The Conversation, Cannabis & Christianity podcast

Akeem Gardner is the Co-Founder of Atlas 365 Inc., an innovative industrial hemp company, and Canurta, a bio-hemp company, both out of Ontario, Canada. He is an entrepreneur with C-suite experience who has aligned his companies mission with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, and has been awarded funding support from The Canadian Federal Government. With a team of highly trained professionals, Atlas 365 and Canurta explore powerful components of the hemp and cannabis plants and produce unique anti-inflammatory products and much more. Akeem tells the story of how his family reacted when he told them he was becoming a hemp farmer immediately after completing law school, as well as how his Grandfather, a retired pastor, responded to the news. 

Season 1 is a WRAP!!! Give it a listen, you'll dig it : ) 

Mike Robinson is the Founder & Director of the Global Cannabinoid Research Center in Santa Barbara, California. He is also a multiple stage four cancer survivor who used cannabis oils and CBD extensively for not only his cancer treatment but also the severe epilepsy that developed from a race car accident where he hit a concrete wall going 180 miles per hour. Over the last decade, Mike has shared his journey and analytics on cannabinoid medicine research globally, while assisting patients and teaching medical professionals. Mike is also known for adopting a severely disabled child, Genevieve, from the compassion program he once ran. And this doesn't begin to cover all Mike and Miguel discuss in this episode, it is a unique conversation!  

Jane is the Founder and CEO of Jane West, the largest female owned cannabis brand in the world. Her company produces over fifty products including custom designed glassware and consumption accessories available worldwide, as well as cannabis consumables sold in 13 U.S. States and five Canadian provinces. She has raised over $1.7M to date and her successful equity crowdfunding rounds earned her over 3,500 investors from 42 countries and every U.S. state and territory. In 2014, Jane founded Women Grow, currently the largest professional network in cannabis.

Yes, Dianne Ballam is a sitting judge. However, in 2015 she suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a motor vehicle accident. As a result, she was on long term disability until 2021 when she passed all tests and requirements authorizing her return to the bench. On the advice of a trusted friend, Dianne finally gave cannabis a chance to help her TBI recovery and she is now a cannabis advocate, and her story is one of humanitarian service intertwined with destiny. Dianne’s curriculum vitae is rich with perseverance and purpose, and she is not done.

Curt Robbins is Director of Course Development for Higher Learning LV in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a technical writer and instructional designer who has been developing science-based educational and training content for Fortune 200 enterprise companies for more than 30 years. He has developed more than 130 license applications for companies entering the legal cannabis industry. Robbins’ clients have included Federal Express, Microsoft, Sun Microsystems, Northrop Grumman, PNC, Strainprint Technologies, the J.M. Smucker Company, and USAA. Robbins began writing about the biochemistry and business of the wellness molecules produced by plants such as cannabis in 2003. He has since developed more than 700 educational articles about hemp and its health components — including terpenes, cannabinoids, flavonoids, and the human endocannabinoid system.

The primary job of a Hockey Enforcer is fighting, and with fighting come concussions and brain injuries. Robert Frid is a retired Canadian Hockey League Enforcer & he is a walking miracle. With a list of diagnosed brain injuries & diseases, Rob has been through many treatments, including cannabis which has profoundly increased his quality of life.       Rob is also transitioning off long-term government disability due to his concussion history from hockey. He is working with his team at GrowGear, a home cannabis grow kit series out of Ottawa, Canada and Shanghai, China; and he is an Ambassador for Athletes 4 CARE. A4C focuses on Education surrounding plant medicine and overall health & wellness through voices of professional athletes. Rob’s journey to medical cannabis began following his career in professional hockey. At a young age, Rob joined major junior hockey club, and 2016 Memorial Cup champions, The London Knights. A few years later, at the age of 19, he was invited to the St Louis Blues Training Camp. 

Tim Barnhart is the Owner, President & CEO of Legacy 420, an Indigenous Medical Cannabis company,  located on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory which is located about 2.5 hours east of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Tim has been involved in the medicinal cannabis industry for over 40 years and has been a staunch  advocate of the promotion of the rights of all individuals to have access to medical cannabis and its by-products. Tim possesses a wealth of knowledge on the cannabis industry and is passionate about  educating people on the medicinal benefits of cannabis. Tim lived through the counter-culture & Civil Rights Movements of the 1960’s & discusses his life’s journey from New Jersey to re-establishing the knowledge & traditions of The Mohawk Nation in Tyendinaga. Tim has some very surprising views on this life & whether or not there is a life after this life.

Cy Williams is the publisher and editor of the long running monthly cannabis culture publication- High! Canada Magazine (HCM) which is a free informational and educational printed magazine distributed at age verified shops across Canada.  Cy is also the publisher and editor of the monthly Psychedelic Canada Magazine (PCM) and quarterly High! Europe Magazine (HEM). Born and raised in Canada, Cy discusses his work with HCM, HEM and PCM as well as his observations on how psychedelics will impact national health care systems, HCM's community outreach efforts and his beliefs on a life after this life.

Jarrod is an active duty U.S. Navy Commander with 19 years of service and expertise in supply chain logistics, and he is planning his exit from military service. With a Master's of Science in National Security and Resource Strategy, an MBA and a B.S. in Geology, Jarrod launched the Liberty Accelerator Program with the intent to help military members and their family change their mindset on what family readiness means for their health, for their finances and in their relationships. Jarrod discusses his experiences with mental health challenges and his thoughts on the Department of Veterans Affairs providing medicinal marijuana to veterans, as veteran opioid deaths continue to rise. Jarrod also discusses his thoughts and beliefs on the complexity of this life we live in the 21st Century.