High Fidelity

Hello! We are off this week to focus on adding cannabis to our product mix at Lucky You. Please enjoy this episode of The Nourished Nervous System podcast with host Kristen Timchak. Here she explores how to assess and improve your sleep hygiene through the lens of Ayurveda and the circadian sleep/wake cycle. Links: Lucky You Instagram Page HIgh Fidelity Newsletter Sign Up Link to Original Episode Notes and Resources Notes: 0:00 Lift off 2:02 Bridget's intro on incorporating earth medicines with lifestyle adjustments 4:19 Kristen's & Bridget's shared history at the Goldthread Farm to Pharmacy Program7:21 Normalizing sub quality sleep 9:42 Dr. Michael Bruce's four sleep chronotypes 12:36 Each Ayurvedic dosha's relationship to sleep 14:49 The circadian sleep/wake cycle 21:24 Small steps to reset your circadian rhythm 24:37 Ayurvedic sleep hygiene

Our second annual Holiday High Gift Guide, a curated list of items to gift the herbal enthusiast in your life….and maybe a little something for yourself, you deserve it. This year's picks are available on line and at our newly opened retail store, Lucky You. Happy Holidays from High Fidelity! Links: Lucky You Frankie SmokeLuneNoire Hemson Goods Baked in Vermont Pipe Company Luxury Meets Cannabis Conference Limoges Porcelain Viking Glass Brio Coffeeworks Notes: 0:00 Lift off 1:15 Lucky You now open 2:20 Frankie Smoke3:23 LuneNoire 4:33 Hemson Goods 5:09 Baked in Vermont Pipe Company 5:55 Vintage ashtrays at Lucky You 6:50 Modern apothecary and gourmet pantry highlights

The Plant Medicine Protocol is a comprehensive and easy-to-follow guide to integrating medicinal plants into your daily life. The key is Saturation + Consistency + Variety. Listen in as author, clinical herbalist, ethnobotanist and licensed acupuncturist William Siff explains how to unlock the power of plants to create optimal health and longevity. Links: Buy the book online Goldthread Plant Based Tonics Plantventure Project Peterson Field Guides David Crow Lonny Jarrett Notes: 0:00 Lift off 3:26 Get the Plant Medicine Protocal at 20% off 6:04 William's early obsession with medicinal plants 11:37 William's formal studies in medical anthropology and ethnobotany 12:59 Asian systems of medicine as effective frameworks for delivering plants into people 14:55 Goldthread Herbal Apothecary 17:10 The herbal apothecary as community public health institution 20:21 The Farm to Pharmacy Internship 25:50 The health care pyramid 33:39 Our connection to nature informs our health 35:16 Unrealistic expectations of what natural medicine can do39:06 Bridget's personal story with Lyme disease 43:31 The Plant Medicine Protocol 47:47 The drug model does not fit the plant medicine model 48:29 Plant saturation of our vital systems 53:48 Consuming plants as a way to get to know yourself1:00:34 Minestrone soup! William's selfcare routine

Show us the Data! Bridget reviews the latest licensing numbers and reflects on the wide discrepancy between actual sales and the market model forecast for year 1 of the Vermont Adult-use cannabis marketplace. Where’s the data to understand why? It doesn't exist. Three licensed growers share their stories on their first year of operation. Links: VTCCB List of Registered Cannabis Products ISO Certification for Analytical Labs Episode 27 With Cary Giguere Vermont Medical and Adult-use Market Analysis Model VT CCB October 2021 Report to Legislature Medical Program Study Committee Clover Hill Cannabis Island Pond Cannabis Co. Sunset Lake Cannabis Seven Days Article on Federal Hemp Regulations Notes: 0:00 Lift off 2:24 Latest licensing data 6:08 Latest product registration data 7:16 Licensed vs. utilized plant canopy data 9:05 Is supply meeting demand? 12:12 Inversion, we know it's happening, but how much? 14:13 Lack of transparency on market data 15:27 Actual vs projected sales 16:26 Medical program update 19:19 Michelle Shane of Clover Hill Cannabis 20:48 Thayer Gowdy of Island Pond Cannabis Co. 24:27 Sam Bellavance of Sunset Lake Cannabis

