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“What we felt would help legalization and move the needle with cannabis was sticking to some key tenets her and it's objectivity. It's professionalism. It's journalism ethics.” - Chris Walsh
Welcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Chris Walsh of MJ Biz to talk about the impact of media in the fight for legalization and how it shapes not only the opinions of the consumers but also of the policymakers. He also gives his take on the resistance against mainstreaming cannabis and the importance of supporting the small players in the market.
[00:00 - 11:13] Establishing a Cannabis Media Brand
[11:12 - 19:41] The Cannabis Industry Then and Now
[19:42 - 26:57] We Need Professionalism to Survive
[26:58 - 34:30] The Path Forward is Incremental Change
[34:31 - 43:20] Influencing Conversations Through Media
[43:21 - 55:46] Pushing for Social Equity and Empowering Small Businesses
Chris served as the founding editor of Marijuana Business Daily during the company’s launch in 2011, becoming the first journalist in the United States to focus exclusively on covering the business of cannabis. As CEO, he now guides the strategic vision of the company and its sister publication – Hemp Industry Daily – while educating mainstream industries about the marijuana and hemp sectors. Chris has been quoted as one of America’s foremost cannabis industry analysts by dozens of media outlets, including Harvard Business Review, NPR, CNBC, and the New York Times. He earned an MBA in international business from Regis University.
Connect with Chris!
Check out the MJ Biz and MJ Biz Daily!
Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi
Key Quote:
“Our approach has been to really shed light on the bad parts of the industry, and we've got people that don't like us because guess what? This company did something and it was bad. And it created a huge issue in the industry. And so we'll write about the issues. We'll discuss them at our conference. It's not all rosy, right?” - Chris Walsh
SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needs
LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodes
RESTART CBD
RESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide.
RESTART CBD“The strategy is different for different clients because it depends on how much you're willing to push that envelope. Some are more willing. It depends on what the product is. It depends on how it's marketed because there's that tight rope between you want to get your brand out there, and you want to get market share, and you want the consumer to understand what the product is. But on the other hand, you don't want to paint a target on your back. It's a risk-tolerance business decision.” - Lisa Pittman
Welcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Lisa Pitman, an influential figure in advancing cannabis law in Texas. Having experience in the early days of the fight for legalization, she offers her perspective on the present policies on cannabis and why there’s still more work to be done in educating consumers, providing better access for medical use, and supporting small business owners.
[00:00 - 25:42] Pioneering Cannabis Legalization in Texas
[25:53 - 32:37] Branding and Marketing as a Cannabis Lawyer
[32:38 - 47:54] The Current Legal Landscape in Texas
[47:55 - 59:17] Navigating Smokable Hemp Regularization
[59:18 - 1:09:47] Interpreting the Language of Cannabis Policies
[1:09:48 - 1:19:23] What’s Next: Cannabinoids and Cannabis-Derived Products
Lisa Pittman focuses on litigation and regulatory compliance. Throughout Ms. Pittman’s 20-year career, she has litigated and tried disputes relating to labor & employment, breach of contract, commercial banking, fraud, fiduciary duty, construction defect and injury, deceptive trade practices, premises liability, professional liability, and products liability. She is also a pioneering figure in the emerging legalized hemp/cannabis industry in Texas. From her participation in the nascent cannabis industry, she has represented a broad range of clients from investors to ancillary service and product providers to “plant-touching” companies — farmers, processors, manufacturers, laboratories, distributors, and retailers.
Connect with Lisa!
Head over to the Pittman Legal website.
Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi
Key Quote:
“You watch these different states try to come up with some laws, and I've been involved in helping to advise what language to use or not use on behalf of some clients that are selling these psychoactive products, whether it's psychoactive or intoxicating... All these different words matter.” - Lisa Pittman
SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needs
LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodes
RESTART CBD“I hope that young people and newcomers to the industry know that innovation is the way to slide in. Innovation is the way to really make a name for yourself, and these big companies are too big to do it. They can't do it, and they're never going to do it. - Olivia Alexander
Welcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Olivia Alexander, CEO of Kush Queen. She paints an honest picture of how she built a brand from scratch, the challenges she faced, and the success she found leveraging social media. As one of the leading women in cannabis, she also gives her take on the changing cannabis landscape and why she is passionate about the entire industry coming together for innovation and education.
