Cultural High

Josh Kesselman, the founder of RAW, discusses the importance of supporting legacy operators in the cannabis industry and the work being done by the Justice Foundation. He emphasizes the need to uplift and empower those who have been affected by the criminalization of cannabis and highlights the entrepreneurial skills and community connections that legacy operators bring to the industry. Kesselman also shares his personal experiences with the legal system and his belief in the healing properties of cannabis.

The cannabis industry has seen significant growth and acceptance in recent years, with the legalization of marijuana spreading across the United States. While the West Coast initially dominated the legal cannabis market, the East Coast has quickly caught up, with many states implementing some form of legal marijuana, whether for medical or recreational use. However, as the industry expands, it is crucial to ensure that regulations and testing standards are in place to guarantee the safety and quality of cannabis products.

Nova Analytical Labs, a leading analytical testing facility, was founded to provide accurate and reliable testing services to the cannabis industry. Barry Chaffin, the Co-Founder and COO of Nova Analytical Labs, has a background in analytical chemistry and a passion for cannabis. He saw the need for testing services in the growing market and decided to fill that gap.

In the book Courage and Cannabis, Dr. Bridget Cole Williams explores the transformative power of cannabis through the personal stories of visionaries, patients, and advocates. As a board-certified physician specializing in family practice and cannabis medicine, Dr. Williams brings a unique perspective to the conversation surrounding medical cannabis. In this thought-provoking interview, she shares her own journey into the cannabis space and highlights the stories that have inspired her work.

Dr. Williams begins by sharing her personal motivation for entering the field of medicine. Having experienced the loss of her father to colon cancer at a young age, she developed a deep desire to protect and advocate for patients. However, her experience working in a traditional medical setting left her feeling disillusioned. It was a patient's question about cannabis that sparked her interest and led her down a path of discovery.

In this episode, we have David Miller, representing Flow Gardens, a leading hemp cultivation company based in Tennessee. David shares his journey and insights into the world of high-quality cannabis production. David Miller, the co-founder of Flow Gardens, has always been driven by a desire to make a positive impact on people's lives. After a successful career in the financial industry, he realized that money alone couldn't bring him fulfillment. He wanted to focus on health and happiness, which led him to the world of cannabis cultivation.

In a market flooded with subpar products and manipulative advertising, Flow Gardens stands out for its unwavering commitment to quality. David emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong reputation and building trust with customers and regulators. One of the recent trends in the cannabis industry is the popularity of THCA, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in hemp. David sheds light on the THCA craze and its impact on the market.

Erik Christiansen is a renowned cannabis photographer who has captured the beauty and essence of the plant through his lens. With a career spanning over a decade, he has worked on various projects, including the highly acclaimed books "Green: A Field Guide to Marijuana" and "Higher: The Lore, Legends, and Legacy of Cannabis." In this interview, Erik shares his love for cannabis and his journey as a photographer in the industry.

Erik's love for cannabis began when he first experienced the unique qualities of a strain called Granddaddy Purple. When Erik first started photographing cannabis, he faced the challenge of capturing the intricate details of the plant. To overcome this limitation, Erik delved into focus stacking, a technique that involves taking multiple images at different focus points and combining them to create a photo with a wider range of focus. He invested in specialized gear, such as flash and extension tubes, to enhance his photography. Erik even acquired computer-controlled macro focus rails to automate the process and capture the finest details of the plant.

In recent years, the cannabis industry has experienced a significant shift in public perception and acceptance. What was once stigmatized as a recreational drug is now being recognized for its potential medicinal benefits. As the industry evolves, new innovations are emerging, pushing the boundaries of what cannabis can offer. One such breakthrough is the development of a synthetic analog of THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. In this article, we will explore the potential of this synthetic THC and its implications for the future of cannabis.

During a recent podcast episode, we had the opportunity to speak with Erez Aminov and Dr. Adam Kaplin, representatives of Mira Pharmaceuticals, an early-stage life science company. They are currently developing a novel synthetic THC analog called Mira One A. This drug candidate is designed to address anxiety and cognitive impairment, two common issues faced by patients who use THC for medicinal purposes. Mira One A aims to provide a safer alternative for seniors experiencing cognitive decline.

