PODCAST · government
Policy, Decoded
by The Homegrown Consulting Group
Policy, Decoded is a weekly podcast on cannabis and hemp policy for the people who have to act on a rule before it takes effect.Every Sunday, one argument given the room it needs, with a position at the end. The written briefing runs every weekday morning, and this is the piece that steps back from it.Written by Shawn Collins, inaugural Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission from 2017 to 2023, who built the state's cannabis program from nothing and ran it for six years.Read the written edition and the Deadlines, Decoded effective-date tracker athttps://policy.homegrown-group.com/Episodes are AI-assisted and reviewed before publication.
Episodes
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What If Bourbon Couldn't Leave Kentucky? (September 20, 2026)
An eighth of cannabis costs $15 in Washington and $52 in Kentucky, where every buyer is a patient. A bottle of bourbon costs about the same in all fifty states. We run the experiment the other way and ask what happens if bourbon can't cross a state line, then follow four states that never traded…
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Who Is Watching the Dispensary Parking Lot? (August 16, 2026)
🎙️ Powered by THC Group, Policy, Decoded steps back from the churn to unpack one policy story shaping cannabis, hemp, alcohol, and regulated markets. This week: on the drive to a dispensary you pass plate readers at the pharmacy, the bank, and the hardware store, and the only one any government...
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The Power of Presence (August 9, 2026)
🎙️ Powered by THC Group, Policy, Decoded steps back from the churn to unpack one policy story shaping cannabis, hemp, alcohol, and regulated markets. This week: the Senate tabled the hemp amendment at two in the morning, an entire market got a crash course in civics on the way out, and fire…
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The Government Rests (July 19, 2026)
🎙️ Powered by THC Group, Policy, Decoded steps back from the churn to unpack one policy story shaping cannabis, hemp, alcohol, and regulated markets. This week: the DEA's rescheduling hearing is over, the evidence is in, and the file it produced will matter longer than the headlines about it.…
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The Government Takes The Stand (June 28, 2026)
🎙️ Powered by THC Group, Policy, Decoded steps back from the churn to unpack one policy story shaping cannabis, hemp, alcohol, and regulated markets. This week: after fifty years of calling cannabis dangerous and useless, the federal government has to stand up in a courtroom and argue the...
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To The Class of Schedule III (May 31, 2026)
🎙️ Powered by THC Group, Policy, Decoded steps back from the churn to unpack one policy story shaping cannabis, hemp, alcohol, and regulated markets. This week: the cannabis industry just graduated to Schedule III, and the commencement address it is not going to get anywhere else. Every spring a...
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Vote No On Weed? (May 17, 2026)
🎙️ Powered by THC Group, Policy, Decoded steps back from the churn to unpack one policy story shaping cannabis, hemp, alcohol, and regulated markets. This week: the campaign to repeal cannabis legalization in Massachusetts, and how the argument against legal weed quietly changed. Six kids went…
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We Regulate Cannabis Like It Is Uranium (May 10, 2026)
🎙️ Powered by THC Group, Policy, Decoded is the Sunday briefing that steps back from the churn and unpacks one consequential policy story shaping cannabis, hemp, alcohol, and regulated markets. This week, we sit with a complaint a former cannabis commissioner used to make: we regulate cannabis...
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A Coalition Without A Caucus (May 3, 2026)
🎙️ Powered by THC Group, Policy, Decoded steps back from the churn to unpack one policy story shaping cannabis, hemp, alcohol, and regulated markets. This week, we sit with the institutional paradox at the center of federal cannabis policy. In the most polarized era in modern American history,...
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Episode 34: Schedule III, Mostly
🎙️ Powered by THC Group, Policy, Decoded is the Sunday briefing that steps back from the churn and unpacks one consequential policy story shaping cannabis, hemp, alcohol, and regulated markets. This week, we look at federal cannabis rescheduling, and where the United States actually sits in a...
