A Nerdy Deep Dive into Cannabis Policy

Attorneys Jen Benda, Rachel Gillette, and Nate Pollock join Jordan Wellington for a discussion about Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code and a case in U.S. Tax Court that could be a game-changer for cannabis companies, even if rescheduling never happens.

Jordan Wellington hosts University of Texas Law School professors Courtney Barns and Scott Seder to discuss their course on psychedelics and the law, the movement to legalize psychedelics, and how it differs from the marijuana policy reform movement. 

Jordan Wellington hosts longtime legalization activists Adam Smith and Karen O'Keefe of the Marijuana Policy Project for a conversation about the battle for civil rights at the heart of the cannabis legalization movement, “neo-prohibitionist” efforts to roll back reform, and why messaging matters.

Jordan Wellington hosts James Pepper, chair of the Vermont Cannabis Control Board, for a look at how the state crafts its cannabis policies to reflect Vermont’s values and culture. This includes taking steps to transition legacy growers and longtime consumers into the regulated market.

In the latest Weed Wonks episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Mary Jane Oatman, founder of the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association, and Riana Durrett, vice chair of the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board, for a conversation about tribal cannabis businesses. They discuss the cannabis-related policies and politics of tribal communities, what it takes to make tribal cannabis businesses successful, and what these companies and the cannabis hospitality industry can learn from one another. 

Jordan Wellington hosts Eugene Hillsman of the California Department of Cannabis Control for an in-depth look at cannabis social equity and what it takes for states to develop thriving cannabis markets that can help mend some of the damage caused by the war on drugs. They also discuss why empathy and understanding are important in policymaking and why states must back up good intentions with meaningful investment in social equity programs.

Cannabis Regulators Association Executive Director Gillian Schauer joins Jordan Wellington to discuss the state of regulated marijuana markets, the national emergence of consumable hemp products, and how regulators can advance public safety alongside a thriving cannabis industry. She also explains why, when it comes to legal marijuana, everything is nuance. 

Jordan Wellington picks up the conversation where he left off in our previous episode with Sabrina Noah, principal at NRM Consulting and host of the Practical Politics podcast. They discuss their paths to the cannabis policy space and what it will take for the industry to fully realize the promise of legalization. They also discuss Sabrina’s upcoming Cannabis Law Institute panel on the transition from the legacy market to the legal industry.

Jordan Wellington hosts attorneys Zack Kobrin and Victoria Cvitanovic, who will be panelists at the upcoming Cannabis Law Institute hosted by the International Cannabis Bar Association in collaboration with Strategies 64. They discuss the unique challenges and opportunities that come with working in cannabis law and the considerations at play when medical-only markets shift to adult-use. 

Jordan Wellington hosts attorneys Lara DeCaro and Shay Aaron Gilmore, who will be panelists at the upcoming Cannabis Law Institute hosted by the International Cannabis Bar Association in collaboration with Strategies 64. Their conversations touch on women and diversity in cannabis, cannabis policy advocacy, and what it takes to shift from a legacy market to the legal cannabis trade.

In the latest Weed Wonks episode, Jordan Wellington hosts David Vaillencourt, founder and CEO of GMP Collective, for a conversation about the broken state of cannabis labeling policy, how it went awry, and why QR codes may be the key to improving effectiveness, efficiency, and standardization. They also discuss the importance of Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations and why they are critical to the future of the cannabis industry.

Jordan Wellington hosts Meredith Buettner, executive director of the Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition, for a discussion about her group’s ongoing efforts to legalize adult-use cannabis via the state’s General Assembly. They touch on some of the victories legalization advocates have had in the Commonwealth, what is needed to get adult-use legislation over the finish line, and how state-level policy changes can contribute to progress at the federal level.

In our 100th episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Shawn Collins of the Homegrown Consulting Group for a discussion about the cannabis policymaking process. Collins, who served as the first head of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, describes the importance of convening a “community of experts,” and he explains how state officials can work with the cannabis industry to craft regulations that strike the right balance between public safety and a viable market. 

Jordan Wellington hosts Sabrina Noah, principal at NRM Consulting for an in-depth talk about the cannabis policymaking process and the critical role empathy and listening play in crafting regulation. They also look at how lobbyists help cannabis companies navigate regulatory demands and why it is so important that the industry and lawmakers identify and work to accomplish shared goals.

