John Mueller, Scaling a Midwest Cannabis Empire

Welcome to the Green Rush, a weekly conversation at the intersection of cannabis, psychedelics, the capital markets, and culture, produced by KCSA Podcast Labs. Today, we have a special episode featuring our newest production, Alternatively Speaking. In our debut season, we’re diving into a revolutionary concept in health span, longevity, and healthcare. We met with Dr. Nir Barzilai, director of the Institute for Aging Research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the Director of the Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Human Aging Research and of the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Nathan Shock Centers of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging. Dr. Barzilai discovered the first “longevity gene” in humans. His research established that the gene variant that leads to high HDL, or “good cholesterol,” is linked to healthy aging and extreme longevity.  Treatments for age-related diseases like type 2 diabetes are being developed based on Dr. Barzilai’s work and are currently in clinical trials. In addition to his “longevity gene” research, Dr. Barzilai studies key mechanisms involved in the biology of aging, including how nutrients and genetics influence lifespan. He is also investigating the physical and mental declines associated with aging and how they affect longevity. Dr. Barzilai is professor of medicine (endocrinology) and of genetics, a member of the Diabetes Research Center, and director of the Diabetes Research and Training Center’s Animal Physiology core. Podcast Highlights: Introduction & Dr. Nir Barzilai’s Groundbreaking Discovery (00:00 - 03:15): Overview of Dr. Nir Barzilai’s discovery of the first “longevity gene” in humans and its link to healthy aging. Discussion on the significance of high HDL cholesterol and how it relates to extreme longevity. The Science Behind Longevity Genes (03:16 - 08:32): Dive into the specific genetic markers that contribute to longevity. Dr. Barzilai shares insights on the mechanisms of aging and the potential to delay or reverse age-related diseases. Current Clinical Trials on Age-Related Diseases (08:33 - 12:10): An exploration of the treatments for type 2 diabetes and other age-related conditions that are being developed from Dr. Barzilai’s research, with an update on the progress of these clinical trials. Nutritional and Genetic Influence on Lifespan (12:11 - 17:48): How both genetics and nutrition shape our healthspan and longevity. Dr. Barzilai explains the latest findings on how diet can influence aging and the role of genetics in extending life. Mental and Physical Decline in Aging (17:49 - 21:22): Discussion on the common declines in physical and mental health with aging, and how they impact longevity. Dr. Barzilai talks about ongoing research into mitigating these declines. Future of Longevity Research (21:23 - 26:55): Dr. Barzilai shares his vision for the future of aging research, focusing on potential breakthroughs in longevity science. Social Media: @NirBarzilaiMD: https://x.com/nirbarzilaimd?lang=en  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nir-barzilai-7a86a7212/  Other Links/Mentions/Resources: Age Later by Nir Barzilai, M.D. https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250230867/agelater  Albert Einstein College of Medicine https://einsteinmed.edu/faculty/484/nir-barzilai  American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) https://www.afar.org/ Aging is a Treatable Condition - Worth.com The 4 most promising anti-aging drugs investors are sleeping on, according to a leading longevity researcher - Business Insider What is your Biological Age? - The New York Times Show Credits: This episode was hosted by Anne Donohoe and Phil Carlson of KCSA Strategic Communications.  Special thanks to our Program Director, Shea Gunther, and Executive Producer, Maria Petsanas. You can learn more about how KCSA can help your cannabis and psychedelic companies by visiting www.kcsa.com or emailing [email protected].

