Give and Toke

Sean Maloney is the sole Legal Counsel and Commercial Manager for MediCann Health - an Australian based medicinal cannabis company focussed on improving the quality of life of people in need through the use of affordable, reliable and science backed medicinal cannabis products.With a Bachelor of Economics and a Bachelor of Laws from The University of Western Australia, Sean has worked as a Senior Consultant & Solicitor at a Big 4 firm, along with holding senior advisory and compliance roles at the Australian Securities Exchange.In this episode:Reflections on UIC (1:30)Legal Cannabis: Exciting or Daunting? (2:40)Pathway to Cannabis and MediCann (5:10)The legal framework in Australia (10:15)Is there a proclivity to break the law in cannabis work? (19:30)What changes are coming? (23:00)Staying in the loop (28:00)Cannabis around the world (30:00)Quiz: Lionel Hutz (35:00)Cannabis and the ASX (40:45)Crowdfunded Cannabis (47:00)Pauls of Wisdom (53:30)Visit www.giveandtoke.com.auFollow @giveandtoke on InstagramEmail giveandtoke@gmail.com

Rhys Cohen is a self-confessed “drug nerd” who has held countless cannabis-related roles over the past decade as he has become a trusted voice within the industry. With a Masters in Research and Sociology, Rhys has been a cannabis consultant, editor, advisory board member and today is the Policy Officer at Penington Institute.Penington Institute is an independent drug policy non-profit that is currently developing a comprehensive model for cannabis regulation which prioritises community health and safety. They champion an open, rational, and compassionate approach to building and sharing knowledge to reduce drug-related harm and are pushing for an effective regulatory framework for cannabis defined by public health goals, prioritising targeted prevention, education, and treatment.In this episode:Reflections on UIC (1:45)Why Rhys pursued cannabis (5:00)The state of Australian medicinal cannabis (9:20)Protecting the medicinal market (15:30)People are overwhelming still using illicit cannabis (17:15)What is the Penington Institute (19:40)The Annual Overdose Report (21:00)Cannabis regulation in Victoria - Regulate it! (23:45)Rhys’ Pieces Quiz (34:45)Vape Battery Ban (40:00)Pauls of Wisdom (42:20)Visit www.penington.org.auTake the Quiz at www.penington.org.au/regulate-it-cannabis-campaign/Visit www.giveandtoke.com.auFollow @giveandtoke on InstagramEmail giveandtoke@gmail.com

James Yodgee is the General Manager of Partnerships at Biortica Agrimed, along with Matthew Turner who is the co-founder and Chief Global Officer of the organisation.Biortica Agrimed operates one of Australia’s largest cultivation operations in Australia with greenhouses in Victoria and New South Wales along with a library of over 1,000 cultivars through Canadian-based Apollo Green.In this episode:Matthew’s pathway to cannabis/the start of Green Farmers (2:30)James’ pathway to cannabis (11:00)Matthew’s relationship with cannabis (14:00)James’ relationship with cannabis (16:00)Apollo Green Australia (21:00)-pheno hunting-breeder cuts-global scaling-LaValle University-research and developmentHow do you decide what cultivars are worth your time? (32:00)AI assistance (35:15)Pioneering efforts in Canada (39:00)Green Footy Quiz (45:00)The state of Australia (51:30)Cannabis around the world (58:00)Pauls of Wisdom (61:45)Visitwww.greenfarmers.com.auVisitwww.giveandtoke.com.auFollow @giveandtoke onInstagramEmailgiveandtoke@gmail.com

Kate Avruch is the founder of Operator Academy and is a seasoned expert in the cannabis industry having dedicated her career to scaling business operations in Massachusetts and beyond. With a unique blend of technical expertise in facility design, cannabis chemistry, and extraction methodologies, Kate brings a holistic understanding of the industry’s complexities.In this episode:Is The Town the best Boston movie? (1:00)Pathway to cannabis (3:45)Growing up with conservative views (19:00)Relationship with cannabis (23:15)Cannabis in Massachusetts (26:30)Quick wins in Massachusetts (35:00)Could Federal legalisation improve things in Massachusetts? (41:45)Hotbox Quiz (46:30)Operator Academy (48:30)Pauls of Wisdom (70:00)Visitwww.operatoracademy.orgFollow Kate Avruch onLinkedInVisitwww.giveandtoke.com.auFollow @giveandtoke onInstagramEmailgiveandtoke@gmail.com

