The Cannabis Conversation | Medical Cannabis | CBD | Hemp

Anuj Desai

The cannabis industry is gaining traction across the world, as new medical discoveries, and multi-billion dollar businesses are grabbing the headlines on a regular basis. Experts predict the worldwide industry could be worth in excess of $300bn within 10 years, with Europe forming the biggest market within that, so there's plenty to get excited about. I want to find out more about what's happening, and I'm bringing you along for the ride. Join me - Anuj Desai - as I speak to a wide variety of guests who are helping to shape this nascent sector. Having interviewed over 100 guests, including patients, lawyers, doctors, scientists, entrepreneurs, investors and many more, we discover how, and why, this much maligned and misunderstood plant is giving birth to a huge global business. read less
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Episodes

EPISODE #194 Examining Medical Cannabis in Practice with Franjo Grotenhermen, M.D., Chairperson at IACM
Nov 16 2023
EPISODE #194 Examining Medical Cannabis in Practice with Franjo Grotenhermen, M.D., Chairperson at IACM
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we speak with Dr. Franjo Grotenhermen, Chairperson at the International Association of Cannabinoid Medicines (IACM).We explore his journey into cannabis medicine, its diverse uses, and the challenges of its regulation. Together, we look at the importance of patient experiences and the need for a balance between clinical trials and real-world experiences. We also examine the risk profile of cannabis, potential side effects, contraindications, and interactions with other medications. The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Franjo Grotenhermen M.D.Franjo Grotenhermen graduated in medicine and received his doctorate in Cologne. His fields of practice included internal medicine, surgery and naturopathy. He is head of the Centre for Cannabis Medicine in Steinheim (NRW) with a focus on therapy with cannabis and cannabinoids. Grotenhermen is Executive Director of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Cannabis als Medizin e.V. (ACM) (since 1997), Executive Director of the International Alliance for Cannabinoid Medicines (IACM) (since 2000) and author of the IACM-Bulletin, which is published fortnightly in several languages on the IACM website.Grotenhermen is an employee of the Cologne-based nova Institute, co-owner of Endoxo GmbH (founded in 2019), a company that produces CBD and other hemp products. He is a lecturer at Dresden International University. He is Chief Medical Advisor of canncura, an internet platform for telemedicine in the field of cannabis and cannabinoids. He is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the journals Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, edited by Prof. Daniele Piomelli at Mary Ann Liebert Publishing. He received the following awards: Hanf-Preis 1999 of Cannabusiness, IACM 2011 Special Award, ICBC 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award, Robert Newman Memorial Award 2018 of Akzept e.V., Honorary Award GFS-Award 2021 of Gemeinnützige Forschungsvereinigung Saluplanta e.V.ResourcesConnect with Franjo on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/franjo-grotenhermen-65624b19bIACM’s Website: https://cannabis-med.org/
EPISODE #193: Investment in the European Cannabis Industry with William Muecke & Daniel Grözinger
Oct 3 2023
EPISODE #193: Investment in the European Cannabis Industry with William Muecke & Daniel Grözinger
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we speak with William Muecke of Artemis Growth Partners & Daniel Grözinger of Park Lane Capital.We look at the European Cannabis Industry from an investment perspective, including the benefits of the legal cannabis market in Germany and France, the potential for mergers and acquisitions in Europe, and Will and Daniel’s thoughts on what’s needed to succeed in this sector in the next few years.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About William MueckeWill Muecke is the Managing Member at Artemis Growth Partners, a private equity firm with $390 million in assets, specializing in ESG and impact investments within the global cannabis industry.He also co-founded CoreCo Private Equity, an ESG-focused fund, recognized as a "Best for the World" fund in 2017, with backing from institutions like the IFC/World Bank and European family offices.Previously, he served as global co-head of healthcare services at Goldman, Sachs & Co. in New York, with extensive networks across Europe, the United States, and Latin America. Currently, he holds the position of Chief Investment Officer at Artemis Growth Partners in London.About Daniel GrözingerDaniel Grözinger, a Partner at Parklane Capital in Germany, is a seasoned M&A expert with a focus on the tech sector. In 2021, he expanded his expertise into the cannabis market and played a