Between 2002 and 2003, the VCBC was raided four times and successfully beat every charge. In 2009, the club’s bakery was raided, leading to a unanimous Supreme Court of Canada decision that legalized cannabis extracts and edibles for patients.

Despite cannabis legalization in 2018, the club has been raided four more times and continues to face ongoing enforcement. Vivian and Ted discuss the fight to keep the club alive amid sustained government pressure.

His wild goat-wrangling stories and optimistic persona have led to media appearances on Conan, The Tonight Show, BBC, and CNN, as well as a TED Talk and testimony before the United Nations on the right-to-farm. Fine’s speaking engagements have included appearances at SXSW, Town Hall Seattle, the National Geographic Heroes of the Planet Series, and at dozens of universities. 

Doug talks about his newest project, the myriad benefits and applications of the hemp plant, and the joys of sustainable living.

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, she holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering and began her professional life in that field before following her passion for education. She taught mathematics and special education in the Boston Public School system, where she developed a deep commitment to youth empowerment and community engagement.

Through her work in music, cultural preservation, and cannabis advocacy, Niambe continues to amplify the spirit of resistance and empowerment that defines the Tosh name. 

Leo is currently writing, directing, and filming in Idaho for The Psychedelic Road Trip movie (a comedy/documentary about Dana Beal (who has been on this show) and Idaho and the Plant Medicine Movement) and is organizing (with others) the largest plant-medicine educational event in Idaho’s history on Feb. 22nd at the Boise Depot. 

He served as a key civil society participant in the World Health Organization’s first-ever scientific review of medicinal cannabis — a historic process that helped reshape global scheduling policy. He also represents patients at the United Nations through the IACM Patient Council, where he advocates for non-discriminatory access to medical cannabis worldwide.

Beyond global policy, Michael has been sounding the alarm about cannabis biopiracy, working to protect indigenous genetics and traditional knowledge. He’s also helping advance cannabis appellations, which aim to preserve regional plant heritage while supporting small farmers and patient choice.

For decades, Shaw battled DEA raids, federal injunctions, and financial ruin, refusing to back down even when the government tried to brand her a criminal. Lynnette’s work laid the foundation for today’s medical and recreational cannabis industries, though she remains outspoken about the movement’s roots in compassion, human rights, and grassroots activism rather than corporate profit.

Alicia is a social equity license holder and the first Black woman to own and operate a cannabis dispensary in Arizona. She partnered with Cookies, the international cannabis brand founded by Berner, to open the state’s first Cookies dispensary in Tempe. 

Kaitlin DiMaggio is the founder and managing attorney of DiMaggio Law Office, a Scottsdale-based law firm dedicated to defending the rights and dignity of individuals navigating Arizona’s criminal legal system. 

Chief among his credits is Pink Floyd's "The Wall," which has been certified diamond, selling 23 million copies, making it the third highest-grossing album of all time, behind only the Eagles' Greatest Hits and Michael Jackson's Thriller. 

Richards' video productions have won at both the New York and Cannes Film Festivals.

Beyond cannabis, Brad built and sold major companies in ATM operations and payment processing, managing thousands of machines and billions in transactions while ensuring compliance and security. His extensive regulatory, security, and financial expertise positions him as a strong leader in the evolving cannabis industry

His activism has taken him from courtrooms to grow rooms, from writing and speaking to hands-on cultivation, all while standing firmly for patient rights, legalization, and education. He’s written the influential book How to Grow Medical Marijuana and edited Jack Herer’s landmark hemp and cannabis book The Emperor Wears No Clothes. Today, breeder Todd is eager to share his years of expertise with the world through his seeds.

Stoney is or has been the head cultivation writer for various magazines, including Soft Secrets, High Times, Skunk, Garden Culture, Weed World, The Emerald, Cannabis Culture, Dutch Passion, The Super Sativa Seed Club, Paradise Seeds, Humboldt Seed Organization, Atami, and ILGM. Stoney is also a breeder for Prana Medical Seeds, sponsored by SANlight, and he is the author of Stoney Tark’s Top Tips on Growing Cannabis available on Amazon. Stoney Tark is a producer of the YouTube channel The Roll Models Podcast.

He later moved to Los Angeles and became an independent movie producer and promoter, producing such films as Zebrahead. He met the Coen brothers while they were promoting their first film, Blood Simple. He was subsequently a key inspiration for their character Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski from the acclaimed movie The Big Lebowski.

