Jefferson County’s own Leonard and Neil Volner, co-founders of North Dispensaries, join Tim Pickett and B.E. Dunn to share how they built one of Missouri’s most community-focused cannabis brands. From launching delivery services and pioneering drive-thrus to designing open, light-filled dispensaries that challenge industry norms, the Volners have always done things differently.
We dive into their deep local roots, the evolution of their events — from North Night Out to Food Truck Fridays — and the planning of the first-ever Eastern Missouri cannabis cup and music festival: The North Canna Cup, featuring The Floozies, Afroman, Josh Heinrichs, Aaron Kamm & The One Drops, Gorilla Theory, and more.
Plus, the brothers talk about their new in-house brand Compass, expansion plans, and what it means to keep cannabis culture rooted in the community.

(00:00) Intro & Welcome to North Dispensaries

(01:18) Jefferson County roots & hometown pride

(02:34) Launching cannabis delivery in Missouri

(04:00) Why delivery ended & the high costs of insurance

(06:08) Security challenges & preventing break-ins

(09:44) Industry evolution & changes in security requirements

(10:55) Protecting dispensaries with design & engineering

(15:44) Designing open, welcoming dispensaries

(18:29) Leonard’s engineering background & building from scratch

(23:12) Early rule flexibility & pioneering drive-thrus

(24:38) Hosting community events & North Night Out

(25:29) Launching the North Canna Cup & Music Festival

(30:33) Community-first events & charity partnerships

(31:37) Music lineup highlights & artist connections

(31:53) How the Canna Cup voting works

(34:32) Breaking down “elevations” & judging categories

(38:41) Future expansion plans & staying independent

(40:17) Launching Compass Cannabis brand

(44:33) Testing products & community feedback

(45:13) Event recap & dab bar details

(46:24) What the Volners are listening to

(48:03) Closing thoughts & event details

(50:55) MJ Unpacked promo

Kassie Ferrero wears many hats — central buyer for Local Cannabis in Missouri, co-president of Jaine, and a professional bassist with a deep love for music and community. In this episode, we dive into her path from Maryland’s cannabis market to Kansas City, the growth of Missouri’s cannabis scene, and Jaine’s mission to uplift women and allies in the industry.We cover the upcoming Jaine on the Green Golf Tournament, their new women’s small business grant, why compliance matters, and how music and cannabis intersect in her life. Plus, Kassie shares her favorite bass riffs and current playlist.

In this bonus episode of Greenway Audio Magazine, B.E. Dunn sits down with comedian, musician, and cannabis advocate Ngaio Bealum, along with community leader Brennan England of the St. Louis Cannabis Club and Minorities for Medical Marijuana. They discuss the upcoming Best Medicine Comedy & Dinner Fundraiser in St. Louis, where proceeds support tornado relief efforts through the Joint Effort initiative and Black Men Build. The conversation blends humor with serious insights on cannabis culture, market pressures, and corporate consolidation, as well as the urgent, ongoing recovery needs in North St. Louis. From weed dad jokes to the history of Missouri’s craft cannabis scene, Ngaio and Brennan share how comedy, cannabis, and community action can unite people and drive real change.

Tim and B.E. sit down with John Manlove, CEO and co-founder of Apex Trading, to talk about his Missouri roots, building a lean but powerful cannabis tech company, and expanding into 28 states (plus Puerto Rico). John shares how Apex helps brands and dispensaries streamline wholesale operations, why he’s passionate about staying focused on wholesale solutions, and what makes Missouri’s cannabis market unique. The conversation covers founder challenges, listening to clients, small-team scaling, and the balance between innovation and staying true to your mission. Plus, John calls out some standout Missouri operators and his current music obsessions.

In this episode of Greenway Audio Magazine, Tim and B.E. sit down with Zach McCullough and Annie Macheca, the duo behind Monarch Waste — Missouri’s only compliant cannabis waste service. They dive into the serious (and surprisingly funny) challenge of recycling AIO (All-In-One) vape pens, why “disposable” is a dangerous misnomer, and how Monarch is tackling waste head-on with education, elbow grease, and a whole lot of forearm strength.
The team also discusses Missouri’s regulatory landscape, consumer education, and how every dispensary can take steps toward sustainability today. Featuring shoutouts to Curador, Fifth Meridian, and an unexpected pivot from farming to shredding weed and batteries — this one has it all.

