Today, we meet Ben Burstein, head of M&A and strategic partnerships at Leaflink. A leading wholesale cannabis commerce platform that connects brands and retailers by providing a digital marketplace where retailers can discover brands, place wholesale orders, and manage their inventory.

We dive into the operational challenges of inventory management, identify emerging market performers, examine wholesale sales trends, and explore which states are emerging as opportunities for brands, as well as the long-term growth projections for the market.

https://www.leaflink.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminburstein/

Innovating Cannabis is produced and hosted by Pam Chmiel, a journalist, freelance writer, and marketing and PR specialist in the cannabis industry. Get in touch to discuss your business strategy or explore working together at [email protected].

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Michael Sassano, a former Wall Street banker turned real estate developer, is known in the US for building 16 large-scale cultivation facilities in Nevada. He left for Europe in 2019 to get a head start in the European cannabis market and launched Somai, a cannabinoid pharmaceutical company based in Lisbon, Portugal. Currently operating in 12 countries, Michael plans to be in 18 by year-end.

We discuss his global strategy and the obstacles he faces as a multi-country operator.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/somaipharma

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsassano3/

Innovating Cannabis is produced and hosted by Pam Chmiel, a journalist, freelance writer, and marketing and PR specialist in the cannabis industry. Get in touch to discuss your business strategy or explore working together at [email protected].

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As Europe builds out a medically driven cannabis market, Sita Schubert is helping lead the charge. She's the founder and Secretary General of the EU Medical Cannabis Association and a seasoned pharmaceutical executive with a legal background. Her consultancy played a key role in helping Tilray establish itself as a leading operator in the German market.

In this episode, we discuss the current state of the European cannabis industry, what it takes for outsiders to successfully enter the market, steps needed to harmonize regulations across international borders, and insights from her participation at the recent Global Cannabis Regulatory Summit in DC.
 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sita-schubert-a3195117/

https://eumca.org

Innovating Cannabis is produced and hosted by Pam Chmiel, a journalist, freelance writer, and marketing and PR specialist in the cannabis industry. Get in touch to discuss your business strategy or explore working together at [email protected].

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Today on The Mary Jane Society, we're joined by Shane Johnson, a Stanford-trained medical doctor and accomplished biotech entrepreneur. Shane is the co-founder of BayMedica, a pioneering manufacturer of rare and minor cannabinoid ingredients known for their exceptional purity, consistency, and scalability traits critical to the future of pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoid products.

BayMedica was acquired by InMed Pharmaceuticals, a NASDAQ-listed, clinical-stage pharmaceutical company based in Canada. InMed is developing a robust pipeline of proprietary small molecule drug candidates that target the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system. Their current research programs focus on therapeutic treatments for Alzheimer's disease, as well as ocular and dermatological conditions.

Dive into Shane's insights on cannabinoid drug development, the regulatory landscape, and the future of pharmaceutical innovation in cannabis.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanejohnson3

https://www.baymedica.com

https://www.inmedpharma.com

Innovating Cannabis is produced and hosted by Pam Chmiel, a journalist, freelance writer, and marketing and PR specialist in the cannabis industry. Get in touch to discuss your business strategy or explore working together at [email protected].

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The Cannabis Media Council was founded to build bridges between the cannabis industry and mainstream media, elevate advertising standards, and help shift public perception through strategic public service announcements. Acting as a think tank of forward-thinking industry leaders, the Council believes in collaboration over competition—sharing knowledge and resources to make sure that all boats rise.

Today, I’m joined by co-founder Amy Deneson to explore the mission behind the Cannabis Media Council, its operations, and the impact it wants to make across media, marketing, and culture.

https://www.cannabismediacouncil.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amydeneson/

Innovating Cannabis is produced and hosted by Pam Chmiel, a journalist, freelance writer, and marketing and PR specialist in the cannabis industry. Get in touch to discuss your business strategy or explore working together at [email protected].

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Today, we will learn about a potentially groundbreaking digital platform called The Cancer Playbook that could accelerate cannabis medicine for cancer treatment and redefine how patients, doctors, and researchers approach cancer care.

Joining me are Jamie Bennett, Founder and Director of Operations, and Ryan Castle, Director of Research at The Cancer Playbook and Whole Health Oncology Institute.

