Joint Session: Diverse Voices in NYS Cannabis

In the Season 3 finale of Joint Session, host Herb Barbot welcomes back Rick Bashkoff, CEO of Lit Alerts, to take a data-driven look at how New York’s cannabis industry has evolved over the past year. With cumulative sales surpassing $3 billion and the number of licensed dispensaries more than doubling year over year, Rick examines the progress behind the headlines and the challenges emerging as the market matures. The conversation explores shifting consumer preferences, price compression, the rise of micro-cultivators, the struggles facing social equity operators, and the continued decline of New York’s medical cannabis market. Rick also discusses the growing pressure on retailers, difficulties attracting investment, the persistent threat of illicit competition, and why stronger business operations are becoming essential for survival. Drawing on Lit Alerts’ market intelligence, he explains how data is helping operators make smarter decisions while highlighting the opportunities and risks ahead. It’s a fitting conclusion to Season 3, replacing speculation with data to examine where New York cannabis stands today and what comes next. 

Joint Session: Diverse Voices in NYS Cannabis is produced by Herb Barbot, with executive production and marketing by Simlev Media.

Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions or comments, including topics to cover.

Follow the show on Instagram at jointsession.pod, on BlueSky at @jointsessionpod.bsky.social and on LinkedIn at Joint Session Podcast. 

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#nycannabis #cannabisindustry #mrta #nysocm

In this episode of Joint Session, host Herb Barbot is joined by cannabis husband-and-wife team Mario Guzman and Victorine Deych, co-founders of Voice of the Plant. Better known as Mr. Sherbinski, Mario shares the story of how he went from cultivating cannabis in a San Francisco garage to creating iconic genetics including Sunset Sherbert and Gelato, while Victorine explains how her background in natural perfumery and heightened sense of smell led her to explore cannabis terpenes and eventually bring the worlds of fragrance and cannabis together. The conversation explores the art and science of cannabis breeding, what Mario looks for when developing new genetics, and why protecting the authenticity and intellectual property of legendary strains remains such a challenge. They also discuss bringing their genetics to New York, the sophistication of the state’s cannabis consumers, and the vision behind Voice of the Plant as a platform spanning genetics, art, food, music, education, and community. Mario and Victorine also look ahead to new genetics and extraction projects while making the case for protecting breeders and preserving the culture, quality, and authenticity at the heart of cannabis.

Joint Session: Diverse Voices in NYS Cannabis is produced by Herb Barbot, with executive production and marketing by Simlev Media.

Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions or comments, including topics to cover.

Follow the show on Instagram at jointsession.pod, on BlueSky at @jointsessionpod.bsky.social and on LinkedIn at Joint Session Podcast. 

If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners find the show.

#sherbinsky #sunsetsherbert #gelato #nycannabis #cannabisindustry #cannabisgenetics

In this episode of Joint Session, host Herb Barbot is joined by Nikki Lawley, a former nurse, traumatic brain injury survivor, cannabis advocate, invisible illness educator, and founder of Nikki and the Plant. Nikki shares the deeply personal story of how a workplace brain injury transformed her from healthcare provider to patient, leaving her with chronic pain and other debilitating symptoms while conventional medicine struggled to provide answers or relief. After cycling through dozens of doctors and medications, an unexpected encounter with medical cannabis in Las Vegas changed the direction of her life and ultimately turned her into a passionate advocate for the plant. The conversation explores the stigma Nikki faced from the medical community, the challenges patients encounter navigating different cannabis laws across state lines, and why education remains essential for both patients and healthcare professionals. Nikki also discusses social media censorship, the decline of New York’s medical cannabis program following adult-use legalization, and her belief that medical guidance needs to remain an important part of the cannabis ecosystem. It’s a powerful conversation about invisible illness, patient advocacy, and how one life-changing experience with cannabis became a mission to help others find relief.

Joint Session: Diverse Voices in NYS Cannabis is produced by Herb Barbot, with executive production and marketing by Simlev Media.

Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions or comments, including topics to cover.

Follow the show on Instagram at jointsession.pod, on BlueSky at @jointsessionpod.bsky.social and on LinkedIn at Joint Session Podcast. 

If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners find the show.

