It's here! Our final podcast episode before we go on hiatus! In case you missed the big announcement in the fall 2023 issue of Different Leaf Magazine; "We're saying goodbye -- for now." This week, host Brit Smith sits down with Different Leaf CEO/Publisher Michael Kusek to talk about what his Editor's Note on page 11 announcing the hiatus means for the future of Different Leaf. They talk about the changes Michael has seen in the cannabis industry and the publishing industry over the past five y...
Dec 15, 2023•41 min•Season 7Ep. 8
If you've ever walked into a cannabis dispensary and felt overwhelmed with options, you are not alone. Around 2/3 of cannabis consumers consider THC potency the leading factor when purchasing pot. While that doesn't tell us much about the experience we might have, there are plenty of things beyond THC and price that we can consider when picking products at our local pot shop. This week, host Brit Smith talks to the staff at Boston's Rooted In dispensary, to learn how professional cannabis purcha...
Dec 08, 2023•21 min•Season 7Ep. 9
Between socializing, cooking, traveling, and spending, the holiday season can be a tough time to chill out. And then, of course, some of us have kids to watch, and those kids are also watching us. Thankfully, cannabis is a great tool to help adults enjoy the holiday season, even if we’re in charge of children. And this generation of parents is becoming much more open about discussing cannabis with their kids. They use electronic dab-rigs. They wear smoking jackets. They tell their children why t...
Dec 01, 2023•22 min•Season 7Ep. 8
It's the end of the year, the perfect time to indulge in some much-deserved rest and relaxation. And with so many spas now offering CBD-infused facials and massages, we can truly relax to the max this holiday season. So does topical CBD actually help our bodies more fully relax? Can a cannabis-infused facial benefit skin more than a regular facial does? And how else are spas incorporating cannabis to help their guests truly chill? To kick off the holidays, host Brit Smith and production manager ...
Nov 24, 2023•27 min•Season 7Ep. 7
Autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that covers a diverse group of conditions. Since it's a spectrum, what it means to be diagnosed with autism varies widely. So do the experiences of autistic people and those who try cannabis and CBD for their health issues. In this episode, host Brit Smith talks to two autistic people about their experiences trying cannabis and CBD for common problems for those on the spectrum, like anxiety, focus, masking, sensory processing, an...
Nov 17, 2023•40 min•Season 7Ep. 6
CBN, CBG, THCV, THCA... beyond the famed cannabinoids THC and CBD, we're seeing a surge of offerings known as minor cannabinoids. More and more people are swearing by these plant's so-called minor molecules to help with issues like sleep, appetite, and energy. So what’s the science behind all of it? Why does the plant make these chemicals? How do we extract and use them? And what does the research say about how minor cannabinoids could help better our health? In this episode, host Brit Smith spe...
Nov 10, 2023•40 min•Season 7Ep. 5
One of the staple fall activities of the northeast is to head to an orchard, pick your own apples, and enjoy some apple cider on the farm. Since cannabis has become more popular in drinks, one of the northeast’s best-known apple cider makers, Beak and Skiff, has started incorporating hemp and cannabis into their drink offerings, and it's already helping to change the way people see the plant. In this episode, host Brit Smith talks to Eddie Brennan, President of Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards an...
Nov 03, 2023•28 min•Season 7Ep. 4
We’re getting into the spirit of Halloween by discussing how cannabis can guide us through spiritual journeys with our guest Shelley Johnson, better known as social media icon @AGoodWitchOfficial A retired occupational therapist in California, Shelley started doing Instagram Live sessions in her purple witches hat during the pandemic to help others feel grounded. She'd spark up, read tarot cards for her followers, and give what she calls her 'old crone advice' about how to live a more intentiona...
Oct 27, 2023•29 min•Season 7Ep. 3
Ready for an Exclusive?! Soon, you'll be able to wear vintage Tommy Hilfiger tennis apparel with our favorite leaf on the lapel, while smoking a matching branded red and white vape. American fashion icon Tommy Hilfiger has partnered with Coachella-based cannabis company Green Horizons to revitalize his classic 1970s tennis fashion brand BOAST. In 2024, they're launching a BOAST clothing line, including polo shirts, shorts, jerseys, and hats -- all with its famed maple leaf logo, alongside a line...
Oct 20, 2023•35 min•Season 7Ep. 2
Just a decade into legalization, the science behind cannabis-infused edibles has already come a long way. We’ve now got fast-acting edibles, cutting effect times from hours to minutes, made possible by nano-emulsification technology. We've got heightened experiences and flavors, thanks to Live resin and rosin-infused foods, which contain extracts from flash-frozen freshly-cut cannabis flower. And we now have targeted effects edibles, which specifically help us chill, focus, find energy, or sleep...
