Ashley Wynn-Grimes is an Author, Cannabis Advocate, and Founder of Cannabis Nursing Solutions. In this conversation, we discuss Ashley’s journey as a nurse including how her disillusionment with the financial incentives behind Big Pharma led her to explore alternative healing modalities and the structure of the endocannabinoid system. We next talk about Ashley’s journey as an author and writing the book Stigmatized. Then, we discuss ways for healthcare professions to research cannabis and how to obtain certifications to consult with patients on the medicine. We then consider how to optimize product offerings for patients, rather than just maximizing THC content. From there we discuss Maryland’s recent legalization of adult-use cannabis, how Ashley expects her home market to develop in the coming years, and the somewhat arbitrary distinction between recreational and medical cannabis. Next, we discuss the recently approved Federal legislation on medical marijuana research and what outcomes Ashley expects to see following its passage. We end talking about Ashley’s children’s book Asa’s Medicine. Please enjoy!

Check out the resources mentioned:

- Stigmatized: A Hero’s Journey by Ashley Wynn-Grimes: https://www.amazon.com/Stigmatized-Heros-Journey-Ashley-Wynn-Grimes/dp/1637903472

- Asa’s Medicine by Ashley Wynn-Grimes: https://www.amazon.com/Asas-Medicine-Hardback-Ashley-Wynn-Grimes/dp/0578790661?ref_=ast_sto_dp

- Cannabis Nursing Solutions: https://cannanursingsolutions.mykajabi.com/

In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Eric Hammond (CEO & Co-Founder of Highsman) sits down with Jordan Youkilis (KEY Investment Partners Founding Partner) to talk about the creation of Ricky Williams, Highsman brand, their growth strategy and how Highsman plans to become a household name. This conversation starts with an overview of Eric’s journey into the cannabis industry, the creation story behind his brand, Highsman, and how Eric met his Co-Founder, Former NFL Running Back, Ricky Williams. The talk continues a deep dive into Ricky Williams’ personal journey with cannabis and how his personal connection led to the creation of Highsman, a multi-state cannabis licensing and apparel business. The conversation continues by talking through the strategic growth plan of Highsman, and how they’ve successfully navigated the tough market conditions of the cannabis industry. The talk closes with a brief overview of Highsmans strategy to attract other high caliber, influential athletes.

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In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Peggy Van De Plassche (Author, Speaker, & Psychedelics advocate) sits down with Jordan Youkilis (KEY Investment Partners Founding Partner) to discuss psychedelic medicine, it’s value in improving mental health, and the importance for continued exploration regarding the value this new wave of medicine provides patients. This conversation starts with an overview of Peggy's journey from the financial services industry to becoming a mental health and psychedelic advocate who leverages writing and public speaking to educate others. From there, Peggy and Jordan speak to Peggy’s exposure to Psilocybin and how those experiences shaped her personal outlook, improved her day to day and led to her own re-evaluation of “medicine”. The talk continues with perspectives on the future of psychedelic medicine when it comes to government approval and large scale patient access. The conversation wraps up with profound experiences Peggy’s pulled from her journey with psychedelics and how having a clear intention during these trips increased her ability to process past traumas.

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In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Jasper Gallo (Director of Corporate Development at PharmaCann) and Jeremy Nelson (Associate Director of Corporate Development at PharmaCann) sit down with Jordan Youkilis (KEY Investment Partners Founding Partner) to discuss current and future state of cannabis M&A, and PharmaCann's growth strategy through organic license wins along with acquisitions. This conversation starts with Jasper and Jeremys individual journeys towards cannabis, their path into PharmaCann along with a high level overview of PharmaCann. From there, Jasper, Jeremy and Jordan cover some of the advantages scale provides cannabis businesses and speak to how PharmaCann has grown, through a mix of organic license wins through application processes as well as through M&A. The talk continues with Jasper and Jeremy's perspectives on the current state of cannabis M&A in regards to the falling valuations of cannabis business' and what impact the overall economy has on cannabis M&A transactions. The conversation wraps up with Jasper and Jeremys thoughts on markets with an uncapped amount of licenses, the value of building a market presence in limited license states and unlimited license states, and how potential federal changes impact the M&A and investment side of cannabis. Please enjoy!

In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Mara Sheldon (Senior Policy Advisor at Squire Patton Boggs) sits down with Tiby Erdely (Founding Partner at KEY Investment Partners) to discuss political hurdles and opportunities facing the cannabis space in light of recent political wins. This conversation begins with Mara's background and her perspectives on the current state of cannabis policy following Biden's recent announcements including the potential rescheduling of cannabis and the pardoning of thousands of low level federal cannabis convictions. From there, Mara speaks to the various levels of federal drug scheduling, and how 280E, a tax law that only applies to federally illicit businesses like cannabis, could change after the rescheduling of cannabis. The talk continues as the pair discuss opportunities that the Safe Banking and CLIMB acts open up for the cannabis industry, and how this could fuel rapid growth for the industry by dropping the cost of capital. This episode concludes with Mara's predictions on the future of cannabis and steps ahead that could lead to eventual federal legalization.  Please enjoy!