Welcome to the Green Rush, a weekly conversation at the intersection of cannabis, psychedelics, the capital markets, and culture, produced by KCSA Podcast Labs. Today, we have a special episode featuring our newest production, Alternatively Speaking. In our debut season, we’re diving into a revolutionary concept in health span, longevity, and healthcare.  Our host sat down with Dr. Peter Diamandis, a visionary at the forefront of the longevity revolution. Named by Fortune as one of the “World’s 50 Greatest Leaders,” Diamandis has started over 20 companies in the areas of longevity, space, venture capital, and education.  Diamandis is the founder & executive chairman of the XPRIZE Foundation, which leads the world in designing & operating large-scale incentive competitions. He is also the co-founder and vice-chairman of Human Longevity Inc., merging advanced genomic sequencing with AI to develop therapies aimed at slowing down or even reversing aging. Additionally, Diamandis co-founded Fountain Life with Tony Robbins, a unique concierge healthcare company dedicated to revolutionizing the healthcare industry. Diamandis is the creator of Abundance360, a year-round program for entrepreneurs, investors, and executives focused on leveraging technology to drive positive change and leave a legacy. Podcast Highlights: Introduction & Dr. Diamandis' Motivations (4:01): Discussion of Diamandis' reasons for focusing on longevity, including its potential as a gift to humanity and a major business opportunity. Envisioning Extended Lifespans (6:55): Exploration of how life might change with significantly extended lifespans and Diamandis' personal perspective on living to 150 or beyond. Ethical Considerations of Longevity (10:24): Addressing concerns about overpopulation and resource depletion, with Diamandis' optimistic view on technological solutions. Breakthrough Technologies in Longevity (15:58): Overview of AI's potential role in understanding aging and discussion of the $101 million XPRIZE Healthspan. Fountain Life and Preventative Diagnostics (23:25): Introduction to Fountain Life's comprehensive health assessment approach and statistics on early disease detection. Personal Health Practices (35:56): Diamandis' approach to diet, exercise, and supplements, with emphasis on reducing sugar intake and increasing vegetable consumption. Investment in Longevity Science (38:28): Advice for potential investors in the longevity space and discussion of challenges in biotech investments. Singularity and AI (42:24): Explanation of Ray Kurzweil's concept of the “singularity” and Diamandis' perspective on the rapid advancement of AI. Guest Social Media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterdiamandis/ X: @PeterDiamandis Other Links/Mentions/Resources: Peter Diamandis Website: https://www.diamandis.com/  Books by Peter Diamandis: https://www.diamandis.com/books  Human Longevity Inc.: https://www.humanlongevity.com/  XPRIZE Foundation: https://www.xprize.org/  Fountain Life: https://www.fountainlife.com/  Singularity University: https://su.org/  Abundance360: https://www.abundance360.com/summit  All affiliated companies and foundations: https://www.diamandis.com/companies  Show Credits: This episode was hosted by Lewis Goldberg of KCSA Strategic Communications.  Special thanks to our Program Director, Shea Gunther, and Executive Producer, Maria Petsanas. You can learn more about how KCSA can help your cannabis and psychedelic companies by visiting www.kcsa.com or emailing [email protected]. You can also connect with us via our social channels: X: @KCSAPodcastLabs Instagram: @KCSAPodcastLabs LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kcsapodcastlabs/

Welcome to the Green Rush, a weekly conversation at the intersection of cannabis, psychedelics, the capital markets, and culture, produced by KCSA Podcast Labs. Today our hosts sat down with John Mueller, veteran cannabis entrepreneur and CEO of Greenlight Dispensary. Greenlight is a vertically integrated multi-state operator with more than 30 dispensaries, 3 in-house brands, and more than 750 employees across Missouri, Ohio, West Virginia, Illinois, Nevada, and South Dakota. John is an expert in navigating the complexities of limited license markets and running a debt-free, profitable organization. John has extensive experience in all areas of cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, dispensing, and retail. Prior to founding Greenlight in 2019, he served as Co-Founder and CEO of Acres Cannabis, successfully building and selling operations to Curaleaf, which included a 19,000 sqft experiential dispensary and over 300,000 sqft of cultivation. Under John’s leadership, Greenlight issued the first known consecutive dividends by a private cannabis MSO, each totaling over seven figures. John also created “The Underground” and “Greenlight Garage” the world’s first-ever cannabis farmers markets where vendors and consumers can directly interact.  So don’t sit back, lean forward and enjoy! Social Media: John’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mueller-6a3749a/  Greenlight’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/greenlightdispensary/  Greenlight’s X: https://x.com/greenlightdispo  Other Links/Mentions: Greenlight’s website: https://greenlightdispensary.com/ Greenlight Ohio: https://greenlightdispensary.com/wintersville/  Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana: https://nebraskamarijuana.org/ Show Credits: This episode was hosted by Anne Donohoe and Maria Petsanas of KCSA Strategic Communications.  Special thanks to our Program Director, Shea Gunther, and Executive Producer, Maria Petsanas. You can learn more about how KCSA can help your cannabis and psychedelic companies by visiting www.kcsa.com or emailing [email protected]. You can also connect with us via our social channels: X: @KCSAPodcastLabs Instagram: @KCSAPodcastLabs LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kcsapodcastlabs/

