Intro

• Opening Quote: "We actually had some internal quality testing that we weren't happy with on our original vape pens. So we, so we held them up for a few months and we've since released them last month. But in doing that and, and trying to drive higher quality, we actually developed a product called liquid sugar and it's really taking sugar, cured, sugar concentrate, um, and melting it into oil. And we find that to really be incredible."
• "Welcome to Healing Hearts, a podcast created by The Healing Center. Here we explore passionate healing stories, educate on the power of cannabis and so much more!'"
• Host Chris Kohan introduces the episode and starts the conversation.

Body

Host Chris Kohan is joined by John Cohn, CEO Agronomed Pharmaceuticals LLC / Agri-Kind LLC.

Segment 1 - Chris Kohan and John Cohn

• Chris introduces his next guest: John Cohn, CEO of Agri-Kind. 
• John kicks off the conversation with the beginnings of Agri-Kind: initially they didn’t qualify for a Round One permit, so they started a hemp operation. They created topical formulas that helped get them on the market, and eventually they achieved a Round Two permit for a medical marijuanna dispensary.
• Chris states that working with both hemp and cannabis provides John a very unique perspective on the industry. 
• John had previously used cannabis for anxiety and pain. Later on, he switched to medical marijuana after being diagnosed with diabetes. 

Segment 2 - Chris Kohan and John Cohn

• Agri-Kind currently has over 300 strains in their library, and they have been releasing new products every month. Recently they uncovered two new strains high in THCV that will become part of their normal product line. 
• John shared that they weren't happy with their original vape pens. In an effort to deliver a higher quality product, they developed a new product called “liquid sugar” that has been a huge hit with their customers. 

Segment 3 - Chris Kohan and John Cohn

• Chris and John wrap up their conversation with a discussion of some of John’s favorite strains from Agri-Kind.

Close

• Host Chris Kohan thanks John for joining him and tosses to the outro, thanking the listeners for joining them.
• “Thanks for listening to the Healing Hearts Podcast recorded at the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University. For more info, visit thehealingcenterusa.com"

Credits

Host: Chris Kohan, Co-Founder - The Healing Center

Guest: John Cohn, CEO  - Agronomed Pharmaceuticals LLC / Agri-Kind LLC

Executive Producer: Lisa Craig, Marketing Director - The Healing Center

Editor: Olivia Valyo, Center for Media Innovation

Intro + Outro Song: 

Antidepresseur by Patchworker f.k.a. [friendzoned] | https://soundcloud.com/patchworker

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

Intro

• Opening Quote: "Anything we can do within the rules to let people know how we do things, how we go about it, and to just get that experience of, uh, you know, from the grower standpoint, I think it's really a really awesome thing.”
• "Welcome to Healing Hearts, a podcast created by The Healing Center. Here we explore passionate healing stories, educate on the power of cannabis and so much more!'"
• Host Chris Kohan introduces the episode and starts the conversation.

Body

The Healing Center Co-Founder Chris Kohan chats with Brandon Miller, Senior Director of Production and Facilities for Prime Wellness of Pennsylvania, to kick off the Healing Hearts Podcast’s Grower/Processor series. In this episode, Brandon provides an inside look on creating more quality products during the pandemic. 

Segment 1 - Chris Kohan and Brandon Miller

• Chris introduces his first guest for the Healing Hearts Podcast’s Grower/Processor Series: Brandon Miller from Prime Wellness of Pennsylvania.
• Brandon states that Prime has been quite busy producing more medicine for patients and keeping up with the high demand. 
• He explains that while it’s been especially challenging to work and stay safe during the pandemic, they have been fortunate enough to remain operational and keep pushing products out. 

Segment 2 - Chris Kohan and Brandon Miller

• Brandon expresses a desire to continue expanding their facilities and reveals Prime has been working tirelessly on new strains for patients.
• Prime is confined by some regulations in the program as far as how much of the process their patients can see, so anything they can show them within those regulations can be very beneficial. 
• Chris attests to that statement and explains that that’s why The Healing Center wanted to do this podcast series; to give the average person an inside look on what a grower/processor does on a daily basis.

Segment 3 - Chris Kohan and Brandon Miller

• Chris and Brandon wrap up their conversation with a discussion of some of Brandon’s favorite strains. 

Close

• Host Chris Kohan thanks Brandon Miller for joining him and tosses to the outro, thanking the listeners for joining them.
• “Thanks for listening to the Healing Hearts Podcast recorded at the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University. For more info, visit thehealingcenterusa.com"

Credits

Host: Chris Kohan, Co-Founder - The Healing Center

Guest: Brandon Miller, Senior Director of Production and Facilities - Prime Wellness of Pennsylvania

Executive Producer: Lisa Craig, Marketing Director - The Healing Center

Editor: Olivia Valyo, Center for Media Innovation

Intro + Outro Song: 

Antidepresseur by Patchworker f.k.a. [friendzoned] | https://soundcloud.com/patchworker

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

Intro

• Opening Quote: "When you hear about, you know, the amount of painkillers, some of these people were on and how cannabis has been able to help them alleviate and wean off of those items, um, really seeing the impact it's had on people's lives had my curiosity, uh, very high, you know, tied into the industry."
• "Welcome to Healing Hearts, a podcast created by The Healing Center. Here we explore passionate healing stories, educate on the power of cannabis and so much more!'"
• Host Chris Cohan introduces the episode and starts the conversation.

Body

In this final installment of the Grower/Processor series, Host Chris Kohan is joined by members of Calypso: Client Services Manager Jen Weary-Irvin, and Sales Director Brandon Minnick.

