Insiders Podcast
By DISTINCT MEDIA
Insiders PodcastNov 26, 2019
#207 Making Gummies w Fritz's Cannabis Company
Ari Cohen & Tabitha Fritz, Co-Founders of Fritz's Cannabis Company discuss their history of making cannabis gummies for the legacy market & how/why they transitioned over to the complicated but exciting legal market. If you make gummies or just like eating them like many of us, this one's for you!
Find them on social @fritzscanada or at their website www.fritzs.ca
#206 Psychedelic Mushroom Research w Alexzander Samuelsson
Alexzander Samuelsson is HavnLife's Chief Research Officer, the company is "focused on standardizing extraction of psychoactive compounds, the development of natural health products, and developing innovative mental health treatment to support brain health and enhance the capabilities of the mind"
He's also a super nice guy ;)
Alex talks about the work they do & speculates about the possibilities of legalization, both in the medical & recreational arenas.
www.havnlife.com I @alexthechemist
#205 Joel Brierre Discusses 5-ME0-DMT
To find Joel online, check out:
https://www.itsallsource.com/welcome
kaivalyakollectiv.com
#204 CanaWho Explained with Pedro Correia
It's not easy to start any business in the legal cannabis space. Pedro Correia has big hopes for his start up app "CanaWho"
Will he find success in his venture? Only the future will tell. Here's his story.
#203 Isadore Day, Former Ontario Regional Chief talks about his new company Red Market Brand
Isadore Day believes that there's still opportunity in the legal cannabis space for indigenous people. He talks about the current situation & why he believes that if indigenous communities can get it right, they are poised to prosper.
Find out more @ https://redmarketbrand.com/
#202 Ultra Marathon Runner Avery Collins
Running isn't for everyone, long distance running appeals to an even smaller crowd
Some runners choose to run distances that can only be described as "Ultra".
Avery Collins, a professional ultra runner joined me to talk about what it takes to run 50, 100, 200 miles & everything in between!
Avery is also a cannabis advocate, he talks at length about how he uses THC & CBD for training & recovery, and how how cannabis has become very common in the ultra scene.
Super nice guy, great stories & a lot of great intel.
Hope you enjoy!
#201 CaliSober Defined w Andrew DeAngelo
Andrew DeAngelo joins me to talk about the CaliSober lifestyle & movement. It might have a different definition for you than for me but the goal is common, getting to that perfect place & enjoying life & experiences.
This one's short but runs deep, I hope you enjoy!
#200 Chef Jordan Wagman Discusses Food, Cannabis & Life!
There's no better way to celebrate 200 episodes than with someone as cool as Chef Jordan Wagman!
We talked about how to make infused foods (That goes without saying!), life, work & feeding that creative fire that both of us are grateful to have on a daily basis. Life is all about living it to the fullest, Jordan is a shining example of how to follow your heart & being great at doing it.
Don't forget to follow Jordan's new podcast as well called "In the Weeds" below or anywhere you stream your podcasts from!
https://apple.co/3uIthCb
Check out https://jordanwagman.com/
Twitter: @WagmanJordan I Instagram: @chefjordanwagman
#199 The latest on the Psychedelic Industry w Lucas McCann CSO of PsyDelta
Lucas McCann, PHD & Chief Science Officer of CannDelta & PsyDelta discusses the latest in the Psychedelic space. Where we're at in Canada, what substances are being looked at & where he sees the industry headed in the future.
Super nice guys & highly intelligent, well worth it!!
Find out more about them @ https://canndelta.com/
#198 Optimizing Men's Health Beyond 40 w Dr. Myles Spar
Trying to live a healthy lifestyle gets more challenging the older you get. Now that I'm in my 40's, I've personally noticed it more than ever.
I invited Dr. Myles Spar onto the podcast to talk the many ways that men can optimize their lives physically & mentally as we age.
Dr Spar has written 2 books on the subject & is the Chief Medical Officer of Vault Health, a US-based company that is dedicated to the optimization of men's health. I learned a lot, I hope that you do too.
Find out more about Dr. Spar at vaulthealth.com & drspaw.com or check out his TED Talk at https://bit.ly/3v0lYXu
#197 Terry Booth Talks About His New US Venture Australis $AUSA
Terry Booth reflects on his time at Aurora Cannabis & his New US Venture Australis. Terry's optimistic about the US marketplace, his company's position & experience, leading up to potential federal legalization South of the border.
