host of the Cannabis Insider Podcast, and has played a massive role in bringing together some of the cannabis industry’s most key power-players in one place to do business and get deals done by way of the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference. Tune in to learn more about Elliot's journey into the space.
To reserve your tickets for the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, click here.
Today’s guest is Annu Khot, an award-winning Founder, CEO, and innovator who is transforming the cannabis industry to foster greater inclusivity and benefits for all. Driven by a commitment to acknowledge, value, and empower every individual, she is on a mission to bridge societal divides, create economic opportunities for underrepresented communities, and enhance well-being.
In 2019, she founded Socíale, an employee-owned business exclusively offering products from female and minority-owned operations. Socíale embodies her vision of providing ownership opportunities to those disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs. Her leadership has earned her an invitation to the exclusive Forbes Business Council. Subsequently, she was recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Illinois for 2023 and received the distinguished Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Award. Tune in to this episode to learn more about her journey in cannabis!
Today’s guest is Dee Sidhu, a dynamic leader and proud native of Los Angeles. His entrepreneurial spirit led him into the music
industry, where he helped build an indie record label now recognized worldwide as the acclaimed Funk Volume. Collaborating with industry label mates like Hopsin, Dizzy Wright, and more, leaving an unforgettable mark on independent hip-hop.
Driven by a passion for his hometown, he assisted in jump-starting a creative agency in Los Angeles, serving clients like Rolling Loud, EDC, Insomniac, and revitalizing the historic district of DT LA along the way. Embracing the burgeoning cannabis industry, he assumed diverse roles, reshaping legacy brands and launching new ones, including LIME, Olala THC Craft Soda, a Terp Tonic collaboration with Maven Genetics and the launch of URSA Live Rosin and WOX Extracts. His extensive industry network is a testament to his dedication to the plant.
Today, he is the CMO of Humboldt Family Farms. Tune in to hear about his journey into the cannabis industry!
Today’s guest on the Mejer Journey Podcast is Jess Tyler, Chief Revenue and Experience Officer at MJBiz. Jess leads the team producing MJBizCon, the multiple-award winning trade show that tens of thousands of cannabis professionals attend each fall in Las Vegas. She is a proud member of the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) and the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) having earned her Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) designation. Tune in to get a sneak peak at what's to come at MJBizCon 2023, and what opportunities Jess sees on the horizon for the industry. If you haven't registered yet, grab your ticket today and use the code TPR10X12 for 10% off.
Today’s guest on the Mejer Journey Podcast has been a cannabis attorney for over eight years. Ryan Kocot's experience ranges from litigating criminal charges to advising a multinational public company as the head of legal and compliance. He currently provides general counsel services to cannabis businesses and ancillary service providers in California, Massachusetts, and New York. Tune in as we talk about Ryan's journey into the cannabis industry, his core areas of focus, what it takes to make it as a specialized service provider in the industry, and much more.
Today’s guest on the Mejer Journey Podcast is the Co-Founder of Simple Solvents, Brandon Bahr. Brandon's mission is to help botanical extraction companies produce the highest quality extracts possible by using the best solvents available on the market. He believes that the combination of exceptional products, outstanding customer service, and cutting-edge marketing strategies is the key to success in today's competitive market. Tune in to learn more about solvents, the market and industry behind them, and so much more!
