Higher Learning LV Podcast Higher Learning LV

In No. 51 of the Higher Learning LV Podcast, host Curt Robbins interviews Sam Richard, founder and CEO of OnPoint Labs in Phoenix, Arizona. Richard discusses why he got into the cannabis business and continues to deep dive into the underlying mechanisms of the industry.
Richard is focused on helping build a thriving and safe cannabis industry through effective and thoughtful compliance, regulations, and legislative initiatives.
"The Arizona market is what some of your listeners might know as a limited license market, so we really only have about 165 license owners in the market, but we have an unlimited possibility to lease the ability to operate under one of those. We have kind of the best of both worlds in that respect," said Richard.
"One thing that I use as a grounding reminder to myself quite often, we know that for at least 30,000 years, cannabis has been a part of human society. We have artifacts of hemp-woven fabrics that have been dated to older than that. It's a perennial plant that we know our hunting and gathering ancestors would actually come back to the same spot and see the iterations of the plant year after year. Many anthropologists and historians agree that cannabis may have been the first cultivated crop in the history of the human race," said Richard.
"I don't think it's that bold of a prediction to say that Trueleave and Cureleaf might not exist in five years," said Richard, adding, "it's really really important for me and our team to understand that we are still in the early morning light of the regulated cannabis ecosystem and there's going to be a lot of these types of issues that continue for a long time to come."
"I think all [cannabis] sales data from 2020 to 2022 should be thrown out. It's a very unpopular mindset, but it's one that I really do believe," said Richard.
The two discuss the state of the industry and the problems and challenges that it faces, including financing, consumer demand, brand identity, Schedule I status at the federal level, and how states are leading the way for the regulated legalization of marijuana.

🎧 Higher Learning LV Podcast No. 51 Show Notes

⁠> Sam Richard (LinkedIn)⁠⁠⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelrichard/
⁠> OnPoint Labs: https://onpointlaboratories.com/
> Visit sponsor Higher Learning LV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.higherlearninglv.co/⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠> Follow Higher Learning LV on Facebook⁠: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/6078846812133293/?ref=share_group_link⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠> Enroll in the course Core Cannabis⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.higherlearninglv.co/post/enrollment-now-open-in-core-cannabis⁠

In No. 50 of the Cannabis Commerce + Chemistry Podcast, host Curt Robbins gives co-hosts Dena Putnam and John Bailey the week off to go one-on-one with Ricardo Baca from the Grasslands Agency in Denver, Colorado. Baca explained what motivated him to enter the cannabis industry. Robbins and Baca discuss a variety of topics of importance to the cannabis and hemp industries, including current market conditions and what the future holds for entrenched players.

Baca explained how Grasslands differentiates itself among its competition and how his nearly three decades of core journalism experience allow the agency to provide specialized services to its clients that help meet their bottom line.

"You can't jump into weed and not understand the complicated history of this plant. It's so broken. The more I learned about it, the more I recognized that I had a very real passion for it," said Baca.

"Next thing I knew, I was developing very real feelings that were better known as feelings that belong to an advocate or an activist. I did end up leaving journalism back in late 2016 and at that point I knew that I was going to be devoting the rest of my life toward progressive drug policy reform, including starting a marketing business called Grasslands, " added Baca.

"It was wanting to right a lot of the societal wrongs," said Baca. "Wanting to be a part of spreading truthful and fact-based science-rooted narratives. Of course, we understand most of the narratives that have been spread about this plant for the last 80 plus years have been completely full of misinformation."
"I was broken hearted when I first realized how incorrectly I had been educated and informed about weed and other substances. Now I just feel like it's my responsibility to right a lot of those wrongs. That is very much why I am here right now," explained Baca.

🎧 C3 Podcast No. 50 Show Notes

⁠> Ricardo Baca (LinkedIn)⁠⁠⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruvs/
⁠> Grasslands: https://www.mygrasslands.com/reasontobelieve
> Visit sponsor Higher Learning LV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.higherlearninglv.co/
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠> Follow Higher Learning LV on Facebook⁠: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6078846812133293/?ref=share_group_link
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠> Enroll in the course Core Cannabis⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.higherlearninglv.co/post/enrollment-now-open-in-core-cannabis

In No. 49 of the Cannabis Commerce + Chemistry Podcast, host Curt Robbins gives co-hosts Dena Putnam and John Bailey the week off to go one-on-one with Jason Beck from the High at 9 News in West Hollywood, California.

Beck explained what motivated him to embrace medical cannabis and, eventually, to enter the cannabis industry. Robbins and Beck discuss a variety of topics facing the nascent cannabis and hemp industries, including taxation and what Beck deemed "reefer madness 2.0."