Should you invest in $AUSA? I'll let Terry tell you why he thinks you should.
Find out more about Australis @ https://ausa-corp.com/
If you have a story that you'd like to tell, reach out to me: michael@distinctmedia.ca / @_insderspod
#196 Colin Bambury Explains How He Made a Career in Cannabis
The legal cannabis space is a funny place. Full of restrictions while seemingly lacking in information. Colin Bambury, a young but seasoned cannabis marketer & entrepreneur joined me to talk about how he found a way to make a career in cannabis. While Colin's career may just have started, he's already respected for his insights & hustle.
Follow Collin at:
@colinbambury I @thc_canada I adcann.ca I colinbambury.com
#195 Raine Maida & Ian Kwechansky talk Loop/Pool
Loop = Premium Cannabis Products
Pool = Emerging Artist Support
Our Lady Peace front man Raine Maida & Loop/Pool Founder Ian Kwechansky discuss this new initiative that will bring more great recreational cannabis options to consumers in Canada while donating a portion of the proceeds to Canadian emerging artists.
Find out more at www.looppool.ca or check them out on Facebook & Instagram.
You can also follow Raine online at instagram.com/rainemaida or instagram.com/ourladypeace
#194 Former UFC Middleweight Elias Theodorou Talks Cannabis Therapy & Life
If you're a fight fan, or a cannabis fan, this one's for you! Former UFC Middleweight & cannabis activist Elias Theodorou has found a new battle to fight. Literally putting his career at risk, Elias has chosen to step up & be a leader for other athletes who use cannabis & may not have the courage to speak out for themselves.
We talk a little fighting & have a little fun. I even asked him if his parents think he's crazy! He's a great communicator & chatting with him was a blast. I hope you enjoy!
Follow him on social @eliastheodorou / Check out imaginebc.net & of course Rise FC, Co-Promotors of his upcoming event!
#193 High Canada Magazine - Past, Present, Future & more :)
High Canada Magazine Founder Cy Williams & Ontario Editor Tammi Stanhope talk about what it's like to run the publication, the launch of new magazines internationally & their take of psychedelics. This one covers a lot of ground & gives you an inside look at the people behind the brand.
Check them out at www.highcanada.net or on social @highcanadamagazine
You can reach me at michael@distinctmedia.ca
Merry Christmas :)
#192 Mexico's Move Towards Cannabis Legalization w. Jorge Rubio
Just when you thought cannabis was going to be legalized in Mexico, it looks like you might have to put the breaks on for a bit! Jorge Rubio, our resident Mexico/Cannabis expert tells us exactly what's going on & what he expects will happen in 2021.
Follow Jorge on Twitter @jorgeru77
Follow Insiders Podcast @_insderspod
#191 PURE SUNFARMS' CEO Mandesh Dosanjh
PURE SUNFARMS has quickly become one of the "cool kids" in a world that seems jam-packed full of cannabis retail options. Consumers seem to love their portfolio & continuously rave about their product line in the Twitterverse & beyond! We talk to Mandesh Dosanjh, the man who's pushing the buttons behind the scenes, making PSF a leader in an ever crowded marketplace.
Find out how they handled 2020 & what lies in store for the company in 2021 & beyond.
www.puresunfarms.com
Mandesh Dosanjh I PURE SUNFARMS
#190 Caught Smuggling Cannabis, One Man's Story
Now a respected cannabis grower & family man, Dano Willox's life wasn't always easy.
In dire need for money, Dano decided to take a chance on a "one time job" that would help him in a time of need. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned & Dano found himself in a US jail. This is the unreal story of one man's crazy journey.
#189 CBD Research & Realities with Dr. Richa Love
CBD is all the rage these days, but what is real & what is not?
Dr. Richa Love & her business partner Shekhar Parmar talk about the benefits of CBD use & some of the things to watch out for in a brand new & evolving industry.
Taking CBD may help you treat a wide variety of ailments, but understanding the research & realities before you head down that path is important. Dr. Love & Shekhar take the time to discuss CBD use & why it may just change the health industry as we know it.
