The Green Rush

Welcome to the Green Rush, a KCSA Strategic Communications Production, a weekly conversation at the intersection of cannabis, psychedelics, the capital markets and culture. 

This week our hosts Anne Donohoe and Nick Opich are joined by the incomparable Betty Aldworth, Director of Communications and Marketing for MAPS. An activist and advocate since her first anti-nukes demonstration as a pre-teen, Betty has spent the last two decades as one of the leading voices around restorative justice and drug policy reform advocating for safety, justice and education within the cannabis and psychedelics industries. 

In this conversation Anne and Nick sat down with Betty to discuss why advocacy for marginalized groups is a core part of who she is, the important intersection of marketing and messaging that shapes these industries, what types of reform she would implement if she were Biden’s Drug Czar and what’s coming down the pipeline at MAPS. 

The group also discussed the Psychedelic Science 2023 conference taking place this June in Denver, CO and what attendees can expect from the world’s largest gathering of the psychedelics community. For those interested in attending, be sure to use our discount code KCSA15 to get an additional 15% discount on your ticket. 

And as a special treat, this discussion included our first ever surprise call-in where a special guest phoned into our recording to ask Betty some additional questions about her work!    

So sit back and enjoy our conversation with Betty Aldworth, Director of Communications and Marketing at MAPS. 

Links and mentions in the show

Links to the guest’s company and social media accounts

Show Credits:

This episode was hosted by Anne Donohoe and Nick Opich of KCSA Strategic Communications. 

Special thanks to our Program Director Shea Gunther.

This episode of The GreenRush is brought to you by Heffernan Insurance Brokers

You can learn more about how KCSA Cannabis can help your cannabiz by visiting www.kcsa.com or emailing [email protected]. You can also connect with us via our social channels:

Twitter: @The_GreenRush 

Instagram: @thegreenrush_podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thegreenrushpodcast/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGreenRushPodcast/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuEQkvdjpUnPyhF59wxseqw?disable_polymer=true

Welcome to the Green Rush, a KCSA Strategic Communications Production, a weekly conversation at the intersection of cannabis, psychedelics, the capital markets and culture. 

This week our hosts Lewis Goldberg and Phil Carlson are joined by Ken Belotsky and Hayim Raclaw of Negev Capital, an Israeli-based psychedelic medical intervention investment fund that targets companies that are at an early stage of clinical development. 

In this conversation Ken and Hayim walk our hosts through Negev’s investing philosophy, their best and worst investment bets and what they learned from them, and how Israeli companies have the unique ability to punch above their weight in the biotech space. 

So sit back and enjoy our conversation with Ken Belotsky and Hayim Raclaw, Principals of Negev Capital. 

Links and mentions in the show

Links to the guest’s company and social media accounts

Show Credits:

This episode was hosted by Lewis Goldberg and Phil Carlson of KCSA Strategic Communications. 

Special thanks to our Program Director Shea Gunther.

This episode of The GreenRush is brought to you by Heffernan Insurance Brokers

You can learn more about how KCSA Cannabis can help your cannabiz by visiting www.kcsa.com or emailing [email protected]. You can also connect with us via our social channels:

Twitter: @The_GreenRush 

Instagram: @thegreenrush_podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thegreenrushpodcast/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGreenRushPodcast/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuEQkvdjpUnPyhF59wxseqw?disable_polymer=true

Welcome to the Green Rush, a KCSA Strategic Communications Production, a weekly conversation at the intersection of cannabis, psychedelics, the capital markets and culture. 

This week our hosts Nick Opich and Phil Carlson are joined by Bill Healy, Co-Founder of Silver Spike Capital (NASDAQ: SSIC), a specialty finance company formed to invest across the cannabis ecosystem through investments in the form of direct loans to cannabis companies. 

Bill joined our hosts this week to talk about all things investing in cannabis including Silver Spike’s investing philosophy which isn’t afraid of targeting brands or deploying capital in competitive markets like California. Bill also walked us through his thoughts on 280E vs SAFE Banking reform, what the future holds for the tier 1 and tier 2 MSOs and how he expects the industry to evolve over the next 10-12 months. 

So sit back and enjoy our conversation with Bill Healy, Co-Founder of Silver Spike Capital. 

Links and mentions in the show

Links to the guest’s company and social media accounts

Show Credits:

This episode was hosted by Nick Opich and Phil Carlson of KCSA Strategic Communications. 

Special thanks to our Program Director Shea Gunther.

This episode of The GreenRush is brought to you by Heffernan Insurance Brokers

You can learn more about how KCSA Cannabis can help your cannabiz by visiting www.kcsa.com or emailing [email protected]. You can also connect with us via our social channels:

Twitter: @The_GreenRush 

Instagram: @thegreenrush_podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thegreenrushpodcast/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGreenRushPodcast/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuEQkvdjpUnPyhF59wxseqw?disable_polymer=true

Welcome to the Green Rush, a KCSA Strategic Communications Production, a weekly conversation at the intersection of cannabis, psychedelics, the capital markets and culture. 

