Weed Wonks Podcast: Mackenzie Slade of Cannabis Public Policy Consulting on Potency, Prices, and What Drives Consumers to the Illicit Market

In the latest episode of Weed Wonks, Strategies 64’s Jordan Wellington welcomes back Mackenzie Slade, CEO of Cannabis Public Policy Consulting, for a conversation about what makes a regulated cannabis market work. They explore Missouri’s successful and rapid rollout of adult-use legalization and the lessons it may offer other states.

Jordan and Mackenzie also discuss the ongoing challenge of balancing public health goals with a viable legal marketplace, including how policymakers approach taxation, product potency, labeling requirements, and competition with the illicit market.

Weed Wonks Podcast: Henry Crisler of 3MA and Attorney Slates Veazey on the Latest in Mississippi Cannabis Policy and What It Means for the Rest of the Industry

In this episode of Weed Wonks, Jordan Wellington sits down with Henry Crisler, executive director of the Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association (3MA), and Slates Veazey, partner and co-chair of the Cannabis Industry team at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, to unpack the latest policy, legal and business developments shaping the Magnolia State.

From recent legislative setbacks and growing industry consolidation to ongoing DEA inspections of Mississippi dispensaries, the conversation explores what these developments mean for operators in the state—and what the broader cannabis industry should be watching. Listen to the full episode for an inside look at Mississippi’s evolving cannabis landscape.

Weed Wonks Podcast: Public Health Researcher Alisa Padon on Responsible Cannabis Product Marketing

In the latest episode of Weed Wonks, Jordan Wellington sits down with Dr. Alisa Padon, Research Director at the Prevention Policy Group (PPG), for a thoughtful discussion on cannabis marketing and its role in protecting public health.

The conversation examines how cannabis can be marketed to adult consumers without appealing to youth, the influence of pop culture on public perceptions of cannabis use, and the types of advertising practices most likely to contribute to unhealthy consumption. Jordan and Dr. Padon also discuss the importance of balancing public health considerations with broader policy objectives as legal cannabis markets continue to evolve.

Listen to the full episode to hear their insights on responsible cannabis marketing and the future of cannabis policy.

Webinar: One Plant, One Framework – A Smarter Approach to Cannabis Regulation

Strategies 64’s Jordan Wellington recently participated in a webinar with S3 Collective exploring the future of cannabis regulation and the case for a unified, single-plant framework (The One-plant Solution).

During the discussion, Jordan examined how the current divide between hemp and marijuana has created regulatory challenges and highlighted how unified standards could improve product safety, consumer protections, and regulatory consistency. He also shared how these concepts are informing ongoing work at ASTM D37 and CANNRA’s External Stakeholders Summit.

Weed Wonks Podcast: Chuck Smith of Colorado Leads on Cannabis Consumer Trends and How to Advance the Industry While Also Prioritizing Public Safety

In our most recent podcast, Jordan Wellington spoke with Chuck Smith, CEO of Colorado Leads, about the challenges of protecting and advancing Colorado’s legal cannabis industry while maintaining a strong focus on public safety.

Their conversation explored the unique regulatory environment facing cannabis businesses, including why certain consumer trends that succeed in other industries have been slower to emerge in cannabis. They also took a closer look at the cannabis beverage market, discussing the economic and logistical challenges that continue to limit growth and the legislation considered this year in Colorado to address those barriers.

The discussion highlights the ongoing effort to balance innovation, consumer demand, and responsible regulation as the cannabis industry continues to evolve.

Weed Wonks Podcast: Pulak Sharma and Dr. Sean Arora on the “Wild West of CBD” and the Need for Customizable Medical Cannabis

In this special episode of Weed Wonks, Jordan Wellington speaks with Pulak Sharma of Kazmira Therapeutics and Dr. Sean Arora of Arora Health & Aesthetics for a conversation about their licensed compounding pharmacy, Cope Now, and the development of clinician-directed, THC-free cannabinoid formulations designed to address patients’ specific medical needs. They discuss how pharmaceutical-style cannabinoid care could help bring more precision, consistency, and medical oversight to the cannabis space.

They also examine the growing challenges created by the federal government’s bifurcated approach to cannabis policy, which continues to separate hemp and marijuana despite both originating from the same plant. Sharma and Arora explain why anticipating the future direction of cannabis policy — particularly around medical cannabis and cannabinoid therapeutics — is becoming increasingly important for healthcare providers, regulators, and industry operators alike.

Weed Wonks Podcast: Wyld’s Gabe Parton Lee on the Challenges of Regulating Cannabis Edibles

Cannabis companies operate in one of the most challenging regulatory environments in the country, especially when it comes to packaging and marketing.

In the latest podcast episode, Jordan Wellington sits down with Gabe Parton Lee, General Counsel at Wyld, one of the nation’s leading cannabis edibles producers, to discuss the fine line cannabis brands must walk when marketing products to adults without appearing attractive to children.

They also explore the effort behind advancing federal cannabis rescheduling, the realities of navigating inconsistent regulations, and why maintaining public trust remains critical for the industry’s future.

It’s a thoughtful conversation on compliance, policy, and the future of cannabis business.

Weed Wonks Podcast: Attorney Jason Tarasek on Why Minnesota is the Most Fascinating Cannabis Market

In this episode, attorney Jason Tarasek, a partner at Vicente LLP and manager of the firm’s Minnesota office, discusses the nuances of the state’s tribal cannabis policies and how the state is “building the plane while flying it” when it comes to regulating cannabis.

Jason and host Jordan Wellington also discuss what rescheduling and descheduling will mean for investment, why a single, unified market is needed, and how Minnesota gives us a glimpse of what the future can look like when it comes to public cannabis consumption.

Strategies 64 partner featured on Karma Koala Podcast

Jordan Wellington was recently a guest on an episode of Karma Koala Podcast. You can check it out on YouTube, Apple, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Jordan had a great conversation discussing Strategy 64’s One-plant Solution white paper, which was published in January 2026 and offers a roadmap for ending federal cannabis prohibition and fixing the fractured regulatory system in the U.S.

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