This week Donnell talks with Gregorio Gomez, the mayor of Farmersville, CA, about how he introduced recreational cannabis to an agricultural town of 11,000 people, why the mayor views marijuana like any other industry, and the road bumps to implementation. Plus, Alex and Donnell highlight some of the new weed bills introduced in Congress. Congress is finally going to pot - http://www.rollcall.com/news/congress/marijuana-gains-traction-both-partiesSign up for the WeedWeek newsletter, WeedWeek Canada, and WeedWeek California to get weekly info on the most interesting industry delivered to your inbox. www.weedweek.net/newsletterEach week our writers bring you original reporting and analysis on the latest in the industry at https://www.weedweek.net/storiesLeave us a voicemail with any questions or comments on what you heard in today’s episode or something that you want to hear from us in future episodes by calling 424-258-0430. Please let us know in the message if we can play your voicemail on the podcast.Email us your comments, questions or suggestions at [email protected] to this podcast in iTunes so that you never miss an episode!https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/weedweek/id1332937362?mt=2Follow us on Twitter and Instagram:twitter.com/weedweeknewstwitter.com/alexhalperintwitter.com/donnyshellinstagram.com/weedweeknews

This week Alex and Donnell sit down with Sherbinski, a.k.a. Mr. Sherbinksi, an underground pot legend and creator of the Gelato strain. We talk with him about getting his start in San Fransisco in the early 2000's, the origin of Gelato, and how he marketed his weed organically through Bay Area hip hop. Plus, Alex discusses his story about cannabis impresario Dooma Wendschuh, who co- founded Ebbu and is now CEO of Province Brands. Read the story now at Weedweek.net/stories. Sherbinskis - https://www.sherbinskis.comDooma Goes Nuclear: A Green Rush Story -https://www.weedweek.net/stories/dooma-goes-nuclear-a-green-rush-story/ This episode brought to you by BDS Analytics, the leaders in cannabis sales tracking and industry business intelligence. Learn more at https://bdsanalytics.com/Sign up for the WeedWeek newsletter, WeedWeek Canada, and WeedWeek California to get weekly info on the most interesting industry delivered to your inbox. www.weedweek.net/newsletterEach week our writers bring you original reporting and analysis on the latest in the industry at https://www.weedweek.net/storiesLeave us a voicemail with any questions or comments on what you heard in today’s episode or something that you want to hear from us in future episodes by calling 424-258-0430. Please let us know in the message if we can play your voicemail on the podcast.Email us your comments, questions or suggestions at [email protected] to this podcast in iTunes so that you never miss an episode!https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/weedweek/id1332937362?mt=2Follow us on Twitter and Instagram:twitter.com/weedweeknewstwitter.com/alexhalperintwitter.com/donnyshellinstagram.com/weedweeknews/

At the end of 2018 Donnell spoke with dispensary owner and cannabis advocate Kimberly Cargile about how Sacramento found success in the wake of legalization, her unique business model with A Therapeutic Alternative, and her activism work over the past 15 years. Plus, cannabis makes it's way to the Oscars. A Therapeutic Alternative - http://atherapeuticalternative.com/Oscar gift bags are full of THC and CBD - https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/2/18/18229393/oscars-2019-gift-bags-swagSign up for the WeedWeek newsletter, WeedWeek Canada, and WeedWeek California to get weekly info on the most interesting industry delivered to your inbox. www.weedweek.net/newsletterEach week our writers bring you original reporting and analysis on the latest in the industry at https://www.weedweek.net/storiesLeave us a voicemail with any questions or comments on what you heard in today’s episode or something that you want to hear from us in future episodes by calling 424-258-0430. Please let us know in the message if we can play your voicemail on the podcast.Email us your comments, questions or suggestions at [email protected] to this podcast in iTunes so that you never miss an episode!https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/weedweek/id1332937362?mt=2Follow us on Twitter and Instagram:twitter.com/weedweeknewstwitter.com/alexhalperintwitter.com/donnyshellinstagram.com/weedweeknews/

This week Alex and Donnell speak with Alex Berenson about his controversial book, Tell Your Children: The Truth About Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence. Donnell and Alex (Halperin) push back on Alex Berenson's premise that marijuana use is linked to mental illness and an epidemic of violence. Tell Your Children: The Truth About Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence: https://www.amazon.com/Tell-Your-Children-Marijuana-Violence/dp/1982103663Responses to Tell Your Children: Alex Halperin's Response in the Guardian - https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jan/28/how-dangerous-is-marijuana-for-young-mens-mental-healthA Conversation with Ziva Cooper - https://cannabiswire.com/2019/02/01/a-conversation-with-ziva-cooper/What Alex Berenson’s new book gets wrong about marijuana, psychosis, and violence - https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2019/1/14/18175446/alex-berenson-tell-your-children-marijuana-psychosis-violenceDid Marijuana Legalization Really Increase Homicide Rates? - https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/01/no-pot-legalization-probably-didnt-increase-homicide-rates.htmlDoes Legalizing Marijuana Cause 'Sharp Increases in Murders and Aggravated Assaults'? - https://reason.com/blog/2019/01/09/does-legalizing-marijuana-cause-sharp-inSign up for the WeedWeek newsletter, WeedWeek Canada, and WeedWeek California to get weekly info on the most interesting industry delivered to your inbox. www.weedweek.net/newsletterEach week our writers bring you original reporting and analysis on the latest in the industry at https://www.weedweek.net/storiesLeave us a voicemail with any questions or comments on what you heard in today’s episode or something that you want to hear from us in future episodes by calling 424-258-0430. Please let us know in the message if we can play your voicemail on the podcast.Email us your comments, questions or suggestions at [email protected] to this podcast in iTunes so that you never miss an episode!https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/weedweek/id1332937362?mt=2Follow us on Twitter and Instagram:twitter.com/weedweeknewstwitter.com/alexhalperintwitter.com/donnyshellinstagram.com/weedweeknews/

