Grassroots Marketing

Hear about Excelsior's Cannabis Control Program Helping Identify Employer Needs as we learn from Gretchen Schmidt, Faculty Program Director Criminal Justice and Cannabis Control at Excelsior University.

Gretchen is an attorney who is well-versed in the regulatory side of the cannabis industry. Consulting with industry experts, she helped to build the curriculum for Excelsior's Cannabis Control certificate.

We learn about their Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Control program, offering an unique interdisciplinary approach preparing students to converse with policymakers, industry leaders, proprietors, and other stakeholders across the many professions that the cannabis industry touches. All while developing your critical thinking skills and deepening your knowledge base to understanding the impact of cannabis legalization in our communities, states, and nation.

We learn the latest findings on When Consumers Choose Cannabis and CBD with Carmen Brace, Chief Data Evangelist, Aclara.

Aclara Research, an emerging cannabis and wellness trends consulting firm, released the results of a year-long study examining cannabis and CBD usage habits among consumers. The company partnered with Ipsos, a global research and polling company to deliver a syndicated segmentation study of 1,000 consumers to capture the role of cannabis and CBD in Americans’ evolving approach to mental and physical well-being.

Aclara then continued the study independently to develop the “Cannabis Occasion Diaries” - the first longitudinal study of 3,000 people capturing over 10,0000 occasions to quantify the full spectrum of how, why, when and where cannabis and CBD are chosen, and what products they are replacing. The “Occasion Diaries” are the first and only body of diary-based cannabis insights spanning wellness, social and health occasions, with future implications for traditional consumer goods, cannabis, and healthcare manufacturers.

The syndicated study and “Occasion Diaries” provide CPG, cannabis and healthcare companies an opportunity to examine why consumers choose non-traditional products to improve wellness across occasions and need states.

Grassroots Marketing speaks with Amber Craig, Chief Merchandising Officer at FOUR20 and how they are Approaching Cannabis in a Socially Responsible Manner.

Amber Craig has over 20 years of experience in the media and journalism industry. Prior to working at FOUR20, Amber ran a marketing company, working with over 100 companies on brand strategy. She has worked extensively in real estate and is a Co-Founder and Board Chair of an Alberta-based charity as well. Amber started working with 420 Clinic in 2013 as a marketing consultant and In September 2017, she joined the company full-time as the VP of Marketing. In 2020, she was promoted to Chief Marketing Officer.

Learn about Esports Athletes Using CBD for Joint and Muscle Pain as we speak with John Vuckovich, co-founder of AmourCBD.

Many Esports athletes tend to experience back pain, tennis elbow, muscle weakness, and stress. 4 out of every 10 esports athletes complain about joint and muscle pain. 3 out of every 10 athletes also report back pain. 

AmourCBD was one of the first CBD companies to get FDA registration on their products. AmourCBD offers gummies, tinctures, and creams that will 

•  Helps you keep calm and relaxed
•  Reduces stress & anxiety while playing
•  It helps heal common injuries such as tennis elbow
• Can help boost cognitive performance

Amour CBD is at the forefront of medical-grade, 100% THC free CBD products including:

• Advanced CBD cream, the only CBD cream available today that is manufactured in a FDA-registered facility and absorbs quickly to deliver 200mg of the highest quality broad-spectrum CBD into joints and muscles. 
• Soft Gel Capsules with 25mg of water-soluble hemp oil along with naturally present terpenes in an easy-to-swallow, tasteless form, all natural 
• Natural fruit-flavored CBD Gummies, 10mg of broad-spectrum CBD with all-natural coloring and fruit flavors of lemon, grape, and orange with no artificial sweeteners or THC
• CBD Tinctures, available in two dosages -- 500mg CBD or 1500mg CBD

Grassroots Marketing speaks with Jane (CEO) and David Sandelman (CMO) of Cannatrol, the disruptive innovator in precision cannabis drying and curing systems about their new patent.

