Terp Trends

Welcome back to Terp Trends, the podcast where we dive deep into the people, stories, and innovation shaping the cannabis industry.Today’s guest is a true trailblazer in the New Jersey cannabis space. Matha Figaro is the founder of ButACake, a small, local, minority woman-owned cannabis edibles company that was established in 2015 in the vibrant heart of Jersey City, New Jersey. What began as a grassroots baking venture has evolved into a fully legal cannabis brand, with ButACake officially launching into the regulated market on 4/20/23 in Delaware and December 14th, 2023 in New Jersey.With a background as a trained pastry chef, Matha has brought culinary craftsmanship and creativity into the cannabis world, mastering the art of blending indulgence with innovation through thoughtfully crafted infused products.At the core of ButACake’s success is CannPowerment, New Jersey’s pioneering minority woman-owned Class 2 licensed independent cannabis manufacturer, which Matha also founded. Through CannPowerment, she has built the infrastructure to bring ButACake to life in the legal market, ensuring each product is produced with precision, consistency, and care.From grassroots beginnings to becoming a recognized name in the regulated cannabis space, Matha’s journey is one of resilience, entrepreneurship, and pushing the industry forward.Lets Dive In

He’s not a chef — he’s just a hungry guy.”We welcome back Mr. Marco Antonio to Terp Trends. It’s been two years since our first conversation, and a lot has changed. In this episode, we dive into cannabis, content creation, health, and personal growth. This is a real, honest conversation, and I’m genuinely glad we had the chance to reconnect and talk through it all.Be sure to check out Marco on social media Instagram: @mrmarco.AntonioYouTube: mrmarco.AntonioThis is Terp Trends — let’s dive in.

On this episode of Terp Trends, we’re joined by Tamara Anderson — founder of Culinary & Cannabis, an all-sensory cannabis event production company sitting at the intersection of health, wellness, beauty, and culture.A registered nurse, pastry chef, and medical marijuana patient, Tamara created Culinary & Cannabis to help people explore cannabis as a tool for healing, self-care, and meaningful connection. Her elevated experiences bring together healthcare professionals, advocacy leaders, and culinary experts to educate, inspire, and destigmatize cannabis — all while celebrating its delicious possibilities.Tamara’s mission is deeply personal. After battling chronic myeloid leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, she endured chemotherapy and radiation and saw firsthand the limits of traditional treatment. That journey sparked her passion for medical cannabis and its potential to support wellness, ease pain, and empower self-advocacy.Today, Culinary & Cannabis is a leader in luxury cannabis wellness — hosting immersive pop-ups, culinary classes, and self-care retreats that unite the canna-curious and conscious consumer alike.This is Terp Trends — let’s dive in.

Today on Terp Trends, we’re tapping in with Mon, a Georgia native who’s been moving the culture forward and really bridging community and cannabis in Atlanta.You know him as the mastermind behind the legendary Smoke Battle events, but Mon didn’t stop there. He leveled up, creating a community-driven cannabis lounge that’s bringing people together every single week. From Taco & Terp Tuesdays to the all-you-can-smoke parties, he’s setting the vibe, setting the standard, and setting the tone for what the ATL cannabis scene is supposed to feel like.Mon understands atmosphere. He understands people. And he stays pushing that entrepreneurial energy that keeps Atlanta’s cannabis culture alive and evolving.In this episode, we get into community, success, fatherhood, and what’s next on the horizon.This is Terp Trends…LET’S DIVE IN.

Today’s guest is someone I’ve been really looking forward to sitting down with — Alex Anderson, co-founder and CEO of Skyworld, a New York–based cannabis brand rooted deeply in Indigenous tradition.Skyworld draws its name and inspiration from the Skyworld — a place of origin and unity found in Native creation stories — and that intention shows up in every layer of the brand. Alex is a proud member of the Tuscarora Nation, and he’s built Skyworld as a living expression of ancestral wisdom, cultural resilience, and a deep respect for the plant.From cultivation philosophy to brand identity, everything Skyworld does is guided by stewardship, community, and care — blending tradition with innovation in a really meaningful way.In this episode, we get into Alex’s journey, what life looked like before cannabis, how Skyworld came to be, and how the brand is working to uplift Indigenous voices while setting a new standard for intentional cannabis in New York.Let’s Dive in!

