Cannabinoid Connect

In this episode of Cannabinoid Connect, Kevin talks with Robin Swan, Founder of Swan Apothecary, herbal alchemist, and lifelong cannabis advocate. With over 30 years of legal experience—and a family legacy rooted in both Indigenous and Persian healing traditions—Robin shares how she's transforming the cannabis industry through ancestral wisdom, clean medicine-making, and radical integrity. Robin d...

In this episode of Cannabinoid Connect , host Kevin Carrillo sits down with Brendan McKee , Co-Founder and COO of Silver Therapeutics — a cannabis retailer that has grown from a single dispensary in Massachusetts to a multi-state operation with locations across the Northeast. Brendan shares: His founder journey — from pro athlete to cannabis entrepreneur Lessons from launching one of the first adu...

In this episode of Cannabinoid Connect , host Kevin Carrillo sits down with Jameson Rodgers , Co-founder of CBDfx , one of the world's largest privately held CBD companies. Jameson shares his powerful journey from launching the brand out of a garage in 2014 to becoming a global wellness leader with over 100 employees and presence in 21 countries. We explore: The founder story: from electronic cig...

In this episode, we're joined by Marc Rodriguez , Co-Founder and CEO of Green Leaf Business Solutions —one of the fastest-growing payroll and HR firms serving the cannabis industry. Marc shares his journey from corporate HR roles to launching Green Leaf, the challenges of navigating legal uncertainty, and how his team has built a robust HR infrastructure trusted by operators across the country. We...

In this episode, I sit down with Mikey Steinmetz, Co-Founder and Chief Servant Officer of Functional Kannabis+ (FK+) , to discuss the powerful evolution of cannabis from its legacy market roots to the future of functional, wellness-oriented products. Mikey shares his founding story behind Flow Kana , the rise of sungrown cannabis in Northern California, and the harsh regulatory challenges that for...

Kyle Loucks, Founder & CEO of RollPros, returns to the podcast to share how his company has revolutionized the cannabis pre-roll industry. With over 120 million joints rolled and a commitment to preserving flower quality, RollPros has taken automation to a new level—starting with quality, not scale. In this episode, Kyle shares the story behind the Blackbird and new XXL product lines, how traditio...

What if there was a legal way for cannabis companies to eliminate federal income tax and reward employees with ownership at the same time? Darren Gleeman, Managing Partner of MBO Ventures, joins the show to break down the rise of ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plans) in the cannabis industry. In this episode, we explore: Why ESOPs are a "game-changer" for cannabis companies  How they help compani...

In this episode, I sit down with Will Read, Founder & CEO of CannaPlanners—a Vermont-based digital agency on a mission to normalize cannabis through powerful design and branding. From his early days in the music industry to his time at Apple, Will shares how those diverse experiences helped shape CannaPlanners into a go-to partner for cannabis businesses looking to stand out. We talk about his fou...

In this episode of Cannabinoid Connect, we sit down with Jenae Sergio, Navy veteran and Director of Development at Grunt Style Foundation & Irreverent Warriors. Jenae shares her personal journey from homelessness to a distinguished federal career and now, a leading advocate for veteran mental health and access to alternative healing modalities, including cannabis. She opens up about her own experi...

John Burk, Army veteran and co-founder of Shell Shock CBD, joins the show to discuss the battle over Texas Senate Bill 3 (SB3), a controversial piece of legislation that threatens to dismantle the state's hemp industry. In this powerful episode, John shares his personal story, the mission behind Shell Shock CBD, and why he's leading the charge to defend small businesses, veterans' rights, and acce...

The cannabis concentrate industry is evolving, and solventless extraction is leading the way. In this episode, I sit down with Barron Lutz, Founder of Nasha Hash, to break down what makes live rosin and ice water hash unique, how genetics are shaping the future of concentrates, and why consumer demand for clean cannabis is rising. 🔹 What live rosin really is & how it differs from other concentrat...

In this episode, I sit down with Rama Mayo , co-founder of Hall of Flowers , to discuss the future of cannabis branding, mainstream adoption, and industry evolution . Rama shares insights on why experiential marketing is crucial , how the cannabis industry mirrors music and fashion , and why protecting authenticity is more important than ever. We also dive into: ✅ The 30-year vision for cannabis...

