The Feels

After the success of last season's episode, we wanted to bring back three more members of The Therapeutics to hear their stories! In this episode, The Gold Giraffe, STNTN, and Leethal give their perspective about what makes St. Louis special, the city’s impact on the art and culture scene, and how cannabis plays a role in all of it.

0:00 Welcome and introduction

0:16 Who is Notorious?

0:51 Introducing The Gold Giraffe, STNTN, and Leethal of The Therapeutics

1:08 From interviewer to interviewee with Leethal

1:38 The importance of cannabis

2:20 What’s behind the name The Gold Giraffe?

2:40 Cannabis’s high value in life

3:00 Welcoming STNTN

3:21 What makes St. Louis special?

5:11 Consuming cannabis to rediscover one’s self

6:09 How cannabis helps STNTN create art

6:48 The purpose of cannabis for Leethal’s  

7:27 Favorite places to consume cannabis

8:37 The Gold Giraffe’s love for St. Louis

9:24 St. Louis’s influence on art

10:07 Learning more about The Gold Giraffe

10:36 What cannabis does for The Gold Giraffe

11:41 Where does Leethal love to spend time?

12:11 The best place to think and decompress

12:54 Finding the heart and soul of St. Louis

15:02 Enjoying the uniqueness of the Delmar Loop

15:43 The art and culture scene of Grand Center

17:35 Don’t sleep on Union Station

18:40 Spitting a few bars for the beauty of St. Louis

21:42 Thank you to our sponsors

When it comes to cannabis, it seems like the only constant is change! This is especially true when it comes to building a new market from scratch. In this episode of The Feels, Melissa Khan, Executive Associate Director of MoCann Trade, shares some great insight about the Missouri cannabis industry as well as about her personal experience with the plant!

0:00 Welcome and introduction

0:18 Who is Max’s Butcher Shop?

0:50 Introducing Melissa Khan, Executive Associate Director of MoCann Trade

1:08 The history of MoCann Trade

2:19 How MoCann is working to break the stigma

2:47 Melissa’s transition from marketing to marijuana 

3:45 Challenges of working in a male dominated industry

4:27 The impact of adult use on the market

5:19 Shifting of consumer behavior

6:28 Analyzing the effect of taxes

6:59 Is there any difference between medical and recreational products?

7:45 Adjusting to new packaging regulations

9:51 Will there ever be uniform industry standards related to packaging?

11:23 Looking at the potential for interstate commerce

12:37 The evolution of the Missouri market

13:27 What cannabis products does Melissa prefer?

14:40 Thoughts on the indica, sativa, & hybrid paradigm 

15:57 Thank you to our sponsors

Prefer to listen? Podcast now available at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/feelstate

After years of working in traditional healthcare, the needs of her family led April Hatch, MSN, RN, Co-founder of Cannabis Care Team to explore alternative treatment options in the form of cannabis. Now, she is utilizing her immense knowledge to help educate countless individuals and cannabis industry workers about the potential benefits of this amazing plant! 

0:00 Welcome and introduction

0:19 Who is Teal Cannabis?

0:56 Introducing April Hatch, MSN, RN - Co-founder Cannabis Care Team

1:15 April’s background in healthcare

1:39 What led to cannabis?

2:42 The creation of Cannabis Care Team

3:53 Helping to teach others about the plant

6:53 Creating a connection between budtenders and customers

7:48 Learning from challenging experiences

12:00 Advocating for more than just THC

12:35 The benefits of CBG 

13:53 Diving into how CBD might help individuals

15:05 Concerns with synthetic cannabinoids

16:08 Importance of whole plant medicine

16:38 Taking a holistic approach to health and wellness

18:10 Effectively utilizing available cannabis research

19:17 Educational challenges in the industry

20:27 Impact of new potential quality standards

21:25 Cannabis Care Team’s patient education materials

24:14 The exciting future of cannabis nursing

26:46 Thank you to our sponsors

Prefer to listen? Podcast now available at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/feelstate

The night of June 28, 2023 is one that Dave Blum and Bryan Bedwell, co-founders of SK8 Liborius, will never forget as a fire destroyed the place that meant so much to them and countless others. In this episode, we get a behind the scenes look at the damage and chat with them about what happened along with their future plans for the community.  

