Derek Cloutier is the president and co-founder of the New England Veterans Alliance, a non-profit organization that helps veterans reduce their dependency on pharmaceuticals and advocates on behalf of veterans for improved access to medical cannabis therapies.

In the following interview, Derek joins our host TG Branfalt to talk about the experience of veterans in the U.S., his own story of turning to medical cannabis as a treatment for PTSD, how the New England Veteran’s Alliance — which started as just a local group of veterans — has expanded to a community encompassing all of New England, and more!

Topics covered in this podcast:
https://www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/activism/
https://www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/massachusetts/
https://www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/ptsd/
https://www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/veterans/

For a full transcript: 
https://www.ganjapreneur.com/derek-cloutier-veterans-ptsd-and-medical-cannabis/

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Derek Cloutier: Veterans, PTSD, and Medical Cannabis

Ganjapreneur provides essential daily news and insights to cannabis entrepreneurs, investors, and industry participants. Our podcast lets you hear directly from stakeholders, cultivators, experts, and activists on the front line of the legal cannabis industry.

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Brian Applegarth is the founder of Applegarth Strategies, an agency that operates at the intersection of cannabis and travel. He's also the head of the Cannabis Travel Association, leads the Cannabis and Task Force for the California Travel Association and Destinations International, serves as an industry consultant, and holds a certification as a Ganjier cannabis sommelier—a man of many talents and extensive expertise. In this episode, host TG Branfalt connects with Applegarth to explore the evolving landscape of cannabis tourism, delve into the unique challenges and opportunities within the industry, and revisit how the landscape has transformed since Brian's last visit to the show.

Brian Applegarth: How Cannabis Tourism is Evolving With Legalization

This episode of The Ganjapreneur Podcast features Tara Rosenblum, an investigative reporter for News 12, who has recently released a compelling documentary titled "Cannabis Contest." The documentary offers an in-depth look at the social equity aspects of cannabis licensing in New York City, showcasing the challenges and triumphs of hopeful licensees within the evolving legal landscape -- including another previous guest on the show, Jeremy Rivera. With nearly two decades of investigative reporting experience in the New York City market, Tara explores the community dynamics and the critical issues affecting residents and aspiring entrepreneurs. This episode dives into the complexities of cannabis policy, personal journeys of license applicants, and the broader societal implications as cannabis goes from underground economy to regulated business.

Tara Rosenblum: Reporting on New York's Cannabis Licensing Quagmire

The Ganjapreneur Podcast is back! In this episode, host TG Branfalt welcomes Jeremy Rivera, co-founder and CEO of Terp Bros, a dispensary in Astoria, Queens. Rivera, a beneficiary of New York’s Conditional Adult Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) program, shares his journey from the legacy market and facing multiple cannabis convictions to launching his own licensed cannabis business. He goes into detail about the nuances of the CAURD program, the competitive landscape of New York’s cannabis market, and the distinctive approach Terp Bros has taken to distinguish itself amid a sea of dispensaries. He also provides first-hand insight into the entrepreneurial spirit driving New York’s developing legal cannabis industry and the ongoing efforts to rectify past injustices.

Jeremy Rivera: From the Legacy Market to a Licensed Dispensary in New York

For decades, cannabis research in the U.S. was hindered by steep federal requirements, foot-dragging enforcement agencies, and an archaic rule limiting the source of research-grade cannabis to just one cultivator in Mississippi. But thanks to a lawsuit against the DEA by Dr. Sue Sisley MD, a doctor who spent years trying to get federal approval for her study, which sought to investigate the therapeutic effects of cannabis for veterans with PTSD, the path to legitimate cannabis research has never been more clear.

Shane Pennington, the New York-based counsel for Vicente Sederberg LLP, was the attorney who worked pro bono with Dr. Sisley to see that lawsuit to fruition. In this podcast interview, our host TG Branfalt returns to discuss those developments with Shane as well as other significant rulings. Shane also discusses his background and experience from before he joined the cannabis cause, his advice for younger lawyers or law students who are interested in cannabis, and more.

Topics covered in this podcast:
www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/legal-issues
www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/dea
www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/lawsuits
www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/justice-department
www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/usda

For a full transcript:
www.ganjapreneur.com/shane-pennington-suing-the-dea-to-unlock-cannabis-research/

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www.ganjapreneur.com/subscribe/

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Visit our homepage:
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Shane Pennington: Suing the DEA to Unlock Cannabis Research

From transitioning out of a self-described "boring" career in finance to heading one of the East Coast's biggest multistate operators, to eventually moving to California to focus on team- and brand-building for Lowell Farms, few people have experience in the cannabis industry like George Allen.

In the latest Ganjapreneur.com Podcast interview, George and our host TG Branfalt discuss George's exit from a Wall Street finance career to join the cannabis industry, his time as the President of Acreage Holdings (during which he approached the former Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner about endorsing the cannabis legalization movement), as well as the eventual transition from working for an MSO to joining up with the California-focused Lowell Farms. The interview also covers advice for building a strong team in the cannabis space, the differences between medical and recreational cannabis markets, the importance of being passionate about the industry, and more!

Topics covered in this podcast:
www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/california
www.ganjapreneur.com/topic/investing

For a full transcript:
https://www.ganjapreneur.com/george-allen-the-importance-of-team-building-in-cannabis-business/

Subscribe to our newsletter:
www.ganjapreneur.com/subscribe/

Follow us on socials:
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LinkedIn - bit.ly/linkedin_gjpr
Twitter - www.twitter.com/ganjapreneur
YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/ganjapreneur

Visit our homepage:
www.ganjapreneur.com

Derek Cloutier: Veterans, PTSD, and Medical Cannabis

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