For our Valentine's Day episode, we sit down with Molly Peckler, founder of Highly Devoted, a cannabis-friendly matchmaking service. We discuss finding someone to share life (and a joint) with, dating around the stigma of weed, and how cannabis can help you find love. Plus, legalization is creating well-paying jobs. Highly Devoted - https://highlydevoted.comCannabis jobs pay 11% more than the US median salary, and demand is up 76% - https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/04/cannabis-jobs-pay-11percent-more-than-the-us-median-salary.htmlSign up for the WeedWeek newsletter, WeedWeek Canada, and WeedWeek California to get weekly info on the most interesting industry delivered to your inbox. www.weedweek.net/newsletterEach week our writers bring you original reporting and analysis on the latest in the industry at https://www.weedweek.net/storiesLeave us a voicemail with any questions or comments on what you heard in today’s episode or something that you want to hear from us in future episodes by calling 424-258-0430. Please let us know in the message if we can play your voicemail on the podcast.Email us your comments, questions or suggestions at [email protected] to this podcast in iTunes so that you never miss an episode!https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/weedweek/id1332937362?mt=2Follow us on Twitter and Instagram:twitter.com/weedweeknewstwitter.com/alexhalperintwitter.com/donnyshellinstagram.com/weedweeknews/

This week we talk with former world heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson, about his second career: pot entrepreneur. He tells us about being too famous for his own good, how weed has impacted his life for the better, and all about his upcoming cannabis-friendly music festival. Also, vape pens are failing safety tests in California.The Kind Music Festival - https://kindmusicfestival.com/Mike Tyson and Robin Givens on Barbara Walters in 1988 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAcuDk4ovsw&t=9sMike Tyson boxing highlights - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2RxpsS639I&t=12sCalifornia Cannabis Labs Are Finding Toxic Metal in Vape Carts - https://www.leafly.com/news/health/california-cannabis-labs-are-finding-toxic-metal-in-vape-cartsSign up for the WeedWeek newsletter, WeedWeek Canada, and WeedWeek California to get weekly info on the most interesting industry delivered to your inbox. www.weedweek.net/newsletterEach week our writers bring you original reporting and analysis on the latest in the industry at https://www.weedweek.net/storiesLeave us a voicemail with any questions or comments on what you heard in today’s episode or something that you want to hear from us in future episodes by calling 424-258-0430. Please let us know in the message if we can play your voicemail on the podcast.Email us your comments, questions or suggestions at [email protected] to this podcast in iTunes so that you never miss an episode!https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/weedweek/id1332937362?mt=2Follow us on Twitter and Instagram:twitter.com/weedweeknewstwitter.com/alexhalperintwitter.com/donnyshellinstagram.com/weedweeknews/

This week we bring you an interview with former Fresno councilman Clint Olivier. Donnell sat down with Olivier at the end of 2018, days before he left office. Olivier talks us through his strategy for legalizing medical in a conservative city that was very anti-marijuana.Follow Clint Olivier on Twitter: https://twitter.com/clintolivierAlex Halperin's response to Alex Berenson's anti-marijuana book: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jan/28/how-dangerous-is-marijuana-for-young-mens-mental-health?CMP=share_btn_twThe Challenges Ahead: Barinder Rasode on Communication and Education: https://www.weedweek.net/stories/the-challenges-ahead-barinder-rasode-on-communication-and-education/California marijuana growers association drops suit over loophole for mega-farms : https://mjbizdaily.com/california-marijuana-growers-association-drops-suit-mega-farms/Sign up for the WeedWeek newsletter, WeedWeek Canada, and WeedWeek California to get weekly info on the most interesting industry delivered to your inbox. www.weedweek.net/newsletterEach week our writers bring you original reporting and analysis on the latest in the industry at https://www.weedweek.net/storiesLeave us a voicemail with any questions or comments on what you heard in today’s episode or something that you want to hear from us in future episodes by calling 424-258-0430. Please let us know in the message if we can play your voicemail on the podcast.Email us your comments, questions or suggestions at [email protected] to this podcast in iTunes so that you never miss an episode!https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/weedweek/id1332937362?mt=2Follow us on Twitter and Instagram:twitter.com/weedweeknewstwitter.com/alexhalperintwitter.com/donnyshellinstagram.com/weedweeknews/

