The cannabis industry is gaining traction across the world, as new medical discoveries, and multi-billion dollar businesses are grabbing the headlines on a regular basis. Experts predict the worldwide industry could be worth in excess of $300bn within 10 years, with Europe forming the biggest market within that, so there's plenty to get excited about. I want to find out more about what's happening, and I'm bringing you along for the ride. Join me - Anuj Desai - as I speak to a wide variety of guests who are helping to shape this nascent sector. Having interviewed over 100 guests, including patients, lawyers, doctors, scientists, entrepreneurs, investors and many more, we discover how, and why, this much maligned and misunderstood plant is giving birth to a huge global business.
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we speak with Dr. Franjo Grotenhermen, Chairperson at the International Association of Cannabinoid Medicines (IACM).We explore his journey into cannabis medicine, its diverse uses, and the challenges of its regulation. Together, we look at the importance of patient experiences and the need for a balance between clinical trials and real-world experiences. We also examine the risk profile of cannabis, potential side effects, contraindications, and interactions with other medications. The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Franjo Grotenhermen M.D.Franjo Grotenhermen graduated in medicine and received his doctorate in Cologne. His fields of practice included internal medicine, surgery and naturopathy. He is head of the Centre for Cannabis Medicine in Steinheim (NRW) with a focus on therapy with cannabis and cannabinoids. Grotenhermen is Executive Director of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Cannabis als Medizin e.V. (ACM) (since 1997), Executive Director of the International Alliance for Cannabinoid Medicines (IACM) (since 2000) and author of the IACM-Bulletin, which is published fortnightly in several languages on the IACM website.Grotenhermen is an employee of the Cologne-based nova Institute, co-owner of Endoxo GmbH (founded in 2019), a company that produces CBD and other hemp products. He is a lecturer at Dresden International University. He is Chief Medical Advisor of canncura, an internet platform for telemedicine in the field of cannabis and cannabinoids. He is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the journals Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, edited by Prof. Daniele Piomelli at Mary Ann Liebert Publishing. He received the following awards: Hanf-Preis 1999 of Cannabusiness, IACM 2011 Special Award, ICBC 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award, Robert Newman Memorial Award 2018 of Akzept e.V., Honorary Award GFS-Award 2021 of Gemeinnützige Forschungsvereinigung Saluplanta e.V.ResourcesConnect with Franjo on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/franjo-grotenhermen-65624b19bIACM's Website: https://cannabis-med.org/
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we speak with William Muecke of Artemis Growth Partners & Daniel Grözinger of Park Lane Capital.We look at the European Cannabis Industry from an investment perspective, including the benefits of the legal cannabis market in Germany and France, the potential for mergers and acquisitions in Europe, and Will and Daniel's thoughts on what's needed to succeed in this sector in the next few years.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About William MueckeWill Muecke is the Managing Member at Artemis Growth Partners, a private equity firm with $390 million in assets, specializing in ESG and impact investments within the global cannabis industry.He also co-founded CoreCo Private Equity, an ESG-focused fund, recognized as a "Best for the World" fund in 2017, with backing from institutions like the IFC/World Bank and European family offices.Previously, he served as global co-head of healthcare services at Goldman, Sachs & Co. in New York, with extensive networks across Europe, the United States, and Latin America. Currently, he holds the position of Chief Investment Officer at Artemis Growth Partners in London.About Daniel GrözingerDaniel Grözinger, a Partner at Parklane Capital in Germany, is a seasoned M&A expert with a focus on the tech sector. In 2021, he expanded his expertise into the cannabis market and played a pivotal role in the sale of Four 20 Pharma to Curaleaf in 2022.With a background in over 75 M&A deals, Daniel is also a serial entrepreneur. Notably, he co-founded getgo.de, an online ticketing industry leader, and sold it to CTS Eventim AG. He then managed two business units at CTS, generating over 500 million EUR in revenue.In 2003, he founded uniquedigital, a top-ranked online marketing agency, later acquired by Syzygy AG in 2008. Daniel has a history of founding and building customer-focused companies, including verwandt.de, Farbflut Entertainment, Emporis, and Animod, among others. He has also invested in various internet companies and startups as a business angel, including Prezi.com and Fiverr, before joining Parklane Capital in 2014.ResourcesConnect with William on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wmueckeConnect with Daniel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/groezinger/Artemis Growth Partners' Website: www.artemisgrowth.comParklane Capital's Website:
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we're joined by Mike Roberts, a medical cannabis patient in the UK. We explore Mike's journey with cannabis, the potential benefits of incorporating cannabis into cancer treatment plans, and his trailblazing story of becoming the first patient to successfully get his cannabis flower prescription reimbursed by the NHS.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Mike RobertsMike Roberts is a special needs teacher, musician, and father. His interests include photography, chemistry, and medical cannabis. In 2021 at the age of 43, Mike was diagnosed with incurable cancer. In 2023 he became the first person in the UK to receive NHS funding for cannabis flower.ResourcesConnect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-roberts-42a46122bMike's Website: https://www.michaelrobertstutoring.com/