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Jason Reposa, Founder & CEO of Good Feels, a cannabis-infused beverage company, joins the show! Jason lets us in on how he first entered the cannabis industry, his experience in building and growing Good Feels to one of the most popular cannabis beverage brands in Massachusetts, and more. Oh, and did you know Good Feels has a beverage enhancer that can even mix with sauces that complement your favorite dish? Tune in to learn more and hear it all from Jason's perspective.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey, we sit down with Zack Toyota, Founder & CEO of SelfDisrpt. Zack is an accomplished growth strategist with a strong track record of success in multiple business sectors. He's a business operator, proven entrepreneur, and growth strategist with 10+ years of sales leadership experience. Prior to founding SelfDisrupt, he helped build a nationwide wellness brand and played a key role in its $40 million dollar acquisition in 2021. As the Co-Founder of Self Disrupt, today he focuses his time on helping brands scale and evolve — designing new experiences that capitalize on moments of truth in today’s dynamic, disruptive world.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey, we sit down with David Ratner of Ratner PR, who has over 25 years of experience focused on book publicity, brand and thought leadership development, relationship building, and consulting related to the publishing industry. David is the former president of one of the country’s largest book PR agencies where he built strong relationships throughout the publishing industry and worked with hundreds of best-selling authors from all genres. He's a strong believer in “partnership” vs. “vendorship” and works with his clients to customize the most appropriate and efficient campaigns based on their goals, needs, and budgets. He’s also been a featured speaker at a number of publishing conferences and is well respected for his knowledge of the industry. Tune in to the full conversation to uncover insights into utilizing a book to help build brand equity for your name, brand, and business.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Nikki Lawley, a medical cannabis patient advocate joins the show to talk about her journey with the healing powers of the plant, along with her latest endeavor as a contributing author to the second anthology of the Courage in Cannabis series.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Lance C. Lambert, CMO of Grove Bags, joins the show. Lance has spent years cultivating brands and telling stories, formerly in the mainstream digital media and marketing space with companies like Scripps and AutoTrader prior to making the jump to the legal cannabis industry. Since a shift in late 2013, he has helped build big name industry brands like Weedmaps, The Cannabist, GreenBroz and Green Flower. He has had a strong focus on marketing and business development, taking these brands global. This is a conversation rich in cannabis history, culture, and business.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, special guest Dustin Hoxworth, Founder and Editor at Large for Fat Nugs Magazine, joins the show. Dustin has been a lifelong Cannabis advocate, and growing up in a large military family that consumed cannabis to treat mental and physical health issues, made sure of that. He’s also been a daily cannabis consumer since 1995, and has operated in the Legacy/Traditional side of the plant for decades. Tune in to learn about his journey in the cannabis industry and community.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, we sit down with Aubrey Amatelli, a proud first time founder of a health & wellness payments company, PayRio. PayRio focuses on helping underserved markets in the cannabis and alternative medicine industries who primarily accept cash. Prior to founding PayRio, Aubrey held a position as the Chief Revenue Officer at QuickFee, a fast growing Fintech. She began her career in payments at J.P. Morgan over a decade ago working her way up from a merchant services Business Development Associate to an Executive Director Commercial Banker for the Technology and Disruptive Commerce group in Silicon Valley. Tune in for Aubrey's journey into the cannabis industry, and what she's working on in the payment sector!
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Liz Geisleman, CEO at Rocky Mountain Reagents & 710SCI, joins us! In addition to her career at Rocky Mountain Reagents, she has spent the last decade working with a variety of organizations. In 2020, she co-founded the Canna Consortium with a few strategic partners, focusing on established, ancillary cannabis equipment manufacturers. She’s also the Past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the West Metro Foundation, the West Metro Chamber and the Jefferson County Economic Corporation. It doesn’t stop there! She is also the Chairman of the Colorado Democratic Party's Congressional District 7, Treasurer of the National Cannabis Industry Association and Director to the Jefferson Symphony, and was a member of Governor Polis' CHAMP (Colorado Hemp Advancement Management Plan) program, the Manufacturing Committee with NCIA, and the NCLC (National Cannabis Laboratory Council).
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Rodney Boast, Co Owner and COO at Ray's Lemonade. Rodney talks about how he entered the cannabis space, the rapid growth of the brand, the expertise of the team that supports its growth, what consumers can expect from their product lineup, and so much more.
In this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, we sit down with cannabis reporter, copywriter and author, Andrew Ward. Andrew takes us through his career path and how he ended up being one of the most well-known cannabis reporters and writers.
Fun fact: Did you know one of his goals is to write a horror movie?
As the author of two books, The Art of Marijuana Etiquette and Cannabis Jobs, Andrew sheds some light on what it was like during the process of putting those books together, and how it impacted his career in cannabis. Throughout our conversation, Andrew also lets us in on how brands can effectively communicate with media and press in an effort to get their name out and into the mainstream, how the cannabis media landscape has shifted over the years, and so much more!
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, we sit down with DiAnA McElroy, CEO of Higher High, a consulting firm focused on the marketing needs of the cannabis industry and patient advocacy. Throughout our conversation, we talk about a full spectrum of needs that cannabis businesses are challenged with. All the way from cannabis patient advocacy, education, building community, and more, DiAnA sheds light on how her and her firm have been able to support cannabis businesses and help them overcome the negative stigma associated with opening the doors to a new dispensary in an area less accepting of the plant than others.
Today we sit down with Natacha Andrews, Esq, the Executive Director of the National Association of Black Cannabis Lawyers, and Founder and CEO of Evergreen Solutions Group, providing consulting services to cannabis businesses seeking licensure and business development throughout the US. Natacha is also a contributing author to the widely known anthology, Courage in Cannabis. Throughout our conversation we dive into Natacha's journey into the cannabis community and industry, how she's witnessed the cannabis industry evolve over the last few years, and more!
