Smells Like Business

On this episode, Tom continues his conversation with Marguerite Arnold, a cannabis journalist, author, entrepreneur, activist, and patient living in Frankfurt, Germany. She writes as a freelance journalist for High Times Magazine, Dope Magazine, the Cannabis Industry Journal and more, covering many aspects of the cannabis industry. Marguerite shares her knowledge and insights on the latest developments involving cannabis reform in Europe.

On episode 45, Marguerite explains how cannabis legalisation in Germany is moving forward and how it will likely play out over the next few years. On this episode, however, she talks about what effect this might have on the rest of Europe and how other European countries are moving forward with their own cannabis legislation, such as Luxembourg, Switzerland, Malta and Spain.

Other topics discussed:

• What lessons can the European cannabis market learn from North America?
• Do American and Canadian companies want to enter the European cannabis market?
• How is Spain moving forward with cannabis legalisation?
• Who is Albert Tió, and why has he been sentenced to prison?
• How is Luxembourg going to legalise cannabis?
• Will Luxembourg only allow the sale of seeds?
• How is Malta going to legalise cannabis?
• Are Luxembourg and Malta approaching cannabis legalisation in the same way?
• Why is Switzerland approaching cannabis legalisation differently from other European countries?
• Is North Macedonia legalising cannabis?

Links:

Website - https://cannabis101.de/

Medium - https://margueritearnold.medium.com

High Times - https://hightimes.com/author/margueritearnold/

Cannabis Tech - https://www.cannabistech.com/author/marguerite-arnold/

Related podcast episodes:

#45 - Will Germany Legalise Cannabis in 2022? - with Marguerite Arnold

#46 - How Was 2021 For Cannabis in Europe

#21 - How Was 2020 for Cannabis and CBD in 2020?

On this episode Tom is having a chat with You! Tom gives a summary of some of the important European cannabis developments that happened in 2021. He discusses many things, with a focus on what steps have been made towards the legalisation of cannabis in some of the different countries in Europe. It is a pleasure to say that, even though a lot of us have struggled during these Covid times over the past two years, cannabis has actually had a very good 2021! 

The future of cannabis in Europe looks very bright!

Other topics discussed:

• Why is Malta legalising cannabis use?
• Is Malta the first country in Europe to legalise cannabis?
• How many cannabis plants will I be able to grow in Malta?
• Will there be social cannabis clubs in Malta?
• Is Luxembourg legalising cannabis?
• Will the sale of cannabis seeds be legal in Luxembourg?
• How will Germany approach cannabis legalisation?
• What implications can Germany’s cannabis reform have on the rest of Europe? 
• Will there be a cannabis referendum in Italy this year?
• What is Hempzon?
• How has 2021 been for Smells Like Business?
• Frenchy Cannoli: A hash legend 

Links:
Smells Like Business LinkedIn Page
Instagram @smellslikebusiness
Smells Like Business Website

Related podcast episodes:

#45 - Will Germany Legalise Cannabis in 2022? - with Marguerite Arnold

#21 - How Was 2020 for Cannabis and CBD in 2020?

#03 - How to Start a Cannabis Expo in Europe - Kevin Rebelo Lopes from Hempzon

On this episode, Tom is talking with Marguerite Arnold. Marguerite is a Cannabis Journalist who uprooted her life in America to move to Germany, where she currently resides. She is the author of “Green II: Spreading Like Kudzu”, where she shares her take on the cannabis reforms spreading through the world.  

Her vast knowledge of cannabis comes both from working in the industry and being a medical cannabis patient. In her conversation with Tom, she sheds some light on the current legal changes in Europe, with a particular focus on Germany - one of the leaders in the race to implement a highly regulated cannabis market in Europe.

Other topics discussed:

• What role does Germany play in the legalisation of cannabis in Europe?
• What was the German approach to cannabis in the last decade?
• Are there any German companies producing medical cannabis?
• Will any German Grow-shop sell cannabis when it becomes legal in Germany?
• Will cannabis reform really happen?
• What other countries should we keep an eye on regarding the legalisation of cannabis in Europe?
• How does the German government feel about smoking cannabis?
• What happens next?
• What about recreational cannabis?

Links:

Website - https://cannabis101.de/

Medium - https://margueritearnold.medium.com

High Times - https://hightimes.com/author/margueritearnold/

Cannabis Tech - https://www.cannabistech.com/author/marguerite-arnold/

On this episode, Tom is having a chat with Dr. Jokūbas Žiburkus, who is a neuroscientist, innovator, speaker, entrepreneur, and an expert in neurological disorders, the endocannabinoid system and cannabinoids. The last time Dr. Jokūbas Žiburkus was on the show was on episode 9, where Dispensaries of the Future and what they might look like was discussed, as well as how the cannabis industry as a whole has been developing. However, this episode focuses on the science behind cannabis, and especially the endocannabinoid system, cannabinoids and terpenes. 

So, even if science is not really your area of expertise or interest, I still highly recommend giving this episode a listen, as it is essential to understand the cannabis plant and how it interacts with the human body if you want to be successful in the cannabis industry. 