Segment 1 - Chris Kohan, Jen Weary-Irvin, and Brandon Minnick

• Chris introduces his final guests for the Healing Hearts Podcast’s Grower/Processor Series: Jen Weary-Irvin and Brandon Minnick from Calypso.
• Brandon kicks off the conversation with a story on how their company started: Calypso Founder Pat Black found positive success getting treatment for his medical condition out-of-state, and soon enough began brainstorming ideas to create a grower/processor in Pennsylvania. They faced some difficulties along the way, but they now have a beautiful facility in Erie, PA.

Segment 2 - Chris Kohan, Jen Weary-Irvin, and Brandon Minnick

• When asked about how they joined the industry, Jen reveals that her journey started after suffering a traumatic brain injury from a car accident. Regular medications left her with major side effects, but when she became a medical marijuanna patient the quality of her life exceeded tenfold. Similarly, Chris shared that his wife also suffered from a brain injury and began doing very well when she started her medical marijuana treatment. 
• Brandon has been interested in working in the industry after hearing about the improvements medical marijuanna has made on people’s lives. His interest piqued when he learned that a grower/processor was coming to Erie, PA.
• Jen and Brandon continue to share some of their favorite products from Calypso. They stress the importance of classifying their products based on terpenes.
• They have new exciting products coming up soon, and they’re looking forward to bringing more jobs to the area. 

Segment 3 - Chris Kohan, Jen Weary-Irvin, and Brandon Minnick

• Chris wraps up their conversation with a fun discussion of Jen and Brandon choosing which strain they would be and why.

Close

• Host Chris Kohan thanks Jen and Brandon for joining him and tosses to the outro, thanking the listeners for joining them.
• “Thanks for listening to the Healing Hearts Podcast recorded at the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University. For more info, visit thehealingcenterusa.com"

Credits

Host: Chris Kohan, Co-Founder - The Healing Center

Guests: Jen Weary-Irvin, Client Services Manager - Calypso; Brandon Minnick, Sales Director - Calypso.

Executive Producer: Lisa Craig, Marketing Director - The Healing Center

Editor: Olivia Valyo, Center for Media Innovation

Intro + Outro Song: 

Antidepresseur by Patchworker f.k.a. [friendzoned] | https://soundcloud.com/patchworker

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

Intro

• Opening Quote: "I am excited to say that we have just completed our phase two expansion of our cultivation facility. So we are definitely gearing up to see the fruits of that labor coming forward."
• "Welcome to Healing Hearts, a podcast created by The Healing Center. Here we explore passionate healing stories, educate on the power of cannabis and so much more!'"
• Host Chris Kohan introduces the episode and starts the conversation.

Body

Host Chris Kohan is joined by Jamie Apperson, Pennsylvania Account Manager for Grassroots Cannabis. Here Jamie delves into her “twist-of fate” story on how she started out in the medical cannabis industry and later expresses excitement with their new facility expansions. 

Segment 1 - Chris Kohan and Jamie Apperson

• Chris introduces his next guest in the Grower/Processor series: Jamie Apperson from Grassroots Cannabis. She provides a brief update on everything happening at Grassroots currently.
• Jamie has been a long-time supporter of the use of medical cannabis after hearing stories of her friends and family members overcoming pain and illnesses thanks to the medicine. 
• Jamie has aspired to work in the industry since then, and in a “twist-of-fate” she encountered members of Grassroots at a medical cannabis event at a local bar. 
• She bought drinks for everyone, shared her stories and interest in the industry, and provided them her business card in case any positions opened up down the line. 
• Chris thanks Jamie for sharing her amazing story and expresses his fascination with everyone’s unique stories about starting out in the industry.

Segment 2 - Chris Kohan and Jamie Apperson

• When asked about what some of her favorite products are, Jamie expresses how passionate Grassroots is about taking care of their flour. Without it, they wouldn’t have been able to create all the other great products they have today including vape blinds, RSO, capsules and tablets. 
• Jamie is also excited to share that Grassroots completed Phase Two of expansion that helped quadruple their cultivation facility space. 

Segment 3 - Chris Kohan and Jamie Apperson

• Chris and Jami wrap up their conversation with a fun question: If Jamie were a strain, which one would she be and why? 
• Jamie would pick a sativa leaning hybrid Tre OG because it combines all of the qualities about herself (energetic, uplifting, creative, etc.) into one stream.

Close

• Host Chris Kohan thanks Jamie Apperson for joining him and tosses to the outro, thanking the listeners for joining them.
• “Thanks for listening to the Healing Hearts Podcast recorded at the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University. For more info, visit thehealingcenterusa.com"

Credits

Host: Chris Kohan, Co-Founder - The Healing Center

Guest: Jamie Apperson, Pennsylvania Account Manager - Grassroots Cannabis.

Executive Producer: Lisa Craig, Marketing Director - The Healing Center

Editor: Olivia Valyo, Center for Media Innovation

Intro + Outro Song: 

Antidepresseur by Patchworker f.k.a. [friendzoned] | https://soundcloud.com/patchworker

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

Intro

• Opening Quote: “You know, whatever the reason may be, people are consuming a lot more cannabis these days. And so that creates, you know, good problems of trying to keep up with that demand even more so than we were even before coronavirus.”
• "Welcome to Healing Hearts, a podcast created by The Healing Center. Here we explore passionate healing stories, educate on the power of cannabis and so much more!'"
• Host Chris Kohan introduces the episode and starts the conversation.

Body

In our next installment of the Grower/Processor series, Host Chris Kohan is joined by Kobi Waldfogel, Director of Sales for Terrapin. 

Segment 1 - Chris Kohan and Kobi Waldfogel

• Chris introduces his next guest for the Healing Hearts Podcast’s Grower/Processor Series: Kobi Waldfogel, Director of Sales for Terrapin. 
• Terrapin started in Boulder, CO in 2009 as a small medical dispensary. Now they have six stores in Colorado and additional licenses in Pennsylvania and Michigan. They hit major ground on a sizable expansion as a response to the high demand of products in Pennsylvania.

