Qredible Broadcast

The New York Story of Cannabis

In this episode of Qredible Live, host Brian Fitzpatrick sits down with a special guest, Herb Barbot, the former and first Director of Operations for the New York State Office of Cannabis Management. Herb shares his extensive experience in cannabis regulation and his unique insights into the challenges and opportunities within the cannabis industry, specifically in New York.
Key Topics Covered:
Herb’s Background: Herb discusses his legal background in healthcare and his transition to operational leadership, focusing on his time at the New York State Office of Cannabis Management.
The Cannabis Landscape in New York: Herb provides a detailed overview of the evolving cannabis landscape, including the challenges New York has faced in rolling out legal cannabis dispensaries and regulating the market.
Growth and Challenges in Cannabis Regulation: Discussion on the slow initial rollout of legal dispensaries, the balance between regulation and empowering businesses, and the ongoing battle with illicit cannabis shops in New York City.
Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement: Herb highlights the struggles with enforcement due to unclear legislation and the state's efforts to address illicit operations.
The Role of Social and Economic Equity: Herb explains how New York has prioritized social and economic equity in its licensing process, ensuring that a significant portion of licenses are issued to those from historically marginalized communities.
The Future of Cannabis in New York: Predictions on the future of cannabis in New York, with an emphasis on the potential for rapid growth as the industry stabilizes.
Key Numbers:
213 dispensaries currently operating in New York, with an expected increase to 220 by the end of the day.
Over 1,100 licenses have been issued across the supply chain.
New York's cannabis industry has grown from $160 million in sales in 2023 to $700 million year-to-date in 2024.
The state anticipates the cannabis market will reach $4-5 billion in the next few years.
For more insights, listen to the full episode and check out Herb’s podcast Joint Session for in-depth discussions on cannabis regulation in New York.
Next Week’s Broadcast: Tune in for another exciting episode of Qredible Live as we explore more industry topics!

Lab Testing Fraud - What You Need to Know - With Trent Hancock

In this episode of Qredible Live Broadcast, host Brian Fitzpatrick sits down with cannabis business owner and grower, Trent Hancock, to discuss the critical issue of cannabis lab testing fraud. Trent, who has years of experience growing cannabis in Oregon and Montana, sheds light on the troubling realities of lab testing in the cannabis industry, from manipulated test results to the impact on consumer trust. Together, they explore how fraudulent practices are harming the credibility of cannabis businesses, threatening consumer safety, and what the industry can do to build transparency and trust.
Key Topics Covered:
Trent Hancock’s background and journey from growing cannabis in Portland to commercial cultivation
The widespread issue of fraudulent lab testing in the cannabis industry
How fake test scores are impacting consumer safety and trust
The need for stricter testing standards and regulations
The role of Qredible in ensuring compliance and transparency within the cannabis industry
Guest Bio: Trent Hancock is an experienced cannabis grower and business owner who has worked extensively in Oregon and Montana. With deep insights into the cultivation and regulatory aspects of the cannabis industry, Trent is an advocate for transparency and ethical practices in cannabis lab testing.
Host Bio: Brian Fitzpatrick is the host of Qredible Live Broadcast and CEO of Qredible, a technology-driven platform focused on delivering compliance and consumer safety solutions for high-risk industries like cannabis. Brian brings a wealth of knowledge about regulatory challenges and the role of technology in improving industry standards.
Connect with Us:
Learn more about Qredible: Qredible.com
Connect with Trent Hancock on LinkedIn
Next Steps: Be sure to subscribe to Qredible Live Broadcast to stay up-to-date on the latest discussions surrounding cannabis compliance, consumer safety, and business transparency.

Social Media for Cannabis Companies - With Amy Donohue

In this episode of Qredible Live, we dive into the world of social media and compliance in the cannabis industry with social media expert Amy Donohue. With over 12 years of experience managing cannabis brands online, Amy shares valuable insights on the importance of branding, compliance, and community-building across platforms. We discuss the challenges cannabis businesses face when navigating regulations, shadow banning, and how to effectively leverage platforms like LinkedIn, X, and Reddit to grow your brand.
Key Takeaways:
LinkedIn is Key for Cannabis Brands: Amy emphasizes LinkedIn as a powerful platform for cannabis professionals to connect and grow their business networks 🌿.
Branding Comes First: Compliance starts with your business name and online presence. Avoid terms like "CBD" or "Cannabis" in URLs and names to avoid platform restrictions 🚫.
Shadow Banning is Real: Learn how cannabis-related hashtags can lead to shadow bans, making your posts invisible to new audiences. Avoid common mistakes to ensure your brand stays visible 🕵️‍♀️.
Social Media is About Building Relationships: It’s not just about sales. Amy explains the importance of focusing on community-building and educational content to engage the "canna-curious" audience 🤝.
Don’t Rely Solely on Instagram: Platforms like Twitter and Reddit offer more flexibility for cannabis-related content, while Meta platforms can be restrictive 🚨.
Hire a Professional for Compliance: Managing compliance on social media is as important as any other part of the business. A knowledgeable team can help ensure your online presence adheres to the rules 💼.
Social Media Can Change Lives: Amy shares a touching story of how social media led her to donate a kidney, demonstrating the powerful and unexpected impact it can have ❤️.
 