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we're joined by Robert Jappie of Fieldfisher - a European Law Firm with a strong Life Sciences practice.We explore cannabis regulation in the UK, and overcoming opposition in the industry as well as the wider challenges facing the medical cannabis industry, including political support and lack of research and funding.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Robert JappieRobert Jappie is a partner at Fieldfisher, a European Law Firm with a focus on Life Sciences and Tech industries. He is a Regulatory Lawyer and specialises in emerging Life Sciences sectors, providing regulatory and commercial representation to a range of nascent industries. He has particular expertise in Cannabis Regulation, Psychedelic Medicines, Food/Agri-Tech and Healthcare, and is considered one of the foremost legal authorities in the UK on the UK and European cannabis industry. Robert has advised many of the well-established cannabis companies operating in the UK and EU, and has provided regulatory support for a number of M&A and Capital Markets transactions.ResourcesConnect with Robert on LinkedIn: https://www.incegd.com/en/our-team-london/robert-jappieFieldfisher's Website: https://www.fieldfisher.com/en
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we're joined by Will Lawn of King's College London - an internationally renowned university delivering exceptional education and world-leading research.We explore cannabis use disorder, the concept of addiction as a spectrum, as well as the biological underpinnings of cannabis use disorder, potential treatment options, and the link between cannabis and tobacco use.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Will LawnDr Will Lawn is a psychology lecturer and psychopharmacology researcher at King's College London. By taking a multi-disciplinary approach, Will investigates the short and long-term effects of recreational drugs on the human mind and brain, as well as researching the therapeutic applications of cannabinoids and ketamine.ResourcesConnect with Will Lawn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-lawn-51724b215King's College London's Website: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/
Can the legal cannabis industry provide affordable and high-quality medicine for patients?On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we're joined by my good friends, Carly Barton from Cancard - the largest patient advocacy group in Europe - and Alex Fray and Charlie Price GLO - a British medical cannabis company headquartered on the Isle of Man.We explore the importance of community and patient-centred approaches to medical cannabis, as well as controlling the entire supply chain, from cultivation to distribution, in order to provide patients with choice. Support the crowdfund raise, help them grow, and let's improve patient access to quality medicine!
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we're joined by Nicolas Martin & Andreas Becker journalists for DW in Germany, and presenters of the Cannabis Cowboys podcast series.We discuss the Juicy Fields scandal, an investment scam targeting investors in the medical cannabis industry, and what Nicolas and Andreas discovered as they investigated the story.Please check out the Cannabis Cowboys podcast here:DW: https://www.dw.com/en/cannabis-cowboys/program-62614055Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/cannabis-cowboys/id1662329269Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Yfw49Kkb91WQUe48ES5SZThe Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Nicolas MartinNicolas Martin is a freelance editor, writer and presenter at the business desk of DW, Germany's international broadcaster. He also works as a trainer and consultant for national and international podcast projects. In 2017, he started to report on the cannabis industry and was astonished when, in 2021, he first heard about JuicyFields' e-growing offer.About Andreas BeckerAndreas Becker is a senior editor, reporter, writer and presenter at the business desk of DW. His focus is on international trade and finance, and he's also covering development politics. This podcast is his first foray into the business side of Cannabis.ResourcesConnect with Nicolas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nmmediaConnect with Andreas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreas-becker-21b581155
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we're joined by Leonid Kotlyar, Co-Founder and Managing Director of DéWarrior Unlimited B.V. - a sustainability-focused managing consulting firm headquartered in The Netherlands.We explore the intersection of sustainability and the cannabis industry, the challenges of applying ESG to the cannabis sector, as well as the differences between the North American and European cannabis industries. The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Leonid KotlyarLeonid (Leo) Kotlyar is the co-founder and Managing Director of DéWarrior Unlimited B.V., a sustainability focused managing consulting firm headquartered in The Netherlands. DéWarrior (www.dewarrior.com) offers its advisory service in ESG, M&A, and Management Consulting, utilizing comprehensive data collection and advanced modeling techniques to drive integrated decision making. Prior to founding DéWarrior, Leo spent 12 years in institutional equity derivatives, building and delivering the early cornerstones of ESG to his customer base of pension plans, insurers, and sovereign wealth funds. ResourcesConnect with Leo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonid-d%C3%A9warrior-925747132DéWarrior Unlimited B.V.: https://www.dewarrior.com/
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we speak with Luc Richner, CEO of Cannavigia - Europe's pioneer compliance software for businesses to trace, secure and simplify transactions along the entire cannabis supply chain.We explore Switzerland's approach to cannabis legalisation and the pilot projects they are implementing, the importance of supply chain management as well as the challenges of international movement of cannabis goods. The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Luc RichnerLuc Richner was born in Switzerland, but raised in Asia. After finishing his education and studies in Switzerland, Luc followed his calling to be an entrepreneur. Based on his experience in logistics and management, Luc's first venture was dedicated to upcycling used materials to high-end furniture. In the following years, he ventured into the global logistics industry, established an expert consultancy to "bridge worlds" and has created a unique, local and sustainable farm to table restaurant in Bali, Indonesia. Back in Switzerland he successfully finished the first Executive MBA Digital Leadership program at the HWZ, “University of Applied Sciences” in Zurich.Based on his experience and extraordinary knowledge about highly efficient and transparent supply chains and logistics, Luc Richner has founded Vigia AG – a software platform for more transparency and compliance in the global and local supply chains, with its first dedicated industry being cannabis. Cannavigia is Europe's pioneer compliance software for businesses to trace, secure and simplify transactions along the entire cannabis supply network.ResourcesConnect with Luc on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luc-richner-ab30845bCannavigia's Website: https://cannavigia.com/
