Episodes
242
Sept. 7, 2026
Episode 242: Dialed In President Max Vansluys Talks Summer Set, Music, Culture & Rosin Drops
Dialed In Gummies President Max Vansluys joins Cannabis & Tech Today to discuss Summer Set, the brand’s three-month campaign celebrating Colorado’s independent music scene through limited-edition gummies, artist collaborations, performances, merchandise, and concert giveaways. Vansluys explains how the campaign grew from his team’s genuine connection to Colorado music and developed into collaborations with hip-hop artist Ray Reed and electronic artists parkbreezy and Artifakts. Working alongsid...
241
Sept. 3, 2026
Episode 241: ICIA’s Rob Pero Talks Tribal Sovereignty, Global Cannabis & Indigenous Opportunity
Recorded at ICBC Berlin 2026, Chuck sits down with Rob Pero of the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association to discuss the expanding role of Indigenous nations in the global cannabis economy. Pero explains why ICBC has become an important destination for international dealmaking, relationship building, and conversations about the industry’s future. He shares how ICIA represents Indigenous communities within those discussions while advocating for meaningful participation in industrial, medicinal...
240
Sept. 1, 2026
Episode 240: Emerald Lane’s Stephanie Pow Talks Cannabis Hiring, Global Talent & AI
Recorded live at ICBC Berlin 2026, Chuck sits down with Stephanie Pow of Emerald Lane Recruitment to explore the people building the global cannabis industry. Pow explains why human capital remains the foundation of every successful cannabis company and shares her unconventional journey from Canadian government and health care work to Humboldt County, cannabis recruitment, and international talent acquisition. She also reflects on the industry’s early “billion-dollar years,” when companies hire...
239
Aug. 26, 2026
Episode 239: Blimburn Seeds CEO Sergio Martinez Talks Genetics, Legalization, AI & Global Cannabis
Recorded live at ICBC Berlin 2026, Chuck sits down with Sergio Martinez, CEO of Blimburn Seeds and BBG Projects, to discuss the evolution of one of the cannabis industry’s most established international seed companies. Martinez shares how an unexpected opportunity brought him into the industry more than two decades ago and eventually led to the creation of Blimburn Seeds. What began as a European wholesale operation has since evolved into a global e-commerce, logistics, and cannabis genetics bu...
238
Aug. 23, 2026
Episode 238: Denver Rapper Ray Reed Talks Dialed In Gummies & Colorado Hip-Hop
Denver hip-hop artist Ray Reed joins Cannabis & Tech Today to discuss his collaboration with Dialed In Gummies for The Summer Set, a campaign celebrating Colorado’s independent music scene through limited-edition rosin gummies, merchandise, performances, and original content. At the center of the collaboration is Yesterday, a sativa-dominant rosin gummy inspired by Reed’s hit single of the same name. He explains how the song’s energy, artwork, and more than 2 million streams helped shape the pr...
237
Aug. 19, 2026
Episode 237: Martian Grow Is Sending Cannabis Seeds to Space to Create the Next Generation of Genetics
Recorded live at ICBC Berlin 2026, Chuck sits down with the team behind Martian Grow, an ambitious international research initiative that's sending cannabis seeds into orbit aboard a SpaceX mission to study how cosmic radiation and microgravity influence cannabis genetics. Partnering with biotechnology researchers in Slovenia and aerospace companies developing microsatellites, Martian Grow aims to become the first organization to apply proven space agriculture research protocols to cannabis. Th...
236
Aug. 18, 2026
Episode 236: Berner Talks Splash City, Cannabis, Music & His Move Into Filmmaking
Rapper, entrepreneur, and Cookies founder Berner joins Cannabis & Tech Today to discuss Splash City, his gritty new crime thriller set in San Francisco. Berner explains how the Bay Area’s “bippin” scene inspired the film and takes us through the process of developing its characters, self-financing the production, co-directing, and securing a distribution partnership with Lionsgate. He also discusses the classic crime dramas that influenced the project, including Menace II Society, Boyz n the Ho...
235
Aug. 4, 2026
Episode 235: Broken Lizard Comedy Group Talks about Super Troopers 3, Cannabis, AI & Comedy
The Broken Lizard crew joins Cannabis & Tech Today for an exclusive conversation celebrating Super Troopers 3, diving into the creative process behind one of comedy's most beloved franchises. From writing while high (and knowing when to stop), to how cannabis legalization has changed comedy, the group shares hilarious stories about brainstorming, improvisation, and why the best jokes often happen long after the writing session ends. They also discuss AI, creativity, police fans, and what audien...
