First, thank you for five magical years!

So, do you ever wonder about the behind the scenes of The Canna Mom Show? How did we find Dave? Why do we have the intro we do? How does all the magic of podcast distribution work? What are the challenges of social media and cannabis? What could the future look like for The Canna Mom Show? And what will I be doing next year? Well, today you’re going to find out answers to all those questions and more.

Today we are inviting my canna bro David Yas to reminisce about the early days of TCMS and what we’ve learned. Also, if you have ever wanted to do your own podcast, we are going to ask Dave for a few pointers and how Pod617 could be a great place for you to start.

And we’re talking with Kristin Souza whose been working with TCMS this year on our social media and marketing. She’s going to talk about what she’s learned about podcasting this year and how she’s planning to continue TCMS conversations in the future.

And if that were not enough, in addition we are also excited to talk with Dr. Benjamin Caplan about his work educating the medical world on cannabis and the podcast he’s pitching and I’m hoping to contribute to.

Please welcome to the final interview of Season 5- our producer David Yas, our social media manager Kristin Souza and Dr. Benjamin Caplan.

Culture Corner: So, I am not a comic book fan, but I do appreciate the art of storytelling. And I’m Jewish, and always love to support my people. And I’m from Boston, so I had to give a shout out to The Writer, a comic book set in Boston and rooted in Jewish folklore. Created by brothers Ben and Max Berkowitz of the Legal Sea food dynasty, but it was their paternal grandfather, Nathan Glick, who inspired their love of comic books. The brothers teamed up with Grammy-winning and Tony-nominated actor Josh Gad to create the graphic novel. I have not read it, but I love the idea of taking deep Jewish folklore that’s been around for thousands of years and making it like an Indiana Jones adventure. They are celebrating Jewish identity and its broad array, and I think it’s an important story for our times. The Writer, a comic book, available now.

Topics Discussed

(1:10) Welcome!

(3:10) The Canna Nana Favorite Podcast

(3:40) Amie’s Favorite Things

(3:55) Joyce Favorite Thing – Beautiful Ashtray

(4:20) Dave Describing Ashtray – Purchase on Etsy

(5:10) The Culture Corner – The Writer

(6:45) Canna Mom Superhero – Canna Comics

(7:15) Guests Introductions

(8:30) Welcome Everyone!

(8:45) Names, Locations and How Do You Know About TCMS?

(9:45) Musical Salute to Joyce

(13:34) Kristin Souza Intro

(14:56) Dr. Benjamin Caplan Intro

(15:30) Connecting TCMS with The Boston Podcast Network

(16:15) The Podcast Garage

(17:20) Joyce’s Favorite Episode – The Canna Nana

(19:19) Season One in The Pandemic

(21:25) Podcasting Advice from Dave

(23:45) What Dave Learned About Cannabis

(25:15) Autism and Cannabis

(26:45) Dave’s Favorite Way to Consume

(27:50) Kristin Souza Talks About TCMS

(30:30) Creating Social Media for TCMS

(32:45) Future Ideas for The Canna Mom Show Legacy

(37:20) What Kristin’s Doing in Connecticut

(38:04) Cannabis Corner Radio

(39:25) Dr. Benjamin Caplan Introduction

(44:49) Cannabis Science

(45:25) Dr. Caplan’s Podcast

(46:06) Real Stories from Real People

(48:05) The Green Table Podcast

(50:30) A Boy and A Vape Pen

(53:45) Questions for Joyce

(55:12) Kindness and Curiosity in Cannabis

(58:33) Thank You and Goodbye!

The Canna Mom Show wants to thank:

Josh Lamkin and Bella Jaffe for writing and performing TCMS theme music and Fortuna Design for creating TCMS website and Sugar Leaf Creative for marketing and social media.

Aubrey Amatelli is the founder of PayRio, a payment processing solution for businesses in alternative medicine sectors. She founded PayRio on the heels of her successful career as an executive in fintech, which included over a decade with J.P. Morgan. Aubrey’s payments knowledge and her industry experience is incredibly valuable in the cannabis payments space.