"I don't believe that 'recreational' is ever the right word for consuming cannabis," said Beck. "I think recreational is a terrible word. To me, you have the Department of Recreation. Recreational events are typically events that you do with the family. I just prefer consumption. The term recreation leaves a negative connotation that further stigmatizes the plant, in my opinion," added Beck.

🎧 C3 Podcast No. 49 Show Notes

⁠> Jason Beck (LinkedIn)⁠⁠⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbeck420/
⁠> High At 9 News: https://www.highat9news.com/
> Visit sponsor Higher Learning LV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.higherlearninglv.co/
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠> Follow Higher Learning LV on Facebook⁠: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6078846812133293/?ref=share_group_link
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠> Enroll in the course Core Cannabis⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.higherlearninglv.co/post/enrollment-now-open-in-core-cannabis

In No. 48 of the Cannabis Commerce + Chemistry Podcast, host Curt Robbins gives co-hosts Dena Putnam and John Bailey the week off to go one-on-one with Dr. Charles Johnson from Ally Biotech in Arizona.

"Johnson, better known as Dr. Chuck, heads a pioneering biotech company, Ally Biotech, that is harnessing science to produce breakthrough THC products that have a profoundly positive impact on humanity," said Robbins.

Robbins and Dr. Johnson get nerdy and dive into the biochemical nuances of cannabis medicine and, in particular, nanoemulsion technology and how cannabinoids and terpenes produced by marijuana are fat-loving, water-fearing molecules that are not easily integrated into water-based beverages. They discuss critical characteristics of cannabis medicine, including bioavailability.

"While watching my father suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and the less than effective conventional medical care that he received, I resolved myself to find a better way. This emerging industry has provided me the opportunity to thrive in the pursuit of that better way," said Johnson.
Johnson discusses the intersection between cannabis medicine and pharmaceutical therapies in conventional medicine. "It simply is a philosophical problem. And that is: Let's treat the symptom, not treat the root cause," said Johnson. "If you think about autoimmune disorders...I philosophically disagree with putting a biologic in play that we can minimize the effectiveness of your immune system so that you're feeling a little bit better."

Dr. Chuck described the team at Ally Biotech and their passion for helping cannabis patients gain true efficacy from medicine that offers them better relief from issues such as pain, inflammation, and other negative symptoms of diseases such as autoimmune disorders.

🎧 C3 No. 48 Show Notes
⁠> Dr. Charles Johnson (LinkedIn)⁠⁠⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-chuck-johnson-29799312/
⁠> Ally Biotech: https://allybiotech.com/
> Visit sponsor Higher Learning LV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.higherlearninglv.co/
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠> Follow Higher Learning LV on Facebook⁠: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6078846812133293/?ref=share_group_link
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠> Enroll in the course Core Cannabis⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.higherlearninglv.co/post/enrollment-now-open-in-core-cannabis

In No. 47 of the Cannabis Commerce + Chemistry Podcast, host Curt Robbins gives co-hosts Dena Putnam and John Bailey the week off to go one-on-one with Jena Smith from Curaleaf in Florida. Smith, a dispensary store manager for Curaleaf in Miami for more than two years, describes why she entered the cannabis industry and what serving Curaleaf's patients in Miami means to her.
"Fun fact, I was driven to enter the cannabis industry by a podcast," said Smith. "I heard someone speak about Curaleaf and they were talking about diversity and inclusion. And just reaching out to the community and making its presence known and destigmatizing the idea of cannabis. From there, I was hooked!"
Smith explained how the most common conditions for which her customers seek solutions are anxiety and sleep disorders. She noted that her location in Miami features a large local population of military veterans and retirees—in addition to plentiful tourists who may be acclimated to adult-use programs in their home states, not medical like in Florida. Smith said that this gives her and her staff an opportunity to educate customers about the potential medical advantages of cannabis, including the various consumption avenues.
Curaleaf's Smith explained that many customers, particularly seniors, do not desire to smoke and instead seek solutions in the form of vaping, tinctures, or gummies (edibles). She said that it is her job to ensure that everyone who walks through her door receives the attention and education necessary for them to properly address their concerns.
Smith explained that one of her greatest satisfactions managing this Miami location for Curaleaf has been not only educating customers, but teaching them enough that they gain the comfort to become repeat customers, eventually integrating cannabis into their lifestyle for the improvement of their health.
Robbins noted that recent peer-reviewed research studies have revealed that the most common conditions for which dispensary customers are seeking remedies are anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, cancer, and pain (typically chronic pain). Smith agreed and said that her customer base seeks solutions to these conditions and many others.
When asked how she uses education as a tool to decrease stigma among her customers, Smith responded: "I think the more that they know, the better. And it's not just about flower. We can do something else. If you don't want your grandchildren to know that you smoke, hey, I have an edible for you. You may want to try vaping or a tincture. There's options. It's really cool that you have different ways to consume, but a lot of our guests don't know that."
This educational interview concluded with Robbins asking Smith about the new Grassroots premium brand recently introduced by Curaleaf. "I was really impressed with the quality of the Grassroots brand," said Robbins. "The colors and textures of the buds, the aroma was fantastic. All of these attributes were really top shelf."
"It's funny that you mention the colors, because even the marketing incorporates earth tones," said Smith. "It represents exactly what that loose-leaf flower can bring. And it's coming back to our roots, right? My guests are excited about the Grassroots brand from Curaleaf. They feel like they're getting something exclusive. And it is exclusive!