SAFER, Rescheduling, the Farm bill, OH MY! Bridget and Marc discuss the cannabis policy conversations happening at the federal level right now and how they could affect both businesses and consumers. Links: Marc Hauser Subscribe to Cannabis Musings Hauser Advisory SAFER Banking Act Reuters Article on Rescheduling The UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs NCIA White Paper on Tax Code 280E Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act 2018 Farm Bill loophole Show Notes: 0:00 Lift off 1:53 Marc’s Bio 6:46 Cannabis Musings, the newsletter 8:36 Hauser Advisory 9:43 SAFER Banking Act explained 14:21 Cannabis banking in Vermont20:47 The credit card problem 27:31 Rescheduling Cannabis 32:10 The UN Single Convention 34:10 280E Tax Code 41:20 De-scheduling vs. Rescheduling 45:10 FDA oversight of cannabis 49:22 Interstate commerce of THC 52:10 Farm Bill loophole 57:00 Marc’s selfcare routine

What does it actually mean to be "high" and how do we get to that sought after place? Bridget breaks it down with Verena von Pfetten and Dr. Alex Capano, the women behind Gossamer’s line up of fabulous cannabinoid products. From Dawn to Dusk they’ve got you covered and their insights are sure to delight. Disclaimer: The information provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance regarding your specific medical condition. Links: Gossamer Magazine Ananda Professional Verena von Pfetten Dr. Alex Capano Gossamer Co-Founder David Weiner Subscribe to High Fidelity Newsletter Subscribe to Gossamer Newsletter Claire Mazur Rose Los Angeles Sonoma Hills Farm Aaron KeeferShow Notes: 0:00 Lift off 2:01 What does it actually mean to be "high"? 5:18 Verena's background and the creation of Gossamer 11:00 Verena & Alex meet through Claire Mazur 13:08 Alex's background in comprehensive cannabinoid science 17:00 Dusk - Why the first product addressed sleep issues 19:03 CBD, CBN & THC - the sleep trio 23:14 Native ratios vs. formulated ratios 24:57 300mg vs 3000mg 28:04 The entourage effect 29:17 Finding your minimum effective dose 30:15 Gossamer's less is more approach 32:52 Knowing where to start with CBD 34:07 Consistency matters 40:33 The Dawn formula - energy for your day 42:02 Introduction to THCV 47:13 What to expect with sublingual oils 50:23 Happy Hour Pre-rolls - sungrown CBG flower55:35 Smoking herbs as a ritual 58:41 Mushroom walks - Verena's favorite selfcare routine 1:01 Alex's selfcare routine - pilates for strength and mobility

We are super busy preparing to open our retail store, so this week we are taking a little break and re-introducing you to Dan Pomerantz of Rebel Grown. Dan was our first guest on the show in Season 1 and our conversation continues to be one of our most downloaded episodes. We caught up with him recently to learn how things are going as he heads into his second outdoor harvest here in Vermont and where things stand with his social equity application. We’ll also give a sneak peek into our new retail experience coming soon to downtown Burlington. Links: Rebel GrownBrio Coffeeworks High TimesRebel Grown feature in Grow Magazine The Winter Breeding Project in Skunk Magazine Vermont Cannabis Control Board social equity definitions Jorge Cervantes California Proposition 215 California Proposition 64 Show Notes: 0:00 Lift off 1:33 Our retail store update 3:00 We're hiring! 3:46 Dan's media and advocacy cred 5:43 Update on Rebel's upcoming harvest and Dan's social equity status 11:29 Intro to Episode 7 revisted 12:57 "Legacy" defined 14:29 An early relationship to cannabis17:41 Dan's first trip to Vermont21:36 Dan moves to Humboldt County 24:21 The origins of the Emerald Triangle 29:00 The birth of Rebel Grown 35:05 The draw back to Vermont 38:11 Rebel Grown's Tier Five license in Vermont 40:38 Dan's take on the application process in Vermont 43:05 Dan denied social equity status in Vermont 46:32 Rebel Grown's first offerings in Vermont 48:56 Dan's love for sharing genetics 51:06 Dan's vision for Rebel Grown as a lifestyle brand 55:48 Cannabis as the "connector"