What’s up everybody Welcome back to Terp Trends, where we connect with the innovators and trailblazers shaping the future of cannabis.Today, we’ve got a true pioneer joining the show Eric Steenstra, co-founder and COO of Skyworld, a New York-based brand rooted in Indigenous tradition and inspired by the Skyworld , a place of origin and unity in Native creation stories.Eric’s been pushing this movement forward for decades. He co-founded Ecolution, one of the first hemp lifestyle brands, and led Vote Hemp, helping pass the 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills that brought legal hemp cultivation back to the U.S.He’s also guided tribal hemp programs, led the Hemp Industries Association, and helped countless communities build sustainable, ethical cannabis businesses.Eric’s a visionary, a leader, and a living piece of hemp history and today we’re talking Skyworld, legacy, and the deeper purpose driving this new chapter of cannabis culture.Let’s dive in

On this episode of Terp Trends, we’re bringing together two worlds that ride waves: surfing and hash. Our guest today is Travis Dauria, an educator with Higher Function, where he’s known for breaking down premium concentrate education and elevating budtender knowledge across the East Coast.Travis is as passionate about hash as he is about surfing, and that’s saying something. When he’s not in the classroom or on the sales floor teaching about terpenes and solventless, you can find him chasing waves down at the Jersey Shore. His career spans time in cultivation, concentrates, and retail, giving him a 360° perspective of the cannabis industry.Today, we’ll dig into the art of hash, the parallels between surf culture and cannabis culture, and why education is the backbone of this industry. Travis’s mission is clear: help both staff and consumers ride the wave of knowledge with confidence.

On today’s episode of Terp Trends, I’m sitting down with someone who’s been stacking wins in every lane he touches. Jeff Miller is a Peabody Award–winning storyteller, which already tells you he knows how to capture an audience and deliver something powerful. But instead of just riding that wave, Jeff brought that same creativity and drive into cannabis—showing that success isn’t just about one industry, it’s about vision, authenticity, and the ability to keep building.Jeff is one of the minds behind The Honey Projects, the crew responsible for shops like Honey Grove and Honey Stash. These aren’t your typical dispensaries—they’re spots that feel alive with culture, connection, and community. People come in not only to grab great product, but to be part of something. And if you’ve been listening to Terp Trends, you already know his partner Dave, who dropped by a while back. Together, Jeff and Dave are creating a new model for what cannabis retail can look like when it’s built around people first.From winning one of the biggest awards in media to opening doors for the community through The Honey Projects, Jeff’s story shows us how far hustle and vision can take you. He’s got the accolades, the shops, and the cool factor that makes him stand out in any room.

Today on Terp Trends, we’re joined by someone who’s been shaking up the cannabis space with energy, creativity, and community vision — Lulu Tsui. Lulu is the Co-Founder and Chief Experience Officer of On The Revel, the force behind Revelry — New York’s most inclusive cannabis conference series built to promote education, foster connection, and celebrate the people truly shaping this industry.With over 15 years in experience and user design, Lulu has worked with giants like Bloomberg, Mastercard, Johns Hopkins, and McGraw-Hill — and she’s brought that same design-thinking into cannabis, building platforms like Chill for e-commerce delivery and Root Sciences’ extraction software. At On The Revel, she’s created a space and model that uplifts diversity, culture, and collaboration — playing a key role in New York’s legalization movement and setting the gold standard for what this industry can look like.Beyond cannabis, Lulu is also a UX and research advisor at Oakland Hyphae, working on projects like the Psilocybin Cup and Psychedelic Conference, continuing her mission to normalize and destigmatize both cannabis and psychedelics .So let’s get into it — from design systems to community ecosystems, this is Lulu Tsui - Lets Dive in