Segment 2 - Chris Kohan and Kobi Waldfogel

• Prior to working in the cannabis industry, Chris started out in the hospitality and events world. At one point he even led a cannabis sightseeing tour in Denver for about a year.
• Eventually he found a great opportunity with Terrapinn and has been working there ever since. 
• Kobi reveals that his favorite strain of Terrapin’s is the lemon G strain. When Chris asked what kind of strain he would be, Kobi responded that he would be a Hell’s OG strain. 

Segment 3 - Chris Kohan and Kobi Waldfogel

• Chris and Kobi wrap up their conversation with a thoughtful discussion of the challenges Terrapin faced during the pandemic. 
• Kobi shares that Terrapin witnessed a great spike in demand for products during lockdowns and has had to heavily shift their operations due to coronavirus. 
• They both agree that these have been especially difficult times for everyone, so they want to be able to help people through with natural healing. 

Close

• Host Chris Kohan thanks Kobi Waldfogel for joining him and tosses to the outro, thanking the listeners for joining them.
• “Thanks for listening to the Healing Hearts Podcast recorded at the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University. For more info, visit thehealingcenterusa.com"

Credits

Host: Chris Kohan, Co-Founder - The Healing Center

Guest: Kobi Waldfogel, Director of Sales - Terrapin

Executive Producer: Lisa Craig, Marketing Director - The Healing Center

Editor: Olivia Valyo, Center for Media Innovation

Intro + Outro Song: 

Antidepresseur by Patchworker f.k.a. [friendzoned] | https://soundcloud.com/patchworker

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

Intro

• Opening Quote: "We have a lot of heart, a lot of desire to win and be the best. And to me that is something unique in any business and often can result in wondrous things."
• "Welcome to Healing Hearts, a podcast created by The Healing Center. Here we explore passionate healing stories, educate on the power of cannabis and so much more!'"
• Host Chris Kohan introduces the episode and starts the conversation.

Body

Host Chris Kohan is joined by Lewis Goldstein, Chief Marketing Officer and Kevin Sparks, Cultivation Manager, of INSA Medical Practice. Here we discuss INSA’s humble beginnings in Massachusetts.

Segment 1 - Chris Kohan, Lewis Goldstein, and Kevin Sparks

• Chris introduces his latest guests from INSA Medical Practice: Chief Marketing Officer Lewis Goldstein, and Cultivation Manager Kevin Sparks.
• Lewis and Kevin kick off the episode with a discussion of how they both started working in the medical marijuana industry. 
• Lewis delves into the history of two lifelong friends, Patrick Gottschlicht and Peter Gallagher, who shared a mutual belief that the medical cannabis market is a meaningful thing to our society. In 2013, they began working towards obtaining medical licenses to create INSA Medical Practice. 

Segment 2 - Chris Kohan, Lewis Goldstein, and Kevin Sparks

• Lewis mentions that INSA has learned a great deal from farmers on how to effectively cultivate their plants and produce the best products they can. He commends Kevin for taking those lessons to the next level and creating great flour at INSA.
• Kevin provides an update on all of the exciting new products that have been in development at INSA. He shares that INSA had over 35 different strands so they’re working on dialing back and refining those choices. 

Segment 3 - Chris Kohan, Lewis Goldstein and Kevin Sparks

• Chris wraps up the conversation with a discussion of some of Lewis and Kevin’s favorite strains. 
• Before the end of the recording, Chris shares that INSA’s humble beginnings reminds him a lot of creating The Healing Center with his lifelong friend: Co-Founder Jay Richards. 

Close

• Host Chris Kohan thanks Lewis and Kevin for joining him and tosses to the outro, thanking the listeners for joining them.
• “Thanks for listening to the Healing Hearts Podcast recorded at the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University. For more info, visit thehealingcenterusa.com"

Credits

Host: Chris Kohan, Co-Founder - The Healing Center

Guests: Lewis Goldstein, Chief Marketing Officer - INSA; Kevin Sparks, Cultivation Manager - INSA

Executive Producer: Lisa Craig, Marketing Director - The Healing Center

Editor: Olivia Valyo, Center for Media Innovation

Intro + Outro Song: 

Antidepresseur by Patchworker f.k.a. [friendzoned] | https://soundcloud.com/patchworker

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

Intro

• Opening Quote: "I think anybody who's ever worked with cannabis can tell you how humbling of a plant it is. I didn't have much experience with growing anything until I started here, but I will tell you, I was, I was shocked at how humbled you could be by one plant."
• "Welcome to Healing Hearts, a podcast created by The Healing Center. Here we explore passionate healing stories, educate on the power of cannabis and so much more!'"
• Host Chris Kohan introduces the episode and starts the conversation.

Body

Host Chris Kohan is joined by members of PennHealth Group: Savannah Alexyn - Sales and Marketing Coordinator, Nicole Perry - Lab Manager, and Mark Haynie - Cultivation Manager

Segment 1 - Chris Kohan, Savannah Alexyn, Nicole Perry, and Mark Haynie

• Chris introduces his next guests from PennHealth: Savannah Alexyn, Nicole Perry, and Mark Haynie They each go around and tell their stories about how they got into the medical marijuana industry. 
• Savannah shares that PennHealth was founded and operated by Pennsylvania residents which gives them more pride and commitment to provide the best medicine within their community. 

Segment 2 - Chris Kohan, Savannah Alexyn, Nicole Perry, and Mark Haynie

• The members of PennHealth describe their upcoming new products including dry flour, distillate carts and RSO. They have several hundred different varieties in their seed bank and are expecting to have six fully operational grow rooms in the near future. 
• With all of the great medicine they’ve put out, Savannah shares that she was surprised at how humbled you could be by one plant. 

