I cant agree more, the podcasts are so informative and he has been a long time member here on GN.
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VETERANS CANNABIS PROJECT | STEPHEN JONES
On this special Veteran’s Day episode of Let’s Be Blunt, Montel speaks with the Executive Director of the Veterans Cannabis Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving U.S. military veterans’ quality of life through the opportunity of cannabis. Stephen served in the United States Navy for over 20 years as a Naval Aviator and Commanding Officer. His professional experiences span global development, aviation, organizational development, innovation, macroeconomics, security cooperation, defense financial management, and acquisitions. Nine million+ veterans cannot access medical cannabis through their healthcare provider, even in states where cannabis is legal. VHA doctors cannot recommend cannabis or submit the forms that many states require. The federal status of cannabis has also made it nearly impossible to research the impacts of cannabis on veterans’ health issues such as TBIs, PTSD, chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. New legislation is pending to improve access in legal states, but we are not here yet.
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REGULATING CANNABIS | STEVEN HOFFMAN
On this episode of Let’s Be Blunt, Montel speaks with Steven Hoffman. Mr Hoffman served as the initial Chairman of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission from 2017 – 2022 where he was responsible for standing up a safe and equitable market for recreational cannabis in the state and expanding access to the medical cannabis program. Prior to serving on the Commission, he was a Senior Partner at Bain & Company, the Chief Strategy Officer for Sapient and the CEO of two venture capital backed technology start-ups. He currently serves on the Board of Directors and Advisory Boards of several cannabis businesses with a focus on bringing clinical support and higher quality products to medical cannabis patients.
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SEIZURES, CANNABIS & LIVING SOIL CULTIVATION | HELEN GOMEZ ANDREWS
Montel talks with Helen Gomez Andrews on this episode of Let’s be Blunt. Helen is a lifelong cannabis enthusiast and advocate, and parent to one of the first medical cardholders in New York State. Together with her husband and two kids, she moved from New York City to MA, leaving her Wall Street career behind to launch The High End, a vertically- integrated cannabis company centered around organic living soil cultivation, solventless extraction, and a hospitality and home- grow driven retail experience. She’s sharing her daughter’s journey with epilepsy and the relief she has found through the use of medical cannabis.
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INDIGENOUS CANNABIS | ROB PERO & MARY JANE OATMAN
On this episode of Let’s be Blunt, Montel talks with the founder and executive director of the INDIGENOUS CANNABIS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION, Rob PeRo and Mary Jane Oatman. The ICIA uplifts cannabis economic development by advocating for equitable policy reform, empowering communities through education and destigmatization, and building connection through programming that brings together cannabis and hemp industry professionals, Tribal leaders, government officials, and advocacy organizations.
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CANNABIS IN GEORGIA | GARY LONG
Montel talks with Gary Long on this episode of Let’s be Blunt. Gary transitioned from an extensive career in traditional healthcare to the cannabis industry. He held leadership roles at numerous public companies and brings a wealth of knowledge to his new role as the CEO of Botanical Sciences, Georgia’s first physician owned vertically integrated cannabis company.
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NEW YORK CANNABIS CHAOS | KATIE NEER
Montel speaks with cannabis regulatory expert Katie Neer on this episode of Let’s Be Blunt. New York legalized adult use cannabis in March of 2021. Now two years later, the program is plagued with lawsuits and holdups in licenses, inadvertently leading to the proliferation of the illicit market. Katie Neer specializes as a cannabis regulatory attorney and the go-to expert for cannabis industry players who need help navigating the legal minefield in New York and throughout the Northeast. In 2022, she received the City & State “Above & Beyond” Award for her work on cannabis policy and was named to Politico’s “Cannabis Power Player” list. She was previously General Counsel and VP of Industry Affairs at Lantern, an e-commerce marketplace that facilitated the home delivery of cannabis in Massachusetts, Colorado, and Michigan. Prior to that she was the Director of Government Affairs for Acreage Holdings and served as Chair of the New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association.
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CANNABIS DESTINATION | TITO JACKSON
Montel is on location at Apex Noire in Boston talking with the CEO and Owner, Tito Jackson. Apex Noire is Boston’s first black owned dispensary, and the nation’s first 7- floor experiential cannabis destination. Tito is s a former Boston City Councilor for district 7 where he was the chairman of the education committee and vice chairman of the government operations committee. He ran for mayor of Boston 2017 advocating for change in the cities wealth gap, housing displacement, and access disparities. Tito has over a decade of experience in sales and marketing rising to the role of industry Director for information technology in the executive office of housing and economic development. He proudly serves on the boards of several organizations in the community, including the Boston Ballet, the city of Boston’s Black Men and Boys commission, the Global Citizens Circle and the University of New Hampshire foundation board.