0:00 Welcome and Introduction

0:17 Who are Gold Rush Extracts?

0:49 Introducing Dave Blum and Bryan Bedwell, Co-founders of SK8 Liborius

1:10 Reliving the night of the fire

3:04 The response of the skating community

4:05 A loss to the City of St. Louis

6:46 Show of support from people all across the world

7:36 The connection between skating and cannabis

9:53 Embracing the cannabis community

11:31 Dave and Bryan’s first experience with cannabis

11:56 Has cannabis influenced their skating?

12:39 The vision for the next skate park 

14:10 What can be saved from the building?

15:01 Brainstorming designs with the community

16:55 Motivation for moving forward

18:43 Thank you to our sponsors

19:05 Connect with Dave and Bryan to learn more or donate

Prefer to listen? Podcast now available at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/feelstate

In spite of the many regulatory hurdles, there is currently meaningful cannabis related research being done in the US. Dr. Adie Rae, Assistant Scientist at Legacy Research Institute masterfully explains how her work is helping to uncover the significant role that aroma plays in the enjoyment one might get from their experience with cannabis. 

0:00 Welcome and Introduction

0:17 Who is 314 Garden Supply?

0:55 Introducing Dr. Adie Rae, Assistant Scientist at Legacy Research Institute

1:19 What are subjective effects?

1:59 Creating a scientific study based on the real world

3:54 How products were selected for testing

5:10 Analyzing the results of the study

7:02 Why was it shown that consuming less is more appealing? 

8:18 Influencing the public health perception

9:47 There’s more to aroma than just terpenes 

12:15 Busting a common industry myth

12:55 How can aroma assessment standards be implemented

14:46 Getting policy makers and industry players to work together 

16:14 Challenges of analyzing cannabis compounds on effects

18:54 The usefulness of Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid classifications

20:47 Looking to the future of cannabis research

24:27 Thank you to our sponsors

Connect with Dr. Rae on Instagram @dr.adie

Have you heard of the saying “quality in, quality out”? Well, in this episode of The Feels, we chat with Matt Platt, Director of Manufacturing: Solventless at VIBE Cannabis about how his passion for and deep knowledge of the plant play a key role in the much loved products he helps to produce.

0:00 Welcome and introduction

0:14 Who is Kuli?

0:43 Introducing Max Platt, Director of Manufacturing: Solventless at VIBE Cannabis

0:56 Max's role at VIBE

1:43 The history of hash

2:36 Making ice water hash

3:55 Diving into creating rosin

4:31 Importance of controlling quality through growing your own plants

5:25 Are certain chemovars better for making hash than others?

7:04 What’s happening when trichomes change colors

8:13 How cannabinoids convert from one to another

8:59 Evolution of terpenes

9:41 A new, hot topic - hashinene

10:27 How hop latent viroid (HLV) effects plants

11:27 Working to prevent HLV

12:25 The growth of VIBE Cannabis

13:14 What changes are Max looking to implement at VIBE?

15:00 Making hash through hand washing vs machine washing 

17:14 Talking infused pre-rolls

19:03 The resiliency of hash with changing consumer preferences

20:57 Looking to the future of cannabis

22:39 Thank you to our sponsors

Prefer to listen? Podcast now available at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/feelstate

We are kicking off season five with a very special episode featuring the amazingly talented St. Louis music group, DOUG! Learn about this tremendous collection of individuals who together are doing what they can to make the world a better place through the art of sound and word.

