In this episode of Highly Enlightened, Jon Purow is joined by Socrates Rosenfeld, the Co-Founder and CEO of Jane Technologies. A U.S. Army veteran and former Apache helicopter commander, he turned to cannabis to help re-acclimate to civilian life after leaving active duty in 2011. Frustrated by the lack of legal access in Massachusetts and the unreliable black market, he co-founded Jane Technologies with his brother Abraham to create a trusted e-commerce solution for cannabis retailers.

Since its 2017 launch, Jane has become a leading digital provider in the industry, powering over 2,500 dispensaries and brands across 39 U.S. states and Canada with e-commerce, market analytics, payments, and point-of-sale technologies. Under Socrates' leadership, Jane has earned recognition from Forbes’ The Cannabis 42.0 (2023), Inc. Power Partner (2023), and Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 (2022), while also being featured at major industry events like SXSW and MJBizCon. Before founding Jane, Socrates was an associate at McKinsey & Company, and he holds a degree from the United States Military Academy as well as an MBA in entrepreneurship from MIT.

Listen to the episode below or wherever you get your podcasts -- you can find more episodes of Highly Enlightened on Buzzsprout.

In this episode of The Ganjapreneur Podcast, host TG Branfalt is joined by Regina Smith, founder and co-owner of The Plant, a licensed dispensary in Yonkers, New York. Regina shares her journey from a background in retail and baking to navigating the challenges of the cannabis industry. She discusses the complex social equity licensing process in New York, how The Plant is building trust and community in a competitive market, and the importance of education and customer service in the evolving cannabis landscape. Regina also touches on the role of legal dispensaries in the community, and how creative partnerships with local businesses are key to success. Tune in below to hear her inspiring story and insights on the future of cannabis retail, or scroll down for the full transcript!

Ganjapreneur is pleased to introduce our first syndicated episode of Highly Enlightened, hosted by Jon Purow. With this show, Jon interviews cannabis business leaders and investors to shed light on what it takes to survive and thrive in this industry. You can find more episodes of Highly Enlightened on Buzzsprout.

Tiffany Chin has 13 years of experience in the entertainment space, working with world famous talent including Snoop Dogg, Eddie Murphy, and Martha Stewart. She has helped artists and talent traverse out of their traditional lane(s) of fame by way of strategic branding partnerships, including brands such as Adidas, AirBnB, Reddit, Tanqueray, Netflix and HBO.

In working closely with Snoop Dogg, Chin co-founded Casa Verde Capital in 2014, as well as Leafs By Snoop (LBS) in 2015, the first widely available celebrity cannabis brand and Snoop Dogg’s first venture into the branded cannabis space.

Chin guest lectures at UCLA for MBA marketing classes, and has consulted with many cannabis agencies and brands – and most recently debuted the Death Row Records Cannabis line in California in 2023. In 2024, Chin launched two cannabis shops alongside Snoop Dogg named S.W.E.D. – which stands for Smoke Weed Every Day (one in Inglewood, and a coffeeshop in Amsterdam). She received her business degree at the Wharton School of Business from the University of Pennsylvania.

In this episode of the Ganjapreneur podcast, host TG Branfalt is joined by Brandon Wyatt, Esq. and Todd Hughes, co-founders of BCB Mastermind, an executive training program designed to propel minority-owned cannabis and hemp businesses to new heights. In this episode, they discuss the critical barriers that entrepreneurs face in the cannabis space, from access to capital and regulatory challenges to the overlooked potential of industrial hemp. With backgrounds in law, engineering, and advocacy, Brandon and Todd bring a holistic approach to business strategy, emphasizing community-driven solutions, policy reform, and the power of sustainable innovation. Tune in for a deep dive into the intersections of social equity, business leadership, and the future of hemp beyond consumption.

In this episode of the Ganjapreneur Podcast, host TG Branfalt is joined by Josh Wurzer, co-founder of SC Labs, one of the longest-running cannabis testing laboratories in the industry. In this episode, they explore the evolution of cannabis testing, from measuring cannabinoids and terpenes to detecting contaminants like pesticides and mold. Josh shares insights into regulatory challenges, lab fraud, the importance of terpene profiles, and how the industry can better educate consumers to prioritize quality over THC percentages. For anyone curious about cannabis testing and analysis, this episode offers an enlightening look at the critical role labs play in ensuring cannabis safety and integrity.