[00:00 - 19:33] Scaling a Small Brand to a Big-Time Business
[19:34 - 29:38] The Woman Behind Kush Queen
[29:39 - 32:07] The Influencer Culture Now
[32:08 - 38:55] Marketing Online and in the Dispensaries
[38:56 - 50:58] The Cost of Compliance and The Need for Innovation
[50:49 - 1:14:44] Believing in the Power of the Molecules and Educating Consumers
Olivia Alexander has grown Kush Queen into a multi-million dollar, multi-channel brand manufacturing only the finest cannabis-infused products. The Kush Queen product line includes award-winning bath bombs, pain relief lotions, indigestible, wellness supplements, and skincare. Referenced as the Queen of CBD by the LA Times, Olivia has a knack for being able to develop, connect and relate cannabis to community, health, and wellness. As a voice for progressive change and industry inclusion, Olivia was recognized as one of the cannabis industry’s top women founders by Variety Magazine, Green Entrepreneur, and Ganjapreneur in 2020, as Dope Magazine’s 2017 Social Media Influencer of the Year and shouted out as “The Mariah Carey of Weed” by ELLE In 2020. Olivia’s book, The Essential Guide to Cannabis for Women: How to Buy, Use, and Enjoy Cannabis for Recreation and Wellness releases on sale on March 29, 2022.
Connect with Olivia!
Follow her on Instagram and LinkedIn, check out her Linktr.ee, and visit the Kush Queen website.
Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi
Key Quote:
“It all comes back to knowledge is power, and that's the same with the molecules, with the brands you choose, with being an ethical cannabis consumer.” - Olivia Alexander
SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needs
LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click
RESTART CBD“I'm glad that we have the innovation that we do, and I think that the process of synthesis is going to lead us to even greater discoveries.” - Tyler Roach
Welcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Tyler Roach, “The HHC Guy” and VP of Sales of Colorado Chromatography, to share a dialogue about synthesizing cannabinoids. Tyler goes in-depth about understanding HHC and the cannabinoids alphabet soup, tailoring medicine through synthesis, and bringing innovation into the industry in the safest way possible.
[00:00 - 018:05] Opening the Conversation to the Chemistry of Cannabinoids
[13:11 - 22:48] Educating Consumers About the Cannabinoids Alphabet Soup
[22:49 - 38:58] Differentiating HHC and Other Cannabinoids
[38:59 - 43:48] Legalization and Regularization of Chemically Derived Cannabinoids
[43:49 - 50:58] Cannabinoids in a Pharma Perspective
[50:59 - 1:21:50] Consumer Safety and Important Considerations on Dosing and Potency
Tyler was born in southern California and moved with his family to Colorado summer of 2004. While in high school, Tyler started working for his father’s carpentry business. After graduating high school, he continued to work in the family business and grew experience in sales and operations management. All this time, he knew that the carpentry industry was not his forever place. He always had an interest in the hemp and cannabis industry and would expand his knowledge when he could. In Spring of 2021, Tyler had lunch with the executive team of Colorado Chromatography Labs and within a week was offered the job, Director of Sales. He has worked with the team to bring HHC to market and has helped the company grow tremendously. After 9 months with Colorado Chromatography Labs, Tyler was promoted to VP of Sales.
Connect with Tyler!
Visit the Colorado Chromatography website!
Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi
Key Quote:
“There is a big place for synthesis within the industry, but there's a big misunderstanding that a lot of these molecules that you're already consuming on a daily basis are synthesized. There is a process done in a lab to get these molecules, and there's good to be had with that as long as we follow safe procedures and we have proper testing.” - Tyler Roach
SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needs
LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodes
RESTART CBD
RESTART CBD is an education-first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide. restartcbd.com
“Until we have either the tools to purchase these cannabinoids in different ratios in the marketplace or have the ability to have really fine-tuned science on the culinary side, it's gonna just always come down to matters of individuated preference, and personal understanding, and intolerance.” - Rachel Burkons
Welcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Rachel Burkons, a culinary cannabis expert and educator who is passionate about developing the concept and culture around cannabis hospitality. She shares her background in wine and spirits and how it has influenced her view of bringing cannabis hospitality-based experiences to life. She also discusses her insights on the legalization of cannabis, the importance of education and normalization, and how this could impact the cannabis hospitality industry.
[00:00 - 013:10] Cannabis Chef's Dream: Normalized Consumption
[13:11 - 32:34] What Operators Need to Know About Cannabis Consumption Lounges
[32:35 - 45:31] How Cannabis Sampling Can Introduce the Industry to New Consumers
[45:32 - 47:16] Serving Up Cannabis + Culinary Experiences
[47:17 - 54:19] Social Justice and Cannabis Regularization
[54:20 - 59:42] CBD or THC? How to Discern New Cannabinoids in The Market
Rachel and her brother, renowned chef Holden Jagger, founded Altered Plates, a culinary cannabis and hospitality company whose mission is to normalize and educate about cannabis through the touchstone of food. Through Altered Plates, Rachel has worked with a wide variety of national media outlets to educate about culinary cannabis and partnered with esteemed organizations like the James Beard Foundation.
Rachel is the Executive Director for Crop to Kitchen, Director of Hospitality for Cure Designs, and is a frequent contributor to national publications including Cannabis Now.
She lives in Los Angeles with her wife, two daughters, two dogs, and two cats.
Connect with Rachel!
Head over to the rachelburkons.com website, email her at [email protected] or check out her Instagram at @SmokeSipSavor.
Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi
Key Quote:
“The beautiful thing about the cannabis and hospitality space is that it's a great way to open the doors and get people comfortable. And we have to be able to do the best we can as operators to make sure everyone's safe.” - Rachel Burkons
SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needs
LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click
RESTART CBD“We feel really excited about the idea of people personally, empowering themselves to balance their own feminine and masculine, and for that to be reflected outside as well through social justice, creative campaigns, all the things that we love to do.” - Samantha Montanaro
Welcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Lisa Snyder and Samantha Montanaro, Co-Founders of Tokeativity, to talk about the work they do to bring cannabis feminists together and push for radical positive change. They also focus on the evolution happening in the industry and leveraging technology to create new opportunities for businesses and consumers.
[00:01 – 19:26] A Global Network of Cannabis Loving Feminists
[19:27 – 30:36] Changing the Stigmas Around Cannabis and Empowering Consumers Using Social Media
[30:37 – 40:41] Navigating Restrictions on Social Media and E-Commerce
[40:42- 48:31] Finding Opportunities and Building a Digital Community in the Web 3.0 Space
[48:32 - 54:30] Don’t Fear Technology, Be on the Cutting Edge
[54:31 – 1:00:54] Connecting Through Creativity and Amplifying Brand Stories
Lisa Snyder is the Co-Founder & Chief Innovation Officer of Tokeativity, The Global Feminist Community for Active Cannabis Culture. She is a feminist and plant medicine advocate with over 25 years of digital strategy experience and passionately supports the self-healing revolution through consumption and plant medicine advocacy.
Samantha is the co-founder and CEO of Tokeativity, a women’s empowerment and event network featuring a robust tech platform that brings communities around the world together on feminism, normalization of plant medicine, and the self-healing revolution. Samantha also opened one of the first cannabis consumption spaces, Prism House, after legalization in Oregon and has been a pioneer in advocating for the creation of social consumption regulations.
Connect with Lisa and Samantha!
Head over to the Tokeativity website and check out their Womanifesto, too!
Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi
Key Quote:
“Make the choice now to not fear technology because you don't understand everything about it. This is an opportunity for you to create and be on the cutting edge. And I know the cannabis industry loves being on the cutting edge.” - Lisa Snyder
SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needs
LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodes
RESTART CBD
RESTART CBD is an education
RESTART CBD“Without question, consumers are incredibly savvy and I caution any and all brand marketers to underestimate them at their own peril. They're tuned in. They're educated. They're paying attention. They're asking questions and you never want to take consumers lightly. You want to, evoke excitement. You want to compel them to action. And that's not easy to do in this sort of digitally equipped world that we live in so authenticity plays through.“ - Sam Arellano
Welcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes ABC Brand / Design Founder Sam Arellano. He shares insights on how to build a successful brand in a saturated cannabis market and how branding can help impact the longevity of a business. He also discusses his hopes for the future of the industry from a branding and design perspective.
[00:01 – 17:19] Breathing Life to Cannabis Brands
[17:20 – 22:10] Brands Are a Value System
[22:11 – 28:12] Adding Value Through Technology and Education
[28:11- 35:35] Flower Commoditization
[35:36 - 50:37] Creating Differentiation and Establishing Brand Longevity
[50:38 – 55:23] Elevating the Future of the Cannabis Industry
Sam is an award-winning, strategic brand marketer with experience that spans sporting goods, consumer electronics, and streetwear. His creativity has landed him gigs with Nike, Incase, and Lululemon to name a few. Prior to starting ABC Brand / Design, Sam was the Chief Marketing Officer at Canndescent- where he architected multi-million dollar, high-margin brands. Rosie Mattio calls him "one of the most prolific marketers in the cannabis industry.”
Connect with Sam Arellano!
Check out the Arellano Brand Co. website.
Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi
Key Quote:
“Your brand is your reputation. It's your shorthand. It is the totality of everything that you have working together in harmony and consistency and making sure that that message is effective and is targeted to, a very specific audience. And I like to say go narrow and deep. Know who your customer is and then go to all extent to service them and surprise and delight.” - Sam Arellano
SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needs
LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodes
RESTART CBD
RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide. restartcbd.com
RESTART CBD“There are huge tropes around people of color to not look for holistic medicine. And you have to first work through the tropes, the propaganda tropes around people of color and the use of cannabis.” - Christine De La Rosa
Welcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Christine De La Rosa, CEO and Co-Founder of The People’s Ecosystem. Christine is a well-respected business leader, advocate, and activist. Everything changed after she was diagnosed with lupus, and she shares she was able to take her life back with the help of cannabis. Now, she’s committed to opening access to medical cannabis for the chronically ill and providing opportunities for minorities in the industry.
[00:01 – 05:40] What the Hell Is Going On With Texas Hemp and Cannabis?
[05:41 – 21:08] Using Medicinal Cannabis for Life-Altering Conditions
[21:09 – 32:48] Creating Social Equity for Women and People of Color
[26:49- 45:42] Challenges in Operating and the Importance of Brand SOPs
[45:43 - 55:25] Executing SOPs and Understanding Licensing
[55:26 – 1:11:14] Democratizing Access to Funding Through Web 3.0
Christine De La Rosa is passionate about the industry that saved her life. At the top of her tech career, she almost died from complications of undiagnosed Lupus. In 2015, she found cannabis as an alternative medicine to treat her lupus. No longer bound to 11 pills a day or monthly infusions, she was inspired by her experience to open The People’s Dispensary in 2016, along with her co-founders to help those who most need access to cannabis. Together, they continue to grow their multi-state supply chain footprint and build a fiercely sought-after national social equity model and enterprise now known as The People’s Ecosystem and its subsidiaries. She is currently the CEO and National Co-Founder of The People's Ecosystem, Founder & Fund Manager of The People’s Group and Founder of CBxShield.
Connect with Christine De La Rosa!