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, we sit down to talk with Harrison Bard, Co-Founder of Custom Cones USA. Harrison and I kick it off with the story behind how he broke into the cannabis industry, where the concept for Custom Cones came from, and how it has grown into the operation it is known as today.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, we sit down with, Nathan Johnson, CEO & Co-Founder of VERNE Bioanalytics, a biotech company focused on developing quick, scalable genetic and pathogen testing for cannabis cultivators. Nathan's background includes experience as a Bioinformatic Analyst at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and an Associate Research Scientist in Bioinformatics and Data Analysis at Harvard Medical School. Throughout our conversation we explore the role pathogen and genetic testing plays in cultivating strong, healthy cannabis plants, the science and mechanics that go into effective testing, and what cultivators need to know when approaching a testing solution for their grow operations. Tune in as we unpack all this and more on this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast!
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, we sit down with Brett Puffenbarger, VP of Marketing at Green Check Verified's Cannabis Division. We start out with how Brett first tapped into the power of the plant and his journey into working in the cannabis industry. From there, we went on to discuss the hot topic of banking in cannabis, how Green Check Verified has stepped in to create a solution for cannabis businesses, Brett's eye-opening aha-moments from being involved in the cannabis industry and community, and so much more!
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Davina Kaonohi, CEO & Co-Founder of Element Apothec, sits down to talk about her journey into the cannabis industry. Davina has been an industry power-player since the early days, before CBD became a big hype, with powerful formulations that were intended to help individuals looking for all sorts of relief. Throughout our conversation we dive into Davina's Hawaiian heritage, what Hawaiian cannabis culture is like compared to other local cultures, what she's doing to stand out in the crowded CBD-wellness market, and so much more.
In this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, we sit down with Medical Cannabis Educator & Resource Consultant, Sherry Bennett. Throughout our conversation, Sherry sheds light on the current medical cannabis market and scene in Canada. Did you know that there have been more reported opioid deaths than COVID deaths? This is another topic Sherry and I touch on to bring about the importance of solving the epidemic of opioid abuse and addiction, and how cannabis can play a role.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, we sit down with the Co-Founders of HUSH Chicago, Kay Villamin and Vanessa Valdovinos! Just in time for MJBizcon, Kay, Vanessa and their HUSH team are hosting an after party on November 17th, HUSH HOUSE Las Vegas: The Casino-Themed Cannabis Event for High Rollers. These two cannabis power players take us back to how they first met, what brought them into the cannabis industry, and how a pizza and a couple of joints sparked the beginning of what has turned into the premier cannabis event and marketing agency.
In this episode of the Mejer Journey podcast, we sit down with Willow Groskreutz, a freelance writer serving the legal cannabis industry and beyond. Willow sheds light on how she went from working in cannabis retail to ending up in the writer's seat, working alongside big names in the industry. For those who are interested in breaking out on their own in the cannabis industry, or any industry for that matter, Willow shares some great advice and insight into what it takes, how long it may take, and what to expect on the road to entrepreneurship.
In this episode of the Mejer Journey podcast, we sit down with Chris Walsh, CEO of MJBiz. Chris has served as the founding editor of Marijuana Business Daily during the company’s launch in 2011, becoming the first journalist in the United States to focus exclusively on covering the business of cannabis. As CEO of MJBiz, he now guides the strategic vision of the company while educating mainstream industries about the marijuana and hemp sectors. He’s also the host of the podcast Seed to CEO. Throughout our conversation, Chris sheds light on how he's witnessed the mainstream media adoption of cannabis evolve over time, how the industry that powers the plant has grown and become more developed, and what industry professionals can expect from MJBizCon 2022 in Las Vegas.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, we sit down with Nike John, the owner of The Heritage Club, the first Black Woman owned dispensary in Boston. As a Social Equity Business and recipient of a social equity grant, the dispensary aims to promote justice and fairness within social policy and is actively working with its non-profit to help those affected by the war on drugs. Nike speaks about her journey coming into the cannabis industry, leveraging her real estate background, some of the challenges in opening up the dispensary, and how she plans to give back to the community. This is an inspiring episode to say the least, and one that every east-coast cannabis insider needs to listen to!
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Ryan Douglas, a cannabis horticulture expert and author, joins the show! We talk a bit about what problems are currently holding cannabis companies back from achieving profitability, where the gaps are, and what leaders need to do to help their operations scale profitably. Click here to check out Ryan's latest ebook, Secrets To Maximizing Profits In The Cannabis Industry.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Gretchen Giles, a Senior Account Executive at Grasslands: A Journalism-Minded Agency, joins the show! Throughout our conversation, Gretchen takes us down the path of what attracted her to the cannabis community and industry. We talk about the importance of building a brand narrative, storytelling, and how those elements (among many more!) play a critical role in an organization's public relations strategy.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Aaron Biros, Editor & Publisher of Cannabis Industry Journal, joins the show! Throughout our conversation, Aaron talks about his journey into the cannabis industry, how he became involved with the Cannabis Industry Journal, some of his favorite aspects of the industry, un-forgettable PR pitches, career highlights, and more.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Greg May, Founder of CannaRev Solutions, joins us to talk about the Ohio cannabis market, interstate commerce, product consistency from nationwide brands, and much more!