Welcome back to Terp Trends! Today we’re taking things a little deeper — into the world where ancient wisdom meets modern cannabis.Our guest is Smrita Choubey, the founder and CEO of Veda Warrior. Smrita started out on Wall Street, working in healthcare investment banking, but she realized something big: the system wasn’t really built for healing. So she turned back to her roots — six generations of Ayurvedic farming and medicine-making in India — and brought that knowledge forward into the modern cannabis space.Through Veda Warrior, Smrita is creating products that combine Ayurveda and cannabis in ways that feel natural, functional, and totally aligned with wellness. From infused oils to everyday plant-based remedies, she’s helping people rethink how cannabis fits into their lifestyle — not just for recreation, but for true balance and health.We’re gonna get into her journey, the overlap between Ayurveda and cannabis, and what it means to reclaim plant medicine in today’s world. This one’s about legacy, culture, and a whole new vision for wellness.Lets Dive In

On this episode of Terp Trends, we’re diving into the science of the sesh with someone who’s redefining how we learn about concentrates — Erik, the founder of The Higher Function.With a strong foundation in education and a passion for the plant, Erik has made it his mission to make dabbing less intimidating and more accessible. He’s taken his background in teaching and applied it to cannabis in a way that connects — breaking down complicated processes like extraction, terpene chemistry, and tech into digestible, entertaining content that resonates with both newcomers and seasoned heads.Through The Higher Function, Erik is creating a space where curiosity meets clarity — and where knowledge is power, especially when it comes to what you’re putting in your rig.Let’s get into the journey, the science, and the future of informed cannabis consumption with Erik from The Higher Function..Lets Dive In

On this episode of Terp Trends, we’re honored to sit down with one of Jersey’s real ones — Dave Valese from Honey Grove.Before the laws, before the licenses, Dave was already doing the work. He’s a legacy operator in every sense — cultivating fire, building community, and pushing the plant forward long before the market had a name for it. His roots run deep in the culture, and his transition into the legal side is a testament to resilience, knowledge, and staying true to the craft.Now leading the charge at Honey Grove, Big Dave is helping shape what New Jersey cannabis should look like — authentic, community-driven, and quality first.We’re diving into his come-up, the lessons from the legacy market, and how he’s bringing those same values into the licensed world. This one’s all about real talk, real flower, and real legacy — let’s get into it with Big Dave.Lets Dive in

Today on Terp Trends, we’re tapping in with one of the sharpest young minds merging cannabis chemistry, content creation, and community education — Alex Eckman, aka @alexeckmancanna.Currently studying at Lake Superior State University, Alex is part of the next wave of scientifically minded cannabis professionals. But he’s not just in the lab — he’s breaking it all down for the culture. Whether it’s scanning electron microscope shots of cannabis samples, conference clips, or his educational YouTube channel, Alex is on a mission to make the science behind the plant digestible, exciting, and real.We’re diving into how he found his passion for the plant, what inspired him to blend chemistry with content, and why educating the consumer is just as important as growing fire flower.

Today on Terp Trends, I’m joined by a true trailblazer in the world of plant medicine and integrative healthcare — Stephanie Karzon Abrams. She’s a neuropharmacologist and the founder of Beyond Consulting, a firm that provides science, research, and strategic solutions to companies and clinics in the natural product, psychedelic, and wellness spaces.Stephanie’s work lives at the intersection of hard science and holistic healing. She’s not only a researcher and strategist, but also a prescriber for MDMA and psilocybin therapy under Canada’s Special Access Program, and a scientific advisor to the Microdosing Collective — all part of her mission to legitimize and advance emerging therapies.Her passion goes far beyond the lab. She’s a fierce advocate for women’s health, public education, and the healing power of music and community. Stephanie is also the co-creator of Public Secret, a music label and artist collective; Mt. Mushmore / Higher Elevation, a social and educational dinner series; and The Last 6, a nonprofit that educates and funds research into Kawasaki disease.From her roots in rigorous pharmaceutical research to her work shaping the future of psychedelics and plant-based healing, Stephanie brings a rare combination of scientific precision and soulful vision. We’re honored to have her on the show — let’s dive in.