In addition, Aubrey has a compelling and inspiring story as she's a single mom of three who's led her first startup to profitability in under a year. I love that we can share her inspiring success story in an industry where female executive leadership and business overall have struggled to survive.

PayRio is on a mission to normalize and stabilize payments for high-risk sectors, ensuring that businesses, whether they are dispensaries, delivery services, seed merchants, or e-commerce businesses, have access to compliant, fair, and reliable payment solutions.​ 

We have a special segment guest today, Jamie Morey, founder of Parents for Plant Medicine – a grassroots advocacy group working to destigmatize and normalize the use of plant medicine and also fighting for the legalization of psilocybin.

Culture Corner: I want to recommend a rom-com I watched this weekend with Brooke Shields and Benjamin Bratt – Mother of the Bride. I love that Brooke Shields is my age, 59, and is starring in a romance with most adorable Benjamin Bratt. Set as a destination wedding in Thailand for Brooke’s daughter – it reconnects her with the man who broke her heart when she was 22. Fun, romantic and love seeing women my age starring in this type of movie. Mother of the Bride on Netflix.

Topics Discussed

(1:10) Welcome

(2:30) Countdown to Final The Canna Mom Show

(3:50) Jamie Morey – Parents for Plant Medicine

(4:30) Mushroom Beverages?

(6:05) MA Changing DCF Reporting?

(7:25) Canna Witch

(8:40) Culture Corner: Mother of The Bride

(10:15) Aubrey Amatelli Introduction

(11:32) PayRio explained

(12:45) Becoming a Canna Payment Entrepreneur

(17:55) Mom World

(19:50) Mission to Empower Moms

(22:30) Aubrey’s Canna Journey

(25:00) Aubrey’s Linked-In Canna Revelations

(27:15) Introduction Jamie Morey of Parents for Plant Medicine

(33:32) MA Psilocybin on The Ballot!

(34:12) How to Help –

(35:10) Connect with Parents for Plant Medicine – MA For Mental Health Options – Open Circle Alliance

(35:50) Rescheduling Impact on Payment Processing

(38:10) Talking with Her Kids About Cannabis

(41:00) PayRio Business Talk

(47:33) Building A Solution for The Future

(48:00) Favorite Way to Consume

(48:55) Connect with Aubrey at PayRio.co or PayRio.com or Instagram

The Canna Mom Show wants to thank:

Josh Lamkin and Bella Jaffe for writing and performing TCMS theme music and Fortuna Design for creating TCMS website and Sugar Leaf Creative for marketing and social media.

Attorney Maritza Perez Medina is the Director of the Office of Federal Affairs at the Drug Policy Alliance in Washington, DC, the leading organization in the US working to end the drug war. Maritza leads the organization’s federal legislative agenda and advocacy strategy to end the war on drugs. In this role, she lobbies Congress and the Administration on drug policy and criminal legal reform. Maritza is a graduate of the University of Nevada’s Reynolds School of Journalism and UC Berkeley School of Law. She is also a member of the Bar of the District of Columbia, California, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Maritza has been featured in various media outlets including The Washington Post, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Politico, Latino USA, and now The Canna Mom Show.

And Dave gives a recommendation on The Culture Corner for the Netflix Series Eric.

Topics Discussed

(1:10) Welcome

(1:15) Ganja Goddess Gala

(1:38) Revival Wheeler Mansion in Orange, MA

(4:20) Old Cemeteries

(5:00) The Hidden Brain

(7:55) The Culture Corner with Dave – Netflix Series Eric

(10:25) Attorney Maritza Perez Medina Introduction

(11:30) Professional Journey

(15:00) Raised Mormon

(17:00) Work at DPA

(18:30) CAOA Bipartisan Support

(19:20) Rescheduling CSA from 1 – 3

(21:50) Add Your Voice with Public Comment

(25:11) M.O.R.E and C.A.O.A

(26:25) Parabola Center

(31:00) Advocacy Links: Engage in Public Comments

(31:40) Contact Local Representatives in House and Senate

(32:00) Drug Policy Alliance Website

(34:50) MAPS

(35:00) Personal Relationship and Family

(42:15) Marijuana History

(44:00) Is It Marijuana or Cannabis in Policy?

