Smells Like Business

On this episode, Tom is having a chat with Elana Goldberg who is the CEO of The Cannigma, an online media that takes an evidence-based approach at answering all cannabis and cannabis related questions. The topics range from cannabis 101’s like how to roll a joint and how to cook with cannabis, to more in-depth scientific topics such as cannabis and cognition and CBD and superbugs, and everything in between. 

Elana shares her story of how she moved from the world of journalism to cannabis and how she transferred the skills and knowledge she learnt along the way and applied them to the cannabis industry, and more specifically The Cannigma. Tom and Elana also discuss the importance of good cannabis education, and its role in helping move cannabis legislation and the industry (as a whole) in the right direction. 

So if you feel like being educated on the importance of education in the cannabis space, then this episode is definitely for you! 

Other topics discussed:

• Why was The Cannigma created in the first place?
• Who are the founders of The Cannigma?
• How does creating content help bring online audiences together?
• What is digital content and digital journalism?
• Why is journalism so fast paced in the digital age?
• How difficult is it to find credible information on cannabis online?
• Why are so many new cannabis markets opening up? (Maybe)
• What was it like working for the Jerusalem Post?
• How did the pandemic affect the company?
• What range of cannabis topics does The Cannigma cover?
• How many users does The Cannigma website have?
• What is the business model of the company?
• Why is it so difficult for cannabis companies to promote their products?
• How important is it to be creative with so many cannabis marketing restrictions?
• Who is part of The Cannigma team?
• How do you manage a global team of employees?
• Who is Codi Pedersen? 

Links:

Smells Like Business - www.smellslikebusiness.com
The Cannigma - www.cannigma.com
LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/thecannigma/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/thecannigma
Instagram - @thecannigma

Related podcast episodes:

#38 - A Writer's Tale and the "Weed of Wonder" - Jules Marshall

#42 - What Does a Ganjier Course Look Like? - Max Simon from Green Flower

#55 - Leafwire: The B2B Network for the Cannabis and Hemp Industry - Peter Vogel

On this episode, Tom is having a chat with Lenny Roots, the Founder of (and mastermind behind) HamCan, Hamburg’s first and only cannabis conference and expo. HamCan will have its inaugural edition this summer, and Lennart shares why he decided to create a cannabis event in Hamburg and how he is managing to bring it all together. Lennart also shares how he initially got into event management, which is quite the tale in itself. All we will say is that it involved living in Jamaica and managing some pretty epic Reggae artists. 

HamCan takes place on the 9th and 10th of July in Hamburg and will consist of an expo and a conference. The expo part of HamCan will be free for everyone and will have different exhibitors and lots of entertainment. The conference will have many interesting speakers from Germany, Europe and the US who are experts in various sectors of the cannabis industry. If you’re interested in learning more about the German cannabis industry and would like to make some b2b connections, then make sure to check out HamCan’s website to learn more.

Other topics discussed:

• How much work does it take to create a cannabis event?
• How important is it to have a solid team behind you?
• Why is Hamburg a good city for a cannabis event?
• Who will be speaking at the HamCan conference?
• What can attendees expect to gain from HamCan?
• How is Germany moving forward with cannabis legalisation?
• What was it like living in Jamaica and working with Reggae artists?
• How can HamCan help move the cannabis industry forward in Germany?
• Will there be international speakers?
• How easy or difficult is it to book speakers for a cannabis event?

Links:

Smells Like Business - www.smellslikebusiness.com

HamCan - www.hamcan.de

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/hamcan/

Facebook - www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078781396721

Instagram - @hamcan_germany

Related podcast episodes:
#23 - Photographing Hemp Projects Around The World - Maren Krings
#03 - How To Start a Cannabis Expo in Europe - Kevin Rebelo Lopes

On this episode, Tom is having a chat with Peter Vogel, the CEO of Leafwire, which is the world’s largest cannabis and hemp b2b networking platform. As you might be aware, posting, advertising, promoting, and even referring to cannabis or anything cannabis-related on social media can be difficult or is simply just not possible. Even LinkedIn (which tends to be more cannabis-friendly) has its restrictions, which is also discussed in this episode. Peter explains how Leafwire works, the different functions and features it has to offer, how it differentiates itself from other platforms (such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, etc.), and how it caters for the cannabis and hemp industries. He also discusses why the cannabis industry needs its own networking platform and what kind of people and businesses are using Leafwire. 

Peter also shares his own story of how he got into the cannabis space and how he believes the industry should enter and move forward in Europe. So if you’re in the cannabis or hemp industry and looking to network, then we highly recommend you go and create an account on Leafwire. If you’re not convinced just yet, then for sure you will be by the end of the episode!

Other topics discussed:

• How important is business networking in the cannabis industry?
• How difficult is it to advertise cannabis products and services only?
• How cannabis friendly are different social media?
• What does the process of creating a networking platform look like?
• Does the cannabis industry lack job portals?
• How is the psychedelics industry progressing in the US?
• Why is Leafwire specifically a business network?
• What topics and content are discussed on Leafwire?
• How many users are there on the platform?
• Why is it becoming difficult to advertise cannabis businesses on LinkedIn?
• How does Leafwire acquire new users?
• How to attract Investors?
• What is Leafwire’s business model?
• What are some of the new features?

