On this episode of Joint Session, Herb is joined by Joshua Wilson, the General Manager of Culture House NYC. Josh shares his extensive experience in the cannabis industry, discussing his journey from California to New York. He delves into the evolution of the cannabis market in California, the challenges faced by operators, and the lessons that New York can learn from California's experience. Joshua also highlights the differences in consumer behavior between New York and California, the opportunities present in the New York market, and his hopes for the future of interstate commerce in the cannabis industry.

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

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 conversation, Herb Barbot is joined by Marc Shepard to talk about the upcoming NECANN conference in Rochester, NY. They discuss the evolution of NECANN, a cannabis industry convention that has been running since 2014. Mark shares the original motivations for creating NECANN, the shift from a focus on medical marijuana to adult use, and the challenges and opportunities present in the New York market. Marc emphasizes the importance of networking and education at these conventions, as well as the need for local businesses to thrive in the cannabis industry.

Sign up and attend NECANN here - https://necann-events.captello.com/2025-new-york-cannabis-convention-17472468465906

On this episode of Joint Session, Herb is joined by Brendan McKee, co-founder and COO of Silver Therapeutics. Brendan discusses the company's journey in the cannabis industry, employee retention strategies, multi-state expansion, and the importance of company culture. Brendan shares insights on the challenges faced during their growth, the evolution of the cannabis market, and his personal aspirations, including community engagement and becoming a firefighter.

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

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. 

On this episode of Joint Session, Herb is joined by Beck Hickey and Erin Thurmond. Beck and Erin share a candid look inside New York’s cannabis licensing battle, focusing on the frustrations and uncertainty surrounding the December Queue. They break down how shifting rules, political decisions, and market analysis have left thousands of equity-focused applicants in limbo, while early license holders consolidate advantages.

The conversation digs into:

• Why the December Queue was created—and how it strayed from its original promise of equity.
• The financial, legal, and emotional toll of waiting years for clarity.
• The role of the illicit market and why inclusion—not exclusion—may be the only sustainable path forward.
• The urgent need for transparency, fairness, and accountability from OCM and state leadership.

It’s a raw and important discussion about survival, advocacy, and the fight to make cannabis reform live up to its intentions.

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

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. 

On this episode of Joint Session, Herb is joined by Leah Sera, Associate Dean and Associate Professor at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, to discuss the groundbreaking Graduate Studies in Medical Cannabis program. Leah outlines the program's structure, curriculum, and the diverse backgrounds of its students. Serra addresses the challenges of teaching evidence-based practices in a field with limited traditional research and explains the importance of practical training and capstone projects. The conversation also touches on the career opportunities for graduates, the historical context of cannabis education, and the program's impact on patient care and the professionalization of the cannabis industry.

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

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 two-part episode of Joint Session, Herb unpacks one of the most consequential regulatory crises to hit New York’s legal cannabis industry.

Part 1: Legal Insight and Legislative Fallout

Herb Barbot is joined by cannabis attorneys Fatima Afia of Rudick Law and Benjamin Rattner of Cermele & Wood LLP to break down the legal and legislative chaos unleashed by New York State's recent enforcement of proximity rules. These rules—banning dispensaries within 500 feet of the property lines of schools and daycares—have put dozens of licensed operators at risk of losing their businesses. Fatima and Ben explain the legal basis (or lack thereof), where the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) may have overreached, and what a legislative fix could look like in 2026.

Part 2: The Human Cost

In the second half, we hear from two dispensary owners directly impacted by the proximity fallout: Alex Norman, co-founder of Budega in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and Fernando Peña, owner of Late Bloomers in Ridgewood, Queens. They open up about receiving the dreaded letters from OCM, their personal sacrifices to get open, and the financial and emotional toll this latest blow has taken. From dashed dreams to looming debt, their stories put a human face on a regulatory mess that threatens to collapse the very program it was meant to empower.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone tracking New York cannabis policy, small business equity, or how good intentions can go dangerously off track.

Further reading on Cannabis stores and their proximity to schools, as referenced in the news section, can be found at The New York Times. The Journalist is Ashley Southall.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/28/nyregion/weed-shops-schools.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/02/nyregion/weed-cannabis-dispensary-nyc.html

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

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. 

On this episode of Joint Session, Herb is joined by Chef Joshua Tepperberg, known as The Mediblist. Joshua discusses his journey into the cannabis culinary space, emphasizing the medicinal benefits of cannabis in food. He explains the concept of being a Mediblist, the importance of consistent dosing in cannabis-infused dishes, and shares his creative process for developing new recipes. Chef Joshua also addresses misconceptions about cannabis cuisine, offers advice for amateur cooks, and provides insights into the future of cannabis in fine dining. He highlights the role of his events company, Work and Roll, in fostering community within the cannabis industry.

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

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. 

On this episode of Joint Session, Herb is joined by Gahrey Ovalle and Hugo Rivas from the Long Island Cannabis Coalition. They discuss the evolving landscape of cannabis legislation in New York, with a particular focus on Long Island. Concentrating on recent developments in local municipalities regarding cannabis retail, the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the industry, and the importance of community education to normalize cannabis use. The conversation also touches on the role of the Coalition in advocating for responsible cannabis legislation and the future of cannabis retail in the region.

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

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. 

On this episode of Joint Session, Herb is joined by Sheri Tarr JD, the founder and Chief Advisor at 68 Partners. Sheri is a compliance expert in the cannabis industry, who discusses the critical role of compliance in building sustainable cannabis businesses. She emphasizes the importance of understanding regulations, avoiding common compliance violations, and setting up proper procedures from the start. Sheri also highlights the significance of training staff on compliance practices and the need for ongoing support in navigating the complex regulatory landscape across different states. Her insights provide valuable guidance for cannabis licensees and applicants looking to operate successfully in a heavily regulated industry.

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

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. 

On this episode of Joint Session, Herb is joined by Nicolas Guarino, co-founder of Jaunty. Nicolas shares his journey from Venezuela to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the cannabis industry. He discusses the challenges of starting a business, the importance of branding and distribution, and the impact of his immigrant experience on his entrepreneurial spirit. Guarino emphasizes the significance of execution in business and the need for sustainable practices in the New York cannabis market. He also offers advice to young immigrants and reflects on the future of the cannabis industry in New York.

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

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.