234
Aug. 3, 2026
Episode 234: Alibi Founder Marianne Cursetjee on Building an Award-Winning Cannabis Brand with Purpose
Recorded live at ICBC Berlin 2026, Chuck sits down with Marianne Cursetjee, founder of Alibi, to discuss how a personal battle with cancer inspired one of the cannabis industry's most respected brands. From Oregon to New York, Alibi has built a reputation for producing award-winning flower and pre-rolls while staying committed to quality, employee wellbeing, and authentic cannabis experiences. Marianne shares how the company has navigated highly competitive markets, why premium flower matters, ...
233
July 28, 2026
Podcast 233: Ocarena Group Founders Reveal the Future of Premium Dry Herb Vaporizers
Recorded live at ICBC Berlin 2026, Chuck sits down with Kevin Cederferm & Gustaf Leffler, founders of Ocarena Group, to showcase one of the most innovative dry herb vaporizers on the market. Built by engineers and creators who were frustrated with existing devices, the Ocarena vaporizer features a seven-chamber magazine, attachable grinder, tool-free battery swaps, modular all-metal construction, and precision temperature control—all designed to make premium dry herb consumption simpler, cleane...
232
July 21, 2026
Episode 232: Verdant Strategies Founder, Rachel Wright on Business Growth in The Cannabis Industry
Recorded live at ICBC Berlin 2026, Chuck sits down with Rachel Wright of Verdant Strategies to discuss building a sustainable business in an industry defined by constant change. From navigating regulatory uncertainty and international expansion to creating financial roadmaps that actually work, Rachel shares why strategy, not just growth, is the key to long-term success. The conversation explores the evolving European cannabis market, lessons learned from years of attending ICBC Berlin, and wh...
231
July 1, 2026
Episode 231: Kanalink on Global Cannabis Logistics, Emerging Markets & International Trade
Recorded live at ICBC Berlin 2026, Chuck sits down with Rachel Wright of Verdant Strategies to discuss building a sustainable business in an industry defined by constant change. From navigating regulatory uncertainty and international expansion to creating financial roadmaps that actually work, Rachel shares why strategy, not just growth, is the key to long-term success. The conversation explores the evolving European cannabis market, lessons learned from years of attending ICBC Berlin, and wh...
230
June 23, 2026
Episode 230: SphereX VP of Marketing reveals How Free Roller Skates Built a Cannabis Empire
When your Halloween party draws 700 people, you're doing something right. Katie Mattox, VP of Marketing at SphereX, explains how a distillate vape company captured 20% of Colorado's market by throwing roller skating parties and giving away unexpected gifts instead of just pushing products. Drawing from a decade at an event agency working with Budweiser and Michelob Ultra, she translated liquor marketing strategies to cannabis with remarkable results. The approach centers on emotional connection...
229
June 18, 2026
Episode 229: Krysta Jones and Sanja Ganja from THC Girls discuss their mission to bridge corporate and legacy communities
Starting from caregiving and cultivation in Colorado, Krysta and Sanja eventually created THC Girls to connect community members with businesses. Their marketing agency and community network now operates across New York, Miami, and Denver, using an app-based platform to maximize reach through their ambassador network. Their advice for new entrepreneurs? Evaluate your personal alignment with business goals and ensure realistic budgeting. They stress the importance of authenticity over pure busin...
228
June 17, 2026
Episode 228: Michael Lucchino of Cannatrol on Drying, Curing & the Science of Better Cannabis
Recorded live at ICBC Berlin 2026, Chuck Warner sits down with Michael Lucchino, Executive Vice President of Sales at Cannatrol, to discuss one of the most overlooked yet critical stages of cannabis cultivation: post-harvest processing. While cultivators often focus heavily on genetics, lighting, nutrients, and environmental controls, Michael explains why drying, curing, and storage can ultimately determine product quality, consistency, shelf life, and profitability. The conversation explores ...
227
June 17, 2026
Episode 227: Steve Fuhr of SciPhy Systems on EU GMP, Extraction, & the Future of Global Cannabis
Recorded live from ICBC Berlin, Charles Warner sits down with Steve Fuhr of SciPhy Systems to discuss one of the hottest topics in the global cannabis industry: EU GMP compliance. Steve shares insights from his journey through cannabis cultivation, CBD manufacturing, and extraction technology while explaining why GMP standards are becoming increasingly important for companies looking to compete in international markets. The conversation explores the differences between North American GMP and EU...
