Cocktail Whisperer

Five Cool Questions For Neil Wiesner: Cannabis Attorney

Post author By Warren_Bobrow
Post date September 30, 2019

Neil Wiesner
PHOTO COURTESY: NEIL WIESNER

Warren Bobrow=WB: Where are you from? Why get into the legal aspects of cannabis? Did you go to business school or just law school? Who is your mentor?

Neil Wiesner=NW: Im from New York City and, when I was in college, it was only the rare weirdo who wasn’t smoking marijuana. At that time, pot was the least favorite of my recreational drug choices. That was nearly forty years ago, and I hear what’s out there now bears little resemblance to what I was familiar with back then. I think drug laws in general are horrible. There are certainly safety and health issues related to drugs, but I do not believe the correct response is their criminal prohibition. When I was in prison, I was in rooms daily with men who, collectively, lost thousands of years of life to confinement as a result of drug criminalization.

Tags Drug Laws, Neil Wiesner

Reviews Tasting Notes

Tiny But Mighty: Sundae School Mini-Joints Charm

Post author By Warren_Bobrow
Post date September 28, 2019

Tiny But Mighty WARREN BOBROW: IPHONE XR

From the very first glance, be it on an angle, or straight into your hand, lighting your tiny, but mighty joint and inhaling deeply brings solace. Through inhaling the healing vapors you can feel into your very soul that Sundae School mini-joints are something extremely special. If you think that you’ve tried excellent cannabis in the past I implore you to seek out Sundae School’s offerings in the cannabis vein. The tiny tin boxes come emblazoned with the messages of the moment. Eureka. Uplift. Brain, Cardio, Boost. They are known professionally as Bullets. I’ve always thought of this size of joint as a dog-walk joint, just enough to walk your dog and make a new friend at the same time.

Sundae School is the smokable incarnation of much dreaming.

Tags Boost, Bullets, Mini-Joints, Nightcap, Sundae School, Uplift, warren bobrow

Events

What I Did On My Summer Vacation: Hall Of Flowers

Post author By Warren_Bobrow
Post date September 28, 2019

Hall Of Flowers
WARREN BOBROW-IPAD PROFESSIONAL

While you were at the beach, reaching for another frosty beer during the final weeks of summer, I was getting ready for the Hall of Flowers. But first, what is the Hall of Flowers? Hall of Flowers is the bi-yearly event that takes place at the historic Sonoma County Fairgrounds located in Santa Rosa, California. Three buildings were packed to the gills this season with dozens more craft cannabis producers in evidence. But first, Hall of Flowers isn’t open to the general public. Far from a stoner event, there is serious business happening in each booth. But please don’t get me wrong for even a moment about the subject matter. The business of cannabis is a fluid, organic being. Opportunities present themselves in a vastly different format than say a liquor conference. Instead of getting drunk and uncontrollable, as is the case with certain liquor festivals, Hall of Flowers is a gathering of the peaceful tribes.

Casa Humboldt: Flowers and Flowers at Hall of Flowers
WARREN BOBROW: IPHONE XR

Tags Hall Of Flowers

Interviews

The Cannabis Aperitif With THC? That’s Artet

Post author By Warren_Bobrow
Post date September 28, 2019

Artet Mixology
PHOTO COURTESY: ARTET MIXOLOGY

I’m what some have called a Master Mixologist. My professional qualifications are many. I started as a bar back for Chris James at the Ryland Inn. This is the very bottom of the ladder to become a bartender or mixologist in my opinion. It was not easy work at fifty years of age, far from, it was very physically demanding. Chris was not easy on me. You don’t write about spirits from behind a desk, you must be cleaning the speed racks at three in the morning to know what goes into being a bartender. I’ve taught Master Classes in un-manipulated rum at places like the Moscow Bar Show in Russia and Stonewall Kitchen in Maine. I was a rum judge for the Ministry of Rum and the Rum XP folks in Florida. I’ve led and sat on panels at SXSW on cannabis and the Berlin Bar Convent. My six books on mixology are sold globally. There even is a book on Cannabis, named Cannabis Cocktails, Mocktails and Tonics.

Tags 750ml Cannabis Aperitif, Artet, Cannabis, Cannabis Aperitif With THC, Maxwell Spohler, The intersection of cannabis and cocktail culture, Xander Shepherd, Zachary Spohler

Interviews

A Deeper Dive With Rich Batenburg Jr., President And Chairman: Clear Cannabis, Inc.

Post author By Warren_Bobrow
Post date September 27, 2019

Richard M Batenburg Jr._head-shot COURTESY: RICHARD BATENBURG, JR.

Warren Bobrow: What do you think about Colorado and the way they fit a model for the rest of the country to follow—pertaining to cannabis? What about medical? What happened?