• 0:00 Welcome and Introduction
• 0:15 Who is Robust?
• 0:44 Introducing Doug 
• 0:57 How did the members of DOUG meet?
• 1:40 What type of music does DOUG create? 
• 2:16 The meaning of DOUG
• 3:15 How St. Louis has influenced the band
• 4:24 Incorporating live instruments into the music
• 5:25 How DOUG works as a team
• 6:20 Does cannabis play a role in the creative process? 
• 7:01 The influence of cannabis on the music
• 8:06 Navigating the music scene for those who don’t consume 
• 9:04 How difficult is it to get everyone together?
• 10:00 The process of building a fan base
• 11:06 How DOUG created a music video
• 13:02 What can people expect from a DOUG performance?
• 14:03 Get some DOUG gear
• 14:16 Coming soon from DOUG
• 15:26 The amazing people of DOUG
• 15:29 Gram Tolish (IG: @gramtolish)
• 15:47 Big Papa O (IG: @owen_ragland_music)
• 16:10 Che Sanchez (IG: @chesanz_)
• 16:34 Wasly (IG: @waslyworld)
• 17:10 Poet X (IG: @poetxyzzz)
• 17:40 Donovan RaMan (IG: @dadamndon1)
• 18:14 Foundation Felix (IG: @foundationfelix)
• 18:43 Planiel (IG: @planiel_mudd)
• 18:59 Dogtown Athletic Club (IG: @dogtownathleticclub)
• 19:21 Mickey Hayes (IG: @mickey.hayes)
• 19:40 Time to DOUG!!!
• 23:28 Thank you to the sponsors

Prefer to listen? Podcast now available at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/feelstate

Anyone can grow cannabis — but what does it take to grow GREAT cannabis? In this episode of The Feels, we talk with Vertical Cannabis’ Chief Cultivation Officer, Ivan Cartagena, about how he first got started growing cannabis in Puerto Rico and how those experiences influenced his own unique processes for growing potent, topnotch cannabis. 

• 0:00 Welcome and Introduction
• 0:17 Who is 314 Garden Supply?
• 1:10 Who first introduced you to cannabis? 
• 1:38 Learning to grow cannabis in Puerto Rico
• 2:33 Who do you look up to in cannabis? 
• 4:12 Are you mentoring anyone in cannabis? 
• 5:38 What makes your cannabis growing method unique? 
• 6:54 What’s the foundation of growing great cannabis? 
• 7:31 How do you choose the best cannabis genetics? 
• 8:17 What’s the difference between a cannabis phenotype, chemotype, and genotype?
• 8:50 What is it you’re looking for when pheno-hunting?
• 9:30 Do the terms sativa, indica, and hybrid mean anything?
• 11:17 What’s the difference between growing cannabis from clone versus seed? 
• 13:06 Do you use the “sea of green” method of growing at Vertical Cannabis? 
• 13:48 Are you collaborating with anyone else in the industry? 
• 15:00 Do you ever grow with different mediums?
• 15:52 How do you select which cannabis cultivars to grow?
• 17:36 What do you see for the future of cannabis? 
• 18:24 Busting cannabis myths: THC percentage isn’t everything 
• 18:46 How important is climate uniformity when growing cannabis?
• 20:08 What are common problems you see in growing cannabis?
• 21:30 How has recreational cannabis impacted Vertical Cannabis? 

Rolling the perfect joint is an art form — and like all great art, your materials can make or break your masterpiece. In this episode of The Feels, our host Jeff Rowse talks with Justin Bricker about his cannabis journey, what led him to begin his own rolling paper company, Handwraps, and the problems he aims to solve with his business.  

0:00 Welcome and Introduction

0:17 Who is Robust Cannabis?

1:34 Who taught you how to use your first joint?

3:46 What made you want to start a rolling paper company?  

5:35 The problem with rolling papers

8:32 Where do you source your rolling papers?

11:38 What makes Handwraps papers different from RAW papers? 

12:35 What are your goals with Handwraps? 

14:56 How has cannabis helped you with Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts coaching? 

17:01 How do you roll a joint? A demonstration

20:57 What’s the most complicated joint you’ve ever rolled?

22:02 How much did you research the history of rolling papers before starting Handwraps?