Local, seasonal and decadent AF; that's chef and alchemist Fiona Lucia Genadio-Allen, and it's also what you can expect from her tantalizing array of products at Wolfpeach. Tune in to learn how you can tastily add tonic herbs and superfoods to your everyday selfcare routine while supporting your neighboring farms and makers. Links: Wolfpeach Kori Gelinas, Medicine Womyn Healing & Apothecary Vermont Center for Integrative HerbalismZack Woods Herb Farm generation herb Perfect Circle Farm Hillside Botanicals Flag Hill Farm Ballymaloe Cookery School The Conduit Little Duck The Picklery First, Catch by Thom EagleCaiger & Co.Trenchers Farmhouse Urban MoonshineAdam's Berry Farm Burroughs Chocolate Show Notes: 0:00 Lift off 3:07 What "craft" means to Fiona 4:43 Wolfpeach, the marriage of Fiona's herbal and culinary experiences 6:12 Fiona's herbal education8:43 Fiona's culinary background 13:49 London as a food mecca 17:27 Wolfpeach takes shape at Vermont farmers markets 20:50 Sourdough pasta, labneh and jun 22:45 What's in a name? Wolfpeach explained 24:55 Food is political, consider the sources of your food 28:15 Oxymiels, the OG of tinctures 32:40 Herbal salts as a gateway to tonic herbalism 33:52 Electuaries, herb-fortified honeys 37:15 Farm shout-outs 39:35 Apple brandy tinctures 41:28 Raw Cacao as a medium for herbs42:50 Tonic herbs defined and identified 45:30 Fiona's personal plant allies 46:36 Singing the praises of micro-dosing psychedelic mushrooms 49:20 Fiona's relationship to cannabis 52:45 Fiona's current selfcare practices

The good, the bad and the ugly; Bridget and Dave walk us through the cannabis wins and losses at the Vermont Statehouse this year. What comes next in 2024 plus, why the road to progressive cannabis reform dead-ends at the Governor's office. Links: https://silbermanplc.com/about/ https://floravt.com Act No. 65 Summary CCB Proposed Changes to Rule 2 CCB Guidance on Convention Displays and Event Sponsorships & Tabling Show Notes: 0:00 Lift off  1:10 Important updates on proposed changes to Rule 2.2.4 5:33 Key legislators in support of cannabis businesses8:51 Propagation license created11:09 The "Charlotte provision", or the CCB's ability to override municipal control 12:43 Total THC content in edibles packages increased to 100mg 14:53 Commerce between different types of licenses expanded15:37 Medical cannabis program improvements21:49 Removal of DLL oversite of paraphernalia in cannabis retail 22:35 Vape tax removed on cannabis products23:34 What didn't pass and why, Governor Scott's stance on cannabis29:16 Projections for 2024 legislative session32:17 Proposed changes to Rule 2.2.4, product restrictions based on shelf stability 35:38 Why the VT Dept. of Health needs to regulate cannabis kitchens and retailers 38:10 Proposed ban on cannabis products formulated with herbal supplements41:58 Dave's thoughts on SAFE Banking and Federal rescheduling of cannabis45:04 California market as a bellwether for the state of industry? 47:54 Inversion & diversion concerns in Vermont 52:25 Economies of scale and pricing in the Vermont market 55:53 Vermont's protectionist perspective

Turns out it is screen time. Cary has been on the computer a lot this year as the CCB develops its own database for inventory tracking. He admits to “building the ship as we’re flying it” and speaks to the challenges of operating a system that went live without a teaching component in place, for staff or licensed operators. And what’s that about analyzing terpene profiles to establish terroir as a potential compliance data point? We’re listening.... Links: VT CCB Cultivator Inventory Tracking Training Recording VT CCB Emergency Rule on Synthetic and Hemp-Derived Cannabinoids Proposed Changes to Rule 2, the Regulation of Cannabis EstablishmentsNCS AnalyticsEurofins Show Notes: 0:00 Lift off 1:12 Intro5:22 Compliance assistance is a key component of the job 6:35 Compliance agents have geographic territories 7:14 Different types of compliance inspections 9:54 Is VT CCB's  current staffing sufficient? 12:05 Licensees are biggest asset in keeping other licensees in check 13:26 Trends in violations 14:48 Easing advertising restrictions would free up time for compliance team 15:30 Status of inventory tracking system 18:00 NCS Analytics consulting agreement 19:00 Daily sales data to be available soon 21:10 Inversion  & diversion in VT 24:25 Terpene profiles and terroir, a future compliance data point? 29:08 VT's emergency hemp rule explained 35:45 FDA pulling the rug out from under CBD market? 36:50 Proposed changes to Rule 2.2.4 explained 38:00 The need for DOH regulation of cannabis kitchens 40:00 CCB closing loophole for hydrocarbon extraction at home 43:20 The proposed ban on cannabis products containing nutitional supplements 47:05 What keeps Cary up at night? 48:00 Cary's plan for selfcare this summer

