The Ganjapreneur Podcast

Christine Apple is the Founder and CEO of Grön, one of the most recognizable edibles brands in the U.S. Before launching Grön from her basement in Oregon, she spent years working with jurisdictions and regulators—experience that gave her an early, practical understanding of cannabis compliance as the industry took shape. Under her leadership, Grön has expanded its footprint and product range, introducing single-serve edibles with the “Mega” line and developing formulations featuring minor cannabinoids. More recently, the company has leaned into rosin-based edibles, aligning with a broader shift toward plant-forward, connoisseur products. In this episode of Highly Enlightened, host Jon Purow talks with Christine about her path from architecture to cannabis entrepreneurship, the philosophy guiding Grön’s growth, and how the company balances innovation with regulation. Their discussion also covers shifting consumer trends—from sleep-oriented products to high-dose edibles—and what it takes to build a lasting brand in an industry that never slows down.

In this episode of the Ganjapreneur Podcast, host TG Branfalt is joined by Aaron Riley, founder of Certified Testing and Data, to explore the development of the Cannaleptic Rating—a new product scoring system designed to help cannabis consumers better evaluate quality across product types. Drawing from his years of experience in lab testing and cannabis compliance, Aaron explains how the system was built using sensory studies, consumer feedback, and simplified metrics to create a more trustworthy and transparent guide for buyers. They discuss how the Cannaleptic Rating avoids over-reliance on THC percentages, how it differs from traditional lab metrics, and how it could help retailers, brands, and consumers make smarter choices in a crowded and inconsistent marketplace. The conversation also touches on batch variability, terpene preferences, and what Aaron learned from years of testing competition entries and working directly with product developers across multiple legal markets.

In this episode of the Ganjapreneur Podcast, host TG Branfalt is joined by Shea Coakley and Jarrod Jordan of Green Street Beverages, a Massachusetts-based brand exploring the emerging THC beverage space. Coakley, a seasoned food and wellness entrepreneur, and Jordan, a CPG marketing veteran, share how their personal journeys away from the alcohol industry shaped their mission to normalize low-dose, social THC consumption. The conversation covers the evolving regulatory landscape, growing national demand for cannabis-infused drinks, and what it will take for THC beverages to go truly mainstream—from sports arenas to grocery store shelves.

In this episode of The Ganjapreneur Podcast, host TG Branfalt sits down with Christie and William Ashabranner, the husband-and-wife duo behind The Herb Cave, a licensed cannabis dispensary in Plattsburgh, New York. Built on values of inclusivity, kindness, and education, The Herb Cave stands out not only for its product selection and interior design, but for its genuine community connection and emphasis on customer experience. In this interview, Christie and William share the trials of opening a cannabis shop in a hesitant real estate market, how word-of-mouth and staff culture fueled their early success, and why they’re building a space that goes beyond retail with events, metaphysical offerings, and plans for an eventual on-site consumption lounge. They also reflect on legacy roots, regulatory frustrations, and what it takes to earn a customer’s trust in a legal market.

In this episode of Highly Enlightened, host Jon Purow connects with Samuel Brill, CEO of Ascend Wellness Holdings. Prior to becoming CEO, he he first served as Lead Independent Director and now leads the charge at one of the country’s largest multi-state operators. He is a veteran of capital markets, private equity, and corporate transformation—with nearly three decades of experience guiding businesses through high-stakes moments. Before stepping into the cannabis space, Sam led private equity efforts at Seventh Avenue Investments, managing the portfolio for a multibillion-dollar single-family office focused on turning around underperforming businesses. He’s also served as CIO at Weismann Capital, overseeing investments across credit, real estate, and structured deals. Sam’s fingerprints are on a range of industries—from medical devices to distressed debt—and he currently chairs the board of Invacare Holdings while advising companies through his consultancy, S Brill LLC. Across it all, he’s been the steady hand in the boardroom, the turnaround strategist behind the scenes, and the one asked to lead when stakes are highest.

