CANNABIS: A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH | JUDGE DOUG BENCH
Judge Doug Bench put more than 300 people in jail for minor marijuana offenses during his tenure. In retirement, his prohibitionist stance on cannabis took a sharp turn after being diagnosed with terminal COPD. His wife Jan convinced him to try cannabis-based on her own research, and after much hesitation, he finally tried cannabis and is now declared symptom free by his doctor. Judge Bench and his wife Jan are the founders of Rethink Green, cannabis advocacy and CBD product company.
Montel talks with Frank Jones and Phillip Smith on this episode of Let’s Be Blunt. Frank has more than 30 years of experience as a pharmaceutical executive. He is the co-founder of Greene Street Pharmaceuticals and works to capitalize on his extensive experience to develop innovative products that make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and physicians. Also joining the conversation, is Montel’s friend and partner, the co-founder of Freshly Baked Company, Philip Smith.
Montel chats with Rachel Grochowski on this episode of Let’s Be Blunt. Rachel is an award-winning architect and designer. Her diverse body of work spans both residential and commercial projects throughout the US. She’s been recognized by the Urban Land Institute for sustainable development and has been awarded Gold and Silver LEED certifications for her work. In 2019, she was named one of the Top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneurs in NJ, and now she has brought her talent to the cannabis industry designing dispensaries and consumption lounges.
Montel chats with JM Balbuena on this episode of Let’s Be Blunt about her new book The Successful Canna-Prenueur. JM is an author, filmmaker, advocate, and entrepreneur focused on empowering aspiring leaders in the rapidly growing legal cannabis space. She is a Navy veteran, having received a Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal for her dedicated service as an Aviation Electronics Tech from 2010 to 2014. She went on to earn her masters degree in business administration and information systems.
SURVIVING THE WAR ON DRUGS | TERRENCE STEVENS & PHIL SMITH
Montel talks with Terrence Stevens and Philip Smith on this episode of Let’s be Blunt. Terrence is a quadriplegic with Muscular Dystrophy who was sentenced to 15 years in a maximum security prison for a non-violent low level drug offense. He suffered years of abuse and exploitation from the penal system and was eventually granted clemency by Governor Pataki after serving 10 years of his sentence. Since his release he has dedicated his life to creating positive change in communities disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs. His story was featured in the PBS documentary The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross. Now focused on treating a myriad of medical ailments, he has teamed up with Freshly Baked founders Jenny Roseman and Philip Smith to launch his IRONSYDZ brand of cannabis products in Massachusetts.