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we're joined by Nikolaas Faes, a senior research analyst at Bryan, Garnier & Co - an independent full-service investment bank for European healthcare and technology-led companies and their investors.We discuss the size and potential growth of the European Cannabis market, the different sub-sectors such as CBD and medical cannabis, and the challenges of investing in an industry heavily reliant on regulatory change.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Nikolaas FaesAs a senior research analyst at Bryan Garnier, Nik Faes examines not only the global cannabis sector but also the fields of alcoholic beverages and AgriTech. Based in London, he has worked over the past 35 years for a number of international financial institutions and has been a professor in financial analysis, fund management and financing.ResourcesConnect with Nik on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikolaas-faes-42b34b28Bryan Garnier Website: https://www.bryangarnier.com/
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we're joined by Jorge Cervantes, Dr. Gary Yates, & Stefan Meyer.We explore some of the different ways to grow cannabis, focusing on seeds, as well as discussing some of their pros and cons, and we discuss the huge commercial trade in seeds.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Jorge CervantesJorge Cervantes' public career spans 39 years. His books and DVDs (50 total) are published under his given name, George F. Van Patten and pseudonym, Jorge Cervantes, in Dutch, English, French, Italian, Japanese, German, Russian, and Spanish.Self-publisher, Cervantes' (Indoor) Marijuana Horticulture book was christened “the Grow Bible” in 2000 by indoor, greenhouse and outdoor growers. His knowledge and hands-on experience inspired millions of growers worldwide to apply simple, effective techniques to grow more and better cannabis.About Dr. Gary YatesDr. Gary Yates is a well-rounded plant scientist with experience in nearly all aspects of plant life. Dr. Yates, as a world-class genetic problem solver, offers scientific know-how aspects that are normally lacking in cultivation advice. Dr. Yates also brings to the forefront knowledge of the most recent technology in infrastructure/equipment and scientific advances, as well as pathogen mitigation and pest management. He is an experienced micro-grower and plant health assessor known for his ability to maximize limited resources to produce outcomes that exceed expectations.Having collected his first harvest over 20 years ago and before embarking on a career in science, Gary has had a keen eye on the progression of the medical use of Cannabis, including its biochemistry, genetic development, and cultivar suitability for many years.About Stefan MeyerStefan Martin Meyer, MBA, was raised in the Italian side of Switzerland, near the city of Lugano. He then moved to Spain, where he co-founded Phytoplant Research SL, which was granted the first research license for medical cannabis in Spain in 2012. While there, he got various R&D grants from the European Union for projects related to cannabinoids and medicine and published results in high-impact scientific journals.In 2019 Stefan joined Plena Global Holding Inc (Canada) as Chief Strategy Officer, where he has been leading a project licensed to grow medicinal cannabis in Colombia.In 2020 Stefan founded Phytoflow GmbH, a Swiss-based company providing experience-driven strategic business advice to companies active in the medical cannabis sector.Stefan has worked with Jorge for over two decades and, like him, is a huge cannabis aficionado.Resources:Connect with Jorge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorge-cervantes-cannabis-authorConnect with Gary on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-yates-40176b92Connect with Stefan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefan-meyer-cbd
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we're joined by Zach Klein, documentary maker and producer of "The Scientist," a film about Professor Raphael Mechoulam. We pay tribute to the life and work of Professor Mechoulam, a pioneering scientist in the field of cannabis research, also dubbed ‘The Godfather of Cannabis Research'. Prof Mechoulam passed away on March 9, 2023, at the age of 92, leaving behind a legacy that has had a profound impact on the study of cannabinoids and their therapeutic potential.Please check out the film here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csbJnBKqwIw The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Zach KleinZach Klein is a film director and cannabis researcher, who has been at the forefront of the medical cannabis movement. His documentary "Prescribed Grass" (2009), played a significant role in Israel accepting the medical use of cannabis. He is one of the founding fathers of the cannabis medical use programs. He has introduced the use of cannabis in nursing homes, which has improved the quality of life of the elderly. Later, he produced the documentary "The Scientist," which focuses on the life and work of Raphael Mechoulam, the “Grandfather” of cannabis research.Resources‘The Scientist' Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csbJnBKqwIw Zach Klein's website: http://zaklein.com/home/Dr. Mechoulam's Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raphael_Mechoulam
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we speak with Jeffrey Graham, CEO of Pistil Data - providers of data and analytics to cannabis brands and retailers.We explore cannabis consumer patterns, pricing strategies for retailers, and how the market is evolving, as well as the cannabis industry in North America in general.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Jeffrey GrahamJeffrey Graham is CEO of Pistil Data, which provides data and analytics to cannabis brands and retailers. He has built data science teams at The New York Times, Google and Twitter, where he was VP of Market Insight. Prior to founding Pistil, Jeffrey led business intelligence at NorCal Cannabis Company. ResourcesConnect with Jeffrey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreygraham1Pistil Data's Website: https://www.pistildata.com/