In today's episode, we'll explore:

• How the Playbook empowers cancer patients with tools for symptom tracking, using and dosing Rick Simpson Oil, education, and support
• How it enhances physician decision-making through patient-reported outcomes using cannabis
• The value of this data in clinical research and cannabis drug discovery 
• And how they're partnering with major research institutions to shape the future of cannabis and cancer care

https://cancerplaybook.org/

https://wholehealthoncologyinstitute.com/

Innovating Cannabis is produced and hosted by Pam Chmiel, a journalist, freelance writer, and marketing and PR specialist in the cannabis industry. Get in touch to discuss your business strategy or explore working together at [email protected].

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Abstrax Tech is a leading terpene research, formulation, and manufacturing company renowned for its proprietary analytical technology and scientific breakthroughs. 

Most recently, the team made headlines for discovering a new class of volatile aromatic compounds responsible for the unmistakable skunky scent of cannabis. Abstrax recreates precise and authentic terpene profiles that reflect the original plant by reverse-engineering each strain and flavor from scratch. 

Today, we're joined by TJ Martin, Vice President of R&D at Abstrax Tech, to explore what it takes to partner with Abstrax and build a standout vape brand.

 https://abstraxtech.com 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjmartin2/ 
 

Innovating Cannabis is produced and hosted by Pam Chmiel, a journalist, freelance writer, and marketing and PR specialist in the cannabis industry. Get in touch to discuss your business strategy or explore working together at [email protected].

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Bud and Mary_Duncan Mackie. PhD                                                                                                                                                                                   Director of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics

Today, I’m joined by Dr. Duncan Mackie, Director of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics at Bud & Mary's—an MSO with operations in Colorado, Michigan, Iowa, and Missouri.

Under Dr. Mackie’s leadership, Bud & Mary’s became the first cannabis company and multi-state operator to obtain a DEA research license—marking a major milestone for the industry.

With a PhD in pharmacology and deep expertise in drug discovery, molecular biology, and G-protein-coupled receptor pharmacology, Dr. Mackie is advancing our understanding of cannabinoids and their interaction with the endocannabinoid system. His work is helping to identify novel drug targets and explore the therapeutic potential of cannabis for a range of medical conditions.

Bud & Mary’s also applies this scientific insight to their product formulations, integrating cutting-edge research into what’s available on dispensary shelves.

In our conversation, we explore their approach to product development, the regulatory hurdles they face, and their long-term vision.

https://www.budmary.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-mackie-ph-d-3bb1892b/

Innovating Cannabis is produced and hosted by Pam Chmiel, a journalist, freelance writer, and marketing and PR specialist in the cannabis industry. Get in touch to discuss your business strategy or explore working together at [email protected].

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Today, we're welcoming the team behind Vitabudz — a NYC legacy street brand making the leap into the legal cannabis market. Founded by brothers Jullian and Rich Murray, Vitabudz has teamed up with veteran cultivator Aaron Field to bring their passion for top-shelf, regeneratively grown cannabis to the New York marketplace.

Their story is rooted in experience — with Jullian, Rich, and Aaron honing their cultivation skills in Colorado and California before returning home to New York, ready to take on the state's fast-growing legal industry. We dive into Aaron's sustainable farming practices, the Murray brothers' journey from the streets of Brooklyn to building a recognized brand, and their strategy for marketing their flower and edibles in this new, competitive landscape.

Let's find out how Vitabudz plans to stand out and thrive in New York's evolving cannabis scene.

Innovating Cannabis is produced and hosted by Pam Chmiel, a journalist, freelance writer, and marketing and PR specialist in the cannabis industry. Get in touch to discuss your business strategy or explore working together at [email protected].

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Today's guest is Dr. Avery Gilbert, a Sensory Scientist with roots in the luxury perfume industry. He's worked with major global brands and now brings his expertise to the cannabis space, helping companies elevate their products through sensory research and R&D.

In this episode, we explore what truly defines a luxury product—beyond just price or packaging. From wine to perfume, luxury goods share common threads: craftsmanship, culture, technology, media, retail experience, and the art of blending. Cannabis brands can reach luxury status if done the right way.

We'll break down these elements to understand whether cannabis can not only claim luxury status—but earn it.

https://www.synesthetics.com/

Innovating Cannabis is produced and hosted by Pam Chmiel, a journalist, freelance writer, and marketing and PR specialist in the cannabis industry. Get in touch to discuss your business strategy or explore working together at [email protected].

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