Other topics discussed:

• What are cannabinoids?
• What are phytocannabinoids?
• What are terpenes?
• What are CB1 and CB2 receptors and how do they differ from each other?
• How is the runner’s high connected to the endocannabinoid system?
• Why was the endocannabinoid system only discovered in 1992?
• Why does cannabis only synthesize the acidic form of cannabinoids?
• Why does CBD prefer to interact with serotonin receptors rather than cannabinoid receptors?
• Who is Dr. Lumír Hanuš and Dr. William Devane?
• Can the acidic form of THC get me high?
• Is the DEA and FDA in the US finally opening up to cannabis research?
• Why is research on cannabis conducted by dispensaries only now becoming possible?
• Why are cannabis products not very well labelled?
• Why is there a lack of validation of hemp and cannabis-derived products?
• What are the 3 major cannabinoids found in cannabis, and how do they interact with CB1 receptors?
• Why is it so difficult to get cannabis-derived pharmaceutical medicine approved and produced?
• Why do plants from the same strain vary so much depending on where and how they are grown?
• What is the sense of smell, and how is it linked to the limbic system?
• What is the entourage effect?

Links:

Website - www.adendox.com

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

Related Podcast Episodes:

Other Episode with Dr. Jokūbas Žiburkus - #9 - Dispensaries of the Future

On this episode, Tom is having a chat with Simon Villum Folmann, the CEO and Co-Founder of HØJ - a company producing high quality cannabis accessories using Danish design and the latest technologies. The KLIP, which is HØJ’s grinder, and the KØL, which is their pipe, are the two products we dive into on this episode. Simon shares HØJ’s story from creating a concept, to producing a prototype, to eventually having a finished product available to the cannabis consumer.  He also explains the amount of research and development, time and effort, as well as money and investment needed to produce a good quality product, and how to get it out on to the market.

Coming from a sustainable background in solar energy, Simon emphasises the importance of using sustainable materials and practices, where possible. HØJ uses cork and recyclable aluminium in their packaging and products, and the company implements sustainable and ethical practices themselves. Simon also discusses the importance of well-designed packaging, why the UK is good for product development, but also the challenges Brexit has brought, as well as how to create a great user experience. 

Other topics discussed:

• What does HØJ, KLIP and KØL mean?
• Why are grinders using such an old technology?
• Why is it important to slice or cut your weed instead of grind it?
• Can grinding cannabis ruin the integrity of the trichomes?
• Why is the UK good for product development?
• How has Brexit affected the company?
• What is recyclable aluminium?
• Why is cork such a good material to use for packaging?
• How important is it to create a nice and cosy environment and setting for first time cannabis users?
• Is hash more popular than marijuana in Denmark?

Links:

Website - www.hoj.life

Instagram - @hoj.life

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

Facebook - www.facebook.com/hoj.life

Related Podcast Episodes:

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

On this episode, Tom is having a chat with Max Simon, the CEO and Co-Founder of Green Flower - a company that offers certified cannabis courses for entrepreneurs who want to enter the cannabis industry or further develop their cannabis careers. Green Flower also provides training programs for cannabis companies, government agencies and universities. 

Before Green Flower, Max had the opportunity to be the Director of Products for Deepak Chopra, the legendary mind-body medicine guru, where he helped develop the Chopra Center Brand and became the youngest meditation teacher in their history. With that experience and seeing a need for more education in the growing cannabis industry, Max created one of the world's leading cannabis training and education platforms.

Ganjier is the latest certified cannabis course Green Flower has released. Max explains what the Ganjier program consists of and what it means to be a Ganjier. So if you're interested in learning more about the course and the opportunities available for Ganjiers, then this episode is definitely for you.

Other topics discussed:

• Why did Max start Green Flower?
• How important is education and training in the cannabis industry?
• What different cannabis courses does Green Flower provide?
• How has Covid-19 affected the company?
• What can the European cannabis industry gain from cannabis education and training programs?
• How can education and experience help get rid of the stigma of cannabis?
• How is Green Flower managing to partner up with different universities?
• Why did Max decide to create the Ganjier program?
• What does the future hold for Green Flower?
• What can Europe learn from the North American cannabis industry?
• What are the problems with cannabis vertical integration?

Links:

Green Flower

Website - https://www.green-flower.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/school/greenflower/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/greenflowerlearning/

Ganjier 

Website - https://www.ganjier.com/

Instagram - @the_ganjier

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/ganjier/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theganjier

Max Simon

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-simon-b51161156/

On this episode Tom is having a chat with Chris Piazza, the CEO and Co-Founder of CannaDevices. The company is an American Glass and accessory distributor providing high quality, handcrafted glass pipes (and more) to dispensaries and head shops around the US and beyond. Chris partnered up with Bob Bank, a long time friend and fellow glass blower, and together they started CannaDevices with the aim of providing jobs and opportunities for glass artists. 

Coming from the world of glass blowing, Chris understands the struggles and difficulties of getting your work out onto dispensary shelves and eventually into the hands of cannabis consumers. CannaDevices now works with over 40 different glass blowers around the US, with that number growing day by day. 