In this episode of Greenway Audio Magazine, Tim and B.E. sit down with Kenya Alexander—writer, speaker, co-founder of Stash Bag Data, and DEI Chair at NCIA—for a vibrant and deeply personal conversation about the cannabis industry.They explore:- Why carpets matter at trade shows (yes, really)- Navigating cannabis entrepreneurship as a mother of three in Texas- How language and accessibility shape DEI success- The mental health toll of building a cannabis business- The real reasons people consume—and how we’re failing to speak their languageIt’s a candid, funny, and thought-provoking conversation packed with practical wisdom, shared struggles, and serious vibes. Plus, Kenya drops some knowledge on how consumer insights can reshape marketing, and the crew gets personal about validation, burnout, and… fly hunting.

(00:00) Intro and secret phrase: Super Excited

(02:11) Carpets at trade shows and why it matters

(05:40) Sound, comfort, and booth energy

(10:00) Kenya’s shift from finance to events

(11:57) DEI work at NCIA: language and access

(15:00) Missouri’s micro license framework

(18:45) Talking about privilege without saying it

(22:00) Localizing DEI conversations

(28:45) How conversations spark new possibilities

(31:02) Getting a job in cannabis doesn't mean giving up

(33:16) The mental toll of entrepreneurship

(36:47) Timeline shift and Stash Bag Data

(39:20) The language gap between brands and consumers

(41:50) Brandon vs the fly

(43:00) Working in cannabis in Texas

(46:51) The PTO weed shirt move

(48:43) Reality TV, Housewives, and Happy Eddie

(51:03) What’s in Kenya’s rotation

(53:29) The Highlight Podcast and pod life

(56:45) Taking compliments and Brandon’s hair reveal

(01:02:00) Compliments for dudes & making adult friends

(01:06:30) Kenya signs off

In this episode of Greenway Audio Magazine, Tim Pickett and B.E. Dunn sit down with Eddie Osefo, attorney, reality TV personality, and founder of Happy Eddie Cannabis. They dive deep into Eddie’s unique path from the Real Housewives of Potomac to the cannabis space, discuss the power of representation and authenticity, and recap Eddie’s first trip through Missouri’s booming cannabis market. From drive-thru dispensaries to branding with purpose, Eddie brings insight, humor, and heart to the mic.

(00:00) Intro and Welcome to Eddie Osefo

(02:13) Eddie’s Background: Law, Maryland Roots, and Reality TV

(03:29) The Origin of the Happy Eddie Brand

(05:07) Breaking Cannabis Stigma and Public Perception

(06:09) Reality TV vs Real Life

(09:37) Visibility, Culture, and Cannabis Reform

(13:05) Women and Underrepresented Cannabis Consumers

(14:16) Authenticity and Community Engagement

(20:46) Representation and Entry Points in Cannabis

(21:49) Building a Business with Brotherhood

(24:09) Eddie’s First Trip Through Missouri

(25:54) Touring the Curio Wellness Facility

(27:17) The Drive-Thru Dispensary Surprise

(28:35) Sedalia Stop and Fan Encounters

(30:18) Kansas City Dispensary Highlights

(33:37) Rare Glass and Ganjier Culture at Releaf Resources

(34:31) Verts Visit and a Surprise Fan Moment

(35:40) Eddie’s Take on the Missouri Market

(37:23) What’s Available Now: Flower and Edibles

(40:01) Eddie’s Music Rotation: Afrobeats and Cowboy Carter

(41:00) Final Thoughts and Missouri Shoutout

In this episode of Greenway Audio Magazine, Tim and B.E. sit down with Doug Hall, President of The Cannabis Agency, to talk candidly about the cannabis content grind, community culture, and creating unforgettable events. Doug shares the behind-the-scenes evolution of Tea with Tammy P., overcoming YouTube restrictions, and his passion for authentic product reviews that serve real cannabis users. The trio also dig into the origins of Hash Up Mash Up, why trolls can’t be avoided, and the next generation of consumer-driven cannabis experiences like GrowFest and Mardi Gras takeovers. It’s a wild, hilarious, heartfelt hour with one of Missouri’s true cannabis OGs.