Hear Amy Moore, Director of the Division of Cannabis Regulation at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, discuss the successful rollout of Missouri’s legal cannabis market. Amy and Jordan discuss how Missouri’s program was influenced by the experiences of other states, its decision to maintain a minimum number of licenses, and the constant analysis it performs to ensure the market is meeting consumer demand. 

Jordan Wellington hosts Riana Durrett, vice chair of the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board and director of the Cannabis Policy Institute at UNLV, for a discussion about the impact of legal cannabis in Nevada, its relationship with the gaming industry, and why it is so important to get cannabis hospitality right. They also discuss the importance of ongoing research and stakeholder engagement, which were at the heart of the policy symposium co-hosted by CPI and Strategies 64 during MJBizCon.

In the latest episode of Weed Wonks, host Jordan Wellington speaks with Michael Bronstein and Chris Lindsey of the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp about the state of legal cannabis and policy reform efforts a decade after the nation’s first legal adult-use cannabis sales. They also discuss how the world is looking at cannabis differently these days and how much farther there is to go to fully end marijuana prohibition.

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.

Jordan Wellington hosts Trulieve Executive Director of Government Relations Lauren Niehaus for a discussion on the long and arduous campaign to get legalization on the ballot in Florida and the strategies and compromises involved in crafting cannabis legalization initiatives.

In the latest episode of Weed Wonks, Jordan Wellington and guests Scot Rutledge and Christopher LaPorte of RESET take a deep dive into cannabis consumption lounges and the role they will play in the future of the cannabis industry. They look at different business models for cannabis hospitality, how lounges and other social-use venues will advance the normalization of cannabis, and the benefits these real-life gathering spots have to offer consumers and the industry.

In the latest episode of Weed Wonks, Jordan Wellington hosts Erik Gundersen, founder and principal of ERG Strategies, and Mackenzie Slade, executive director of Cannabis Public Policy Consulting, for a long discussion about what is working — and what is not — in cannabis policy. They discuss 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.

In October, Kentucky will hold a lottery to see which of the thousands of applicants will receive the state’s several dozen highly-coveted medical cannabis licenses. In the latest Weed Wonks, Sam Flynn, Executive Director of the Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program, talks about the steps the Bluegrass State has taken to build a medical marijuana market that focuses on patient access and ensuring the economic viability of the market for cannabis companies. Jordan and Sam  also discuss the importance of adult education and how Kentucky is building a medical cannabis market that will work for patients and businesses alike.

In the latest Weed Wonks, Jordan Wellington and Mason Tvert of Strategies 64 host NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano for a look back at the last few decades of cannabis politics and policy reform and what it took to get where we are today. The three cannabis policy veterans discuss the subjectivity of marijuana’s “potential for abuse,” the critical role played by public perception, and why cannabis rescheduling would be the biggest shift in cannabis policy — ever.

In the latest Weed Wonks, Jordan Wellington hosts top Colorado marijuana regulator and CANNRA President Dominique Mendiola for an in-depth talk about the long and winding road of cannabis policy, how policy has been shaped by the past decade of legal cannabis, how policymakers have become more data-driven, and the ways in which the experience of legal cannabis policy is shaping the state’s alternative medicine initiative.

The agency in charge of regulating cannabis in Massachusetts is facing heightened scrutiny from the media and the governor. Weed Wonks host Jordan Wellington is joined by attorney Adam Fine of Vicente LLP’s Boston office for a discussion about the criticism levied at the Cannabis Control Commission, the firm’s successful lawsuit to allow maritime transport of legal cannabis, and why regulatory agencies shouldn’t be afraid to fail and make big moves.

In the second half of a two-part Weed Wonks episode ahead of the International Cannabis Bar Association’s annual Cannabis Law Institute conference, Jordan Wellington hosts INCBA Board Member Amber Littlejohn, who is of counsel at Ice Miller, and Mitzi Vaughn, shareholder at Karr Tuttle Campbell, for a talk about the policy implications of rescheduling, why incremental process is so important for cannabis legalization and normalization, and the difference between cannabis policies that sound good and those that will actually be effective.