How effective is CBD oil?On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we're joined by Dr Sung Min Pyo - Head of Laboratory - Enabling Pharma Excipients for BASF.A 2018 report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated the bioavailability from oral consumption of CBD to be only 6% (WHO Technical Report Series 1013 - https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241210225) We explore the reasons behind this estimate and discuss the bioavailability, absorption, and solubility of CBD, alongside some potential solutions to improve its uptake in the body. The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by EVO NXT - the business festival for Next Generation Products (NGP). The festival offers: modern live communication with experts and big-name speakers, key note talks, summits, workshops, panel dicussions and entertainment!More information: www.evo-nxt.comSecure your ticket now: www.evo-nxt.com/ticketshopAbout Dr. Sung Min PyoDr. Sung Min Pyo holds a PhD in Pharmacy and has dedicated her career to making the world a healthier place. As an expert in the field of bioavailability, she develops novel drug delivery systems that fundamentally improve the uptake and thus the efficacy of drugs in the body. As a consultant to pharmaceutical companies and public institutions, and as a head of laboratory at BASF, she has an in-depth understanding of how to bring innovative ideas to the finished product that truly improves people's lives.ResourcesConnect with Dr. Sung Min Pyo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sung-min-pyo
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we're joined by Nick Pateras of Materia and Andrew Bonello of ReLeaf Malta.We discuss Malta's approach to cannabis, social clubs, home growing in its domestic market as well as how Malta fits into the European cannabis supply chain.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch atwww.luminorecruit.com/On the podcast I mentioned Breaking Convention taking place in Exeter in April. Please join me there by getting a ticket here - https://www.tickettailor.com/events/breakingconvention/807898/About Nick PaterasNick Pateras is Managing Director, Europe at Materia, where he oversees the company's operations across Germany, Malta and the UK. Materia is an EU GMP certified manufacturer and distributor of medical cannabis and CBD products across the burgeoning European market.Previously, Nick served as Vice President, Strategy at Lift & Co., Canada's leading cannabis education and insights platform. He is a regular speaker at cannabis conferences across North America and Europe and taught the Cannabis Business Fundamentals course at George Brown College in Toronto in 2018-19.Prior to his time in cannabis, Nick spent several years in the pharmaceutical sector with Johnson & Johnson Inc, managing various category-leading OTC and Health & Beauty businesses.About Andrew BonelloAndrew Bonello is the President of ReLeaf Malta and, has since 2019, worked tirelessly to represent the voice of cannabis consumers in Malta. Andrew has been actively meeting various local actors and international experts to discuss issues related to cannabis, human rights and public health, more specifically advocating for a more just, humane and non-criminal approach. Today, Andrew remains committed to push forward for a truly decriminalized and regulated approach to cannabis, placing the well-being of consumers at the helm of every decision.ResourcesConnect with Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickpateras/Follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nick_paterasMateria's Website: https://www.materia.global/Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-bonello-73392629Follow Andrew on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Andrew_BonelloFollow ReLeaf Malta on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/releafmalta/
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we're joined by Carola Pérez, president of the Observatorio Español de Cannabis Medicinal, and founder of the patient association - dosemociones.We explore what's happening with medical cannabis in Spain as well as recreational use, and how the social clubs work in Spain.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Carola PérezCarola is the president of the Observatorio Español de Cannabis Medicinal and founder of the patient association dosemociones. She has been working tirelessly since 2014 for patients' rights, helping and advising on the properties of medical cannabis in Spain. Carola is also chair of the IACM Patient Council, an international coalition of patients' organizations that have gathered together to help give a voice to patients the world over and to work together in order to protect their rights and interests in the ever-developing world of medicinal cannabis.ResourcesConnect with Carola on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carola-p%C3%A9rez-73890ab5dosemociones's Website: http://www.dosemociones.com/Follow Carola on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolaperez/Follow Carola on Twitter: https://twitter.com/carolaperez
