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Otha Smith III, Founder, and CEO of Tetragram took the powerful practice of journaling one's experience with arguably the most communal plant to a different level with the creation of one of a very few minority-owned technology platforms in the cannabis space. Let's give props because they are due. In our conversation, this former computer programmer shared that traditional prescriptions failed him after a life-threatening accident. He chose to save himself and tossed his bag of pills to seek alternative medicine for his injuries. From this accident, a small but powerful HIPAA-compliant app was born that now helps both patients and the industry. We talked about scaling businesses, something new entrepreneurs - like me - don't know enough about; the importance of engagement, consumer-generated research based on anonymous experience; and why the next flagship version of Tetragram will bring all of these experiences to a new level. I am a new convert. So watch out for me in my Tetragram t-shirt. Listen to the Me and Mary Jane podcast on your preferred platform. Follow Otha on IG at @thetetragramapp and here on LinkedIn. Best of all, download the app and see for yourself.

Canna-nerd, supremely accomplished, understated, doubly degreed botanist and biologist, Liz Rogan can often be found with fellow correspondents on Clubhouse's "The State of Cannabis NewsHour" and on its YouTube channel. She joined me on the "Me and Mary Jane" podcast to talk about Trends for 2022. This is one of my favorite information-packed conversations. Like who knew Liz earned her stripes tracking endangered seabirds in cliff walls near Santa Barbara and forecasting trends before entering the cannabis industry in 2006. By her own admission, she literally fell in a crack and has never come back. Read the overview for those who choose not to listen. For nearly 20 years, scientist and industry educator Liz Rogan has had her finger on the pulse of the industry. As a longtime expert, advocate, and educator of the cannabis industry and a trusted voice as to what to expect going forward, Rogan contributes weekly to the popular “State of Cannabis” Show on Clubhouse.  With Forbes Magazine stating that the legal cannabis market is projected to reach $43 Billion By 2025, Rogan shares her three trends coming for 2022, all impacted by increased legalization, access, and research.  “Perhaps some of the most exciting trends include what is being done with research to understand the cannabis plant and how it can be used to help people,” says Rogan.  Liz Rogan Shares Three Cannabis Industry Trends Coming in 2022: 1. Increased Mainstream Use: The increased demand for CBD from cannabis and hemp is projected to reach $13.4 million by 2028. As consumers become aware of the benefits of CBD, the market growth of consumer end-user industries such as food and beverage, personal care, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals is expected to grow. With the national and global legalization of medical and recreational cannabis (with THC value over .3%), we will see accelerated growth & demand. Data shows Americans have a more positive feeling about cannabis and specifically CBD with THC. In an April 2021  Pew Research Center Poll, nine in ten Americans favor some form of marijuana legalization. This is a drastic change in support for legalization over the last two decades. In response, more states are crafting policies to regulate both medical & recreational cannabis. The shift stems from the 2018 Farm Bill, which removed hemp products (THC value under .3%)  from the Controlled Substances Act, which meant hemp could be legally cultivated on US soil. The ready availability of CBD has led to a boom in the marketplace.  Hemp is legal in all fifty states. With advancements in research and medical professional education combined with increased availability and use, there is an exponentially increased interest in the medical benefits of CBD & cannabis. Marijuana is legal for adults in 18 states and Washington, D.C., and medical marijuana is legal in 37. From July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, nine states legalized new programs for medical and recreational marijuana—the largest number of states to legalize marijuana during any comparable year to date. With increased legalization, the market grows exponentially, with a legal market projection of $43 billion by 2025. Additionally, sales will be helped by the continued crackdown on the illicit market.  2. Explosion of Low-Dose Product Offerings: With increased access and interest from the mainstream consumer, many different, lower dose cannabis-infused products will be available. Emerging innovation will lead to new product categories. The more conscious, educated CBD consumer has increased demand for clean products, wanting to know the source, and learning about & understanding the plant and how it interacts with the body. They will be looking for lab-tested products they can trust. The savviest consumer will be aware of synthetic cannabinoids and actively look to avoid them. People are interested in a new and different way to consume CBD, with THC or without. The CBD Drinks market alone is projected for a 27.5% annual CAGR growth during the forecast period of 2021-2026. Look out for current brands that aren’t in the CBD space to broaden their offerings, and many innovative products will emerge in the market. With increased supply on the market, prices have become increasingly competitive. Cannabis-infused products will not just be in the food and medical industry, but skincare fashion and more - however, shelf space is limited, so there will be not only consolidation in the marketplace, but many brands coming online will fail. 3. Increased Use of Cannabis Medicinally: More research will lead to more use of cannabis medicinally.The good news is that research is ramping up. Data from the National Library of Medicine and PubMed.gov states that researchers published more than 3,500 peer-reviewed scientific papers in 2020 alone, and more data is being uncovered as cannabis producers partner with research facilities as well.  As new and better research comes out,  more doctors will recommend use as they understand how the cannabis compounds may affect the body. Research from doctors and Harvard Medical School has provided information for developing a promising treatment for seizures and epilepsy, which led to the drug Epidiolex, which was approved by the FDA in 2018 to treat two rare but devastating forms of epilepsy Dravet Syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.  Rogan is on the cutting edge of the newest cannabis products, regulations, and industry trends and has been assisting cannabis business owners, counseling medical cannabis patients, and educating the public about the use of cannabis for the past 17 years. 