#medicalcannabis #nikkiandtheplant #cannabisindustry #nycannabis

In this episode of Joint Session, host Herb Barbot is joined by Vanessa Cuccurullo, founder of Mrs. C Botanicals and the woman behind Leilala and Watson, a cannabis brand built around the idea of “low dose, high trust.” A two-time cancer survivor, Vanessa shares how her experience first as a caregiver for her grandmother and later as a patient herself changed her relationship with cannabis and ultimately inspired her to enter the industry. The conversation explores her journey from navigating New York’s licensing process to developing a clean, solventless, low-dose product designed for people who want greater control over their cannabis experience. Vanessa discusses the gap she saw in the market for consumers who are cannabis-curious, returning to cannabis, or simply looking for an alternative to higher-dose products, as well as the challenges of getting a new brand onto dispensary shelves. She also shares her thoughts on breaking the stigma around cannabis, the importance of education and transparency, and her plans to expand into new low-dose products while using the brand to support causes close to her own experience with cancer.

Joint Session: Diverse Voices in NYS Cannabis is produced by Herb Barbot, with executive production and marketing by Simlev Media.

Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions or comments, including topics to cover.

Follow the show on Instagram at jointsession.pod, on BlueSky at @jointsessionpod.bsky.social and on LinkedIn at Joint Session Podcast. 

If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners find the show.

In this episode of Joint Session, host Herb Barbot is joined by cannabis regulatory attorney and social equity advocate Toni Forge, founder of 4Leaf Consulting, and Whitney Beatty, founder of Josephine & Billie’s, Los Angeles’ first cannabis dispensary created by and for women of color. Drawing on California’s decade of experience with adult-use cannabis, Toni and Whitney examine what New York can learn as its own legal market matures. The conversation explores California’s persistent illicit market, high taxes and licensing costs, the challenges of dual state and local regulation, and why many licensed operators are struggling to survive despite the promise of legalization. They also take a hard look at social equity, discussing predatory investment, access to capital, technical assistance, and why simply awarding licenses is not enough to create sustainable businesses. Looking at New York’s progress, Toni and Whitney highlight where the state has successfully responded to operators while warning against repeating California’s mistakes. From enforcement and taxation to grants, interstate commerce, and the need for regulators to listen directly to operators, the episode offers a candid look at what it takes to build a legal cannabis market that actually works.

Joint Session: Diverse Voices in NYS Cannabis is produced by Herb Barbot, with executive production and marketing by Simlev Media.

Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions or comments, including topics to cover.

Follow the show on Instagram at jointsession.pod, on BlueSky at @jointsessionpod.bsky.social and on LinkedIn at Joint Session Podcast. 

If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners find the show.

#toniforge #whitneybeatty #4leafconsulting #josephine&billie’s #californiacannabis #nycannabis #cannabisbusiness #cannabisindustry #nysocm

In this episode of Joint Session, host Herb Barbot is joined by Matthew Robinson, CEO of Legacy Dispensary in Albany, New York, for a candid conversation about his journey from the legacy cannabis market and incarceration to becoming a licensed operator and industry advocate. Matthew shares how he navigated New York’s licensing process, funded and built his business, and the lessons he has learned about controlling costs, choosing investors carefully, and surviving in a highly regulated and competitive market. The conversation explores whether New York is delivering on its promise of social equity, the relationship between legal operators and the illicit market, and the challenges facing smaller dispensaries as the industry evolves. Matthew also discusses taking the Legacy Dispensary model into Minnesota, what he would do differently when opening his next location, and his work to reinvest in Albany through workforce development, financial literacy, affordable living, and trade skills for young people. It’s a direct look at what it really takes to move from the legacy market into legal cannabis—and how success can be used to create opportunity beyond the dispensary.

Joint Session: Diverse Voices in NYS Cannabis is produced by Herb Barbot, with executive production and marketing by Simlev Media.

Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions or comments, including topics to cover.

Follow the show on Instagram at jointsession.pod, on BlueSky at @jointsessionpod.bsky.social and on LinkedIn at Joint Session Podcast. 

If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners find the show.

#CannabisIndustry #SocialEquity #CannabisEntrepreneurship #NewYorkCannabis #LegacyDispensary

In this episode of Joint Session, host Herb Barbot is joined by Adam Goldner, co-founder and Executive Director of We Grow NYC, for a conversation about home cannabis cultivation, education, and the growing movement to empower New Yorkers to grow their own. A longtime New York City public school educator, Adam shares how his passion for teaching, urban gardening, and cannabis cultivation came together during the COVID pandemic and ultimately led to the creation of We Grow NYC. The conversation explores New York’s home-grow laws, the realities of cultivating cannabis in small urban spaces, and why access to practical knowledge and community support can make home growing more achievable. Adam also discusses We Grow NYC’s partnerships with licensed dispensaries to deliver cultivation workshops, the surprising relationship between home growers and cannabis retailers, and his belief that understanding how cannabis is grown can create more knowledgeable and engaged consumers. At its heart, the episode explores home cultivation as more than a hobby—positioning education, self-reliance, and access to growing knowledge as important parts of New York’s evolving cannabis culture.