Sara Payan is a cannabis educator, public speaker, policy advocate, and the award-winning host of the Planted with Sara Payan podcast. She’s an expert in consumer trends, product development, and building relationships in the cannabis industry. Sara has trained cannabis professionals, consulted for brands on product development and marketing, and worked with various committees, including the California Cannabis Advisory Committee and the San Francisco Cannabis Oversight Committee. She also co-chaired the San Francisco State Cannabis Legalization Task Force. In this episode: Personal Relationship with Cannabis (6:00) Colon Cancer Treatment (9:00) Does legalisation impact medical patients? (19:45) Finding effective treatments (29:30) Busting Myths: Terpenes (36:45) Podcasting (38:00) The politics in the cause (48:30) Cat Talk (54:00) Podcast Highlights (56:30) Hot Box Quiz (65:15) The State of the Nation: USA (67:00) Connecting with others through consumption (71:30) Budtender Problems (77:15) Pauls of Wisdom (83:00) Listen to Planted with Sara Payan Follow @plantedwithsara on Instagram Visit www.giveandtoke.com.au Follow @giveandtoke on Instagram Email giveandtoke@gmail.com

In this episode of Give & Toke, we sit down with Victorian MP Rachel Payne, for an insightful conversation that marks two years since entering parliament along with 50 episodes of this show. We discuss the transition from Dan Andrews to Jacinta Allan and what it means for cannabis reform (3:00). We talk about the recent win for Victorian patients who drive (5:45), before looking back at two years of navigating hemp reform, pill testing, relationships, compromise, and the importance of evolving and letting go (15:00). We dive into the critical topic of housing affordability and the other challenges facing her electorate of over 600,000 South-East Melburnians (28:00). Rachel highlights the importance of giving a voice to underrepresented groups and how this informs her work in office (33:30). The conversation also turns to the impact of social media and shadow bans on modern politics (37:55), before turning to Fiona Patten’s return to the scene (41:50). We play a quick quiz entitled Rachel Profiling (45:00) before diving into the big issues on the horizon for 2025, including personal use and workplace drug testing (50:00). Rachel also touches on the role of medicinal cannabis companies and their social responsibilities (60:00), as well as how she maintains motivation in the face of political disappointment (66:00). Finally, we wrap up with some listener questions where we learn what type of cannabis product David Ettershank would be (71:00). Visit www.rachelpayne.com.au Follow Rachel on Instagram @rachelpayne_mp Follow Rachel on Twitter @rachelpaynemp Visit www.giveandtoke.com.au Follow Give and Toke on Instagram @giveandtoke Email Us giveandtoke@gmail.com

Matthew Dent is the Director of Cultivation at Wangara Cultivation Co. With a boutique indoor grow operation in Queensland, their mission is to produce craft quality cannabis for Australia’s local market with a focus on terpenes and the wider entourage effect. In this episode: What is FIRE? (1:00) Pathway to cannabis (2:20) Relationship with cannabis (8:30) Wangara Cultivation Co. (13:30) Selecting genetics (18:00) In defense of Indica and Sativa (20:30) Challenges and successes (23:00) UFO and Alien Quiz (27:15) Declining stigma and progress (34:00) Balancing culture and ‘the rules’ (38:00) What’s next in Australia (45:30) Pauls of Wisdom (48:00) Connect with Matthew Dent on Linkedin Visit www.giveandtoke.com.au Follow @giveandtoke on Instagram Email giveandtoke@gmail.com

Sacha La Forgia is the co-founder of Golden Days Cultivators, a South-Australian based indoor cultivator and supplier of medicinal cannabis born out of prior experience in South Australia’s world-renowned alcohol industry. With a Bachelor in Viticulture from the University of Adelaide, Sacha founded and managed 78o Distillery in Adelaide Hills prior to Golden Days before inertia kicked in in 2022, and a change was needed. As global trends in alcohol consumption continue to decline and the health benefits of choosing cannabis over alcohol become more apparent, Sacha founded Golden Days with business partner Ewan Brewerton with the aim to make the world a better place. In this episode: Ditching booze for buds (1:40) Our cultural relationship with alcohol (7:30) Making smarter health choices (12:35) Transferring skills to cannabis (17:20) South Australia’s cannabis culture (21:00) Booze History Quiz (24:00) The state of Australian cannabis (28:00) Personal relationship with cannabis (30:15) Golden Days (32:30) Growing indoors with renewable energy (38:00) What’s next for Golden Days (41:00) Pauls of Wisdom (48:45) Connect with Sacha La Forgia on Linkedin Visit www.giveandtoke.com.au Follow @giveandtoke on Instagram Email giveandtoke@gmail.com

