Apartment 113 Cannabis & Psychedelics Industry Podcast

Hosted by Rob Sanchez

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Episodes

225

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Hang out at Apartment 113 with Rob and a different guest to talk shop about the industry and learn about all of the people that make it possible. Cultivation, manufacturing, extraction, accounting, consulting, media, events, education and more. Listen in for a conversational look at the origins of different businesses and projects in the space along with unique perspectives and occasional tangents.

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60 recent

June 15, 2026Episode 22548 min

Episode 225 - Jim Berry, Homegrown

Episode 225 is the 23rd episode of Season 4.Jim Berry is the creator of Homegrown with Jim Berry and a longtime Michigan caregiver, cultivator and educator dedicated to helping people grow better cannabis at home. Through his writing with Fat Nugs Magazine and his work as a cultivation consultant, he has become a respected voice advocating for home grow rights and bringing practical, science-driven cultivation advice to growers of all experience levels.His path into cannabis cultivation began through Michigan's medical program while navigating chronic health issues and the realities of opioid dependence. What started as a small basement grow quickly evolved into a deep passion for the craft and eventually a successful caregiver operation. After experiencing both the promise and disappointments of the commercial cannabis industry, Jim returned to the thing he loved most: teaching others how to cultivate exceptional cannabis themselves.We discuss the importance of home grow, the lessons learned from decades of hands-on cultivation and why curiosity and critical thinking remain some of the most valuable tools a grower can have. From pests to soil to industry trends, it's a conversation rooted in experience and a genuine love for the plant.Find Jim through Homegrown with Jim Berry in Fat Nugs Magazine and connect with him on LinkedIn for cultivation insights, home grow education and an unapologetic appreciation for the craft.Enjoy the show.IG: apt_113apt113.com

June 8, 2026Episode 22438 min

Episode 224 - Vanessa Cuccurullo, Leilala & Watson

Episode 224 is the 22nd episode of Season 4.Vanessa Cuccurullo is the Founder and Principal of Mrs. C Botanicals, a New York State licensed cannabis company focused on intentional consumption and premium, low-dose products through its Leilala & Watson brand. Built around the promise of "Low Dose. High Trust," her work is aimed at consumers seeking a thoughtful, predictable approach to cannabis that fits into everyday life rather than around it.Her path into the industry was shaped by personal experience. Following cancer treatment, Vanessa found herself searching for cannabis products she could trust, clean ingredients, measured dosing, and experiences grounded in clarity rather than guesswork. That journey ultimately inspired the creation of Leilala & Watson and a mission centered on education, wellness, and expanding the conversation around women's health and cannabis.We discuss building a brand in New York's evolving legal market, adapting as the industry changes around you, and the realities of entrepreneurship in a highly regulated space. It's a conversation about resilience, pivoting when necessary, and staying true to your vision while creating products designed to meet consumers where they are.Find out more at leilala.com. Enjoy the show.Enjoy the show!IG: apt_113apt113.com

June 1, 2026Episode 22349 min

Episode 223 - Kelly Riddle, The Canna Joint

Episode 223 is the 21st episode of Season 4.Our guest for this episode is Kelly Riddle, Founder and CEO of The CannaJo!nt, a cannabis-focused branding, content and events agency dedicated to bringing together brands, creators, media and industry professionals in more meaningful and collaborative ways.Kelly spent several years helping shape the content and marketing strategy behind MJBiz and MJBizCon, where she launched initiatives including the Content Creator Program and State Takeovers while contributing to the continued growth of the industry's largest business media platform. Today she works with brands, entrepreneurs and event organizers through The CannaJo!nt, creating experiences designed to foster authentic relationships, visibility and long-term industry connections.In addition to her agency work, Kelly serves as Chairperson of the NC3 Chamber and is helping build new industry events including the Root & Rise Symposium. Throughout her career she has focused on storytelling, community building and creating spaces where cannabis professionals can connect beyond traditional trade show environments.We talk about her journey from mainstream media and marketing into cannabis, the evolution of MJBiz, building The CannaJo!nt from the ground up, the role of creators and influencers in the industry, event strategy, emerging markets and why relationships remain one of the most valuable currencies in cannabis.Find out more at thecannajoint.com and connect with Kelly on LinkedIn.Enjoy the show!IG: apt_113apt113.com