23:58 Why is smoking better than vaporizing cannabis?

In this episode of The Feels, Jeff talks with Dr. Pratishtha Strong of Kathmandu Clinic about traditional uses of cannabis in the Hindu tradition and Ayurvedic medicine. Dr. Strong explains how bhang is created and used in Holi and Maha Shivaratri celebrations, how she introduces new patients to cannabis medicine, and even shares how she’s seen patient lives change for the better. 

0:00 Welcome and Introduction

0:17 Who is Teal Cannabis? 

1:17 How is a DO different from an MD?

2:15 What is Ayurvedic medicine? 

3:09 How does cannabis fit into Ayurvedic medicine?  

3:58 What forms of cannabis could be found in Nepal?

5:35 Do you incorporate cannabis into your own routine?

6:15 What is bhang?

8:44 Do you think flower is a good option for medical patients?

11:27 Why do you prefer flower over concentrates? 

13:23 What’s a good starting dose of cannabis?

14:33 Are there concerns with combining cannabis and pharmaceuticals?

15:42 How often do you discuss cannabis science with patients?

17:06 How have you seen cannabis change patients’ lives?

19:03 How do you recommend patients use cannabis other than smoking?                

21:44 What kind of edibles do you want to see on the market? 

23:48 What do you think of the sativa, indica, hybrid paradigm?

25:17 What do you think of synthetic cannabinoids like Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC? 

Have you noticed that your favorite Terrapin products are now branded as Elevate Missouri? If you’ve been curious about Elevate’s rebrand, this episode of The Feels will answer all your questions! From old and new genetics coming soon to growing techniques and packaging redesign plans, Elevate Missouri’s Director of Quality Assurance, Chris Issinghoff, shares their story and where they’re taking the company in 2023. 

0:00 Welcome and Introduction

0:17 Who is Mana Supply Company?

1:27 How Terrapin became Elevate in Missouri 

2:57 New genetics coming to Elevate Missouri 

4:28 What do you do as the Director of Quality Assurance?

5:18 What kind of soil do you use to grow?

6:26 What challenges do you have growing cannabis indoors? 

7:41 Are you going to include terpenes on your new packaging? 

8:31 Rebranding Double Bear Concentrates 

9:30 What kind of extraction methods do you use?

10:13 When did you first start using cannabis as medicine? 

12:22 What market trends have you seen evolve over time? 

14:29 What do you see as the future of cannabis?

16:56 Who is involved with Elevate Missouri?

17:53 Do you plan to expand your dispensary locations? 

18:37 What did you do to prepare for Adult Use in Missouri? 

20:32 Is there anything in the proposed rules that you hope will change?

If you’ve ever tried growing your own cannabis at home, you know there are a lot of ways to get the job done — and it can be really overwhelming to figure out the best way to tackle it. In this episode of The Feels, we chat with Co-Owner of Elite Home Growers, Zach Post, about how his business was built to support patients in having complete control over their medicine. Elite Home Growers helps patients get set up to grow cannabis at home with the right equipment based on their individual needs and commitment levels, and they even do follow-up visits to help with any issues that may arise as they get to growing. 

0:00 Welcome and Introduction
0:50 Starting a cannabis career in Las Vegas
3:21 Who was your cannabis mentor?
4:46 When did you start Elite Homegrowers?
5:54 What are the different ways you can grow cannabis at home?
7:09 How often do you go back to someone’s grow to help them out?
7:37 What are some common pitfalls when growing cannabis at home?
9:51 What’s the most successful grow you’ve helped set up?
11:15 Which grow are you most proud of having helped set up?
11:38 About the St. Louis Science Center Hemp Exhibit
14:29 Tell us about your new brand, Elitist
16:45 Licensing the Elitist brand
20:45 What do you do as post-harvest Manager for CAMP Cannabis?
23:33 How do you know when cannabis is done curing?
27:40 Closing and thanks 

Connect with Zach Post through Elite Homegrowers: https://www.elitehg.org/ https://www.instagram.com/zppost/ 

Cannabis is often used by artists to enhance creativity — and this week on The Feels, we get to hear from Comedian, Host and Actress Jade M. Catta-Preta about her relationship with cannabis and creativity. Jade dives into her writing process, her favorite ways to use cannabis, and even some stories from her cannabis-related comedy appearances on Cooked with Cannabis, Vice’s Bong Appétit, Getting Doug with High.