To find out more about Bloom by Dr. Love, visit www.bloombydrlove.com & cannu.ca
To find out more about me, visit www.distinctmedia.ca & @_distinctmedia on most social streams.
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CBD Research & Realities with Dr. Richa Love #CBD #CBDResearch #BloombyDrLove
#188 Tristan Connelly - One Chance Made Him Great
Most of us wouldn't dream of actually fighting with anyone, while others do it for a living. At 155 pounds Tristan Connelly's body may not be "huge" but when given a chance to step into the octagon with a much larger opponent, Tristan proved that it's what's inside that counts.
I remember watching the fights that night, as both men walked into the arena & thought "Man, that Vancouver kid is in over his head". Literally minutes into the first round & I found myself on the edge of my seat, Tristan didn't show up just to lose, he was there to shock anyone who doubted his chance of winning!
With just 5 days to prepare for his first fight in the UFC, Tristan became an instant home-town hero.
He joined me to talk about that fight, his life & his future. I hope you enjoy.
Follow Tristan: @mmatristan / https://www.ufc.com/athlete/tristan-connelly
#187 Marc Emery - The Culture of Cancellation
One of these things is not like the other!
Trying to interview a man like Marc Emery has been one of the most frustrating experiences in my podcast life! Trying to make sense of a man that so many people loathe, puts you into the crosshairs of public opinion, no matter the type of spin that you try to bake into it.
Is Marc Emery all about the counter-culture movement, is he just a shit disturber, or is he just crazy?
I recorded a 20 minute conversation with Marc, but decided that an editorial on the experience would be of more value to you than publishing the actual words he said.
I hope you find this perspective interesting & I hope that you find it in you to be kind to one another.
#186 Largest Cannabis Retail Chain In Canada - Int w High Tide's CEO Raj Grover
Sure, we all shop at our favourite cannabis stores & we all have different reasons for choosing them. When you visit a larger retail chain, it can feel like that "personal touch" is missing.. Who are the people behind the brand & what's important to them?
Today I spoke with High Tide's President & CEO Raj Grover who's chain of retail stores called Canna Cabana have recently acquired Meta Growth's retails stores called New Leaf. If you buy legal cannabis, you would likely already know who the two chains are independently but now with the acquisition, they will become one & the biggest combined chain of stores in Canada.
Raj talks about his own life, coming to Canada as an immigrant, working day & night trying to get his business off the ground. He discusses other projects he's involved with & explains why they're important not just to Canna Cabana, but for consumers as well.
It was nice to see the face behind the brand & to know that at Canna Cabana, they're real people who care passionately about the cannabis experience.
Find out more:
Twitter: @cannacabana_ / Insta: @canna.cabana / www.hightideinc.com
Interview arranged by www.jessco.com
#185 The Restrictive World of Cannabis Marketing w Medipharm Labs CMO Sybil Taylor
Today's interview is with Sybil Taylor, who is a seasoned marketer with well over 20 years in the alcohol & now the cannabis space.
Sybil is currently the Chief Marketing Officer for Medipharm Labs, she talks about her professional life & why her approach to marketing over the years has found success. I've personally admired her work on social streams for about 3 years, trust me, she's really good!
If you're a marketer, in sales, communications, or whatever.. This one's for you!
Find Sybil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sybil-taylor/
#184 How COVID Almost Killed My Friend
This story is both serious & amazing. My friend & co-worker Jay Chowdhury contracted COVID-19 & spent almost a month on life support. It's easy to dismiss COVID, or perhaps be annoyed by it, but in my case, I know someone who almost died. This is his story, about a month after being released from the ICU. I hope you enjoy.
#183 Could POPCANN Be The Future of Cannabis Retail?
Imagine going to see your favourite band in an out of the way spot & finding the perfect little cannabis store serving concert goers?!
Jake Neiman & his crew at POPCANN are re-fabricating sea cannisters to make retail more accessible to consumers, aspiring store owners entrepreneurs & more. It's a brilliant idea, the question will be whether POPCANN can navigate the red tape that surrounds this restrictive industry.
To find out more about POPCANN & their many conceptual ideas, check out popcann.com
#182 Keeping Children Safe with Dr Steve Webb
Dr. Steve Webb, Social Media Intelligence Expert, Police Officer & Founder of Safe School Systems talks about keeping children safe in an electronic World. Dr. Webb has also published a book called Education in a Violent World, that gives insights on what children & teenagers must deal with & what their parents may not be aware of.