In the first of a two-part Weed Wonks episode ahead of the International Cannabis Bar Association’s annual Cannabis Law Institute conference, INCBA Board President Jason Horst and 1906 Chief Legal Officer Shabnam Malek discuss the legal complexities of a federally illegal industry, trademark law in the cannabis sector, and what it means when lawyers “find their tribe” in the cannabis space. 

Earlier this year, Germany became the first European country to legalize cannabis for adult use, sparking excitement across the continent and around the cannabis world. What will legal marijuana look like in Europe's largest economy? And how will it compare to legalization in the U.S.? Jordan Wellington hosts Lewis Koski, Chief Strategy Officer at Metrc and a former Colorado cannabis regulator, for an in-depth talk about what cannabis regulation will look like in Germany, how German cannabis cultivation clubs will work, and what the country can learn from Colorado and other states that have already legalized.

The promise of marijuana tax revenue was a key selling point for legalization, and it continues to be a major policy issue for the regulated cannabis industry. It is also a pain point for many businesses, as well as the consumers they serve. 

In this Weed Wonks episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Nick Richards, Partner at Greenspoon Marder LLP for a deep dive into the tax policies surrounding cannabis and what a lack of guidance and no shortage of trial and error has meant for the cannabis industry.

What can the cannabis world learn from U.S. federal regulation of the e-cigarette industry? In this episode of Weed Wonks, host Jordan Wellington talks with Douglas Fischer, general counsel for Advanced Vapor Devices, about regulatory challenges the e-cigarette industry has faced and what they may portend for the cannabis industry following federal legalization. They also discuss the importance of sensible federal oversight and how regulatory failure can lead to market failure.

In this episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Kimberly Roy of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission for a talk on how the state is educating veterans and other consumers, both young and old, about cannabis. They also discuss the recent state-issued pardons for cannabis offenses, efforts to “keep things honest” when it comes to cannabis testing, and the steps being taken to level the playing field for legal cannabis in the Commonwealth.

For nearly a decade, VS Strategies has been a top consulting firm in the cannabis space and home to some of the utmost experts on cannabis policy, including Weed Wonks host Jordan Wellington. 

In this special bonus episode, Jordan and fellow VSS partners Christian Sederberg and Mason Tvert discuss the firm’s new name, Strategies 64, and how Colorado’s historic marijuana legalization initiative, Amendment 64, served as a major nexus for the company and its leaders.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to produce the lab results that appear on your favorite cannabis products - and what they mean - this is the episode for you.

Hear Jordan Wellington and Stephen Goldman, Chief Science Officer at Kaycha Labs discuss the big questions that surround cannabis testing, what the data tells us about cannabis product safety, and what it takes to establish the safety of consumer products in an industry that lacks universal standards.

Jordan Wellington hosts Henry Crisler, the Executive Director of the Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association (3MA) for an in-depth talk on patient access and the obstacles cannabis companies face in Mississippi. They also discuss how the state is dealing with intoxicating hemp products and the devastating testing crisis it faced when one of its two licensed cannabis testing labs was suspended in January.  

In the second half of our two-part series on cannabis legalization in Ohio, Cincinnati native Brian Vicente of cannabis law firm Vicente LLP discusses the “absolute landmark event” that is legalization in the bellwether state of Ohio. Brian and Jordan get into the details of what will be allowed under cannabis legalization in Ohio, how many recreational dispensaries and cannabis grows will be permitted in the state, how the lottery for adult-use cannabis dispensaries works, and the emphasis the state is putting on social equity. 

In the first installment of a two-part Weed Wonks episode on legalization in Ohio, Brandon Lynaugh, managing partner of Strategic Public Partners and a leader of the Issue 2 campaign, discusses the initiative’s passage and efforts currently underway to implement the measure and establish the state’s legal cannabis market. Brandon and host Jordan Wellington also dive into what it’s like to run a legalization campaign, the roles played by polling and technology, and why voters’ political leanings are not always an indicator of their support for reform.