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we speak with José Lugardo Espejel & Anndrea Hermann from HGrown Consulting - a hemp consultancy focused on Mexico.We explore what's happening with hemp and the situation of medical cannabis in Mexico, alongside the adult-use scenarios, and how Mexico can play a part in the hemp ecosystem.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the Global Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About José Lugardo EspejelJosé Lugardo Espejel, MSc, BMS, Co-founder of HGrown Consulting, co-foundeer of HPS Latam, Founder of Grupo Sativa Health. He started his career as a researcher and consultant in the private healthcare sector and has gained experience as a conferencist and ambassador for the medical cannabis industry in Mexico and Latin America. José currently also advises multiple cannabis startups, researchers, healthcare and pharmaceutical organizations, as well as legislators. His first startup Grupo Sativa Health, developed Sativa Care, the first medical cannabis clinic in Mexico.About Anndrea HermannAnndrea Hermann, M.Sc, B.GS, P.Ag., Director of Inside Sales HPS Food & Ingredients, Principal The Ridge International Cannabis Consulting, Founder HGrown Consulting Mexico, Owner Hemp Technologies Canada, Founder iHempRadio, Founding Instructor OSU WSE266 Course, Canada Hemp Licensee who has advised Industry for 21+ years. President Emeritus & board Hemp Industries Association and Vice President Emeritus Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance. In 2021, she co-founded the rural non-profit Gerhard E. Dekker Regenerative Education Center. She was the first woman inducted into the Hemp History Hall of Fame (2017), recipient of the HIA Lifetime Achievement Award (2018) and listed on Hemp History Week top 10 advocates (2019). Anndrea is recognized and revered as a true ambassador of the highest caliber. Presenting she is publishing “Everybody Loves Trallala” a children's book about a little hempseeds journey.Connect with José on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pepelugardoConnect with Anndrea on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anndrea-hermann-89647b37HGrown Consulting Website: https://hgrown.mx/Follow José on Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/pepe_lugardo
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we're joined by Lukas Hurt, Publisher of Magazine Konopí and Cannabis Therapy Magazine.We explore what's currently happening in the Czech Republic and the current status of medical cannabis and CBD, as well as recreational legalisation plans, and the Czech Republic and Germany's future collaboration in furthering these aims.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Lukas HurtLukas Hurt is a Czech editor, translator, journalist, and publisher. For more than ten years, he has been using his education and skills in the field of translatology to bring as much information as possible about medical properties and benefits of cannabis to the general public and he is actively participating in the whole legalization movement on national as well as international level. Throughout the years, Lukas has become involved in organizing several medical conferences, exhibitions as well as the biggest cannabis fair in the world - Prague's Cannafest. Since 2018 he is also the publisher and editor-in-chief of Czech bimonthly Konopí and the publisher of English online magazine Cannabis Therapy.ResourcesConnect with Lukas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukas-hurt-a9565815Magazine website: https://magazin-konopi.cz/ and English: https://cannathemag.com/Follow Lukas on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lukas.hurysek/
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we speak with Mike Morgan-Giles from the Cannabis Industry Council and Jamie Bartley from the Unyte Group.Together, we explore some of the environmental credentials of hemp, and which sectors hemp can play a sustainable role in, alongside exploring the challenges that exist around its wider adoption, and some of the practical changes needed to promote this.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Mike Morgan-Giles Mike Morgan-Giles is the CEO of the Cannabis Industry Council. He is an experienced membership and third sector leader, having worked in various senior communications, public affairs, and marketing roles in two countries.About Jamie BartleyJamie Bartley is the CEO of the Unyte Group and sits on the executive of the Cannabis Industry Council, Chairing the Hemp subgroup. His main focus is scaling the impacts that Hemp and Medicinal Cannabis can have on improving human and planetary health.ResourcesConnect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemgCannabis Industry Council's Website: https://lnk.bio/ukcancouncilFollow Mike on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikemgiles Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-bartley-67ba4a1aUnyte Group's Website: https://unyte.co.uk/
How important are THC:CBD ratios?On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we're joined by Guillermo Moreno-Sanz, PhD of Khiron Life Sciences Corp - a global provider of cannabis-based medicines and healthcare services.We explore how THC and CBD work on the body individually, our current understanding on how they interact together, and discuss the recent findings of the King's College study on THC and CBD interaction.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Guillermo Moreno-Sanz, PhDGuillermo Moreno-Sanz, PhD has been dedicated to cannabinoid research for almost 20 years and has authored more than 30 scientific articles and 3 patents describing the role of the endocannabinoid system in pain perception. He received his degree in Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry from the University of Zaragoza, and his PhD in Neurosciences from the Complutense University of Madrid, Spain. He gained extensive international experience with long-term fellowships at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands and at the Department of Drug Discovery and Development at the Italian Institute of Technology in Genoa, Italy. Dr. Moreno-Sanz was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to complete his Ph.D. in the United States, spending most of his academic career at the University of California, Irvine. There he discovered and characterized a new class of cannabinoid analgesics that are currently in clinical development. In 2017, Dr. Moreno-Sanz served as a consultant to the U.S. National Academies of Sciences in the development of the report "The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids" and founded his own consulting firm, Abagune Research, to provide scientific advice and R&D solutions to leading companies in the cannabis industry internationally. In 2020, he joined Khiron Life Sciences Corp as scientific and medical director for Europe and, in 2021 he became the scientific director of the company. Khiron Life Sciences is a global provider of cannabis-based medicines and healthcare services through its network of Zerenia™ clinics, with a presence in Colombia, Peru, Brazil, UK, and Germany.ResourcesConnect with Guillermo Moreno-Sanz, PhD on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillermomorenosanzKhiron Med's Website: https://khironmed.co.uk/