"Education in a Violent World" is available on Amazon or visit: www.drstevewebb.com
#181 Meditation - Total Embodiment Method w Richard L Haight
With everything happening in the World these days, being at peace with yourself & the World has never been more important.
Richard L Haight joined me to talk about meditation & mindfulness. Richard tells his story & describes his on-going journey as a meditator, teacher, author & martial artists. Fascinating guy, I hop you enjoy!
You can find out more about Richard here:
https://amzn.to/382NSHa
#180 Alex Halperin of WeedWeek talks Cannabis Media
Alex Halperin is a long-time journalist who made the transition into cannabis media after attending MJBizCon in Las Vegas. Alex recognized how big the industry was becoming & that it had very little credible media coverage. Alex & his team created WeedWeek, which covers cannabis news & information in California, Throughout the US & in Canada as well. Alex talks about what it takes to stay in the cannabis media game, when so many others try to cover it only to walk away.
Check them out at www.weedweek.net
WeedWeek's Alex Halperin - Cannabis Media Insights
#179 The Comedic Journey w Dan Lamorte
Dan Lamorte is a young, handsome buck, who also happens to be a very funny comedian! Dan also tells a pretty damn good story, so making this interview was a snap. I asked a question, he responded with a crazy-ass story & I laughed. Perfect!
Like everyone else on the planet, Dan's life is currently on hold so there was no better time than now to have chat online, record it & play it for a world that's missing fresh comedy in their lives.
I'm looking forward to watching Dan's career explode & hoping that one day, I'll be telling people over beers that I once interviewed the great & powerful Dan Lamorte! (Don't let me down Dan!)
Check him out: www.danlamorte.com & Insta/Twitter @danlamorte
#178 Insights on the Cannabis Retail Game w Christina Michael
Marigolds Cannabis Founder & entrepreneur Christina Michael joined me to talk all things cannabis retail! Launching 3 stores in the GVA & 1 in the GTA, Christina should have a huge year ahead of her. Christina talks about what makes a great shop, how COVID is effecting business & tells a bit of her cannabis story as well.
Check them out: marigoldscannabis.com
#177 Edible Realities & Fallacies w Scott Riefler
Scott Riefler, Chief Science Officer of SorSe Technology talks about the good, bad & ugly truths of CBD/THC edible production!
Scott talks about & explains why misleading buzzwords & misleading packaging are bad for consumers! He talks about why bioavailability should be a primary focus & why it's tricky to create consistent edibles with homogeneity, shelf stability & near perfect dosing.
Great insights, I hope you enjoy!
www.sorsetech.com
#176 Weed Comedy & Activism, Int w Ngaio Bealum
You ever meet someone for the first time but it feels like you've known them for a long time? That's what it was like talking to Ngaio for this interview. He's just a cool guy with great insights who loves to communicate. Oh.. He's also really passionate about cannabis too!
Ngaio talks about his life, his work & how he's felt about the cannabis space over the years.
Video version of this interview (which includes comedy clips) can be found on our YouTube Page as well.
Follow Ngaio on Insta & Twitter @ngaio420
#176 Weed Comedy & Activism, Int w Ngaio Bealum
#175 Cannabis Queens - Doing Business Their Way!
Self described "Cannabis Queens", OBGYN Dr Leslie Apgar & entrepreneur/investor Gina Dubbe talk candidly about their struggles getting into the cannabis industry. Together, they've opened up a legal dispensary called Greenhouse Wellness, they have a growing CBD product line & have coauthored a book about being women & business people in the cannabis space called High Heals.
These guys are quite remarkable & tell a great story. To find out more about Gina & Leslie, check out greenhousewellness.com
#174 Mexico Cannabis Legalization Update w Jorge Rubio
Jorge Rubio joined us once again to talk about what's happening in the the world of cannabis legalization in Mexico. With COVID-19 having an effect on the Mexican Parliament, the bill to legalize cannabis has been delayed. Jorge also talks about some of the regulations within that bill that will have an effect consumers, patients & business as well.