pivotal role in the sale of Four 20 Pharma to Curaleaf in 2022.With a background in over 75 M&A deals, Daniel is also a serial entrepreneur. Notably, he co-founded getgo.de, an online ticketing industry leader, and sold it to CTS Eventim AG. He then managed two business units at CTS, generating over 500 million EUR in revenue.In 2003, he founded uniquedigital, a top-ranked online marketing agency, later acquired by Syzygy AG in 2008. Daniel has a history of founding and building customer-focused companies, including verwandt.de, Farbflut Entertainment, Emporis, and Animod, among others. He has also invested in various internet companies and startups as a business angel, including Prezi.com and Fiverr, before joining Parklane Capital in 2014.ResourcesConnect with William on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wmueckeConnect with Daniel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/groezinger/Artemis Growth Partners’ Website: www.artemisgrowth.comParklane Capital’s Website:
EPISODE #191: Cannabis Regulation in the UK - Update with Robert Jappie, Partner at Fieldfisher
Aug 23 2023
EPISODE #191: Cannabis Regulation in the UK - Update with Robert Jappie, Partner at Fieldfisher
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we’re joined by Robert Jappie of Fieldfisher - a European Law Firm with a strong Life Sciences practice.We explore cannabis regulation in the UK, and overcoming opposition in the industry as well as the wider challenges facing the medical cannabis industry, including political support and lack of research and funding.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Robert JappieRobert Jappie is a partner at Fieldfisher, a European Law Firm with a focus on Life Sciences and Tech industries. He is a Regulatory Lawyer and specialises in emerging Life Sciences sectors, providing regulatory and commercial representation to a range of nascent industries. He has particular expertise in Cannabis Regulation, Psychedelic Medicines, Food/Agri-Tech and Healthcare, and is considered one of the foremost legal authorities in the UK on the UK and European cannabis industry. Robert has advised many of the well-established cannabis companies operating in the UK and EU, and has provided regulatory support for a number of M&A and Capital Markets transactions.ResourcesConnect with Robert on LinkedIn: https://www.incegd.com/en/our-team-london/robert-jappieFieldfisher’s Website: https://www.fieldfisher.com/en
EPISODE #189: Patient-Centred Medical Cannabis with Carly Barton, Alex Fray, & Charlie Price
Jun 22 2023
EPISODE #189: Patient-Centred Medical Cannabis with Carly Barton, Alex Fray, & Charlie Price
Can the legal cannabis industry provide affordable and high-quality medicine for patients?On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we’re joined by my good friends, Carly Barton from Cancard - the largest patient advocacy group in Europe - and Alex Fray and Charlie Price GLO - a British medical cannabis company headquartered on the Isle of Man.We explore the importance of community and patient-centred approaches to medical cannabis, as well as controlling the entire supply chain, from cultivation to distribution, in order to provide patients with choice. Support the crowdfund raise, help them grow, and let's improve patient access to quality medicine! 🌿 https://www.seedrs.com/grow-organicsThe Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch atwww.luminorecruit.com/About Alex FrayAlex has held a range of positions including CEO, CFO and COO in regulated industries over the last 20 years. He is currently a Director within the Isle of Man Government's Department for Enterprise, advising the Government on cannabis and biomedical sectors. Having worked in both start-up and SME environments, he understands how to grow businesses with great culture. He is a qualified accountant with IPO experience.About Charlie PriceCharlie has an academic background with a  BSc, MSc and 6yrs PhD research in integrated farming and Ecotoxicology. A proven entrepreneur having co-founded both a £50m turnover renewable energy imports business as well as a social enterprise that developed horticultural projects in 5 continents and over 20 countries.About Carly BartonCarly Barton, a former arts lecturer, exhibited at Tate and Saatchi gallery. Health issues led her to discover Medical Cannabis as a more effective substitute for treating Fibromyalgia, lupus, and post-stroke Neuropathy. Now, she advocates for patient access to medical cannabis, advising UK and international advocacy groups. As the first UK patient prescribed herbal cannabis privately since the 2018 law change, she strives for NHS prescriptions to set a precedent. Carly initiated Carly's Amnesty and co-founded Cancard, connecting police, doctors, patients, and MPs to ease fears of interference. Cancard, Europe's largest patient advocacy group, represents over 80,000 registered medical cannabis patients. Carly, dedicated to advocacy, is currently Chief Community Officer at Grow Lab Organics.ResourcesConnect with Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-fray-a1934a11Connect with Charlie on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-price-2290901b5Connect with Carly on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carly-barton-11a098181Cancard’s Website: https://cancard.co.uk/GLO’s Website: https://growlaborganics.com/
