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Hosted by adam p. kolbach
THE HIGHER ENLIGHTENMENT CANNABIS PODCAST
The Higher Enlightenment Cannabis Podcast was created to discuss everything cannabis. Whether it be industry insider insights, tips for your cannabis business, cannabis news from around the world, or cannabis pop culture and lifestyle topics you can hear it on the podcast. Our end goal is to entertain as well as enlighten those interested in the new cannabis industry.
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Episode 23
intersection of Cannabis Branding
Intersection of Cannabis Branding
In this episode of the Higher Enlightenment Podcast, our host Adam Kolbach discusses the intersection of cannabis branding and e-commerce. Our featured experts are Courtney Wu, founder and CEO of Amnesia Media, Sunni Marsden, Executive Account Manager here at HYC, and Anthony Adkins, HYC’s Director of Business Development. They examine the different cannabis products currently trending in e-commerce, why they’re trending, and the different consumers they’re being marketed to.
Episode 22
NY Cannabis
NY Cannabis
In this episode of the Higher Enlightenment Podcast, our host Adam Kolbach interviews experts Mercedes Woods, Marissa Cortez, and Emily Seelman about New York’s new cannabis laws. They discuss the seemingly rushed March 31, 2021 legalization and some of the issues surrounding it. These include the earmarking of some of the tax revenue to social equity programs. They also cover competitive vs noncompetitive markets, which of these categories new York will fall into, and much more!
Episode 21
Medical Marijuana
Medical Marijuana
In this episode of the Higher Enlightenment podcast, our host Adam Kolbach interviews HYC’s senior technical writer Emily Seelman and in-house METRC expert and program manager Marissa Cortes about medical marijuana. They discuss how to get into the medical cannabis market and whether or not it’s too late. They also cover changes in profit from medicinal dispensaries when a state also introduces adult use, as well as start up costs and much more.
Episode 20
Reparative Services
Reparative Services
In this episode of Higher Enlightenment, our host Adam Kolbach interviews two of our in-house industry experts Marissa Cortes, Director of Compliance, and Anthony Adkins. The episode covers reparative services in the cannabis industry and what they look like. Reparative services refers to the services rendered to operators who were possibly not as proactive as necessary with maintaining state compliance. They discuss the areas in which cannabusinesses typically struggle the most, the different types of reparative services, as well as how and why operators and producers should use cannabis consultants. They also touch on how Higher Yield’s years of experience with reparative services can offer a helping hand with a wide scope of compliance issues.
Episode 19
Cannabis licensing in newly legal states
Cannabis licensing in newly legal states
In this episode of the Higher Enlightenment Podcast our guests Emily Seelman, Senior Technical Writer here at HYC, and Cory Waggoner, CEO of HYC discuss cannabis licensing in newly legal states. They discuss the steps for potential cannabis license applicants, the differences between working with an attorney and a consultant while appraising the licensing process, and which types of licenses are most profitable. They also cover how to streamline the application process and how to become the ideal cannabis client.
Episode 18
Indoor Vs Outdoor
Indoor vs Outdoor
In this week’s episode of the Higher Enlightenment podcast, our host, Adam Kolbach, interviews Cory Waggoner, CEO of Higher Yields Cannabis Consulting, Dionne Carroll, our Build and Design Project Manager, and Jesse Larson, one of our in-house compliance specialists. Our guests discuss the characteristics of cannabis grow/ cultivation, greenhouses, and outdoor growing. They also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of growing indoor vs outdoor, which is a better investment for home-growers vs commercial growers, and fundamental business factors of cannabis cultivation, as well as much more.
Episode 17
Business Development
Business Development
In this episode of Higher Yields Higher Enlightenment podcast, our experts discuss the state of METRC in California. Our host Adam Kolbach interviews Kittrick Jefferies, Marissa Cortes, and Mercedes Woods, three of our in-house METRC experts, about the pitfalls of METRC implementation in California. They discuss the current issues plaguing regulation, what California could have done to avoid these issues, and what can be done to fix them. They also cover what other states like Oklahoma can do to avoid similar conflicts. Our METRC team is one of the most experienced in the cannabis industry, our metrc consultants are known for helping struggling dispensaries and cannabis businesses with their federal compliance.Episode 16
METRC
METRC
In this episode of Higher Yields Higher Enlightenment podcast, our experts discuss the state of METRC in California. Our host Adam Kolbach interviews Kittrick Jefferies, Marissa Cortes, and Mercedes Woods, three of our in-house METRC experts, about the pitfalls of METRC implementation in California. They discuss the current issues plaguing regulation, what California could have done to avoid these issues, and what can be done to fix them. They also cover what other states like Oklahoma can do to avoid similar conflicts. Our METRC team is one of the most experienced in the cannabis industry, our metrc consultants are known for helping struggling dispensaries and cannabis businesses with their federal compliance.