This week our hosts Anne Donohoe and Nick Opich are joined by Eric Offenberger, CEO of Vext Science (OTCQX: VEXTF; CSE: VEXT), a vertically integrated operator with roots based in the blooming cannabis market of Arizona.

In this episode Anne and Nick sat down with Eric to talk about the development of the Arizona market since it instituted adult use cannabis two years ago as well as why Vext sees a great opportunity to grow its footprint in Ohio. Eric also walks our hosts through his outlook regarding the current economic situation facing the industry and how Vext has sustained profitable operations since 2016. 

So sit back and enjoy our conversation with Eric Offenberger of Vext Science. 

Links and mentions in the show

Links to the guest’s company and social media accounts

Show Credits:

This episode was hosted by Anne Donohoe and Nick Opich of KCSA Strategic Communications. 

Special thanks to our Program Director Shea Gunther.

This episode of The GreenRush is brought to you by Heffernan Insurance Brokers

You can learn more about how KCSA Cannabis can help your cannabiz by visiting www.kcsa.com or emailing [email protected]. You can also connect with us via our social channels:

Twitter: @The_GreenRush 

Instagram: @thegreenrush_podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thegreenrushpodcast/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGreenRushPodcast/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuEQkvdjpUnPyhF59wxseqw?disable_polymer=true

Welcome to the Green Rush, a KCSA Strategic Communications Production, a weekly conversation at the intersection of cannabis, psychedelics, the capital markets and culture. 

This week our hosts Anne Donohoe and Phil Carlson are joined by Hillary Lin, Co-Founder & CEO of Curio, a hands-on and complete mental health virtual clinic for ketamine treatment.

In this episode Anne and Phil sat down with Hillary to talk about how virtual mental health care is paving the way to make mental health care more accessible. Hillary also discusses the need to reinvent the healthcare landscape by reinvesting entire systems rather than individuals. 

So sit back and enjoy our conversation with Hillary Lin of Curio. 

Links and mentions in the show

Links to the guest’s company and social media accounts

Show Credits:

This episode was hosted by Anne Donohoe and Phil Carlson of KCSA Strategic Communications. 

Special thanks to our Program Director Shea Gunther.

This episode of The GreenRush is brought to you by Heffernan Insurance Brokers

You can learn more about how KCSA Cannabis can help your cannabiz by visiting www.kcsa.com or emailing [email protected]. You can also connect with us via our social channels:

Twitter: @The_GreenRush 

Instagram: @thegreenrush_podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thegreenrushpodcast/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGreenRushPodcast/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuEQkvdjpUnPyhF59wxseqw?disable_polymer=true

Welcome to the Green Rush, a KCSA Strategic Communications Production, a weekly conversation at the intersection of cannabis, psychedelics, the capital markets and culture. 

This week Anne Donohoe and Nick Opich are joined by Bethany Gomez, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Brightfield Group, a leading consumer insights and market intelligence SaaS platform for Cannabis, CBD and the emerging wellness industries. 

In this episode Anne and Nick sat down with Bethany to discuss the importance of market research in the cannabis space and how to successfully leverage client use data. Bethany also explains how understanding cannabis consumers and aligning with their cultural identity is the key to building a successful cannabis brand. She also discusses Brightfield’s Evergi wellness platform, which combines consumer insights, social listening, expert analysis, and more.

So sit back and enjoy our conversation with Managing Director and Co-Founder of Brightfield Group, Bethany Gomez. 

Links and mentions in the show

Links to the guest’s company and social media accounts

Show Credits:

This episode was hosted by Anne Donohoe and Nick Opich of KCSA Strategic Communications. 

Special thanks to our Program Director Shea Gunther.

This episode of The GreenRush is brought to you by Heffernan Insurance Brokers

You can learn more about how KCSA Cannabis can help your cannabiz by visiting www.kcsa.com or emailing [email protected]. You can also connect with us via our social channels:

Twitter: @The_GreenRush 

Instagram: @thegreenrush_podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thegreenrushpodcast/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGreenRushPodcast/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuEQkvdjpUnPyhF59wxseqw?disable_polymer=true

Welcome to the Green Rush, a KCSA Strategic Communications Production, a weekly conversation at the intersection of cannabis, psychedelics, the capital markets and culture. 

This week our hosts Anne Donohoe and Phil Carlson are joined by David Traylor, Senior Managing Director of Golden Eagle Partners, a Cannabis Investment Bank and trusted advisor to cannabis leaders worldwide.

After advising on various transactions in the life science sector, he took an interest in the cannabis sector and started advising cannabis companies in 2013. In 2014, he joined Surna, Inc. (OTC:SRNA) as Chief Business Officer. After a year stint at Surna, Mr. Traylor re-founded Golden Eagle Partners to provide his knowledge to companies across the cannabis sector.

In this episode Anne and Phil sat down with David to discuss the shift in finding capital within the cannabis industry over the last decade. David also shares advice for operators in the current climate and with the current state of legislation. He also discusses upcoming cannabis conferences, such as Davos, Benzinga, and CannMed. 

So sit back and enjoy our conversation with Senior Managing Director of Golden Eagle Partners, David Traylor. 

