Tim Blake is an absolute legend in the Californian cannabis scene. Being the creator of The Emerald Cup, the largest outdoor cannabis competition in the world, Tim has been on the frontlines of the industry, giving the world a special place to judge the best cannabis in the world with some of the most talented and respected industry leaders giving their thoughts as to that Fall Harvest's best crop.

Tim sat down with us during his busy schedule to discuss founding The Emerald Cup, his hopes for the Californian cannabis industry, his teaming up with Social Club TV to take the Cup virtual and much, much more!

TRACK BREAKDOWN

01:12 - What was your journey into the cannabis industry?

05:09 - What is your fondest memory since starting the Cup?

07:00 - How were you able to maintain the culture of the Cup?

10:10 - How can emerging markets get into regenerative farming?

12:58 - What is the entry requirements for The Emerald Cup?

15:45 - If you had to pick a favorite winner, who would it be?

21:10 - How did the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award happen?

24:20 - What would you like to see out of California's legal industry?

28:45 - Will the fight between wine and cannabis farms end?

31:09 - Will the vineyards adapt to regenerative farming practices?

32:35 - What was the process for doing Cup judging digitally?

35:40 - What was the drive to move to Southern California for 2022?

38:10 - What is your favorite strain and way to consume?

Thanks again to Tim for his time and thanks to the entire team at The Emerald Cup. You can find out more about The Emerald Cup by visiting www.TheEmeraldCup.com 

Special thanks also goes out to JP Bianchini for the licensed use of his track Upbeat Corporate. You can find out more about JP Bianchini by visiting his website at www.jpbianchini.com

Stay tuned to the next episode on Conversations in Cannabis!

Tim Blake - Founder of The Emerald Cup

Standing at 6-foot 8-inches, John Fetterman is a big man in stature. In his home state of Pennsylvania, he is also a big man in advocacy. Since his start in politics, John has had an unwavering position on cannabis and the legalization of the plant. 

John grew up in Pennsylvania to eventually become Mayor of Braddock. Now John serves as the Lt. Governor of the Commonwealth to Governor Tom Wolf. His next step is the Senate in order to reform cannabis for all Americans.

We sat down with John shortly after 4/20 to discuss his work as a cannabis advocate, his future ambitions as a politician, as well as what his personal relationship with this plant is in this weeks edition of Conversations in Cannabis.

-TRACK BREAKDOWN-
00:48 – How did you team up with NORML and Leafly this 4/20?

02:05 – Is there a particular market that you would prefer to emulate?

03:50 – What is the key in your opinion to getting legalization passed?

04:40 – How has Pennsylvania evolved since Operation Pipe Dream? 

06:22 – Being someone that doesn't use THC, what led you to try CBD? 

08:10 – Have you heard of or tried Delta-8 or Delta-10?

10:00 – Are you worried that legalization may harm the medical cannabis market?

12:33 - Are you hopeful for lighter taxation on medical if a recreational bill passes?

13:30 – Are you hopeful for Federal legalization in the near future?

15:30 - Were you surprised by Chuck Schumer's announcement regarding cannabis?

16:56 - Why aim for Congress vs the Governorship for your next step in politics?

18:40 - Are you hopeful for banking reform in cannabis if federal legalization doesn't happen?

21:12 - How do you feel about the Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act?

22:15 - Do you feel vapor gate helped push legalization since all the tainted products were illegal?

23:25 - Do you think some politicians may have used it as an excuse to help keep it illegal?

25:00 - Do you feel like the general population has finally shifted on cannabis?

28:35 - How would you advise people to get involved in the legalization process?

We would like to thank John for his time in being on today’s episode. You can find out more about his campaign for congress lounge by visiting www.JohnFetterman.com

Special thanks also goes out to JP Bianchini for the licensed use of his track Upbeat Corporate. You can find out more about JP Bianchini by visiting his website at www.JPBianchini.com

Stay tuned to the next episode on Conversations in Cannabis!

Conversations In Cannabis: John Fetterman – Lieutenant Governor Of Pennsylvania

In the world of music, System of a Down is legend. Their bassist, Shavo Odadjian, is now a legend in his own right in the world of cannabis. Having founded the California based cannabis lifestyle brand 22Red back in 2018, Shavo has since expanded his line into the Nevada and Arizona adult-use markets. 

We sat down with Shavo in Los Angeles to discuss 22Red's 7/10 concentrates drop in Las Vegas as well as what we can expect from the brand in the future, on this weeks edition of Conversations in Cannabis.