Segment 3 - Chris Kohan, Savannah Alexyn, Nicole Perry, and Mark Haynie

• Chris shifts the conversation to a fun discussion of which one of their strains best describes Savannah, Nicole, and Mark. 
• When asked what else they wanted to share, Savannah explains that they greatly value their patients’ feedback, good or bad. The only way they can continue to grow and produce better medicine is through that feedback.   
• Nicole also shares that they have a consultant in Arizona who helped hone in their process of creating a great RSO.

Close

• Host Chris Kohan thanks Savannah, Nicole, and Mark for joining him and tosses to the outro, thanking the listeners for joining them.
• “Thanks for listening to the Healing Hearts Podcast recorded at the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University. For more info, visit thehealingcenterusa.com"

Credits

Host: Chris Kohan, Co-Founder - The Healing Center

Guests: Savannah Alexyn, Sales and Marketing Coordinator - PennHealth; Nicole Perry, Lab Manager - PennHealth; Mark Haynie, Cultivation Manager - PennHealth.

Executive Producer: Lisa Craig, Marketing Director - The Healing Center

Editor: Olivia Valyo, Center for Media Innovation

Intro + Outro Song: 

Antidepresseur by Patchworker f.k.a. [friendzoned] | https://soundcloud.com/patchworker

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

Lisa Craig: Hello, and welcome to the Healing Hearts Podcast!

A decade ago in Pennsylvania … medical marijuana was just a dream … NOW, we are changing lives EVERY DAY at The Healing Center!

Chris Kohan: "Most of us, if you think back probably however many years, you don't imagine yourself necessarily being in this industry, but a lot of people do. I'd love to hear the stories, how everybody gets in, because they're all unique in their own way."

Jamie Apperson: "I wanted to do something in this industry to really be part of that experience and be part of educating everyone about the benefits of this great medicine."

Chris Kohan: "When you're doing something like this for the first time yourself, and you create a company, uh, it is challenging, but so rewarding."

Brandon Miller: "We're just trying to keep up with this high demand, and you know, refine our processes and innovate new screens and new products."

Brandon Minnick: "We're excited to bring more jobs to the area. You know, we're going to be able to have, you know, life sustaining wages, and we're going to be able to post a double our current employee accounts."

John Cohn: "We have been releasing new products pretty much every month for the past six months. And the feedback's been extremely positive."

Lisa Craig: We believe in healing with cannabis … we believe in helping patients … and we are passionate.

Chris Kohan: "We're all constantly trying to fine tune our processes so that we can be grow better medicine for the patients, distributed to them. And hopefully, you know, continue to make it as affordable as possible before them."

Savannah Alexyn: "I really value all of our patients' feedback. Good, bad, indifferent, whatever it is. I love to hear from them. I want to hear from them."

Brandon Minnick: "The feedback we get to hear from the patients every day is really what, what keeps you grounded and focused on the reasons why we're all in this business."

Lisa Craig: So … let’s share stories! Let’s heal hearts … with a little love and a little … THC. On the Healing Hearts Podcast.

Healing Hearts is presented by The Healing Center, voted "Pittsburgh's Best Dispensary." Healing Hearts is recorded at the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University. More information is available at thehealingcenterusa.com.

Credits

Host Voice: Lisa Craig, Marketing Director - The Healing Center
Guest Voices: Chris Kohan, Co-Founder of The Healing Center; Jamie Apperson, Pennsylvania Account Manager - Grassroots Cannabis; Brandon Miller, Senior Director of Production and Facilities - Prime Wellness of Pennsylvania; Brandon Minnick, Sales Director - Calypso; John Cohn, CEO  - Agronomed Pharmaceuticals LLC / Agri-Kind LLC; Savannah Alexyn, Sales and Marketing Coordinator.
Editor: Olivia Valyo, Center for Media Innovation

Song:
Bittersweet by | e s c p | https://escp-music.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Lisa Craig: Hello and welcome to the Healing Hearts Podcast!

A decade ago in Pennsylvania … medical marijuana was just a dream … NOW, we are changing lives EVERY DAY at The Healing Center!

Jill Zimbicki: “I feel like I’m really making a difference in people’s lives.”

Michael Butler: “He was non-verbal. For seven years she had not heard her son say a word … in the end she said her son now follows here around like a parrot.”

Mike Flick: “His foreman looked at him and said, “Why aren’t you limping anymore?”

Melonie Kotchey: “For example, we had a non-verbal autistic man of 30-years-old. He came back a year later speaking, doing math, Rainman-type math!” (Giggles)

Lisa Craig: We listen to these healing stories and many more … including how The Healing Center journey began.

Jay Richards: “We might be crazy, but let's just keep doing it because we are having fun!”

Chris Kohan: “In the end we are a pharmacy … and we’re there to help people with their health.”

Jay Richards: “We are serious business people and we are here to help people.”

Chris Kohan: “It’s a passionate community … it’s an amazing group of patients that we have.”

Lisa Craig: We talk to experienced medical professionals who were fed up with being a part of a problem.

Michael Butler: “I was the biggest supplier of opioids and benzos to that area and it weighed extremely heavily on me.”

Alina Teplitskaya: “It was a little abusive at times … ya a little overwhelming.”

Jill Krasnicki: “You know I kind of felt like I was stuck there.”

Lisa Craig: Now … we have a solution. Thanks to the incredible Pennsylvania medical marijuana program.

Melonie Kotchey: “The program here is amazing!

Chris Kohan: “We are doing some really spectacular things … and it’s really exciting.”

Michael Butler: “And it’s really like something I said before. Everything you ever learned about marijuana was wrong.”

