High Functioning Podcast

In 2003, Jason Harris was one of 55 people caught up in a single federal case and was told never to make his signature pieces again. He moved to Maui, rebuilt his craft making marine glass art, and kept Jerome Baker Designs alive for more than 20 years.Host Jason Reposa talks with him about the federal case, why his name isn't actually Jerome, blowing glass on tour, the giant pieces, opening in New York, and what's next for the brand.▶ Free weekly cannabis operator brief: https://tr.ee/hfnewsletter▶ Good Feels THC beverages: https://getgoodfeels.com/ (code HF15)Follow: @jerome_baker · @jeromebakerny on InstagramMore episodes every Tuesday at highfunctioning.show. For adults 21+.

Before Pennsylvania had medical cannabis, Marc Brownstein and a few musician friends hired a lobbyist with their own money and walked Harrisburg one senator's office at a time. He tells Jason Reposa how it got done, why calling your elected officials works, and why "the complacent get beat," a warning that lands a week before Massachusetts votes on Question 8.Marc is the co-founder and bassist of The Disco Biscuits, the band that fused jam-band improvisation with electronic dance music, and in 2004 he co-founded HeadCount, the nonpartisan nonprofit that registers voters at concerts. They also get into the band's three drummer eras, the sound younger bands now take to Madison Square Garden, how a jam band talks without words, and the band's first-ever Halloween movie reveal ahead of the Worcester Palladium shows on October 30 and 31.HeadCount: https://headcount.orgFree weekly cannabis operator brief: https://tr.ee/hfnewsletterMore episodes: https://highfunctioning.show

Jason Reposa makes hemp beverages, so he asked Laura Beohner the question directly: knowing where hemp has ended up, are we the problem? Her answer: "Oh, yeah."Laura is CEO and founder of The Healing Rose, an organic hemp wellness company in Newburyport, Massachusetts. After ten years with no investors and no debt, her topicals are in 150 Massachusetts dispensaries, and her best-selling salve does six figures a year. She also founded the Massachusetts Hemp Coalition and serves as treasurer of MassCann.They get into what the federal hemp changes could mean for minor cannabinoids, the per-serving limit she would write into the law, why she expects No to win on Question 8, and why she thinks most cannabis brands have no face behind them.Laura on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehealingrose_/Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-beohner/?isSelfProfile=falseMore episodes: https://highfunctioning.show

Nick Lazzaro, Democratic candidate for state representative in Massachusetts' 7th Worcester District, says there is "polite corruption" at the State House. He breaks down who is funding Question 8 and why voters face nine ballot questions this November.Nick was on the Millbury school board at 18, now serves on the Millbury Select Board, and runs a mobile car detailing business staffed by students. He's running against a 30-year incumbent seeking his 16th term. Jason and Nick talk about following the money on Question 8, the repeal of legal adult-use cannabis in Massachusetts, the 2024 audit question, public records, Question 1, why cannabis banking is broken, and why Nick says he has no plans to become a career politician.Free weekly cannabis operator brief: https://tr.ee/hfnewsletterSave 15% on Good Feels THC beverages: https://getgoodfeels.com/ (code HF15)CHAPTERS00:00 Intro01:28 Why He Stepped Up05:16 Inside the 7th Worcester District07:27 Not a Career Politician11:22 Running a Business While Running for Office19:37 Cannabis Banking Is Insane25:32 Follow the Money on Question 832:54 The Audit and Public Records36:39 Yes on Question 139:58 Why Your Ballot Has So Many QuestionsGUESTNick Lazzaro, candidate for State Representative, 7th Worcester District (Millbury, Auburn, North Oxford, parts of Charlton and Leicester)Website: https://nicklazzaro.comSocials: @ElectNickLazzaroHOSTJason Reposa, Founder and CEO, Good FeelsShow: https://highfunctioning.showElection Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. For adults 21+ where legal. Opinions are the guest's own. Nothing in this episode is medical, legal or voting advice.

I sat down with Connor Murray, a 23-year-old running for state rep in the 18th Essex District, which covers my old hometown of Tewksbury. I ask him why he opposes Question 8's repeal of adult-use cannabis, how campaigns decide which doors to knock, why his district is split across so many reps, what it costs to run, and why he's pledged to serve no more than four terms. He also shares the first bill he wants to carry, on workers' comp retaliation.(00:00) Intro(01:29) From Activist to Candidate(02:59) Why Run for Office at 23?(05:42) Why He's a Hard No on Question 8(10:40) How Campaigns Decide Which Doors to Knock(13:47) The Home of Gerrymandering(15:18) The Ballot Questions That Didn't Make It(20:33) Only One Got 150 Signatures(23:41) Four Terms, Then Out(25:58) His Day-One Bill(27:24) Fired for Weekend Cannabis Use(29:56) Do You Consume?(33:58) What It Really Costs to RunInstagram: @murray4maMore episodes: highfunctioning.show