Talmage Herbert began working for RUA Bioscience in 2021. With strong familial ties to RUA’s growing region, he first started as a cultivator and is now managing supply chains and partnerships.  RUA Bioscience supplies GMP-certified medicines to expanding markets including Europe and Australia backed by its centre of excellence where they incubate superior genetics including exclusive legacy genetics, sharing New Zealand’s rich culture with the world. The company's mission is based on their founding principes of integrity, innovation, health and collaboration. RUA is unique in prioritising community well-being with tertiary scholarships, community tours and compassionate access. In this episode: Pathway to cannabis (3:45) New Zealand’s cannabis culture (11:40) The failed referendum (18:45) How do Kiwi’s access cannabis? (28:50) Cannabis and politics (33:00) The importance of people (35:00) UFC Quiz (42:45) What is RUA? (48:45) Preserving legacy genetics (51:00) Community enhancement (63:30) What’s next for RUA? (67:00) Pauls of Wisdom (68:30) Visit www.ruabio.com Visit www.giveandtoke.com.au Follow @giveandtoke on Instagram Email giveandtoke@gmail.com

Michael Sassano is the CEO and Chairman of SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals, a leading European vertically integrated company with a global footprint of distribution. SOMAÍ is building a leading global brand with a robust pipeline of innovative cannabis-based therapeutics. They envision a world where people live a healthy lifestyle empowered by natural cannabis medicine. SOMAÍ owns a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and indoor cultivation in Lisbon, Portugal, and has global sales teams in the largest medical cannabis markets. In this episode: Pathway to cannabis (2:00) Relationship with cannabis (9:00) Sharing the secret sauce (13:30) What is SOMAÍ? (19:00) Excitement in global markets (29:15) Monaco Quiz (41:30) Australians are the winners (45:45) Pauls of Wisdom (54:45) Visit www.somaipharma.com.au Visit www.giveandtoke.com.au Follow @giveandtoke on Instagram Email giveandtoke@gmail.com

Tom Forrest is a certified horticulturist, agronomist, and expert in soil and crop production. In 2019, Tom traveled the world as a recipient of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship. Visiting 10 different countries, and spending time at more than 50 cannabis cultivation facilities allowed him to publish a white paper and release a short documentary sharing his findings from his worldwide exploration of cannabis. Today he splits his time between Puro which is New Zealand’s leading cultivator of cannabis, Indicated Technology and Stealth Garden. He has helped countless groups and organisations to design and supply cannabis cultivation facilities since the start of medicinal legalisation. In this episode: Connecting with cannabis (6:00) A love for family and farming (9:30) Exciting developments in cannabis (13:30) Thoughts on Thailand (19:30) Preserving Landraces, moving on from Indica and Sativa (29:45) Puro New Zealand (35:00) Stealth Garden and Grow Zone Magazine (57:30) Rugby Union Quiz (65:00) Churchill Fellowship and lessons from around the world (70:15) Pauls of Wisdom (85:00) Churchill Fellowship Documentary on YouTube Visit www.indicated-technology.com Follow @tomforrestcf on Instagram Visit www.giveandtoke.com.au Follow @giveandtoke on Instagram Email Us giveandtoke@gmail.com

Dr Brian Walker is a member of the legislative council for the Legalise Cannabis Western Australia Party. Having practiced medicine for many years in various different countries, he has front-line experience treating patients in hospitals, emergency departments, and general practice. As a Member of Parliament, Dr Walker believes that far too many of our current laws are archaic, while others are unfit for purpose. Dr Walker’s passion is to improve medical, mental, financial, social, and physical wellness across the community. His key goal is to make the world a better place for his grandchildren and yours. In this episode: Tapping into anger (1:20) Drawn to healing (3:00) Drawn to cannabis (7:00) The power of plants (10:30) On to politics (14:50) The next WA election (29:00) Fiona Patten’s return (31:30) Quiz: MP’s Behaving Badly Pt 4 (33:30) The state of the nation: prescribing, advocacy, activism (36:30) Visit www.brianwalkermlc.com.au Email: brian.walker.mlc@mp.wa.gov.au Visit www.giveandtoke.com.au Follow @giveandtoke on Instagram Email giveandtoke@gmail.com