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Episode 33: A Grown-Up Holiday For A Half-Grown Industry
🎙️ Powered by THC Group, Policy, Decoded is the Sunday briefing that steps back from the churn and unpacks one consequential policy story shaping cannabis, hemp, alcohol, and regulated markets. This week, we look at what 4/20 has become in 2026, and what the holiday reveals about an industry…
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Episode 32: Rescheduling Is Not The Hard Part
🎙️ Powered by THC Group, Policy, Decoded is the Sunday briefing that steps back from the churn and unpacks one consequential policy story shaping cannabis, hemp, alcohol, and regulated markets. This week, we examine what coherent federal cannabis policy would actually require, and why…
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Episode 31: Certificate of Analysis
🎙️ Powered by THC Group, Policy, Decoded is the Sunday briefing that steps back from the churn and unpacks one consequential policy story shaping cannabis, hemp, alcohol, and regulated markets. This week, we examine the structural failure underneath the legal cannabis market's most important...
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Episode 30: Cannabis Is Finally Failing Like a Real Industry
🎙️ Powered by THC Group, Policy, Decoded is the Sunday briefing that steps back from the churn and unpacks one consequential policy story shaping cannabis, hemp, alcohol, and regulated markets. This week, we examine a shift the industry can no longer ignore. Cannabis is starting to fail like a...
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Episode 29: The Wrong Enemy
🎙️ Powered by THC Group, Policy, Decoded is the Sunday briefing that steps back from the churn and unpacks one consequential policy story shaping cannabis, hemp, alcohol, and regulated markets. This week, we examine the fight most of the cannabis industry is still misreading. Inside licensed...
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Episode 28: The Category War Coming For Cannabis
🎙️ Powered by THC Group, Policy, Decoded is the Sunday briefing that steps back from the churn and unpacks one consequential policy story shaping cannabis, hemp, alcohol, and regulated markets. This week, we examine the category war coming for cannabis. Legalization built a system around a...
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Episode 27: The Loophole Was Federal. The Work Was State.
🎙️ Powered by THC Group, Policy, Decoded is the Sunday briefing that steps back from the churn and unpacks one consequential policy story shaping cannabis, hemp, alcohol, and regulated markets. This week, we confront the uncomfortable truth behind intoxicating hemp. Congress drew the line in the...
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Episode 26: The Repeal Playbook
🎙️ Powered by THC Group, Policy, Decoded is the Sunday briefing that steps back from the churn and unpacks one consequential policy story shaping cannabis, hemp, alcohol, and regulated markets. This week, we break down the repeal playbook now showing up in states like Massachusetts, Maine, and...
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Episode 25: The Editorial the New York Times Should Have Run
🎙️ Powered by THC Group, Policy, Decoded is the Sunday briefing that steps back from the churn and unpacks one consequential policy story shaping cannabis, hemp, alcohol, and regulated markets. This episode takes on the New York Times editorial board's reassessment of marijuana legalization. We...
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Episode 24: America’s Two Cannabis Markets
🎙️ Powered by THC Group, this episode takes on the question we keep getting: how is hemp THC legal, and what makes it different from marijuana sold in dispensaries. We walk through how one plant ended up split by two legal systems, why dispensaries were built as closed, auditable markets, and…
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Episode 23: Putting Hemp on Ice: The Fight Over America’s Next Social Drink
🎙️ Powered by THC Group, this episode examines how hemp-derived THC drinks quietly rewrote the rules of American social life. We trace how a generation that values wellness, clarity, and connection began trading hangovers for balance, and how a billion-dollar market emerged before Congress...
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Episode 22: The Shutdown Ritual: How America Learned to Stop Governing and Embrace the Crisis
🎙️ Powered by THC Group, this episode asks what a government shutdown really means beyond the headlines. We trace the origins back to a 1980 legal opinion that transformed missed deadlines into full stop crises, then explain how twelve appropriations bills tied to defense, health…
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Episode 21: Labor Day’s Rulebook for the Future
🎙️ Powered by THC Group, this episode asks whether Labor Day is just a three-day weekend or a rulebook for the future of work. We trace the holiday back to its 1882 origins—homemade floats, brass bands, and workers demanding dignity—and argue those lessons still explain today’s battles over AI,...