Visit The People’s Ecosystem website and follow them on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi
Key Quote:
“You're constantly in a battle for safe banking, you're constantly in a battle to keep your business open. Know that it's difficult and also wildly rewarding.” - Christine De La Rosa
SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needs
LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episod
RESTART CBD“Your ability to respond, your resiliency to find new avenues that aren't existent is what allows you to sustain in an industry and to create a legacy that will last forever.” - Eric Leslie
Welcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Eric Leslie, CMO of Cheeba Chews, to reflect on the brand's journey over the past decade and how it evolved in response to the changing legal parameters for cannabis and the dosage and tolerance of their products. As the edible industry began to standardize, Cheeba Chews continue to be the pioneer brand and a driving force for innovation.
[00:01 – 07:32] Thank You for 100 Episodes of To Be Blunt
[07:33 – 22:41] Setting the Standard for Cannabis Edibles
[22:42 – 29:42] Establishing Brand Identity While Navigating Different State Regulations
[29:43- 35:15] Fighting for a Position in a Saturated Market
[35:16 - 55:25] The Challenge of Marketing Medical Use and the Internal Politics in the Business Community
[55:26 – 1:00:41] The Future with Minor Cannabinoids
Eric Leslie uses an entrepreneurial mindset and years of diverse media expertise to grow Cheeba Chews legacy as one of the most recognizable edible companies in the industry. As the jack-of-all-trades Chief Marketing Officer for the company, Eric’s expertise in video production, client relations, product design and sales helps build the integrity and innovation of the brand as it moves forward into a rapidly expanding cannabis marketplace. Eric came to Cheeba Chews by way of his own production company, which he founded after starting his career as a web developer for boutique marketing companies. Whether he’s creating a new logo and SKU or managing contractors and licensees, Eric takes pride in tackling many different challenges and fostering a passionate, emotional connection to his work. Outside of taking care of his family of colleagues, he enjoys spending time with his wife and kids while getting active outside.
Connect with Eric Leslie!
Head over to the Cheeba Chews website and follow them on Instagram.
Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi
Key Quote:
“You have to adapt how you position yourself in every single market while still trying to find this anchor of identity for yourself across all of those markets. This is who we are. But in this market, you're going to see that you're going to have a slightly different experience based off of what those regulations are for you.” - Eric Leslie
SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needs
LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click
RESTART CBD“I think one of the things that I've learned over time is that, you know, people associate legalization with freedom with like, ‘Oh my god, we get to do this and we get to do that.’ And in reality, what's happened is legalization is a lot more regulation, and taxation, and rules, and limiting opportunity, limiting access.” - Jane West
Welcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Jane West, one of the most prolific icons in the cannabis industry. From starting a passion project to sparking a movement, she shares the story of how Jane West the brand, the entrepreneur, and the activist came to be and how she continues to empower women and the cannabis community through her work.
[00:01 – 10:05] The Woman Behind the Name
[10:06 – 26:11] Using Her Voice to Create Spaces for Social Use and for Women
[26:12 – 34:31] The Role of Celebrities, Influencers, and the Media in the Normalization of Cannabis
[34:32- 47:49] Connecting Women in the Industry and Generating Value From What She Built
[47:50 - 52:07] The Power of Speaking Out Against Misconceptions and Stereotypes
[52:08 – 1:06:08] There’s No Scarcity and A New Wave of Opportunities Will Come
Jane West is an American cannabis activist and CEO of the cannabis lifestyle brand Jane West. She is best known as the founder of cannabis networking organization Women Grow.
Connect with Jane West!
Check out the Jane West website. Follow her on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi
Key Quote:
“Organizing women, no matter what, is one of the steps, in my opinion, because I want to I talk about disparity. And that's what's happening. There's an obvious inequitable disparity in ownership and licensing but that goes deeper, because this entire playing board is broken.” - Jane West
SPONSORSHIP is brought to you by Restart CBD. Check them out for your CBD needs
LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to join me for episodes featuring some serious cannabis industry by sharing this episode or click here to listen to past episodes
RESTART CBD
RESTART CBD is an education first CBD wellness brand shipping nationwide. restartcbd.com
RESTART CBDFrom the publisher's feed