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Joint Session: Diverse Voices in NYS Cannabis

Joint Session: Diverse Voices in NYS Cannabis

Hosted by Herb Barbot, Esq.

BusinessEntrepreneurshipSocietyCultureInterviews guests
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Episodes

60

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Joint Session is your go-to source for the latest cannabis news shaping the New York market. Hosted by Herb Barbot, Esq., the first Director of Operations at the NYS Office of Cannabis Management, this podcast delivers expert insights, breaking developments, and in-depth conversations with the industry’s most influential voices. From policymakers and legislators to business leaders, licensees, and advocates, Joint Session brings you exclusive interviews with those shaping the future of cannabis in New York and beyond. Plus, we keep you informed with key national and international cannabis updates. Whether you're an industry professional, an advocate, or just curious about the evolving landscape, Joint Session delivers factual, insightful, and digestible information to help you stay ahead of the curve. Tune in for high-level discussions, straight talk, and expert perspectives you won’t find anywhere else.

Listen to episodes

60 recent
August 11, 2026Episode 1816 min

We Grow NYC - Making Home Grow Accessible

In this episode of Joint Session, host Herb Barbot is joined by Adam Goldner, co-founder and Executive Director of We Grow NYC, for a conversation about home cannabis cultivation, education, and the growing movement to empower New Yorkers to grow their own. A longtime New York City public school educator, Adam shares how his passion for teaching, urban gardening, and cannabis cultivation came together during the COVID pandemic and ultimately led to the creation of We Grow NYC. The conversation explores New York’s home-grow laws, the realities of cultivating cannabis in small urban spaces, and why access to practical knowledge and community support can make home growing more achievable. Adam also discusses We Grow NYC’s partnerships with licensed dispensaries to deliver cultivation workshops, the surprising relationship between home growers and cannabis retailers, and his belief that understanding how cannabis is grown can create more knowledgeable and engaged consumers. At its heart, the episode explores home cultivation as more than a hobby—positioning education, self-reliance, and access to growing knowledge as important parts of New York’s evolving cannabis culture.Joint Session: Diverse Voices in NYS Cannabis is produced by Herb Barbot, with executive production and marketing by Simlev Media.Please contact us at herb.jointsession@gmail.com if you have any questions or comments, including topics to cover.Follow the show on Instagram at jointsession.pod, on BlueSky at @jointsessionpod.bsky.social and on LinkedIn at Joint Session Podcast. If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners find the show.#HomeGrow #CannabisEducation #CannabisCultivation #NewYorkCannabis #WeGrowNYC

August 4, 2026Episode 1728 min

The Workforce Promise New York State Has Not Kept

In this episode of Joint Session, host Herb Barbot is joined by Tiffany Walters, founder of New York State Cannabis Connect, and Floyd Jarvis, Director of Cannabis Workforce and Business Development at Borough of Manhattan Community College, for a wide-ranging conversation about building a skilled, equitable workforce for New York’s growing cannabis industry. Drawing on their work with communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition, Tiffany and Floyd explore the barriers people still face when trying to turn existing skills and legacy experience into meaningful careers in the legal market. The conversation examines why cannabis workforce development needs to go far beyond training budtenders, with opportunities spanning cultivation, manufacturing, security, logistics, compliance, engineering, marketing, and management. They also discuss the role of CUNY and SUNY programs in creating career pathways, the need for stronger coordination and industry-wide training standards, and the challenges created by expiring workforce-development funding. Tiffany and Floyd ultimately make the case that if New York wants cannabis legalization to deliver on its promise of economic opportunity and social equity, sustained investment in education, skills, and long-term career development must be at the heart of the industry’s next chapter.Joint Session: Diverse Voices in NYS Cannabis is produced by Herb Barbot, with executive production and marketing by Simlev Media.Please contact us at herb.jointsession@gmail.com if you have any questions or comments, including topics to cover.Follow the show on Instagram at jointsession.pod, on BlueSky at @jointsessionpod.bsky.social and on LinkedIn at Joint Session Podcast. If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners find the show.#CannabisWorkforce #NewYorkCannabis #CannabisCareers #CannabisEducation #SocialEquity #WorkforceDevelopment #CannabisIndustry

July 28, 2026Episode 1625 min

From Mozambique to Chinatown - The Family Story Behind Alta Dispensary

In this episode of Joint Session, host Herb Barbot is joined by Vanessa Yee-Chan, founder and CEO of Alta Dispensary in New York City's Chinatown, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, community, and reimagining the cannabis retail experience. Vanessa shares her family's remarkable journey from Mozambique to New York, explaining how her grandparents' legacy inspired her to transform their historic building into one of the city's most distinctive dispensaries. Drawing on her background in hospitality, public relations, and business, she discusses why Alta is designed around customer intentions and moods rather than traditional product categories, creating a welcoming space for first-time consumers and those seeking a more thoughtful approach to cannabis. The conversation also explores the challenges of launching a licensed dispensary in New York, reducing stigma within the Asian community, supporting women through cannabis education, and why hospitality, authenticity, and community engagement are just as important as the products on the shelf.Joint Session: Diverse Voices in NYS Cannabis is produced by Herb Barbot, with executive production and marketing by Simlev Media.Please contact us at herb.jointsession@gmail.com if you have any questions or comments, including topics to cover.Follow the show on Instagram at jointsession.pod, on BlueSky at @jointsessionpod.bsky.social and on LinkedIn at Joint Session Podcast. If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners find the show.#Chinatown #NYCannabis #VannessaYeeChan #NYSOCM