0:00 Welcome and Introduction
1:15 Tell us about being on Secret Lives
3:04 What was your first time smoking California cannabis like?
3:47 How do you use cannabis?
5:43 Does CBD enhance the effects of THC?
7:28 What’s the difference between eating and smoking cannabis?
9:25 About Jade’s latest show, Hotties
12:20 About Jaded, a new YouTube special
13:44 How is your comedy routine changing?
15:00 Do you ever write jokes while high?
15:45 Do you ever get on the stage while high?
16:27 What are your favorite times to use cannabis?
17:14 The interesting psychology of reality TV
18:28 Who are some of your comedic heroes?
19:16 Stories from cannabis comedy roles
22:12 When did you last take a tolerance break?
23:47 How often do you go to the dispensary in California?

Adolphus Busch V is carrying on his family legacy — but instead of alcohol, he’s pioneering cannabis. In this episode of The Feels, Adolphus shares what led him to this new industry and how his family reacted. He dives into behind-the-scenes business decisions around the two Missouri companies that he co-owns, Teal and High Five, plus he shares some of his personal preferences and thoughts on where the industry is headed. 

0:00 Welcome and Introduction
0:33 When did you decide to get into cannabis?
1:45 How did your family react when you decided to get into cannabis?
2:23 Why did you decide to focus on edibles and concentrates?
3:27 Can you tell us about new products at High Five?
4:01 How do you decide on new cannabis flavors to produce?
5:19 How did you choose the name Teal Cannabis?
8:27 Where does the name “High Five” come from?
9:54 Why did you decide to use botanical terpenes in your vape pens?
11:57 Do you think the industry should shift away from Sativa, Indica, Hybrid?
15:16 How can you tell if a product is high quality when shopping?
19:58 What’s your favorite kind of concentrate?
21:28 Are concentrates truly hash?
23:08 What tools do you dab with?
24:32 Do you think concentrates will ever be more popular than flower?
25:35 Are concentrates healthier than smoking flower?
26:59 Thanks and closing

Connect with Adolphus Busch V through Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adolphusbuschv 

Hemp vs “Industrial Hemp” — have you ever wondered what the difference between the two is? In this episode of The Feels, Co-Owner of Tiger Fiber James Forbes helps us understand what these terms really mean and dives into the process of manufacturing industrial hemp for use in everything from buildings and cars to animal bedding.

0:00 Welcome and Introduction
0:35 What’s the difference between hemp and industrial hemp?
2:18 How did Tiger Fiber begin?
5:41 How many hemp processing facilities are there in the country?
6:46 Can hemp really be grown in any climate?
8:41 Do you deal with pests when growing hemp?
11:11 How is hemp processed?
15:12 How different grades of hemp are used
15:30 How is your hemp being used?
18:16 What’s your opinion on the 2023 Farm Bill?
20:40 How do you convince farmers that hemp is not “dope”?
23:55 Why is your hemp baled in different colors?
24:46 What happens to a crop that tests higher than 0.3% THC?
26:21 Closing and thanks

In this episode of The Feels, Dr. Jamila Owens-Todd shares how her love of being in a lab has led her to consulting on cannabis science for countless companies — both her own and others. Dr. Owens-Todd started the Meridian Institute for Naturopathic Therapies to meld her passions for plant medicine and chemistry while encouraging people to get involved in their own healing, right in their very own kitchens. Now, she is also an Adjunct Professor at SLU’s Cannabis and Science Operations programs, plus is the Chief Science Officer at MiDose.