Episode 15
Mass Incarceration
Mass Incarceration
In this episode of the Higher Enlightenment Podcast, our host interviews industry experts Kieryn Wang from Almost Consulting and Courtney Wu from Amnesia Media. They discuss the effect mass incarceration and the war on drugs have had on the cannabis industry. They also cover the lack of representation of BIPOC in the cannabis industry, how the industry can make an effort to employ more consciously, and what the industry is already doing to foster inclusion.
Episode 14
Emerging States
Emerging States
On this episode of the Higher Enlightenment Podcast we are discussing Emerging Cannabis States and Cannabis Markets with Stephanie Till, Founder and CEO, of Green Rush Indexed Data and also leads the MIRA Project. The M.I.R.A. Project is the collection effort to build M.I.R.A., the Marijuana Industry Research Archive. We also have Peter Prevot, Senior Business Consultant of Bridge West CPAs. We talk through the effects that COVID-19 has had on cannabis legalization and which states have decided to get cannabis on their ballots!
Episode 13
The Veteran's Day Podcast
The Veteran’s Day Podcast
For this episode of the Higher Enlightenment Podcast, we are discussing the Cannabis Industry Experience as a Veteran. We are speaking with our own HYC veterans Jesse Larson, Design Build Project Manager and Matt O’Neil, Hemp Specialist, with the special guest Joshua Littrell from Veterans For Cannabis. Each with amazing stories and insight this podcast on a veteran’s experience in the cannabis industry is one you soon won’t forget! Thank you for your service!
Episode 12
The Illinois Debacle
The Illinois Debacle
On this episode of the Higher Enlightenment Podcast, we are discussing the Illinois Licensing Debacle. The Illinois Licensing Debacle is a huge issue in regard to the application process for social equity applicants in IL that is ongoing with little coverage. We have brought our Higher Yields Consulting experts to speak on this and shed some light on the situation.
Cory Waggoner – Founder & CEO
Dionne Carroll – HYC Design and Build Team Engineer
Emily Seelman – Senior Technical Writer, Licensing and Legal
Mercedes Woods – Government Relations Coordinator
Marissa Cortes – Compliance Director
Listen in to hear what HYC is doing to help these applicants with our newest service, The Pivot Program!
Episode 11
Legalization Vs. Decriminalization
Legalization Vs. Decriminalization
In this episode of Higher Enlightenment Podcast, our panel of industry experts such as Kris Teegardin, former mayor of Edgewater, Colorado, as well as Stephanie Till, cannabis industry researcher and historian, and Emily Seelman, the senior technical writer here at Higher Yields.. They are also joined by Cory Waggoner, CEO of Higher Yields Consulting, Jim Marty, CEO of Bridge West CPA’s, and Peter Prevot, a consultant for Bridge West LLC. They touch on the technical differences between decriminalization and legalization, rescheduling vs de-scheduling for legalization, and debate the possible consequences of each on both the cannabis industry and the individual consumer. They also discuss other topics, such as which states they think are approaching the issue most effectively, and what could be done better.
Episode 10
Marketing & Branding From the BIPOC Perspective
Marketing & Branding From the BIPOC Perspective
In this episode of our Higher Enlightenment Podcast, our host Tess Yancey brings on Kieryn Wang of ALMOSTCONSULTING, a women-owned and oriented consulting firm, as well as Courtney Wu of AMNESIA media, an expert on compliance, AI, and marketing for cannabis and CBD based influencers. All three are social-equity-minded women of color, speaking on issues involving BIPOC and self-identifying womxn in today’s thriving cannabis industry.
Issues touched on include mindful marketing and branding for companies that target BIPOC in both employment and advertising, as well as how businesses can engage in spaces where inclusivity is lacking while working to increase inclusivity and diversity. Additionally, Courtney, Kieryn, and Tess cover the best ways for businesses and brands to diversify in ways that are original and authentic, matching intention with impact, and avoiding performative practices and righteous allyship (in both social and business engagements) for non-BIPOC business owners and members.
As well as ethical business practices in the realm of social equity, Kieryn and Courtney discuss cannabis businesses that are either already making strides in accountability, inclusivity, and representation, but also other BIPOC owned and operated businesses. For more information, check out ALMOSTCONSULTING and Cannaclusive’s database, InclusiveBase, a collaborative effort to highlight BIPOC owned cannabis/ ancillary businesses, as well as businesses that are keeping their business and their actions accountable.
Episode 9
Social Equity and Diversity in the Cannabis Industry
Social Equity and Diversity in the Cannabis Industry
On this double-length episode we speak with Erik Range of Minorities for Medical Marijuana and HYC about social equity and diversity in the cannabis industry. The second half of our episode features a round table with other members of HYC.