In this episode of The Ganjapreneur Podcast, Damien Cornwell — President of the Cannabis Association of New York and owner of Just Breathe dispensary in Binghamton — joins host TG Branfalt for an unfiltered conversation about what it takes to survive and lead in New York’s chaotic cannabis landscape. Drawing from his background in logistics, media, and community activism, Damien offers a candid perspective on the state’s troubled rollout, liquidity crunch, and lack of banking access, and why systemic change still feels within reach, despite the obstacles. Cornwell also reflects on what makes the cannabis space so personal: from his work supporting addiction recovery and affordable childcare to his role as a voice for equity and reason in a deeply fractured market. With wit, humility, and a deep sense of responsibility, he makes the case for solidarity, smarter policy, and not forgetting why many joined the industry in the first place.

In this compilation episode of Highly Enlightened, host Jon Purow hits the road—capturing quick, insightful interviews with leading voices across the cannabis industry. Recorded at MJ Unpacked Missouri 2024, the WomenGrow Leadership Summit 2025, and the Benzinga New Jersey Cannabis Market Spotlight, this lineup showcases perspectives from founders, marketers, security experts, and more. Featured Guests: Jordan Mackenzie Whittaker The Weedaker Group Mitch Pfeifer Director of Community Relations, Active Sheila Fey Marketing Director, Elevated Roots Ian Powell Founder, Loud Minds TV Paul Vancea Kosmik Brands

When cannabis fails a microbial test, the consequences can be costly—lost product, damaged reputations, and in some cases, a total recall. But what if the entire process could be de-risked? In this episode, Jeff Adams, founder and managing director of XR Pure, and national sales manager Joseph Bancheri join TG Branfalt for a conversation about how their X-ray-based decontamination tech is offering a clean, consistent solution for cultivators. With deep roots in X-ray engineering and cannabis sales respectively, they make a compelling case for proactive remediation as a standard step in cannabis operations.

In this episode of The Ganjapreneur Podcast, host TG Branfalt speaks with Laura Trujillo and Amanda Terpstra, co-founders of BestBuds, a woman- and Hispanic-owned dispensary based in Woodbury, New Jersey. Lifelong friends turned business partners, Laura and Amanda share their remarkable story of bootstrapping a licensed cannabis retail business from the ground up—navigating community pushback, lawsuits, zoning battles, and a grueling fundraising process along the way. Together, they break down how their complementary skills, entrepreneurial drive, and deep community engagement helped them overcome early resistance in a small-town setting. The conversation touches on fundraising challenges for women and minority founders, the changing product landscape in New Jersey, and why staffing and personality fit are critical to cannabis retail success. It's an inspiring and highly practical look at what it really takes to open—and sustain—a dispensary in today’s regulated environment.

Kevin Brooks, former CEO of Cookies Management and Connected Cannabis, identified plant health as a key vulnerability in the cannabis supply chain based on his experience leading vertically integrated cannabis operations in California. This insight led him to establish Conception Nurseries, a Sacramento-based company that provides commercial-scale tissue culture services to the cannabis industry. In addition to maintaining a large catalog of cultivar clones, Conception offers remediation, cold storage, and exclusive production services. Brooks brings prior leadership experience and successful exits from the regulated tech sector to his role at Conception.

In this fast-paced compilation episode of Highly Enlightened, host Jon Purow hits the road—capturing quick, insightful interviews with leading voices across the cannabis industry. Filmed at MJ Unpacked Missouri 2024, the WomenGrow Leadership Summit 2025, and the Benzinga New Jersey Cannabis Market Spotlight, this lineup showcases perspectives from founders, marketers, security experts, and more. These "One Hitters" may be short, but they pack a punch—perfect for a snapshot of where cannabis is going next. Featured Guests (in order of appearance): 1. Precious Osagie-Erise Founder, Precious Cannabis Co. 📍 Filmed at WomenGrow Leadership Summit 2025 2. Corey Bix Director of Business Development, Silverstar Protection Group 📍 Filmed at MJ Unpacked Missouri 2024 3. Tawnie Scarborough Principal, Fox Foot Inc. 📍 Filmed at WomenGrow Leadership Summit 2025 4. Amna Shamim Director of Content Marketing, The Cannabis Community 📍 Filmed at WomenGrow Leadership Summit 2025 5. Tor Hamer CEO, Green Nexus 📍 Filmed at WomenGrow Leadership Summit 2025 6. Ben Burstein Corporate Development Manager, LeafLink 📍 Filmed at Benzinga New Jersey Cannabis Market Spotlight 7. Sarah Trent Founder & CEO, Valley Wellness NJ 📍 Filmed at Benzinga New Jersey Cannabis Market Spotlight 8. David Zelinger Partner, Canis Major Partners 📍 Filmed at Benzinga New Jersey Cannabis Market Spotlight 9. Bran Noonan CEO, OGeez! 📍 Filmed at Benzinga New Jersey Cannabis Market Spotlight