To watch the video version of the interview, check out our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrDyXDaJaoMtFwsXsHi6xhA?view_as=subscriber
#173 Going Global In the Cannabis Biz, w David Hyde & Barry Davidson
David Hyde & Barry Davidson are two well know & respected security & over all business advisors in the Canadian Cannabis Space. Now they're on a mission to teach the rest of the world all of the lessons they've learned while being deeply involved in cannabis legalization in Canada.
David & Barry talk about the countries that they're focusing on, some of the lessons they've learned & even have a few laughs too.
Don't forget to check out the video version of this interview as well @ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrDyXDaJaoMtFwsXsHi6xhA
#172 Contracting & Surviving COVID-19 - An Activist's Story
Darryl is an American cannabis activist who contracted COVID-19 while sharing a joint with friends. He talks at length about what the early symptoms felt like & how the sickness because the focus of his life for 3 weeks. While Darryl's story is fascinating, it also serves as a warning to others to be safe. COVID-19 may change cannabis culture in the future if passing a joint becomes a custom that consumers begin shying away from.
Follow Darryl on Twitter @hemp4victory
#171 The Emperor Wears No Clothes E-Book Release
Ask any cannabis OG what books inspired them & they'll very likely say "The Emporer Wears No Clothes". Written by the late & legendary Jack Herer, the book has been read by millions & is just as relevant today as when it was first published in 1995.
Jack's son Dan & his business partner Bruce Dietzen joined me to talk about taking this book from paper to digital for the e-book release. Originally scheduled for 420, the release has been pushed ahead due to circumstances & is already available on amazon.com.
Dan not only talks about why the book still matters but also opens the door to his past, telling stories about his father as well.
Classic conversation about a classic book. I hope you enjoy.
#170 Industry Gossip & Insights w Nic Nedin & Friends!
Trying something a little different! Nic Nedin, host of The Flower Hour Podcast joined me via Zoom to drop some industry gossip, insights & humour. We were also joined live from Ryan Roch inside his shop to get the latest on how retailers are staying afloat during the COVID outbreak. We'd love to get your feedback on this style of podcast too. Hit myself and/or Nic up & let us know what you thought!
@cannupdatepod & @IAMNedin
#169 UK Update w Nick Pateras of Materia Ventures
Normally, when I speak to anyone at Materia Ventures, we talk cannabis & CBD, especially now that they're making a big push into Europe. For this interview, I spoke with Managing Director Nick Pateras about the COVID-19 situation in the UK & surrounding countries. Nick graciously spoke to me from his living room, right in downtown London. We talk COVID, Cannabis & even managed to squeeze a little business chat into the interview.
Follow Nick on Twitter @Nick_Pateras
#168 Trapped in Spain during COVID. Kiely Beaudry's Story
Kiely Beaudry is a well respected advocate & entrepreneur in the Canadian cannabis space. She flew to Spain for Spannabis & ICBC knowing that it might be a bad decision but when she left, nothing was canceled. When she arrived in Spain, everything changed. Kiely tells her story of being stuck in a foreign country & trying to get home.
Follow Kiely on Twitter @kieleybeaudry
#167 Corona Virus Chat w Dr Mike Hart
Yup, these are unprecedented times. I'm pretty sure that none of us have ever gone through something quite like this pandemic & hopefully it will be the only time in our lives. While I didn't want to add to the info overload out there, I didn't want to coast along & act like it's not on our minds either. So I reached out to renowned doctor & medical cannabis advocate Dr. Mike Hart to ask a few questions about self care & what cannabis consumers should consider as this virus slowly reaches our borders.
To follow Dr Mike Hart online, find him @drmikehart on social & at his website www.mikehartmd.com
#166 Testing Cannabis, an Int w Keystone Labs
Jodi Mcdonald, President of Keystone Labs joins me to talk about cannabis testing & analytics. Because Keystone Labs works with small/recreational growers & large licensed producers, Jodi's able to address the things that they're most interested in & why. We don't cover any COVID-19 topics in this chat & hope that you'll find this refreshing!
More interviews will be published this week.. Stay safe.
#165 Honest Insights on CBD w Dr. Zora Degrandpre
Leafreport recently published a report called the CBD Market Consumer Research Study that was co-authored by Dr. Degrandpre. She joined me to talk about the report, which covers over 3500+ products trying to make sense of what is legit & what products are pure marketing mayhem!