From coast to coast in the U.S. and across the pond in Europe, 2024 is shaping up to be one of the most interesting years ever for cannabis policy. In this episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Dan Smith of VS Strategies for an in-depth look at what we can expect in newly legal states like Minnesota and Ohio, what could happen with legalization in Europe, and the pros and cons of state-run cannabis stores.

In the latest episode of Weed Wonks, Jordan Wellington hosts fellow New Jerseyan Jeff Brown, Executive Director of the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission, for an up-close look at how the Garden State has handled cannabis policymaking and regulation. From social equity, to the importance of data and stakeholder engagement,  to the question of whether cannabis-infused smoked salmon can be shelf stable, the two leave no stone unturned when it comes to legal cannabis in New Jersey.

In our latest episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Tyler Klimas, the former Executive Director of the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board, for an in-depth talk about how the state developed its cannabis regulations and why it’s so important to have accountability and transparency when making cannabis policy. The pair also discuss how Nevada is handling non-compliance and what the state is doing to make sure cannabis consumption lounges are a success in the entertainment capital of the world.

In our latest episode, Jordan Wellington hosts John Hudak, Director of the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy, for an in-depth talk about the state’s cannabis program and his journey from the Brookings Institution to the world of marijuana regulation. The two also discuss how states can work together both with supporters and opponents of legalization, why the 2018 Farm Bill was a “disaster of legalization without preparation,” why state agencies should regularly clean out their regulatory closet, and why Hudak will never buy medical cannabis in Maine.

In our latest episode, Jordan Wellington speaks to Chris Tholkes, Director of the Office of Medical Cannabis at the Minnesota Department of Health, about the state’s unique approach to legal cannabis. They discuss the state’s intoxicating hemp and medical cannabis markets and what to expect in the 15 months or so before adult-use dispensaries open their doors. They also look at what Jordan describes as how Minnesota represents “a complete paradigm shift on what we’ve seen” in legal cannabis markets today. 

In our latest episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Jason Tarasek, the head of the Minnesota office of the cannabis law firm Vicente LLP for a deep and nerdy dive into what is shaping up to be one of the most fascinating cannabis markets in the country. From the popularity of intoxicating hemp beverages in Minnesota and the fact that you can drink them inside a bar in the state to the future of the medical marijuana market, Jordan and Jason leave no stone unturned. 

In this special bonus Weed Wonks episode, Jordan Wellington and Mason Tvert host Colorado Governor Jared Polis for a whirlwind talk about the Governor’s cannabis proposals for the new state budget released a day earlier, why they’re important for cannabis operators, and how the state can continue to be a leader and an innovator in legal marijuana, more than a decade after legalization. 

In the latest Weed Wonks session, Jordan Wellington hosts Ananda Strategy Founder and California Cannabis Chamber of Commerce Vice Chair Hirsh Jain for a fascinating talk about the work that remains in legal markets long after legalization is put into effect. From how states can ensure protections are in place for cannabis users to what Colorado and California are doing right and what makes Michigan great for investors, it’s an episode you won’t want to miss. 

In our latest episode, Jordan Wellington hosts longtime policy partner in crime Andrew Livingston of Vicente LLP for a long discussion about what makes a legal cannabis market successful and how the concept of “success” in legal cannabis has changed in recent years. The duo also looks at how attitudes and approaches to cannabis social equity programs have changed and what this means for the industry. 

In the latest Weed Wonks episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Jimmy Farrell, the Standards Development Manager at ASTM International, and David Vaillencourt, the Founder and CEO of GMP Collective for an in-depth talk about what it takes to develop standards in an industry that is still illegal on the federal level. The trio also discusses consensus-building on cannabis standards and why it matters for all of us who care about cannabis testing, packaging, labels, and safety.   

In the latest Weed Wonks episode, Jordan Wellington hosts a panel of cannabis media experts including Ricardo Baca of Grasslands (and formerly “The Cannabist”), John Schroyer of Green Market Report, and Mason Tvert of VS Strategies for a look at how the media has impacted cannabis policy, how the cannabis beat has changed over the past decade, and what happens when a hot story like legal cannabis stops driving traffic like it used to. 

