The Cannabis Connection

Today on the show, we welcome Dylan Mattole of Mattole Valley Sungrown from Honeydew, CA. Join us for an inspiring conversation behind the award-winning flowers and hash from the finest Clear Waters of the Emerald Triangle. 

At Mattole Valley Sungrown, we are a family homestead farm. We are connected to this land. We believe that if we care for this land as stewards, it will, in turn provide nourishment and  fulfillment for us. Everything we do, we do with intention and purpose. 

We are striving towards regenerative. Our motto is “less is more”.  Every day on the farm is a day to listen and learn from nature. We cultivate cannabis, raise livestock, and grow food using organic and regenerative-guided practices. We look to the land first for our inputs. Our alpacas and sheep provide fertilizer and help build living soil and abundant compost.

We use rain water collection as our primary source of irrigation, and our electricity comes from the sun. We are actively engaged in habitat enhancements for the local wildlife. We believe our actions on the farm should always offer long-term benefits, not only for our family, but for  the community, the watershed, and many generations to come. We hope you enjoy the high-grade sungrown flower and rosin that comes from our family.

Today on the show, we welcome Melanie and Craig of Alpenglow Farms. We connected in Las Vegas at the MJBowl awards, where Alpenglow won the MVP award for Best Outdoor Flower in California for their Jack Herer. This was a cathartic and inspiring conversation. I hope you enjoy. 

Welcome to Alpenglow Farms, our off-the-grid homestead where we practice the fine art of growing a garden and a family in the mountains of southern Humboldt County, California.

For over two decades, we have poured our love and dreams into our homestead and through its evolution emerged Alpenglow Farms. One of the cornerstones of our family farm is our cannabis cultivation where we employ solely regenerative and sustainable farming practices, which produce our craft cannabis that we share with our California community through our retail partners.

Our cannabis cultivars embody the essence of our homestead’s unique terroir and we look with hope towards the future where our craft cannabis may one day be recognized as the Benbow Appellation.

Located at the heart of Humboldt County, Alpenglow Farms is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, where the mountains, forests, and streams provide a breathtaking backdrop to our lives. Every day we endeavor to live in harmony with this special place and we are honored and excited to call this land home. The pristine environment inspires us and serves as a reminder that our stewardship with the land will preserve and protect this piece of earth for generations to come.

Viva The Cannabis Connection! Las Vegas edition. This was my first MJ Biz experience, and I was honored to serve as a judge at the first MJ Bowl, a bicoastal cannabis competition. 

Today, we celebrate the activation, a few MJ Bowl winners, and explore innovators in the industry with in-person interviews live from the Press Room above the expo. 

We will hear testimony on the floor, connect with the whole team behind Fire King, winners of best Pre-Roll overall MJ Bowl, Dave Peterson of Chico CA Cannabis Co, Sal of Casa Flor, and Simon, CEO of Calyx Containers. Cheers to successful MJ Biz and thank you to all that helped connect the dots over this cannabis pilgrimage. 

Demystifying the many misconceptions about cannabis with Santa Cruz expert Christopher Carr. We discuss Santa Cruz cannabis history of smugglers, musicians and botanists, the human cannabinoid system and how it relates to our health and so much more fascinating information about this wonderful yet notorious plant. 

Do humans have a unique connection to cannabis? And if so, can cannabis be considered a plant medicine? YES, a big fat YES according to our cell’s, YES according to recorded history, and YES according to many peer-reviewed studies!

Christopher Carr is a Santa Cruz-based educator, cultivator, and host of The Cannabis Connection, a radio show focused on cannabis science, culture, and policy. A Cabrillo College cannabis guest lecturer, lifelong activist, and seasoned competition judge—including High Times, the Emerald Cup, and serving as a Cannabis Judge for the California State Fair 2025—Chris is also a cannabis critic on Budist, where he contributes thoughtful reviews to advance cannabis connoisseurship and appreciation. Deeply rooted in the Compassionate Use Act, his work champions cannabis education, equity, and compassionate access across California.

Christopher co-founded local Santa Cruz roots band Ancestree and performs Bass with multiple bands in the greater 831. Christopher volunteers as a DJ at KBCZ 89.3 FM and served as an Art Commissioner for the City of Santa Cruz. Christopher is a proud father of two — Sophia Rose, 3 years old, and Joseph Bruce, 1 year old — and a loving husband, giving thanks for every day in the Santa Cruz Mountains. 

Jocelyn and Claudio of Budist join the show to discuss their story and the inaugural MJ Bowl, the first nationally celebrated cannabis competition. 

Open to licensed brands in California and New York, the MJBowl features two tiers of recognition in each state: MVPs (Most Valuable Products) for first place and All-Stars for second and third place, awarded across every category. 

The entry window closes on Oct 12, and product transfers are due by Oct 24. Winners will be revealed at an official awards ceremony at MJBizCon in Las Vegas on December 4, 2025.

Jocelyn Sheltraw is the co-founder and CEO of Budist, the first professional review platform for cannabis products and brands. With 7 years of experience in the cannabis industry, Jocelyn has established herself as a recognized entrepreneur, advocate, public speaker, and thought leader. 

Claudio Miranda is an entrepreneur and C-level executive with expertise in marketing, consumer branding, business development, multi-channel retailing, organizational management, startups, and corporate development. 20 years of experience in Consumer Packaged Goods, Consumer Internet, Sustainability, and Cannabis. Named among the 100 most influential people in cannabis by High Times Magazine. 

Today on the show, we welcome Reggie Weedman of Canna Country Farms. Canna Country is a small multi-generational family farm operated in Southern Humboldt County. Utilizing full sun and organic cultivation practices, Canna Country focuses on genetics bred and selected on the farm for their top-shelf qualities and awe-inspiring effects. Really enjoy talking genetics, terroir, cultivar lineage, and connecting the dots with all themes pot with Reggie Weedman. 

Maggie Philipsborn served as the Director of Membership and Education for over six years and is currently responsible for overseeing special projects at the Nevada County Cannabis Alliance. She contributes a wealth of experience in consumer relations, sustainability initiatives and community coordination. Maggie is co-host of the monthly KVMR community radio program, The Good Herb Report, highlighting cannabis news and culture. She resides in unincorporated Nevada City (unceded Nisenan territory), where she stewards land, grows food, chases chickens, and organizes her neighborhood's FireWise Community. 

Today on the show, we welcome Warren Bobrow. Warren is the "Cocktail Whisperer", a culinary innovator who bridges craft spirits, botanical traditions, and cannabis. 

His six books are:

Apothecary Cocktails

Whiskey Cocktails

Bitters and Shrub Syrup Cocktails

Cannabis Cocktails

The Craft Cocktail Compendium

Whiskey Cocktails

Apothecary Cocktails (French version)

Bobrow has published six books on mixology and written articles for Saveur magazine, Voda magazine, Forbes Magazine, Whole Foods-Dark Rye, Distiller, Beverage Media, DrinkupNY, and many other periodicals.

Today on the show, we welcome Matt, aka @dela_831sc. I first met Matt a decade ago when we opened Santa Cruz's largest cannabis dispensary, KindPeoples Collective. He is an encyclopedia of cannabis genetics and very well-versed in the crosses of the best breeders in cannabis. He continues to collaborate with notable breeders, including Bob Hemphill, Berner, CSI: Humboldt, Notsodog, and others. We explore cannabis lineage lore, the Santa Cruz Cannabis paradise, and the intersection of surf, skate, music, art, and culture.