(45:00) Drug Policy Predictions

(49:25) Favorite Way to Consume

(49:55) Washington, DC Canna Status

(51:45) Connect with Maritza on Instagram or on Twitter or Drug Policy Alliance

The Canna Mom Show wants to thank:

Josh Lamkin and Bella Jaffe for writing and performing TCMS theme music and Fortuna Design for creating TCMS website and Sugar Leaf Creative for marketing and social media.

Phoebe DePree is the founder and CEO of Goddess Growers, a cannabis edibles company. Her products are now on Ohio dispensary shelves and soon in Illinois, because she’s focused on helping others achieve a lifestyle centered on peace, calm and relaxation. Phoebe is on a mission to make female purchaser feel understood, and her story is an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women, seeking a foothold in the cannabis industry. Phoebe leads by example by following her passion, embracing challenges, building a strong community, and advocating for change.

With her dedication to creating a calmer world, Phoebe and Goddess Growers are paving the way for a more mindful and inclusive cannabis experience.

Topics Discussed

(1:08) Flower Vaping

(3:30) Ultimate Disc UMass Amherst

(4:20) MA Women’s Hockey Team

(4:45) The Final Season of The Canna Mom Show

(6:55) Wiser Than Me Podcast

(9:20) Phoebe Dupree Introduction

(10:15) MA Connection

(11:00) Professional Credentials and Entrepreneurship

(12:12) First Interests in Cannabis Business

(15:20) Planning

(22:40) The Science of Her Edible

(23:10) Azuca

(27:25) Personal Dosing

(28:15) Working with Her Community

(28:50) Educating in Ohio

(31:00) Marketing

(33:00) Rescheduling Cannabis

(34:16) 280E

(36:12) Family Life with 3 Girls

(40:00) Mom Groups and Cannabis

(43:12) Goddess Growers Products

(44:55) Favorite Way to Consume

(45:15) Connect with Phoebe at Goddess Growers

The Canna Mom Show wants to thank:

Josh Lamkin and Bella Jaffe for writing and performing TCMS theme music and Fortuna Design for creating TCMS website and Sugar Leaf Creative for marketing and social media.

Victoria Litman is a law professor and a nonprofit tax attorney focused on the emerging cannabis and psychedelic tax-exempt sectors. In addition to her legal credentials, she also holds degrees in Religion from the University of Southern California and a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary where her concentration was Religion and Law. Victoria received her J.D. from New York Law School, cum laude, and her LL.M. In Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center with distinction. As a Graduate Tax Scholar at Georgetown, today’s guest received a research fellowship to study the tax approaches taken by religious communities that utilize psychedelics. Victoria also teaches Cannabis Law at Roger Williams University School of Law and Tax Practice and Procedure at Suffolk Law School. Her legal scholarship focuses on the intersections of constitutional law, tax law, and drug law with a focus on issues of religious freedom.

Joyce also speaks with Cassie Lemon founder of Let’s Jam – a canna jam company that spreads a little love and comfort in every jar.

Culture Corner:

One Life starring Anthony Hopkins. Based on the true story of a British man who helped save over 600 children – mostly Jewish - escape Prague right before the Nazi invasion in 1939. A truly moving story and timely given the rise in hate around the world. It is a story about why each one of us has the power to help others and that we may never understand the impact we have on this world with acts of kindness. The One Life movie is about an ordinary man who found out over 40 years later how impactful his actions were in saving those children.
 

Apple TV, Palm Royale starring Kristin Wig, Laura Dern, Allison Jenny and Ricky Martin, and Carol Burnet, so many great actors. Truly star studded. A campy story of Palm Beach Florida in the 1960’s, it can be cringy and serious and the clothes are fantastic. And Ricky Martin is so good and still so cute. Palm Royale.

Topics Discussed

(1:00) Welcome

(1:10) Canna Shortage on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket!