Dr. Riley Kirk is an Assistant Adjunct Professor at University of Rhode Island, a renowned cannabis research scientist with a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences and is the host of the BioActive Podcast. With research interests broadly focused on the use of medicinal plants in combating antibiotic resistance and alternative pain treatments to opiates, she has studied the medicinal properties of hundreds of plants. She is passionate about providing free and accessible Cannabis education to all users, primarily through social media channels. Dr. Riley Kirk sees education as an integral part of harm reduction and is currently researching the smoking process and how we can better predict what pharmacological effects this leads to.  This episode is presented by Planted. Use code ‘GIVETOKE10’ at planteducation.net.au to save 10% on paid courses. In this episode: New Hampshire Living (1:00) Cannabis Origins (8:30) Cannabis and Science (14:30) Cannabis in Politics (19:50) The Science of Smokability (33:00) Hotbox Quiz (43:30) Plants are Medicine (46:30) Bioactive Podcast (50:30) A Vision for Legalisation (62:30) Pauls of Wisdom (66:30) Follow @cannabichem on Instagram Check out the Bioactive Podcast Visit www.giveandtoke.com.au Follow @giveandtoke on Instagram Email giveandtoke@gmail.com

Dan Howard is the CEO of Tasmanian Botanics, an Australian licensed producer of medicinal cannabis located just outside of Hobart. Operating since 2017, Tasmanian Botanics has a mission to increase access for patients and to deter patients from the black market by ensuring products are reasonably priced without sacrificing on quality. Dan cut his teeth in the Canadian cannabis market, and brings years of experience from senior roles in other Fortune 50 companies. This episode is presented by Planted. Use code ‘GIVETOKE10’ at planteducation.net.au to save 10% on paid courses. In this episode: Origins in cannabis (2:00) Tasmanian Botanics’ early days (6:30) Learning from Canada (13:50) Learning from the world (23:30) From medical to adult use? (30:00) Hotbox Quiz (31:30) The Australian Industry (32:45) Pauls of Wisdom (42:20) Visit www.tasmanianbotanics.com.au Visit www.giveandtoke.com.au Follow @giveandtoke on Instagram Email giveandtoke@gmail.com

Tegan Scates is the founder of Bloomly (formerly High on Hemp). With a passion for inspiring others to take control of the cannabis narrative and promoting greater female representation, Bloomly is one of Australia’s largest online educational platforms, with a particular focus on women’s health. With the upcoming launch of the Bloomly podcast, expect to uncover the science behind cannabis with experts, celebrate diversity, as women are empowered to embrace its potential in everyday life. From sex to chronic pain, no topic is off-limits. This episode is presented by Planted. Use code ‘GIVETOKE10’ at planteducation.net.au to save 10% on paid courses. In this episode: Origins in cannabis (3:00) Hemp and lessons from Ma Milk (9:40) From High on Hemp to Bloomly (12:50) Discussing cannabis with your kids (19:00) Cannabis and painful sex (22:00) Raising female voices (27:30) Different delivery methods (33:00) The Vampire Diaries Quiz (37:00) The State of Australian Cannabis (41:00) Pauls of Wisdom (48:20) Visit www.bloomly.au Follow @bloomly.au on Instagram Visit www.giveandtoke.com.au Follow @giveandtoke on Instagram Email giveandtoke@gmail.com

Treehouse Distribution is dedicated to providing the highest quality flower that meets and exceeds patient expectations. In this episode we discuss Treehouse Distribution, Delta Tetra, the virtues of quality cannabis and Treehouse’s exciting partnership with Biortica/Green Farmers. If you’re a regular listener of the show, you might’ve heard Jonathan Jones’ recent appearance and today he has returned and brought along Tim Oates, Tim Dyason, Scott Parry and Hamish Barakat. This episode is presented by Planted. Use code ‘GIVETOKE10’ at www.planteducation.net.au to save 10% on paid courses. In this episode: Introductions (1:00) Reflecting on Jonathan’s Episode (5:00) Cannabis Origins (13:00) What is Treehouse? (31:00) Partnership with Biortica (40:30) What is Quality Cannabis (50:00) Pauls of Wisdom (54:30) Visit www.thetreehouse.world Follow @treehouse_distribution on Instagram Visit www.giveandtoke.com.au Follow @giveandtoke on Instagram Email giveandtoke@gmail.com