How can we get the most out of the cannabis plant?On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we speak with Dr Gavin George, CEO of Puregene AG - a Swiss company specialising in genomics and predictive plant breeding.We explore the potential of cannabis to produce hundreds of different products, including the challenges that come with it. We also explore the process of plant breeding, how much scope the cannabis plant has to evolve, and some of the new technologies needed to maximise this potential.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Dr Gavin GeorgeDr. Gavin George is a Cofounder of Puregene AG and previously held the position of Director of Research and Intellectual Property, before being appointed to CEO.Dr. George was awarded a PhD in Plant Biotechnology in 2010 from the Institute for Plant Biotechnology at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.He subsequently worked for 7 years at the ETH Zurich as a Postdoctoral Researcher where he investigated the relationship between internal and external factors on plant growth.He has authored 14 peer reviewed publications and contributed to 3 books. His research was focused on the improvement of various crop species including sugarcane, tobacco, tomato, and potato as well as the creation of research devices for the detailed measurement of phenotypic traits.As the Director of Research and IP at Puregene, he ensured that the high-throughput analytical, phenotyping, biochemistry and sequencing technology platforms optimally support the breeding activities and global intellectual property pipelines of Puregene.As CEO he is focused on working with more international commercial partners and academic institutes for the development of new markets for cannabis and hemp genetics and the deployment of complete breeding programs.ResourcesConnect with Dr Gavin George on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/puregene-ag/Puregene AG's Website: www.puregene.comFollow Dr Gavin on Instagram: @puregeneag Follow Dr Gavin on Twitter: @puregene
What's wrong with the cannabis industry?Joining us again on the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation is Dr Ethan Russo, Founder of Credo Science - a novel medical science company.We discuss the prejudice and ignorance against Cannabis, as well as safety monitoring, legalisation and some of the challenges the industry is facing, including a lack of proper funded research in the area.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Ethan RussoEthan Russo, MD, is a board-certified neurologist, psychopharmacology researcher, and Founder/CEO of CReDO Science https://credo-science.com He is also Medical Director of Andira Pharmaceuticals Andira – Bringing Healing to Life and Senior Medical Advisor to Canurta Home | CanurtaPreviously he was Director of Research and Development for the International Cannabis and Cannabinoids Institute, 2017-19, Medical Director of PHYTECS, 2015-2017, and from 2003-2014, Senior Medical Advisor, medical monitor/study physician to GW Pharmaceuticals for numerous Phase I-III clinical trials of Sativex® and Epidiolex®.He was a clinical neurologist in Missoula, Montana for 20 years. He has held faculty appointments in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Montana, and in Medicine at the University of Washington. He is author/editor of seven books and has published more than 50 peer-reviewed articles.ResourcesJoin Dr. Russo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethan-russo-md-468b19a/View Dr. Russo's clinical research papers: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ethan_RussoCReDO Science Website: https://credo-science.com/
In this week's episode, we're joined by Mags Houston from Drug Science, Mary Biles (author of The CBD Book), Matt Hughes from MedCan Support, and Hannah Deacon from The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society to discuss the upcoming UK Patient Conference on 4th Nov in London. We discuss the importance of patient conferences to patients themselves, parents, and anyone interested in learning more about cannabis-based medicines.The upcoming conference will feature talks from some of the leading experts in the field, as well as opportunities to learn about patient experiences, the latest research, and developments. Whether you're new to the topic or have been following the medical cannabis debate for some time, this is a great opportunity to get involved and learn more. This promises to be a fascinating and informative event, so if you are a patient or interested in medical cannabis then make sure you register for free today for the livestream - unfortunately in-person tickets are all sold out!Date and time: Fri, 4 Nov 2022, 10:30 – 18:30 GMTTickets are available through this link: UK Patience ConferenceThe Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Our GuestsMags HoustonAs Head of Projects & Comms for Drug Science, Mags oversees the running of Drug Science's medical cannabis observational study, Project Twenty21. The study helps to raise awareness of medical cannabis, building more evidence by attracting more patients and prescribers to actively join the project, and educating the public about the growing evidence surrounding medical cannabis for treating a range of conditions. Matt HughesHaving campaigned for NHS access to prescription his son Charlie since 2019 and the knowledge he gained through experience, In collaboration with Hannah Deacon, Matt formed MedCan Support, having felt there was a gap in education for parents, carers and families. Building a central forum to educate and inform parents and carers so they can work with their doctors to make informed decisions on their loved ones care. To provide a safe space for parents and carers to ask questions about prescription cannabis and feel confident to advocate for their child or family members health care needs.Hannah DeaconMedical cannabis expert & campaigner Hannah Deacon is one of the most influential and high-profile female leaders in the UK's medical cannabis sector.With an international reputation for pioneering change, as a dedicated patient advocate, Hannah also works to overcome barriers to medical cannabis treatment in the UK, supporting better education for doctors so patients across the country get the access they need.Mary BilesMary Biles is the author of The CBD Book, a regular contributor to Project CBD and host of the podcast Cannabis Voices. She is a vocal advocate of greater access to medicinal cannabis for patients and fostering an industry where patients' needs are firmly held at the centre of companies' business models.