Today we’re joined by Robert “Fazz” Fazzolare, founder of Seeds of Success Cannabis Consulting. Known for his deep knowledge of plant biology and hands-on cultivation expertise, Fazz has helped countless growers elevate their operations with practical, science-backed strategies.Whether it’s dialing in nutrient cycles or designing efficient grow spaces, Fazz brings real-world solutions and a passion for teaching others. Let’s dive in

On today’s episode of Terp Trends, we’re joined by someone who blends clinical expertise with cannabis advocacy in a way that’s shaping the future of patient care in New Jersey. Dr. Alan Ao is a licensed pharmacist and the owner of Vigor Dispensary — a forward-thinking medical cannabis dispensary rooted in science, compassion, and community.With a background in pharmacy and deep experience in patient education, Dr. Ao has been a vocal leader in bridging the gap between traditional medicine and cannabis-based therapies. Today, we dive into his journey from pharmacy to the plant, what sets Vigor apart in New Jersey’s evolving cannabis landscape, and why patient-first care remains at the heart of everything he does.Lets Dive In

On this episode of Terp Trends, I sit down with Omar Salem—founder of Clear Nation Terpenes and co-founder of Salem Scientific. From supplying top-tier extraction equipment to formulating precise terpene blends, Omar has dedicated his career to elevating the cannabis space through innovation and education.We dive into how his background in lab science and equipment design with Salem Scientific evolved into a mission-driven approach with Clear Nation—where education, compliance, and clean inputs are at the heart of every terpene profile.Whether you're an extractor, formulator, or just passionate about plant-based science, this episode brings valuable insights into how terpenes can shape the future of cannabis.

Welcome back to Terp Trends—where we dive deep into the people, products, and processes shaping the cannabis culture from the ground up. On today’s episode, I’m joined by Ryan from C-Vault, a company that’s become a staple in the world of cannabis storage and post-harvest preservation.If you’re serious about curing, preserving terpenes, or just keeping your flower fresh for the long haul, chances are you’ve come across the C-Vault. Known for their stainless steel containers and humidity control integrations, C-Vault has carved out a niche among cultivators, processors, and everyday consumers alike.In this conversation, Ryan and I get into the origins of the brand, the R&D behind the product, and how proper storage plays a much bigger role than most people realize in the final quality of cannabis. We talk about the difference between curing vs drying, how humidity affects terpene retention, and what sets C-Vault apart from the pack in an increasingly crowded market.Whether you're growing at home, managing pounds at scale, or just a terp-hunting enthusiast looking to preserve your stash—this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.Let’s Dive In!

Today on Terp Trends, I’m sitting down with Johnny Casali of Huckleberry Hill Farms, a living legend of legacy cannabis. Johnny’s roots run deep in Southern Humboldt, where he grew up tending plants long before legalization, learning firsthand the beauty — and the risks — of a life dedicated to this plant. Through the hardest days of prohibition, he never turned his back on the craft or the community that raised him. His love for the land and the culture shines through in everything he touches, especially in his legendary strain White Thorn Rose, a flower born from family, history, and hope. From winning Cannabis Cup awards to opening Huckleberry Hill Farms as a training ground for the Ganjier program, Johnny’s journey is about more than survival — it’s about honoring the spirit of cannabis and building a future that stays true to its roots. This conversation is packed with passion, wisdom, and the kind of energy you only find when someone has lived every chapter of the story they tell.

Happy Eddie is a Black-owned cannabis brand based in Maryland, founded by attorney and entrepreneur Eddie Osefo, known from Bravo TV’s “The Real Housewives of Potomac.” The brand’s name was inspired by a viral moment from the TV show, where Osefo was playfully dubbed “Happy Eddie.” The brand’s mission is to educate, motivate, and normalize adult cannabis consumption, aiming to destigmatize and inform the public about cannabis’s positive impacts. Happy Eddie offers a broad suite of products such as flower, pre-rolls, infused pre-rolls, and edibles in the Maryland and Missouri markets, with plans to expand to additional markets in 2025.In partnership with Curio Wellness, a cGMP-certified, vertically integrated cannabis company, Happy Eddie produces high-quality cannabis products in Maryland and Missouri. Beyond its product offerings, Happy Eddie is dedicated to social equity within the cannabis industry and works with orgs such as Last Prisoner Project and Black CannaBusiness. The brand’s social impact initiatives focus on eliminating systemic barriers and providing minority entrepreneurs with opportunities for meaningful participation, growth, and leadership in the legal cannabis market. Happy Eddie embodies the ethos of “Everyday Professionals Who Color Outside the Lines,” encouraging a balance between working hard and playing harder, and promoting inclusivity and community engagement. For more information about Happy Eddie and its products, you can visit their official website at www.happy-eddie.com