In 2011, Dowd was the subject of an 18-minute documentary short directed by Jeff Feuerzeig, which was broadcast on the USA Network as part of its "Character" series.

He co-founded the Hemp Industries Association (HIA), and became America's first hemp cultivator, growing the first hemp research field at the USDA Center in Brawley, CA, in 1994. 

Chris drafted the first U.S. hemp legislation in California and Colorado, leading to the establishment of the first hemp agricultural laws in these states and the U.S. From 1997 to 2000, Chris helped pass the first Native American hemp laws on the Navajo reservation. Currently, he has developed a breakthrough innovation with hemp leaf CBDA superfoods.

She is a leading advocate for sensible adult-use cannabis policy, collaborating with businesses, lawmakers, regulators, and community stakeholders to shape Washington State’s cannabis industry and support national reform efforts.

Under her leadership, The Cannabis Alliance is focused on expanding patient access, legalizing home cultivation, creating pathways for cannabis hospitality and social use, and ensuring small and independent businesses can thrive. The organization also champions sustainable practices, equitable licensing, and science-based regulation, while pushing for fair enforcement and more transparent governance.

Jeff stars in Grassland, a new narrative film set in 2008 that explores the economic recession and the inequities of the era's incarceration rates. The story follows Leo, played by Ravi Cabot-Conyers, an inquisitive and sensitive boy who puts his mother's illegal cannabis business, played by Mía Maestro, at risk when he befriends their new neighbors, a young white boy and his police officer grandfather, Jeff’s character. 

Chris has also contributed chapters on the historical role of cannabis in spiritual practices in books such as The Pot Book, Entheogens and the Development of Culture, Seeking the Sacred with Psychoactive Substances, One Toke Closer to God, Cannabis and Spirituality and Psychedelics Reimagined. Bennett’s research has received international attention from the BBC, Guardian, Sunday Times, Washington Post, Vice, and other media sources. 

Dr. Macias educates women entrepreneurs and patients through her outreach platform as the Chairwoman of the Board of Managers and CEO for Women Grow, a global leader in connecting, educating, inspiring, and empowering the next generation of women leaders in the Cannabis and Hemp Industry.

law. The ASTM International published Mitchell’s novel study on cannabis consumer packaging waste last year, offering a first look at the types and volume of consumer waste being created.

Once Frank Zappa got to know Pamela and her girlfriends, he helped hone them into a performance art and music troupe he called the GTOs. Throughout her time opening for The Mothers of Invention with the GTOs, doing handstands in Jim Morrison’s living room, sitting in at protests, accompanying Mick Jagger to Altamont, and nannying for the Zappas, Pamela kept detailed diaries, resulting in her best-selling memoir, I’m With the Band: Confessions of a Groupie, and several subsequent tell-all publications. Today, Pamela is a respected author, journalist, creative writing instructor, podcaster, and rock historian and has earned the distinction of being recognized as the world’s most famous Groupie and she joins Vivian to tell us all about it.

Harrison Bard is an accomplished entrepreneur. He has started multiple companies in the eCommerce space and has worked with many Fortune 500 companies, including McDonald's, Facebook, Yelp, Zappos, Wholefoods, and UPS. He co-founded Custom Cones USA in 2017 and has expertise in every facet of the Pre-Roll sector, from paper science to pre-roll manufacturing technology and techniques to a deep understanding of packaging and compliance regulations. Harrison co-founded DaySavers, the most compliantly tested and innovative pre-rolled cone and tube company for consumers. They discuss pre-roll technology and the science of smokability.

William’s experience in vaporization started in 1994, very early in the advent of cannabis vaporizers. He has developed unique vaporization techniques and researched systems and strategies for several years.

Drawing from her corporate leadership experience, Sheena's heart was called to address the disparities and injustices perpetuated by the war on drugs. She became an ardent advocate for communities disproportionately affected by these policies, recognizing the urgent need for empowerment and support. This catalyzed her journey as a social entrepreneur, setting the stage for the transformative work she would later accomplish.

Julie is a champion of “new style business” that upholds the tenets of sustainability, empowered consumerism, philanthropy, and a more intelligent use of our collective resources. Her leadership at SKUNK has resulted in the magazine being 100% dedicated to organic regenerative cultivation practices and promoting lifestyle choices that honor a commitment to the sustainability and vitality of our “Gaia,” Mother Earth.

