Sit back, relax, and take a toke of the finest you can find, because we're about to embark on a thrilling journey through drug smuggling, Indy car racing, and the transformation of a life sentence into a powerful story of advocacy and redemption. Randy Lanier shares how he went from being a small-town kid with a modest pot-dealing operation to one of the most notorious cannabis smugglers in U.S. history, moving entire mountainsides of Colombian Gold into the country.

Randy’s story is full of twists and turns, and we get an intimate look at both the highs and the lows. From his rise to becoming Indy 500 Rookie of the Year, to forging unexpected friendships in some of the toughest places, his journey is nothing short of extraordinary. We also dive into his life after prison, discssing the advocacy work he’s passionate about and his involvement with FreedomGrow.Org, a non-profit dedicated to supporting individuals incarcerated for nonviolent cannabis-related offenses.

Meet Ben, Andy, and Colby from the Most Dangerous Men Alive Band. The band was brought to life 11 years ago when Ben and a current band member reached out to Andy to take on the role of lead guitarist. We dive into their journey, from playing in a basement in a small town in southeastern Massachusetts, performing cover songs at local venues from New Bedford, MA, to Providence, RI.

Over time, they transitioned from playing covers to writing, performing, and recording their own original music. Their performance at Hemp Fest six years ago was a key milestone, and now they are set to perform at the 35th Annual Boston Freedom Rally at Boston Common on September 21st from noon until 8 PM. The rally will feature live music, licensed cannabis brands, and everything related to cannabis culture. In this episode, we also discuss one-hit wonders, the loss of a close friend, and wrap things up with the band playing acoustic versions of a few unreleased tracks, including Paradigm, Women & Whiskey, and Loose Fries.

In this episode, we are joined by Jeff Demers, the mastermind behind New England Compost, based in Danbury, Connecticut. Jeff shares his journey into the composting business and how New England Compost has become a leader in small-batch, craft compost, certified for growing organic products. We delve into the composting process from start to finish, exploring where some of the key inputs originate and how Jeff has cultivated valuable relationships over the years. These connections have helped him source unique feedstocks that set his compost apart from the competition.

Jeff also discusses the expansion of his business, moving from small local farms to licensed cannabis cultivators across New England. One of their standout products is "Black Number 13," a calcium-enriched mix specifically designed for cannabis cultivation. Jeff explains what makes this mix ideal for cannabis growers and how you can get your hands on it. Jeff explains why New England Compost is the go-to choice and he shares his relentless pursuit of the next best mix and how he's continually working to improve his products.

In this episode, we sit down with Kyle Oliveira from Luxury Leaf, a hemp clothing brokerage based in East Providence, Rhode Island. Discover how a simple college project evolved into a thriving hemp clothing company, founded by a group of friends with a shared vision. We delve into the incredible versatility of hemp, exploring some of its 50,000 uses and uncovering fascinating historical facts. Did you know that one of the oldest known artifacts is a piece of hemp fabric dating back 10,000 years? Or that Henry Ford once built a car made from hemp and powered by hemp biodiesel?

Join us as we trace hemp’s journey from being a cornerstone of American industry—where 80% of the world’s garments were once made from hemp—to its eventual ban in the United States. We also explore how the textile industry’s powerful players used hemp’s close cousin, cannabis, to push for its prohibition. Kyle shares insights into the sustainable practices of hemp production and the unique benefits of hemp garments, shedding light on how this eco-friendly textile stacks up against other materials. Don’t miss this eye-opening episode that uncovers the past, present, and future of hemp in the world of fashion and beyond.

Join us for an information-packed episode with Matt Iarussi from Canna Klean. Are you struggling with failing microbial tests and tired of constantly remediating flower? Are you against lab shopping just to pass testing and want to provide clean, safe products to consumers? Your facility might be the issue.

In this episode, Matt shares his wealth of knowledge on mold in the Facility. He is a longtime advocate and cultivator who has been involved in the cannabis business for many years. Canna Klean, based in Franklin, MA, specializes in facility mold remediation and restoration services specific to the cannabis industry. Matt discusses the various ways mold can infiltrate buildings, the environmental conditions and food sources mold needs to thrive, and the different types of molds and their harmful effects on consumers if inhaled or ingested.

We'll also explore the range of services Canna Klean provides, from consulting on facility health pre-construction to restoration and their post-harvest cleaning services.

Don't miss this insightful conversation on maintaining a clean and safe cannabis production environment.

Join us for an engaging episode as we sit down with Blake Mensing and Albie Montgomery from Firebrand Cannabis, a premier retail dispensary located at 727 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA. Firebrand Cannabis is a Social Equity establishment founded by Massachusetts natives Blake Mensing and David Rabinovitz, along with four dynamic partners. Blake, a seasoned cannabis licensing attorney and founder of The Mensing Group, has helped over 100 businesses secure their licenses. Albie, a serial entrepreneur, has successfully turned various ventures from iced teas to DVDs into gold.

In this episode, we explore how their personal experiences as long-time cannabis consumers influence the selection of brands they carry. Discover what they look for in products, what's currently selling, and how their prime location across from the iconic South Station benefits from high foot traffic. Learn about Albie's journey as a serial entrepreneur and how it led him to become one of the owners of Firebrand Cannabis. Blake shares insights on licensing and the impact of his work with The Mensing Group. We also discuss customer conveniences like pre-orders, lead times for those catching a train, and their real-time schedule of South Station departures in the store to ensure you never miss your commute. Don't miss this episode where we delve into the world of premium cannabis products and the entrepreneurial spirit driving Firebrand Cannabis.

Join us this week for an insightful conversation with Rich and Edson, the dynamic duo behind Gas Bus delivery service based in Middleboro, MA. In this episode, we delve into the inception of Gas Bus and the driving force behind its creation, with Edson sharing the vision and mission behind their consumer-first approach, rooted in their extensive experience with cannabis.

Originating from different parts of Massachusetts, Rich, a Brockton native, and Edson, hailing from Roxbury, recount the serendipitous encounter that led them down the path towards obtaining their full license. Discover what criteria Gas Bus looks for in partnering with cannabis brands, as well as their innovative approach to reaching customers through initiatives like Melting Pot, a cooking class focused on edibles infusion. We'll also explore the highs and lows of their journey, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs encountered along the way. With their launch date slated for early July 2024, join us as we navigate the final stretch of Gas Bus's journey towards operational success.

In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Jeff Rawson, a distinguished chemist and passionate advocate for cannabis consumer safety. Jeff’s journey began in Louisiana and took him through St. Petersburg, Florida, the Hudson Valley, Duke University, and Harvard University, where he earned his PhD and conducted postdoctoral research under the renowned chemist George Whitesides. His academic and professional experiences eventually led him to establish the Institute of Cannabis Science, a nonprofit dedicated to cannabis testing and consumer protection. Jeff delves into his introduction to cannabis during his time at Bard College and shares a pivotal moment years later when a negative experience with a distillate vape cartridge inspired him to advocate for safer cannabis products. Throughout the episode, Jeff discusses several critical topics, including the dangers of moldy weed in the workplace and the pros and cons of remediated flower.

He provides insights into how remediation machines impact the quality and safety of cannabis and highlights the mission of his organization to educate consumers about the varying grades of cannabis. Jeff also tackles the controversial issue of THC inflation, explaining how discrepancies in THC levels reported by different labs can mislead consumers and affect the credibility of testing labs. Join us as Jeff Rawson shares his expertise and passion for ensuring the health and safety of cannabis users, shedding light on the often-overlooked aspects of cannabis consumption and testing.