May 29, 2026Episode 2221 hr 6 min

Episode 222 - May 2026 Special

Episode 222 is the 20th episode of Season 4.We’re back with the May Special featuring Dustin Hoxworth, Founder of Fat Nugs Magazine, and Daniel Crawford, COO of Fat Nugs Magazine. This month we check in on what’s happening across cannabis policy, science, cultivation and the broader industry while catching up with Dustin after a busy stretch of travel and Daniel as he settles into Minnesota and his new role.We start with the House advancing language that could significantly tighten hemp regulations and reshape the future of intoxicating hemp products. From there we explore new research challenging long-held assumptions about cannabis and memory, ongoing debates around cannabis advertising and youth exposure, and what evolving science means for public perception of the plant.We dig into new cultivation research suggesting growers may be able to increase yields without sacrificing potency, along with an international study highlighting both the promise and risks of cannabis as a global agricultural crop.Like normal we take a few detours, including Dustin's visit to the Rebecca Finn House in New Jersey, a unique historic venue exploring cannabis-friendly events and community experiences, and some reflections from recent conferences and industry gatherings on both sides of the Atlantic.You can catch the audio as always on iTunes, Spotify, Audible, YouTube or at apt113.com.Connect with Dustin and Daniel and keep up with their latest coverage at fatnugsmag.com.Sit down, roll one up and enjoy the ride.IG: apt_113apt113.com

May 25, 2026Episode 22143 min

Episode 221 - Chris Kuilan, Stoops NYC

Episode 221 is the 19th episode of Season 4.Our guest for this episode is Chris Kuilan, Co-Founder of Stoops NYC, a Latinx-owned cannabis dispensary in Manhattan’s Flatiron District. Chris joins the show to talk about building a cannabis business rooted in New York culture, community and long-term vision inside one of the toughest regulated markets in the country.Born and raised in New York, Chris saw legalization not just as an opportunity to open a dispensary, but as a chance to help build the foundation of a new industry from the ground up. Stoops NYC was created around the idea of bringing the spirit of the New York stoop into cannabis retail, a place where culture, conversation and community intersect. Rather than leaning entirely into hype or aesthetics, the company focuses on hospitality, operational discipline and building authentic neighborhood relationships while navigating the realities of taxes, regulation and social equity in New York cannabis.We also talk about the challenges facing early operators in the state, the importance of local and boutique brands, the role technology and data may play in the future of cannabis retail and what it means to build something designed for longevity rather than short-term momentum.This episode is a grounded conversation about modern cannabis retail, New York culture and building something real in a rapidly changing industry.Find out more at stoopsnyc.comEnjoy the show!IG: apt_113apt113.com

May 18, 2026Episode 22036 min

Episode 220 - Maggie McBain, CULTA

Episode 220 is the 18th episode of Season 4.Our guest for this episode is Maggie McBain, Indoor Cultivation Manager at CULTA, a Maryland-based cannabis company focused on premium cultivation, retail and cannabis culture. Maggie joins the show to talk about her path through the industry and what it takes to consistently produce quality cannabis at scale.Maggie entered the cannabis industry in 2020 starting out in extraction packaging at CULTA before moving into cultivation. Over the years she worked her way up through the grow, learning every layer of the operation from the ground floor as she advanced from laborer to team lead, supervisor and eventually Indoor Cultivation Manager.Today she oversees day-to-day indoor grow operations in Cambridge, Maryland alongside a team focused on quality, consistency and continual improvement. We also talk about Maryland’s evolving market and the realities of managing large scale indoor production while staying connected to cannabis culture and craft. CULTA has been cultivating in Maryland since 2015 and has built a reputation around top-tier flower, strong community roots and a deep respect for the culture.This episode is a conversation about hard work, learning every layer of the plant and building quality from the ground up.Find out more at culta.comEnjoy the show!IG: apt_113apt113.com