Links and mentions in the show

Links to the guest’s company and social media accounts

Show Credits:

This episode was hosted by Anne Donohoe and Phil Carlson of KCSA Strategic Communications. 

Special thanks to our Program Director Shea Gunther.

This episode of The GreenRush is brought to you by Heffernan Insurance Brokers

You can learn more about how KCSA Cannabis can help your cannabiz by visiting www.kcsa.com or emailing [email protected]. You can also connect with us via our social channels:

Twitter: @The_GreenRush 

Instagram: @thegreenrush_podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thegreenrushpodcast/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGreenRushPodcast/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuEQkvdjpUnPyhF59wxseqw?disable_polymer=true

Welcome to the Green Rush, a KCSA Strategic Communications Production, a weekly conversation at the intersection of cannabis, psychedelics, the capital markets and culture. 

This week Kris Krane chatted with Ira Weinstein, Managing Principal of Cannabis Industries for CohnReznick, a leading advisory, assurance, and tax firm that helps clients seize emerging opportunities and change the game in their industries. CohnReznick’s cannabis practice helps cannabis companies adopt compliance, financial, and operating best practices to protect assets, strengthen balance sheets, and drive growth.

In this episode Kris sat down with Ira to learn about the process of launching a cannabis practice within a 100 year old, institutionalized consulting firm as well as the growing environmental, social, and governance movement in the cannabis industry. Ira explains the need for professionalism and legitimacy within the cannabis industry in order to maintain a well regulated market and explains how his firm is helping to build it. He also discusses the potential of state level rollout programs in 2023 within the tri-state area. 

So sit back and enjoy our conversation with CohnReznick’s Managing Principal of Cannabis Industries, Ira Weinstein.  

Links and mentions in the show

Links to the guest’s company and social media accounts

Show Credits:

This episode was hosted by Kris Krane of KCSA Strategic Communications. 

Special thanks to our Program Director Shea Gunther.

You can learn more about how KCSA Cannabis can help your cannabiz by visiting www.kcsa.com or emailing [email protected]. You can also connect with us via our social channels:

Twitter: @The_GreenRush 

Instagram: @thegreenrush_podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thegreenrushpodcast/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGreenRushPodcast/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuEQkvdjpUnPyhF59wxseqw?disable_polymer=true

Welcome to the Green Rush, a KCSA Strategic Communications Production, a weekly conversation at the intersection of cannabis, psychedelics, the capital markets and culture. 

This week Anne and Lewis Goldberg chatted with Adam Shapiro, Cannabis Executive, Hearst Newspapers & GreenState, a national platform navigating the new cannabis culture powered by Hearst.

In this episode our hosts spoke with Adam about the dynamics of the cannabis media ecosystem and how Hearst is carving out a unique niche covering the future of the industry. The trio also shared some exciting news about a new partnership between GreenState, KCSA and The Green Rush to syndicate future podcasts across Hearst Newspaper’s properties.   

With more and more mainstream outlets and media companies dedicating resources to covering the burgeoning cannabis space, Adam provides a thoughtful perspective on what value readers and listeners are looking for from news coverage. 

So sit back and enjoy our conversation with Adam Shapiro of GreenState.  

Links and mentions in the show

Links to the guest’s company and social media accounts

Show Credits:

This episode was hosted by Anne Donohoe and Lewis Goldberg of KCSA Strategic Communications. 

Special thanks to our Program Director Shea Gunther.

You can learn more about how KCSA Cannabis can help your cannabiz by visiting www.kcsa-cannabis.com or emailing [email protected]. You can also connect with us via our social channels:

Twitter: @The_GreenRush 

Instagram: @thegreenrush_podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thegreenrushpodcast/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGreenRushPodcast/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuEQkvdjpUnPyhF59wxseqw?disable_polymer=true

Welcome to the Green Rush, a KCSA Strategic Communications Production, a weekly conversation at the intersection of cannabis, psychedelics, the capital markets and culture. 

This week Anne and Phil Carlson chatted with Kyle Kazan, CEO of Glass House, one of the fastest-growing, vertically integrated cannabis companies in the U.S., with a dedicated focus on the California market. 

In this episode, our hosts sat down with Kyle to learn about his personal journey into cannabis, transitioning from a career in law enforcement to cannabis entrepreneur, as well as his passion for criminal justice and drug policy reform. Kyle also dives into Glass House’s competitive advantage and the sustained success his brand has had in the highly competitive California market. He also offers his thoughts on Biden’s pardons, the future of interstate commerce and how Glass House is examining future expansion and growth opportunities.

So sit back and enjoy our conversation with Glass House CEO Kyle Kazan.  

Links and mentions in the show

Links to the guest’s company and social media accounts

Show Credits:

This episode was hosted by Anne Donohoe and Phil Carlson of KCSA Strategic Communications. 

Special thanks to our Program Director Shea Gunther.

You can learn more about how KCSA can help your cannabiz by visiting www.kcsa.com or emailing [email protected]. You can also connect with us via our social channels:

Twitter: @The_GreenRush 

Instagram: @thegreenrush_podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thegreenrushpodcast/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGreenRushPodcast/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuEQkvdjpUnPyhF59wxseqw?disable_polymer=true