In this episode of the Ganjapreneur Podcast, host TG Branfalt speaks with Blake Johnson, president of Prairie Island CBH, and Ben Halley, COO and founder of Honest Cannabis. Together, they explore how the Prairie Island Indian Community developed Island Peži, a vertically integrated cannabis enterprise in Minnesota, built on tribal sovereignty, Indigenous values, and regenerative agriculture.

The conversation covers the complexities of launching cannabis programs on tribal land, the importance of community engagement, and the tribe’s decision to invest in a 13-acre cultivation and processing campus. Blake and Ben discuss the intertribal collaboration taking shape in Minnesota, product trends at Island Peži, the tribe’s education and training efforts, and how this model of values-driven development can inform the broader cannabis industry as state markets mature.

Christine Apple is the Founder and CEO of Grön, one of the most recognizable edibles brands in the U.S. Before launching Grön from her basement in Oregon, she spent years working with jurisdictions and regulators—experience that gave her an early, practical understanding of cannabis compliance as the industry took shape.

Under her leadership, Grön has expanded its footprint and product range, introducing single-serve edibles with the “Mega” line and developing formulations featuring minor cannabinoids. More recently, the company has leaned into rosin-based edibles, aligning with a broader shift toward plant-forward, connoisseur products.

In this episode of Highly Enlightened, host Jon Purow talks with Christine about her path from architecture to cannabis entrepreneurship, the philosophy guiding Grön’s growth, and how the company balances innovation with regulation. Their discussion also covers shifting consumer trends—from sleep-oriented products to high-dose edibles—and what it takes to build a lasting brand in an industry that never slows down.

In this episode of the Ganjapreneur Podcast, host TG Branfalt is joined by Aaron Riley, founder of Certified Testing and Data, to explore the development of the Cannaleptic Rating—a new product scoring system designed to help cannabis consumers better evaluate quality across product types. Drawing from his years of experience in lab testing and cannabis compliance, Aaron explains how the system was built using sensory studies, consumer feedback, and simplified metrics to create a more trustworthy and transparent guide for buyers.

They discuss how the Cannaleptic Rating avoids over-reliance on THC percentages, how it differs from traditional lab metrics, and how it could help retailers, brands, and consumers make smarter choices in a crowded and inconsistent marketplace. The conversation also touches on batch variability, terpene preferences, and what Aaron learned from years of testing competition entries and working directly with product developers across multiple legal markets.

In this episode of the Ganjapreneur Podcast, host TG Branfalt is joined by Shea Coakley and Jarrod Jordan of Green Street Beverages, a Massachusetts-based brand exploring the emerging THC beverage space. Coakley, a seasoned food and wellness entrepreneur, and Jordan, a CPG marketing veteran, share how their personal journeys away from the alcohol industry shaped their mission to normalize low-dose, social THC consumption. The conversation covers the evolving regulatory landscape, growing national demand for cannabis-infused drinks, and what it will take for THC beverages to go truly mainstream—from sports arenas to grocery store shelves.

In this episode of The Ganjapreneur Podcast, host TG Branfalt sits down with Christie and William Ashabranner, the husband-and-wife duo behind The Herb Cave, a licensed cannabis dispensary in Plattsburgh, New York. Built on values of inclusivity, kindness, and education, The Herb Cave stands out not only for its product selection and interior design, but for its genuine community connection and emphasis on customer experience.

In this interview, Christie and William share the trials of opening a cannabis shop in a hesitant real estate market, how word-of-mouth and staff culture fueled their early success, and why they’re building a space that goes beyond retail with events, metaphysical offerings, and plans for an eventual on-site consumption lounge. They also reflect on legacy roots, regulatory frustrations, and what it takes to earn a customer’s trust in a legal market.

In this episode of Highly Enlightened, host Jon Purow connects with Samuel Brill, CEO of Ascend Wellness Holdings. Prior to becoming CEO, he he first served as Lead Independent Director and now leads the charge at one of the country’s largest multi-state operators. He is a veteran of capital markets, private equity, and corporate transformation—with nearly three decades of experience guiding businesses through high-stakes moments.

Before stepping into the cannabis space, Sam led private equity efforts at Seventh Avenue Investments, managing the portfolio for a multibillion-dollar single-family office focused on turning around underperforming businesses. He’s also served as CIO at Weismann Capital, overseeing investments across credit, real estate, and structured deals.

Sam’s fingerprints are on a range of industries—from medical devices to distressed debt—and he currently chairs the board of Invacare Holdings while advising companies through his consultancy, S Brill LLC. Across it all, he’s been the steady hand in the boardroom, the turnaround strategist behind the scenes, and the one asked to lead when stakes are highest.

In this episode of The Ganjapreneur Podcast, Damien Cornwell — President of the Cannabis Association of New York and owner of Just Breathe dispensary in Binghamton — joins host TG Branfalt for an unfiltered conversation about what it takes to survive and lead in New York’s chaotic cannabis landscape. Drawing from his background in logistics, media, and community activism, Damien offers a candid perspective on the state’s troubled rollout, liquidity crunch, and lack of banking access, and why systemic change still feels within reach, despite the obstacles.

Cornwell also reflects on what makes the cannabis space so personal: from his work supporting addiction recovery and affordable childcare to his role as a voice for equity and reason in a deeply fractured market. With wit, humility, and a deep sense of responsibility, he makes the case for solidarity, smarter policy, and not forgetting why many joined the industry in the first place.

In this compilation episode of Highly Enlightened, host Jon Purow hits the road—capturing quick, insightful interviews with leading voices across the cannabis industry. Recorded at MJ Unpacked Missouri 2024, the WomenGrow Leadership Summit 2025, and the Benzinga New Jersey Cannabis Market Spotlight, this lineup showcases perspectives from founders, marketers, security experts, and more.

Featured Guests:

Jordan Mackenzie Whittaker

The Weedaker Group

Mitch Pfeifer

Director of Community Relations, Active

Sheila Fey

Marketing Director, Elevated Roots

Ian Powell

Founder, Loud Minds TV

Paul Vancea

Kosmik Brands

When cannabis fails a microbial test, the consequences can be costly—lost product, damaged reputations, and in some cases, a total recall. But what if the entire process could be de-risked? In this episode, Jeff Adams, founder and managing director of XR Pure, and national sales manager Joseph Bancheri join TG Branfalt for a conversation about how their X-ray-based decontamination tech is offering a clean, consistent solution for cultivators. With deep roots in X-ray engineering and cannabis sales respectively, they make a compelling case for proactive remediation as a standard step in cannabis operations.

In this episode of The Ganjapreneur Podcast, host TG Branfalt speaks with Laura Trujillo and Amanda Terpstra, co-founders of BestBuds, a woman- and Hispanic-owned dispensary based in Woodbury, New Jersey. Lifelong friends turned business partners, Laura and Amanda share their remarkable story of bootstrapping a licensed cannabis retail business from the ground up—navigating community pushback, lawsuits, zoning battles, and a grueling fundraising process along the way.

Together, they break down how their complementary skills, entrepreneurial drive, and deep community engagement helped them overcome early resistance in a small-town setting. The conversation touches on fundraising challenges for women and minority founders, the changing product landscape in New Jersey, and why staffing and personality fit are critical to cannabis retail success. It's an inspiring and highly practical look at what it really takes to open—and sustain—a dispensary in today’s regulated environment.