In this episode of Cannabis Man, host Don Kleppin sits down with Ryan Crandall of Nature’s Heritage to discuss the brand’s launch into Illinois and the warm reception it’s received from patients and consumers. Ryan reflects on honoring the legacy of cannabis before legalization, gives credit to those who paved the way, and shares insights into building a trusted brand in a competitive market.

For the first time publicly, Ryan announces that Nature’s Heritage is entering the edibles space with an innovative capsule blending cannabis and functional mushrooms—a product designed to expand benefits and redefine wellness.

Listeners will hear about:

• Nature’s Heritage’s arrival and success in Illinois

• The importance of honoring cannabis legacy and culture

• The company’s first edible capsule combining cannabis with functional mushrooms

• What this innovation means for the future of cannabis products

Whether you’re a patient, consumer, or industry insider, this episode offers valuable perspective on heritage, innovation, and the next evolution of cannabis.

After a two-month hiatus, The Cannabis Man Podcast returns with personal updates and fresh insights from the Illinois cannabis scene. Host Don Kleppin shares what’s been happening off the mic—moving across Chicago for more family space, starting a new job, and settling into a new schedule. Don covers upcoming cannabis events in Illinois, highlights standout products and dispensaries, and then sits down with Aspen Noonan, CEO of Elevate Holistics. Together, they discuss why cannabis education is essential, the life-changing benefits of becoming a certified medical cannabis patient, Aspen’s rapid rise to CEO, and the shared experiences of navigating new parenthood while working in the industry. The episode closes with a reflective High Haiku.

This week on Cannabis Man, Don celebrates two years of wedded bliss and a recent cannabis event with a packed episode full of flavor, facts, and fire strains. He dives into High Minded Food Pairings, spotlighting unusual but delicious snack combos and pondering why Cheez-Its are so damn addictive.

Have a favorite munchie snack or pairing of your own? Call or text 872-269-2403.

Don also reviews a Korner Boys Gusher strain preroll and shares some eye-opening cannabis news, including a survey that busts the lazy stoner myth: cannabis users are nearly 5x more likely to exercise regularly than eat fast food.

Then it’s off to Arkansas, where the state reports strong cannabis sales while the governor vetoes a bill to allow dispensary drive-thru windows.

Don also interviews Nick Rinella, CEO of Hippos in Missouri, a cannabis company co-founded by former NHL stars!

If you're in Chicago, Don also recommends checking out the delicious creations from Lyon Legacy Cookie Company.

This week on Cannabis Man, host Don Kleppin highlights the bustling Chicago cannabis scene with upcoming brunch events, the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, and the Chi High Afters party. He also reviews a new-to-Illinois brand, Nature’s Heritage, and its flavorful hybrid flower strain, Lilac Diesel.

In the news:

• A potential federal ban on intoxicating hemp products

• North Carolina’s governor backs legalization and forms a bipartisan planning committee

• Connecticut cracks down on illicit cannabis sales

• Jack Daniel’s CEO admits legal cannabis is cutting into alcohol profits

Don also sits down with Tony Schor, Chairman of the Cannabis Hall of Fame, for a wide-ranging conversation. They talk about Tony’s start in Chicago PR, the normalization of cannabis in professional life, insights into cannabis mergers & acquisitions, and why patience is essential as the industry matures. Tony shares his take on Illinois’ high taxes, premium product quality, and why East Coast markets are booming. Plus, a sneak peek into the Cannabis Hall of Fame exhibit at Planet 13 in Las Vegas.

In this episode of Cannabis Man, host Don Kleppin shares some personal joy, giving a heartfelt shout-out to his cousin’s wedding and a birthday salute to his twin sisters. Then, it's a deep dive into the latest cannabis news: a pivotal legal case that could bring the federal cannabis ban before the U.S. Supreme Court, a controversial bill in New Jersey that could re-criminalize certain cannabis transactions, and an intriguing proposal to use cannabis tax revenue to fund Universal Basic Income for Americans.

Don also reviews three unique gummies from Extract Labs, including a high-CBD Strawberry, a balanced Sour Apple (5mg CBD/THC), and a THC-free Citrus flavor featuring 50mg of calming kavalactones.

Later, Don welcomes fellow cannabis podcaster Pat Helmers of The Cannabis Advocate Podcast for a crossover interview. Together, they discuss the ongoing stigma, what excites them about the cannabis space, and what podcasting has taught them along the way.

In this episode of Cannabis Man, host Don Kleppin shares personal updates from Chicagoland as he prepares for a big family move and reflects on birthday wishes from listeners. He also shares his excitement for Season 4 of The Bear, especially after working on set as a background actor during filming earlier this year.