In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Russell Stanley (Managing Director of Equity Research at Beacon Securities Limited) and Tiby Erdely (KEY Founding Partner) discuss the evolution of cannabis from early Canadian LP's to today's US based MSO's, the future of cannabis legalization in the US, and the impact of Biden's recent cannabis announcements on the state of the industry. This conversation starts with Russells experience in equity research and he's shift in focus towards cannabis in 2016. From there, Russell and Tiby speak to the continued maturing US based MSO's have shown and their evolution towards being a more "traditional business" that can be judge by margins rather than less tangible growth factors. The talk continues by diving into the funding differences Canadian LP's and US Based MSO's have faced and how the "bootstrapped" nature of US operations has forced leaner business growth. Conversation shifts from here towards Biden's recent announcement around pardoning minor cannabis offences, the potential for cannabis rescheduling and the impact of this shift on Safe Banking. The conversation wraps up with perspectives on the path towards federal legalization and advice from Russell on how to navigate the ever changing future or cannabis. Please enjoy!

In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, David Culver (VP of Global Government Affairs at Canopy Growth) and Tiby Erdely (KEY Founding Partner) discuss the breath of Canopy Growths operations, the current and future state of the cannabis industry, and some meaningful actions Congress could take to support the cannabis industry. This conversation starts with David's journey into cannabis government relations and an overview of Canopy Growths business structure, current footprint, and future acquisitions pending US federal legalization. From there, David and Tiby speak to the current state of the public cannabis markets and the expanding future opportunity cannabis represents. The talk continues by diving into the current bills and initiatives being pushed forward through the US Congress. The conversation wraps up with importance of Safe Banking for cannabis businesses and advice from David on how cannabis businesses can survive in the current capital markets environment.

If you're interested in getting involved in cannabis reform efforts please head to: www.uscc.org

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In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Brandon Johnson (CEO of TRP) sits down with Jordan Youkilis (KEY Investment Partners Founding Partner) to discuss how TRP has evolved into a retail powerhouse through working with legacy brands and championing social equity efforts. This conversation starts with Brandons path towards cannabis and how he got the inspiration for TRP's business model of partnering with legacy brands and leveraging retail locations to scale those brands. From there, Brandon and Jordan speak to the hurdles behind social equity applications and how TRP has effectively navigated the licensing process to enable social equity brands success. The talk continues with Brandons perspectives on future retail trends across the evolving US Marketing. The conversation wraps up with thoughts around the value of retail dispensaries and cannabis delivery as our nation pushes towards more open markets and eventual legalization.

For more information around TRP please reach out to: [email protected]

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In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Jason Brett (CEO and Co-Founder of Katalys) sits down with Tiby Erdely (KEY Investment Partners Founding Partner) to discuss the ever evolving importance of accurate and effective marketing tools and how Katalys' affiliate attribution tool is prepared for the future of marketing. This conversation begins with Jason's passion of marketing and that passion evolving into a passion for marketing technology. From there, Jason speaks to the founding story of RevOffers (now Katalys) and its journey from being a CBD affiliate network into an industry agnostic affiliate shopping tool. The talk continues by discussing the unique accuracy of Katalys affiliate attribution tool, it's increasing importance when it comes to "the cookie apocalypse", and the difference between first party and third party data collectors. This episode concludes by highlighting the importance of marketing tools providing a seamless consumer experience and how ease of use is vital to converting customers. Please enjoy!

In this episode of Cannabis Unlocked, Chris Yetter (Founder and Portfolio Manager of Dumont Global) sits down with Jordan Youkilis (KEY Investment Partners Founding Partner) to discuss what to look for in sound cannabis investments, the hurdles of investing in US cannabis businesses and things to look for when shorting selling. This conversation starts with Chris' path from short selling fraudulent or illegal businesses in Latin and South America to his journey towards investing in legal cannabis businesses. From there, Chris and Jordan speak to the investment flexibility Dumont Global has as a hedge fund along with the headaches that come along with establishing a fund and investing in cannabis. The talk continues with Chris' perspectives on the future of US based cannabis-touching businesses in relation to their access to capital and legislative change. This episode concludes with Chris' breakdown of the US market not being one single market rather than many markets that need to be navigated independently. Please enjoy!