In the latest Weed Wonks episode, Joshua Kappel, a founding partner of cannabis law firm Vicente LLP and co-founder of the Microdosing Collective speaks to Jordan Wellington about Colorado’s Natural Medicine Health Act, what it takes to pass psychedelics reform legislation, how to educate lawmakers on psychedelics and the idea of community-based health, and what happens when this model clashes with the state’s desire to exert control.

In the latest Weed Wonks episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Adria G. Berry of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority for an in-depth discussion of how the state’s wildcatter history is reflected in its medical marijuana market, how much oversupply there actually is in Oklahoma, and how the state is taking the reins on quality control.

In our latest session, Jordan Wellington hosts a panel including Dr. Priyanka Sharma of Kazmira, Stephen Cobb of DOSD & Nomad Extracts, and Bia Campbell from VS Strategies for a deep dive into the intoxicating hemp products that have swept across the country in the past few years. It’s a very complicated landscape with a bit of “straight-up alchemy” tossed in, and who better to make sense of it all than some Weed Wonks?

In the latest Weed Wonks episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Andrew Garrison of the Maryland Cannabis Administration to discuss the state’s rapid move from the legalization initiative to actual sales, how the state has prioritized social equity and patient access, and how Maryland is investing its own time and money to ensure legalization is done right. (Featuring a cameo from Andrew’s dog, Francis Scout Key) 

In the latest Weed Wonks episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Mike Hennesy of Wana Brands for an eye-opening talk about Mike’s recent visit to Morocco, where he took to the Rif Mountains to learn from the cannabis traditions of the Amazigh people (what most of us usually call “Berbers”) and what they can teach us about cannabis cultivation and landrace strains, the global impact of the U.S. War on Drugs, and much more.

In the latest Weed Wonks episode, Jordan Wellington hosts Shane Pennington, counsel at Vicente LLP, for a deep dive into federal cannabis policy, what the different levels of scheduling mean, how illegality isn’t binary, it’s a spectrum, and why federal prohibition and scheduling levels were never really about science to begin with.

Weed Wonks returns! In our first episode back after a rollercoaster year for legal cannabis, Jordan Wellington hosts Gillian Schauer, the Executive Director of the Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA), for an in-depth talk about CANNRA, product safety,  “intoxicating hemp,” and the important role the federal government can and should play in the regulation of cannabis.

Betty Aldworth, Andrew Livingston, Jordan Wellington, and Mason Tvert join host Kris Krane to talk about the life and legacy of our friend and activist, Steve Fox. Originally aired 2021.

Activist and entrepreneur Evan Nison speaks with hosts Jordan Wellington and Andrew Livingston about how their home state of New Jersey as well as New York, has legalized marijuana, as well as some of the work he’s done and is doing through his PR company NisonCo.  Originally aired June 29, 2021. 

Michelle Walker, patient advocate and director at Mothers Advocating Medical Marijuana for Autism, speaks with host Jordan Wellington about her journey as a cannabis activist and the work she’s done to change medical cannabis policy for the better in Colorado, Texas, and on the national level. Originally aired May 18, 2021.

Benjamin Katchman, PhD, of PathogenDx, speaks with Jordan Wellington about legal cannabis, microbial contamination, and the testing chain. Previously aired May 6, 2021.

Emily Kaltenbach, Senior Director of Resident States and New Mexico at the Drug Policy Alliance, joins host Jordan Wellington to talk about the growth and ongoing advancement of marijuana legalization in the state of New Mexico. Previously aired on April 27, 2021.

Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D) joins hosts Jordan Wellington and Andrew Livingston to talk about the ongoing push to reform federal cannabis policy, this week’s vote on the SAFE Banking Act, and the legacy of friend and marijuana activist Steve Fox, who passed away last week at the age of 53. Previously aired on April 19, 2021.

Charles Alovisetti joins hosts Jordan Wellington and Andrew Livingston to talk about the finer points of legal marijuana finance, equity, and investment. Previously aired on March 30, 2021.

Sam Richard, Executive Director of the Arizona Dispensaries Association, talks with host Jordan Wellington about the history and ongoing evolution of Arizona’s legal marijuana industry. Previously aired on March 23, 2021.

Ngiste Abebe joins host Jordan Wellington to talk about the latest developments in legalizing adult-use marijuana in Virginia. Previously aired on February 11, 2021.