(2:20) Green Lady Dispensary podcast episode

(3:25) Seniors and Cannabis Trouble

(4:20) Cannabis NOT a Poison

(5:40) Let’s Jam

(5:50) The Culture Corner

(6:10) One Life

(8:40) Palm Royale

(10:45) Victoria Litman Introduction

(12:55) Religion and Law

(14:05) What She’s Working on Now

(14:39) Linked-In Connection

(15:00) Tax and Churches

(16:10) Personal Canna History

(17:55) Canna Stigma Beliefs

(18:40) Grandma Story

(19:20) MAPS and Rick Doblin

(20:14) Breaking Stoner Stereotypes

(21:00) Psychedelics and Churches

(24:10) How to Balance Use of Psychedelic Therapies

(26:10) Why Should Psychedelics Be Legal

(27:30) Rescheduling Cannabis

(30:50) Why More Needs to Done by Congress

(31:35) Special Segment Guest: Cassie Lemon and Let’s Jam

(33:17) How Cassie’s Mom Used Canna Jam

(36:10) Family Jam

(37:08) Where Do Find Let’s Jam – Official Let’s Jam

(38:25) Back with Victoria

(38:40) Jews in Weed

(41:00) Tokin’ Jew

(43:00) Lehrhaus House

(44:10) Rhode Island Psychedelics and Cannabis

(47:00) Power of Psychedelics

(48:40) Favorite Way to Consume

(49:05) Connect with Victoria on Linked-In by email

The Canna Mom Show wants to thank:

Josh Lamkin and Bella Jaffe for writing and performing TCMS theme music and Fortuna Design for creating TCMS website and Sugar Leaf Creative for marketing and social media.

Danielle Buntyon joins us from Tennessee, where she has over five years of experience as a CEO and owner of several cannabis-related businesses. 
As the CEO of Mink & Kimball Extracts, she oversees the medical processing, transport, manufacturing, and distribution of solventless extracts and innovative products. As the CEO and owner of Jades Elevation, she manages the cultivation, processing and distribution of organic, CBD-rich hemp and a range of concentrates and handmade goods infused with CBD. 

Danielle has earned her certification as a hemp farmer and a medical cannabis processor, but she is also a canna dreamer who gets things done. Danielle and Joyce talk about her mission to make a positive impact in the cannabis industry, how she brought her mom into cannabis and why she’s committed to creating quality products for people who use cannabis for medical or recreational purposes.

Topics Discussed

(1:09) Welcome

(2:17) Bunnies and Gummies

(2:45) Flower

(3:55) Winery in Haverhill – Willow Springs Vineyard

(4:20) Seasons of Goddesses

(5:36) Parabola Center

(7:30) The Ganja Ball

(8:16) Danielle Buntyon Introduction

(9:43) Status of Cannabis and Hemp in Tennessee

(10:48) The Molecule and the Plant

(12:48) Her Business

(13:15) Arkansas

(14:20) Growing Hemp

(15:00) Tennessee State University Hemp Growing Program

(15:50) Power of The Processor

(20:50) Affordability

(24:00) The Farm Bill and Hemp Farmers

(28:30) Danielle’s Mom

(33:40) Pain Creams

(35:05) Full Spectrum Extracts

(40:05) Product Lines: Jades Elevation and Mink & Kimball

(45:20) Future of Hemp Processing

(46:44) The Importance of Better Research and Manufacturing

(48:30) Connect with Danielle at Jades Elevation and Canna Jams
 

The Canna Mom Show wants to thank:

Josh Lamkin and Bella Jaffe for writing and performing TCMS theme music and Fortuna Design for creating TCMS website and Sugar Leaf Creative for marketing and social media.

Caroline Pineau is a legend in the Massachusetts cannabis industry. She is the founder and owner of Stem Haverhill, the first female-owned and locally-owned cannabis shop in the Merrimack Valley, and one of the first Economic Empowerment cannabis businesses in all of Massachusetts.  

Caroline has also become a major influencer in women empowerment, philanthropy and industry inclusivity. In 2022 she conceived and executed the first Green Goddess Invitational and she’s here today to talk about what’s happening in 2024!

Caroline has also focused a spotlight on the unfair local impact fees here in Massachusetts and supports advocacy for communities disproportionately harmed by the war on drugs.  