Links:

Smells Like Business - www.smellslikebusiness.com

Leafwire - www.leafwire.com

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/leafwire/

Instagram - @Leafwire

Peter Vogel on Leafwire

Tom Pettit on Leafwire

Peter Vogel on LinkedIn

Tom Pettit on LinkedIn

On this episode, Tom is having a chat with Lilac Mandeles, the Co-Founder and CEO of TechforCann. This European, Malta-based company identifies and accelerates IP and tech start-ups in the medical cannabis industry. Lilac talks about her move from the pharmaceutical sector, where she worked for the big players like Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly and Teva Pharmaceuticals, to the medical cannabis industry. 

She also shares her thoughts on the current state of innovation within the medical cannabis industry in Europe and the growth potential within it. Lilac also explains what the accelerator programme is and what early-stage start-ups can gain from joining it. And there is plenty to gain - from the necessary administrative and business development support to a significant grant and guidance through the first funding rounds. TechforCann is looking for new and promising medical cannabis start-ups, and admissions are now open. Is your start-up the right fit? Listen to the episode and find out what you can do to join this exciting and potentially life-changing program!

Other topics discussed:

• Lilac’s meeting with professor Raphael Mechoulammove - the first chemist to discover THC.
• Who is the team behind TechforCann?
• What is the difference between an incubator and an accelerator?
• How long does an accelerator program last?
• How to qualify for TechforCann?
• Are there any funds for innovative cannabis companies available in Malta?
• What is Malta Enterprise?
• How much funding does TechforCann offer?
• What support does TechforCann provide to the start-ups that get accepted?
• Is Europe going to legalise cannabis in the next 5 years?
• How can investors get involved? 

Links:

Smells Like Business - www.smellslikebusiness.com

TechforCann - www.techforcanneurope.com

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/techforcanneurope/

On this episode, Tom is having a chat with Simon Blackwell, who is the Co-Founder of Organic Bio Solutions Ltd. Simon’s path to cannabis was not an easy one. His son, Derren, was diagnosed with Leukaemia at a young age, and the family had exhausted all traditional medical possibilities without much success. It was not until they resorted to cannabis that the whole situation around and Derren’s health started to improve. He is now a healthy young and independent adult.

Having seen what cannabis did for his son, Simon is now on a new mission to bring hemp to the masses in the UK. He hopes to modernise the hemp industry by teaming up with Robert Ziner, the Founder and CEO of the Canadian Industrial Hemp Corporation (CIHC). Robert is the inventor and creator of the AI Decorticator, which is also referred to as the Smart stalk system. This system aims to make hemp farmers' lives a lot easier and more profitable by bringing AI into the processing of hemp, by increasing production and efficiency and decreasing margins of error.

Simon is based up in Norfolk, UK, and his aim is to make this area, which is ideal for agriculture, the new British hub for hemp.

Other topics discussed:

• Can cannabis help Leukaemia patients?
• Should cannabis be used more in the NHS (British healthcare system)?
• Who are Bud Buddies?
• How important are cannabis communities for patients?
• What was it like working in a lab for CBD Brothers?
• What is the British Hemp Alliance?
• What is a decorticator?
• How does an AI decorticator work?
• Are hemp farmers in the UK interested in such technology?
• How can cryptocurrency help crowdfund a cannabis company?
• Does the hemp industry have a future in the UK? 

Links:

Smells Like Business - www.smellslikebusiness.com
Canadian Industrial Hemp Corporation - www.cihcorp.com

 Related podcast episodes:

#16 - Life of a European Hemp Farmer - John Hedström from Hooly Hemp
#17 - The Importance of Activism in The Cannabis Industry - Mike Wise
#23 - Photographing Hemp Projects Around The World - Maren Krings
#36 - Hemp and Medical Cannabis in Portugal - Humberto J. Nogueira

On this episode, Tom talks about his experience at Spannabis 2022, which is the largest cannabis event in Europe. Tom shares why he went to the event, what he got out of Spannabis, what some of the pros and cons were, and why you should consider going there either as an attendee or business. 

Not only does Tom share his experience and thoughts on Spannabis but so do a few other guests. Tim from Paradise Seeds shares his own experience of how the event was this year and why Paradise Seeds were there. Axel Besselink and Wielly Hendriks from Cinqo.8 also discuss what Spannabis had to offer. Two previous Smells Like Business guests, Simon Villum Folmann from HØJ and Luc Richner from Cannavigia, both also share their insights of the event. 

So if you’re curious about going to Spannabis or would just like to know what it’s like, especially from the business perspective, then this is the episode for you!

Other topics discussed:

• What is Spannabis?
• Where is Spannabis located?
• Why is Spannabis such a good cannabis event?
• What is ICBC?
• What is Paradise Seeds?
• What is Cinqo8?
• What is HØJ?
• What is Cannavigia?