Joint Session: Diverse Voices in NYS Cannabis is produced by Herb Barbot, with executive production and marketing by Simlev Media.

Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions or comments, including topics to cover.

Follow the show on Instagram at jointsession.pod, on BlueSky at @jointsessionpod.bsky.social and on LinkedIn at Joint Session Podcast. 

If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners find the show.

#HomeGrow #CannabisEducation #CannabisCultivation #NewYorkCannabis #WeGrowNYC

In this episode of Joint Session, host Herb Barbot is joined by Tiffany Walters, founder of New York State Cannabis Connect, and Floyd Jarvis, Director of Cannabis Workforce and Business Development at Borough of Manhattan Community College, for a wide-ranging conversation about building a skilled, equitable workforce for New York’s growing cannabis industry. Drawing on their work with communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition, Tiffany and Floyd explore the barriers people still face when trying to turn existing skills and legacy experience into meaningful careers in the legal market. The conversation examines why cannabis workforce development needs to go far beyond training budtenders, with opportunities spanning cultivation, manufacturing, security, logistics, compliance, engineering, marketing, and management. They also discuss the role of CUNY and SUNY programs in creating career pathways, the need for stronger coordination and industry-wide training standards, and the challenges created by expiring workforce-development funding. Tiffany and Floyd ultimately make the case that if New York wants cannabis legalization to deliver on its promise of economic opportunity and social equity, sustained investment in education, skills, and long-term career development must be at the heart of the industry’s next chapter.

Joint Session: Diverse Voices in NYS Cannabis is produced by Herb Barbot, with executive production and marketing by Simlev Media.

Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions or comments, including topics to cover.

Follow the show on Instagram at jointsession.pod, on BlueSky at @jointsessionpod.bsky.social and on LinkedIn at Joint Session Podcast. 

If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners find the show.

#CannabisWorkforce #NewYorkCannabis #CannabisCareers #CannabisEducation #SocialEquity #WorkforceDevelopment #CannabisIndustry

In this episode of Joint Session, host Herb Barbot is joined by Vanessa Yee-Chan, founder and CEO of Alta Dispensary in New York City's Chinatown, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, community, and reimagining the cannabis retail experience. Vanessa shares her family's remarkable journey from Mozambique to New York, explaining how her grandparents' legacy inspired her to transform their historic building into one of the city's most distinctive dispensaries. Drawing on her background in hospitality, public relations, and business, she discusses why Alta is designed around customer intentions and moods rather than traditional product categories, creating a welcoming space for first-time consumers and those seeking a more thoughtful approach to cannabis. The conversation also explores the challenges of launching a licensed dispensary in New York, reducing stigma within the Asian community, supporting women through cannabis education, and why hospitality, authenticity, and community engagement are just as important as the products on the shelf.

Joint Session: Diverse Voices in NYS Cannabis is produced by Herb Barbot, with executive production and marketing by Simlev Media.

Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions or comments, including topics to cover.

Follow the show on Instagram at jointsession.pod, on BlueSky at @jointsessionpod.bsky.social and on LinkedIn at Joint Session Podcast. 

If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners find the show.

#Chinatown #NYCannabis #VannessaYeeChan #NYSOCM

In this episode of Joint Session, host Herb Barbot is joined by Dr. June Chin, Chief Medical Officer of the New York State Office of Cannabis Management, for an insightful discussion on the evolving role of medical cannabis in New York. Drawing on more than two decades of experience in integrative medicine and cannabis therapeutics, Dr. Chin explains why the medical cannabis program remains an essential part of patient care, even as adult-use cannabis becomes more widely available. The conversation explores how clinicians are being equipped to have evidence-based conversations with patients, the importance of pharmacist-guided care, and the growing focus on public health, youth education, and safe cannabis use through New York's new Center of Excellence for Cannabis Care and Health Equity. Dr. Chin also addresses common misconceptions surrounding medical cannabis, discusses emerging issues such as cannabis hyperemesis syndrome and cannabis use disorder, and shares her vision for a healthcare system where cannabis is thoughtfully integrated into routine clinical care through education, research, and informed patient conversations.

Joint Session: Diverse Voices in NYS Cannabis is produced by Herb Barbot, with executive production and marketing by Simlev Media.

Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions or comments, including topics to cover.

Follow the show on Instagram at jointsession.pod, on BlueSky at @jointsessionpod.bsky.social and on LinkedIn at Joint Session Podcast. 

If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners find the show.

#medicalcannabis #DrJuneChin #NYCannabis #OCM #OfficeofCannabisManagement