“Cannatrol’s patented technology takes the guesswork out of cannabis drying and curing to the benefit of growers, processors and end-users,” said David Sandelman, Chief Engineer at Cannatrol and a serial technology innovator. “Cannatrol eliminates the risk of over-drying. The precise environmental control overcomes the challenge of processing in all types of environments including moist coastal air and dry mountain climates. The Cannatrol System addresses the poor quality, and low profitability often found in the cannabis finishing process and replaces it with precise environmental control, proven science, and plug and play technology.”

 Drying, curing, and storing ready-to-market legal cannabis is plagued by over-drying, inconsistent quality, waste, mold, sub-optimal profitability, and an overall inconsistent consumer experience. Over-drying results in significant declines in production revenue, while controlled, proper post-harvest management can boost margins by as much as 5 percent.

 The Cannatrol™ Dry/Cure system provides a controlled, repeatable, chemical- and heat-free drying and curing solution, resulting in superior terpene retention, consistent-quality, visually appealing cannabis products for all regulated medical and recreational applications. The Cannatrol system helps producers deliver a premium product, highly differentiated from competitors. 

 Since launching in the cannabis market in 2019, more than 1,500 Cannatrol commercial and individual user units are in operation in 48 US states and 8 countries.  

 VT Dry & Cure Technologies, Inc., owners of Cannatrol and the Vaportrol® Technology, now hold one patent, one allowed patent awaiting publication, and one additional patent underway for its drying and curing processes and products. International applications also are in-process in the EU, New Zealand and Australia. 

Cannabis Pardons Expungement Panel From The 5th Annual Cannabis Opportunities Conference’s 3rd Annual Black Cannabis Week powered by the Diasporic Alliance for Cannabis Opportunities.

Governor Tom Wolf and Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman recently announced a deadline of September 30, 2022 for those applying for a pardon for a select minor, non-violent marijuana criminal conviction as part of a one-time expedited process through the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons. 

So far, more than 1,600 people have already applied for a pardon through the PA Marijuana Pardon Project. Here to discuss the progress of this project are Luis Gonzalez, Celeste Trusty, the Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania and 2022 Gubernatorial Candidate John Fetterman….and the moderator of the panel, Pennsylvania State Senator Sharif Street.

Cannabis Policy Forum from The 5th Annual Cannabis Opportunities Conference’s 3rd Annual Black Cannabis Week powered by the Diasporic Alliance for Cannabis Opportunities.

A panel of prominent political leaders present our Cannabis Policy Forum, where they discuss ending cannabis prohibition at the State and Federal level and the prioritization of Social Equity and Expungement. 

Scheduled Panelists were:

Jordan Harris

Darisha Parker

Chris Rabb

Derek Green

United States Senator Cory Booker…and the moderator of the panel, Pennsylvania State Senator Sharif Street.

The Cannabis Opportunities Conference promotes awareness of educational, wellness and economic opportunities throughout the diaspora, to create a healthy and equalized cannabis community. 

We speak with the author of Don't Let It Smoke You: How to Create a Nontoxic Relationship with Cannabis, Tarris Batiste.

Tarris Batiste explains: "I'm originally from Irvine, California but I was born and bred in Cartersville, Georgia. My life has always revolved around sports. However, throughout my journey I always knew I wanted more. Shortly after my professional football career ended, I transitioned into searching for opportunities of significance.

Unknowingly I had found my entrepreneurial side and began to use my story to build something I believed could help others. Throughout my time in athletics I battled with smoking which inspired me to write about finding balance during my journey of growth. My story is a cautionary tale turned into a system that I believe can give a different perspective to allow others to learn the power of conquering struggles at a steady pace.

The legalization of cannabis has seen a spike in recent years and luckily for me it coincides with my personal story and is the subject of my first, original book called “Don’t Let it Smoke You.” This being my first book I wanted to tell my story while addressing the “weed wave” that is already taking over the world. The book is divided into two parts. Part One tells of my childhood, how I started smoking, and my sports career. Part Two is the science and health facts of the cannabis industry, the future of legalization, and a system to improve.