Links:

Smells Like Business - www.smellslikebusiness.com
Paradise Seeds - www.paradise-seeds.com
Cinqo.8 Distribution - www.cinqo8.com
HØJ - www.hoj.life
Cannavigia - www.cannavigia.com

Related podcast episodes:

#43 - Bringing Danish Design to Cannabis Consumers - Simon from HØJ
#51 - Transparency and Traceability in the European Cannabis Industry - Luc from Cannavigia

On this episode, Tom is having a chat with Luc Richner, who is the Founder and CEO at Cannavigia. The company, which is based in Switzerland, creates compliance software for the emerging European cannabis industry, allowing for efficiency, transparency and traceability throughout the entire supply chain.

Luc, who is from Switzerland originally and has a background in supply chain management, shares his story of how and why he created Cannavigia, explains how the compliance software works and how different cannabis companies can benefit from the software. He also shares his thoughts and insights as to why and how the cannabis industry can benefit and prosper from having more transparency and traceability. 

Cannavigia has also recently managed to strike a deal with the Swiss Government, and Luc shares how that deal came to fruition, what that it actually entails, as well as what’s going on in Switzerland in regards to cannabis and cannabis reform. 

Other topics discussed:

• When was Cannavigia founded?
• What are GMP and GDP for the cannabis industry?
• Does the cannabis industry need better supply chain management?
• Why is the legal framework for the cannabis industry so fragmented?
• How important is it to have full traceability from seed to sale?
• Could the European cannabis industry benefit from unified EU standards?
• What is the cannabis pilot program in Switzerland?
• Can the cannabis industry learn from pharmaceutical standards?
• What are the benefits of using cannabis compliance software?
• What is IG Hanf?

Links:

Website - www.cannavigia.com

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/cannavigia/

Related podcast episodes:

#1 - How to Build a More Sustainable Cannabis Industry - Joe Olivier
#39 - Creating Unified Standards for the Cannabis Industry - Brett Puffenbarger

On this episode, Tom is having a chat with Chris Chiari, who is the Founder and CEO at 420 Hotels Inc. He is also the proud owner of The Patterson Inn, a 4 star boutique hotel located in a beautiful 19th century Victorian building in Capitol Hill in Denver, Colorado. 

Chris was the first applicant to apply for Denver’s new hospitality license, allowing him to establish a cannabis consumption lounge on his property. He explains what the process looks like, how the project is coming along, what his vision is for 420 Hotels Inc., as well as what the future cannabis tourism might look like. 

Chris is also an award winning producer, having produced Public Enemy Number One, alongside director/producer Robert Rippberger, and executive producer Ice-T (yes you heard that right). Public Enemy Number One is a documentary film that explores the devastating effects the war on drugs has had on the United States. So give it a watch if you get the chance!

Other topics discussed:

• What is cannabis hospitality?
• What is a cannabis consumption lounge?
• Why are there so few cannabis consumption lounges?
• What’s the best way to combine boutique hospitality with licensed cannabis hospitality?
• Who will be the guests of 420 Hotels Inc.?
• Will the Patterson Inn be the first hotel to have a cannabis consumption lounge in the US?
• What does the future of cannabis tourism look like in Europe?
• Who are the cannacurious?
• How does Amsterdam differ from the US when it comes to cannabis tourism?
• What is Barney’s Uptown?
• Should cannabis be regulated like alcohol?
• Why is it still difficult to get financing and insurance in the cannabis industry?

Links:

www.the420Hotels.com

www.PattersonInn.com

www.penofilm.com

Related podcast episodes:

#33 - The Future of Cannabis Tourism - Laura Hand

On this episode Tom talks about five interesting and quite different developments happening around cannabis and the cannabis industry.  

The five topics discussed:

• Snoop Dogg invests $15M into a German cannabis company called Cansativa
• The NFL is donating $1M into cannabis research
• Was hemp used in the winter olympics this year?
• Are Nike making shoes entirely from hemp?
• Lego plans to make 100% sustainable Lego bricks by 2030

Links:
website - www.smellslikebusiness.com

Related Podcast Episodes:
#45 - Will Germany Legalise Cannabis in 2022? - with Marguerite Arnold

On this episode, Tom is having a chat with Daniel Kaddik, who is the Executive Director of ELF, the European Liberal Forum which is the liberal foundation and think-tank of the European Liberal Party, working with 47 member organisations across Europe bringing new ideas into the political debate. 

The ELF have translated a report into English called “For a free cannabis market in France: Fight the black market, protect consumers”. The report, which was originally written in French by Kevin Brookes and Édouard Hesse from GenerationLibre, aims to show how having a free cannabis market in France can potentially alleviate (or at least decrease) the black market, generate profit through the taxation of cannabis, and help with drug prevention.

Tom and Daniel also discuss how the findings of this report might also shed some light on how Europe should move forward with cannabis legalisation, and consider a free market approach.

Links:

Website - www.liberalforum.eu
Facebook - www.facebook.com/europeanliberalforum/

Related Podcast Episodes:
#45 - Will Germany Legalise Cannabis in 2022? - with Marguerite Arnold