This week we're joined by Dr Dani Gordon, Founder and Medical Director of Resilience.Clinic - specialising in the treatment of complex multi-symptom conditions which affect mood, energy, mental function (brain fog), stress, pain, sleep, and digestion.Together, we explore some of the conditions medical cannabis can help with, the non-medical interventions that form part of a holistic health regime, and how medical cannabis can play a part in that.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/About Dr Dani GordonDr Dani Gordon MD is a double board certified integrative medicine physician and leading expert in integrative and cannabinoid medicine, and resilience. She has treated thousands of patients with medical cannabis, is vice chair of the UK Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society and is author of ‘The CBD Bible.' She is the founder and Medical Director of Resilience.Clinic, her UK medical practice and wellbeing platform with a focus on mental health, chronic fatigue and complex chronic disease. She is regularly interviewed for TV and the media and has been featured in the Sunday Times, The Guardian, BBC, Vogue and Marie Claire.ResourcesConnect with Dr Dani Gordon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdanigordon/Follow Dr Dani on Twitter: https://twitter.com/drdanigordonFollow Dr Dani on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdanigordon/Subscribe Dr Dani on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/DrDaniMDResilience Medicine Clinics' website: https://resiliencemedicine.clinic/
Joining us on the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation is Ben Arn, CEO of Cannatrade and CB Company - cannabis events companies based in Switzerland. Ben gives us a round-up of the latest Swiss cannabis industry news, and we also discuss the crucial role that events and conferences play, not only in driving the cannabis industry forwards, but expanding education and reducing stigma.
In our latest episode, we welcome Dr. Mikael Sodergren, Medical Cannabis Research Group Lead at Imperial College London and Managing Director at Sapphire Medical Clinics.We examine how clinical trials and real-world evidence can be used to prove the efficacy of cannabis-based medicines, as well as the challenges associated with applying traditional licensing and regulatory models to these novel medicines.
This week, we welcome Gary Roberts, firefighter, CEO of Promises Recovery, Inc. and Host of Good Dudes Grow Podcast.We examine PTSD and traumatic stress, along with the evidence of how cannabis can help in a therapeutic way. Gary also shares his personal journey through grief, which ultimately led him to found a non profit recovery centre for those in need.
This week, we're joined by Helene Servillon, Founding Partner at JourneyOne Ventures - woman and minority owned early stage cannabis fund.We explore some of the current cannabis investment themes in the USA, core sectors of the market where innovation is desperately needed, and how to approach cannabis investments in an ecosystem which is so fragmented.
This week we're joined by Dr. Dmitry Loktionov & Kate Tikhomirova, co-founders of Quanna - premium self-care and sexual wellness brand powered by CBD.We explore the emergence of the sexual wellness sector and the role CBD can play within it.
In this episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we're joined by Nikita Cretu & Ellen Jardim, from our lovely sponsors Lumino - Europe's leading cannabis recruitment agency.Together we explore the European cannabis jobs market, looking into its structure and sub sectors, the most in-demand jobs and skills, and advice for talent looking to enter the market.
We're joined by Maksym, Nazarii, and Bohdan from Freedom March, who are the organisers of the Cannabis Stands with Ukraine fundraising campaign - aiming to unite the world's cannabis community to support Ukrainians.We explore the current state of cannabis access in Ukraine, and what the campaign is doing in order to provide critical humanitarian assistance to the people in need.Donate now at https://cannabiswithukraine.org/
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we're joined by Phillip Glyn, Founder and Director at Vitality CBD - one of the UK's leading CBD brands.Together, we reflect on the state of the CBD market in the UK, the impact of the FSA's Novel Foods Regulations on the sale of CBD, as well as discussing the future of CBD retailing in the UK.
On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we're joined by Dr. Callie Seaman, Research Director and Formulation Chemist at AquaLabs - nutrient solution provider to the hobby and medical horticultural market, and UK licensed medical cannabis cultivation research facility. We investigate some of the biggest cannabis myths, including why cannabis should not be seen as a cure, why THC should not be demonised, and why we need to be more realistic about what cannabis can achieve.
This week, we're joined by Valentino Parravicini, Chief Scientific Officer at Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies - British pharmaceutical company developing a portfolio of next-generation prescription cannabinoid medicines.In this episode, we explore the potential use of cannabis-based medicines as a replacement for prescription opioids, their safety profile, and their use cases as analgesics.