Oct 13, 2023•37 min•Season 7Ep. 1
Since the pandemic, more than 70,000 restaurants, diners, and cafes in the US have closed. And many places that did manage to reopen didn’t make it long. Another thing that happened during the COVID lockdown; CBD and THC skyrocketed in popularity. Now, cannabis appears to be giving a new lease on life to some formerly-shuttered eateries. In this episode, host Brit Smith talks to Chef Andrew LeSturgeon and Will Fleming of Milkweed Cannabis Confections in Burlington, VT about how their infused con...
Sep 15, 2023•28 min•Season 6Ep. 10
Yoga and cannabis have a lot in common. Both originated in India thousands of years ago, and both help us focus on our spiritual, philosophical, and physical selves. Whether you're a newbie or a longtime yogi, mixing meditation, stretching and marijuana is not for the faint of heart. Especially since both the cannabis plant and popular yoga practices have developed in intensity over the past few thousand years. So how can we safely take part in the historic spiritual practice of stoned yoga with...
Sep 08, 2023•29 min•Season 6Ep. 9
This week, hear the inspiring story of how cannabis played a role in the life of the ultimate survivor, Ethan Zohn. Ethan grew up in Massachusetts and played pro-soccer in Hawaii, Cape Cod and Zimbabwe. In 2003, he won the third season of the reality TV show "Survivor." Ethan took his million-dollar prize and launched a nonprofit to raise money and awareness in the fight against the AIDS epidemic in Africa. He started appearing on a long list of reality competition TV shows, he was hosting a Nat...
Sep 01, 2023•30 min•Season 6Ep. 8
In honor of National Women's Equality Day on August 26th, we're exploring what it takes to make it as one of the very few female CEOs in the legal cannabis and CBD industry. Across all US industries, women hold around 30 percent of CEO and C-suite positions. But in the cannabis industry, women only hold 22 percent of C-suite roles and just 8 percent of CEO titles. So how can more women successfully lead in a young, semi-legal industry like cannabis and CBD? This episode, host Brit Smith sits dow...
Aug 25, 2023•30 min•Season 6Ep. 7
TW: Suicide -- For Veterans in crisis, call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 The staff at Veterans Affairs Hospital do the hard work of treating our war veterans. But staff shortages and long wait times mean many vets still don’t get the care they need for the physical and mental issues associated with military life. As medical marijuana laws expand, more veterans are seeing MMJ doctors patch the gap in their healthcare needs. A growing number of vets report finding cannabis helps with PTSD, pain, anx...
Aug 18, 2023•33 min•Season 6Ep. 6
Cannabis, comic books, and loud music are all a means of escape. Plus, certain strains really amplify how we experience art, stories, and songs. So it's no surprise that if you’re into comics, fantasy novels, or rock music, research suggests you’re also probably into smoking pot. Of course, getting lost in comics and jumping in a mosh pit each requires a different kind of buzz. To help their fans have the ideal experience no matter what they're doing, the iconic fantasy/sci-fi brand Heavy Metal ...
Aug 11, 2023•30 min•Season 6Ep. 5
Chicago, IL; San Francisco, CA; and Portland, OR: Three tourist hotspots known for their cannabis culture. With so many themed dispensaries, cool experiences, and fantastic food in each state, where should canna-curious travelers start when picking what to smoke, see and do in these big cities? In this episode, host Brit Smith talks to Different Leaf magazine's cannabis travel writers about the coolest pot shops, lounges, sights, and hidden gems in The Bay, The Windy City, and Portlandia. First,...
Aug 04, 2023•43 min•Season 6Ep. 4
Before states started legalizing weed shops, most of the legacy growers, transporters, and dealers who got arrested for running the underground cannabis economy were Black and brown entrepreneurial-minded men trying to make a better life for themselves. In states that have adopted cannabis social equity laws, people formerly incarcerated for selling weed before it was cool are now able to get assistance to enter the legal market first. So what’s life like now for legacy dealers who can bring leg...
Jul 28, 2023•30 min•Season 6Ep. 3
Indigenous American tribes have used cannabis and hemp for rope, fabric, medicine, and spiritual use since the mid-1500s. But by the 1800s, they were forcibly separated from the plant by the US federal government, which illegally raided reservation grows, burned crops, and imprisoned growers. It wasn't until 2013 when Washington and Colorado legalized medical marijuana that Native American leaders reopened the discussion on tribal sovereignty regarding cannabis legalization. Soon, hundreds of tr...
Jul 21, 2023•33 min•Season 6Ep. 2
Each summer, indulgent new cannabis, and dining-centric travel experience pop up all over the world. So what's a good place to start if you love to travel, appreciate really good food, and want cannabis to be at the center of your vacation experience? In this episode, host Brit Smith delves into the so-called 'Bougiest 4/20 Experience in the US' with Different Leaf magazine's food and cannabis writer Chala June. Chala discusses their latest article for Different Leaf; "Bud and Breakfast," all ab...
