Smells Like Business

Are you wondering why there is so much talk about Delta-8 THC? Or are you perhaps curious to try it? Or do you have no idea what it is? Well you are not alone. It is the latest cannabinoid shrouded in mystery to hit the market, but not without its controversy. 

On this episode Tom discusses what Delta-8 THC is, how it’s made, what effects it has on the human body, and why you should be cautious about trying it. 

On this episode Tom is having a chat with Humberto J. Nogueira, who has been working with hemp and medical cannabis in Portugal since 2014. He explains what the current situation looks like for hemp and medical cannabis producers, how the Portuguese government wants to move forward with legislation, and what impact it is having on the country. Humberto also sheds light on the latest developments of the EU legislation in regards to CBD, and how different European countries are approaching CBD. 

We also discuss what it takes to be a Portuguese hemp producer, which cultivars are best suited for the southern European climate, and what can be done with hemp crops post harvesting. Humberto is also a part of several hemp and medical cannabis associations, such as HempToday and CannaCasa (Portuguese Association of Industrial Hemp). 

Other topics discussed:

• How is the new medical cannabis legislation in Portugal affecting the hemp industry?
• The importance of security when producing hemp and medical cannabis
• When is the best time to sow your hemp seeds?
• Differences between growing hemp for fibre, flower, or seeds
• What is the bureaucracy process in Portugal for hemp and medical cannabis producers?
• The difficulties of scaling up in Portugal
• Getting the most out of your crops
• When to sell CBD flowers and biomass to the European market
• Finola and the advantages of using this autoflowering cultivar from the EU catalogue

Links:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/humberto-j-nogueira/

CannaCasa - https://www.cannacasa.pt/

Hemp Today - https://hemptoday.net/

Episode with Maren Krings about Hemp - #23 - Photographing Hemp Projects

On this episode Tom is interviewing Dr Julie Moltke, a Danish doctor living in Sweden at her farm and mindfulness retreat. On the previous episode, they discussed all things CBD. Here the focus shifts to medical cannabis. Dr Julie tells us a bit about the current use of medical cannabis in Europe, with a special focus on Denmark. 

Dr Julie also explains the different uses of medical cannabis, lists some of the medical conditions and illnesses cannabis can help treat, and shares her opinion on why doctors don't prescribe it more often. 

Other topics discussed:

• What are the potential dangers of cannabis use?
• How does cannabis fit into western medicine?
• What are the benefits of a more holistic approach in medicine
• The 4 year clinical trial on medical cannabis in Denmark
• The relationship between cannabis and psychosis?
• Is smoking cannabis at young age dangerous?
• Is medical cannabis easily accessible in Denmark?

Links:

Dr Julie Moltke's Website 

Clinic Horsted

Episode with Dr. Julie Moltke about CBD - #34 - A Quick Guide To CBD

On this episode Tom is having a chat with Dr. Julie Moltke, who is from Denmark but lives in Sweden. As a doctor she prescribes CBD and medical cannabis to patients, and has also written a book about CBD called “A Quick Guide to CBD”. Julie explains what CBD actually is, what the endocannabinoid system is and how CBD interacts with it, as well as what effects CBD can have on the body and mind. 

CBD has exploded onto the European and American markets, and is growing in popularity day by day. Therefore, it is important to understand exactly what this amazing cannabinoid is, and how best to utilise it. Most people in the cannabis industry are well aware of CBD, but scientists are still learning new things about it everyday, as Dr. Julie Moltke explains. If you’ve never tried CBD but are curious to, or you are a novice user, then this episode will definitely be helpful. On the other hand, if you are well versed in all things cannabis and CBD related but do not come from a medical background, then there is still a lot you can learn, as Julie explains things from a medical perspective.

Other topics discussed:

• What is the difference between CBD and THC?
• What is cannabinoid deficiency syndrome?
• How can CBD help veterans?
• What is a healthy daily dosage of CBD?
• What is the difference between Isolate, Broad Spectrum and Full Spectrum CBD?
• Why is CBD so expensive?
• What different types of CBD applications exist?
• What should different CBD applications be used for?
• British and EU Novel Food Regulation
• How LDN CBD is trying to bring down the price of CBD

Links:

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

LDN CBD - https://ldncbd.com/

Clinic Horsted - https://clinichorsted.com/en/home/

Episode with Joe Oliver from LDN CBD - #14 - How I Opened the First CBD Store in the UK  

On this episode, Tom is talking to Laura Hand from the Cannabis Travel Association. Laura discusses the happy marriage between cannabis and tourism, and various types of trips and activities that create a great cannabis experience. If you come from the hospitality industry and are wondering how to combine it with cannabis, this episode is just for you. The association has just opened up to International Members, so Europeans are very welcome!

Other topics discussed:

• The core activities of the Cannabis Travel Association
• How are traditional SPAs using Cannabis to attract new guests? 
• Are cannabis trips better for the first time or experienced users?
• The Cannabis Trail and what you can learn by following it.
• Current Cannabis tourism hot spots around the world
• What do 420-friendly Bed & Breakfasts and hotels do to make cannabis users comfortable?
• The Artsy Leaf, the “Etsy for Cannabis”
• Hibnb, the “Airbnb for Cannabis”
• What cannabis experiences do Boomers want?
• What are the biggest obstacles in the cannabis industry?