Melonie Kotchey: "You'll die if you do it! My mother told me that." 

Lisa Craig: We believe in healing with cannabis … we believe in helping patients … and we are passionate.

Mike Flick: “Oh my God! I get to do this for a living!”

Melonie Kotchey: “It’s unbelievable and it’s true!”

Lisa Craig: We are so thankful for patients to have access to cannabis medicine right here at home.

Chris Kohan: “33 states and Pennsylvania is well-recognized as the best medical marijuana market in the country.”

Jay Richards: “Thank you to the Pittsburgh community really … with the bottom of my heart.”

Lisa Craig: So … let’s share stories! Let’s heal hearts … with a little love and a little … THC. On the Healing Hearts Podcast.

Healing Hearts is presented by The Healing Center, voted "Pittsburgh's Best Dispensary." Healing Hearts is recorded at the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University. More information is available at thehealingcenterusa.com.

Credits

Host Voice: Lisa Craig, Marketing Director - The Healing Center
Guest Voices: Chris Kohan and Jay Richards, Co-Founders of The Healing Center; Michael Butler, General Manager - The Healing Center; Jill Zimbicki, Alina Teplitskaya and Jennifer Krasnicki, Pharmacists - The Healing Center; Melonie Kotchey, CEO - Compassionate Certification Centers
Executive Producer: Lisa Craig, Marketing Director - The Healing Center
Editor: Nicholas Ruffolo, Center for Media Innovation

Song:
Bittersweet by | e s c p | https://escp-music.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Intro

• Opening Quote: "We might be crazy, but let's just keep doing it because we are having fun!"
• "Welcome to Healing Hearts, a podcast created by The Healing Center, voted 'Pittsburgh's Best Dispensary.'"
• Host Mike Flick introduces the episode and starts the conversation.

Body

The Healing Center Co-Founders Chris Kohan and Jay Richards take turns talking about the six-year-long journey from idea to reality with medical marijuana in Pennsylvania.

• They retell the trials an tribulations of contacting legislators to get the idea some traction.
• Once they had the attention of the legislators - it was time to get a bill drafted.
• Even with the bill - they still needed outside help to get it passed.
• The co-founders detail what it was like to sit at the Pennsylvania state capitol building and wait for the vote
• Chris and Jay talk relief after the Medical Marijuana Act was passed and how The Healing Center grew from there.

Close

• Host Mike Flick summarizes the episode and tosses to the outro, thanking the listeners for joining them.
• "Healing Hearts is presented by The Healing Center, voted 'Pittsburgh's Best Dispensary.' Healing Hearts is recorded at the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University. More information is available at thehealingcenterusa.com."

Credits

Host: Mike Flick, The Healing Center
Guests: Chris Kohan and Jay Richards, Co-Founders of The Healing Center
Executive Producer: Lisa Craig, Marketing Director - The Healing Center
Editor: Nicholas Ruffolo, Center for Media Innovation

Intro Song:
Antidepresseur by Patchworker f.k.a. [friendzoned] | https://soundcloud.com/patchworker
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

Outro Song:
Bittersweet by | e s c p | https://escp-music.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Intro

• Opening Quote: "I told my dad I got a job for a medical marijuana dispensary group in Pittsburgh.
  He said, 'Well, is it legal?' I said, 'Yes, dad. It is legal.'"
• "Welcome to Healing Hearts, a podcast created by The Healing Center, voted 'Pittsburgh's Best Dispensary.'"
• Host Mike Flick introduces the episode and starts the conversation.

Body

Mike Flick, The Healing Center Pharmacist Jill Zimbicki and General Manager Michael Butler talk about the healing powers of medical marijuana and how each of them started their journey into the medical cannabis field.

Segment 1 - Jill Zimbicki and Mike Flick

• Jill talks about how she's seen first-hand the positive, and seemingly miraculous, effects medical cannabis has on people.
• She continues to say how the medication is very personalized and flexible for each patient.
• Jill details why she enjoys her work and how she finds joy in helping others.
• Jill gives advice to a new patient coming to The Healing Center.

Segment 2 - Michael Butler, Jill Zimbicki and Mike Flick

• Mike talks about how his journey in the pharmaceutical field started at a young age.
• He also talks about his shift to medical cannabis after seeing the opioid crisis and how patients were racking up pills to take.
• He continues by saying how there is no pathway in standard medicine to decrease medication burden.
• Mike, Jill and Mike all take turns sharing medical marijuana success stories.

Segment 3 - Michael Butler, Jill Zimbicki and Mike Flick

• The group tells their "Cannabis Coming Out Stories." Mike, Jill and Mike share their loved one's reactions to when they announced they would be entering the medical cannabis field.
• Mike Butler mentions how the stigma behind marijuana in the past was unsubstantiated.
• Everyone shares their answer to the question: "If you were a strain, what would you be?"

Close

• Host Mike Flick summarizes the episode and tosses to the outro, thanking the listeners for joining them.
• "Healing Hearts is presented by The Healing Center, voted 'Pittsburgh's Best Dispensary.' Healing Hearts is recorded at the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University. More information is available at thehealingcenterusa.com."

Credits

Host: Mike Flick, The Healing Center
Guests: Michael Butler, General Manager - The Healing Center; Jill Zimbicki Pharmacist - The Healing Center
Executive Producer: Lisa Craig, Marketing Director - The Healing Center
Editor: Nicholas Ruffolo, Center for Media Innovation

Intro Song:
Antidepresseur by Patchworker f.k.a. [friendzoned] | https://soundcloud.com/patchworker
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

Outro Song:
Bittersweet by | e s c p | https://escp-music.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Intro

• Opening Quote: 

"The most common first time patient is someone in their 50s, 60s or 40s."