Guests:
Erik Range – Director of Social Equity HYC and Minorities for Medical Marijuana
John Valdez – HYC Vice President
Mercedes Woods – Compliance HYC
Keith Gigliotti – Director of Marketing and Design HYC
Minorities for Medical Marijuana:
minorities4medicalmarijuana.org/
Episode 8
International Cannabis Happy Hour
International Cannabis Happy Hour
On this episode our CEO and founder, Cory Waggoner, speaks with some of our friends, partners, and clients across the globe.
Our guests include:
Rutger John Hayben (“RJ”) (Netherlands/European Union): RJ lives in the Netherlands and has been a leading member for the development of the “cannabis test program” that includes 10 LP licenses. He hopes that this program can create a scalable framework to be replicated across the European Union.
www.420consultancy.nl
Hector Franco (Mexico): Hector has worked as a politician in Mexico and last year worked with the government to develop the regulations and standards for cannabis and hemp in Mexico. Hector has had a ton of success in Mexico and just last week opened his first store.
twitter.com/hectorfrancol?lang=bg
Carl Esprey (UK): CEO and Founder of Euro-Cann and Afri-Cann. Last year Carl began to develop a cannabis manufacturing operation spanning from Africa to Europe and is currently seeking other opportunities across the globe.
www.euro-can.eu/team/
Randall Lee(Canada): Randall is located in Canada and has helped HYC with licensing applications.
Erik Range (USA – Florida): Erik is a board member and chapter leader of the Minorities for Medical Marijuana here in the USA and has been an advocate for social equity across the USA for the cannabis industry.
minorities4medicalmarijuana.org/
Episode 7
COVID-19 and Commercial Cannabis Real Estate
COVID-19 and Commercial Cannabis Real Estate
Our host, Adam speaks with our guests today about the commercial cannabis real estate market and how it’s been affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Our guests include:
Kris Teegardin – HYC’s Director of Government Affairs
Shannon Bustos – Real Estate Team Manager & Executive Account Manager
John Valdez – HYC Vice President and Director of Real Estate
Mark Fisher – HYC Real Estate Partner
Episode 6
HOW CANNABIS CAN BOOST LOCAL ECONOMIES
How Cannabis Can Boost Local Economies
On this episode of the podcast our host Adam P. Kolbach discusses the impact of legal cannabis on local economies with our team of experts. They discuss topics like job creation, tax revenue, how cannabis empowers non-cannabis businesses, and much more.
Guests include:
John Valdez – Vice President & Real Estate Director at HYC
Jim Marty – CEO & Founder of Bridge West CPAs
Kris Teegardin – Director of Government Relations at HYC and the Mayor of the 1st town to codify cannabis
Mark Fisher – Partner of HYC’s Real Estate Network
Episode 4
HOW HIGHER YIELDS CANNABIS IS ADJUSTING TO COVID-19
How Higher Yields Cannabis is Adjusting to COVID-19
On this episode of the podcast our host, Adam, presents a round table discussion with the Higher Yields Cannabis Team. They discuss the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on both their personal and work lives. They also touch on what they are experiencing in the industry and how they keep sane.
Guests include:
Cory Waggoner – Founder and CEO
John Valdez – Vice President & Real Estate Director
Marissa Cortes – Compliance Director
Jay Fentress – Director of Business Development
Kris Teegardin – Director of Government Relations
Adam P. Kolbach – Podcast Host & Creative Design Team
Keith Gigliotti – Marketing & Creative Design Teams
Episode 3
Cannabis Business Security 101 with Derek Porter
Cannabis Business Security 101 with Derek Porter
Our host, Adam Kolbach, had a chance to sit down with Derek Porter recently to discuss the basics of Cannabis Business Security for beginners. Derek is a partner with Cannabis Security Experts (https://www.cannabissecurityexperts.com/) and also the owner of Dynamic Warriors (https://dynamicwarriors.com/).
Episode 2
Cannabis Licensing 101 - Part 2 of 2
Cannabis Licensing 101 – Part 2 of 2
On the second episode of the Higher Enlightenment Cannabis Podcast our host, Adam P. Kolbach, discusses Cannabis Licensing 101. Our guests are Emily Seelman, Higher Yields Lead Application Writer and Licensing Guru. Cory Waggoner, the Founder and CEO of HYC, will also be joining us to discuss some of the basic services that can help individuals seeking out a cannabis license.
Episode 1
Cannabis Licensing 101 - Part 1 of 2
Cannabis Licensing 101 – Part 1 of 2
On the first ever episode of the Higher Enlightenment Cannabis Podcast our host, Adam P. Kolbach, discusses Cannabis Licensing 101. Our guests are Emily Seelman, Higher Yields Lead Application Writer and Licensing Guru. Cory Waggoner, the Founder and CEO of HYC, will also be joining us to discuss some of the basic services that can help individuals seeking out a cannabis license.