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Episode 20: AI Is Forcing Us to Rethink Education, And It's About Time
🎙️ Powered by THC Group, this episode tackles David Brooks' explosive NYT piece asking "Are We Really Willing to Become Dumber?" We examine whether AI in education is a cognitive threat or the catalyst for long-overdue reform of America's $1.81 trillion student debt crisis. From MIT studies...
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Episode 19: The Beautiful Baby and the Faustian Bargain: Unpacking Trump's AI Action Plan
🎙️ Powered by THC Group, this episode dives into Trump’s July 2025 AI Action Plan, launched just days ago. We unpack how AI could boost American innovation and global leadership - scanning regulations, powering infrastructure - while tackling risks like deregulation and environmental trade-offs....
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Episode 18: Regulating Smarter: How AI Can Transform Cannabis Oversight
In this episode of Insiders Uncovered: Beyond the Headlines, powered by THC Group, we explore how artificial intelligence could reshape cannabis regulation in America. As agencies work to oversee a young, fast-moving industry with tight budgets and growing demands, AI offers tools that can scan...
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Episode 17: Innovation, Interrupted: How Congress Gave AI a Decade Without Rules
In this episode of Insiders Uncovered: Beyond the Headlines, powered by THC Group, we dig into how a little-known clause in H.R. 8281—better known as the “Big, Beautiful Bill”—could reshape the future of artificial intelligence in America. While marketed as an immigration and budget package, the...
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Episode 16: THC Is THC - Why Our Cannabis Laws No Longer Make Sense
In this episode of Insiders Uncovered: Beyond the Headlines, powered by THC Group, we explore how the same compound is being treated in radically different ways depending on whether it comes from hemp or marijuana. From convenience store drinks with no warning label to Minnesota’s accidental...
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Episode 15: The History and Meaning of 420: Cannabis, Culture, and the Code That Endured
Long before dispensaries and discount codes, 420 was a number whispered between friends — a secret code passed from teenagers in 1970s California that grew into one of the most enduring symbols in cannabis culture. In this episode of Insiders Uncovered: Beyond the Headlines, powered by THC Group,...
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Episode 14: Trump’s Tariff Shockwave Hits Your Wallet
New tariffs are back—and the supply chain is feeling the heat. In this episode of Insiders Uncovered: Beyond the Headlines, powered by THC Group, we break down Shawn Collins’ latest analysis on how Trump’s sweeping trade policies are impacting everything from grocery prices to global logistics....
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Episode 13 | Taming AI: Can America Lead Before It’s Too Late?
In this episode of Insiders Uncovered: Beyond the Headlines, powered by THC Group, hosts dive into Shawn Collins and Tim Harvey’s urgent take on AI’s future. Collins, THC Group founder and policy expert, and Harvey, FlyDragon co-founder and tech innovator, unpack AI’s promise—think cancer...
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Episode 12 | Tariffs in 2025: The Hidden Tax You’re Already Paying
This episode tackles "'Tariffs in 2025: The Hidden Tax You’re Already Paying" by Shawn Collins, founder of The Homegrown Consulting Group. Trump’s 2025 tariffs—25% on Mexico and Canada, 10% on China—mean $5 avocados, $12.50 beer, and an $800 hit to your wallet. Steel jobs rise, soybeans crash…
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Episode 11 | The Cronkite Test: Separating News from Noise
Remember when news was just a paper on your doorstep or Walter Cronkite’s steady voice? Not anymore. In 2025, we’re drowning in tweets, TikToks, and streaming feeds, with trust in media at a measly 31%. Join us as we unpack how we got here—from echo chambers splitting us into tribes to podcasts…
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Episode 1 | Schedule 3: It’s Complicated
In this episode, we dive into the buzz around cannabis rescheduling to Schedule 3, straight from a policy lover’s brain at THC Group. Expect a rollercoaster of insights: better medical research and patient care? Yes. Banking fixes and legalization? Not so fast. From pesticide woes in cannabis...