When it comes to moving federal cannabis policy forward, progress requires coordination, persistence, and strategic advocacy. In this episode of The Ganjapreneur Podcast, Edward Conklin, Executive Director of the U.S. Cannabis Council, and Saphira Galoob, Executive Director of the National Cannabis Roundtable — join host TG Branfalt to discuss the historic merger of their organizations into the U.S. Cannabis Roundtable. This conversation dives into what commercial entities are doing to lobby Congress for meaningful reform, including the uphill battle to pass safe banking legislation, the real implications of cannabis rescheduling to Schedule III, and the importance of building trust with lawmakers. Galoob and Conklin also share insider perspectives on why some legislation stalls, how policy change actually happens in D.C., and what entrepreneurs can do to get involved at the local and national levels.

Ricky Williams won a Heisman Trophy at Texas and rushed for over 10,000 yards in 11 NFL seasons. He is now the President and Co-Founder of Highsman, a lifestyle brand that Ricky personally curates, from the cannabis to the accessories. Ricky launched Highsman to provide communities of sports fans and herb enthusiasts everywhere with a platform to own their relationship with cannabis and its ability to unlock true, personal greatness. In this episode of Highly Enlightened, syndicated by Ganjapreneur, host Jon Purow speaks with Ricky about the principles that have guided his journey — from challenging the stigma around cannabis as an athlete to becoming a founder and advocate within the industry. Ricky shares hard-earned wisdom on leadership, the deeper meaning of cannabis, the spiritual and practical lessons from his career, and how staying true to his values shaped his personal and professional evolution. This episode is a thoughtful, philosophical conversation that touches on resilience, the power of perspective, and why Ricky believes cannabis is more than just a product — it’s a tool for personal and societal transformation.

In this episode of Highly Enlightened, host Jon Purow connects with Bryan Gerber, the founder and CEO of HARA Supply, a supplier of custom preroll cones and packaging. HARA Supply spans 15 facilities with over 4,000 personnel based in India, along with HQ office and warehouse located in Las Vegas, NV. They currently produce over a billion pre-rolled cones per year for some of the cannabis industry’s largest entities. Gerber is also the founder and CEO of HARA Brands, a four-time inc. 5000 company, which includes: Hemper, the largest subscription business in the cannabis industry with more than 1 million boxes sold, as well as Hemper Tech and Goody Glass, providing high quality smoking accessories and related products.

Insurance is a crucial yet often overlooked corner of the cannabis and psychedelic industries. As businesses navigate complex regulations, raise capital, and manage risk, securing proper coverage can make the difference between success and failure. In this episode of the Ganjapreneur Podcast, Joe Ziolkowski, CEO and founder of Relm Insurance, shares insights on the unique challenges cannabis and psychedelic companies face in the insurance market. With a background in alternative risk transfer and a focus on emerging industries, Joe has built Relm into a forward-thinking insurance provider willing to cover businesses that traditional insurers avoid. From the impact of federal policy changes to the role of radical transparency in securing investment, this conversation sheds light on a side of the industry few talk about—but all businesses need to understand.