Bridget gets down and dirty on the benefits of green cleaning and sanitizing solutions with Anselm Doering of Ecologic Solutions. Anselm is a clean tech pioneer and respected leader in sustainability. In 2020 he was recognized as one of “70 Environmental Leaders You Should Know” next to Jane Goodall and Yvon Chouinard of Patagonia. He is now turning his attention to the cannabis industry, helping growers and manufacturers alike, address our industry's common pathogens. This episode is for all of you operators out there that want to be clean and green. Links: EcoLogic Solutions Plant Envi Medicinal Genomics CannMed 2023 Pub Med Article: The Use of ECAS in Plant Protection Show Notes: 0:00 Lift off 1:11 Welcome to Season 3 of the podcast 2:29 Introduction to Anselm and EcoLogic Solutions 5:15 Anselm's "Why" 9:36 The importance of having a "clean captain" 11:21 Absence of cannabis industry standards for cleaning and sanitizing 12:23 Anselm's focus on food and farming 13:28 ECA Technology defined 17:22 Applications of "Hypo" or hypochlorous acid 22:33 Environmental benefits of onsite ECA technology 24:20 Plant Envi, plant care from seed to harvest 28:28 Cannabis Industry applications of ECA technology 30:05 Hypo fog for pathogen prevention 31:00 Hop latent viroid 34:17 Call for early adopters of ECA technology 35:49 Improving crop value 40:29 Nature & nurture, Anselm's morning selfcare routine

Project CBD has a brand new website thanks to a partnership with Blue Dream, the in-house creative agency at Ganjapreneur. Martin shares Project CBD's activist roots and  discusses their current topics of interest.Show Notes: 0:00 Lift off 1:20 Last episode in Season 2 2:05 Martin Lee's Bio5:00 High Fidelity gratitude for Project CBD 6:00 Inspiration at ICRS7:00 CBD shows up in lab results in CA8:00 Project CBD introduces CBD clones into medical cannabis market in CA10:47 CBD genetics in Colorado14:00 Vermont medical community's acceptance of CBD16:00 Project CBD is the "software" to the CBD clone "hardware"18:00 Blue Dream + Project CBD20:40 CBD and psychedelics22:00 Social dimensions of healing23:00 Regenerative agriculture26:00 Hemp-derived/synthetic cannabinoids29:00 Type 2 cultivars32:00 Efficacy of different types of concentrates34:00 Cannabis and AI37:56 Martin's perspective on "craft cannabis"41:25 Interstate cannabis commerceLinks:Subscribe to High Fidelity Newsletter  Project CBD International Cannabinoid Research Society O'Shaughnessy's Ganjapreneur Blue Dream

Our first episode exploring coffee and cannabis; two of our favorite plants. Bridget discusses our partnership with Brio Coffeeworks to combine the two in our upcoming retail experience and chats with Brio’s own Andrew Shelley about his 2nd place finish at this year’s U.S. Cup Tasters Championship. This ain’t your average cup of joe!Links: Brio Coffeeworks Specialty Coffee Expo 2023 USCTC Rankings The Coffee Taster's Flavor Wheel Show Notes: 0:00 Lift off1:29 Why we are talking about coffee on this podcast 2:40 Brio Coffeeworks partnership 4:10 Explanation of Cup Tasters competition 7:00 The path to the championship round 11:00 The Championship at the 2023 Specialty Coffee Expo 11:45 Palate fatigue 14:08 Lucky tasting spoon 15:18 To spit or to swallow 17:23 Progressing through the 8 coffee triangulations 22:18 How the coffees are prepared 25:36 The importance of temperature 28:09 Aroma, acidity, body and flavor 30:55 Slurping 34:47 The diverse chemical profiles of coffee and cannabis 35:25 The Coffee Taster's Flavor Wheel 37:36 Aroma and memory 40:03 Flavor and roasting 41:27 Regional flavor 42:36 Cannabis is more than THC and coffee is more than caffeine 46:00 "The best coffee is the coffee you like to drink"