EPISODE #188: Cannabis Cowboys: The Juicy Fields Scandal with Nicolas Martin & Andreas Becker, Journalists of DW
Jun 7 2023
EPISODE #188: Cannabis Cowboys: The Juicy Fields Scandal with Nicolas Martin & Andreas Becker, Journalists of DW
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we’re joined by Nicolas Martin & Andreas Becker journalists for DW in Germany, and presenters of the Cannabis Cowboys podcast series.We discuss the Juicy Fields scandal, an investment scam targeting investors in the medical cannabis industry, and what Nicolas and Andreas discovered as they investigated the story.Please check out the Cannabis Cowboys podcast here:DW: https://www.dw.com/en/cannabis-cowboys/program-62614055Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/cannabis-cowboys/id1662329269Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Yfw49Kkb91WQUe48ES5SZThe Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Nicolas MartinNicolas Martin is a freelance editor, writer and presenter at the business desk of DW, Germany's international broadcaster. He also works as a trainer and consultant for national and international podcast projects. In 2017, he started to report on the cannabis industry and was astonished when, in 2021, he first heard about JuicyFields' e-growing offer.About Andreas BeckerAndreas Becker is a senior editor, reporter, writer and presenter at the business desk of DW. His focus is on international trade and finance, and he's also covering development politics. This podcast is his first foray into the business side of Cannabis.ResourcesConnect with Nicolas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nmmediaConnect with Andreas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreas-becker-21b581155
EPISODE #187: How can ESG help cannabis companies? with Leonid Kotlyar, Co-Founder and Managing Director of DéWarrior
May 25 2023
EPISODE #187: How can ESG help cannabis companies? with Leonid Kotlyar, Co-Founder and Managing Director of DéWarrior
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we’re joined by Leonid Kotlyar, Co-Founder and Managing Director of DéWarrior Unlimited B.V. - a sustainability-focused managing consulting firm headquartered in The Netherlands.We explore the intersection of sustainability and the cannabis industry, the challenges of applying ESG to the cannabis sector, as well as the differences between the North American and European cannabis industries. The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Leonid KotlyarLeonid (Leo) Kotlyar is the co-founder and Managing Director of DéWarrior Unlimited B.V., a sustainability focused managing consulting firm headquartered in The Netherlands. DéWarrior (www.dewarrior.com) offers its advisory service in ESG, M&A, and Management Consulting, utilizing comprehensive data collection and advanced modeling techniques to drive integrated decision making. Prior to founding DéWarrior, Leo spent 12 years in institutional equity derivatives, building and delivering  the early cornerstones of ESG to his customer base of pension plans, insurers, and sovereign wealth funds. ResourcesConnect with Leo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonid-d%C3%A9warrior-925747132DéWarrior Unlimited B.V.: https://www.dewarrior.com/
EPISODE #186: Cannabis in Switzerland with Luc Richner, CEO of Cannavigia
May 17 2023
EPISODE #186: Cannabis in Switzerland with Luc Richner, CEO of Cannavigia
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we speak with Luc Richner, CEO of Cannavigia - Europe’s pioneer compliance software for businesses to trace, secure and simplify transactions along the entire cannabis supply chain.We explore Switzerland's approach to cannabis legalisation and the pilot projects they are implementing, the importance of supply chain management as well as the challenges of international movement of cannabis goods. The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Luc RichnerLuc Richner was born in Switzerland, but raised in Asia. After finishing his education and studies in Switzerland, Luc followed his calling to be an entrepreneur. Based on his experience in logistics and management, Luc's first venture was dedicated to upcycling used materials to high-end furniture. In the following years, he ventured into the global logistics industry, established an expert consultancy to "bridge worlds" and has created a unique, local and sustainable farm to table restaurant in Bali, Indonesia. Back in Switzerland he successfully finished the first Executive MBA Digital Leadership program at the HWZ, “University of Applied Sciences” in Zurich.Based on his experience and extraordinary knowledge about highly efficient and transparent supply chains and logistics, Luc Richner has founded Vigia AG – a software platform for more transparency and compliance in the global and local supply chains, with its first dedicated industry being cannabis. Cannavigia is Europe’s pioneer compliance software for businesses to trace, secure and simplify transactions along the entire cannabis supply network.ResourcesConnect with Luc on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luc-richner-ab30845bCannavigia’s Website: https://cannavigia.com/
