This episode is part of our “What Plants Crave” series, where Dr. Sabeh speaks with growers, researchers, and other experts in other engineers, growers, and manufacturers who work in controlled environment agriculture, to get their insights about the direction of the industry, and of course, what exactly it is that plants crave. This week’s episode features Jesce Horton, CEO of Lowd Premium Cannabis. Jesce founded LOWD after experiencing successes in medical cannabis cultivation, where he began growing medical cannabis in his home for two elderly patients who were suffering with cancer, pain and insomnia. Jesce then co-founded the Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA), the first and largest non-profit organization developed to create equal access and economic empowerment for cannabis businesses, their patients, and the communities most affected by the war on drugs.

Jesce Horton, CEO of LOWD Premium Cannabis, discusses his journey from home-growing medical cannabis to establishing a successful brand. He emphasizes the significance of community engagement, sustainability, and equitable access in the cannabis industry. Horton's work with organizations like the Minority Cannabis Business Association highlights his commitment to social equity and industry advancement.

Salpy Boyajian officially joined Flower One in October of 2018 following the acquisition of NLVO, which she co-founded in 2014. She currently serves as Flower One’s Executive Vice President and Board Chairman, and was one of the original winning applicants granted cannabis licenses by the State of Nevada. Ms. Boyajian is an established member of the Nevada cannabis industry and well respected as one of the top female founders in cannabis with extensive relationships across the industry. A serial entrepreneur and business operator, Ms. Boyajian received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from USC, and then went on to Pepperdine University where she earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and a second Master’s degree from the School of Law in Dispute Resolution. She has held her license as a Marriage and Family Therapist since 1996.

Salpy shares her experiences in the cannabis industry and discusses the challenges and successes of launching a cultivation business, emphasizing the importance of leadership and strategic planning. Boyajian's insights provide a valuable perspective on navigating the evolving cannabis market.

Happy Grower’s Appreciation Week! Growers are the foundation of every cultivation operation. Your dedication and love of growing plants is essential to your company’s success and brand. During Grower’s Appreciation Week (#GAW), we focus on you, your plants, and your drive to grow better. We will share educational content, inspirational stories, and industry insights. This week’s episode is with Shannon Parkhill, a cannabis job recruiter with Vangst. We got to talk to her about her own start in cannabis, the diversity of jobs related to cannabis, and her advice for women in the industry.

Shannon discusses her journey into the cannabis industry and the wide range of career opportunities available. She highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion, offering advice for women and newcomers looking to enter the field. This episode celebrates the vital role of growers and aims to inspire those interested in cannabis careers.

Thank you for growing with us!

This episode is part of our “What Plants Crave” series, where Dr. Sabeh speaks with growers, researchers, and other experts in other engineers, growers, and manufacturers who work in controlled environment agriculture, to get their insights about the direction of the industry, and of course, what exactly it is that plants crave. This week’s episode features Kelley Nicholson, Sales Director with Bluelab / Autogrow.

Kelley Nicholson has been involved in the cannabis space since 2000. Based in Humboldt County, California for the last 25 years, Kelley has supported cannabis growers worldwide, from Macedonia to New Zealand and across North America. With a background in hydroponics, Kelley has worked with all different types of growing methods and environments, from indoor to greenhouse to vertical. She has worked with growers of all sizes, helping them to design their growing space for optimal efficiency and highest yields.

A specialist in commercial and hobby automation, Kelley helps clients to determine the perfect fit solution for their environmental controls, plant nutrient management and irrigation.

Kelley shares her extensive experience in hydroponics and environmental control systems. She discusses strategies for optimizing plant nutrient management and irrigation across various growing environments, from indoor to greenhouse to vertical farming. Nicholson emphasizes the importance of tailored solutions to enhance efficiency and yield in controlled environment agriculture.

Last week some of our team was in Las Vegas for the Cannabis Conference, hosted by Cannabis Business Times Magazine. We learned a lot in our time there and wanted to see what our colleagues learned too. Join Dr. Nadia Sabeh on the expo floor to hear the answers of consultants, equipment manufacturers, and event organizers about our time at the conference and what they learned. The questions we asked were:

1) What brought you here?

2) What have you learned while here?

3) What has you excited for the future of the industry?

Alexandra Carver is a Clemson University graduate student working with Dr. Allison justice and the Cannabis Research Coalition.

Elmar Mair is co-founder of neatleaf.

Heather Zindash is an Integrated Pest Management Consultant with The Soulful Gardener.

Taylor Kirk is a horticulture Service Specialist with Fluence Bioengineering.

Zach Mentz is a Senior Editor for Cannabis Business Times.

Noelle Skodzinski is Editorial Director for Cannabis Business Times and organizer of the Cannabis Conference.

To get our weekly updates, subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you for growing with us.

This episode is part of our “What Plants Crave” series, where Dr. Sabeh speaks with growers, researchers, and other experts in other engineers, growers, and manufacturers who work in controlled environment agriculture, to get their insights about the direction of the industry, and of course, what exactly it is that plants crave. This week’s episode features Dr. Allison Justice, founder and CEO of The Hemp Mine.