The Cannabis Man Podcast returns with a fresh Sativa review and big headlines shaping the cannabis world. Host Don Kleppin kicks things off by cracking open the 2025 Best in Grass judge kit for his first official taste — the Titan Express Sativa from Grassroots. [https://cannabisrealmny.com/white-plains/menu/grassroots/grassroots-titan-express-indoor-35g]

In cannabis news, Don dives into Massachusetts’ proposed THC potency caps [https://thehighway.co/massachusetts-proposes-potency-cap-and-eliminating-home-cutivation/] and a potential ban on home cultivation, Donald Trump’s new video touting the medical benefits of cannabis for seniors [https://www.marijuanamoment.net/trump-posts-video-on-medical-benefits-of-cannabis-for-seniors-as-white-house-weighs-rescheduling/] as rescheduling debates heat up, Canada’s cannabis industry adding $16 billion to the economy in 2024 [https://www.leafie.co.uk/news/cannabis-adds-16-billion-canadian-economy-2024/], and a new study showing cannabis use may provide short-term PTSD relief for veterans [https://www.psypost.org/cannabis-use-linked-to-short-term-relief-of-ptsd-symptoms-in-veterans/].

Plus, an in-depth interview with John Schute, CEO of PufCreativ, on how his award-winning agency is shaping cannabis brands, connecting with consumers, and navigating a rapidly changing market.

If you love industry insight, product discovery, and the latest cannabis policy news, this episode delivers.

Titan Express Takes Off | Cannabis Potency Caps, Trump’s Medical Marijuana Nod & John Schute of PufCreativ

The Cannabis Man Podcast welcomes back Mark Kazinec, Co-Founder and COO of Best In Grass [https://bestingrass.io/], as Illinois kicks off its second annual cannabis competition. Don shares his excitement about being a judge and previews the big launch party happening this Saturday.

Beyond the contest, this episode explores the booming cannabis beverage market [https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250904402984/en/Crescent-9-THC-Seltzer-Tops-Nielsen-Ratings-No.-1-Selling-THC-Drink-in-Stores-Nationwide?feedref=JjAwJuNHiystnCoBq_hl-T-Aq5FK_YNs9dj0diYIGhc8KKVs40LkPd-HQDK48IgLD8DYIYv4TIC1g1u0AKcacnnViVjtb72bOP4-4nHK5ie3s9AdvRTJIeeg_bOEKU2H], a pharma billionaire betting that a cannabis painkiller [https://www.forbes.com/sites/willyakowicz/2025/09/12/this-pharma-billionaire-is-developing-a-cannabis-painkiller-to-replace-dangerous-opioids/?utm_campaign=forbes&utm_medium=social&utm_source=reddit] will be a gamechanger, and unpacks a groundbreaking study suggesting humans have been using cannabis for over 20,000 years [https://www.cannanaskis.com/history/2025/9/16/cannabis-timeline-pushed-to-20000-years].

From the roots of human history to today’s competitions and innovations, this episode connects the past, present, and future of cannabis.

The Past Meets the Present: Best In Grass and Ancient Cannabis

In this episode of Cannabis Man, host Don Kleppin sits down with Ryan Crandall of Nature’s Heritage [https://www.naturesheritagecannabis.com/] to discuss the brand’s launch into Illinois and the warm reception it’s received from patients and consumers. Ryan reflects on honoring the legacy of cannabis before legalization, gives credit to those who paved the way, and shares insights into building a trusted brand in a competitive market.

For the first time publicly, Ryan announces that Nature’s Heritage is entering the edibles space with an innovative capsule blending cannabis and functional mushrooms—a product designed to expand benefits and redefine wellness.

Listeners will hear about:

 * Nature’s Heritage’s arrival and success in Illinois

 * The importance of honoring cannabis legacy and culture

 * The company’s first edible capsule combining cannabis with functional mushrooms

 * What this innovation means for the future of cannabis products

Whether you’re a patient, consumer, or industry insider, this episode offers valuable perspective on heritage, innovation, and the next evolution of cannabis.