Jul 14, 2023•33 min•Season 6Ep. 1
As a teen in Cincinnati, singer/pianist Carolyn Alexander realized what many other musicians know; that cannabis can help with creativity, focus, and performance anxiety. In 2016, Carolyn started selling her homemade infused baked goods at local gigs while studying at the world-class Berklee College of Music in Boston, and she learned just how many other musicians agreed that weed enhances music both on and off stage. Carolyn's vegan THC treats were immediately in high demand with her fellow mus...
Jun 16, 2023•27 min•Season 5Ep. 10
When we buy our cannabis products at dispensaries, we don't always think about what it takes to get them there. In reality, there's a huge web of workers behind the scenes who each play a part in turning cannabis seeds into the huge range of legal products now on the shelves. In this episode, host Brit Smith visits a farm in Salem, NY, to see where the journey begins for the plants that eventually turn into pre-rolls, infused lotions, gummies, and tinctures for oHHo cannabis and CBD company. Bri...
Jun 09, 2023•30 min•Season 5Ep. 9
Many of us first tried weed when we were teenagers for the pure joy of being high. But as we age and start facing aches, pains, and more severe health issues, cannabis may play a very different role in our lives as an everyday medicine. Seasoned stoners might know where to start when consuming to treat an ailment. But for new or returning consumers, picking the products that might work best for you is not easy. So how can we transition from using cannabis casually or recreationally to using it r...
Jun 02, 2023•30 min•Season 5Ep. 8
There's a serious lack of advertising options for cannabis companies. Marketing on TV, radio, and even in shop windows is largely banned across the US. That means the industry can't easily educate curious customers on what's changed since they were teens seeing 'Reefer Madness' anti-pot government campaigns, and many people, especially our elders, still believe the 100-year-old propaganda that cannabis makes you lazy, crazy, and an immoral dirtbag. So what can the cannabis industry do to help li...
May 26, 2023•40 min•Season 5Ep. 7
More than 28 million adults in the US smoke tobacco cigarettes, and research suggests those who want to quit make an average of 30 attempts before they successfully stop smoking. With hemp and cannabis now available in packs of filtered pre-rolls in most states, could tobacco users finally have a stepping stone away from nicotine? And is it really better for your health to switch out smoking one plant for the other? This episode, host Brit Smith talks to three people who try to quit smoking toba...
May 19, 2023•40 min•Season 5Ep. 6
New York Fashion Week is one of the most significant events in the world for designers to showcase their collections and set new trends. As cannabis legalization spreads, designers are rethinking what hemp can do for clothing, especially regarding sustainability. Some designers are using their New York shows to make political and social commentary on the state of cannabis legalization. For NYFW spring 2020, Project Runway superstar Korto Momolu connected with the Colorado-based organization Wome...
May 12, 2023•26 min•Season 5Ep. 5
Infused dinner clubs have grown in popularity as the perfect way to connect over cannabinoids and cuisine. In recent years, the speakeasy-style suppers have come above ground, offering more consumers the chance to eat their greens and bond with their communities. In this episode, host Brit Smith talks with Chef "Hawaii" Mike Salman, founder of Chef for Higher in Brooklyn, New York, about what goes into hosting dope multi-course fine dining experiences. He discusses how legalization affected his ...
May 05, 2023•34 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Since hemp was legalized in 2018, Texans have been able to buy almost all the same products consumers can get in fully legal states; flower, vapes, edibles, drinks, topicals, and tinctures, albeit with very low levels of THC. Like many other states where only hemp is allowed, Texas has seen a rapidly-growing industry CBD industry, several cities have voted to decriminalize, and there are some seriously dope cannabis community spaces starting to open up. As host Brit Smith discovers on her road t...
Apr 28, 2023•1 hr•Season 5Ep. 3
It's been ten years since Colorado first legalized adult-use weed. Over that decade, the way journalists and their audiences have related to cannabis has drastically changed. That's largely thanks to a crew of reporters at The Denver Post who, in 2013, launched The Cannabist, the first mainstream media outlet's coverage of cannabis at the very dawn of legalization. And they did it with great journalistic integrity, setting the tone for future journalists for how to reliably report on pot. In thi...
Apr 21, 2023•38 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Welcome to spring 2023, and our 100th episode! We're excited to welcome our first guest host, former Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commissioner and social equity champion, and the CEO of the Parabola Center for Law & Policy, Shaleen Title. In this episode, Shaleen finds out what small cannabis companies can learn from her dream guest, Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream and founder of the new cannabis non-profit Ben's Best Blnz. Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream has long been fam...
Apr 14, 2023•53 min•Season 5Ep. 1