"It's not the 20 to 30-year-old college kid? You know? We all kinda have that image in mind."

"We do. We do. It's like something I said before, 'Everything you ever learned about marijuana was wrong.'"

• "Welcome to Healing Hearts, a podcast created by The Healing Center, voted 'Pittsburgh's Best Dispensary.'"
• Host Mike Flick introduces the episode and starts the conversation.

Body

Host Mike Flick, The Healing Center Pharmacists Alina Teplitskaya and Jennifer Krasnicki, and General Manager Michael Butler talk about the healing powers of medical marijuana and how each of them started their journey into the medical cannabis field.

Segment 1 - Mike Flick, Alina Teplitskaya and Jennifer Krasnicki

• Alina Teplitskaya shares her journey from Kiev, Ukraine to the U.S. and how she ended up in the Pittsburgh area.
• She continues to talk about her transition from traditional pharmaceuticals and how she felt like she was part of the problem.
• Mike turns to Jennifer for some background on her early life and career up until the Healing Center.
• Both pharmacists discuss their early perspectives on cannabis and how things have changed after seeing how well it works.

Segment 2 - Mike Flick, Michael Butler, Alina Teplitskaya and Jennifer Krasnicki

• Michael Butler shares his change in perspective on medical cannabis and how past stigmas initially clouded his judgement.
• His love of chemistry at an early age helps fight through those inaccuracies and now he can explain how cannabis works on a molecular level.
• Michael explains the endocannabinoid system and how it plays a large role in cannabis as medication, working similarly to normal pills, with less drawback.
• However, he tells the group that it is slightly different in the sense that it can target synaptic processes directly and has been used to stop seizures by calming the rapid firing of the nerve.
• Alina, Jennifer and Michael then share their healing stories of how medical marijuana has helped improve chronic problems significantly.
• The neurological disorders especially see vast improvement because of that manipulation of the endocannabinoid system.

Segment 3 - Mike Flick, Michael Butler, Alina Teplitskaya and Jennifer Krasnicki

• Mike Flick asks Michael Butler what the typical first-time patients are at The Healing Center, disproving some of the medical marijuana stereotypes.
• The group discusses the process of entering a store for the first time and finding the right medication for each patient.
• Michael Butler further elaborates on how dosage and THC-CBD balance works.
• Butler mentions how much uncharted territory there is with the endocannabinoid system and how the medical marijuana industry is learning and improving every day.
• The group tells their "Cannabis Coming Out Stories." Alina, Jennifer and Michael share their loved one's reactions to when they announced they would be entering the medical cannabis field.
• Everyone shares their answer to the question: "If you were a strain, what would you be?"

Close

• Host Mike Flick summarizes the episode and tosses to the outro, thanking the listeners for joining them.
• "Healing Hearts is presented by The Healing Center, voted 'Pittsburgh's Best Dispensary.' Healing Hearts is recorded at the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University. More information is available at thehealingcenterusa.com."

Credits

Host: Mike Flick, The Healing Center
Guests: Alina Teplitskaya and Jennifer Krasnicki, Pharmacists - The Healing Center; Michael Butler, General Manager - The Healing Center
Executive Producer: Lisa Craig, Marketing Director - The Healing Center
Editor: Nicholas Ruffolo, Center for Media Innovation

Intro Song:
Antidepresseur by Patchworker f.k.a. [friendzoned] | https://soundcloud.com/patchworker
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

Outro Song:
Bittersweet by | e s c p | https://escp-music.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Intro

• Opening Quote: "All decisions are made from two places, love or fear. That's it. That's all there is to it.
  So, if you're afraid, dig down deep, think about what you're afraid of, and is it real?
  Because I don't think it is."
• "Welcome to Healing Hearts, a podcast created by The Healing Center, voted 'Pittsburgh's Best Dispensary.'"
• Host Mike Flick introduces the episode and starts the conversation.

Body

Host Mike Flick, The Healing Center Co-Founder Chris Kohan, General Manager Michael Butler, CEO of Compassionate Certification Centers (CCC) Melonie Kotchey and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bryan Doner talk about the growth of medical marijuana in Pennsylvania and how the state programs continue to innovate and positively influence people's lives.

Segment 1 - Mike Flick, Chris Kohan, Melonie Kotchey and Michael Butler

• Melonie discusses a whitepaper from CCC detailing a key research study on medical cannabis in the state of Pennsylvania.
• The study surveyed thousands of subjects who are current or past participants in the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program who were asked to answer a variety of questions based on their first-hand experience.
• Results showed over 99% of patients surveyed said they were able to reduce their symptoms with medical cannabis.
• The group shifts to talking about how patients get started in the program and how they need to overcome fears to find a better quality of life.
• Melonie draws on her own experiences signing up for a medical marijuana card and how she found the right dose/strain for her.
• Chris Kohan talks about the whitepaper further and shows passion/pride when discussing the PA medical marijuana program.

Segment 2 -  Mike Flick, Chris Kohan, Melonie Kotchey, Bryan Doner (Via Zoom) and Michael Butler

• Kohan starts by asking Doner about the whitepaper and why they wanted to conduct this patient-centric study.
• Doner is then asked about how patients are having trouble transitioning to medical marijuana. They find several roadblocks along the way with many systemic issues relating to either insurance or the shift from opiates to treat pain.
• Melonie Kotchey clarifies that medical cannabis databases do not sync with government databases like Medicare and they would not know that you have your card unless you tell them.
• Doner discusses education next, saying that the endocannabinoid system is not taught in medical school and that is part of the problem.
• Kohan goes into more detail on the whitepaper, listing some numbers from the study.
• Melonie talks about success stories with cannabis that she personally witnessed.