Welcome to the Green Rush, a weekly conversation at the intersection of cannabis, psychedelics, the capital markets, and culture, produced by KCSA Podcast Labs. Today, we sat down with returning guest Adam Smith, Founder and President of Alliance for Sensible Markets to discuss the news that Vice President Kamala Harris will be rolling out her plan for cannabis legalization. Adam is a longtime activist in the industry, primarily working behind the scenes to develop, draft, and lobby for the passage of cannabis bills at both the state and federal levels. Adam conceptualized, co-wrote, and championed Oregon’s landmark 2019 interstate commerce law (on which the 2023 Washington law was also based) and helped write and advocated for California’s 2022 interstate law. His expertise and influence have been instrumental in shaping the legal landscape of cannabis in the United States. During our conversation, Adam will share his unique insights on Vice President Harris's upcoming legalization plan, analyzing its potential impact on the industry, the economy, and society at large. We'll explore the intricate details of the proposal, discuss possible challenges and opportunities, and examine how this federal initiative might interact with existing state laws. So don’t sit back, lean forward and enjoy! Social Media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thatadamsmith/  Other Links/Mentions: Alliance for Sensible Markets: https://www.sensiblemarkets.org/  Marijuana Moment article https://www.marijuanamoment.net/kamala-harris-rolls-out-marijuana-legalization-plan-pledging-to-make-it-the-law-of-the-land/  Show Credits: This episode was hosted by Anne Donohoe and Lewis Goldberg (who still has a bet with Adam!) of KCSA Strategic Communications.  Special thanks to our Program Director, Shea Gunther, and Executive Producer, Maria Petsanas. You can learn more about how KCSA can help your cannabis and psychedelic companies by visiting www.kcsa.com or emailing [email protected]. You can also connect with us via our social channels: X: @KCSAPodcastLabs Instagram: @KCSAPodcastLabs LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kcsapodcastlabs/

Welcome to the Green Rush, a weekly conversation at the intersection of cannabis, psychedelics, the capital markets, and culture, produced by KCSA Podcast Labs. Today, we have a special edition of the Green Rush featuring our newest production, Alternatively Speaking. In our debut season, we're diving into a revolutionary concept in health span, longevity, and healthcare.  Our hosts sat down with Alternatively Speaking's first-ever guest, Jamie Justice, Executive Vice President of the Health Domain at XPRIZE Foundation and Adjunct Professor in Internal Medicine Section on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, and Sticht Center on Healthy Aging and Alzheimer’s Prevention at Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM). Jamie is dedicated to Geroscience research that advances the hypothesis that by targeting the basic biology of aging the incidence of multiple age-related diseases can be delayed or prevented. So don’t sit back, lean forward and enjoy! Podcast Highlights: Introduction & XPRIZE Foundation Origins (00:00 - 02:29): Overview of the longevity industry, the impact of the Ansari XPRIZE on private space travel, and XPRIZE’s influence on companies like SpaceX. Jamie Justice’s Background & Passion for Research (02:30 - 06:14): Jamie’s journey into gerontology, early research experiences with older adults, and her focus on empathy and the human aspect of aging. Exploring Aging & Longevity (06:15 - 10:21): Discussion on the fundamental questions of aging, how different interventions (lifestyle, supplements, drugs) impact human health and longevity. Translating Aging Research into Practice (10:22 - 13:10): Jamie’s work at Wake Forest, ongoing efforts to apply aging research in real-world settings, and the philosophical aspects of aging—living fully versus focusing on death. Healthspan vs. Lifespan & Longevity Goals (13:11 - 20:43): Exploring the concept of the ‘longevity dividend,’ aligning biological health with extended life, and the strategies to improve healthspan by optimizing current biology. XPRIZE HealthSPAN Award & Future of Aging Research (20:44 - 28:28): Introduction to the XPRIZE HealthSPAN Award program, the bold scientific goals it supports, challenges in aging research, and the collaborative efforts to advance the field. Social Media: X: @j_n_justice LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-justice-ph-d-6b933146/  Other Links/Mentions: https://www.xprize.org/  https://www.xprize.org/prizes/healthspan  Show Credits: This episode was hosted by Anne Donohoe of KCSA Strategic Communications.  Special thanks to our Program Director, Shea Gunther and Executive Producer, Maria Petsanas. You can learn more about how KCSA can help your cannabis and psychedelic companies by visiting www.kcsa.com or emailing [email protected]. You can also connect with us via our social channels: X: @KCSAPodcastLabs Instagram: @KCSAPodcastLabs LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kcsapodcastlabs/