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Episode 2 | Will Robots Steal My Job? (And Other Burning AI Questions)
In this episode, we unpack the AI invasion at work—no, your fridge isn’t judging your snacks, but your job might get a glow-up. Inspired by a witty take on tech’s big shift, we explore how AI tackles the grunt work, from grading papers to crunching data, freeing us for the human stuff robots…
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Episode 3 | It's in Our Blood: The Small Business DNA of THC Group
In this episode, we roll into Webster, Massachusetts, where a mechanic’s garage sparked a legacy of community and hustle. Inspired by a heartfelt blog, we trace one man’s journey from his dad’s coffee-fueled hangout and his mom’s banking breakthroughs to founding THC Group—a cannabis consulting...
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Episode 4 | Beyond the Ballot: Your Role in Shaping the Future of Health Care, Cannabis, AI, and Alcohol Policy
In this episode, we step into the wild intersection of AI, health care, cannabis, and alcohol policy, inspired by a call to action for citizen power. From AI-driven diagnostics to equitable cannabis laws, we explore how to shape a future that’s fair and forward-thinking. Think health equity for...
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Episode 5 | Finding Your Voice in the Political Wilderness: It’s Okay to Be in the Middle
In this episode, we dive into the messy, vibrant heart of American politics—the middle ground. Inspired by a bold take on today’s polarized chaos, we explore why it’s okay (and very American) to ditch the red-or-blue trap. From unexpected allies like progressive Democrats and Libertarians to the...
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Episode 6 | Elevating the Experience: The Potential of Cannabis Social Consumption
In this episode, we explore the budding world of cannabis social consumption, inspired by a fresh take on this evolving trend. Picture sipping a hemp-infused drink at a brewery or savoring a strain-paired dinner—states like Massachusetts and California are making it real. We dive into the vibe,...
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Episode 7 | Cannabis Agent Registration: Time for a Change
In this episode, we tackle the messy world of cannabis agent registration and badging, inspired by a deep dive into Massachusetts’ evolving industry. From 'multi-badge madness' costing thousands to rigid rules shutting out talent, we explore how outdated systems hinder growth. Drawing lessons…
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Episode 8 | It’s In the Game: How NIL is Changing Sports
In this episode, we dive into the game-changing world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), inspired by Homegrown Group’s blog. From Ohio State’s $20 million roster to Michigan’s $10 million quarterback deal, NIL is rewriting the rules of college athletics. We explore its origins in legal battles,...
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Episode 9 | Beyond the Hype: Unmasking Lab Shopping in Cannabis
The cannabis industry is experiencing rapid growth, but a deceptive practice known as "lab shopping" threatens to undermine its integrity. This episode explores how producers manipulate testing results to boost profits, the risks it poses to consumers and the measures being taken to ensure…
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Episode 10 | Crown and Constitution: Trump's Executive Power Grab Shakes America's Foundations
Is American democracy under threat? This podcast explores concerns that Trump's executive actions mirror monarchical behavior, challenging the core of American democracy. Key discussion points: Executive Orders: Unpack Trump's initial orders regarding border security, citizenship, and diversity...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Policy, Decoded is a weekly podcast on cannabis and hemp policy for the people who have to act on a rule before it takes effect.Every Sunday, one argument given the room it needs, with a position at the end. The written briefing runs every weekday morning, and this is the piece that steps back from it.Written by Shawn Collins, inaugural Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission from 2017 to 2023, who built the state's cannabis program from nothing and ran it for six years.Read the written edition and the Deadlines, Decoded effective-date tracker athttps://policy.homegrown-group.com/Episodes are AI-assisted and reviewed before publication.
HOSTED BY
The Homegrown Consulting Group
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Policy, Decoded have?
Policy, Decoded currently has 43 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Policy, Decoded about?
Policy, Decoded is a weekly podcast on cannabis and hemp policy for the people who have to act on a rule before it takes effect.Every Sunday, one argument given the room it needs, with a position at the end. The written briefing runs every weekday morning, and this is the piece that steps back from...
How often does Policy, Decoded release new episodes?
Policy, Decoded has 43 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Policy, Decoded?
You can listen to Policy, Decoded on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Policy, Decoded?
Policy, Decoded is created and hosted by The Homegrown Consulting Group.
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