The promise of marijuana tax revenue was a key selling point for legalization, and it continues to be a major policy issue for the regulated cannabis industry. It is also a pain point for many businesses, as well as the consumers they serve. In this Weed Wonks episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Nick Richards, Partner at Greenspoon Marder LLP for a deep dive into the tax policies surrounding cannabis and what a lack of guidance and no shortage of trial and error has meant for the cannabis industry.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What can the cannabis world learn from U.S. federal regulation of the e-cigarette industry? In this episode of Weed Wonks, host Jordan Wellington talks with Douglas Fischer, general counsel for Advanced Vapor Devices, about regulatory challenges the e-cigarette industry has faced and what they may portend for the cannabis industry following federal legalization. They also discuss the importance of sensible federal oversight and how regulatory failure can lead to market failure. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Kimberly Roy of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission for a talk on how the state is educating veterans and other consumers, both young and old, about cannabis. They also discuss the recent state-issued pardons for cannabis offenses, efforts to “keep things honest” when it comes to cannabis testing, and the steps being taken to level the playing field for legal cannabis in the Commonwealth.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

For nearly a decade, VS Strategies has been a top consulting firm in the cannabis space and home to some of the utmost experts on cannabis policy, including Weed Wonks host Jordan Wellington. In this special bonus episode, Jordan and fellow VSS partners Christian Sederberg and Mason Tvert discuss the firm’s new name, Strategies 64, and how Colorado’s historic marijuana legalization initiative, Amendment 64, served as a major nexus for the company and its leaders.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to produce the lab results that appear on your favorite cannabis products - and what they mean - this is the episode for you.Hear Jordan Wellington and Stephen Goldman, Chief Science Officer at Kaycha Labs discuss the big questions that surround cannabis testing, what the data tells us about cannabis product safety, and what it takes to establish the safety of consumer products in an industry that lacks universal standards.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

It has been two years since the Mississippi Legislature approved the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act (SB 2095), establishing a legal medical cannabis market in the Magnolia State. In this episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Henry Crisler, the Executive Director of the Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association (3MA) for an in-depth talk on patient access and the obstacles cannabis companies face in Mississippi. They also discuss how the state is dealing with intoxicating hemp products and the devastating testing crisis it faced when one of its two licensed cannabis testing labs was suspended in January. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In the second half of our two-part series on cannabis legalization in Ohio, Cincinnati native Brian Vicente of cannabis law firm Vicente LLP discusses the “absolute landmark event” that is legalization in the bellwether state of Ohio. Brian and Jordan get into the details of what will be allowed under cannabis legalization in Ohio, how many recreational dispensaries and cannabis grows will be permitted in the state, how the lottery for adult-use cannabis dispensaries works, and the emphasis the state is putting on social equity.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In the first installment of a two-part Weed Wonks episode on legalization in Ohio, Brandon Lyndaugh, managing partner of Strategic Public Partners and a leader of the Issue 2 campaign, discusses the initiative’s passage and efforts currently underway to implement the measure and establish the state’s legal cannabis market. Brandon and host Jordan Wellington also dive into what it’s like to run a legalization campaign, the roles played by polling and technology, and why voters’ political leanings are not always an indicator of their support for reform.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

From coast to coast in the U.S. and across the pond in Europe, 2024 is shaping up to be one of the most interesting years ever for cannabis policy. In this episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Dan Smith of VS Strategies for an in-depth look at what we can expect in newly legal states like Minnesota and Ohio, what could happen with legalization in Europe, and the pros and cons of state-run cannabis stores. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jordan Wellington hosts fellow New Jerseyan Jeff Brown, Executive Director of the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission, for an up-close look at how the Garden State has handled cannabis policymaking and regulation. From social equity, to the importance of data and stakeholder engagement,  to the question of whether cannabis-infused smoked salmon can be shelf stable, the two leave no stone unturned when it comes to legal cannabis in New Jersey.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In our latest episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Tyler Klimas, the former Executive Director of the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board, for an in-depth talk about how the state developed its cannabis regulations and why it’s so important to have accountability and transparency when making cannabis policy. The pair also discuss how Nevada is handling non-compliance and what the state is doing to make sure cannabis consumption lounges are a success in the entertainment capital of the world.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In our latest episode, Jordan Wellington hosts John Hudak, Director of the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy, for an in-depth talk about the state’s cannabis program and his journey from the Brookings Institution to the world of marijuana regulation. The two also discuss how states can work together both with supporters and opponents of legalization, why the 2018 Farm Bill was a “disaster of legalization without preparation,” why state agencies should regularly clean out their regulatory closet, and why Hudak will never buy medical cannabis in Maine.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In our latest episode, Jordan Wellington speaks to Chris Tholkes, Director of the Office of Medical Cannabis at the Minnesota Department of Health, about the state’s unique approach to legal cannabis. They discuss the state’s intoxicating hemp and medical cannabis markets and what to expect in the 15 months or so before adult-use dispensaries open their doors. They also look at what Jordan describes as how Minnesota represents “a complete paradigm shift on what we’ve seen” in legal cannabis markets today. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In our latest episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Jason Tarasek, the head of the Minnesota office of the cannabis law firm Vicente LLP for a deep and nerdy dive into what is shaping up to be one of the most fascinating cannabis markets in the country. From the popularity of intoxicating hemp beverages in Minnesota and the fact that you can drink them inside a bar in the state to the future of the medical marijuana market, Jordan and Jason leave no stone unturned.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this special Weed Wonks episode, Jordan Wellington and Mason Tvert host Colorado Governor Jared Polis for a whirlwind talk about the governor’s cannabis proposals for the new state budget released a day earlier and why they’re important for cannabis operators, and how the state can continue to be a leader and an innovator in legal marijuana, more than a decade after legalization.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In the latest Weed Wonks session, Jordan Wellington hosts Ananda Strategy Founder and California Cannabis Chamber of Commerce Vice Chair Hirsh Jain for a fascinating talk about the work that remains in legal markets long after legalization is put into effect. From how states can ensure protections are in place for cannabis users to what Colorado and California are doing right and what makes Michigan great for investors, it’s an episode you won’t want to miss. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In our latest episode, Jordan Wellington hosts longtime policy partner in crime Andrew Livingston of Vicente LLP for a long discussion about what makes a legal cannabis market successful and how the concept of “success” in legal cannabis has changed in recent years. The duo also looks at how attitudes and approaches to cannabis social equity programs have changed and what this means for the industry.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In the latest Weed Wonks episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Jimmy Farrell, the Standards Development Manager at ASTM International, and David Vaillencourt, the Founder and CEO of GMP Collective, for an in-depth talk about what it takes to develop standards in an industry that is still illegal on the federal level. The trio also discusses consensus-building on cannabis standards and why it matters for all of us who care about cannabis testing, packaging, labels, and safety.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In the latest Weed Wonks episode, Jordan Wellington hosts a panel of cannabis media experts including Ricardo Baca of Grasslands (and formerly “The Cannabist”), John Schroyer of Green Market Report, and Mason Tvert of VS Strategies for a look at how the media has impacted cannabis policy, how the cannabis beat has changed over the past decade, and what happens when a hot story like legal cannabis stops driving traffic like it used to.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In the latest Weed Wonks episode, Joshua Kappel, a founding partner of cannabis law firm Vicente LLP and co-founder of the Microdosing Collective speaks to Jordan Wellington about Colorado’s Natural Medicine Health Act, what it takes to pass psychedelics reform legislation, how to educate lawmakers on psychedelics and the idea of community-based health, and what happens when this model clashes with the state’s desire to exert control.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.