Dr. Robert Silver, a veterinarian with expertise in alternative therapies, discusses the use of medicinal mushrooms and cannabis for pets. He introduces Real Mushrooms, a Canadian company that specializes in growing and processing medicinal mushrooms under USDA organic standards. Dr. Silver explains the difference between real mushrooms and powdered grain and mycelium products that are often sold as mushrooms. He also highlights the importance of quality control and testing in ensuring the potency and concentration of mushroom-based products.

Dr. Silver shares his journey into exploring alternative therapies for animals, which began with his interest in plants and herbal medicine. He explains how conventional medications may not always be effective or have harsh side effects for certain chronic conditions in pets. He discusses the benefits and potential harm of using cannabis for pets, emphasizing the sensitivity of dogs to THC and the importance of responsible use.

Dr. Robert Silver is a veterinarian with extensive experience in alternative therapies for animals. He has a background in herbal and other types of medicines and has been exploring the use of alternative therapies for pets for over 30 years. Dr. Silver is passionate about using natural substances, such as medicinal mushrooms and cannabis, to help pets heal and improve their well-being.

Alleh Lindquist is the CEO of Floraworks, a company focused on cannabinoid therapeutics for health and wellness. With a background in chemistry, Alleh and her team have been working on developing a pathway to produce CBN at scale. They are dedicated to unlocking the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids and understanding how they interact with the human body.

Alleh Lindquist, the CEO of Floraworks, discusses the company's focus on cannabinoid therapeutics for health and wellness. They have been working on developing a pathway to produce CBN at scale and have conducted studies to validate its efficacy as a natural sleep aid. The results showed that 50 milligrams of CBN had a significant effect on improving sleep compared to a placebo and even outperformed melatonin. Flora Works sees CBN as a disruptor in the market, offering a new option for those who have not found relief from existing sleep aids.

Nate Siegel, VP of Operations for Ocho Extracts, joins the show to discuss his journey in the hemp-based cannabinoid industry. He shares how he got involved in the space and the challenges of staying relevant in a rapidly changing industry. Nate explains the science behind Delta Eight and other cannabinoids and how they can produce psychotropic effects similar to THC. He also discusses the evolution of extraction methods and the importance of formulating products correctly. 

Nate highlights Ocho Extracts' success with their Obliterate line, which combines multiple cannabinoids for a potent and enjoyable high. He emphasizes the importance of quality hardware and the advancements in coil technology. Nate attributes the fast-paced growth of the market to the federal legality of hemp-based products and the competitive nature of the industry.

Nate Siegel is the VP of Operations for Ocho Extracts, a hemp-based cannabinoid company located in Orange County, California. With over three and a half years of experience in the industry, Nate has witnessed the ever-changing landscape of the cannabis and hemp space. He is passionate about the industry and enjoys the challenges and opportunities it presents.

Assad and Razia, founders of ZAR Wellness, share their personal experiences with chronic insomnia and rheumatoid arthritis and how hemp-derived CBD products transformed their lives. They emphasize the importance of knowing the source of CBD products and providing quality and safe options for consumers. ZAR Wellness has 24 locations across Texas, offering a welcoming and educational environment for customers to explore the benefits of hemp-derived cannabis. Their team of Certified Cannabis Consultants provides personalized guidance and follows up with clients to ensure their needs are met.

Assad and Razia are the founders of ZAR Wellness, a Texas-based company specializing in premium CBD, THC, and hemp alternative products. Assad, a combat medic in the army, was diagnosed with chronic insomnia and struggled with the side effects of prescription pills until he discovered hemp-derived CBD products. Razia, with a background in pharmaceutical biotech, also suffered from chronic rheumatoid arthritis and found relief through hemp-derived cannabinoids. Together, they started ZAR Wellness to provide high-quality products and raise the standard in Texas.