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

This week on Cannabis Man, host Don Kleppin opens up about his May the 4th traditions, the growing cultural impact of Star Wars Day, and a personal reflection on a late friend who shared the same birthday. Don responds to listener mail with a passionate take on the phrase “do your own research” and the importance of scientific consensus.

In product reviews, Don shares his thoughts on gummies from Hometown Hero [https://hometownhero.com/] and Flower Union [https://flowerunion.co/], and Brawler Blunts from Tyson 2.0 [https://tyson20.com/].

The featured guest is cannabis attorney Lauren Rudick of Rudick Law Group [https://www.rudicklawgroup.com/]. She shares her early cannabis education from her parents, insights as a recovering litigator, and the murky legal waters separating cannabis from hemp. Rudick also offers practical advice for potential investors in the space.

Plus, cannabis news updates: – DEA nominee says cannabis rescheduling is a top priority [https://www.marijuanamoment.net/trumps-pick-to-lead-dea-says-marijuana-rescheduling-review-will-be-one-of-my-first-priorities-in-the-job/] – How legal weed may shape the U.S. economy in 2025 [https://mjbizdaily.com/marijuana-industry-will-add-123-billion-to-us-economy-in-2025/] – A suspected arsonist targets Illinois dispensaries [https://www.greenstate.com/news/chicago-cannabis-dispensary-arson/] – West Coast flower showing up in NY shelves illegally [https://superbev.wpenginepowered.com/2025/05/06/illegal-cannabis-products-discovered-for-sale-in-ny-dispensaries/] – Two new cannabinoids discovered in South Korea [https://www.leafie.co.uk/news/new-cannabinoid-discovered-cannabis/]

All that, plus this week’s High Haiku.

Chicago's Weed Arsonist, New Cannabinoids & the Chaos of the Law — with Lauren Rudick

Text Cannabis Man! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1933612/open_sms]

In this episode of Cannabis Man, host Don Kleppin opens with a reflective story about a family trip to Chicago’s Jackson Park during cherry blossom season, including a visit to the serene Osaka Garden. He shares a live review of Fable’s Into the Woods botanical cannabis beverage, featuring hints of stone fruit, pine, and rosemary.

Don’s expert guest is Kirsten Velasco, author and creator of VapenProp [https://vapenprop.com/], a cannabis vaping tool designed to solve key issues with portable vape use. Kirsten shares her personal journey with cannabis, the failure of prohibition, and the cannabis vs. hemp distinction.

Also in this episode: Don reviews Hometown Hero [https://hometownhero.com/c/gummies/]’s pomegranate raspberry gummies, updates from Illinois' medical cannabis portal [https://iloginhelp.illinois.gov/how-to-guides/introduction.html], news from Missouri’s booming cannabis market [https://www.stlpr.org/show/st-louis-on-the-air/2025-04-22/missouri-cannabis-industry-booms-despite-recalls-struggles], rising cannabis use [https://nypost.com/2025/04/19/health/meet-nycs-weed-loving-over-60s-as-seniors-are-using-marijuana-more-than-ever/] among seniors, a groundbreaking cancer-focused medical cannabis study [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/18/medical-cannabis-cancer-study], and a new study [https://greenunicornfarms.com/] reveals which state has the best cannabis cultivation conditions!

The episode wraps with a reflective High Haiku inspired by the beauty and balance of nature within the city.

Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/cannabisman]

Interested in advertising? Email host@cannabismanpodcast.com!

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For more cannabis news and insights, check out the Weekly Chronic [https://cannabisman.substack.com/] newsletter!

Cherry Blossoms & Cannabis Breakthroughs: Kirsten Velasco, VapenProp & Nature in the City

Text Cannabis Man! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1933612/open_sms]

This year, Easter Sunday lands on 4/20—and we’re lighting up both holidays with a Cannabis Man celebration! Don reflects on the occasion with a festive monologue, then dives into the latest cannabis headlines:

 * Why rescheduling is delayed, not dead, according to a top cannabis lobbyist [https://businessofcannabis.com/cannabis-rescheduling-delayed-not-dead-despite-deas-apathy/]
 * New Illinois Senate bill [https://www.marijuanamoment.net/illinois-senate-passes-bill-to-stop-police-from-using-smell-of-marijuana-to-justify-vehicle-stops-and-searches/] would ban police stops based solely on cannabis odor
 * Solvent vs. solvent-less extraction: which is healthier? [https://mjbizdaily.com/solvent-based-cannabis-extraction-versus-solventless-methods/]

Next, Don shares a 4/20 Gift Guide courtesy of Grasslands, reviewing a standout pick: Fable Libations' “Best Zest” hemp beverage.

Our guest this week is KymB, Co-Founder and CMO of TribeTokes [https://tribetokes.com/]. She shares her inspiring journey into cannabis, the evolution of their products, and how seniors and women are changing the consumer landscape. Don also reviews their Tropicana Cookies THCA cart and vape battery. The episode wraps with a collection of 4/20 events [https://www.greenstate.com/lifestyle/420-2025-event-guide/] happening around the U.S. this weekend, and three High Haikus to celebrate the holiday.

Rate, review, share, and text in to join the conversation. Happy 4/20 and Happy Easter, fam!

Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/cannabisman]

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For more cannabis news and insights, check out the Weekly Chronic [https://cannabisman.substack.com/] newsletter!

High Hopes & Holy Smoke: A 4/20 Easter Special with TribeTokes' KymB

Text Cannabis Man! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1933612/open_sms]

In this milestone episode of Cannabis Man, host Don Kleppin reflects on a year of life, love, and cannabis. Don shares heartfelt personal news as his daughter Violet turns one, offering a candid look at parenthood, purpose, and the joy of watching a little human grow.

We dive into the latest Illinois cannabis sales figures and product registration news in the News Joint Wrap [https://illinoisnewsjoint.com/], along with a cautionary list of products to avoid. Don also spotlights Lyon Legacy Cookie Company [https://www.facebook.com/people/Lyon-Legacy-Cookie-Company/61574960009093/#], a sweet new venture in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood.

Our expert guest is Dylan Spencer, Chief Marketing Officer at Sauce Essentials [https://sauceessentials.com/], who breaks down the brand’s philosophy, product development, and how to build community despite the ongoing stigma and censorship around cannabis. Don reviews Sauce’s Live Resin Vapes and Smoke infused pre-rolls, and explores major national stories like:

 * 600 lbs of cannabis stolen from a Colorado police lockup [https://www.kktv.com/2025/04/09/600-pounds-marijuana-stolen-colorado-state-patrol-evidence-container/]
 * A key Michigan Supreme Court ruling on cannabis odor and search rights [https://www.freep.com/story/news/marijuana/2025/04/03/marijuana-smell-car-vehicle-search-michigan-supreme-court/82790564007/]
 * The ongoing hemp battle in Texas
 * A revealing study from Pennsylvania about doctors and cannabis [https://www.marijuanamoment.net/patients-are-largely-comfortable-with-their-doctors-using-marijuana-outside-of-work-study-shows/]

Plus: this week’s High Haiku honoring memories and milestones, and a reminder to rate, review, and share the show!

Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/cannabisman]

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For more cannabis news and insights, check out the Weekly Chronic [https://cannabisman.substack.com/] newsletter!

Milestones & Marketing Amid Stigma with Sauce Essentials' Dylan Spencer

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.