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, William Read, Founder and CEO, CannaPlanners, takes us down his entrepreneurial path that led him to the cannabis industry. Real estate served as a spring board for this entrepreneur who took his skills into an industry he was passionate about and saw great upside in for the long-term. Throughout our conversation, Will shares his thought on risk taking, leaving the security and stability of a job where you're working for someone else, and what that does to us as people both in and out of the workplace.
In this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Grace Holtkamp of Merry Hill Hemp sits down with us to talk about America's 1st pick your own hemp farm! When Grace joined the family farm to take the lead on the hemp side of things, she applied her creativity, cultivated from years of work in public relations, to making the farm an unforgettable experience. Today, people are excited to see the "pick your own" experience come to this beautiful plant. Family photos, selfies, and wide eyes of amazement are no stranger to the farm. Throughout our conversation, Grace shares lessons she's learned along the way, and what those traveling to North Carolina and local to North Carolina can expect from their visit to the farm.
In this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Peter Holzworth, Founder of Fly Soul, talks about his journey in the cannabis industry and how he went from working as an investment banker, to traveling 68 cities and 19 countries in 2019 embracing cannabis, its health benefits, and exploring how it impacts people around the world, to founding Fly Soul Shoes, handmade sustainable shoes. Throughout our conversation, Peter goes on to share his most fun moments in the industry, why he encourages people to take risk, and what his best advice is for entrepreneurs who are entering the scaling phase of their business.
Grab your pair of Fly Soul Shoes today and save 15% off your order by using discount code PETER at checkout.
https://flysoulshoes.com
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, we sit down with Mandi Kerr, Founder & CEO of the Global Hemp Association. Mandi takes us down a path of all of hemp's use-cases, its impact on our daily lives, and how significant it is for us to be connected to the source of what we purchase and consume every day.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, we sit down with Max Armstrong from Learn Brands. Max dives into some of the latest technology and processes that brands and dispensaries are using to stay connected and up-to-date on products to ensure budtenders are fully equipped to educate and make recommendations to customers.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, we sit down with Kevin Carrillo, host of the Cannabinoid Connect Podcast, and social media marketing expert. Kevin has published over 300 episodes of Cannabinoid Connect with thought leaders, pioneers, and experts in the cannabis industry. We discuss the power of podcasting, the gift of learning from others who have done what you're looking to do or learn about, and so much more.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, we sit down with Dorothy Thigpen, a contributing author to the anthology Courage in Cannabis. Dorothy's journey with the plant is rooted in healing, caring for others, and creating a better quality of life for her mother. Dorothy's story is an incredible journey of someone who found relief, healing, and compassion through the plant.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, we sit down with Bryan Passman, Co-Founder of Hunter + Esquire, the leading executive search and consulting firm focused solely on the Cannabis and Psychedelics Industries. Bryan sheds light on his career as a head hunter, how he entered the cannabis space, his perspective on the future of the psychedelic space, and what it takes to create successful longevity for yourself in this industry.
In this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Nick Paschal and West Paschal, Co-Founders of Alpine IQ, join the show! Nick and West talk about their journey into the cannabis industry, what it took to grow and scale Alpine IQ, how blockchain can potentially enter the space and create effective and exciting customer experiences, and so much more.
In this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Joseph Brennan, Owner of Columbus Botanical Depot, Columbus Ohio's 1st CBD store, joins the show! Joseph talks about his journey of opening the area's first hemp-wellness store, and his involvement with Courage in Cannabis, an Amazon Bestseller presented by Dr. Bridget Williams.
In this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Kevin Greene, VP of the Cleveland School of Cannabis, joins the show. Kevin is also a contributing author to the newly released anthology, Courage in Cannabis. Kevin shares his journey into the cannabis industry and community, the importance of the role of the Cleveland School of Cannabis, and his involvement in Courage in Cannabis. Kevin is an entrepreneurial-minded leader who we can all learn something from whether it be how to remain persistent or how to create something impactful that will transform countless lives in the industry, this episode has something for all entrepreneurs and leaders in this space.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, we sit down with the founding partners of Eighth Revolution, Bryan Fields and Kellan Finney. We discuss what we've seen and experienced during our runs in the cannabis industry from a business perspective, where there are opportunities for improvement, the value of relationship capital, and what it takes to grow at a healthy pace in an industry as nascent and volatile as cannabis.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, we sit down and learn from Sam Milton. Sam is a sustainability expert at the Intersection of climate, energy, and horticulture. Sam brings his expertise to the cannabis industry by helping operators create more energy efficient and sustainable cultivation sites to produce a better quality product while increasing businesses' bottom lines. Sam shares a few key takeaways in this episode that cultivators can't afford to miss!