In his groundbreaking book, An American Cannabis Story, Goodman takes readers on a fascinating journey through the previously unseen world of legalized cannabis farming and product development. Through his lens and through his words, Goodman provides unprecedented access to this intriguing industry, focusing on Puffin Farm, a mom-and-pop cannabis producer—offering an intimate look at the people and places behind it, as well as eye-popping photographs of sweeping vistas of the farm as well as breathtaking close-ups of the exotically colorful cannabis cultivars grown by this regenerative farm in Washington state, which is also the home of Hempresent.

She is the Owner of Hemp Technologies Canada, the Founder of iHempRadio, and a Canada Hemp Licensee who has advised the Industry for 21+ years. Anndrea is the President Emeritus & board member of the Hemp Industries Association and Vice President Emeritus of the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance. 

She was the first woman inducted into the Hemp History Hall of Fame (2017), the recipient of the Hemp Industries Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2018), listed on Hemp History Week's top 10 advocates (2019), and 2nd Recipient of the WAFBA Mother Earth Lady of Agriculture Award of Excellence (2023)

After a long career in the construction industry, Greg is actively involved in efforts to reduce, recycle and reuse construction site materials.

Freed from incarceration, he is on a mission to ensure that others growing up in underprivileged neighborhoods have access to better opportunities than he did. He is committed to helping free individuals incarcerated for nonviolent drug offenses. He has a movie about his life about to come out and talks about his book Chasin Freedom and I-CAN Youth Foundation, the organization he founded, and more. 

She was told that her prognosis was very grim and that she had a dismal 5-10 percent chance of surviving the required surgery. She became resigned to the fact that she would be leaving behind her children, at the time, ages, 11 days, 2, 4, and 14 years old. Miraculously, she survived the operation but she was left with severe epilepsy. Jessamyn was experiencing 15-20 seizures per day. 

Jessamyn was given the bleak prognosis of only two years to live, as doctors predicted that one of her Tonic-Clonic (or grand mal) seizures would kill her. Her seizures were so severe that she bit off part of her tongue and repeatedly injured herself. She was unable to go outside or even leave her room for long periods of time due to the stress and the possibility of triggering a seizure. Her children suffered from the loss of a functional mother.

Then she met a man who told her about oral medical cannabis. Jessamyn decided to try a combination of THC and CBD along with her prescription medications. On the first day, her epileptic seizures dropped by 50%, and within a week the frequency of her seizures dropped another 25%. With a 75% decrease in seizures, she was able to go outside again, and even play with her children.

Her life was turning around. Then, in 2012, she was diagnosed with an Intrinsic Brainstem Glioma, an inoperable & terminal tumor in the brain stem. That was a decade ago and not only is Jessamyn thankfully still with us, but she and her husband Todd have returned to this show to update us about their amazing journey together. 

Riley and her team of seven women artists design a specialized selection of cannabis-related merchandise as part of their commitment to building an equitable community. To support equity, Riley’s team hires people of color, collaborates with black and brown artists, contracts with other workers, and donates to two organizations each month. One is local, Kansas City Gift, which provides grants to black-owned businesses on the city’s east side. The other is Broccoli Magazine’s Floric Coalition, which donates to different equity-oriented organizations. Having a studio based on Truce Avenue, a historic racial dividing line in Kansas City, is a constant reminder of the need to give back to the community.

Riley Brain of Wandering Bud is a female canopreneur who is optimistic about the progress being made in the cannabis industry. She discussed the challenges faced by women in the industry, particularly the “grass ceiling” which is an extension of the glass ceiling idea. Riley also commented on the incident at MJ BIZCON where a group of men was wearing t-shirts that said “buy weed from rich white men”, which was met with backlash from the community. Riley then discussed her product line of unique cannabis smoking pieces and accessories, which are available on her website and at various retailers.

Hollingsworth is now part of her family's marijuana business, and she runs The Hollingsworth hemp Company, which is based in Washington State, and I have her with me today to tell us more about it.

He specializes in visionary art with psychedelic cultural influence and has been involved as a cannabis activist in many ways. 

He has used art to communicate his vision of a spiritual mission to uplift vibes. Roman has helped bring forth Tribe13 and the Interdimensional Art Movement as platforms for artists to express a transcendental experience. 

Branding himself as SynchroMystic he brings forth a vision of harmony with community and nature and expresses an interdimensional existence that includes multiple dimensions colliding into one. He truly believes in a divine destiny for humanity.