0:00 Welcome and Introduction
0:36 Where does your love of chemistry come from?
2:10 What is naturopathic medicine?
3:20 Starting the Meridian Institute for Naturopathic Therapies
3:47 Formulating natural products
4:51 When did you start working with cannabis?
7:00 What terpene profiles work best for you?
7:41 We’ve been using terpenes for eons
9:02 What are your thoughts on Sativa vs Indica?
10:21 Strain vs Cultivar vs Chemovar vs Chemotype
13:40 Teaching Cannabis Pharmacology at University
14:40 Full vs Broad Spectrum Products
17:19 What’s the difference between a Chief Science Operator and Lab Manager?
19:30 What’s a good starting dose of cannabis for a new patient?
21:21 What’s the best dosing method for new patients?
22:01 What’s your preferred method of cannabis extraction?
25:05 Closing and Thanks

Cannabis consumption lounges are still pretty new — and Brennan England is one of the first pioneering this business model in Missouri with one of his many business endeavors, the Cola Lounge. In this episode of The Feels, Brennan talks with Jeff about everything from how his CBD seltzer supports his networking business, STL Cannabis Club, to his research and development process for the Cola Lounge and even his thoughts on how Missouri’s industry could better support minorities.

0:00 Welcome and Introduction
1:10 Brennan’s CBD Seltzer
5:14 Founding Cola Lounge
7:00 How does Cola Lounge reflect cannabis culture?
8:59 What research did you do before opening Cola Lounge?
10:51 How do you staff the lounge?
11:12 The new & improved Cola Lounge
12:50 The future of cannabis lounges in Missouri
15:03 Cannabis events at Cola Lounge
18:31 Goals for Minorities for Medical Marijuana M4MM
21:36 How could the Missouri cannabis market be improved?
23:37 Teaching at SLU’s Cannabis and Science Operations Program
25:48 Closing and thanks

If you’re into concentrates, this episode of The Feels episode with Cory Sanson is for you! As the Co-Owner of Cúrador with brands Headchange, Safe Bet, and AIRO, Cory is truly an expert on concentrates and dabs. In this episode of The Feels, Cory shares his experience with making and naming concentrates, preserving terpenes, and leveling up his Puffco Peak for more flavor. 

0:00 Welcome and Introductions
1:07 Getting the AIRO Vaporizers contract
5:26 The creative process of naming cannabis
9:50 What’s your favorite terpene?
11:35 What’s the difference between distillate and live resin / sauce / rosin?
15:05 How Headchange sauce cartridges are made
17:20 How Cory modifies his Puffco Peak for better flavor
19:24 How a pro keeps his Puffco Peak clean
21:51 Introducing a new cannabis terpene in Grape Berry Haze
24:10 Headchange Solventless coming soon!
25:16 Thoughts on synthetic cannabinoids
27:17 Thanks to our sponsors 

It’s hard to find a doctor who truly knows cannabis — but Dr. Allison Walsh, owner of St. Louis Women's Lifestyle Solutions, is deeply knowledgeable. In this episode of The Feels, Jeff Rowse sits down with Dr. Walsh to discuss how her practice supports women who have not found success with other treatments to find relief with cannabis therapies.  

0:00 What is St. Louis Women's Lifestyle Solutions?
0:37 Why did you choose to focus solely on women?
1:03 How can cannabis help women?
1:40 Has your practice changed much since MMJ in Missouri?
2:12 How do you get past the stigma with first time cannabis patients?
3:01 How in-depth are your cannabis consultations?
5:19 Are patients using synthetic cannabinoids?
6:23 What about cannabis stands out to you?
7:01 What science do we need to make cannabis prescriptions?
9:35 How do you think info should appear on cannabis labels?
10:13 How much did you learn about cannabis in medical school?
12:10 How many of your colleagues are on board with cannabis?
14:06 Teaching at SLU’s Cannabis Science Operations Program
14:56 How we’ll get the cannabis science we need
16:13 What do you see for the future of cannabis?
16:59 Closing remarks and thanks