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, we sit down with Chloe Blesh, Owner of Hemp Generation, a Hemp and CBD brand based in Cary, NC. Hemp Generation's retail store features a window into a grow-facility just behind where customers come in to learn and shop. Chloe shares her journey into the cannabis industry, how she started the company, and what it takes to make it with a hemp and CBD retail location in 2022!
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, we sit down with Dr. David Cunic of UCS Advisor. Dr. David's background spans a plethora of places and spaces. We talked about everything from investing in the cannabis industry, what his path looked like to bring him to where he is today, and towards the end he shared a great piece of advice when it comes to goal setting and making quarterly and yearly resolutions.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Franny Tacy, CEO of Franny's Farmacy, joins us to talk about her latest milestone: contributing a chapter to the #1 New Release on Amazon, Courage in Cannabis.
Franny's chapter dives deep into how she found herself in the cannabis industry and community, and what she shares in the chapter will have most applauding the level of courage it took her to be where she is today. We discuss what courage truly means, and why this book is critical for where we are at this point in time in cannabis history.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, we sit down with Lucas Targos, Vice President of Facility Integration at urban-gro. Lucas talks about how he was lead into working in the cannabis industry and how he earned his seat as VP of Facility Integration at one of the leading facility design organizations in the cannabis industry, and why the work he and his team do have such an impact on where we are currently in cannabis history.
In this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, we sit down with Bruce Eckfeldt. Bruce is a Business Coach and Podcast Host, of Thinking Outside the Bud, Scaling Up Services, and he'll be kicking off a new podcast in 2022 focused on the psychedelics industry. Tune in to uncover what Bruce has seen hold businesses back from scaling successfully, as well as what's helped them catapult to the next level of their growth.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Dr. Bridget Williams joins the show to discuss her new anthology, Courage in Cannabis. “Courage in Cannabis” is a compilation of stories written by doctors, lawyers, patients, caregivers, entrepreneurs, and activists. Each story is unique and written with the hope of inspiring others. In these times, anyone that chooses cannabis or enters the industry has a story of courage. This is truly simply because a very short time ago, cannabis was illegal everywhere in North America.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, we welcome our special guest, Adilah Anwar, who serves voluntarily as a Board of Directors, Chair. She oversees 8 Committees on behalf of a Risk and Compliance organization called the National Association of Black Compliance & Risk Management Professionals. She is also a contributing author to an extraordinary project and book titled, Courage in Cannabis.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Steve Scheier joins us to discuss the concept of power. Power has been pushed to the side as a taboo topic, but the way Steve breaks it down for us in this episode will make you rethink the importance of understanding what it truly is, how it should be used, and why each of us in the cannabis industry should embrace it. Steve is also the co-author of the book titled Power Up: Essential Tools for Committed Cannabusiness Leaders.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Mary Jane Borden, Co-Founder, Ohio Rights Group, joins us to discuss her path into the cannabis community in the state of Ohio. Mary Jane played an important role in cannabis advocacy and activism in Ohio, and continues to push for fairness among the cannabis community in her state. Her latest endeavor in the cannabis community has been contributing a chapter to the anthology, Courage in Cannabis.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Nicole DiMonda & Jaime Brambila, Co-Founders of Grace Health and Wellness, take us down the path of what their journey was in uncovering the healing powers of the cannabis plant, how they first got involved at a business-level, and what they're focusing on today to serve the needs of medical patients all over the world.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Munib Bhandari, Co-Founder at Grasse, joins the show to discuss cannabis cultures outside of the U.S., and how he and his team are heading up the mission of bringing cannabis mainstream in countries like India and across Asia. If you're a globe-trotting cannabis enthusiast, you'll for sure want to tune in to learn more!
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Ryan McKeever, Director at Hemp Valley Colorado,joins us! Ryan is currently working on a new TV series that shines a spotlight on what the hemp industry actually looks like, why it's not currently all it's hyped up to be in terms of glamour and profitability, and what we should expect to come from it in the near future. Ryan's background in film directing has uniquely positioned him to document his journey in the hemp space, how he navigated it during the onset of a pandemic, and what his world looks like today. Tune in to learn more and get a glimpse into Ryan's world where there is never a dull moment.