Don reviews a lineup of cannabis beverages from Texas-based brand Howdy, including their lemonade, Paloma, Ranch Water, Sweet Tea, and the bold cinnamon-spiced Howdy Hooch. Then, he welcomes Adam Wilks and Ryan Burke, CEO and COO of Tyson 2.0, to talk about their company’s international expansion—starting with South Africa—and their bold vision to bring Tyson products to every country on Earth.

In the news segment, Don covers:

• The DEA’s controversial claim linking cannabis to psychosis more than meth

• A Justice Department plan to reschedule cannabis without DEA support

• The staggering $25 billion states have collected from legal cannabis sales

• Albuquerque issuing direct checks from cannabis tax funds

• The Czech Republic moving to legalize home grows and personal possession

• A deep dive into terpenes best known to ease anxiety

He closes with a fresh High Haiku and encourages listeners to call or text with thoughts, feedback, or suggestions at (872) 269-2403.

In this summer-kickoff episode of Cannabis Man, host Don Kleppin celebrates Memorial Day weekend, his birthday, and the third anniversary of the podcast. He shares favorite warm-weather traditions, plans for the weekend, and reviews a new Mandarin Pomelo THC seltzer from WYNK along with a CBD patch from Neno’s Naturals.

This week’s guest is Michael Sassano, CEO of Somai Pharmaceuticals, who breaks down the global growth of medical cannabis and the challenges of regulation across continents. From Germany and Thailand to Spain and France, Sassano details the rise of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis and predicts a sweeping medical adoption over the next five years.

Don also wraps the week’s top cannabis headlines: a THC ban bill in Texas, how tariffs may hit cannabis supply chains, and an update on rescheduling delays reportedly tied to the DEA. He ends on a hopeful note with news that daily CBD use may curb alcohol cravings, and, of course, a brand new High Haiku.

Summer’s almost here, and Cannabis Man is celebrating sunshine, mothers, and plant-powered healing. Don kicks off the show with a warm tribute to moms—especially his own and his wife—before diving into reviews of Strawberry CBD Gummies from Extract Labs and Sleep Formula gummies from TribeTokes.

This week’s guest, Ian McGann, shares his remarkable journey of survival after a brain stem stroke. In a powerful and emotional interview, Ian details what happened, what he’s learned, and how cannabis played a key role in his recovery and spiritual growth.

In the news wrap:

• An Arizona lab flagged for major testing violations

• A federal agency calls for standardized cannabis drying

• New research on cannabis and cognitive decline prevention

• A Swiss study links legalization with lower “problematic use”

• GreenState’s new Consumers’ Choice Awards—now accepting nominations

Don closes with a High Haiku and invites listeners to call or text the show at 872-269-2403 with ideas, feedback, or guest suggestions.

This week on Cannabis Man, host Don Kleppin opens up about his May the 4th traditions, the growing cultural impact of Star Wars Day, and a personal reflection on a late friend who shared the same birthday. Don responds to listener mail with a passionate take on the phrase “do your own research” and the importance of scientific consensus.

In product reviews, Don shares his thoughts on gummies from Hometown Hero and Flower Union, and Brawler Blunts from Tyson 2.0.

The featured guest is cannabis attorney Lauren Rudick of Rudick Law Group. She shares her early cannabis education from her parents, insights as a recovering litigator, and the murky legal waters separating cannabis from hemp. Rudick also offers practical advice for potential investors in the space.

Plus, cannabis news updates: – DEA nominee says cannabis rescheduling is a top priority – How legal weed may shape the U.S. economy in 2025 – A suspected arsonist targets Illinois dispensaries – West Coast flower showing up in NY shelves illegally – Two new cannabinoids discovered in South Korea

All that, plus this week’s High Haiku.

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In this episode of Cannabis Man, host Don Kleppin opens with a reflective story about a family trip to Chicago’s Jackson Park during cherry blossom season, including a visit to the serene Osaka Garden. He shares a live review of Fable’s Into the Woods botanical cannabis beverage, featuring hints of stone fruit, pine, and rosemary.

Don’s expert guest is Kirsten Velasco, author and creator of VapenProp, a cannabis vaping tool designed to solve key issues with portable vape use. Kirsten shares her personal journey with cannabis, the failure of prohibition, and the cannabis vs. hemp distinction.

Also in this episode: Don reviews Hometown Hero’s pomegranate raspberry gummies, updates from Illinois' medical cannabis portal, news from Missouri’s booming cannabis market, rising cannabis use among seniors, a groundbreaking cancer-focused medical cannabis study, and a new study reveals which state has the best cannabis cultivation conditions!

The episode wraps with a reflective High Haiku inspired by the beauty and balance of nature within the city.

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