In this episode of Highly Enlightened, host Jon Purow interviews Jonathan Black, the CEO of Cheech and Chong's Global, a seasoned business attorney and entrepreneur with expertise across real estate, entertainment, tech, retail, cannabis, and law. After earning his degree at the University of San Diego and completing law school, Jonathan founded Weston Law Group PC. Over the years, he has also worked on securing government contracts, managed a real estate fund with over $200 million in assets, and produced two Hollywood films. In 2019, he became the COO of MediaJel, a cannabis Adtech company, and, through multiple successful exits, continues to hold ownership and board positions in various ventures. Jonathan resides in the Bay Area with his wife and three children. You can find more episodes of Highly Enlightened on Buzzsprout.

In this episode of Highly Enlightened, Jon Purow is joined by Socrates Rosenfeld, the Co-Founder and CEO of Jane Technologies. A U.S. Army veteran and former Apache helicopter commander, he turned to cannabis to help re-acclimate to civilian life after leaving active duty in 2011. Frustrated by the lack of legal access in Massachusetts and the unreliable black market, he co-founded Jane Technologies with his brother Abraham to create a trusted e-commerce solution for cannabis retailers. Since its 2017 launch, Jane has become a leading digital provider in the industry, powering over 2,500 dispensaries and brands across 39 U.S. states and Canada with e-commerce, market analytics, payments, and point-of-sale technologies. Under Socrates' leadership, Jane has earned recognition from Forbes’ The Cannabis 42.0 (2023), Inc. Power Partner (2023), and Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 (2022), while also being featured at major industry events like SXSW and MJBizCon. Before founding Jane, Socrates was an associate at McKinsey & Company, and he holds a degree from the United States Military Academy as well as an MBA in entrepreneurship from MIT. Listen to the episode below or wherever you get your podcasts -- you can find more episodes of Highly Enlightened on Buzzsprout.

In this episode of The Ganjapreneur Podcast, host TG Branfalt is joined by Regina Smith, founder and co-owner of The Plant, a licensed dispensary in Yonkers, New York. Regina shares her journey from a background in retail and baking to navigating the challenges of the cannabis industry. She discusses the complex social equity licensing process in New York, how The Plant is building trust and community in a competitive market, and the importance of education and customer service in the evolving cannabis landscape. Regina also touches on the role of legal dispensaries in the community, and how creative partnerships with local businesses are key to success. Tune in below to hear her inspiring story and insights on the future of cannabis retail, or scroll down for the full transcript!

Ganjapreneur is pleased to introduce our first syndicated episode of Highly Enlightened, hosted by Jon Purow. With this show, Jon interviews cannabis business leaders and investors to shed light on what it takes to survive and thrive in this industry. You can find more episodes of Highly Enlightened on Buzzsprout. Tiffany Chin has 13 years of experience in the entertainment space, working with world famous talent including Snoop Dogg, Eddie Murphy, and Martha Stewart. She has helped artists and talent traverse out of their traditional lane(s) of fame by way of strategic branding partnerships, including brands such as Adidas, AirBnB, Reddit, Tanqueray, Netflix and HBO. In working closely with Snoop Dogg, Chin co-founded Casa Verde Capital in 2014, as well as Leafs By Snoop (LBS) in 2015, the first widely available celebrity cannabis brand and Snoop Dogg’s first venture into the branded cannabis space. Chin guest lectures at UCLA for MBA marketing classes, and has consulted with many cannabis agencies and brands – and most recently debuted the Death Row Records Cannabis line in California in 2023. In 2024, Chin launched two cannabis shops alongside Snoop Dogg named S.W.E.D. – which stands for Smoke Weed Every Day (one in Inglewood, and a coffeeshop in Amsterdam). She received her business degree at the Wharton School of Business from the University of Pennsylvania.

In this episode of the Ganjapreneur podcast, host TG Branfalt is joined by Brandon Wyatt, Esq. and Todd Hughes, co-founders of BCB Mastermind, an executive training program designed to propel minority-owned cannabis and hemp businesses to new heights. In this episode, they discuss the critical barriers that entrepreneurs face in the cannabis space, from access to capital and regulatory challenges to the overlooked potential of industrial hemp. With backgrounds in law, engineering, and advocacy, Brandon and Todd bring a holistic approach to business strategy, emphasizing community-driven solutions, policy reform, and the power of sustainable innovation. Tune in for a deep dive into the intersections of social equity, business leadership, and the future of hemp beyond consumption.