Connect with Ryan on LinkedIN.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Mike Hennesy, VP of Innovation at Wana Brands, joins us! Mike has been a part of the Wana Brands team since the early days of the company and has helped it grow into one of the fastest growing and well recognized brand in the cannabis space. Known for their unique and innovative lineup of products, Mike breaks down some of his experiences at Wanna Brands as the head of innovation. For all you outside the box thinker, this is one you don't want to miss!
In this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, AC Moon joins the show to talk about her cannabis endeavors, passion for cultivation, the community, and what she thinks of federal cannabis legalization. AC is a cannabis industry veteran who has seen it all, and so we're thrilled to have her on the show to share a piece of her journey with us.
In this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Franny Tacy, CEO of Franny's Farmacy comes back for a second time on the show to discuss the revival of retail as we head out of a pandemic. Franny's emphasis on encouraging consumers to support local businesses, embrace community, and to be conscious of where our dollars go has been a catalyst behind the success of her Hemp & CBD Franchising business. It all started with one seed on a farm, and now the brand has retail locations up and down the east coast to bring education and hemp-wellness to as many people as possible.
In this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, we talk to Dede Perkins, Co-Founder & CEO of ProCanna, a cloud-based software system that drives compliance and operational excellence for cannabis companies. During this episode, Dede sheds light on how she got her start in cannabis, what it was like to go from working as an outside consultant to working in-house for one of the largest U.S. cannabis companies at the time, to setting out on her own path to improve the compliance and regulatory landscape for cannabis leaders and operators.
In this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Maynard Breslow, host of the Dank Discussions Podcast and Founder of Calacann joins the show! In this episode we talk about where the cannabis community is at, business integrity, podcasting, and what are ways that new opportunities arise for entrepreneurs and business leaders in this space.
In this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Marianne Cursetjee of Alibi Cannabis joins the show to talk about her journey with cannabis, what led her to form Alibi Cannabis, an Oergon based cannabis cultivation, and how she's been able to foster a strong company culture among her team, vendors, customers, and cannabis community. This is one you don't want to miss, especially if you're an advocate for the connecting powers of the plant!
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Jeffrey Graham, CEO of Pistil Data, stops by! Jeffrey is a cannabis industry power-player focused on industry data, and helps cannabis companies access the data they need to sell more effectively to the right people. After diving into the work of Pistil Data, Jeffrey sheds light on his perspective of risk taking, taking once-in-a-lifetime opportunities when it comes to one's career, and much more!
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Grace Delgado, Founder of Texas Cannabis Today, joins us to shine a light on the legal cannabis market in Texas, the development of technology in the media landscape, and what we can expect as cannabis laws develop in the state. Grace offers a unique vantage point into how she sees the evolution of the cannabis community in Texas, and what we should be on the lookout for as we cross our fingers for progress and acceptance of the cannabis plant.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, we speak with Dr. Leah Johnson, known to the cannabis community as Dr. Leah. She is a formally trained
Clinical Cannabis Pharmacist and the owner and CEO of Alchemist Consulting. She is
also an accomplished, highly driven clinical Long-Term Care & Rehabilitation
pharmacist, with primary focus in pain, mental health (depression, anxiety, Insomnia,
etc.) and sexual health medication management. She also holds 3 patents (under the
name: Leah Haibi) for natural herbal remedy tinctures, which she helped develop as the
Head of Research & Development for an herbal supplement company. On this episode we dive into the ins and outs of the medical cannabis community, health and wellness, and patient care and advocacy.
This week's cannabis power player is Jamila Owens-Todd, a naturopathic doctor who has an abundance of knowledge when it comes to health and wellness, embracing a sense of community within business, and helping folks be the best version of themselves that they can be. On this episode, Jamila dives deep into popular herbs and fruit that have been buzzing around the internet lately, how the COVID-19 Pandemic can be an opportunity for us to grow as individuals, and so much more.
On this episode of A Mejer Journey, we are joined by special guest John Flanders, CEO of CBD Emporium. With more than 25 years of experience in the corporate experience and in executive leadership, business management, and retail work, having served as a former CEO and CTO of a public company and a former CFO of a vertically integrated, multi-state cannabiscompany, John Flanders brings a wealth of experience, perspective, and wisdom to the table for this conversation as we dive into:
- CBD Retail
- Customer Loyalty and Retention
- Business Expansion
- And so much more!