In this episode of the Ganjapreneur podcast, host TG Branfalt is joined by Witt Rabon, co-founder and COO, and Jamar Brown, co-founder and President of Brand Development for DRO, a Colorado-based cannabis lifestyle brand that has been redefining cannabis culture since its launch in 2014. DRO stands out by weaving authentic storytelling, cultural identity, and bold design into its clothing and cannabis products. In this episode, Witt and Jamar share the origins of DRO, reflecting on how their personal journeys—from professional sports and corporate branding to a shared love for cannabis—helped shape the company’s unique voice and vision. They delve into how DRO transitioned from an idea sparked during their time as coworkers to a thriving lifestyle brand blending cannabis and fashion.

Other topics discussed in this interview include:

The importance of connecting with consumers through authentic, relatable stories

The role of design in bridging cannabis culture with mainstream audiences

The importance of advocacy, social equity, expungement, and using their platform for cannabis education

DRO’s approach to licensing deals, and the challenges and opportunities of entering big-box retailers

And more!

This episode offers a compelling look at the intersection of cannabis, culture, and business, highlighting DRO's journey as a brand that honors legacy culture while helping shape the current landscape of the legal cannabis industry.

Learn more about DRO:

https://drolife.com

https://droflower.com

In this episode of the Ganjapreneur Podcast, host TG Branfalt speaks with Tom Lauerman, better known as Farmer Tom, a longtime cannabis advocate, organic cultivator, and educator. As the founder of Farmer Tom Organics, Tom has worn many hats in his cannabis career, from medical grower and activist to consultant and federal educator. In this insightful conversation, Tom reflects on his decades-long journey in the world of grassroots cannabis activism, including being arrested for cultivation in California, connecting with early pioneers like Dennis Peron and Brownie Mary, teaching federal scientists about organic cannabis farming, and more.

Tom also dives into the future of cannabis, offering his thoughts on the potential impact of federal rescheduling, the rise of pharmaceutical involvement in the industry, and the importance of patient rights and home grows. Whether you’re a home cultivator, medical patient, or curious about how the federal government is preparing for a change in policy, this episode delivers a wealth of knowledge.

In this episode, TG Branfalt sits down with Morgan Fox, Political Director for NORML, one of the nation's leading cannabis advocacy organizations. Morgan brings over a decade of experience in cannabis policy reform to the conversation, discussing the Biden administration's announcement on cannabis rescheduling and the real-world impact it may—or may not—have on the cannabis industry, consumers, and criminal justice.

Morgan also sheds light on the intricate political dynamics that influence cannabis policy at the federal level, from potential barriers in the rescheduling process to the ongoing battle for meaningful reform in Congress. Whether you're interested in cannabis law, industry tax issues, or the future of legalization, this episode offers deep insights into the current state and future possibilities of cannabis policy in the United States.

In this episode of the Ganjapreneur Podcast, host TG Branfalt sits down with Jessica McElfresh, Chair of the Cannabis Law Institute and board member of the International Cannabis Bar Association, to explore the evolving landscape of cannabis law. Jessica shares her experiences practicing cannabis regulatory law in Southern California since 2010 and provides insights into the critical role attorneys play as the industry grows and federal rescheduling looms on the horizon.

Jessica also discusses the Cannabis Law Institute conference, which took place in Chicago over the summer, where legal experts tackled pressing issues like state and federal cannabis policies, social equity, and the potential impact of rescheduling on taxes, financing, and business operations. Whether you're a legal professional or cannabis entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable perspectives on how to navigate the complex legal landscape of the cannabis industry and what could be in store as federal policy changes.

(Note: this episode was recorded in June, before the event. To sign up for updates about the 2025 event, visit the International Cannabis Bar Association's website: https://incba.org/)

In this episode of the Ganjapreneur Podcast, host TG Branfalt is joined by LJ Dawson, the Editor-in-Chief of The Outlaw Report, a Washington, DC-based cannabis news outlet covering the dynamic cannabis landscape in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region. LJ shares her journey from criminal justice reporting to leading an independent cannabis-focused publication, offering unique insights into the intersection of cannabis policy, business, and social justice in one of the most politically charged regions in the country.

LJ discusses the complex challenges of reporting on cannabis in a region where local, state, and federal laws often clash, creating a complicated and ever-evolving market. She also delves into the ongoing efforts to expand DC’s medical cannabis market amidst competition from unlicensed operators, and the broader implications of cannabis enforcement across the DMV. For anyone interested in cannabis policy, journalism, or the intricacies of the DMV cannabis market (regulated and otherwise), this episode provides a nuanced inside look at the current state of the industry.