EPISODE #184: Understanding Cannabis Seeds with Jorge Cervantes, Dr. Gary Yates, & Stefan Meyer
Apr 13 2023
EPISODE #184: Understanding Cannabis Seeds with Jorge Cervantes, Dr. Gary Yates, & Stefan Meyer
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we’re joined by Jorge Cervantes, Dr. Gary Yates, & Stefan Meyer.We explore some of the different ways to grow cannabis, focusing on seeds, as well as discussing some of their pros and cons, and we discuss the huge commercial trade in seeds.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Jorge CervantesJorge Cervantes’ public career spans 39 years. His books and DVDs (50 total) are published under his given name, George F. Van Patten and pseudonym, Jorge Cervantes, in Dutch, English, French, Italian, Japanese, German, Russian, and Spanish.Self-publisher, Cervantes’ (Indoor) Marijuana Horticulture book was christened “the Grow Bible” in 2000 by indoor, greenhouse and outdoor growers. His knowledge and hands-on experience inspired millions of growers worldwide to apply simple, effective techniques to grow more and better cannabis.About  Dr. Gary YatesDr. Gary Yates is a well-rounded plant scientist with experience in nearly all aspects of plant life. Dr. Yates, as a world-class genetic problem solver, offers scientific know-how aspects that are normally lacking in cultivation advice. Dr. Yates also brings to the forefront knowledge of the most recent technology in infrastructure/equipment and scientific advances, as well as pathogen mitigation and pest management. He is an experienced micro-grower and plant health assessor known for his ability to maximize limited resources to produce outcomes that exceed expectations.Having collected his first harvest over 20 years ago and before embarking on a career in science, Gary has had a keen eye on the progression of the medical use of Cannabis, including its biochemistry, genetic development, and cultivar suitability for many years.About Stefan MeyerStefan Martin Meyer, MBA, was raised in the Italian side of Switzerland, near the city of Lugano. He then moved to Spain, where he co-founded Phytoplant Research SL, which was granted the first research license for medical cannabis in Spain in 2012. While there, he got various R&D grants from the European Union for projects related to cannabinoids and medicine and published results in high-impact scientific journals.In 2019 Stefan joined Plena Global Holding Inc (Canada) as Chief Strategy Officer, where he has been leading a project licensed to grow medicinal cannabis in Colombia.In 2020 Stefan founded Phytoflow GmbH, a Swiss-based company providing experience-driven strategic business advice to companies active in the medical cannabis sector.Stefan has worked with Jorge for over two decades and, like him, is a huge cannabis aficionado.Resources:Connect with Jorge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorge-cervantes-cannabis-authorConnect with Gary on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-yates-40176b92Connect with Stefan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefan-meyer-cbd
EPISODE #183: Remembering Professor Raphael Mechoulam with Zach Klein, Film Director and Cannabis Researcher
Mar 29 2023
EPISODE #183: Remembering Professor Raphael Mechoulam with Zach Klein, Film Director and Cannabis Researcher
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we’re joined by Zach Klein, documentary maker and producer of "The Scientist," a film about Professor Raphael Mechoulam. We pay tribute to the life and work of Professor Mechoulam, a pioneering scientist in the field of cannabis research, also dubbed ‘The Godfather of Cannabis Research’. Prof Mechoulam passed away on March 9, 2023, at the age of 92, leaving behind a legacy that has had a profound impact on the study of cannabinoids and their therapeutic potential.Please check out the film here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csbJnBKqwIw The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Zach KleinZach Klein is a film director and cannabis researcher, who has been at the forefront of the medical cannabis movement. His documentary "Prescribed Grass" (2009), played a significant role in Israel accepting the medical use of cannabis. He is one of the founding fathers of the cannabis medical use programs. He has introduced the use of cannabis in nursing homes, which has improved the quality of life of the elderly. Later, he produced the documentary "The Scientist," which focuses on the life and work of Raphael Mechoulam, the “Grandfather” of cannabis research.Resources‘The Scientist’ Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csbJnBKqwIw Zach Klein’s website: http://zaklein.com/home/Dr. Mechoulam’s Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raphael_Mechoulam