-TRACK BREAKDOWN-
00:35 – How was your 4/20?
02:40 – What is the process in deciding what you want to bring to market?
07:30 – Has the California cannabis market gotten better or worse as an operator since you started?
09:30 – What is your timeline to be able to launch your greenhouse line and concentrates line in California? 
10:00 – How did you get teamed up with Jardin for your 7/10 launch in Las Vegas? 
12:00 – Can celebrity brands win on name alone?
15:00 - Do you expect the consumers to want 
17:35 – Do you expect federal legalization in the next 3 to 5 years? 
18:40 - Could Texas go legal and mess up what's going on in Oklahoma?
23:20 - Where do you want 22Red to be in 2-3 years?
25:25 - If you had one piece of advice that you could give to operators coming in, what would it be?

We would like to thank Shavo for his time in being on today’s episode. You can find out more about 22Red by visiting www.22Red.com

Special thanks also goes out to JP Bianchini for the licensed use of his track Upbeat Corporate. You can find out more about JP Bianchini by visiting his website at www.JPBianchini.com

Stay tuned to the next episode on Conversations in Cannabis!

Conversations In Cannabis: Shavo Odadjian – Founder Of 22Red

GRAV, the leader in handcrafted glass cannabis smoking accessories, has introduced its first GRAV Reserve glass joint line in California. The company teamed up with premium cannabis cultivators in Southern California to fill GRAV glass with the highest quality and freshest locally-grown flower.

“After last year’s successful release of the first-ever glass joints, we’re taking the next step into the flower business and elevating the game,” said David Daily, founder and CEO of GRAV. “Fragrant and terpene-heavy, these strains deserve all the glory, with no paper or glue detracting from the gorgeous essence of the herb.”

We sat down with David to discuss everything from how the accessories industry has changed in 17 years to his deal with The Cure Company to bring GRAV Reserve to the Californian cannabis market.

TRACK BREAKDOWN
00:25 - When did you launch GRAV and what was the drive to do so?
01:52 - Were you worried about a second wave from Operation Pipe Dreams?
05:00 - What's the biggest innovation that has happened in the industry in your opinion?
07:30 - What's the R&D process behind some of your more creative pieces?
09:17 - Was there ever a product you loved that never made it to market?
11:00 - How did you find a partner and launch GRAV Reserve in California? 
13:25 - How was the selection process for cannabis in the GRAV Reserve done?
15:00 - Are you looking beyond California with the GRAV Reserve?
16:00 - Are you hopeful for a legislative change in your home state of Texas?
17:40 - What is the hottest market for accessories right now?
21:12 - What's the next 5 years look like for you?

Thanks again to David for his time in being on today's episode. You can find out more about GRAV by visiting www.GRAV.com. 

Special thanks also goes out to JP Bianchini for the licensed use of his track Upbeat Corporate. You can find out more about JP Bianchini by visiting his website at www.jpbianchini.com

Stay tuned to the next episode on Conversations in Cannabis!

David Daily - CEO of GRAV

Founded in 2015, Canndescent is California’s leading cannabis brand house and the #1 supplier of flower pre-rolls. The company has spearheaded multiple industry firsts, including replacing traditional strain names with effects to simplify the consumer experience and implementing the first commercial-scale solar powered cultivation.

We sat down with Adrian Sedlin, CEO of Canndescent, to discuss everything from how the Californian cannabis industry has changed over time to why his passions drove him to launch Canndescent. All this and more in this week's Conversations in Cannabis.

TRACK BREAKDOWN
00:20 - What was the moment in your life when you decided to make cannabis your career?
05:07 - Did the speed of general consumer intelligence in the product surprise you?
10:00 - Reminiscing over the medical-only era days in California
11:40 - What was the drive to move away from the traditional naming system for strains?
16:20 - As an operator was the biggest hurdle to get over when launching in California?
21:00 - What is your hope as an operator for federal banking reform? 
24:10 -  Are there any markets right now that you would like to move into? 

Thanks again to Adrian for his time in being on today's episode. You can find out more about Canndescent by visiting them online at www.Canndescent.com. 

As always a special thanks also goes out to JP Bianchini for the licensed use of his track for our theme song. You can find out more about JP Bianchini by visiting his website at www.jpbianchini.com

Stay tuned to the next episode on Conversations in Cannabis!

Adrian Sedlin - CEO of Canndescent

Platinum is a multi-state cannabis operator spearheaded by father and son team George and Cody Sadler. Since their 215 days in California’s medical market, Platinum has transitioned into a powerhouse brand with offerings across the industry spectrum.

We sat down with George, CEO and Co-Founder, to discuss everything Platinum from how he has taken the brand from the legacy days to a real CPG contender and why diversifying your brand is the key to success. 

All this and more in this week’s Conversations in Cannabis.

TRACK BREAKDOWN
01:00 - What was the largest transitional point for you as an operator?
09:23 – When did you and your son decide to co-found a company in cannabis together?
12:50 – How did you overcome your largest hurdle in this industry?
11:40 - What was the drive to move away from the traditional naming system for strains?
15:20 – Are you hopeful for legislative reform for banking in cannabis?
00:00 - What is your hope as an operator for federal banking reform?
24:10 - Are there any markets right now that you would like to move into?