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CANNABIS TRADESMAN | SAGE WINN
Montel talks with Sage Winn on this episode of Let’s Be Blunt. Sage has an interesting background, from being selected to the US Rugby Union at the young age of 14, to running kitchens at Michelin Star restaurants, to real estate sales to cannabis entrepreneur. He has been working as an executive advisor in the cannabis industry since 2012, specializing in cultivation, manufacturing and product development. To date, he’s built fifteen new facilities and driven over $250 million in revenue for nine different companies.
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PSILOCYBIN CULTIVATION & PRODUCTS | CHARLES LAZAURUS
Montel speaks with Charles Lazarus on this episode of Let’s Be Blunt. Charles is a Jamaican native who has dedicated his entire adult life to farming and exporting agricultural goods, amassing vast knowledge and expertise in the process. In 2015, he boldly ventured into the uncharted territory of psilocybin mushroom cultivation, which led to commercial sales in 2018. Boasting over 16 years of experience in genetic development, cultivation, extraction, and logistics in the domain of agriculture, his unmatched expertise sets him apart as a true master of his craft. He is the founder of Rose Hill Apothecary, which has achieved an unprecedented milestone as the first entity to legally export psilocybin mushrooms
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CANNABIS WITH PURPOSE | DR IRA PRICE
Dr. Ira Price is a royal college specialist in Emergency Medicine and is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Division of Emergency Medicine at McMaster University. For the past nine years, Dr. Ira has been a leader in the clinical application of natural pain solutions and Cannabinoid therapeutics. Dr. Price started Cannabis Research Associates, a private CRO dedicated to combating the opioid epidemic and advancing cannabinoid therapeutics. Dr. Price believes in “Mindful Consumption: What we do with Cannabis (our intention) should have an understanding of what we are trying to achieve with Cannabis (purpose). Be purposeful with your intent when it comes to cannabis.” He believes that we all sometimes forget that the goal of Cannabis therapy, isn’t Cannabis use, it’s a functional outcome; meaning living a healthier, more productive life with meaningful relationships. If our goal is just Cannabis, we are missing the point. Cannabis is Medicine and we should stay mindful.
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THE CANNABIS-CANCER CONNECTION | JOE D. GOLDSTRICH, MD
Montel speaks with Dr Joe Goldstrich on tis episode of Let’s Be Blunt. Dr Goldstrich is a board-certified doctor in internal medicine, cardiology and clinical lipidology. He has held academic and teaching appointments at three medical schools and authored four books on nutrition and heart disease prevention. He served as the former National Director of Education and Community Programs for the American Heart Association and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians. His new book, The Cannabis Cancer Connection, provides provides patients, doctors, healthcare professionals, and researchers with everything they need to know about the cannabis-cancer connection, including best practices and protocols, through a comprehensive review of the scientific research and the lessons learned from his patients’ anecdotal stories. The book bridges the gap between traditional cancer care and what patients are learning themselves.
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CANNABIS AROUND THE GLOBE | MONTEL WILLIAMS
On this episode of Let’s Be Blunt, Montel brings you an update on cannabis legalization efforts worldwide, from the East to the West, beginning with the progress made overseas before catching up with what’s happening back home in the United States. There are currently over 40 countries that have legalized medical cannabis in some form, while around 20 countries have legalized recreational use. So what’s causing this global shift towards cannabis legalization? There are a few key factors at play here. Firstly, there has been a growing body of research showing the potential medical benefits of cannabis for various conditions such as chronic pain, epilepsy, and even cancer. This has led to increased public support and pressure on governments to legalize cannabis for medical purposes. Another major factor is the economic potential of the cannabis industry. With legalization comes the opportunity for job creation, tax revenue, and investment in new industries such as cannabis production and distribution. This has been a major driving force for countries facing economic challenges, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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MS, CANNABIS & MINDFULLNESS | TIM SULTAN
Montel talks with Tim Sultan on this episode of Let’s Be Blunt. Tim was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2003 and is one of Arizona’s 200,000+ cardholding medical cannabis patients. He ran for Congress in his home state in 2004, and has served as the executive Director of the Arizona Cannabis Association and as the Director of Government Relations for MITA, the Arizona Marijuana Industry Trade Association. Tim shares how he manages his health with a mixture of cannabis, yoga and mindfulness.