EPISODE #181: Why most CBD oil has low bioavailability and how to change that with Dr. Sung Min Pyo, Head of Laboratory - Enabling Pharma Excipients for BASF
Feb 22 2023
EPISODE #181: Why most CBD oil has low bioavailability and how to change that with Dr. Sung Min Pyo, Head of Laboratory - Enabling Pharma Excipients for BASF
How effective is CBD oil?On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we’re joined by Dr Sung Min Pyo - Head of Laboratory - Enabling Pharma Excipients for BASF.A 2018 report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated the bioavailability from oral consumption of CBD to be only 6% (WHO Technical Report Series 1013 - https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241210225) We explore the reasons behind this estimate and discuss the bioavailability, absorption, and solubility of CBD, alongside some potential solutions to improve its uptake in the body. The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by EVO NXT -  the business festival for Next Generation Products (NGP). The festival offers: modern live communication with experts and big-name speakers, key note talks, summits, workshops, panel dicussions and entertainment!More information: www.evo-nxt.comSecure your ticket now: www.evo-nxt.com/ticketshopAbout Dr. Sung Min PyoDr. Sung Min Pyo holds a PhD in Pharmacy and has dedicated her career to making the world a healthier place. As an expert in the field of bioavailability, she develops novel drug delivery systems that fundamentally improve the uptake and thus the efficacy of drugs in the body. As a consultant to pharmaceutical companies and public institutions, and as a head of laboratory at BASF, she has an in-depth understanding of how to bring innovative ideas to the finished product that truly improves people's lives.ResourcesConnect with Dr. Sung Min Pyo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sung-min-pyo
EPISODE #180: Cannabis in Malta with Nick Pateras of Materia & Andrew Bonello of ReLeaf Malta
Feb 15 2023
EPISODE #180: Cannabis in Malta with Nick Pateras of Materia & Andrew Bonello of ReLeaf Malta
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we’re joined by Nick Pateras of Materia and Andrew Bonello of ReLeaf Malta.We discuss Malta’s approach to cannabis, social clubs, home growing in its domestic market as well as how Malta fits into the European cannabis supply chain.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch atwww.luminorecruit.com/On the podcast I mentioned Breaking Convention taking place in Exeter in April. Please join me there by getting a ticket here - https://www.tickettailor.com/events/breakingconvention/807898/About Nick PaterasNick Pateras is Managing Director, Europe at Materia, where he oversees the company’s operations across Germany, Malta and the UK. Materia is an EU GMP certified manufacturer and distributor of medical cannabis and CBD products across the burgeoning European market.Previously, Nick served as Vice President, Strategy at Lift & Co., Canada’s leading cannabis education and insights platform. He is a regular speaker at cannabis conferences across North America and Europe and taught the Cannabis Business Fundamentals course at George Brown College in Toronto in 2018-19.Prior to his time in cannabis, Nick spent several years in the pharmaceutical sector with Johnson & Johnson Inc, managing various category-leading OTC and Health & Beauty businesses.About Andrew BonelloAndrew Bonello is the President of ReLeaf Malta and, has since 2019, worked tirelessly to represent the voice of cannabis consumers in Malta. Andrew has been actively meeting various local actors and international experts to discuss issues related to cannabis, human rights and public health, more specifically advocating for a more just, humane and non-criminal approach. Today, Andrew remains committed to push forward for a truly decriminalized and regulated approach to cannabis, placing the well-being of consumers at the helm of every decision.ResourcesConnect with Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickpateras/Follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nick_paterasMateria’s Website: https://www.materia.global/Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-bonello-73392629Follow Andrew on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Andrew_BonelloFollow ReLeaf Malta on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/releafmalta/