Jeremy Buckingham was elected as NSW’s first Legalise Cannabis Party Member at the 2023 NSW State Election. He is an experienced MP who has spent over two decades passionately advocating for community, the environment and what he calls common-sense laws that serve the people. In his current term Mr. Buckingham is committed to bringing about progressive drug law reform, legalising cannabis, fixing the broken Roadside Drug Testing system and growing the hemp industry. In this episode: Nimbin (1:00) Legalise Cannabis Party (3:30) Growing up a “Hippie Kid” (6:00) A Working Class Drug (8:00) Adult Use in NSW (10:50) Establishing a Viable Hemp Industry (23:10) No Skunk on a Dead Planet (25:00) Metal Band Origins and AC/DC Quiz (27:00) The end of Prohibition? (32:00) Legalisation around the world (37:00) Roadside Drug Testing (41:40) This episode is presented by Planted. Use code ‘GIVETOKE10’ at www.planteducation.net.au to save 10% on paid courses. Visit www.jeremybuckinghammp.com.au Follow @cannabisjeremy on Instagram Follow @buckinghamJN on Twitter/X Visit www.giveandtoke.com.au Follow @giveandtoke on Instagram Email giveandtoke@gmail.com

Jason Gann is a comedian, writer, producer and former actor best known as Wilfred - the bong smoking, na-choss eating, DVD watching dog in the Australian TV show of the same name, as well as the American remake starring Elijah Wood. With his California-based brand Wilfred Cannabis and CBD, he sells in legal US markets and he has just recently been announced as a candidate for the Legalise Cannabis Queensland Party in the seat of Burleigh. Gann has been a hilarious fixture of cannabis culture for two decades and is now hoping to turn his personal experience with and understanding of the benefits of cannabis into an influential parliamentary position advocating for changes to outdated drug laws. In this episode: Wilfred the Character (1:00) How to Make Nachos (17:30) Relationship with Cannabis (20:00) Legalise Cannabis Queensland (23:30) Delta-8 THC (29:30) Adult-use Legalisation (35:00) Wilfred Cannabis (46:00) Matt Damon Quiz (50:00) Follow @wilfred on Instagram Visit www.wilfredcannabis.com Visit www.legalisecannabis.org.au Visit www.lcpqparty.org Follow @giveandtoke on Instagram Email giveandtoke@gmail.com

Jonathan Jones is the CEO of Treehouse Distribution. A High Times Cannabis Cup Winner with years of experience in North America and Europe, Jonathan noticed the shortcomings in Australia’s medicinal cannabis market and his focus has now shifted to the production of high-quality cannabis grown for Australian consumers. Passionate, hard-working, and occasionally outspoken, Jonathan is a unique and important voice in the Australian cannabis industry with his demonstrable understanding of the intersection between corporate and legacy cannabis. In this episode: Spannabis (1:30) Origins in Cannabis (3:30) Australian Cannabis (21:00) Why do we Import? (26:00) Surviving the Industry (34:00) What makes great cannabis (38:00) Famous Johns Quiz (40:30) Cannabis around the World (42:30) Pauls of Wisdom (57:00) Follow @treehouse_distribution on Instagram Follow @drterpzz on Instagram Follow @giveandtoke on Instagram Email giveandtoke@gmail.com

Camilo Cortissoz and Juan Angel Bradford are the founders of Green Shepherd, an Australian based cannabis distributor. Hailing from Colombia, Juan and Camilo are committed to returning cannabis to its roots by providing a range of medicinal products lower in THC than many others in the market offer.  Instead of aspiring to have the highest THC content, they prefer to focus on the cannabinoid content of the whole plant, offering a viable option for those who want to consume less intoxicating cannabis that still offers significant therapeutic value, yet allows for a more active, functional lifestyle. In this episode: Cannabis in Thailand (1:00) Discovering Cannabis (7:30) Green Shepherd (15:30) Beyond THC Percentage (21:30) CBD in Australia (34:00) Colombian Cannabis (51:00) Colombia Quiz (63:45) Pauls of Wisdom (68:00) Visit greenshepherd.com.au Follow @giveandtoke on Instagram Email giveandtoke@gmail.com