Planting Seeds with Senator Sharif Street" is a thought-provoking podcast that delves into the multifaceted world of cannabis. Pennsylvania State Senator Sharif...
Cannabis Education and Pain Management With Dr. Brooke Worster
On today's episode, Gibran Washington and Dr. Brooke Worster discuss Brooke's journey into cannabis research and its impact on her role as Chief Medical Officer at Ethos. Dr. Worster is a pioneering palliative care clinician and researcher dedicated to advancing the understanding and application of medical cannabis. As the Director of Supportive Oncology at Jefferson Health in Philadelphia and Chief Medical Officer at EO Care, she bridges the gap between medicine, research, and business to improve patient care. Brooke explaines that her interest in cannabis was sparked by her patients' requests for guidance on its use, leading her to educate herself on the subject. She notes that the lack of quality research on cannabis was a significant challenge. Brooke also highlightes the importance of engaging with people interested in cannabis research, as they are eager to contribute to the development of better answers for all. Gibran and Dr. Worster also discusse the potential benefits of cannabis as a pain management alternative to opioids. Brooke shares her experience with patients who had successfully transitioned from opioids to cannabis, noting the latter's lower addictive potential and lack of respiratory depressant effects.
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30:28
Taking Social Equity Into Our Hands
Today's show, with Frederika Easley, revolves around the cannabis industry and its potential for economic growth and diversification. Frederika is the Executive Director of The Cannabis Impact Fund, a host and producer of "The People Are Blunt" podcast as part of The People’s Ecosystem, and President of the Minority Cannabis Business Association. Gibran and Frederika emphasize the need for micro licenses to allow small businesses to scale and compete, and the importance of equitable practices to ensure minority businesses are not infantilized. They also discussed the potential benefits of rescheduling cannabis, including increased access to capital and the removal of 280E tax restrictions. Frederika also highlights the need for a more inclusive industry, not just for communities of color, but also for small white business owners who lack access to traditional capital markets. The Cannabis Impact Fund was introduced as an organization working to educate businesses on equitable practices and promote sustainable growth in the industry.
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37:06
Paul Armentano from NORML
Joe Hodas and Paul Armentano discuss the evolution of cannabis policy and the role of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). Paul shares his 31-year journey in advocating for cannabis legalization, noting the significant shift in public opinion and policy changes. Paul highlights the decrease in marijuana-related arrests from a million annually to around 225,000, and the expansion of medical and recreational cannabis access across the United States. Joe expresses interest in Paul's background and the progression of cannabis policy as they dive deeper into polling results and data in future discussions.
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29:50
The Evolution of Medical Marijuana in PA, with Todd Eachus of Pure Green BioAg
Todd Eachus, Partner at Pure Green BioAg joins us on this episode of Planting Seeds. Todd discusses the evolution of the medical marijuana system in Pennsylvania. He notes a significant cultural shift, with around 70% of the population now supporting cannabis use, up from around 30% previously. The medical program has been successful, with numerous sites serving patients statewide and generating robust revenue for the state. Todd believes the time is right to create an adult-use cannabis market, building on the proven medical program.
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35:35
Gibran Washington on Leading Ethos Cannabis and Shaping the Industry’s Future
In today's episode Joe Hodas welcomes Gibran Washington, the CEO of Ethos Cannabis, a multi-state cannabis operator headquartered in Philadelphia. Gibran discusses his background and journey into the cannabis industry, which was influenced by his family and personal experiences, before sharing his vision for the future of the cannabis industry.
Planting Seeds with Senator Sharif Street" is a thought-provoking podcast that delves into the multifaceted world of cannabis. Pennsylvania State Senator Sharif Street sits down with cannabis industry veteran Gibran Washington of Ethos Cannabis. Together, they explore the evolution of cannabis legalization, emphasizing bipartisan support and addressing racial disparities in enforcement. They navigate an industry grappling with its identity, discussing social change versus business goals. The conversation extends to stigma, benefits of legalization, and challenges, including interstate transport. The duo aims to educate on diverse cannabis aspects, from workers' issues to regulatory frameworks. Action items emerge, including advocating for standardized regulations, and supporting social equity initiatives. The show promises insightful episodes unraveling the complexities of cannabis in Pennsylvania.
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