Welcome to the Green Rush, a weekly conversation at the intersection of cannabis, psychedelics, the capital markets, and culture, produced by KCSA Podcast Labs. Today, our hosts sat down with Jhavid Mohseni, CEO of Aperon Corporation. Jhavid's 27-year career spans multiple industries. In 2016, he founded Tamerlane Trading, which became the world's leading quality-verified marketplace for bulk wholesale cannabis. He spearheaded the establishment of the International Cannabis and Hemp Standards (ICHS) to promote trust and transparency in the cannabis supply chain. Jhavid's venture Big Tree Grading implemented ICHS standards, significantly improving cannabis quality grading. In 2023, Jhavid co-founded Cannafax, an AI-enabled platform for qualitative grading and appraisal creating efficiencies in the global cannabis trade.  So don’t sit back, lean forward and enjoy! Guest's Social Media: Jhavid’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jhavidmohseni  Jhavid’s Twitter: https://x.com/jhavid_mohseni  Aperon’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aperon-corporation  Links / Mentions: Aperon Corp https://aperoncorp.com/    Tamerland Trading Co. https://tamerlane.com/  International Cannabis and Hemp Standards (ICHS) https://www.ichstandards.org  Cannafax https://www.cannafax.com/  Show Credits: This episode was hosted by Lewis Goldberg, Phil Carlson, and Maria Petsanas of KCSA Strategic Communications. Special thanks to our Program Director, Shea Gunther and Executive Producer, Maria Petsanas. You can learn more about how KCSA can help your cannabis and psychedelic companies by visiting www.kcsa.com or emailing [email protected]. You can also connect with us via our social channels: X: @KCSAPodcastLabs Instagram: @KCSAPodcastLabs LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kcsapodcastlabs/

Welcome to the Green Rush, a weekly conversation at the intersection of cannabis, psychedelics, the capital markets, and culture, produced by KCSA Podcast Labs. Today, our hosts sat down with George Jage, Co-Founder and CEO of Jage Media, the driving force behind MJ Unpacked, the acclaimed cannabis trade event tailored exclusively for retail and brand executives. Since 2019, George and his team have been dedicated to fostering community within the cannabis industry through dynamic business media and events. His previous roles include serving as President of Marijuana Business Daily and CEO of DOPE Magazine. Recognized for his contributions, George has received prestigious awards such as the Nevada Entrepreneur Award and the Jerry Valen Award of Distinction. Through initiatives like MJ Unpacked, George continues to enhance the cannabis industry by facilitating valuable networking opportunities and promoting growth and collaboration. As a reminder, the next MJ Unpacked events are on Nov. 5 - 7, 2024, Union Station Hotel, St. Louis, MO and Apr. 29 - May 1, 2025, Hard Rock Hotel, Atlantic City, NJ So don’t sit back, lean forward and enjoy! Links to guest's social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgejage/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/georgejage  Links and Mentions: MJ Unpacked: https://mjunpacked.com/  Jage Media: https://jagemedia.com/  World Tea Expo: https://www.worldteaexpo.com/  MJBizDaily: https://mjbizdaily.com/  MJBizCon: https://mjbizconference.com/  Dope Magazine: https://dopemagazine.com/  Show Credits: This episode was hosted by Anne Donohoe and Phil Carlson of KCSA Strategic Communications. Special thanks to our Program Director, Shea Gunther, and Executive Producer, Maria Petsanas. You can learn more about how KCSA can help your cannabis and psychedelic companies by visiting www.kcsa.com or emailing [email protected]. You can also connect with us via our social channels: X: @KCSAPodcastLabs Instagram: @KCSAPodcastLabs LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kcsapodcastlabs/ Check out our new podcast, Alternatively Speaking. The first 10-episode series dives into the world of longevity, exploring the advancements and challenges surrounding the pursuit of living longer, healthier lives. https://altspeaking.com/

Welcome to the Green Rush, a weekly conversation at the intersection of cannabis, psychedelics, the capital markets, and culture, produced by KCSA Strategic Communications. This week, we sat down with Luna Stower, Head of Impact at Ispire Technology. Luna is an industry veteran who has passionately advocated for cannabis legalization and social equity. At Ispire, she is at the forefront of efforts to drive positive social change through the development and distribution of cutting-edge vaping technologies. Luna's leadership in advocacy, education, and technology has made her a prominent voice in the industry, and we’re thrilled to have her join Green Rush. So don’t sit back, lean forward and enjoy! Links and Social Media: Luna’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lunastower/  Luna’s X: https://twitter.com/lunastower Luna’s Website: https://www.lunastower.com/  Ispire Website: https://ispiretechnology.com/ Show Credits: This episode was hosted by Anne Donohoe and Phil Carlson of KCSA Strategic Communications. Special thanks to our Program Director, Shea Gunther and Executive Producer, Maria Petsanas. You can learn more about how KCSA can help your cannabis and psychedelic companies by visiting www.kcsa.com or emailing [email protected]. You can also connect with us via our social channels: X: @KCSAPodcastLabs Instagram: @KCSAPodcastLabs LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kcsapodcastlabs/