So if you’re a glass blower wanting to work in the cannabis space, whether in North America, South America, Europe, or anywhere else, this is a great episode to learn some tips and tricks of how to get your work out there.

Other topics discussed:

• What the glass pipe blowing process looks like
• How the artist always comes first 
• The importance of events and tradeshows such as MJBizCon
• Creating a good family-like work culture
• The difficulties of working with banks and other service providing companies in the cannabis industry
• Creating a good partnership with Doss Carts (vape electronics)
• Expanding beyond the US

Links:

Website - https://cannadevices.com/

Instagram - @CannaDevices

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispiazzail/ 

On this episode, Tom is having a chat with Chris Tasker, the founder of Global Cannabinoid Solutions - a company providing scientific support and solutions for businesses in the cannabis industry (or wanting to enter it). Many large companies will have a finance department, a marketing department and a law department. However, most will not have a science department, and Chris feels this is a big mistake, especially in the cannabis industry. 

As science is playing an ever-increasing role in all industries, Chris saw the need to provide businesses in the cannabis industry, particularly in Europe, with scientific solutions. That is why he created Global Cannabinoid Solutions to provide cannabis businesses with scientific tools and services and push the cannabis conversation forward through education and communication.

Over the last few years, Chris has also been working closely with Social Cannabis Clubs around the UK, helping them create constructive conversations with UK law enforcement by bringing academic and scientific reasoning to the table. Tom and Chris discuss a wide range of topics such as how Global Cannabinoid Solutions grew out of an idea, what different services and courses they provide, what the UK needs to do to help patients medicating with cannabis, and how to push the industry in the UK forward. 

Other topics discussed:

• What is the Cannamanual?
• How can patients medicate with cannabis safely in the UK?
• How can we bring science, education and business together in the cannabis industry?
• What are the difficulties of conducting scientific research on cannabis in the UK?
• Why is the British government not providing any funds for cannabis research?
• How successful was the test study on the Social Cannabis Club in Durham
• Why is there so much talk about CBD?
• How important is good education and proper communication in moving the cannabis conversation forward?

Links:

Global Cannabinoid Solutions - https://globalcannabinoidsolutions.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-cannabinoid-solutions/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GlobalCannabinoidSolutions

On this episode Tom is having a chat with Brett Puffenbarger, who is the Director of Marketing and Sales for FOCUS - The Foundation Of Unified Standards. Brett shares what it’s like working for FOCUS, and how they are working with different companies and government agencies to create compliances and unified standards to help better the cannabis industry. He also explains what kind of services FOCUS provides, and what kind of standards they are creating and implementing around the world.

Brett points out some of the issues in the cannabis industry,  how unified standards can address some of these issues, and how different governments and businesses are implementing these standards. Tom and Brett also discuss some of the pitfalls in the cannabis industry and what Europe should look out for.

Other topics discussed:

• When and why FOCUS was created
• What is “Good Highdeas”?
• How are different US states approaching cannabis legalisation?
• How should the US government approach the federal legalisation of cannabis?
• What can Europe learn from the US?
• How to post good content on LinkedIn
• How Brett manages his time between so many projects

Links:

FOCUS - https://www.focusstandards.org/

Good Highdeas - https://www.goodhighdeas.net/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettpuffenbarger/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brettpuffenbarger/

Previous Episode with Brett Puffenbarger - #20 - Bridging the Gap From Bong to Boardroom

The CannaBS Detector Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/fi/podcast/the-cannabs-detector/id1422449205

On this episode Tom is having a chat with Jules Marshall, a writer from the uk who has been living in Amsterdam since the 90’s. Jules shares how he went from writing about social issues, technology and the internet, to writing about cannabis and other herbal drugs and remedies. He was one of the first journalists to write about Ayahuasca in the 90’s after travelling to the Amazon and trying it for himself. 

Jules also discusses his latest project collaborating with the Hash, Marijuana and Hemp Museum, where they have spent the last several years working on a book called the “Weed of Wonder”. The book provides an enormous amount of information about the cannabis plant. It is an encyclopedia on what this plant has done, is doing, and will do in the future, and also takes an in depth look at the Dutch approach towards cannabis. 

From its dark history to its bright future, there is one thing for sure, cannabis is still shrouded in plenty of mystery.

Other topics discussed:

• How to research cannabis properly
• Amsterdam and the “Golden Ages” (in the 90’s)
• The struggles of writing a book
• Looking at cannabis from a biological and anthropological perspective
• The cannabis “dark ages”
• How the tolerance towards cannabis in the Netherlands has changed
• The potential of hemp
• The importance of a good career partner

Links

Weed of Wonder - https://weedofwonder.nl/

Hash, Marijuana and Hash Museum - https://hashmuseum.com/

Episode with Noah Tucker about High Cuisine - #26 - Creating High Cuisine with Cannabis

Article about Ayahuasca - The Independent

Article about UK techno-hippie culture in the 90’s - Wired Magazine