I have managed to overcome the pitfalls others weren’t able to. I've seen friends turn to another life while treating cannabis as their number one priority. I don't believe in telling people how to think, but simply providing them with tools to have the ability to do so.

I describe my struggle with playing football in a small town, learning differently, and marching to the beat of my own drum. I was in the spotlight a majority of my life, all while I continued to smoke heavily. I’ve realized how smoking affects me personally, as well as those close to me. The consistent behaviors had become more harmful than helpful.

The smoke didn’t clear for me until I brought my private life into the public. That's when the impact revealed itself. Those around me thought I had it all together because of my degrees and my NFL opportunities. I felt like a misfit being a jock for most of my life and wanting to pursue different business ventures while most told me I should stick to my physical talent.

I researched as much as I could and interviewed people/organizations from the pro cannabis lifestyle to those opposing sides. The unifying factor is money. I explored the slight economic enhancements from the greed of pharmaceutical companies to what it takes to grow yourself. I aim to inform my audience of the stipulations of using cannabis in a positive way but not allowing the negative aspects of smoking rule their life while also promoting free choice.

“Don’t Let it Smoke You” is my life, it shows some of my most memorable experiences that shaped me into the man I am today. I want this book to offer people a new opportunity and new perspective.

The Bubby in Bubby’s Finest Cannabis Revealed as we speak with Founder of Bubby’s Finest Cannabis .

Bubby’s Finest: A lifestyle cannabis brand founded by Adam Zats in 2019. The brand was inspired by Adams’ mother, Helene, who recently passed away from lung cancer.

In Helene’s last few months of life, she took to cannabis to help relieve her pain associated with the grueling radiation and chemo treatments she was undergoing due to her cancer diagnosis.

A percentage of proceeds from sales will go directly to The Lung Cancer Research Foundation Of New York to help fund lung cancer research.

The brand's mission is to help relieve pain for all who need it to make the world happier and healthier.

 Zats has been infatuated with the cannabis industry since he was a young adult studying in California for university where medical cannabis was legal at the time. While spending time in California, Adam took to the cannabis industry for work and it quickly became his passion.

 Bubby’s Finest came to fruition in 2019. The name Bubby’s Finest is inspired by Zats’s late grandmother and mother, both of whom were called “Bubby”, which is the Yiddish word for “grandmother”. Adam’s mother was unfortunately taken from his family too soon at the age of 59 by Stage IV Lung Cancer in 2020. While the cancer was aggressive and a tough fight, cannabis brought smiles and relief to Zats’s mother during this time. As an ode to his mother and grandmother, Bubby’s Finest Cannabis was born.

Lorenzo was a business analyst for Fortune 100 corporations, is now Co-founder & Director at a mental health facility, and VP of a vocational college. He’s a phenomenal thought leader within the black community and across all demographics of the region. 

He’s driven by his sincere focus on the dire state of Camden, NJ, and works to improve the lives of those living there, who he says are dear to his heart— the underprivileged, jobless, unskilled, and those needing mental healthcare. 

Lorenzo McFadden is a 20-year veteran community leader and human services advocate who co-founded two New Jersey-based services organizations. An alumnus of Morehouse College with Fortune 100 experience, McFadden’s impactful programming has played an integral role in helping local school systems provide subsidized and grant-sponsored mental health services.

In addition to serving as Director of Operations at The Thrive Network, McFadden has also led American Training Center to the only federally approved apprenticeship program for certified medical assistants in South Jersey. American Training Center has also been awarded PACE, GAINS, and Upskills grants from the NJ Department of Labor. In partnership with The Thrive Network, they have trained and certified over 1000 workers in NJ in Mental Health First Aid.

Lorenzo McFadden is also a member of the Human Services Advisory Council for Cape May county and a Board of Trustee member of the Community Planning and Advocacy Council.