This week, we're joined by Abhishek Mohan, Founder and CEO of Hempstreet - India's first research to retail venture in the Ayurvedic cannabis sector. We explore attitudes towards the medical use of cannabis within India, and how it currently fits into the framework of traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine.
In this episode, we're joined by Andrew Sears, Business Development Associate at Seedrs - Europe's biggest crowdfunding platform.We explore how equity crowdfunding fits into the wider cannabis investment landscape in the UK, and what Seedrs is doing to help UK cannabis startups grow.
This week, we're joined by Nikki Lawley - cannabis advocate, educator, and Founder of Nikki and The Plant.Nikki shares her personal story of discovering and using medical cannabis to aid her recovery from a traumatic brain injury, along with her current patient advocacy work.
This week, we're joined by Jaspreet Grewal, Mitchell Osak, & Steve Hajioff - three subject matter specialists within the psychedelics space.In this special panel episode, we explore the emergence (and re-emergence) of therapeutic psychedelics, including examining the substances which have gained early traction, the investment case for them, and the challenges and opportunities of this new sector.
In our latest episode, we're joined by Elana Goldberg, CEO of The Cannigma - online cannabis content publication with a focus on scientific research and evidence.We dig into the topic of cannabis misinformation, including what The Cannigma are doing to combat it, why a science-based educational approach to cannabis education is best, and the real difference between sativa and indica.
This week, we're joined by Katya Kowalski and Paul North from Volteface - the UK's leading drug policy think tank.We explore London's proposed drug diversion pilot scheme, along with the best practices for bringing about progressive drug policy reform in the UK.
This week, we welcome back Max Simon, CEO & Co-Founder of Green Flower - industry leading cannabis education platform empowering the next generation of cannabis professionals.We investigate the nuances that define 'craft' cannabis, how it is distinct from mass market flower, and why top quality cannabis products can be so hard to find in legal mass markets.
This week, we're joined by Oliver Lamb - co-founder of Óskare Capital. Together, we examine the UK's cannabis startup investment landscape, including available funds, fundraising opportunities, and investor incentives.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/
This week we're joined by previous guests Spiros Malandrakis & Shane MacGuill from Euromonitor International - the world's leading independent provider of strategic market research.We examine the impact of the emergence of the cannabis industry on the legacy tobacco, nicotine, and alcohol markets, and how the sector may continue to disrupt these established global markets in the future.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/
This week we're joined by Matt Lamers, International Editor at MJBiz - the leading industry news and data source for cannabis.We investigate hype vs. reality within the cannabis industry as a whole, the impact of historical over-investment into large Canadian licensed producers, and some of the reasons why expectations of growth have not been met.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/
This week is a special episode - our 150th! And we're honoured to be celebrating this milestone by welcoming back Dr. Raphael Mechoulam to the show - ‘The Godfather of Cannabis Research'.Together, we deep dive into Dr. Mechoulam's current work looking at cannabinoid acids - examining their role interacting with the endocannabinoid system, their manipulation into compounds, as well as discussing his latest research into endogenous cannabinoids.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/
This week we're excited to welcome Mags Houston and Dr. Anne Katrin Schlag from Drug Science - independent science led drugs charity based in London.Together, we explore how ProjectTwenty21 is progressing, some of the initial findings from the participating patient set, alongside digging into the true value of real-world data as a form of medical evidence opposed to randomised controlled trials.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/
In this week's episode we're joined by Dr. Tim Shu, US-based veterinarian and Founder of VETCBD - a cannabinoid therapeutics company focused on supporting the health and wellness of animals.We dig into the integration of cannabis and veterinary medicine, exploring the therapeutic potential and anecdotal evidence of cannabis use in pets and animals, alongside how this specific application fits into the wider framework of legalisation.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.
In our latest episode we welcome Chris Kelly and Eoin Keenan, Co-Founders of Goodrays - CBD beverage and wellness brand.We explore how ‘big tech' has traditionally not been friendly towards cannabis brand content on social media, alongside some of the recent actions by Amazon which point towards a potential relaxation of the rules by some.The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the European Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.
In our latest episode, we're joined by Antonio Costanzo - CEO of Curaleaf International. Curaleaf is a leading US multi-state operator, and Curaleaf International is Europe's largest vertically integrated cannabis company.We examine the developing demand for medical and recreational cannabis use across Europe, looking into the various referendums, pilot projects, and regulatory changes underpinning the liberalisation of cannabis across the continent.
In our latest episode, we're joined by Paul Steckler, Managing Director for Canopy Growth International. We discuss the challenges of fitting cannabis production into a traditional pharmaceutical medical framework, along with some of the biggest UK-centric, economic and market challenges associated with operating within this space.
In our latest episode, we're joined by Peter Sigetty - COO of Valcon Medical - Danish medical cannabis contract manufacturers of Pharmaceutical-Grade Cannabis Extracts.Within the context of the European medical cannabis supply and value chain, we explore the dynamics of vertical integration and how sector specialisation can help businesses navigate the complexities of the European market.
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