Episode 19 of A Mejer Journey welcomes a well-known and respected leader in the cannabis space, Tiffany Watkins. Tiffany's voice and hard work has led the conception of Vanguard Media, a publication and platform for women in the cannabis space that showcases their hard work, innovation, expertise, and dedication. On this episode, Tiffany and I discuss camaraderie, lifting others up, and working together to move one of the most fast-paced industries forward. This episode is one you can not afford to miss, especially if you consider yourself a team-player who has intentions on staying in the cannabis space long-term.
On Episode 18 of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Joseph Khoury, Director of Business Systems at MariMed, and serial entrepreneur joins the show! Joseph dives into his journey with iRollie and what it took to build, scale, and exit a company at a young age through determination, grit, and massive action. From there we discuss his role at MariMed and what new things he's working on, and what qualities we look for when collaborating with others in cannabis.
In this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Nikki Lawley joins the show to share her traumatic brain injury story. Nikki also takes us down the path of patient advocacy and the urgent need to improve patient access to medical cannabis. As an LPN, Nikki's background gives her a unique vantage point to talk about these subject matters. Being a medical cannabis patient herself, Nikki pinpoints many pain-points a lot of patients go through, and what needs to be done to improve the medical cannabis community for everyone involved. This is an episode that unpacks a lot of the work that still needs to be done in the cannabis community while showcasing the power of the plant.
Connect with Nikki Here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-lawley-aa281517/
On this week's episode of A Mejer Journey, Diana N. McElroy,
Community Outreach Specialist at TerrAscend New Jersey, joins us to share some exciting new developments at TerrAscend New Jersey along with how she sees cannabis education taking shape as someone who is on the front lines of patient and community education.
On this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, Len May, Founder & CEO of Endocanna Health joins the show with an abundance of insight and information about how certain cannabis products and strains might affect each and every one of us differently because of our genetic makeup. Len and his team have developed Endo·dna, a simple DNA test that maps your endocannabinoid system and then matches that summary with a specific cannabinoid ratio and terpene profile aligned with with your unique genotype. To learn more, head over to https://www.endocannahealth.com
Episode 14 of A Mejer Journey welcomes Shayda Torabi, CEO of RESTART CBD, and host of the To Be Blunt Podcast. Shayda shares her career journey which started in the tech startup world and shifted to owning one of the most well known CBD brands in the state of Texas. How did Shayda take her company from a locally known, Texas-rooted brand to a brand with scale across the entire U.S.? Well, that's what we talked about on this episode of the Mejer Journey Podcast, among other topics like personal branding, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
https://www.instagram.com/theshaydatorabi/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaydatorabi/
https://www.restartcbd.com
www.theshaydatorabi.com/tobeblunt
Episode 13 of A Mejer Journey welcomes Matthew O'Brien, Managing Editor at Four PM, one of the cannabis industry's go-to hubs for cannabis content for cannabis professionals. O'Brien shares the journey that led him to embark on a journey from his home in Ireland to explore the legal cannabis markets in Canada. Tune in to learn about his experiences as a Bud Tender, to learning the ins and outs of leading a dispensary, to ultimately creating one of the industry's top resources for the latest in cannabis news for today's cannabis professionals.
On this episode of A Mejer Journey, Rachelle Gordon, cannabis Writer, joins the show and shares her perspective on the current cannabis media landscape, public relations, and earned media. Rachelle shares her perspective from the point of view of someone who continuously is pitched to write about different products, entrepreneurs, and companies. Rachelle discusses the importance of raising awareness, especially when you have a life-changing product or offering that can make a positive impact. Before we dive into the media landscape, Rachelle lets us in on her interesting path that led her to working in the cannabis industry.
Green Roads Co-Founder, Arby Barroso joins A Mejer Journey for Episode 11! Arby's path to entrepreneurship is by no means linear. During our conversation we talk about some of the hardships Arby faced, overcame, and turned into a positive force that ignited his entrance and presence in the cannabis community as Co-Founder of one of the largest CBD companies in the U.S.
Cree Robinson and Louis Masensi from touCanna join A Mejer Journey for Episode 10! Cree and Louis are two tech-inspired entrepreneurs who help dispensary leaders improve the efficiency of operations by leveraging the power of 10 softwares into one powerful system. Throughout our conversation we discuss dispensary employee onboarding, organization, coming up with a company name, and so much more! Louis and Cree are incredibly well known, liked, and respected throughout the cannabis community, so be sure to connect with them on LinkedIn, and head over to https://toucanna.io for more information.
On Episode 9 of A Mejer Journey, entrepreneur, author, and master grower, Ryan Douglas joins the show! Ryan shares key takeaways from his new book, From Seed to Success: How to Launch a Great Cannabis Cultivation Business in Record Time, and the ins and outs of vertical integration, what it takes to run a successful cultivation facility, and so much more!