Segment 3 - Mike Flick, Chris Kohan, Melonie Kotchey and Michael Butler

• Mike Flick brings it back to Melonie to go more in-depth with her personal story applying to be a medical marijuana patient.
• She says she did not get her card until she was in her late 30's because she was afraid of the repercussions, despite all of the chronic pain she was in.
• Melonie shares that her negative experience early on in Arizona was inspiration to start CCC in her home state of Pennsylvania to help others get started.
• The group starts to wind down by talking about how much this medicine has helped people.

Close

• Host Mike Flick summarizes the episode and tosses to the outro, thanking the listeners for joining them.
• "Healing Hearts is presented by The Healing Center, voted 'Pittsburgh's Best Dispensary.' Healing Hearts is recorded at the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University. More information is available at thehealingcenterusa.com."

Credits

Host: Mike Flick, The Healing Center
Guests: Chris Kohan, Co-Founder - The Healing Center; Melonie Kotchey, CEO - Compassionate Certification Centers; Dr. Bryan Doner, Chief Medical Officer - Compassionate Certification Centers; Michael Butler, General Manager - The Healing Center
Executive Producer: Lisa Craig, Marketing Director - The Healing Center
Editor: Nicholas Ruffolo, Center for Media Innovation

Intro Song:
Antidepresseur by Patchworker f.k.a. [friendzoned] | https://soundcloud.com/patchworker
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

Outro Song:
Bittersweet by | e s c p | https://escp-music.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Intro

• Opening Quote: 

"You know on that packaging exactly what you have in that product. Everything. That's the biggest recommendation we give to anyone about anything in your life. You don't put anything in your body that you don't know what you are putting in."

"Just like knowing the ingredients of a recipe."

"Right. I like to make that joke, if the food just said 'meat?' (Laughs)"

• "Welcome to Healing Hearts, a podcast created by The Healing Center, voted 'Pittsburgh's Best Dispensary.'"
• Host Mike Flick introduces the episode and starts the conversation.

Body

Host Mike Flick, The Healing Center Co-Founder Chris Kohan, General Manager Michael Butler and guests Gabe Perlow (PurePenn - McKeesport) and Michael Bogniak (Liberty Wellness/Holistic Industries - New Castle) chat about different products available from local growers in PA.

Segment 1 - Mike Flick, Chris Kohan and Michael Butler

• Mike Flick starts the group in a short discussion about the history of grower/processors in Pennsylvania as they get ready to welcome the first guest of the show.
• They point out that PA has one of the best medical marijuana programs in the country, largely due to the surge in quality grower/processors to keep the shelves full and fresh.
• The Department of Health regulations on showing ingredients on the packaging leads to peace of mind when purchasing.

Segment 2 -  Mike Flick, Chris Kohan, Michael Butler and Gabe Perlow (Via Zoom)

• Mike points out right away to Gabe that PurePenn is in McKeesport, right in The Healing Center's backyard.
• He continues to say that having that local presence was huge in the location selection for PurePenn and he was able to bring Moxie products to the area via partnership.
• Mike shares a cancer treatment success story with cannabis as a supplement to chemotherapy. The patient was given a death sentence and instead went on the make a full recovery.
• He goes into more detail about the products at PurePenn.
• The group shifts the conversations to terpenes (organic flavor/odor compounds) and how the ones used in medical marijuana flavors come straight from he plant itself. I.E. Mangoes.
• Mike and Chris ask Gabe, "If you could be a strain, what strain would you be?"
• Mike then asks Gabe for his message to patients out there listening to the podcast.

Segment 3 - Mike Flick, Chris Kohan, Michael Butler and Mike Bogniak (Via Zoom)

• Mike Flick starts the questions for Bogniak just like Gabe, mentioning Liberty Holistic Farms' local roots in New Castle.
• Flick then asks about Mike's products and what sets them apart from the other grower/processors.
• However, Bogniak mentions that even though there is competition, all of the growers are one Pennsylvania family at the end of the day.
• He also talks about how the medical marijuana success stories keep him going every day.
• Mike asks Bogniak "If a patient was here right now, what is your message to them?"
• The group then asks Bogniak, "If you could be a strain, what strain would you be?"

Close

• Host Mike Flick summarizes the episode and tosses to the outro, thanking the listeners for joining them.
• "Healing Hearts is presented by The Healing Center, voted 'Pittsburgh's Best Dispensary.' Healing Hearts is recorded at the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University. More information is available at thehealingcenterusa.com."

Credits

Host: Mike Flick, The Healing Center
Guests: Chris Kohan, Co-Founder - The Healing Center; Michael Butler, General Manager - The Healing Center; Gabe Perlow, PurePenn; Mike Bogniak, Liberty Holistic Farms
Executive Producer: Lisa Craig, Marketing Director - The Healing Center
Editor: Nicholas Ruffolo, Center for Media Innovation

Intro Song:
Antidepresseur by Patchworker f.k.a. [friendzoned] | https://soundcloud.com/patchworker
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

Outro Song:
Bittersweet by | e s c p | https://escp-music.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Intro

• Opening Quote: 

"Each one of the different products we have on the shelf at the dispensary I look at as a different collection of keys and each of our bodies as a different collection of locks."

"That's a good analogy."

"This collection of keys is going to unlock some in Mike Butler that is not in Chris Kohan and not unlocked in Mike Flick. That's why some things seem to work better for some people than others."

• "Welcome to Healing Hearts, a podcast created by The Healing Center, voted 'Pittsburgh's Best Dispensary.'"
• Host Mike Flick introduces the episode and starts the conversation.

Body

Host Mike Flick, The Healing Center Co-Founder Chris Kohan, General Manager Michael Butler and guests Eric Miller (Vireo Health - Scranton, PA) and Marisa Liuzzi (Ilera Healthcare) chat about different products available from local growers in PA.