CBD & Fintech: High Stakes in the Payment Game

In this episode, host Brian Fitzpatrick sits down with Angela Ross, a Certified Risk Management Professional and Anti-Money Laundering Specialist, to discuss the challenges and best practices for CBD businesses in the world of payment processing.
Key Topics Discussed
Definition and implications of "high-risk" merchants in the payment industry
Current challenges facing CBD businesses in securing and maintaining payment processing
Best practices for CBD merchants to avoid payment processing issues
The role of technology in maintaining compliance and reducing risk
The importance of transparency and trust in merchant-processor relationships

Navigating Cannabis Compliance: Insights from Kim Stuck of Allay Consulting

In this episode of the Qredible Summer Broadcast, we welcome back Kim Stuck, CEO of Allay Consulting, to discuss:
The current state of cannabis regulations and upcoming changes
Why the cannabis industry isn't as regulated as many think - yet
The importance of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification
Common compliance issues cannabis companies face
How AI and technology fit into the compliance landscape
The role of consultants in preparing businesses for increased regulation
Why empathy and industry experience matter in compliance consulting

The Hemp Revolution: Separating Fact from Fiction with Joe Hickey

In this episode of the Qredible Summer Broadcast, we welcome back hemp industry pioneer Joe Hickey to discuss:
The crucial difference between agricultural hemp and cannabinoid hemp
Challenges facing the Industrial Hemp Act of 2023 (S-980)
The potential of hemp as a revolutionary crop for American agriculture
Misconceptions about hemp farming and its relationship to marijuana
The impact of synthetic cannabinoids on the hemp industry
How listeners can support hemp farmers and push for legislative change
Joe's experiences working with Woody Harrelson to promote hemp

From Lab to Consumer: Demystifying Cannabis Effects with Ryan Guzall

In this episode of the Qredible Broadcast, we welcome back Ryan Guzall, co-founder and CEO of GreenJeans, to discuss:
The challenges of standardization and quality assurance in the cannabis industry
How GreenJeans is using AI and consumer data to match people with the right cannabis products
The importance of focusing on effects and flavor profiles rather than technical terpene information
Ryan's personal experiences trying different cannabis products and the lessons learned
How blockchain technology can improve transparency in cannabis lab testing
The "mango effect" and other factors that can impact a user's cannabis experience
Ways consumers can start journaling their cannabis experiences using the GreenJeans platform

Cannabis and Wellness with Len May

Len May is a Certified Medical Cannabis Specialist with 25 years of cannabis-related experience. He was president of the Cannabis Action Network, and a lifetime board member of the California Cannabis Association as well as the Association of Cannabis Specialists. Currently, Len May is CEO and Co-Founder of Endocanna Health, a Bio-Science Technology company and the parent company of Endo DNA.
In this episode, Len discusses the crossroads of technology and medical cannabis, the latest research into potential applications for medicinal cannabis, and how to integrate cannabis into a wellness plan.

Language and Stigma in the Cannabis Industry with David Paleschuck

David Paleschuck, author of two cannabis books, discusses branding, marketing, and language in the industry. He emphasizes the importance of tailoring language to audiences, distinguishing between terms like "cannabis" and "marijuana," and using appropriate words to destigmatize the plant.
David addresses challenges of cannabis's Schedule I status, suggesting rescheduling could benefit research and standardization. He discusses the potential role of pharmaceuticals in legitimizing the industry while acknowledging concerns. The conversation highlights the need for industry self-regulation, education, and responsible growth.
Key themes include the impact of language on perception, the importance of research and standardization, and the industry's responsibility in normalizing cannabis use. David's work provides guidance for navigating the evolving cannabis landscape.

Cannabis and Christianity with Brother Wolf

This episode features a discussion between Brian Fitzpatrick, Qredible CEO, and Brother Wolf about cannabis and Christianity. Key points include:
The endocannabinoid system and its natural presence in the human body
Distinction between medical/wellness use and recreational abuseBiblical perspectives on sobriety and self-control
The need for responsible, educated discussions in Christian communities
Brother Wolf's background as a former addict and current addiction counselor
The importance of individual relationships with God and avoiding blanket condemnation
Challenges in changing long-held beliefs about cannabis in the church
The potential benefits of cannabis research and proper regulation
Brother Wolf's ministry work with addiction and recovery
The conversation emphasizes the need for open dialogue, education, and responsible use of cannabis within a Christian context.