His Traveling Hemp Museum includes raw materials, artifacts, and finished products made from hemp. He’s written articles for numerous publications and websites while providing advice, guidance, and counseling for those entering the cannabis hemp space.

Best-known for his 18-year tenure at High Times magazine and Hightimes.com from 1998 to 2016, including infamous turns as ad director, co-editor, and associate publisher & spokesperson, Rick has appeared on The Daily Show with John Stewart, Entertainment Tonight, CNN Business Report, The Bill O'Reilly Radio Show, CNN Business Report, Huffington Post Live, The History Channel, and many local television news shows, radio programs, and cannabis-themed podcasts.

Rick has published over 200 articles, essays, columns, and interviews relating to cannabis and cannabis law reform. Rick has also served on the board of directors of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) for eleven years.

Fenton was formerly director of Public Relations at Rolling Stone magazine in 1978 and worked for High Times Magazine. He was co-producer of the No Nukes concerts with Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, and many others in New York City, in 1979. In the late 1960s, he was a photojournalist, for Liberation News Service while also publishing in the NY Times, Life, Newsweek and others. His book of photographs SHOTS: An American Photographer's Journey was published in 2005. His new book, "The Activist’s Media Handbook," discusses how to organize social media campaigns.

His first book, “Fondle The Fear,” is now in its third printing, and is the basis for a TV show by the same name, broadcast by Comcast Television in west coast markets. He also creates short stories of transformation for NPR stations KQED, KUSP, and KAZU in Northern California. He currently produces and hosts Planet Cruz Comedy with Richard Stockton, a live comedy/variety show performed at the Rio Theatre.

Doug currently produces and hosts a weekly half-hour radio show called Century Of Lies, which is produced for the Drug Truth Network and distributed via the Pacifica Foundation Radio Network. He also produces and hosts a monthly half-hour radio show called Free Culture Radio, which is produced at the studios of KBOO Radio in Portland, Oregon, and is also distributed via Pacifica. As a member of KBOO's Prison Pipeline Collective, Doug also occasionally hosts and produces installments of the Prison Pipeline show.

Shawn believes opportunities exist to give this hard-working section of cannabis entrepreneurs a large voice to balance the bellow of the big as our fast-paced industry is lobbied to manipulate laws in favor of the elite. Shawn’s background includes advocacy for the Coalition for Standards and Ethics, Chair for the Health Before Happy Hour Campaign, Board Member of the Cannabis Farmer’s Council, Founding Member of The Cannabis Alliance, Chair of the Cannabis Commission Formation Committee, and Board Member of the Craft Cannabis Coalition.

Whether you’re a hemp connoisseur or just learning about it for the first time, Your Friend CLEO is here for you. Our flagship line of hemp-derived CBD and Delta-8 gummies has something for everyone (provided you’re 21 or older!).

Aaron has had his gear in High Times twice and has been on the front page of the Hawaii-Tribune Herald for his cannabis creations. The professor brings you some of the best Hawaii has to offer, a “Sativa Believa”, if you have the time, BIG has the seeds!

Bobrow has published six books on mixology and written articles for Saveur magazine, Voda magazine, Forbes Magazine, Whole Foods-Dark Rye, Distiller, Beverage Media, DrinkupNY, and many other periodicals. He has written for SoFAB Magazine at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum and has written restaurant reviews for New Jersey Monthly. He has also contributed to the Sage Encyclopedia of Food Issues and the Oxford Encyclopedia edition named Savoring Gotham: A Food Lover’s Companion to New York City. Warren taught a Master Class on untouched rum at the Moscow (Russia) Bar Show Warren was a Ministry of Rum Judge in 2010 Warren was a Rum XP Guest Judge at the Miami Rum Fest in 2017 Warren traveled to Asheville, NC to participate in their unique Cocktail Week. Warren attends Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans and was nominated for a Spirited Award. Warren was in the Saveur Magazine “100” in 2010. Warren presented at the Berlin Bar Convent in 2019 Warren currently writes for Skunk Magazine and Cannabis Cactus Magazine He presented at SXSW in 2018 on Cannabis Cocktails- the topic of his fourth book of six in print.

Since legalization, his legislative advocacy is on behalf of all cannabis consumers, and he works statewide to end cannabigotry.

Lee’s practice includes canna-business-related administrative and trial litigation, as well as state cannabis-related criminal defense and appeals.