Segment 1 - Mike Flick, Chris Kohan and Michael Butler

• Mike Flick starts the discussion with some of the scientific sides of medical cannabis, discussing cannabinoids and terpenes with former traditional pharmacist and current Healing Center pharmacist, Michael Butler.

Segment 2 -  Mike Flick, Chris Kohan, Michael Butler and Eric Miller (Via Zoom)

• Mike talks to Eric about being a Phase One grower/processor and starting from scratch in Pennsylvania.
• Michael Butler gives Eric a shout out for Vireo Health being physician founded as Miller talks about current products.
• The group briefly discusses terpenes and how the ones in medical cannabis are the same as the compound it smells like. I.E. Lemons.
• Eric talks about the multiple refinement processes that Vireo Health uses to infuse terpenes, adding consistency to the product.
• Miller talks about a new product known as soft gels that you can chew to take medical cannabis.
• Mike asks Eric "If a patient was here right now, what is your message to them?"

Segment 3 - Mike Flick, Chris Kohan, Michael Butler and Marisa Liuzzi (Via Zoom)

• Mike Flick introduces Marisa and talks about how in the recent whitepaper by Compassionate Certification Centers it lists Ilera as the brand most liked by patients.
• Liuzzi then talks about her journey to growing in Pennsylvania.
• She mentions an anecdote where their labeler broke and all of the employees had to stay up all night labeling product.
• Liuzzi talks about having an all-indoor grow as the business expands; Mike prompts her to talk about the Ilera products.
• Flick asks Marisa what keeps her going every day.
• Mike asks Liuzzi "If a patient was here right now, what is your message to them?"
• The group then asks her, "If you could be a strain, what strain would you be?"

Close

• Host Mike Flick and the group summarize the past two episodes of grower/processors and tosses to the outro, thanking the listeners for joining them.
• "Healing Hearts is presented by The Healing Center, voted 'Pittsburgh's Best Dispensary.' Healing Hearts is recorded at the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University. More information is available at thehealingcenterusa.com."

Credits

Host: Mike Flick, The Healing Center
Guests: Chris Kohan, Co-Founder - The Healing Center; Michael Butler, General Manager - The Healing Center; Eric Miller, Vireo Health; Marisa Liuzzi, Ilera Healthcare
Executive Producer: Lisa Craig, Marketing Director - The Healing Center
Editor: Nicholas Ruffolo, Center for Media Innovation

Intro Song:
Antidepresseur by Patchworker f.k.a. [friendzoned] | https://soundcloud.com/patchworker
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

Outro Song:
Bittersweet by | e s c p | https://escp-music.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Intro

• Opening Quote: 

"One last thing for you today. We've talked a lot about strains right?"

"Oh! My favorite question!"

"If you could be one of your strains, which one would you be?" 

"Cherry Diesel, because I am a little bit sweet and not always sweet. 

"A little bit sour too! (Laughs)"

• "Welcome to Healing Hearts, a podcast created by The Healing Center, voted 'Pittsburgh's Best Dispensary.'"

Body

• Host Mike Flick introduces the episode and helps us take a trip down memory lane with some of the best moments from the first season of the Healing Hearts Podcast!

Clip 1 - Mike Flick, Jill Zimbicki and Michael Butler (Episode 2)

• The group talks about their "Cannabis Coming Out Stories."

Clip 2 - Mike Flick, Alina Teplitskaya, Jennifer Krasnicki and Michael Butler (Episode 3)

• The group talks about their "Cannabis Coming Out Stories."

Clip 3 - Mike Flick, Chris Kohan and Jay Richards (Episode 1)

• The group answers the question, "If you could be a strain of marijuana, which strain would you be?"

Clip 4 - Mike Flick, Jill Zimbicki and Michael Butler (Episode 2)

• The group answers the question, "If you could be a strain of marijuana, which strain would you be?"

Clip 5 - Mike Flick, Alina Teplitskaya, Jennifer Krasnicki and Michael Butler (Episode 3)

• The group answers the question, "If you could be a strain of marijuana, which strain would you be?"

Clip 6 - Mike Flick, Chris Kohan, Michael Butler and Gabe Perlow (Episode 5)

• The group asks the guest, "If you could be a strain of marijuana, which strain would you be?"

Clip 7 - Mike Flick, Chris Kohan, Michael Butler and Michael Bogniak (Episode 5)

• The group asks the guest, "If you could be a strain of marijuana, which strain would you be?"

Clip 8 - Mike Flick, Chris Kohan, Michael Butler and Marisa Liuzzi (Episode 6)

• The group asks the guest, "If you could be a strain of marijuana, which strain would you be?"

Close

• Host Mike Flick summarizes the season, thanking the listeners for joining them throughout all seven episodes.
• "Healing Hearts is presented by The Healing Center, voted 'Pittsburgh's Best Dispensary.' Healing Hearts is recorded at the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University. More information is available at thehealingcenterusa.com."

Credits

Host: Mike Flick, The Healing Center
Guests: Chris Kohan and Jay Richards, Co-Founders of The Healing Center; Michael Butler, General Manager - The Healing Center; Jill Zimbicki, Alina Teplitskaya and Jennifer Krasnicki, Pharmacists - The Healing Center; Melonie Kotchey, CEO - Compassionate Certification Centers; Gabe Perlow, PurePenn; Mike Bogniak, Liberty Holistic Farms; Marisa Liuzzi, Ilera Healthcare
Executive Producer: Lisa Craig, Marketing Director - The Healing Center
Editor: Nicholas Ruffolo, Center for Media Innovation

Intro Song:
Antidepresseur by Patchworker f.k.a. [friendzoned] | https://soundcloud.com/patchworker
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

Outro Song:
Bittersweet by | e s c p | https://escp-music.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/