Rich Batenburg Jr.: My cannabis-focused investment company operates in several states, many of which we entered at original deployment of a legal marijuana program. While we hear about officials from new jurisdictions coming to Colorado to do research, as well as hiring regulatory consultants from Colorado, it seems like they listen and then try to reinvent the wheel. From my background in change management and process consulting with giant corporations, this is normal—albeit completely unproductive behavior.We should be able to agree on labeling, packaging and potency rules, residency requirements and taxing structures across state lines. Setting up cannabis regulation 50 different ways just creates problems for all involved. I wish other states would just plagiarize the things Colorado did right and improve upon the things they didn’t. Like most people and companies, everyone thinks “we are unique” or “our market is dramatically different.” Over my career I have worked in many industries in almost every state, and I’d estimate that 80% of business challenges, and the solutions to them are the same. It’s all about getting “buy in” from the people who are delivering the products and services. Without buy in, change just takes longer and costs more than it would otherwise.

Tags Cannabis, cannabis-focused investment company, Clear Cannabis Inc., Rich Batenburg Jr.

Articles Interviews

Five Illuminating Questions With Jamie Evans: The Herb Somm

Post author By Warren_Bobrow
Post date September 26, 2019

Jamie Evans with bud at Aug 8th Terpenes & Terroir Dinner
photo credit Cynthia Glassell CYNTHIA GLASSELL

I’d never met Jamie Evans before a couple months ago. Jamie was speaking at a dinner known as Terpenes and Terroir. As it turns out, she had asked me to contribute to her forthcoming book on CBD from my publisher, Fair Winds Press, so I was quite excited to finally meet her in person. To enjoy a dinner with her guidance and wit became the metaphor for this interview. I’m happy to spread Jamie’s deep kindness of our healing plant. Thank you Jamie for smiling in my direction.

Tags Jamie Evans, The Herb Somm

Interviews

Five Questions With Founder/CEO of Sweet Flower Tim Dodd

Post author By Warren_Bobrow
Post date September 25, 2019

Warren Bobrow=WB: Please tell me about yourself? Why cannabis? When did you decide to leave traditional business for a much different path in legal cannabis?

Tim Dodd= TD: We launched Sweet Flower because we believe in building a large, scaled and competitively advantaged business focused on the long-term potential of the cannabis industry in California. As the legal cannabis industry emerges in California, I see vast potential to build a differentiated and competitive business focused on operational experience (our team in addition to me are ex-Google, SNAP, Soulcycle, Equinox and Armani), retail and branding know-how, and a strong Southern California focus. Southern California brands are some of the most recognized in the world, and within cannabis I believe that we can build a best-in-class retail experience and brand. The Los Angeles cannabis market is among the most complex and challenging markets, but I have faith that it can also be the most rewarding.

Tags Sweet Flower, Tim Dodd, warren bobrow

Interviews

Five Crisp Questions To Jonathan Sandelman, CEO Of Ayr Strategies Inc.

Post author By Warren_Bobrow
Post date September 23, 2019

Jonathan Sandelman _ Cartoon Graphic AYR STRATEGIES INC.

Warren Bobrow=WB: Please tell me about yourself? Why cannabis? When did you decide to leave traditional business for a much different path?

Tags Ayr Strategies Inc, Jonathan Sandelman

Articles

Future State Brands: Going Mainstream For High End Cannabis

Post author By Warren_Bobrow
Post date September 23, 2019

Drake Sutton-Shearer COURTESY: FUTURE STATE BRANDS

Cannabis, CBD and hemp are going mainstream. And brands, manufacturers and retailers are ready to partner with leading companies in the cannabis industry. Poised to bring these products to markets is Future State Brands, a newly launched company backed by a seasoned team with $25 million in funding behind them. Formerly PRØHBTD Global, Future State Brands is led by Drake Sutton-Shearer, a six-year veteran of the cannabis industry, along with a dream team of CPG executives, hailing from brands such as Coca-Cola, Starbucks, Patagonia, P&G and L’oreal.“I’m excited to move into this next phase of our journey with a crystal clear vision of our desired future state” said Sutton-Shearer. “Although brands is the vehicle to get us there, it cannot be achieved without an incredible team, accessible capital and most of all, an understanding of the customer we are building for”. Thanks to a cash infusion led by Dallas-based Cresco Capital, Future State Brands will be building out a growing portfolio of THC, Hemp and CBD brands. Its current lineup includes hemp beauty line Hempathy; functional beverage platform Ceeby Dee’s; art-centric infused wearables The Patch Co.; and music-driven flower brand Heavy Grass.

Tags Future State Brands, Hemp CBD Products

Events

International Bar and Beverage Trade Show

Post author By Warren_Bobrow
Post date September 23, 2019

October 7- 9 2019 Station Berlin & Kühlhaus Berlin

HOW ALCOHOL & CANNABIS STACK UP

Themen: Parkstreet University

Global sales of the Cannabis category are blooming. Join this panel of experts as they look into consumer insights around cannabis, the growing number of cross-over products, and what the future looks like for the cannabis category.

Warren Bobrow

(Moderator)» weitere Informationen

Jaap Kras

(Referent)» weitere Informationen

Tags Berlin, Cannabis Cocktails, Cocktail Whisperer, International Bar and Beverage Trade Show, warren bobrow