Links:
International Cannabis Travel Assosiation

Customer Delight Process

Are you wondering if you should start selling CBD in Europe? If so, you are not alone. This is by far one of the most common questions Tom gets asked when he talks about Smells Like Business.

On this episode Tom will be answering that exact question. He will share his views on whether it’s a good idea to start selling CBD now, and what he thinks people actially want to know when they ask this question. 

So, if you are currently contemplating if selling CBD is the right business for you, then this episode will help you make your choice.

Links: 

Episode with Bas Nierop from OGeez Krunch: #29 - From Coffeeshop, To Social Cannabis Club, To Chocolate That Looks Like Cannabis

Episode with Natalia Janusz from Wolne Konopie:  #8 - A cannabis economist’s view on legalization in Europe

On this episode Tom is having a chat with Carly Barton, the creator and driving force behind Cancard. The purpose of Cancard is to help medical cannabis users in the UK to have a validated identification for the police. Cancard is a photo ID card that has its own verification system allowing police officers to act with trust, discretion and compassion.

Carly was the first person in the UK to be prescribed medical cannabis. After experiencing, first hand, the problems with getting a medical prescription for cannabis, she decided to create Cancard. With the help of doctors and senior representatives of the UK police, Candard is now used by thousands of patients self-medicating with weed.

Carly also shares her own story of using the plant as a medicine, what more the UK government should be doing to move cannabis legislation forward, and what the future looks like for Cancard.

Other topics discussed:

• Who is eligible for Cancard?
• How to get a Cancard?
• Who can access medical cannabis in the UK?
• Why is the 
• Who is the team behind Cancard?
• How to approach the law enforcement and medical practitioners about cannabis?
• Why is medical cannabis not accessible through the NHS?
• How peaceful activism can open the door to dialogue
• How drinking tea can solve everything

Links:

CanCard - https://www.cancard.co.uk

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

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

Instagram - @cancard_uk

On this episode Tom is having a chat with Aleksandr Koriulakov and Alex Hermann. Aleksandr is the CEO, main programmer, and brains behind KushScan, an app that tries to detect what strain type your cannabis is by taking a photo of the flower. Aleksandr has many years of experience working in the software industry under his belt, whereas Alex comes from a more business background and has helped several IT start-ups get off the ground. 

Aleksandr and Alex explain where the idea to build the app came from, as well as how it works. We also discuss how KushScan is trying to bring consumers from the black market into the legal one, as well as the different marketing practices they have been using to promote the app. 

Other topics discussed:

• What different features does KushScan have?
• How important is the photo quality?
• How many strains can KushScan detect?
• What is a genetic tree?
• How to train the algorithm
• What is organic growth in marketing?
• The importance of SEO and backlinks
• How to attract external investors
• Who is KushScan’s target group?
• Creating data and statistics for potential vendors

Links:

KushScan - http://www.kushscan.org

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

Instagram - @Kushscan

On this episode Tom is having a chat with Bas Nierop.  They discuss Bas’ colourful cannabis past,  which included managing a Coffeeshop for two years and opening a Social Cannabis Club in Spain. However, the  interview focuses on his latest venture - OGeez Krunch. Bas, who is originally from the Netherlands, now lives in the north of Spain where he creates chocolate that looks just like cannabis.  During our conversation we discuss the interesting beginnings of the company (spoiler: it has to do with Skateboarding), how Bas has managed to scale it up, as well as what the future holds. 

Bas also shares the pros and cons of having a product which resembles weed, as well as how it can be a good way to break the ice and get the cannabis conversation going. Although cannabis might not be for everyone, chocolate usually tends to be!

Other topics discussed:

• What is the difference between a Coffeeshop and a Social Cannabis Club?
• Why do people buy chocolate that looks like cannabis?
• How does Bas make his chocolate look so much like weed?
• Is it easy to make and distribute CBD infused chocolate in Europe?
• The EU novel food regulation
• Navigating between the cannabis and chocolate industries
• What are the best ways to advertise a product that looks like cannabis?
• How can a product sell itself?
• Who are OGeez’s customers?
• Using THC and other cannabinoids in chocolates in the future

Links:

OGeez Krunch - https://www.ogeez.com/

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

Instagram - @ogeez_krunch

On this episode Tom is having a chat with Claire Poulos and Kyle Findley-Meier, the founders of Sky Colony Consulting. They have spent the last year traveling around North and Central America in their van before deciding to move to Arizona, where cannabis has just recently been legalised. 

They discuss what it was like seeing the industry transition from an illegal to a legal market, how they entered and grew within the industry, how they are now carving their own corner in the cannabis space, as well as how they are helping other new cannabis businesses thrive. 

Other topics discussed:

• Creating protocols and systems for cannabis businesses
• Having a company ethos and sticking to it
• The importance of sustainable packaging
• The importance of making Rick Simpson Oil available in Europe
• Educating the older generations in Europe to help get rid of the stigma
• Finding opportunities to grow within the cannabis industry
• Finding cannabis businesses’  blind spots

Links:

Sky Colony Consulting - https://www.skycolonyconsulting.com/

LinkedIn Claire Poulos - https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairepoulosconsulting/

LinkedIn Kyle Findley-Meier - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-findley-meier-aa138920b/

Episode with Natalia Janusz:  #8 - A cannabis economist’s view on legalization in Europe 

Episode with Mike Wise: #17 - Patients Over Profit and The Importance of Activism in The Cannabis Industry