Nature’s Heritage Expands in Illinois: Cannabis Legacy, Edibles & Functional Mushrooms with Ryan Crandall

After a two-month hiatus, The Cannabis Man Podcast returns with personal updates and fresh insights from the Illinois cannabis scene. Host Don Kleppin shares what’s been happening off the mic—moving across Chicago for more family space, starting a new job, and settling into a new schedule. Don covers upcoming cannabis events in Illinois [https://illinoisnewsjoint.com/], highlights standout products and dispensaries, and then sits down with Aspen Noonan, CEO of Elevate Holistics [https://elevate-holistics.com/]. Together, they discuss why cannabis education is essential, the life-changing benefits of becoming a certified medical cannabis patient, Aspen’s rapid rise to CEO, and the shared experiences of navigating new parenthood while working in the industry. The episode closes with a reflective High Haiku.

Back on the Mic: Cannabis Education, Parenting, and Life Updates with Elevate Holistics’ Aspen Noonan

This week on Cannabis Man, Don celebrates two years of wedded bliss and a recent cannabis event with a packed episode full of flavor, facts, and fire strains. He dives into High Minded Food Pairings, spotlighting unusual but delicious snack combos and pondering why Cheez-Its are so damn addictive.

Don also reviews a Korner Boys Gusher strain preroll [https://snapcanna.com/menu/pontiac/products/korner-boys-316285/flower/korner-boys-flower-gusher-35g-4144187/] and shares some eye-opening cannabis news, including a survey that busts the lazy stoner myth [https://www.marijuanamoment.net/marijuana-users-are-more-than-5-times-as-likely-to-regularly-exercise-than-eat-fast-food-stereotype-busting-survey-shows/]: cannabis users are nearly 5x more likely to exercise regularly than eat fast food.

Then it’s off to Arkansas, where the state reports strong cannabis sales [https://www.kark.com/news/state-news/arkansans-consuming-more-than-6000-pounds-of-marijuana-a-month-in-2025/] while the governor vetoes a bill to allow dispensary drive-thru windows [https://arktimes.com/news/cannabiz/2025/06/09/dropping-drive-thrus-governors-veto-shoots-down-dispensary-windows].

Plus, Don interviews the CEO of Hippos [https://hipposcannabis.com/] in Missouri [https://hipposcannabis.com/], a cannabis company co-founded by former NHL stars, and encourages listeners to share their favorite munchie food pairings via social media or voicemail at 872-269-2403.

If you're in Chicago, Don also recommends checking out the delicious creations from Lyon Legacy Cookie Company [https://www.facebook.com/people/Lyon-Legacy-Cookie-Company/61574960009093/].

High Minded Pairings & Hockey Legends: 2 Years, 1 Love, and a Gusher of a Preroll

This week on Cannabis Man, host Don Kleppin highlights the bustling Chicago cannabis scene with upcoming brunch events, the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference [https://www.benzinga.com/cannabis-conference], and the Chi High Afters party. He also reviews a new-to-Illinois brand, Nature’s Heritage, and its flavorful hybrid flower strain, Lilac Diesel [https://www.naturesheritagecannabis.com/strains/lilac-diesel/].

In the news:

 * A potential federal ban on intoxicating hemp products [https://themarijuanaherald.com/2025/06/u-s-congress-house-gop-bill-would-ban-most-hemp-derived-thc-products-nationwide/]

 * North Carolina’s governor backs legalization [https://www.marijuanamoment.net/north-carolina-governor-backs-marijuana-legalization-and-forms-a-bipartisan-commission-to-craft-a-plan/] and forms a bipartisan planning committee

 * Connecticut cracks down on illicit cannabis sales [https://www.ctinsider.com/politics/article/connecticut-vape-shops-cannabis-illegal-sales-20359122.php]

 * Jack Daniel’s CEO admits legal cannabis is cutting into alcohol profits [https://themarijuanaherald.com/2025/06/ceo-of-jack-daniels-parent-company-says-marijuana-use-eating-into-alcohol-profits/]