EPISODE #179: Cannabis in Spain with Carola Pérez, President of the Observatorio Español de Cannabis Medicinal and Founder of the Patient Association - dosemociones
Feb 1 2023
EPISODE #179: Cannabis in Spain with Carola Pérez, President of the Observatorio Español de Cannabis Medicinal and Founder of the Patient Association - dosemociones
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we’re joined by Carola Pérez, president of the Observatorio Español de Cannabis Medicinal, and founder of the patient association - dosemociones.We explore what’s happening with medical cannabis in Spain as well as recreational use, and how the social clubs work in Spain.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Carola PérezCarola is the president of the Observatorio Español de Cannabis Medicinal and founder of the patient association dosemociones. She has been working tirelessly since 2014 for patients' rights, helping and advising on the properties of medical cannabis in Spain. Carola is also chair of the IACM Patient Council, an international coalition of patients’ organizations that have gathered together to help give a voice to patients the world over and to work together in order to protect their rights and interests in the ever-developing world of medicinal cannabis.ResourcesConnect with Carola on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carola-p%C3%A9rez-73890ab5dosemociones’s Website: http://www.dosemociones.com/Follow Carola on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolaperez/Follow Carola on Twitter: https://twitter.com/carolaperez
EPISODE #178: Cannabis in Mexico with José Lugardo Espejel & Anndrea Hermann from HGrown Consulting
Jan 19 2023
EPISODE #178: Cannabis in Mexico with José Lugardo Espejel & Anndrea Hermann from HGrown Consulting
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we speak with José Lugardo Espejel & Anndrea Hermann from HGrown Consulting - a hemp consultancy focused on Mexico.We explore what’s happening with hemp and the situation of medical cannabis in Mexico, alongside the adult-use scenarios, and how Mexico can play a part in the hemp ecosystem.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the Global Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About José Lugardo EspejelJosé Lugardo Espejel, MSc, BMS, Co-founder of HGrown Consulting, co-foundeer of HPS Latam, Founder of Grupo Sativa Health. He started his career as a researcher and consultant in the private healthcare sector and has gained experience as a conferencist and ambassador for the medical cannabis industry in Mexico and Latin America. José currently also advises multiple cannabis startups, researchers, healthcare and pharmaceutical organizations, as well as legislators. His first startup Grupo Sativa Health, developed Sativa Care, the first medical cannabis clinic in Mexico.About Anndrea HermannAnndrea Hermann, M.Sc, B.GS, P.Ag.,  Director of Inside Sales HPS Food & Ingredients, Principal The Ridge International Cannabis Consulting, Founder HGrown Consulting Mexico, Owner Hemp Technologies Canada, Founder iHempRadio, Founding Instructor OSU WSE266 Course, Canada Hemp Licensee who has advised Industry for 21+ years. President Emeritus & board Hemp Industries Association and Vice President Emeritus Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance. In 2021, she co-founded the rural non-profit Gerhard E. Dekker Regenerative Education Center. She was the first woman inducted into the Hemp History Hall of Fame (2017), recipient of the HIA Lifetime Achievement Award (2018) and listed on Hemp History Week top 10 advocates (2019). Anndrea is recognized and revered as a true ambassador of the highest caliber. Presenting she is publishing “Everybody Loves Trallala” a children’s book about a little hempseeds journey.Connect with José on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pepelugardoConnect with Anndrea on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anndrea-hermann-89647b37HGrown Consulting Website: https://hgrown.mx/Follow José on Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/pepe_lugardo
EPISODE #177: Cannabis in the Czech Republic with Lukas Hurt, Publisher of Magazine Konopí and Cannabis Therapy Magazine
Dec 20 2022
EPISODE #177: Cannabis in the Czech Republic with Lukas Hurt, Publisher of Magazine Konopí and Cannabis Therapy Magazine
