In this podcast episode, the hosts dive into the exciting world of Terp Basel 2024, a major cannabis expo held in Miami, FL. The event brings together a diverse group of individuals from various sectors of the cannabis industry, including growers, smokers, entrepreneurs, artists, and other key players. The hosts sit down with several attendees to discuss their personal experiences at the expo, the impact they’re making within the cannabis community, and the evolving landscape of the industry. The conversation highlights the vibrant culture, innovations, and connections forged at Terp Basel, showcasing how the event serves as a hub for collaboration and growth in the cannabis space.

In this podcast episode, the hosts dive into the exciting world of Terp Basel 2024, a major cannabis expo held in Miami, FL. The event brings together a diverse group of individuals from various sectors of the cannabis industry, including growers, smokers, entrepreneurs, artists, and other key players. The hosts sit down with several attendees to discuss their personal experiences at the expo, the impact they’re making within the cannabis community, and the evolving landscape of the industry. The conversation highlights the vibrant culture, innovations, and connections forged at Terp Basel, showcasing how the event serves as a hub for collaboration and growth in the cannabis space.

In this episode, the hosts dive into the exciting world of Terp Basel 2024, a major cannabis expo held in Miami, FL. The event brings together a diverse group of individuals from various sectors of the cannabis industry, including growers, smokers, entrepreneurs, artists, and other key players. The hosts sit down with several attendees to discuss their personal experiences at the expo, the impact they’re making within the cannabis community, and the evolving landscape of the industry. The conversation highlights the vibrant culture, innovations, and connections forged at Terp Basel, showcasing how the event serves as a hub for collaboration and growth in the cannabis space.

In this episode, we sit down with Megan Dobro, Founder and CEO of SafeTiva Labs, a leading cannabis testing lab based in Westfield, MA. Megan shares her journey from being a tenured biology professor at Hampshire College to founding a lab that is setting new standards for scientific integrity and ethical practices in the cannabis industry.

Megan delves into the challenges and ethical issues surrounding cannabis testing in Massachusetts, shedding light on the rise of labs that use questionable methods, compromising both consumer safety and industry trust. She discusses the importance of ultra-fast turnaround times, customer service, and transparency in building a respected lab, and how SafeTiva Labs has become one of the most trusted names in the state.

We also explore Megan’s advocacy for diversity, social justice, and equity in the sciences, and her joint efforts with the Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition and Certified Remediation Free to promote cannabis cultivation brands that don’t use chemical remediation. Megan also offers insights into the regulatory landscape and suggests changes she would like to see from the Cannabis Control Commission to standardize testing procedures and help create a fairer, more ethical cannabis industry.

Tune in to learn about the science behind safe cannabis and how SafeTiva Labs is working to elevate industry standards one test at a time.

In this episode, we sit down with Kyle Moon, the founder and owner of The Summit Lounge, a private cannabis club in Worcester, MA, offering a safe and inclusive space for cannabis enthusiasts to unwind and connect. Kyle shares his inspiring story of resilience, from overcoming personal struggles with substance abuse to becoming a recovery coach for at-risk teens. With the support of his family, Kyle turned his vision into reality by opening The Summit Lounge, a hub for both recreational and medicinal cannabis users.

We dive into the challenges Kyle faced—navigating the legal and regulatory hurdles of the cannabis industry, especially during the pandemic, and how he adapted by launching a cannabis cultivation operation in Maine. Throughout it all, his commitment to social equity and community-building shines through. In addition to cannabis, The Summit Lounge hosts various events like karaoke, bingo, and charity fundraisers, reflecting Kyle's dedication to fostering a sense of belonging and giving back. Tune in for a conversation on overcoming adversity, the evolving cannabis industry, and how Kyle is using his platform to make a positive impact on his community.

Sparq Cannabis is located in North Adams, Massachusetts. In this episode, we’re joined by Shawn Depietro, head of cultivation, along with his right-hand man, Liam Bannon Esparrago, and occasional insights from Art, the owner of Sparq Cannabis. Although Art carries the “owner” title, he emphasizes that everyone at Sparq works as equals, collaborating as a cohesive team—a dynamic that’s infused into every product they send out.

From Connecticut to Mendocino County, California, and from grunt worker to grower, Shawn’s journey took him on a path of deepening knowledge and cultivation. Just four days after graduating, he left Connecticut and drove to Mendocino County, beginning a journey that would eventually lead him back east to Sparq Cannabis. In this episode, we explore the passion and dedication that drive Shawn and his team to deliver consistent, high-quality harvests.

We also discuss what it means to be "Certified Remediation Free" and how this certification reflects Sparq’s commitment to ethical, consumer-centered cannabis cultivation.

Meet Michael Marinaro, a seasoned cannabis cultivator, and Tara Hopper, a skilled lawyer. No, Mike didn’t catch another case—together, they’re building a cannabis cultivation business in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts. Bada Bloom started as an idea that evolved into a brand, combining Michael’s cultivation expertise with Tara’s legal know-how. We discuss the "right place, right time" moments that brought them together and how they raised funds, turning investors into a supportive extended family.

With a provisional license and construction underway, they’ve had time to observe the industry they’re about to enter. We dive into the challenges they’ve noticed that are holding the industry back, what consumers don’t know, and the limited information available to them about cannabis products. Michael and Tara share their commitment to producing a high-quality product, one they believe will help them stand out in a struggling market. We also explore the current climate for cannabis consumers in Massachusetts and ask the question: do people really know what’s dank?

Meet Yasha Kahn from MCR Labs, the man with the data. In this episode, we discuss how a friend's donation of an HPLC machine, combined with $200 spent on eBay to test weed before legalization, eventually led to the founding of the first licensed cannabis testing lab on the East Coast. Yasha, his brother Mike, and their friend Scott turned that early curiosity into a groundbreaking business.

Yasha shares the journey of building a successful lab, detailing the highs, the lows, and the pivotal events between MCR Labs and the Cannabis Control Commission that pushed him toward a data-driven mission. His goal? To transform an industry plagued by rapid fraud into one where consumers can trust the Certificates of Analysis (COAs) provided by labs. We also dive into the data Yasha obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, which clearly reveals how fraudulent labs operate. He highlights the serious public health risks that come with inaccurate COA reporting and explains the steps he's taken—and continues to take—to urge regulators to enforce testing regulations to protect consumers in Massachusetts.