Thanks again to George for his time in being on today's episode. You can find out more about Platinum by visiting them online at www.HouseOfPlatinum.com.

As always, a special thanks also goes out to JP Bianchini for the licensed use of his track for our theme song. You can find out more about JP Bianchini by visiting his website at www.jpbianchini.com

Stay tuned to the next episode on Conversations in Cannabis!

George Sadler - CEO and Co-Founder of Platinum Vapes

Lowell Herb Co. is a powerhouse brand in the Californian cannabis market. In 2020, California cannabis company Indus Holdings, Inc. acquired the Lowell portfolio, subsequently rebranding itself as Lowell Farms.

We sat down with Mark Ainsworth, CEO of Lowell Farms, to talk about their acquisition of Lowell Herb Co and the future of cannabis in the state of California. 

All this and more in this week's Conversations in Cannabis!

TRACK BREAKDOWN
00:30 - What do you guys have going on right now?
01:35 - What made you want to take the leap into the cannabis space from traditional industries?
03:15 - Are you surprised at the time it took for the market to mature into a CPG industry?
05:20 - How do you decide on what finally makes it into the consumers hands?
07:05 - Are you looking to expand your current product portfolio?
09:15 - What is the concept behind the branding? 
11:00 - Are you driven more towards effect based marketing or strain based marketing?
15:15 - Are there particular markets you would like to open into?
16:45 - How has the BCC (now the DCC) evolved since the legal market opened?
18:30 - Is there something you would like regulators to take a look at?
20:35 - Are you hopeful for banking regulation changes at the federal level?
22:09 - Do you see the state of California stepping in to do a type of reform if the feds don't?
23:00 - What do the next 1, 3, and 5 years look like for Lowell Farms?

Thanks again to Mark for his time in being on today's episode. You can find out more about Lowell Farms by visiting them online at www.LowellFarms.com. 

As always a special thanks also goes out to JP Bianchini for the licensed use of his track for our theme song. You can find out more about JP Bianchini by visiting his website at www.jpbianchini.com

Stay tuned to the next episode on Conversations in Cannabis!

Mark Ainsworth - CEO of Lowell Farms

Legendary musician turned cannabis entrepreneur B Real is no stranger to making a cannabis brand pop. Whether it’s on the ancillary side with Phunky Feel Tips or on the plant touching side with Dr. Greenthumbs or Insane Cannabis, B Real does it all.

We sat down with B Real in his Los Angeles studio to talk about everything from the future of his brands and what the California marketplace looks like since the 215 days. 

All this and more in this week's Conversations in Cannabis!

TRACK BREAKDOWN

00:50 – How has the journey been through legalization as an operator?

02:45 – Are you hopeful for an easing of regulation moving forward here in California?
05:10 – Is federal legalization possible?

06:30 – How do you determine which markets to move into?

08:20 – Which market excites you the most?

10:20 – If you had a timeline to expansion, what would it look like? 

12:10 – When you are talking with a potential partner, what are some things you look for?

18:20 – What is your process like in determining how your packaging looks for your consumer?

22:40 – Is there ever a strain that you thought was going to pop but just didn’t make it?

24:30 – Will you ever release your strains as seed for the consumer market to grow?

25:45 – Do you have a go-to strain? 

28:00 – Is there someone who hasn’t gotten into the industry that you feel is missing out? 

32:40 – Is Willie Nelson still the one that got away in terms of the smoke box?

33:40 – What does the future look like for you?

Thanks again to B Real for his time in being on today’s episode. You can find out more about Insane OG by visiting them online at www.Instagram.com/Insane.OG and B Real TV at www.BReal.TV. 
As always, a special thanks also goes out to JP Bianchini for the licensed use of his track for our theme song. You can find out more about JP Bianchini by visiting his website at www.jpbianchini.com
Stay tuned to the next episode on Conversations in Cannabis!

B Real - CEO of Dr. Greenthumb

Chris Walsh started his journey in journalism as an intern at The New York Times. Having worked his way through publications, he eventually landed with MJ Biz Daily as its founding Editor in Chief back in 2011.  Chris has since taken the reigns in late 2019 as President and CEO of both the trade publication and its massive business conference, MJ Biz Con.

We sat down with Chris to talk about everything from the future of MJ Biz Con under his leadership to what the future of the cannabis industry looks like as a whole.

All this and more in this week's Conversations in Cannabis!

TRACK BREAKDOWN

00:50 – What made you want to jump into cannabis journalism from mainstream journalism? 

04:50 – Did you foresee the cannabis industry being deemed essential during the pandemic?

06:30 – What’s the one thing that surprised you the most since getting into the industry?