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we’re joined by Lukas Hurt, Publisher of Magazine Konopí and Cannabis Therapy Magazine.We explore what’s currently happening in the Czech Republic and the current status of medical cannabis and CBD, as well as recreational legalisation plans, and the Czech Republic and Germany’s future collaboration in furthering these aims.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Lukas HurtLukas Hurt is a Czech editor, translator, journalist, and publisher. For more than ten years, he has been using his education and skills in the field of translatology to bring as much information as possible about medical properties and benefits of cannabis to the general public and he is actively participating in the whole legalization movement on national as well as international level. Throughout the years, Lukas has become involved in organizing several medical conferences, exhibitions as well as the biggest cannabis fair in the world - Prague's Cannafest. Since 2018 he is also the publisher and editor-in-chief of Czech bimonthly Konopí and the publisher of English online magazine Cannabis Therapy.ResourcesConnect with Lukas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukas-hurt-a9565815Magazine website: https://magazin-konopi.cz/ and English: https://cannathemag.com/Follow Lukas on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lukas.hurysek/
EPISODE #176: Hemp - Environmental Saviour? with Mike Morgan-Giles & Jamie Bartley
Dec 14 2022
EPISODE #176: Hemp - Environmental Saviour? with Mike Morgan-Giles & Jamie Bartley
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we speak with Mike Morgan-Giles from the Cannabis Industry Council and Jamie Bartley from the Unyte Group.Together, we explore some of the environmental credentials of hemp, and which sectors hemp can play a sustainable role in, alongside exploring the challenges that exist around its wider adoption, and some of the practical changes needed to promote this.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Mike Morgan-Giles Mike Morgan-Giles is the CEO of the Cannabis Industry Council. He is an experienced membership and third sector leader, having worked in various senior communications, public affairs, and marketing roles in two countries.About Jamie BartleyJamie Bartley is the CEO of the Unyte Group and sits on the executive of the Cannabis Industry Council, Chairing the Hemp subgroup. His main focus is scaling the impacts that Hemp and Medicinal Cannabis can have on improving human and planetary health.ResourcesConnect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemgCannabis Industry Council’s Website: https://lnk.bio/ukcancouncilFollow Mike on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikemgiles Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-bartley-67ba4a1aUnyte Group’s Website: https://unyte.co.uk/
EPISODE #175: How important are THC:CBD ratios? with Guillermo Moreno-Sanz, PhD, Global Scientific Director of Khiron Life Sciences Corp
Dec 7 2022
EPISODE #175: How important are THC:CBD ratios? with Guillermo Moreno-Sanz, PhD, Global Scientific Director of Khiron Life Sciences Corp
How important are THC:CBD ratios?On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we’re joined by Guillermo Moreno-Sanz, PhD of Khiron Life Sciences Corp - a global provider of cannabis-based medicines and healthcare services.We explore how THC and CBD work on the body individually, our current understanding on how they interact together, and discuss the recent findings of the King's College study on THC and CBD interaction.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Guillermo Moreno-Sanz, PhDGuillermo Moreno-Sanz, PhD has been dedicated to cannabinoid research for almost 20 years and has authored more than 30 scientific articles and 3 patents describing the role of the endocannabinoid system in pain perception. He received his degree in Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry from the University of Zaragoza, and his PhD in Neurosciences from the Complutense University of Madrid, Spain. He gained extensive international experience with long-term fellowships at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands and at the Department of Drug Discovery and Development at the Italian Institute of Technology in Genoa, Italy. Dr. Moreno-Sanz was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to complete his Ph.D. in the United States, spending most of his academic career at the University of California, Irvine. There he discovered and characterized a new class of cannabinoid analgesics that are currently in clinical development. In 2017, Dr. Moreno-Sanz served as a consultant to the U.S. National Academies of Sciences in the development of the report "The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids" and founded his own consulting firm, Abagune Research, to provide scientific advice and R&D solutions to leading companies in the cannabis industry internationally. In 2020, he joined Khiron Life Sciences Corp as scientific and medical director for Europe and, in 2021 he became the scientific director of the company. Khiron Life Sciences is a global provider of cannabis-based medicines and healthcare services through its network of Zerenia™ clinics, with a presence in Colombia, Peru, Brazil, UK, and Germany.ResourcesConnect with Guillermo Moreno-Sanz, PhD on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillermomorenosanzKhiron Med’s Website: https://khironmed.co.uk/