This week Alex and Donnell talk with "Freeway" Rick Ross on the illegal drug empire he built in L.A. in the 1980's and the importance of expungement for marijuana-related crimes. Plus, NFL fans light up in L.A. and we respond to a tweet about social equity. The Crack King is Back: Writer Jesse Katz On Hustling With Freeway Rick - https://www.lamag.com/thejump/the-crack-king-is-back-writer-jesse-katz-on-hustling-with-freeway-rick/Freeway Rick Ross: The Untold Autobiography - https://www.amazon.com/Freeway-Rick-Ross-Untold-Autobiography/dp/1499651538Documentary "Freeway: Crack in the System" - https://www.netflix.com/title/80018252Dark Alliance: The CIA, the Contras, and the Crack Cocaine Explosion by Gary Webb - https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Alliance-Contras-Cocaine-Explosion/dp/1888363681/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3GDO5BFYSC9S3&keywords=gary+webb+dark+alliance&qid=1548097986&s=Books&sprefix=gary+webb+%2Cstripbooks%2C285&sr=1-2-catcorrNFL Fans Hot Boxed the LA Coliseum During a Playoff Game This Weekend - https://merryjane.com/news/nfl-fans-hot-boxed-the-la-coliseum-during-a-playoff-game-this-weekendSign up for the WeedWeek newsletter, WeedWeek Canada, and WeedWeek California to get weekly info on the most interesting industry delivered to your inbox. www.weedweek.net/newsletterEach week our writers bring you original reporting and analysis on the latest in the industry at https://www.weedweek.net/storiesLeave us a voicemail with any questions or comments on what you heard in today’s episode or something that you want to hear from us in future episodes by calling 424-258-0430. Please let us know in the message if we can play your voicemail on the podcast.Subscribe to this podcast in iTunes so that you never miss an episode!https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/weedweek/id1332937362?mt=2Email us your comments, questions or suggestions at [email protected] us on Twitter and Instagram:twitter.com/weedweeknewstwitter.com/alexhalperintwitter.com/donnyshellinstagram.com/weedweeknews

This week Alex and Donnell talk with Cat Packer, the head regulator for Los Angeles (the world's largest cannabis market) on creating a cannabis department from scratch, the origin of her interest in drug policy, her comprehensive perspective on cannabis equity and what she sees for the future of cannabis regulation. Plus, a new marijuana bill is proposed in Congress: "HR 420"cannabis.lacity.org/Los Angeles vs. Legal Weed - www.curbed.com/a/texas-californi…istory-californiaSign up for the WeedWeek newsletter, WeedWeek Canada, and WeedWeek California to get weekly info on the most interesting industry delivered to your inbox. www.weedweek.net/newsletterEach week our writers bring you original reporting and analysis on the latest in the industry at www.weedweek.net/storiesLeave us a voicemail with any questions or comments on what you heard in today’s episode or something that you want to hear from us in future episodes by calling 424-258-0430. Please let us know in the message if we can play your voicemail on the podcast.Subscribe to this podcast in iTunes so that you never miss an episode!itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/weedw…d1332937362?mt=2Email us your comments, questions or suggestions at [email protected] us on Twitter and Instagram:twitter.com/weedweeknewstwitter.com/alexhalperintwitter.com/donnyshellinstagram.com/weedweeknews

This week Alex and Donnell speak with cannabis journalist Amanda Chicago Lewis about her work on cannabis patents, social equity programs and predictions for the industry in 2019. Plus, Donny and Alex discuss the testing facility fiasco in Sacramento and what it means for the industry. Recall deals blow to California’s marijuana industry: https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Recall-deals-blow-to-California-s-marijuana-13487748.phpCheck out Amanda Chicago Lewis' GQ article "The Great Pot Monopoly Mystery": https://www.gq.com/story/the-great-pot-monopoly-mystery as well as her latest article for Rolling Stone on 2019 predictions: https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/2019-weed-marijuana-cannabis-what-to-expect-774035Follow Amanda on Twitter at https://twitter.com/msamandalewisRe-visit WeedWeek podcast episode 25 with Beth Schechter, from the Open Cannabis Project, about preserving the genetic diversity of cannabis from agricultural patents: https://soundcloud.com/weedweeknews/25-are-patents-bad-for-weedSign up for the WeedWeek newsletter, WeedWeek Canada, and WeedWeek California to get weekly info on the most interesting industry delivered to your inbox. www.weedweek.net/newsletter Each week our writers bring you original reporting and analysis on the latest in the industry at https://www.weedweek.net/storiesLeave us a voicemail with any questions or comments on what you heard in today’s episode or something that you want to hear from us in future episodes by calling 424-258-0430. Please let us know in the message if we can play your voicemail on the podcast. You can also email us your comments, questions or suggestions at [email protected] to this podcast in iTunes so that you never miss an episode!https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/weedweek/id1332937362?mt=2Follow us on Twitter and Instagram:twitter.com/weedweeknewstwitter.com/alexhalperintwitter.com/donnyshellinstagram.com/weedweeknews/