🎧 C3 No. 47 Show Notes
⁠> Jena Smith (LinkedIn)⁠⁠⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenaleesmith1124/
⁠> Curaleaf Grassroots Review⁠: https://www.higherlearninglv.co/post/back-to-our-roots-with-grassroots-cannabis
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠> Visit sponsor Higher Learning LV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.higherlearninglv.co/
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠> Follow Higher Learning LV on Facebook⁠: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6078846812133293/?ref=share_group_link
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠> Enroll in the course Core Cannabis⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.higherlearninglv.co/post/enrollment-now-open-in-core-cannabis

In No. 46 of the Cannabis Commerce + Chemistry Podcast, host Curt Robbins and co-hosts Dena Putnam from Leafwize Naturals and John Bailey from The Mindset Genesis discuss a number of topics suggested by Hart Steinfeld, a cannabis industry veteran from Calgary, Alberta. These topics include THC inflation, the lack of laboratory testing standards in North America, and the infamous sativa versus indica controversy that science seems to have busted—but where is the replacement?
"The problem is the fact that now we have labs testing all of our cannabis and they can allegedly be swayed a little bit by the almighty dollar to inflate percentages," said Steinfeld. "Obviously, the high percentages sell," said Putnam. "Therefore, people are going to do whatever they have to do to get those numbers up," she added. "Who loses there is really the consumer," said Bailey. "For not having the standardization and not having a better process to legitimize what people are really using. I think that's a failing point in the cannabis industry," he reported.
"It just comes back to more education. That's at the root of everything we're talking about today, right?," said Steinfeld. He described how budtenders typically embrace the indica versus sativa model and recommend sativa cultivars for the day and indica varieties for the evening and night. "We now know, through science, that it's pretty much BS. We need to take a harder look at the plant to determine its effects. As we know, it's based on other cannabinoids in the plant. It's based on terpenes, obviously," said Steinfeld.
"Indica versus sativa, those are your two choices," said Putnam. "If we were to delve into the genetics of everything in the sativa category you would probably find that none of them are a true sativa. It's a tough one...even though this myth now appears to be scientifically busted, it's still not a win for consumers who need something to help distinguish between the obvious differences in effect from one cultivar to another," said Putnam. "I'm frustrated with this one," said Bailey. "Who decided that we are going to, at the counter, say sativa or indica and keep it so strict in that nature?"
The group finally addresses Steinfeld's perception that some of the romance of cannabis has evaporated with the legalization of the herb. He described meeting his underground (legacy market) dealer before legalization and the thrill of obtaining new cannabis. "You have inspired me to start a new cannabis company where we're going to save so much money on packaging cause I'm just going to throw it in baggies and toss it across the counter," retorted Robbins.
"There's definitely something to what he's talking about here," said Putnam. "Maybe like store bought tomatoes. They just don't have that certain something that makes you go woah," she said, adding, "Somewhere between the machine trimming which removes the moisture-retaining sugar leaves and the extra drying that prevents mold but also maybe dries out those volatile terpenes, packaging it in plastic and storing it for a bit. Maybe we're getting the Wonder Bread of weed and it's just not the same."

No. 46 C3 Show Notes 🎧
⁠> Hart Steinfeld (LinkedIn)⁠⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hartsteinfeld/
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠> Visit sponsor Higher Learning LV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.higherlearninglv.co/⁠⁠⁠⁠
> Follow Higher Learning LV on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6078846812133293/
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠> Enroll in the course Core Cannabis⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.higherlearninglv.co/post/enrollment-now-open-in-core-cannabis
> Subscribe to the Higher Learning LV Deep Dive Series⁠⁠: https://www.higherlearninglv.co/post/deep-dive-subscriptions-now-available