Don also sits down with Tony Schor [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-schor-98a4391/], Chairman of the Cannabis Hall of Fame [https://cannabisindustryinstitute.com/cannabis-hall-of-fame/], for a wide-ranging conversation. They talk about Tony’s start in Chicago PR, the normalization of cannabis in professional life, insights into cannabis mergers & acquisitions, and why patience is essential as the industry matures. Tony shares his take on Illinois’ high taxes, premium product quality, and why East Coast markets are booming. Plus, a sneak peek into the Cannabis Hall of Fame exhibit at Planet 13 in Las Vegas [https://www.planet13lasvegas.com/].

The Great Cannabis State of Illinois: Tony Schor on Legacy, M&A, and the Cannabis Hall of Fame

In this episode of Cannabis Man, host Don Kleppin shares some personal joy, giving a heartfelt shout-out to his cousin’s wedding and a birthday salute to his twin sisters. Then, it's a deep dive into the latest cannabis news: a pivotal legal case [https://themarijuanaherald.com/2025/05/the-u-s-supreme-court-could-realistically-end-cannabis-prohibition-in-the-near-future/] that could bring the federal cannabis ban before the U.S. Supreme Court, a controversial bill in New Jersey [https://www.marijuanamoment.net/new-jersey-lawmakers-consider-recriminalizing-some-marijuana-purchases-and-sales/] that could re-criminalize certain cannabis transactions, and an intriguing proposal to use cannabis tax revenue to fund Universal Basic Income [https://cannabis.net/blog/opinion/could-federal-cannabis-legalization-fund-a-universal-basic-income-plan-for-all-americans] for Americans.

Don also reviews three unique gummies from Extract Labs [https://www.extractlabs.com/], including a high-CBD Strawberry, a balanced Sour Apple (5mg CBD/THC), and a THC-free Citrus flavor featuring 50mg of calming kavalactones.

Later, Don welcomes fellow cannabis podcaster Pat Helmers of The Cannabis Advocate Podcast [https://cannabisadvocatepodcast.com/] for a crossover interview. Together, they discuss the ongoing stigma, what excites them about the cannabis space, and what podcasting has taught them along the way.

Cannabis on Trial: Weddings, Weed, and Supreme Court Showdowns with Pat Helmers

In this episode of Cannabis Man, host Don Kleppin shares personal updates from Chicagoland as he prepares for a big family move and reflects on birthday wishes from listeners. He also shares his excitement for Season 4 of The Bear, especially after working on set as a background actor during filming earlier this year.

Don reviews a lineup of cannabis beverages from Texas-based brand Howdy [https://siphowdy.com/], including their lemonade, Paloma, Ranch Water, Sweet Tea, and the bold cinnamon-spiced Howdy Hooch. Then, he welcomes Adam Wilks and Ryan Burke, CEO and COO of Tyson 2.0 [https://tyson20.com/], to talk about their company’s international expansion—starting with South Africa—and their bold vision to bring Tyson products to every country on Earth.

In the news segment, Don covers:

 * The DEA’s controversial claim linking cannabis to psychosis more than meth [https://www.marijuanamoment.net/dea-promotes-claim-that-marijuana-could-be-more-likely-to-cause-psychosis-than-meth/]

 * A Justice Department plan to reschedule cannabis without DEA support [https://www.vice.com/en/article/marijuana-reclassification-schedule-iii/]

 * The staggering $25 billion states have collected from legal cannabis sales [https://themarijuanaherald.com/2025/05/u-s-states-have-collected-nearly-25-billion-in-marijuana-tax-revenue-since-recreational-sales-began-in-2014/]

 * Albuquerque issuing direct checks from cannabis tax funds [https://www.greenstate.com/news/albuquerque-cannabis-tax-basic-income/]

 * The Czech Republic moving to legalize home grows and personal possession [https://internationalcbc.com/czechia-takes-historic-step-toward-cannabis-policy-modernization/]

 * A deep dive into terpenes best known to ease anxiety [https://cannabis.net/blog/medical/want-to-reduce-your-anxiety-and-panic-attacks-look-for-these-terpenes-in-your-cannabis]

He closes with a fresh High Haiku and encourages listeners to call or text with thoughts, feedback, or suggestions at (872) 269-2403.