May 11, 2026Episode 21957 min

Episode 219 - Gary Laderman, Sacred Drugs

Episode 219 is the 17th episode of Season 4.Returning to the show for the first time since Episode 79 is Gary Laderman, Goodrich C. White Professor of American Religious History and Cultures at Emory University. Gary joins us to discuss his new book Sacred Drugs: How Psychoactive Substances Mix with Religious Life and the deeper relationship between psychoactive substances, spirituality and human culture.We talk about the ways substances ranging from coffee and alcohol to cannabis, psychedelics and pharmaceuticals have historically shaped religious practice, community and personal transformation. Gary also shares insights from his popular Emory course Sacred Drugs, discussing why altered states have remained such a persistent part of human meaning-making and how modern society continues to navigate questions around healing, transcendence and consciousness.This episode is a thoughtful conversation about religion, culture, psychoactive substances and the stories societies tell themselves about what is sacred.Find out more at garyladerman.comIG @garyladermanX @garyladermanEnjoy the show!IG: apt_113apt113.com

May 4, 2026Episode 21851 min

Episode 218 - Riel Roussopoulos, Bud Mafia

Episode 218 is the 16th episode of Season 4.Our guest for this episode is Riel Roussopoulos, Founder of Bud Mafia and a longtime marketer and technologist working across cannabis and other markets. Riel joins the show to talk about storytelling, digital strategy and the challenge of building events and brands in industries where traditional marketing channels are limited.We talk about Riel’s background spanning decades in digital marketing, his work building campaigns and content ecosystems in cannabis and how platforms, SEO and community-driven media play a role in growth. Riel shares his perspective on Bud Mafia as a media and events platform, the state of cannabis tech and the role of virtual events and video in brand building.This episode is a conversation about marketing, experimentation and navigating industries where the rules are still being written.Find out more and connect with Riel on LinkedIn.Enjoy the show!IG: apt_113apt113.com

April 30, 2026Episode 21747 min

Episode 217 - April 2026 Special

Episode 217 is the 15th episode of Season 4.We’re back with the April Special featuring Jeremy Johnson, Chief Marketing Officer at Quality Roots as co-host. This month we dig into federal policy shifts, state level dynamics and the broader forces shaping cannabis in 2026. Quick note, we had some connection issues during this recording so the episode is cut a bit short. Appreciate your patience with it.We start with the biggest headline of the month, the year and maybe the decade, the federal government moving medical cannabis to Schedule III. While it marks the first time cannabis is officially recognized as having medical use, it also opens the door to new regulatory oversight and raises questions about where the industry goes from here. From there we touch on Missouri’s crackdown on intoxicating hemp, Virginia’s continued delays in launching retail sales and Indiana’s massive cannabis demand despite full prohibition.We also look at the growing pressure around taxes and market structure, as well as the environmental conversation gaining traction across the industry, from energy intensive indoor cultivation to water use and sustainability concerns for a little Earth Day inspired perspective on the industry.Before we lost connection, we also began discussing recent developments in psychedelics, including the FDA fast tracking multiple therapies for depression and PTSD and new research exploring how psychedelic experiences affect the body beyond the brain. While the conversation was cut short, the direction is clear, increased medical focus, faster regulatory movement and growing interest in how these substances may reshape mental health treatment. You can catch the audio as always on iTunes, Spotify, Audible, YouTube, or at apt113.com.Connect with Jeremy on LinkedIn and visit Quality Roots if you’re in Michigan or New Jersey.Sit down, roll one up, and enjoy the ride.IG: apt_113apt113.com

April 27, 2026Episode 21644 min

Episode 216 - Willy Vlasic, Vlasic Labs

Episode 216 is the 14th episode of Season 4.Our guest for this episode is Willy Vlasic, cannabis and hemp entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Vlasic Labs. Willy joins the show to talk about building a modern plant-based wellness brand rooted in one of America’s most recognizable family names and how legacy can evolve into a new industry.We talk about Willy’s path through cultivation, manufacturing and product development before launching Vlasic Labs alongside his father, Rick Vlasic. Willy shares the vision behind creating accessible CBD wellness products, the importance of quality and consistency and what it means to bring an established family brand into the fast-changing hemp and cannabis space.We also discuss the Vlasic Classic Golf Tournament, a charity series raising money and awareness for non-violent cannabis prisoners working to come home and rebuild their lives.This episode is a conversation about entrepreneurship, family legacy and using cannabis business as a vehicle for impact.Find out more at vlasiclabs.comEnjoy the show!IG: apt_113apt113.com