#008 - Pamela Epstein on Cannabis, Hemp, Beverages and More

What if your understanding of the cannabis industry could be transformed with a single podcast episode? Buckle up, because we're about to dissect the implications of the recent Health and Human Services' recommendation to reclassify cannabis from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3. We're thrilled to have Pamela Epstein, the CCIA board president and chief legal and regulatory officer for Terpene Belt Farms, shedding light on the potential benefits this could bring to the industry and challenging the present regulations around hemp and THC-A.Imagine a world where synthetic and semi-synthetic cannabinoids are the norm, completely revolutionizing the industry. We rummage through the complex regulations surrounding the cannabis plant, the potential of uniting the plant to free the plant, and the confusion spurred by the Farm Bill of 2018. Amidst the chaos, Pamela Epstein delves into the intriguing intricacies of hemp, THC-A, and Delta 9, and the potential deception faced by customers buying flower products with more THCA than Delta 9. We ponder the possible effects of THC inflation in the market, and the crucial role of consumers' education in ensuring properly regulated products.Ever wondered about the fairness of cannabis and hemp taxation and regulation? We're exposing the inequity of taxation between these two products, questioning how the current regulations actually discourage people from complying. As we touch upon the critical baseline set by Prop 64 and AB 195, we're stirring up a debate on how the federal government can create a fair taxation of a larger marketplace. Engage in our thought-provoking conversation, share your insights, and remember: stay curious, stay informed, and keep your spirits high!Have a question for us? Send us a text. We may answer it in the next show!--High Spirits is brought to you by Vertosa and Wolf Meyer.Your hosts are Ben Larson and AnnaRae Grabstein.Follow High Spirits on LinkedIn. We'd love to hear your thoughts. Who would you like to see on the show? What topics would you like to have us cover? Visit our website www.highspiritspod.com and listen to all of our past shows.THANK YOU to our audience. Your engagement encourages us to keep bringing you these thought-provoking conversations. Remember to always stay curious, stay informed, and most importantly, keep your spirits high.