(00:00) Meet Doug Hall of The Cannabis Agency

(01:17) Brandon’s hair and Doug’s bald pride

(02:03) Building RunTHC and Tea with Tammy P.

(03:33) Creating authentic cannabis gear reviews

(04:21) Community feedback and YouTube friction

(05:44) Puffco jokes and the troll problem

(07:28) When hate comments help

(09:25) Brandon’s experience with doxxing

(13:06) Early Greenway event days

(16:32) How stigma around weed has changed

(18:46) Athletes with cannabis brands

(21:00) Strains named after real people

(22:21) Doug’s favorite current cannabis brands

(26:39) Dialed In, Vivid, 1906, Curio and more

(28:31) Why brand culture and community matter

(31:16) GrowFest and cannabis event strategy

(35:35) Big plans for Mardi Gras 2025

(37:26) The Hash Up Mash Up origin story

(43:48) Cannabis trivia, consumer data, and loyalty

(47:12) Couples trivia and Brandon’s strategy

(48:22) Doug’s current playlist and audiobook picks

(51:02) Heartland patch story and real-world impact

(55:02) Why Doug still shows up for this industry

In this episode of Greenway Audio Magazine, Tim and B.E. sit down with Stephanie Gotsch, Director of Sales at Amaze Cannabis. Stephanie shares her journey from cannabis novice to sales leader, insights on building team culture through servant leadership, and Amaze’s exciting plans for Kentucky expansion. The conversation covers pre-roll sales trends, the rise of infused joints, the art of consumer engagement, and how Amaze’s dedication to education sets them apart. Packed with laughter, heart, and valuable industry insights, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in cannabis business strategy and brand building.

(00:00) Intro and summer check-in

(02:40) Cannabis content now searchable on Facebook

(03:38) Thailand’s cannabis market setback

(07:38) Introducing Stephanie Gotsch of Amaze Cannabis

(10:47) National pre-roll leaderboard and Missouri pride

(11:02) Amaze and Green Relief’s Kentucky plans

(15:08) Winning with Blueberry Clementine live rosin

(20:06) How Amaze chooses strains and plans menus

(24:21) Stephanie’s start in cannabis and servant leadership

(33:32) Most rewarding parts of the job

(39:47) Amaze’s approach to events and consumer engagement

(44:20) Sales trends: pre-rolls, infused products, and extracts

(50:37) Why extracts aren’t bigger (yet)

(53:42) Closing thoughts and fun stories

In this engaging conversation, Tim Pickett and B.E. Dunn explore the importance of positivity in interactions, the role of community engagement in the cannabis industry, and the innovative products offered by Heartland Labs. Maddi Pearcy, the director of operations at Heartland Labs, shares her passion for rescue dogs and the significance of medical cannabis in improving lives. The discussion highlights the need for education in dispensaries, the importance of building trust within communities, and the personal connections fostered through music. The conversation concludes with a celebration of the awards and recognition received by Heartland Labs, emphasizing their commitment to quality and community support.

(00:00) Positive Interactions: A New Approach

(04:19) Celebrating Community and Events

(11:19) Industry Insights and Trends

(16:27) Greenway Audio Magazine Introduction

(16:50) Three Favorite Things Discussion

(24:03) Advocacy for Rescue Dogs

(24:12) Dog Lovers Unite

(25:23) Passion for Dog Rescue

(26:33) Heartland Labs Product Line

(28:46) Balancing Medical and Recreational Cannabis

(29:44) Real-Life Impact of Cannabis Products

(31:57) Customer Testimonials and Feedback

(36:27) Innovative Cannabis Solutions

(40:07) Heartland Holistics and New Products

(45:30) Community Engagement and Local Impact

(49:09) Building Trust in the Community

(55:09) Optimal Patch Placement for Maximum Effectiveness

(57:05) Celebrating Achievements and Team Success

(01:00:02) Returning to Cannabis' Medical Roots

(01:05:29) The Role of Music in Well-Being

(01:09:47) Outro