With a little help from ChatGPT, we review cannabis product categories. Bridget gives quick updates from this week’s VT CCB meeting and three Vermont retailers report on their 4/20 experience.Links: CCB Emergency Rule on Synthetic & Hemp-Derived Cannabinoids OpenAI Co-Created: The Artist in the Age of Intelligent Machines Vermont Goodfire Cannabis Silver Therapeutics The Tea House Headset's 4/20/23 Sales Map Show Notes: 0:00 Lift off 1:16 Key Updates from 4/24/23 CCB Meeting 3:48 ChatGPT overview of cannabis categories of consumption 6:47 ChatGPT's tips on how to use cannabis products most effectively 9:44 Utilizing AI to repurpose content 9:56 Creative AI exhibition at the Burlington Center for the Arts 10:17 Why artist participation is important in the development of AI 11:14 4/20 retail roundup in VT 11:27 Ben from Vermont Goodfire Cannabis 13:12 Brendan from Silver Therapeutics 14:24 Dylan from The Tea House

Bridget and JB review the challenges that cannabis companies face when it comes to advertising. JB offers creative solutions including sponsorships, co-op advertising and hyperlocal, digital marketing. Links: WeedStreetNOW JB's LinkedIn Profile All Cannabis Advertising is Local article by JB Sugar How to Construct a Dispensary Marketing Budget article by JB Sugar VT CCB Advertising Guidance Public Comment Portal for VT CCB Proposed Rule Changes Show Notes: 0:00 Lift off 1:20 Overview of cannabis advertising challenges 3:19 JB Sugar introduces himself 6:30 Meta and Google restrictions 7:00 Register on Bing 11:00 VT's advertising regulations 13:55 VT CCB's proposed rule changes 15:45 Identifying your audience 18:10 Proving audience is 85% 21+ 19:30 How programmatic advertising works 24:30 What conversion looks like 26:35 Determining marketing budget 27:45 Co-op advertising 30:55 Event sponsorships 31:40 OTT (Over the top television) 33:15 Do VT rules apply when advertising on digital platforms based outside of VT? 35:06 Search engine optimization 38:56 Cannabis advertising is "lower funnel" 41:40 Establishing VT "craft cannabis" 43:10 Creating a thriving industry requires robust advertising 44:45 JB's 420 plans 45:15 The 3 Hippie Holidays

Our top 5 Pro Tips on how to assess potency when it comes to cannabis flower. Tune in to gain a better understanding of cannabis cultivars and how to make informed decisions about the ones that may work best for you. Links: Project CBD article on the Endocannabinoid System NORML article on Minor Cannabinoids The Terpiodic Table™ by Eybna Show Notes: 0:00 Lift off2:00 Pro Tip # 1 Your Unique Endocannabinoid Sytem 4:00 Pro Tip #2 Do Cultivar Names Matter? 6:00 Pro Tip #3 Total Cannabinoid Content 8:43 Pro Tip #4 Terpenes! 11:37 Pro Tip #5 Set & Setting

A quick update on the Vermont market including a look at the latest data from the CCB. We also hear from a few Vermont licensed producers on what “craft” means to them. Links:https://ccb.vermont.gov/licenses https://www.motherflower.co https://ceresvt.com https://rebelgrown.com https://www.gloriousflorious.co Show Notes: 0:00 Lift off 1:23 Latest town votes to opt-in to retail sales 2:26 CCB receives funding for an internal lab2:52 Dry weight becomes the standard for potency reporting 4:23 Cultivator gets fined $20K for diverting product to unlicensed store in NYC 5:21 CCB's latest licensing numbers 5:57 Workforce survey pilot project announced 6:43 Latest product registration data 7:42 Update on advertising 8:46 Patient registrations in decline 10:05 What does it mean to be "craft"?,11:14 Jessica Sipe of Motherflower13:27 Amy Bacon of Ceres Collaborative 14:11 Dan Pomerantz of Rebel Grown 17:26 Emilie Paquette of Florious

From farm-to-table, to farm-to-bong; one farmer's journey from mesclun to marijuana, one back door at a time. Links:UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology Berkshire Eagle Article on First Outdoor Flower Hitting Stores MASS LIVE Story on Outdoor Cultivation Approval Arrow Cultivate on Instagram Old Dirt Road by John Lennon Haven Café & Bakery Theory Wellness Show Notes: 0:00 And so it begins2:18 Bridget's Introduction to Ted in the Berkshires8:20 Ted's history in organic farming 11:15 Building a farm to table business 13:24 Selling cannabis to chefs 15:16 Ted's original cannabis genetics 18:02 A taste of place 19:43 A close call with law enforcement 21:37 Cannabis activism through community conversation 24:50 Ted's entrance into the MA regulated market 33:17 Partnership with Theory Wellness 36:46 Arrow Cultivate's path to market in 2023 42:18 Selling sungrown in an indoor-dominant market 47:00 What makes cannabis special in your life? 49:30 Cycling for sanity

