Advertise on podcast: The Cannabis Connection

Happy 420! This 420, we welcome James Leitz, the Creator and Executive Producer of the California Cannabis Awards & Experience at the California State Fair. With over 30 years in sports, media, and live event production - including two decades at WMEIMG - he's built global campaigns and experiences for some of the world's biggest brands. Today, he focuses on emerging industries, helping shape the future of cannabis through large-scale, culturally relevant events.  Loved this conversation, starting with cultivating the Tiburon Thai in high school to pioneering cannabis at the nation's most prestigious agricultural awards, one of the nation's oldest state fairs, celebrating farmers for over 172 years, and now we can honor Cannabis farmers in the annals of history. 

This week on the show, we welcome Jeremy Warren and Richard Philbrook of Dark Heart.  Founded in Oakland, California in 2007, Dark Heart helped shape the modern cannabis industry through pioneering work in tissue culture, pathogen detection and large-scale genetic development-protecting and advancing the plant through years of meticulous cultivation.  Jeremy Warren is the Director of Plant Genetics at Curaleaf. Jeremy has a PhD in Plant Pathology from UC Davis, has been leading Dark Heart's genetics program for over ten years, led HpLVd identification, and oversees plant genetics R&D at Curaleaf nationally and internationally.  Richard Philbrook is the Principal Scientist of Genetics at Curaleaf. Richard is a Molecular biologist, studied plant genetics at UC Davis to work in cannabis, completed his Master's at Dark Heart, published researcher, and is recognized as an expert in cannabis breeding.  We explore our history with the plant, favorite cultivars to cultivate and cross, and the Through the Woods launch of a new limited-edition trio of ultra-premium cannabis flower this 420. 

This week, we welcome Vanessa Lovarato to the show to share her wisdom on integrating weed into your favorite dishes and indulgences, such as chocolate, butter, and beverages.  Born in California and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, television host, chocolatier, and food writer Vanessa Lavorato graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in art history and Italian. But the biggest lesson she took from school was that her calling sat at the crossroads of entrepreneurship, food, and cannabis. In 2010, she founded Marigold Sweets, creating a market for edibles that prioritizes flavor and sourcing while maintaining artisanal quality. Lavorato built her business on the strength of her premium product, despite the added challenge of navigating the ever-changing laws governing cannabis edibles. Starting in 2016, Lavorato cohosted and culinary-produced three seasons of VICE’s James Beard Award–nominated cannabis cooking show Bong Appétit.    These days, her stoner-at-a-stove cooking show, The Edibles Club, brings together members from around the world to learn to make dishes like Hash Tortellini and Weed Hollandaze. She lives in Los Angeles with her dog, Bon Bon.

Today on the show, we welcome Kagyu of Coastal Seed Genetics. Our last show was 9 years ago. Kagyu's first cannabis garden in Santa Cruz was in 1969, and he has over 50 years of experience cultivating and preserving landrace lines.  At Coastal Seed Co, our mission is to preserve and advance legacy plant genetics with integrity. We are committed to safeguarding heirloom and landrace lines, producing vigorous and reliable seed stock, and keeping authentic breeding traditions alive for future generations. Through careful selection and transparency in our work, we provide cultivators with genetics rooted in history, built for performance, and selected for true expression in real-world gardens. www.coastalseedgenetics.com “Our job isn’t to chase hype—it’s to protect the line, honor the plant, and pass it forward better than we found it.” -Kagyu

Today on the show, we welcome Alex Tice to discuss Arizona Cannabis, Skateboarding Culture, Self Expression, and Radical Habits.  Alex Tice is the COO and CRO of Flow Distribution and a founding member of the company, where he leads sales, manufacturing coordination, product development, and marketing strategy. He played a key role in growing Flow into one of the largest cannabis distributors and manufacturers in Arizona, while also helping shape the 22Red brand. Rooted in the skateboarding industry, Alex was drawn to the cannabis space as it began expanding in Arizona around 2014, seeing it as a natural cultural and business evolution. Originally from Tempe and now based in Phoenix, he continues to drive innovation and growth across both Flow Distribution and their cannabis brands. 

Today on the show, this one is a long time coming, years in the making. Welcome Reba!  Reba, also known as Grateful_Cultivator, is a friend of cannabis. She has been cultivating since the Prop 215 days in the late '90s in Humboldt. She has a deep reverence for the plant, healthy soils, and wild spaces, with experience in most cultivation methods and particular expertise in organic and regenerative cultivation, as well as organic integrated pest and pathogen management. Please check out her work and new podcast via IG, her handle is grateful_cultivator.

Today on the show, we welcome Q, Miguel, and Raven of Renegade Theater speaking about their April production of Reefer Madness. Renegade Theater Co. is a community-based theater company in Santa Cruz, CA. Renegade is a 501 (C) (3) non-profit that creates theatrical productions meant to challenge the standard expectations of theater. The show benefactor for Reefer Madness is The Last Prisoner Project.  Gennevie "Q" Herbranson has served as the board president of Renegade Theater since its inception three years ago. She has been involved in theater in Santa Cruz since the summer of 2019, originally supporting her two kids in the youth theater scene. Miguel Reyna is beside himself to be directing his first production for his friends at Renegade Theater. He has been acting in and directing theater for the past 40 years and will likely never stop. His past 20 years have happened here in Santa Cruz County. Most recently, he’s directed Stephen King's Misery at Actors Theatre. He’s also directed The Thin Place for Actors’ Theatre and The Humans for Mountain Community Theater, and co-produced Evil Dead The Musical at MCT. Raven Voorhees is a barista in the heart of Santa Cruz (Abbott Square) and enjoys creating art both on and off stage. Raven has an extensive theatrical resume and has been in both of Renegade's previous adult musicals, Heather's and Cabaret. Raven is the lead role of Jimmy in Reefer Madness.  In this conversation, we explore themes of propaganda, rebellion, and control over youth, using humor as political satire in a time when history is repeating itself in more ways than one. 

