High Fidelity

Episode 36 ⎸Addressing Sub Quality Sleep via The Nourished Nervous System Podcast

High Fidelity — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0500

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 Program
7:21 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

Episode 35 ⎸The 2023 High Fidelity Holiday Gift Guide

High Fidelity — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0500

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 Smoke
LuneNoire
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 Smoke
3:23 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

Episode 34 | Saturate Yourself! The Plant Medicine Protocol with William Siff of Goldthread Plant Based Tonics

High Fidelity — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0500

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 do
39:06 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 yourself
1:00:34 Minestrone soup! William's selfcare routine

Episode 33 | Autumn Update on the Vermont Market: Show us the Data!

High Fidelity — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0400

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

Episode 32 | None of this is legal advice...Cannabis Musings with Marc Hauser

High Fidelity — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0400

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 Vermont
20:47 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

Episode 31 | Cannabis Talk and Mushroom Walks with the Women of Gossamer

High Fidelity — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 14:42:31 -0400

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 Keefer

Show 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 flower
55:35 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

Episode 30 | Revisiting Rebel Grown, a Conversation with Dan Pomerantz

High Fidelity — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0400

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 Grown
Brio Coffeeworks
High Times
Rebel 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 cannabis
17:41 Dan's first trip to Vermont
21:36 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"

Episode 29 | Consider the F*cking Source with Fiona Lucia Genadio-Allen of Wolfpeach

High Fidelity — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 16:39:44 -0400

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 Herbalism
Zack 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 Eagle
Caiger & Co.
Trenchers Farmhouse
Urban Moonshine
Adam'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 education
8:43 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 herbs
42:50 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

Episode 28 | The Vermont Legislative Lowdown with Dave Silberman

High Fidelity — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0400

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 businesses
8:51 Propagation license created
11:09 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 expanded
15:37 Medical cannabis program improvements
21:49 Removal of DLL oversite of paraphernalia in cannabis retail
22:35 Vape tax removed on cannabis products
23:34 What didn't pass and why, Governor Scott's stance on cannabis
29:16 Projections for 2024 legislative session
32:17 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 supplements
41:58 Dave's thoughts on SAFE Banking and Federal rescheduling of cannabis
45:04 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

Episode 27 | What Keeps Cary Giguere Up At Night? A Conversation with the VT CCB Compliance Director, Part 3

High Fidelity — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0400

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 Establishments
NCS Analytics
Eurofins

Show Notes:
0:00 Lift off
1:12 Intro
5:22 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

Episode 26 | Clean Without Compromise: A Conversation with Anselm Doering of EcoLogic Solutions

High Fidelity — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 04:00:00 -0400

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

Episode 25 | A New Blue Dream for Project CBD with Martin Lee

High Fidelity — Thu, 11 May 2023 13:27:28 -0400

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 Bio
5:00 High Fidelity gratitude for Project CBD
6:00 Inspiration at ICRS
7:00 CBD shows up in lab results in CA
8:00 Project CBD introduces CBD clones into medical cannabis market in CA
10:47 CBD genetics in Colorado
14:00 Vermont medical community's acceptance of CBD
16:00 Project CBD is the "software" to the CBD clone "hardware"
18:00 Blue Dream + Project CBD
20:40 CBD and psychedelics
22:00 Social dimensions of healing
23:00 Regenerative agriculture
26:00 Hemp-derived/synthetic cannabinoids
29:00 Type 2 cultivars
32:00 Efficacy of different types of concentrates
34:00 Cannabis and AI
37:56 Martin's perspective on "craft cannabis"
41:25 Interstate cannabis commerce

Links:
Subscribe to High Fidelity Newsletter
Project CBD
International Cannabinoid Research Society
O'Shaughnessy's
Ganjapreneur
Blue Dream

Episode 24 | U.S. Cup Tasters Championship with Andrew Shelley of Brio Coffeeworks

High Fidelity — Thu, 04 May 2023 17:44:23 -0400

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 off
1:29 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"

Episode 23 | Navigating Cannabis Categories of Consumption with ChatGPT

High Fidelity — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 16:35:20 -0400

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

Episode 22 | Cannabis Advertising Solutions with JB Sugar of WeedStreetNOW

High Fidelity — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 14:19:43 -0400

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

Episode 21 | Cannabis Flower & Potency: What You Need to Know

High Fidelity — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 16:53:07 -0400

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 off
2:00 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

Episode 20 | Spring Update on the Vermont Market + Producer Perspectives on "Craft"

High Fidelity — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 18:05:12 -0400

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 lab
2:52 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 Motherflower
13:27 Amy Bacon of Ceres Collaborative
14:11 Dan Pomerantz of Rebel Grown
17:26 Emilie Paquette of Florious

Episode 19 | A Taste of Place with Ted Dobson of Arrow Cultivate

High Fidelity — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 13:32:36 -0400

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 begins
2:18 Bridget's Introduction to Ted in the Berkshires
8:20 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

Episode 18 | Getting Witchy with Weed & Katherine Elmer of Spoonful Herbals

High Fidelity — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 12:38:00 -0400

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 off
1:21 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 products
21:30 Consumer orientation to certainty
22:30 Yin & Yang & Cannabis
28:00 Direct connection with the plant
30:27 Bioregional herbalism
32:11 Evolving a feminist marketplace
36:27 Wellness sovereignty
39:39 "How to Violate A Woman", a poem by Katherine Elmer

Episode 17 | Cannabis Advocacy at the VT Statehouse with Dave Silberman

High Fidelity — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 16:18:47 -0400

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-coalition

Show 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 2023
19:39 - 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 license
24:27 - 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

Episode 16 |The Bold & The Analytical: Lab Talk with the Women of Onward Analytics