What is wellness to you? Each time I am in conversation with Dr. Janice Knox a light bulb turns on for me. In this episode, it finally clicked that the endocannabinoid system is part of an even bigger picture. I finally see that when someone understands the physiology of humans, how we are hardwired, they can then begin to apply the pharmacology. Listen to understand exactly how Dr. Janice Knox explains that the job of the endocannabinoid system is to harmonize, repair, and protect. If you are thinking "I already know this," well listen anyway. I am all about cannabis as medicine but the larger conversation in my mind is wellness.

I caught up with Elana Goldberg, Cannigma's CEO and soon-to-be certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, over a cup of virtual coffee. It was the evening for her and she was enjoying a glass of wine just north of Tel Aviv. For me, it was morning on the west coast of North America. We were to chat about How Cannabis Enhances Meditation & Mindfulness. Elana is an Aussie, which I did not know before speaking to her. I have an affinity for Australians, having been good friends with one in particular in my early twenties in Paris. She is astute, quick, and engaged. I set off for an in-the-moment conversation with an incisive mind that synchronized with her ability to express herself. She is, after all, a phenomenal writer. And as a result, we veered off on connected topics that I'm sure you'll find of interest. Elana is currently engaged in her practicum as she works on her Mindfulness Meditation Teaching Certificate, a 2-year course professional training program with the likes of esteemed masters like Tara Brach and Jack Kornfeld. Listen and let me know what you think. You can feel her energy. I predict you'll want to meditate with her. She closes our conversation with a few specific takeaways on how cannabis enhances meditation and mindfulness. By the way, what is a Cannigma?

Businesses are in business to make money. But for the Virginia-based Helena's Faith Botanicals, that is not their primary focus. In this edition of Me and Mary Jane, I talk with Candi Walters, who is the company's CEO and Founder, and a Registered Nurse licensed to practice in 28 states. She is a true Healer sharing her knowledge with all levels of community from local ministers, seniors, activists to farmers. Helena's Botanicals is licensed to grow and process hemp-derived CBD infusions. There are no white label products from this firm. The company creates top-notch products that include herbal-infused teas, tinctures, infused bath soaps, CBD-infused soy candles, a new shaving balm, and a new product for women going through menopause. All are competitively priced so as to be accessible as medicine to more people. Listen to understand that Candi's approach to product development is this plant is medicine. Order her products at www.helenasfaith.com or reach out directly on IG at @candi_rn for educational consulting.

As cannabis legalization continues to draw new consumers to the market, the demand for qualified medical professionals with traditional medical expertise and knowledge of cannabinoid medicine will grow. Dr. Patricia C. Frye is one such person fitting this profile. After retiring from medicine, Dr. Frye was offered an opportunity to practice cannabis treatment. Intrigued, she educated herself on this emerging alternative and now actively shares this knowledge with others. I wanted to talk with Dr. Frye about the evolving business of medicine. What happens in a typical day of a cannabinologist? In pursuit of an answer, we discussed the emerging industry of telemedicine and the science of cannabis to better understand how telemedicine changes the relationship between doctor and patient. Dr. Frye is the author of the SOVAS award-winning book, "The Medical Marijuana Guide: Cannabis and Your Health," in which she takes a direct, no-nonsense approach to educating listeners about cannabis and its medicinal qualities. Find her at www.takomacare.com and on IG at @takomacare

Covid 19 helped grow acceptance of medical cannabis as essential and simultaneously telemedicine tracked this phenomenon. Today, the practice of medicine in your living room is being fueled by companies like PrestoDoctor, a leading telemedicine company that connects patients seeking medical cannabis cards with compassionate, licensed doctors across the U.S. In this episode of Me & Mary Jane, I chat with Rob Tankson, Co-Founder and COO, of Prestodoctors about how his company entered this market and what's important to him as a businessman and father beyond simply making money in the cannabis industry.

As cannabis becomes a regular part of our daily wellness practice, we thought we'd ask Dr. Valerie Young whether imposter syndrome exists in the cannabis industry. Valerie is the author of The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer From the Imposter Syndrome and How to Thrive Despite It. She has worked with associations and non-profits, institutes and government, and corporate clients. But because the cannabis industry is emerging and everyone from scientists to community folks are learning as we go, some have quietly dealt with feeling like an imposter from time to time. The old "Fake it until you make it," has its own repercussions. I had the good future of "discovering" Valerie about ten years ago through her Profit from Your Passion business that she has since sold. She is an incisive creative thinker and entrepreneur that I admire. So I really wanted her guidance as I move forward in my cannabis career. I thought my listeners might also enjoy her wisdom. What she knows makes a lot of sense.

In New Jersey, one pathway to possible opportunities and benefits for those who want into the cannabis industry is via social equity. These two words, however, get used as though there is a clear consensus on what they mean when in fact, nothing could be further from the truth. In the New Jersey framework, the path to social equity is via micro-businesses. In this episode of "Conversations with People Smarter Than Me," Chirali helps me understand that this may be well-intended but less clear to implement than originally conceived. Chirali is an Associate at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden Cannabis and Hemp Law and Litigation practice. She is also the Founder of Blaze Responsibly.