Weed Wonks

In the latest episode of Weed Wonks, host Jordan Wellington talks with government affairs expert Sabrina N., principal at NRM Consulting, about #cannabis policymaking, lobbying, and the critical roles empathy and listening play in the stakeholder process. Now streaming here: https://lnkd.in/g3DjEefc

ICYMI: Since November, many in the #cannabisindustry are asking what the new U.S. administration means for the cause of #cannabislegalization. In this episode from December, Michael Bronstein and Chris Lindsey of the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp look at where legalization stands 12 years after Colorado and Washington became the first states to authorize adult-use #cannabis - and a whole lot more. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/ejzeZvVr

Since Missouri voters legalized adult-use cannabis in November 2022, the Show Me State has emerged as a model for how to efficiently and effectively implement a regulated retail cannabis market. In the latest episode of Weed Wonks, host Jordan Wellington speaks with Amy Moore, Director of the Division of Cannabis Regulation at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, about the rollout, why it was successful, and how regulators developed the rules governing legal cannabis businesses. Now streaming: https://lnkd.in/gkBVERXk

Cannabis policy development has been driven by extensive stakeholder engagement processes and ongoing research into the business, economic, and public safety outcomes of legalization and regulation. In the latest Weed Wonks, Jordan Wellington speaks to Riana Durrett, vice chair of the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board and director of the Cannabis Policy Institute at UNLV, about cannabis policy in Nevada, its implications for other jurisdictions, and the role of research in responsible policy development. Now streaming here: https://lnkd.in/e_Fh2Ffz

It has been a little over a decade since the first legal adult-use cannabis sales took place in the U.S. A lot has changed since then —?and a lot has not. Where do we go from here? In the latest Weed Wonks, Jordan Wellington hosts fellow cannabis policy dinosaurs Michael Bronstein and Chris Lindsey of the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp (ATACH) for an in-depth look at where legalization stands 12 years after Colorado and Washington became the first states to authorize adult-use cannabis, and why policy must continue to be crafted responsibly so that marijuana legalization does not become a cautionary tale.?? Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/ejzeZvVr

Marijuana legalization initiatives in three states were defeated on Election Day, but that doesn’t mean cannabis wasn’t a winner at the ballot box. In the latest episode of Weed Wonks, host Jordan Wellington speaks with David Culver, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at the U.S. Cannabis Council about why there is reason to be optimistic about cannabis policy reform in the wake of the 2024 presidential election — and why even with the setbacks in Florida and elsewhere, there are clear signs of progress heading into 2025. Now streaming: https://hubs.ly/Q02YyVdN0

Florida voters have the opportunity to legalize adult-use cannabis this November, but the path to Election Day has been anything but easy. In our latest episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Lauren Niehaus, Executive Director of Government Relations at Trulieve, for a fascinating discussion on the difficult process of getting Amendment 3 on the ballot, and the time, resources, and effort that have been spent to give Floridians a chance to vote on legalization. They discuss what goes into drafting ballot initiatives and the compromises that must be made to maximize stakeholder support and engagement and create proposals with the highest probability of success. Now streaming here: https://lnkd.in/gFqNesZT

Cannabis consumption lounges have the potential to change how society views cannabis, how the industry engages with consumers and develops new revenue streams, and how consumers learn about and use #cannabis products. In our latest episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Scot Rutledge and Christopher LaPorte of RESET to discuss why #cannabishospitality and consumption lounges excite so many consumers and industry professionals. Now streaming wherever you're lounging: https://lnkd.in/ggaf6WHJ

What is working - and what isn't - in cannabis policy? In the latest Weed Wonks, Jordan Wellington hosts Erik Gundersen, founder and principal of ERG Strategies, and Mackenzie Slade, MPH, executive director of Cannabis Public Policy Consulting, for a long discussion about how cannabis policy seeks to balance public safety and market stability, the role of science and data in new market formulation, and what it takes to get businesses licensed in a manner that creates viable legal cannabis markets. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/g7qTCyAB

Weed Wonks in the news! "As with cannabis, psychedelics regulation is “going to be an iterative process,” said Dominique Mendiola, who holds split roles as the senior director of both Colorado's Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) and the state’s Natural Medicine Division. Both are under the Colorado Department of Revenue. Mendiola, who was also?elected president of the Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA) last year, was speaking on an episode of the Weed Wonks podcast with host Jordan Wellington, a partner at the cannabis policy and public affairs firm Strategies 64." Read more on Marijuana Moment here: (Link to Weed Wonks episode featuring Dominique Mendiola in the first comment)