Of course, this busy mom is also a foundational board member for Northern Essex Community College, and in 2022 helped launch the college’s progressive cannabis curriculum.  Joyce speaks with Caroline from Haverhill, Massachusetts where she lives with her husband, Adam, their daughter, their son, and two big happy hound dogs.  

Joyce gives a shout out to the Ganja Ball and Art Gala being held at the Revival Wheeler Mansion in Orange, Massachusetts. It’s said to be a haunted mansion! The Ganja Ball will be a night of creativity and fun – there will be dancing, mingling, and artwork to admire. It all about celebrating ganja! Fancy dress and hats encouraged. Tickets available at this link in our shownotes.  Organized by Brandy Lefsyk – whose Instagram site is @hometownyogi if you want to check her out and learn more.

Topics Discussed

(1:09) Welcome

(2:05) Kush Groove Brockton

(3:23) So Many Shows!

(4:20) The Canna Mom Show Catalogue

(5:00) The Ganja Ball

(6:20) The Culture Corner: Brittney Griner book Coming Home

(10:17) Caroline Pineau Introduction

(12:10) STEM Dispensary

(17:50) The Green Goddess Invitational

(20:28) Audio Intro

(24:10) Canna Lobbying

(24:40) Schedule 3

(27:27) Impact Fees and Community Host Agreements

(32:12) The Boston Business Journal – Reefer Refunds

(35:00) Dispo Journey Begins 2018

(35:45) May 30, 2024: Four Year Anniversary Open

(37:00) Family

(39:00) Canna Mommying

(47:51) Seasons of Goddesses
 

The Canna Mom Show wants to thank:

Josh Lamkin and Bella Jaffe for writing and performing TCMS theme music and Fortuna Design for creating TCMS website and Sugar Leaf Creative for marketing and social media.

Megan Dobro joins The Canna Mom Show from Westfield, Massachusetts, where she founded  SafeTiva Labs with a team of self-proclaimed science nerds who are on a mission to optimize the relationship between cannabis growers and their lab analysis. She founded  SafeTiva Labs with the goal of raising the bar for scientific integrity, customer service, and ultra-fast turnaround times. Before joining the cannabis industry, Megan was a tenured biology professor at Hampshire College. Through her work at SafeTiva Labs and in her community, Megan promotes diversity and social justice in the sciences and aims to keep humanity at the forefront of business. Megan is, as we say in Massachusetts, wicked smart and holds a PhD in molecular biology from Caltech and a BS in biology from Bridgewater State University.

Congratulations Chef Nick Escoto of the Herbal Creative Kitchen in Westwood, Massachusetts! The winner of the Hemp Guitar by Lamkin Guitars.

Joyce gives a shout out to an event she’ll be attending in Orange, Massachusetts on Saturday, June 1, The Ganja Ball and Art Gala being held at the Revival Wheeler Mansion. The Ganja Ball will be a night of creativity and fun – there will be dancing, mingling, and artwork to admire. It all about celebrating ganja! Fancy dress and hats encouraged. Tickets available on Eventbrite.
 

Topics Discussed

(1:10) Welcome

(1:30) 420 at The Goods Dispensary

(1:40) Herbal Creative Kitchen Guitar Winner!

(2:50) Ganja Ball and Art Gala

(3:50) Orange, Massachusetts

(4:20) Revival Wheeler Mansion

(4:50) Reschedule Discussion

(6:52) Megan Dobro Introduction

(8:00) 2018 Decision to Pursue Testing Lab

(10:15) Scientists in Cannabis

(11:20) Clients

(14:00) Testing Beverages Challenges

(15:00) Are You Ready for MA Testing Changes?

(24:11) Audio Intro

(24:33) Why She Stays

(26:05) Family, Kids and Cannabis

(28:13) Thoughts of Reschedule form 1 to 3

(31:15) Women in Cannabis

(33:60) Women’s Networking Group

(37:00) THCv

(40:25) The Dangers of Unsafe Cannabis Products

(41:55) Favorite Way to Consume

(45:10) Connect with Megan at SafeTiva

The Canna Mom Show wants to thank:

Josh Lamkin and Bella Jaffe for writing and performing TCMS theme music and Fortuna Design for creating TCMS website and Sugar Leaf Creative for marketing and social media.