As Master Grower from 2013 to 2016, Ryan directed cultivation for Tweed Inc., Canada’s largest licensed producer of legal cannabis, and the flagship subsidiary of Canopy Growth Corporation. As one of the company’s first employees, Ryan was crucial to Tweed’s early success, designing the production facility, selecting the genetics, and hiring and training staff to produce 70,000 plants and process 6 tons of dry cannabis annually.
Before entering the cannabis industry, Ryan spent 15 years as a commercial greenhouse grower of ornamental and edible crops, growing up to 600,000 plants annually. Ryan now provides start-up advice to groups launching new cannabis cultivation projects.
Connect with Ryan using the following links:
https://douglascultivation.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryandouglascultivation/
Order your copy of From Seed to Success: https://www.amazon.com/Seed-Success-Cannabis-Cultivation-Business-ebook/dp/B08HBDH9NF
Dr. Bridget Williams joins the show for Episode 8 to talk about the connection between life coaching, cannabis, and why she decided to step away from practicing as a traditional doctor and step into the arena of medical cannabis and life coaching. Dr. Bridget Williams also lets us in on how she goes about guiding patients through the early stages of figuring out optimal dosing with cannabis, the latest and greatest from Green Harvest Health, and much more!
Episode 7 brings Brandon Bobart, Founder of Pisgah Peaks Ventures. Pisgah Peaks Ventures helps business grow by leveraging the power of digital marketing. Brandon's a big believer in growing with his clients, and being readily available for them every step of the way. On this episode of the podcast, we jump into time management, stress management, and what it takes to personally and professionally grow as an entrepreneur.
Learn more about Pisgah Peaks Ventures at https://pisgahpeaksventures.com
Connect with Brandon on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-bobart-7a4425185/
In this episode, commercialization and compliance expert, Sheri Tarr, joins the show! Sheri's successful track record working within an FDA regulated environment among big pharmaceutical companies gives a unique advantage and perspective when working with cannabis brands and professionals. During our conversation, Sheri sheds light on the intersection between commercialization and compliance, how they both tie into authentic, transparent branding, and how all the above plays a role in the longevity of a successful cannabis company.
Episode 5 of A Mejer Journey was a real treat. Matt Ritchey, CEO of Mr. Cannabis, took us down the path of breathwork, flow states, and leadership. With an abundance of executive coaching experience, Matt knows what it takes from a wellness standpoint to perform at optimal levels and create the world you want to live in. In this episode, Mike and Matt take listeners down a rabbit hole of insight that uncovers how breathwork can improve your day, and how critical it is to establish wellness routines and practices tailored for you and your specific day. Tune in for tons of great advice that could make you feel better almost immediately.
Episode 4 of A Mejer Journey features special guest, Franny Tacy. Franny Tacy, Owner of Franny’s Farmacy, is the first female hemp farmer in North Carolina in over 75 years. Franny first entered the hemp scene with a force behind education and collaborations. She is now considered one of the preeminent experts of all things hemp, participates in the hemp Research Trials with North Carolina State University, has a TEDx speech on hemp, and is a founding member of the Women in Hemp non-profit. In this episode, Franny shares her wisdom about entrepreneurship, leading a fulfilled life, her favorite holiday hemp recipes, and so much more!
In Episode 3 of A Mejer Journey, Nick Jikomes, currently Director of Science & Innovation at Leafly and Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board for Dosist, joins us to talk about how he went from earning a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Harvard University to now working in the cannabis space. Along the way, Nick has picked up a treasure chest of information that he shares with listeners in regard to relationship building, the hard work or "grind" that is required to achieve your goals, how luck plays a role in success, and so much more. This was an introspective episode that will teach us all something new, no matter where we are in our journey of life.
On episode 2 of A Mejer Journey, Mark Worster joins the show. Mark Worster, AKA Nurse Mark, is an entrepreneur, fitness guru, business and life coach, healthcare professional, author, and so much more! Mark was a treasure chest of inspiration and wisdom as he shared his adventurous journey into the cannabis space, a few of his favorite books for personal and professional development, the key to happiness, along with so many other golden nuggets that we can all apply to optimize our lives today for a better, happier tomorrow.
On the inaugural episode of A Mejer Journey, Ry Russell joins the show and talks about his journey from saving Main's Saco Drive-In Movie Theatre to blazing his own, unique path in the cannabis space. The 40 under 40 award recipient took the time to go deep into why and how serial entrepreneurs are able to jump from one business to the next successfully, even if on the surface those businesses look like they don't relate to one another. Ry honed in on the importance of understanding who you are, what you do, and why you do it, if you want to succeed and make big things happen.