Feminism is more than just women's rights and cannabis is much more than THC. Tune in to learn how the two are connected.  Links: Spoonful Herbals Community Herbal Apprenticeship Program Audre Lourde Bio bell hooks Bio The Politics of Witchcraft Studies Witches, Witch-Hunting, and Women by S. Federici Metta Earth Center for Contemplative Ecology Notes: 0:00 Lift off1:21 Data on women in cannabis industry 3:52 Katherine's professional background 5:20 Katherine introduces herself 8:14 Burning Times Trauma 13:00 Feminism in the workplace 17:00 High THC products21:30 Consumer orientation to certainty 22:30 Yin & Yang & Cannabis 28:00 Direct connection with the plant 30:27 Bioregional herbalism32:11 Evolving a feminist marketplace 36:27 Wellness sovereignty39:39 "How to Violate A Woman", a poem by Katherine Elmer

Bridget and Dave discuss some of the policies that have shaped the Vermont cannabis industry thus far and highlight the key elements of bills currently winding their way through the State House ahead of the crossover deadline. Links:https://silbermanplc.com/about/ https://floravt.com https://legislature.vermont.gov/ https://decrimvermont.org/the-coalitionShow Notes: 0:00 - Cursing is allowed 1:20 - Update on Cannabis Banking in VT 3:45 - Dave's background 5:42 - Great piece of advice in VT politics 9:10 - Difference between a lobbyist and an advocate 10:45 - Dave's top 3 initiatives leading up to legalization 13:00 - Automatic expungement EOY 202319:39 - The illicit market entering the legal market 20:55 - Three cannabis bills currently at State House 21:40 - Lifting potency cap on edibles packages 22:55 - Nursery license24:27 - Removing the DLL's involvement with cannabis paraphernalia 27:00 - The "vape tax" 29:00 Lifting the potency limit on solid concentrates 32:45 - Positive changes in political environment since 2018 36:52 - Should medical patients be able to shop tax free at adult use stores? 39:32 - Dave's perspective of the market launch as a licensed retailer 43:00 - Dave's selfcare practice

Meet Callie Chapman and Holly Heimsath of Onward Analytical, two “badass bitches” grounded in science and pushing societal norms. Listen in to learn why lab testing is essential for compliance, product safety and product development. Links: Steep Hill Vermont Rebelliously Compliant Event RegistrationShow Notes: 0:00 Let's get it started1:17 Steep Hill Inc. update2:53 Callie's background in product development6:07 Holly's background in lab management9:14 Is it a professional risk to work in cannabis? 10:45 The original business relationship with Steep Hill Inc.14:17 Announcement of termination agreement with Steep Hill Inc.17:23 Overview of method development & validation22:20 ISO Certification24:10 State of collaboration between licensed labs28:06 The role that a CCB lab will play30:22 Creating a competitve advantage in a lab environment33:27 The lab as a partner in product development39:03 Current study with cultivators41:20 Preparing for federal legalization44:18 "Taking a floor" 

In Part 2 in our 3 Part series on ensuring product safety, Bridget and Cary discuss the CCB's recent Consumer Protection Warning, his compliance team’s near term priorities, and the benefits of an analytical lab under the direction of the Cannabis Control Board. Show notes: 1:25 -VT Cannabis licensing update2:18 - Employee to business license ratio, 2:54 - VT Cannabis workforce demographics3:46 - CCB Enforcement actions, 5:07 - Updates on recent Consumer Protection Warning8:27 - Residual pesticides on clones, 9:18 - pesticides in the environment11:28 - Legality of out of state clones12:38 - Importance of Nursery License14:40 - Product registration process17:54 - How CCB was set up in statute21:43 - State agencies that collaborate with CCB27:10 - Importance of CCB directed analytical lab34:20 - Compliance team's current priorities37:25 - Overview of 4 categories of Compliance39:30 Comfort for new consumers