The Canna Mom Show was live at The Goods Dispensary on 420! Joyce talks with Lit Knits founder Jess Sanford, The Goods co-owner Chris Vining, hemp guitar builder Josh Lamkin, and then we give away the guitar to one lucky chef. 
 

Topics Discussed

(1:02) Welcome – Live at The Goods!

(1:45) Sensi Magazine Canna Mom Event

(2:40) Fireseed in Framingham

(4:20) Lit Knits – A Stoner Crafting Club

(10:38) HIdea – Get Lit and Knit

(12:08) Learning in Community

(15:00) The Boston Globe Story

(16:20) The Benefits of Crafting

(19:40) Finding Friends at Lit Knits

(21:38) Favorite Ways to Consume

(22:10) MassCultivated

(23:00) Connect with @_Litknits

(23:10) Chris Vining – Co-Owner The Goods Dispensary

(24:00) Building a New Business with Alex DeGroot

(29:00) Caring About the Consumer

(32:50) Bipartisan Canna Politics

(33:35) Social Equity Funds Need Capital Flow

(35:15) The Hemp Guitar at The Goods

(37:03) Visit The Goods in Davis Square

(38:00) Paulina – Crocheting Earrings

(39:50) The New Yorker – Piecing for Cover Quilt Story

(40:45) Craftivism – Pink Pussy Hats

(41:05) Welcome Blanket Project

(45:06) Poland Cannabis Status

(45:31) Find Paulina on Instagram @LinkaCreates

(46:35) Josh Lamkin of Lamkin Guitars

(47:00) Hemp Wood Co.

(50:44) Dave Interviews Josh

(50:53) Goes to 11

(52:30) Perfect Hemp Guitar Song – Purple Haze

(54:55) Challenges and Favorite Bands

(59:30) THE HEMP GUITAR GIVEAWAY!

The Canna Mom Show wants to thank:

Josh Lamkin and Bella Jaffe for writing and performing TCMS theme music and Fortuna Design for creating TCMS website and Sugar Leaf Creative for marketing and social media.

Joyce speaks with Francie Hauck, one of the owners of Comm Ave Canna, and two of her very impressive employees, Natalie Mitchell and Christine Coates. Comm Ave Canna is a family-owned Boston recreational cannabis dispensary that’s more than just a store—it’s a legacy. Francie and John Hauck are the husband-and-wife team that brought Comm Ave Canna to life after they met romantically in Florence, Italy, ran a few successful Boston businesses and raised a family. Now with their sons, the family is working together building their vision and experiencing cannabis entrepreneurship. The ladies talk about the work they are doing, the people they are healing, and they have a very open discussion about cannabis consumption during and after pregnancy and the shame that continues to persist and how we are going to fix that.

In addition to our guests we also have a special segment guest, Jenna Goldring, founder of The High Confectionary in New York, low dose delicious gummies she believes are great for moms.

Topics Discussed

(1:15) Welcome

(2:35) 420 Day of Unity

(3:50) Chef Nick E. Raffle

(4:20) Raffle Link on Instagram

(4:50) The Hemp Guitar at The Goods Dispo

(5:45) The Goods Dispensary

(6:20) Guest Intro

(7:25) Favorite Ways to Consume

(8:02) Boston Businesses before Cannabis

(9:58) Comm Ave Canna Space

(10:52) The Light!

(11:11) Canna Whys

(15:05) Audio Intro

(18:10) Success Stories

(24:05) Cannabis, Pregnancy, Parenting

(28:45) SPECIAL SEGMENT GUEST

(35:50) Connect with The High Confectionary

(38:05) Back with Comm Ave Canna

(39:22) 420 and Marathon Week

(45:20) Connect with Christine

(45:40) Connect with Francie

(47:30) Connect with Natalie

The Canna Mom Show wants to thank:

Josh Lamkin and Bella Jaffe for writing and performing TCMS theme music and Fortuna Design for creating TCMS website and Sugar Leaf Creative for marketing and social media.