The Green Rush team is revisiting our extensive archives, curating a selection of over 300 past episodes. This collection will feature memorable moments, insightful interviews, and some of the team's favorite episodes, providing both new listeners and long-time fans an opportunity to explore or rediscover the best of Green Rush.  Back in 2020, we sat down with Javier Hasse, one of the leading voices in the cannabis industry about the cannabis news of the day including how cannabis companies are responding to the Black Lives Matter movement against police brutality, the launch of his Spanish language news site El Planteo, the role of women in the industry and his favorite stories to tell about his time working in the cannabis industry. With a well-earned reputation as one of the most dutiful and diligent reporters covering the cannabis space, Javier is in the elite tier of media that is a must-follow for anyone interested in the cannabis industry. So don’t sit back, lean forward and enjoy! Links to guest’s social media: @JavierHasse https://x.com/javierhasse?lang=en  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/javierhasse/?locale=en_US  Links and Mentions: El Planteo https://elplanteo.com/  Javier’s work on Benzinga https://www.benzinga.com/author/javier-hasse  Javier’s work on Forbes https://www.forbes.com/sites/javierhasse/  Show Credits: This episode was hosted by Anne Donohoe of KCSA Strategic Communications. Special thanks to our Program Director, Shea Gunther and Executive Producer, Maria Petsanas. You can learn more about how KCSA can help your cannabis and psychedelic companies by visiting www.kcsa.com or emailing [email protected]. You can also connect with us via our social channels: X: @KCSAPodcastLabs Instagram: @KCSAPodcastLabs LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kcsapodcastlabs/

Welcome to the Green Rush, a weekly conversation at the intersection of cannabis, psychedelics, the capital markets, and culture, produced by KCSA Podcast Labs. This week, we sat down with Hirsh Jain, Founder of Ananda Strategy. Ananda Strategy is a strategy consultancy advising leading cannabis brands, retailers, technology businesses, and venture capital funds across the United States, Canada, and Western Europe. Ananda Strategy represents many of California’s leading cannabis retailers, helping lead their expansion strategy, competitive licensing efforts, and M&A activity. Ananda also serves operators in the Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New York, Ohio, and Oregon markets, as well as operators in Canada and Western Europe. Hirsh is Vice Chair of the Cannabis Chamber of Commerce and serves on the boards of NORML California as well as SC Labs, a leading cannabis testing company. He previously held leadership roles at Caliva and MedMen, and worked as the Global Policy Lead at Airbnb, managing public policy in key markets worldwide. Before that, Hirsh was with McKinsey & Company in their Public Sector Practice. Hirsh holds a B.A. in Philosophy from UC Berkeley and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. He has a deep commitment to cannabis law reform, having studied the impacts of the War on Drugs. Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/anandastrategy/ https://twitter.com/anandastrategy  https://www.linkedin.com/in/hirsh-jain-b896b080/  Other Links/Mentions: Ananda Strategy - https://www.anandastrategy.com/ Ohio adult-use cannabis - https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2024/08/21/adult-use-recreational-marijuana-sales-surge-across-ohio Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, Crista Egger - https://greenrushpodcast.com/crista-eggers-nebraskans-for-medical-marijuana/  Show Credits: This episode was hosted by Phil Carlson and Anne Donohoe of KCSA Strategic Communications.  Special thanks to our Program Director, Shea Gunther, and Executive Producer, Maria Petsanas. Check out our new podcast Alternatively Speaking where our hosts dive into the advancements and challenges surrounding the pursuit of living longer, healthier lives in our first 10-episode series. Visit https://altspeaking.com. You can learn more about how KCSA can help your cannabis and psychedelic companies by visiting www.kcsa.com or emailing [email protected]. You can also connect with us via our social channels: X: @KCSAPodcastLabs Instagram: @KCSAPodcastLabs LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kcsapodcastlabs/