High Fidelity — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 17:33:12 -0500

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 Registration

Show Notes:
0:00 Let's get it started
1:17 Steep Hill Inc. update
2:53 Callie's background in product development
6:07 Holly's background in lab management
9:14 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 & validation
22:20 ISO Certification
24:10 State of collaboration between licensed labs
28:06 The role that a CCB lab will play
30:22 Creating a competitve advantage in a lab environment
33:27 The lab as a partner in product development
39:03 Current study with cultivators
41:20 Preparing for federal legalization
44:18 "Taking a floor"

Episode 15 | Ensuring Product Safety with Cary Giguere, CCB Compliance Director: Part 2

High Fidelity — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 17:58:15 -0500

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 update
2:18 - Employee to business license ratio, 2:54 - VT Cannabis workforce demographics
3:46 - CCB Enforcement actions, 5:07 - Updates on recent Consumer Protection Warning
8:27 - Residual pesticides on clones, 9:18 - pesticides in the environment
11:28 - Legality of out of state clones
12:38 - Importance of Nursery License
14:40 - Product registration process
17:54 - How CCB was set up in statute
21:43 - State agencies that collaborate with CCB
27:10 - Importance of CCB directed analytical lab
34:20 - Compliance team's current priorities
37:25 - Overview of 4 categories of Compliance
39:30 Comfort for new consumers

Episode 14 | Cosmic Vagina with Three Buds Apothecary

High Fidelity — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 15:45:07 -0500

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.com
https://www.ilovemymuff.com
https://thegreenclosetvt.com

Show Notes:
2:49 - Origin story of Three Buds Apothecary

7:30 - Creativity being your craft

9:07 - Reducing stigma related to women’s sexual pleasure and health

11:29 - How to shed tree when you get undressed

13:30 - Seed to soil to oil

16:22 - Essential oil synergies

19:00 - SOS Skin Serum

20:45 - Women embracing their age

24:40 - Eat bonbons, have sex and take baths

27:45 - Bathing as an important part of selfcare

29:00 - Integrating the benefits of selfcare

32:15 - I Love My Muff

34:32 - What it means to consume a candle

39:35 - Candle care

Episode 13 | Consumer Protection Warning Triggers $1M CCB Budget Request

High Fidelity — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 16:24:56 -0500

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 Warning
Vermont Cannabis Control Board Complaint Portal
Northern New England Poison Control Center
Rebelliously Compliant Speaker Series at Steep Hill Vermont

Episode 12 | Product Formulation with Emma Merritt of Kria Botanicals

High Fidelity — Sat, 28 Jan 2023 05:41:21 -0500

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-try

Show Notes:

2:08 Emma’s philosophical approach to herbalism

6:44 Hemp being welcomed into the complete herbal apothecary

9:29 Emma’s introduction to Kria

12:22 Tinctures vs sublingual oils

15:37 Overview of Kria’s contract services

17:09 Overview of extracts that can be used in product formulation

21:20 Potential benefits of live rosin

26:16 Creating different cannabinoid ratios in an infused product

28:40 Formulating with acidic cannabinoids

32:55 Contract services that are currently in demand

36:00 Providing differentiation in a crowded gummie market

38:16 Botanicals that work well in cannabis formulation

40:58 Kria’s focus in 2023

42:27 Examples from Emma’s selfcare routine

Episode 11 | Paying it Forward with Sam Bellavance of Sunset Lake CBD

High Fidelity — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 13:51:44 -0500

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.com
https://www.sunsetlakecannabis.com
https://www.uvm.edu/extension
https://vbsr.org

Show Notes:

2:23 Sunset Lake CBD origin story

5:41 Partnership with UVM Extension

8:38 Doubling down on CBD

12:45 Upcoming changes to the hemp program in Vermont

18:43 Market data to illustrate overall impact of hemp/cannabis industries in VT

21:26 Knowledge transfer from CBD to THC markets

24:38 Cross-pollination concerns

26:35 Choosing suitable genetics for growing outdoors in VT

28:17 Commitment to triple bottom line

32:18 Investing in climate resiliency

Episode 10 ⎸Cannabis 2022: The Year in Review

High Fidelity — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 16:48:34 -0500

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.

Episode 9 ⎸Ensuring Product Safety with Cary Giguere, CCB Compliance Director

High Fidelity — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 16:47:39 -0500

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 Form
https://ccb.vermont.gov/AUcomplaints

Episode 8 ⎸Cannabis Through the Lens of the Complete Herbal Apothecary with Jennifer Costa

High Fidelity — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 16:41:07 -0500

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 Medicine

Pam Montgomery: Wake Up to Nature

Railyard Apothecary in Burlington, VT

Spoonful Herbals in Burlington, VT

Episode 7 ⎸Rebel Grown Back Home with Dan Pomerantz

High Fidelity — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 18:05:38 -0500

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.

Episode 6 ⎸The Benefits of Vermont’s Medical Cannabis Program

High Fidelity — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 16:37:52 -0500

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.

Episode 5 ⎸The 2022 High Fidelity Holiday Gift Guide

High Fidelity — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 16:32:48 -0500

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!

Episode 4 ⎸High Fidelity at MJBizCon 2022

High Fidelity — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 16:36:16 -0500

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.

Episode 3 ⎸Navigating the Vermont Cannabis Marketplace, Part 3

High Fidelity — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 16:48:41 -0500

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.

Episode 2 ⎸Navigating the Vermont Cannabis Marketplace, Part 2

High Fidelity — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 12:53:41 -0500

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.

Episode 1 ⎸Navigating the Vermont Cannabis Marketplace, Part 1

High Fidelity — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 15:24:41 -0400

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.

Trailer

Bridget Conry — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 12:50:29 -0400

Show launches November 1st, 2022.