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Hi @mclaughlin
Thanks for sharing on GN. Its another great podcast from Montel Williams that covers everything that happening worldwide in the cannabis industry. Exciting times we are living in.
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CULTIVATING THE FUTURE OF CANNABIS | JESSE CHANNON
Join us on Let’s be Blunt with Montel as we spark up an enlightening conversation with Jesse Channon, the transformational leader at the forefront of the cannabis revolution. As President of Cannabist, formerly known as Columbia Care, Jesse brings to the table over a decade of experience in mastering digital marketing, consumer targeting, and innovative social media strategies. His remarkable journey has seen him work alongside powerhouse brands such as Microsoft, AT&T, and Starbucks, to shaping the narrative around one of the world’s most dynamic and fast-evolving industries.
In this episode, Jesse shares his personal expedition from impacting global brands to steering a cannabis empire. We’ll dive into his expert perspective on the latest waves making a splash in the cannabis market, and discuss how Cannabist is setting new standards in marrying cannabis with wellness and lifestyle. Listen as Jesse reveals the ethos guiding the bold rebranding from Columbia Care to Cannabist, and the ambitions poised to redefine what it means to be a cannabis company today.
Jesse also lends his voice to the crucial conversation on the future of cannabis entrepreneurship. He discusses the nuances of navigating an industry that is as much about innovation as it is about integrity and social responsibility. Whether you’re a consumer, a creator, or just curious about the cannabis space, this episode promises to shed light on the plant that’s sparking global movements and changing lives.
Tune in, and get ready to elevate your understanding of the cannabis sector through the experience and insights of one of its leading champions. Fire up your favorite listening device for this can’t-miss episode of Let’s be Blunt with Montel!
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CANNABIS POLICY | JASON STARR
In this illuminating episode of “Let’s Be Blunt,” we dive deep into the ever-evolving world of cannabis policy and its profound impact on social justice. Our guest, the illustrious Jason Starr, a leading attorney, educator, and strategist, shares his invaluable wisdom gleaned from over 15 years in the trenches of human rights work. Jason’s unique blend of legal expertise and his role as Chief Impact Officer at On The Revel has positioned him at the forefront of the fight for fair and just cannabis policies. From the potential rescheduling of cannabis by federal agencies to the intricate web of social and economic considerations, Jason provides a comprehensive overview of where the industry stands today and where it’s headed. Join us as we explore the dual challenges of cannabis advocacy: championing social justice while navigating the business landscape. With compelling insights on labor rights, family separations influenced by cannabis policy, and the cultural significance of cannabis in the queer community, this conversation promises to be just as nuanced as it is enlightening. For anyone passionate about cannabis reform and its intersection with social justice, this episode is a must-listen for understanding the complex, ongoing debate that is shaping the future of the cannabis industry.
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THE GREEN FRONTIER | CARLOS “LOS” ARIAS
Get ready to be enlightened as we explore uncharted territories in the thriving cannabis landscape on “Let’s be Blunt with Montel.” 
In this insightful episode, we’re joined by a visionary of natural wellness and cannabis entrepreneurship - Carlos “Los" Arias, co-founder and CEO of Green Horizons.
Los Arias isn’t just a title-holder; he is a story of resilience and a testament to the healing powers of plant medicine. As a Southwestern University School of Law graduate, Carlos pivoted from law to a more grounded life
aligned with his passions in cannabis advocacy and holistic healthcare.
From the bustling growth of Colorado’s cannabis scene, Carlos shares his entry into the industry, his personal health journey with cannabis, and how his pursuits in plant medicine have shaped his approach to business and
well-being.
Tune in as Carlos delves into:
His formative years and the initial foray into plant medicine.
The transition from practicing law to pioneering in cannabis.
The therapeutic applications that transformed his life.
The inception of Green Horizons with his partner Michael.
Prepare for profound discussions and intriguing narratives that paint a picture of innovation, dedication, and green revolutions.
“Don’t miss out on this episode of ‘Let’s be Blunt with Montel’ – A testimony to growth, healing, and the pursuit of natural excellence. Learn and grow with us. 
”
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Thats a long ass interesting video right there!
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