226
June 17, 2026
Episode 226: Tony Pagni on Building Apehex Pre-Roll Machines and the Future of Solventless Cannabis
After watching pre-roll production slow his Arizona dispensary to a crawl, Tony Pagni knew there had to be a better way. He and his business partner spent three years developing the Apehex automated pre-roll machine, eventually catching the attention of Raw Rolling Papers founder Josh Kesselman. Now they're revolutionizing the industry with solventless products. The Apehex machine produces joints infused with natural terpenes and distillate oil in flavors like grape and watermelon. Tony persona...
225
June 17, 2026
Episode 225: Why Michael Mejer of Greenlane Communication Prioritizes Authentic Storytelling
Michael Mejer’s definitive shift into cannabis PR was sparked by a moment of absolute clarity. He witnessed an elderly man, wracked by severe tremors, find instant relief through a cannabis tincture, a profound transformation that happened in seconds. That powerful experience became the catalyst for his entire career, prompting him to walk away from a traditional PR and book-publishing trajectory. Driven by a newfound obsession to understand the industry, Mejer plunged headfirst into the fast-...
224
June 16, 2026
Episode 224: Big Mike of Advanced Nutrients on Building World-Class Teams and Uniting Cannabis
Big Mike of Advanced Nutrients joins the podcast to discuss the future of cannabis, the importance of building world-class teams, and why industry-wide collaboration may be the key to long-term success. While alcohol and tobacco industries have benefited from unified advocacy and cooperation, Big Mike argues that cannabis remains too fragmented. He shares his vision for the One Plant Alliance, an initiative designed to bring the hemp and cannabis sectors together under a common purpose. Accordi...
223
June 15, 2026
Episode 223: Dialing It In, Max Vansluys’ Story
Max Van Sluys, president of Dialed In Gummies, reveals how his company is changing the edibles game with rosin-based, solventless products that deliver a full-spectrum experience. Founded in 2020 in Colorado, Dialed In has pioneered an alternative to distillate-dominated products (most edibles on the market today still use distillates). The company now operates in five states including Ohio, Missouri, Arizona, and Massachusetts, offering twelve flavored varieties designed for specific effects li...
222
June 15, 2026
Episode 222: CannMed Heads to Lake Tahoe
In this sit-down, CannMed CEO Brendan McKernan joins the show to talk about the evolution of cannabis science, the future of precision medicine, and what attendees can expect from CannMed26 as they approach their 10th-anniversary event. Join us June 15–18 in Lake Tahoe, and save $300 on the Signature Summit Package with code CM26CTT. WEBSITE: https://cannatechtoday.com/ Make sure to follow our other social media platforms to stay up-to-date on all things Cannabis & Tech Today. https://twitter....
221
June 15, 2026
Episode 221: Rob Pero from the ICIA discusses inaugural presence at MJBizCon
Rob Pero discusses key barriers tribal nations face when entering the cannabis and hemp industries, emphasizing that elders are increasingly recognizing economic opportunities despite initial skepticism. A major challenge is finding trustworthy, vetted consultants to execute plans, which ICIA is addressing by curating a network of credible vendors. The speaker explains how recent federal hemp amendments have created regulatory complexities but also opportunities for tribes to establish their own...
220
June 15, 2026
Episode 220: How Blazy Susan Built a Femme-Forward Cannabis Accessories Empire
Mary Jane Gibson interviews Blazy Susan VP of Sales Shuang Han on the brand's evolution from a pink-themed tribute into a global, woman-focused smoking accessories leader known for its iconic spinning tray and rose wraps. Han outlines the company’s expansion into European and Canadian markets, its commitment to community-supported colorways, and a "non-plant-touching" strategy that aims for mainstream retail. Chapters: 00:00:06 - Blazy Susan: Feminine Design in Cannabis Accessories 00:02:39 -...
219
June 15, 2026
Episode 219: How Cannabis Cultivators are Solving the Microbial Contamination Crisis
Microbial contamination is quietly costing cannabis cultivators up to 15–20% of their harvest, but new technology is changing that. In Episode 219, Arthur D. Cordova, CEO of Zeal, explains how radio frequency decontamination uses the plant’s natural moisture to eliminate mold and pathogens without damaging product quality. Drawing from decades in food safety, Cordova breaks down how this “pasteurization for cannabis” is gaining traction in Europe and among Canadian exporters, and why growers are...