07:40 – Do you feel that CBD has given the mainstream a lighter attitude towards THC?

09:20 – How did vape gate affect legislators’ viewpoints towards legal cannabis?

11:18 – What do you feel is the future of the alternative cannabinoid market?

13:35 – Do you see research as tipping the balance for more mass adoption?

14:50 – Are you hopeful for legislative easing of the cannabis industry soon?

19:10 – Do you see an international push for legalization to help push the US?

21:00 – Do you see legalization recreationally in the EU?

22:40 – How can your cannabusiness best be prepared for federal legalization? 

26:30 – What can attendees expect from the Hall of Flowers experience at MJ Biz Con?

28:35 – What can people expect this year as we return to in-person events?

We would like to thank Chris for his time in being on today’s episode. You can find out more MJ Biz Daily and MJ Biz Con by visiting them online at www.mjbizdaily.com and www.mjbizcon.com.

As always, a special thanks also goes out to JP Bianchini for the licensed use of his track for our theme song. You can find out more about JP Bianchini by visiting his website at www.jpbianchini.com
Stay tuned to the next episode on Conversations in Cannabis!

Chris Walsh - CEO of MJ Biz Con & MJ Biz Daily

Terry Booth is a legend in the cannabis industry having been one of the original two founders of mammoth Canadian cannabis company, Aurora Cannabis Inc. Now serving as CEO of Australis Capital.

We sat down with Terry to talk about his incredible journey from his co-founding of Aurora to his newest venture, AUDACIOUS.
All this and more in this week's Conversations in Cannabis!

TRACK BREAKDOWN
00:30 – What made you want to originally break into the cannabis industry?
04:50 – Does federal criminalization in the US make you mad when you compare it to Canada?
09:30 – Did it surprise you at the speed the industry has matured?
11:35 – What are some pitfalls of scaling that some executives fall into?
12:50 – What are some things you look for when building out a space for agriculture?
15:20 – Are you surprised that the Netherlands didn’t take a more progressive approach towards commercial cannabis?
17:12 – Do you believe in a 2/3rds windfall of states legalizing forcing federal legalization?
18:17 – Do you see psychedelics as the next big rush?
20:00 – Will psychedelics be full CPG like cannabis? What is the future of that industry?
21:40 – What is the future of social use in cannabis?
23:40 – What does Cannabis 3.0 look like?
24:35 – Do you see the death of identifying cannabis by strain name?
25:55 – What does 2022 look like for you?
We would like to thank Terry for his time in being on today’s episode. You can find out more Australis Capital and Audacious by visiting them online at www.ausa-corp.com
As always, a special thanks also goes out to JP Bianchini for the licensed use of his track for our theme song. You can find out more about JP Bianchini by visiting his website at www.jpbianchini.com
Stay tuned to the next episode on Conversations in Cannabis!

Terry Booth - CEO Of Australis Capital

In the ultra-competitive vaporization market, Hanu Labs has successfully established itself and is continuing to build on its previous wins. In February of this year, Ricardo Willis was named as Chief Executive Officer of Hanu Labs. Ricardo being a veteran of the proposition 215 days in California has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to fully understanding the plant having started from the ground up in the industry.

We sat down with Ricardo to talk about his personal journey into cannabis from starting his early days of being a classically trained chef switching to a product demonstrator for Jetty Extracts to now becoming the CEO of Hanu Labs.

All this and more in this week's Conversations in Cannabis!

TRACK BREAKDOWN

00:24 – What made you want to switch from being a chef to working in cannabis?
04:15 – Do you think drive is the one thing holding most people back from the industry?
06:10 – What has surprised you about the evolution of the accessories market?
07:35 – What is the future of the accessories market?
08:40 – What advice would you give to young minorities trying to break into the market?
10:27 – What are some pitfalls you saw from other entrepreneurs that helped you navigate?
12:55 – What does education in the cannabis space look like in the future? 
14:55 – How do you remove apprehension from someone who maybe had a bad experience?
17:05 – If you are a retailer, how best can you break through your consumer with education?
22:19 – How would you best ease someone in to trying medical cannabis for the first time?
27:40 – What do you think it will take for hold-out states to finally legalize medical cannabis? 
29:12 – Are you hopeful for federal legalization in the next 3-5 years?
31:00 – Will taxation in cannabis eventually be eased or is it here to stay?
32:20 – What are some changes you will be bringing to Hanu Labs?

We would like to thank Ricardo for his time in being on today’s episode. You can find out more Hanu Labs by visiting them online at www.HanuLabs.com

As always, a special thanks also goes out to JP Bianchini for the licensed use of his track for our theme song. You can find out more about JP Bianchini by visiting his website at www.jpbianchini.com

Stay tuned to the next episode on Conversations in Cannabis!

Tim Blake - Founder of The Emerald Cup

Conversations In Cannabis

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