Indicus “Indy” Riggs owns and operates Galactic Farms, a second-generation regenerative farm and apiary. Indy is a founding member of the Cooperative Agriculture Network (CAN), an organization that aims to facilitate the development of cooperative enterprises in the agricultural sector. He is the vice-chair of the Humboldt County Growers Alliance (HCGA) Board of Directors, a member of HCGA's policy committee, and a regional council representative for Origins Council.  In addition to his role in the local community, he is also the Vice President of the Redcrest Grange #504. Indy strongly believes that cooperation and collaboration between various economic sectors and community interests are immediate solutions to long-term sustainability and resiliency within the local economy and community.

Barron Lutz is the founder of Nasha Hash, a Humboldt-based company specializing in premium solventless hash. With over a decade of hands-on experience, Barron has dedicated his career to refining cold water extraction and advancing solventless techniques inspired by traditional Himalayan methods. Known for his technical innovation, he has designed and developed custom washing and processing equipment to improve quality, efficiency, and consistency. Since founding Nasha Hash in 2016, Barron has grown the company into a leading producer while maintaining a strong commitment to craftsmanship, sustainability, and partnerships with legacy farmers. His mission is to build a lasting brand defined by clean cannabis, ethical practices, and the highest standards of hash-making.

What do Neville Shoenmakers, Brownie Mary, Dennis Peron, Lawrence Ringo, and Rick Simpson have in common? Harry E. Rose. Today on the show, we welcome Harry Rose to share his life story and experience making medicine, healing others, and himself through the power of this sacred plant.  Harry Rose is a Cannabis Industry Consultant, Cultivator, and Manufacturer currently holding 3 California state licenses in Humboldt County for legacy mixed light cultivation, Type 6 manufacturing, and distribution. Experience with the entire process from application to approval of annual licensing with state regulators BCC, CDPH, CDFA, and all local agencies. First group of medical cultivation licenses in California, as well as the first Type 6 manufacturing license. Helped to createguidelines for type 6 manufacturing licenses with the city of Eureka. Extensive knowledge of cultivation and genetics. Growing cannabis since 1985.

Today on the show, we welcome Pete Olander. We explore how cannabinoids like CBD can serve as a secret sauce to complement formulating clean and safe phyto therapies to optimize wellness. We know the wellness trend will not go away, and we can also branch out into the world of functional mushrooms, terpenes, and other compounds that can assist the horsepower behind THC to provide us with our desired state of well-being.  Pete Olander is the founder behind Happie, a company built on the belief that wellness should be approachable, enjoyable, and, above all, effective. His path to founding Happie started years before the first can rolled off the line — working side by side with biohackers, professional athletes, and nutrition experts who pushed the limits of human performance. That knowledge became the backbone of Happie’s product philosophy: make powerful, functional wellness tools accessible to everyone.

Today on the show, we welcome John Casli of Huckleberry Hill Farms. Huckleberry Hill Farms is a legacy craft cannabis farm nestled in the hills of Southern Humboldt County. Founded by John Casali, who was raised on this very land during the Back to the Land Movement, the farm is built on a deep commitment to sustainability, community, and honoring tradition. After serving 17 years in the federal system for cultivating cannabis, John returned to continue the legacy he began with his late mother, preserving her heirloom genetics and nurturing the land they love. Today, John and his partner Rose Moberly cultivate full-sun, organic cannabis while sharing their story through advocacy, education, and farm tours. Each strain they grow carries history and heart, reflecting a rare lineage, grown with intention, and rooted in the unique terroir of Southern Humboldt.

Today on the show, we welcome Shanon Taliaferro of the Mateel Community Center to discuss Reggae on the River 2026! We explore Humboldt County history, the decades-long tradition of music festivals, kindred spirits between Jamaica and Northern California, and the ongoing legacy of love in healing through music and community. We look forward to Reggae on the River 2026, and we encourage you to consider a pilgrimage to the Lost Coast to explore the wonders of the redwoods in Humboldt and beyond.

Today, we welcome Justin Lee, the CEO and Founder of Ay Papi, an award-winning regenerative organic craft solventless brand innovating and pushing the boundaries of what is possible with the plant.  Ay Papi is a health and wellness company specializing in award-winning craft solventless products.  Ay Papi is committed to sourcing and phenohunting the cleanest sungrown regenerative cannabis through collaborations with legacy farms. Ay Papi is on a mission to bring the community rare, exotic, and sensory experiential cultivars that inspire. 

Today on the show, we welcome Eric & Jill of Hogwash Pharms and Most Wanted.  Hogwash Pharms is a family owned and operated farm operating off-grid in Humboldt County-the cannabis heartland of America-known for its old growth redwoods, the lost coast, and traditional cannabis.  Located in the Mattole watershed, growing seed cultivars adapted to our microclimate and created on-site. Hogwash Pharms’ THC & CBD strains are grown outdoor in full sun, using stored water from well and rainwater catchment tanks. We use only organic ingredients soil amendments in our soil beds.  Hogwash Pharms has a combined 80 years’ cultivation and farming experience. We have been living and working on our farm since 1994- growing veggies, fruit berries, olives and also raising poultry for eggs, and heritage hogs, too.