Weed Wonks

Jordan Wellington hosts attorneys Zack Kobrin and Victoria Cvitanovic, who will be panelists at the upcoming Cannabis Law Institute hosted by the International Cannabis Bar Association in collaboration with Strategies 64. They discuss the unique challenges and opportunities that come with working in cannabis law and the considerations at play when medical-only markets shift to adult-use. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jordan Wellington hosts attorneys Lara DeCaro and Shay Aaron Gilmore, who will be panelists at the upcoming Cannabis Law Institute hosted by the International Cannabis Bar Association in collaboration with Strategies 64. Their conversations touch on women and diversity in cannabis, cannabis policy advocacy, and what it takes to shift from a legacy market to the legal cannabis trade.    Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In the latest Weed Wonks episode, Jordan Wellington hosts David Vaillencourt, founder and CEO of GMP Collective, for a conversation about the broken state of cannabis labeling policy, how it went awry, and why QR codes may be the key to improving effectiveness, efficiency, and standardization. They also discuss the importance of Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations and why they are critical to the future of the cannabis industry.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jordan Wellington hosts Meredith Buettner, executive director of the Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition, for a discussion about her group’s ongoing efforts to legalize adult-use cannabis via the state’s General Assembly. They touch on some of the victories legalization advocates have had in the Commonwealth, what is needed to get adult-use legislation over the finish line, and how state-level policy changes can contribute to progress at the federal level.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jordan Wellington hosts Shawn Collins of the Homegrown Consulting Group for a discussion about the cannabis policymaking process. Collins, who served as the first head of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, describes the importance of convening a “community of experts,” and he explains how state officials can work with the cannabis industry to craft regulations that strike the right balance between public safety and a viable market. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jordan Wellington hosts Sabrina Noah, principal at NRM Consulting for an in-depth talk about the cannabis policymaking process and the critical role empathy and listening play in crafting regulation. They also look at how lobbyists help cannabis companies navigate regulatory demands and why it is so important that the industry and lawmakers identify and work to accomplish shared goals.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jordan Wellington hosts Amy Moore, Director of the Division of Cannabis Regulation at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, for an in-depth look at the successful rollout of Missouri’s legal cannabis market. They discuss how Missouri’s program was influenced by the experiences of other states, its decision to maintain a minimum number of licenses, and the constant analysis it performs to ensure the market is meeting consumer demand. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jordan Wellington hosts Riana Durrett, vice chair of the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board and director of the Cannabis Policy Institute at UNLV, for a discussion about the impact of legal cannabis in Nevada, its relationship with the gaming industry, and why it is so important to get cannabis hospitality right. They also discuss the importance of ongoing research and stakeholder engagement, which were at the heart of the policy symposium co-hosted by CPI and Strategies 64 during MJBizCon.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In the latest episode of Weed Wonks, host Jordan Wellington speaks with Michael Bronstein and Chris Lindsey of the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp about the state of legal cannabis and policy reform efforts a decade after the nation’s first legal adult-use cannabis sales. They also discuss how the world is looking at cannabis differently these days and how much farther there is to go to fully end marijuana prohibition.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Marijuana legalization initiatives in three states were defeated on Election Day, but that doesn’t mean cannabis wasn’t a winner at the ballot box. In the latest episode of Weed Wonks, host Jordan Wellington speaks with David Culver, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at the U.S. Cannabis Council about why there is reason to be optimistic about cannabis policy reform in the wake of the 2024 presidential election — and why even with the setbacks in Florida and elsewhere, there are clear signs of progress heading into 2025.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

If Florida votes to legalize adult-use cannabis on November 5, it would be a massive step forward for the cannabis policy reform movement and the legal cannabis industry. In the latest episode of Weed Wonks, host Jordan Wellington speaks with Trulieve Executive Director of Government Relations Lauren Niehaus about the long and arduous campaign to get legalization on the ballot in Florida, as well as the strategies and compromises involved in crafting cannabis legalization initiatives.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In the latest episode of Weed Wonks, Jordan Wellington and guests Scot Rutledge and Christopher LaPorte of RESET take a deep dive into cannabis consumption lounges and the role they will play in the future of the cannabis industry. They look at different business models for cannabis hospitality, how lounges and other social-use venues will advance the normalization of cannabis, and the benefits these real-life gathering spots have to offer consumers and the industry.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In the latest episode of Weed Wonks, Jordan Wellington hosts Erik Gundersen, founder and principal of ERG Strategies, and Mackenzie Slade, executive director of Cannabis Public Policy Consulting, for a long discussion about what is working — and what is not — in cannabis policy. They discuss how cannabis policy seeks to balance public safety and market stability, the role of science and data in new market formulation, and what it takes to get businesses licensed in a manner that creates viable legal cannabis markets.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In October, Kentucky will hold a lottery to see which of the thousands of applicants will receive the state’s several dozen highly-coveted medical cannabis licenses. In the latest Weed Wonks, Jordan Wellington hosts Sam Flynn, Executive Director of the Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program, for a look at the steps the Bluegrass State has taken to build a medical marijuana market that focuses both on patient access and ensuring the economic viability of the market for the state’s cannabis companies. The two also discuss the importance of adult education and how Kentucky has looked at the experience of other states to build a medical cannabis market that will work for patients and businesses alike.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In the latest Weed Wonks, Jordan Wellington and Mason Tvert of Strategies 64 host NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano for a look back at the last few decades of cannabis politics and policy reform and what it took to get where we are today. The three cannabis policy veterans discuss the subjectivity of marijuana’s “potential for abuse,” the critical role played by public perception, and why cannabis rescheduling would be the biggest shift in cannabis policy — ever.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.