Cosmic Vagina is a product and a state of mind. Listen in to this open conversation between three women, all mothers to daughters, exploring what it means to take care of ourselves and each other.Links: https://three-buds.comhttps://www.ilovemymuff.comhttps://thegreenclosetvt.comShow Notes:2:49 - Origin story of Three Buds Apothecary7:30 - Creativity being your craft9:07 - Reducing stigma related to women’s sexual pleasure and health11:29 - How to shed tree when you get undressed13:30 - Seed to soil to oil16:22 - Essential oil synergies19:00 - SOS Skin Serum20:45 - Women embracing their age24:40 - Eat bonbons, have sex and take baths27:45 - Bathing as an important part of selfcare29:00 - Integrating the benefits of selfcare32:15 - I Love My Muff34:32 - What it means to consume a candle39:35 - Candle care

On February 2nd, the Vermont Cannabis Control Board issued its first Consumer Protection Warning and product recall. The CCB has since made an urgent request of the state legislature for a $1M budget increase to expand their testing capabilities. Bridget discusses the issues at hand and what consumers can do to educate themselves about the products in the marketplace.Links:Vermont Cannabis Control Board Consumer Protection WarningVermont Cannabis Control Board Complaint PortalNorthern New England Poison Control CenterRebelliously Compliant Speaker Series at Steep Hill Vermont

In this episode we share our discussion with Emma Merritt, Director of Product Development for Kria Botanicals. Before joining the team at Kria, Emma was a staff herbalist and product formulator at Railyard Apothecary, a worker-owned, herbal co-operative based in Burlington, VT. Bridget and Emma discuss Kria’s position in the industry as a contract manufacturer for both CBD & THC brands and how Emma’s background as an herbalist, informs her work. Links: https://kriabotanicals.com/https://www.railyardapothecary.com/https://vtherbcenter.org/https://thrive.kaiserpermanente.org/thrive-together/live-well/forest-bathing-tryShow Notes:2:08 Emma’s philosophical approach to herbalism6:44 Hemp being welcomed into the complete herbal apothecary9:29 Emma’s introduction to Kria12:22 Tinctures vs sublingual oils15:37 Overview of Kria’s contract services17:09 Overview of extracts that can be used in product formulation 21:20 Potential benefits of live rosin26:16 Creating different cannabinoid ratios in an infused product28:40 Formulating with acidic cannabinoids32:55 Contract services that are currently in demand 36:00 Providing differentiation in a crowded gummie market38:16 Botanicals that work well in cannabis formulation 40:58 Kria’s focus in 202342:27 Examples from Emma’s selfcare routine

In this episode we share our conversation with Sam Bellavance, the Founder and Executive Director of Sunset Lake CBD and Sunset Lake Cannabis. Sam is a lifelong farmer and resident of Vermont. He began growing industrial hemp back in 2018 as a way to diversify crops on his family’s dairy farm. The following year, he pivoted to growing hemp as a CBD crop and Sunset Lake CBD was born. Last year he and his team expanded operations into the cannabis market as a Tier 4 outdoor cultivation license. Bridget and Sam discussed how Sunset Lake’s commitment to the triple bottom line has been a critical factor in their success so far. They touch upon the lessons Sunset Lake has learned in the hemp industry and how mission-driven work and climate resiliency are top of mind as they plan and invest in the future.Links:https://sunsetlakecbd.comhttps://www.sunsetlakecannabis.comhttps://www.uvm.edu/extensionhttps://vbsr.orgShow Notes:2:23 Sunset Lake CBD origin story5:41 Partnership with UVM Extension8:38 Doubling down on CBD12:45 Upcoming changes to the hemp program in Vermont18:43 Market data to illustrate overall impact of hemp/cannabis industries in VT21:26 Knowledge transfer from CBD to THC markets24:38 Cross-pollination concerns26:35 Choosing suitable genetics for growing outdoors in VT28:17 Commitment to triple bottom line32:18 Investing in climate resiliency

In this episode we take a quick look back at the key cannabis stories in 2022, both here at home in Vermont and in the industry at large. Bridget checks in with Callie Chapman, Lab Director and Founding Partner of Steep Hill Vermont, for a report on what they learned in 2022 and how they are investing in 2023 to spur growth and support the emerging market. Listen in to gain insights on how recent history will shape the landscape moving forward, for consumers, businesses and policymakers alike.