Howdy, Tyson 2.0, and a Global Green Wave with Adam Wilks and Ryan Burke

In this summer-kickoff episode of Cannabis Man, host Don Kleppin celebrates Memorial Day weekend, his birthday, and the third anniversary of the podcast. He shares favorite warm-weather traditions, plans for the weekend, and reviews a new Mandarin Pomelo THC seltzer [https://drinkwynk.com/] from WYNK along with a CBD patch from Neno’s Naturals [https://www.nenosnaturals.com/].

This week’s guest is Michael Sassano, CEO of Somai Pharmaceuticals [https://somaipharma.eu/], who breaks down the global growth of medical cannabis and the challenges of regulation across continents. From Germany and Thailand to Spain and France, Sassano details the rise of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis and predicts a sweeping medical adoption over the next five years.

Don also wraps the week’s top cannabis headlines: a THC ban bill in Texas [https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/bill-bans-thc-sales-passes-texas-house/], how tariffs may hit cannabis [https://ohyeahweed.com/how-trump-s-tariffs-could-reshape-the-us-cannabis-industry/] supply chains, and an update on rescheduling delays reportedly tied to the DEA [https://www.marijuanamoment.net/marijuana-rescheduling-blocked-by-opposition-from-within-dea-bidens-drug-czar-says/]. He ends on a hopeful note with news that daily CBD use may curb alcohol cravings [https://norml.org/news/2025/05/22/clinical-trial-daily-use-of-hemp-derived-cbd-reduces-alcohol-cravings/], and, of course, a brand new High Haiku.

From Europe with Bud: Michael Sassano on the Future of Medical Cannabis

Summer’s almost here, and Cannabis Man is celebrating sunshine, mothers, and plant-powered healing. Don kicks off the show with a warm tribute to moms—especially his own and his wife—before diving into reviews of Strawberry CBD Gummies from Extract Labs [https://www.extractlabs.com/] and Sleep Formula gummies from TribeTokes [https://tribetokes.com/].

This week’s guest, Ian McGann [https://www.linkedin.com/in/imcontractingltd/], shares his remarkable journey of survival after a brain stem stroke. In a powerful and emotional interview, Ian details what happened, what he’s learned, and how cannabis played a key role in his recovery and spiritual growth.

In the news wrap:

 * An Arizona lab flagged for major testing violations [https://mjbizdaily.com/arizona-marijuana-regulators-flag-major-testing-lab-for-multiple-violations/]

 * A federal agency calls for standardized cannabis drying [https://www.marijuanamoment.net/cannabis-industry-should-develop-more-consistent-drying-methods-federal-science-agency-says/]

 * New research on cannabis and cognitive decline prevention [https://cannabis.net/blog/medical/forget-brain-quizzes-cannabis-could-be-the-key-to-preventing-cognitive-decline-says-new-groundb]

 * A Swiss study links legalization with lower “problematic use” [https://internationalcbc.com/swiss-study-finds-legal-cannabis-access-reduces-problematic-consumption/]

 * GreenState’s new Consumers’ Choice Awards [https://www.greenstate.com/cannabis-awards/greenstate-consumers-choice/#//]—now accepting nominations

Don closes with a High Haiku and invites listeners to call or text the show at 872-269-2403 with ideas, feedback, or guest suggestions.

Brain, Body, and Bud: Ian McGann's Journey Back From a Stroke

A thorough look at all things cannabis from America's complicated past to the present efforts to federally decriminalize it. Plus new industries, companies and products exploding in states that have legalized weed.

Cannabis Man

Seasoned radio host and 'Cannabis Man' podcaster, blending news reporting with storytelling, driven by a passion for truth and engagement.

Don Kleppin

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