If you're new to CBD & curious, this is a perfect way to get some perspective on the massive number of products hitting the market place.
Be safe & be smart.. This is a crazy time & the research is just starting to get underway.
To read the full report, click here: https://www.leafreport.com/education/the-cbd-market-explained-a-guide-to-become-a-smart-consumer-3159
#164 Activist Keith Fagin - A Sensible Approach
Long-time Calgary activist & educator Keith Fagin joined me to talk about his life & the role cannabis has played in it. Keith knew at a very young age, the healing potential of cannabis & that if consumed responsibly the benefit that it could have on society. Keith believes in a sensible approach to his work in the cannabis space & his work over years has earned the respect of many OG's in the Canadian activist scene.
Recently in the hospital, Keith finally had the time to sit down with me to tell his story. I hope you enjoy.
Follow Keith on Twitter @KF420
#163 Connecting the Dots, an Int w Strainprint CEO Andrew Muroff
Strainprint is a well known & respected ancillary business in the legal cannabis space. The Strainprint community loyally shares user experiences & information so that patients, consumers & industry players are better able to make sense of products in the marketplace. Now, Strainprint has partnered up with TruTrace, which is a company that is able to scientifically analyze & verify cultivar & product information on a molecular level, facilitating Strainprint with better focused & more accurate information.
CEO Andrew Muroff joined me to talk about the joint venture & to talk about the direction that his company is taking in this unpredictable world of legal cannabis.
Follow Andrew on Twitter @rockstar_inc or check out Strainprint.ca
#162 Business of Extractions w Nextleaf Solutions
Paul Pedersen, CEO & Co-Founder of extraction company Nextleaf Solutions talks about his business & why extraction technology is only in it's infancy in Canada & beyond. As someone who doesn't know a lot of the extraction business model, I asked a lot of basic questions about how it works, so if you're curious but don't know a lot about this area, this interview's for you! With "Cannabis 2.0" here in Canada, there's no better time to talk about extractions & why they may be the future of cannabis consumption.
To follow Paul on social @paul_oils
#99 Psychiatrist & Drug Policy Advocate Dr. David L Nathan
One of my favourite interviews from 2019, Dr. David L Nathan is an outspoken drug policy reform advocate & psychiatrist. Dr. Nathan talks at length about the philosophy of drug policy in the US & some of the ways in which the cannabis plant, in particular CBD, may be used (or not used) to treat patients with a wide variety of mental health issues.
Make sure you follow Dr. Nathan on Twitter @DavidNathanMD, or just Google him! Dr. Nathan has amazing content all over the internet!
#161 OG Kirk Tousaw Launches Great Gardener Farms
Revered Lawyer, activist & entrepreneur, Kirk Tousaw talks about his former life as a "Pot Lawyer" & where he's headed today. Kirk has defended many of Canada's leading cannabis activists for many years & has many stories to share about his experiences. Kirk was kind enough to talk about some of his cases & do it in a way that is quite revealing & authentic. It was an honour to produce this conversation & I'm hopeful that Kirk will join me again to tell more of his amazing & often crazy stories!
Follow Kirk on Twitter @kirktousaw or check out his company https://www.greatgardenerfarms.com
#160 You Can Grow Anywhere! Int w Dianna Donnelly
Dianna Donnelly is a respected home grower, teacher, blogger & leader when it comes to growing cannabis inside the home & on a small, personal scale. A natural green thumb, Dianna decided to begin growing her own cannabis when she became a medical user & wasn't happy with the prices or selections offered by large-scale producers. Dianna tells her story, talks about growing 25 plants in a small apartment & gives some solid perspective on growing & why it is so therapeutic.
To find out more about Dianna, check out @finallyinsprired on Twitter, her blogs on the Boveda website or just Google her, she's everywhere!
Enjoy!
#159 Grow Tech Labs Partners w ETC3 in Medicinal Plant Research
Today's interview features Barinder Rasode, who is the CEO of Grow Tech Labs & founder of multiple companies in the cannabis space. Barinder talks about their recently announced partnership with ETC Labs, the first privately funded plant medicine research facility in Canada. Barinder & I are old friends so there's a fair amount of chat & other insights thrown in for good measure! I hope you enjoy :)
Find Barinder on Twitter @barinderrasode