Bridget speaks with Cary Giguere, the Compliance Director of the Vermont Cannabis Control Board. This interview is the first in a series with Director Giguere, that covers how the CCB ensures compliance with the laws, rules and regulations governing both the adult-use marketplace and the medical cannabis program here in Vermont. In this episode Bridget and Cary focus specifically on the lab testing requirements that have been put in place to ensure product safety. They also discuss how the compliance team audits the flow of products in the supply chain to confirm that licensed producers, retailers and analytical labs are meeting these requirements. Resources discussed in this episode: Adult-Use Program Complaint Formhttps://ccb.vermont.gov/AUcomplaints

Bridget speaks with her first herbal teacher and continual mentor about how to approach plant-based medicine in order to create and maintain a beneficial relationship with cannabis. Jennifer Costa has nearly 30 years of experience as a trained herbalist. She is also a registered nurse with 15 years of service in hospital settings and a certified Cannabis Nurse through The Medical Cannabis Institute, a program approved by the NYS Department of Health. Bridget and Jen share some of their personal and professional stories with earth medicines in general and cannabis specifically. They hone in on the importance of gradually building a home apothecary to support one's health and wellness goals. Resources discussed in this episode:Jennifer Costa: The Eldermoon School of Herbs and Earth MedicinePam Montgomery: Wake Up to NatureRailyard Apothecary in Burlington, VTSpoonful Herbals in Burlington, VT

This week Dan Pomerantz of Rebel Grown shares with Bridget his history in both the legacy and licensed cannabis markets; a circuitous path from his home state of Massachusetts to Vermont, California and back to Vermont, the state he now calls home. This is a personal story as much as it is a professional one. It highlights some of the tough choices that individuals face in the legacy market when they make the decision to break the law. Rebel Grown is now up and running in Vermont as a Tier 5 licensed Mixed Cultivator. Dan discusses the products he has to offer the market now and his ambitious plans for the future. He also provides a quick update on The Emerald Cup Harvest Ball in Santa Rosa, CA which took place on December 10-11, 2022.

Now that adult use cannabis has taken center stage in Vermont, it is important to be aware that there is also a medical cannabis program that serves registered patients here in the Green Mountain State. Lindsey Wells, the Medical Cannabis Program Administrator provides information on how Vermonters can register with the program and reviews key updates that were made this year to improve access. Bridget enumerates our top seven reasons why Vermonters should consider joining the program if they have a qualifying condition. In the market updates, we review some of the wins in cannabis reform from the midterm elections and Bridget gives a High Five to Pennsylvania’s Lieutenant Governor and now Senator-Elect, John Fetterman, a long-time cannabis advocate.

Having trouble tracking down the perfect gift for the flower enthusiast in your life? This special edition Holiday Gift Guide is for you! We have curated a list of items from some our favorite makers that will delight the modern smoker. Bonus! All of them are women-owned and three of them are based in Vermont. Happy Holidays from High Fidelity!

 High Fidelity goes to Vegas for MJBizCon 2022 and reports back on the topics of conversation and the action on the exhibitor floor. Michael Sims from Flora Cannabis in Middlebury, Vermont checks in to relay how things are going  at their retail store in the first two months of operation. Bridget provides some market and legislative updates for cannabis and psychedelics and gives a High Five to Nancy Whiteman of Wana Brands for her foundation’s recent donation to John Hopkins University. 

 The third and final episode in our three part series on how to navigate Vermont’s emerging cannabis marketplace. Episode 3 focuses on preparing for a positive cannabis experience; what you can do prior to consuming cannabis to set the stage for an enjoyable, targeted outcome. We also offer 5 Pro-Tips on how to possibly ease an uncomfortable high should it arise. A High 5 goes out to Charlotte’s Web™ for their deal with Major League Baseball and we share some quick hits on the licensing process in Vermont. 

The second in a three-part series on how to navigate Vermont's new cannabis marketplace. Episode 2 focuses on quality and which questions you can ask budtenders in order to make informed decisions about your purchases. A High 5 goes out to President Joe Biden for his federal pardons on simple cannabis possession and Bridget checks in with John Sikes, Director of Retail Sales at Ceres Collaborative, to learn how the first week of retail sales unfolded at their store in downtown Burlington.

The first in a three-part series on how to navigate Vermont's new cannabis marketplace. Episode 1 explores our top 7 things you need to know to purchase and consume cannabis in Vermont.

Show launches November 1st, 2022.