Keeping cannabis clean is more critical than ever. In this episode, I sit down with Joe Edwards , Chief Science Officer at Yofumo Technologies , to discuss the game-changing role of decontamination in the cannabis industry. We dive into: ✅ The hidden contamination risks in cannabis cultivation ✅ How Yofumo's ozone-based technology is revolutionizing decontamination ✅ The tightening of complianc...

In this episode of Cannabinoid Connect, we sit down with Livi McKay, Founder and CEO of Discover Your Color , to hear her incredible journey from overcoming life-threatening health challenges to becoming a leader in cannabis innovation. 🌱 Livi shares how cannabis helped her break free from opioid dependency, recover from chronic health conditions, and regain control of her life. We discuss her mi...

In this episode of Cannabinoid Connect, Kevin Carrillo talks with Jonathan Ballard, VP of Market Development at LeafyPack, diving deep into how automation technologies are revolutionizing the cannabis industry. From enhancing packaging processes to ensuring consistent quality across products, Jonathan shares insightful examples from the field, demonstrating the critical role of automation in impro...

Join us for a game-changing discussion with Darren Gleeman, Managing Partner of MBO Ventures, as we delve into the transformative power of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) for cannabis companies facing the stringent 280E tax burdens. Discover Darren's patented ESOP methodology that has helped companies like Theory Wellness navigate financial hurdles and foster employee empowerment. Darren sh...

Join us as Jack Blaeser, Founder, CEO, and Board Director of Mosaic, dives deep into how technology is revolutionizing the cannabis dispensary experience. Discover the role of mobile apps, data analytics, and integrated digital solutions in shaping the future of cannabis retail. From enhancing customer loyalty to leveraging AI for personalized shopping, learn how Mosaic is helping dispensaries opt...

Join us in this fascinating episode of Cannabinoid Connect as we explore the groundbreaking technology behind Lumenary with co-founders David Kostiner and Robbie Schneider. Discover how their unique metal-free vaping devices are setting new standards in the cannabis industry, enhancing both safety and flavor. Dive into their family-rooted journey from concept to market leader, and learn about the...

Join us for an enlightening discussion with Shayda Torabi Howell, co-founder and CEO of RESTART and President of Texas Hemp Coalition. Dive into the intricacies of hemp policy advocacy in Washington, D.C., and the latest trends shaping the Texas cannabis market. Discover how RESTART is innovating with new products like RITA and On High, and learn about the challenges and opportunities ahead in the...

Join Kevin Carrillo in a revealing episode of Cannabinoid Connect with Guillermo Rodriguez, Virtual CFO and seasoned expert in the cannabis industry. Dive into our discussion on the pivotal role of a Virtual CFO in transforming cannabis businesses through strategic financial planning and profit-focused accounting. Learn from Guillermo as he shares essential insights on navigating residency require...

Join Kevin Carrillo on Cannabinoid Connect for an enlightening conversation with Amanda Reiman, Chief Knowledge Officer at New Frontier Data. With a career spanning over two decades in the cannabis industry, Amanda shares her invaluable insights into the latest consumer trends, the importance of data in understanding market dynamics, and the evolving landscape of cannabis products focusing on heal...

Step into the world of cannabis operations with Michael H. Sampson and explore the legal landscape, risk management, and the path to successful insurance coverage. Whether you're tackling residency requirements or gearing up for litigation, this video has the insights you need to navigate the complexities of the cannabis industry. =================== About Cannabinoid Connect Thought-provoking dis...

Wyatt Larew, the force behind Wyatt Purp, joins us to share his journey from a dramatic health scare to pioneering a movement for natural cannabis. Learn about the challenges of fighting synthetic THC and why natural is not just a choice but a mission. Wyatt's story is a testament to resilience, faith, and the healing power of cannabis.  Tune in for an inspiring deep dive into the world of natural...

Discover the world of cannabis real estate with Anthony Coniglio from NewLake Capital. From unique funding strategies to market predictions, get a comprehensive view of this dynamic sector. ====================== About Anthony Coniglio and NewLake Capital Partners, Inc. Anthony Coniglio is the president, chief executive officer and board of directors' member of NewLake Capital Partners, Inc., an i...

Ben Burstein is LeafLink's Sr. Corporate Development Associate, helping manage industry research, mergers & acquisitions, and strategic partnerships for the company. He's been featured as an industry expert both on-air (ABC, FOX, NPR) and through digital channels (Forbes, Cannabis Business Times, MJBizDaily, St. Louis Business Journal). Prior to LeafLink, he worked at Citi Equity Research and Tuat...