July 21, 2026Episode 1524 min

Inside New York’s Medical Cannabis Program

In this episode of Joint Session, host Herb Barbot is joined by Dr. June Chin, Chief Medical Officer of the New York State Office of Cannabis Management, for an insightful discussion on the evolving role of medical cannabis in New York. Drawing on more than two decades of experience in integrative medicine and cannabis therapeutics, Dr. Chin explains why the medical cannabis program remains an essential part of patient care, even as adult-use cannabis becomes more widely available. The conversation explores how clinicians are being equipped to have evidence-based conversations with patients, the importance of pharmacist-guided care, and the growing focus on public health, youth education, and safe cannabis use through New York's new Center of Excellence for Cannabis Care and Health Equity. Dr. Chin also addresses common misconceptions surrounding medical cannabis, discusses emerging issues such as cannabis hyperemesis syndrome and cannabis use disorder, and shares her vision for a healthcare system where cannabis is thoughtfully integrated into routine clinical care through education, research, and informed patient conversations.Joint Session: Diverse Voices in NYS Cannabis is produced by Herb Barbot, with executive production and marketing by Simlev Media.Please contact us at herb.jointsession@gmail.com if you have any questions or comments, including topics to cover.Follow the show on Instagram at jointsession.pod, on BlueSky at @jointsessionpod.bsky.social and on LinkedIn at Joint Session Podcast. If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners find the show.#medicalcannabis #DrJuneChin #NYCannabis #OCM #OfficeofCannabisManagement

July 14, 2026Episode 1435 min

Can New York’s Small Cannabis Farms Survive?

In this episode of Joint Session, host Herb Barbot is joined by Nicole Ricci, licensed New York cannabis microbusiness operator and President of New York Small Farma, for an in-depth conversation about the realities of cultivating cannabis in one of the country's most complex regulated markets. Drawing on decades of cultivation experience and a unique background as a former U.S. State Department negotiator, Nicole shares her journey into legal cannabis and explains how her passion for environmental stewardship, social equity, and small-scale agriculture led her to become one of New York's leading advocates for craft cannabis growers. The discussion explores the challenges facing microbusinesses, including regulatory burdens, capital requirements, wholesale pricing, compliance, and the ongoing struggle to build a viable market for independent cultivators. Nicole also offers thoughtful perspectives on the future of cannabis policy in New York, the importance of collaboration between regulators and industry, and why supporting small farmers will be essential to creating a sustainable, equitable, and environmentally responsible cannabis industry.Joint Session: Diverse Voices in NYS Cannabis is produced by Herb Barbot, with executive production and marketing by Simlev Media.Please contact us at herb.jointsession@gmail.com if you have any questions or comments, including topics to cover.Follow the show on Instagram at jointsession.pod, on BlueSky at @jointsessionpod.bsky.social and on LinkedIn at Joint Session Podcast. If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners find the show.#NYSF #cannabisfarm #NicoleRicci #NYSOCM #NYCannabis

July 7, 2026Episode 1356 min

Cannabis, Equity, and the Latino Voice

In this episode of Joint Session, host Herb Barbot is joined by Jessica Gonzalez, President of the Latino Cannabis Alliance, and Jason Ortiz, the organization’s Vice President, for a thought-provoking discussion on advocacy, social equity, and the future of Latino leadership in the cannabis industry. Drawing on their extensive experience in policy, law, criminal justice reform, and community organizing, Jessica and Jason share their personal journeys into cannabis advocacy and explain why they founded the Latino Cannabis Alliance to address the unique challenges facing Latino communities—including the often-overlooked intersection of cannabis policy and immigration. The conversation explores what meaningful equity really looks like beyond licensing, the importance of education, representation, and community investment, and how effective advocacy is built through collaboration rather than confrontation. They also discuss their vision for expanding Latino participation in cannabis across the United States and Latin America, while outlining how the Alliance is working to influence policy, reduce stigma, and ensure the benefits of legalization reach the communities most impacted by decades of prohibition.Joint Session: Diverse Voices in NYS Cannabis is produced by Herb Barbot, with executive production and marketing by Simlev Media.Please contact us at herb.jointsession@gmail.com if you have any questions or comments, including topics to cover.Follow the show on Instagram at jointsession.pod, on BlueSky at @jointsessionpod.bsky.social and on LinkedIn at Joint Session Podcast. If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners find the show.#LatinoCannabisAlliance #RudickLaw #LastPrisonerProject

June 30, 2026Episode 1249 min

Challenges and Strategies to Stop 280E From Killing Cannabis Profits

In this episode of Joint Session, host Herb Barbot is joined by Daniel Sabet of GreenGrowth CPAs and Alex Norman, co-owner of New York dispensary Budega, for a practical deep dive into one of the biggest financial challenges facing cannabis operators: Section 280E. Daniel breaks down how the tax code works in practice, why cannabis businesses can be taxed on gross profit rather than true net income, and the strategies operators can use to mitigate the damage—from entity structure and cost allocation to inventory accounting methods like 471(c). Alex brings the real-world operator perspective, sharing how 280E impacts Budega’s cash flow, planning, and day-to-day decisions as a licensed dispensary in Brooklyn. Together, they unpack the risks, workarounds, and planning decisions cannabis businesses need to understand now—while also looking ahead to what rescheduling or broader reform could mean for the future of cannabis taxation. Joint Session: Diverse Voices in NYS Cannabis is produced by Herb Barbot, with executive production and marketing by Simlev Media.Please contact us at herb.jointsession@gmail.com if you have any questions or comments, including topics to cover.Follow the show on Instagram at jointsession.pod, on BlueSky at @jointsessionpod.bsky.social and on LinkedIn at Joint Session Podcast. If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners find the show.#280e #TaxPlanning #Budega #GreenGrowthCPAs

June 23, 2026Episode 1131 min

The Marijuana Mama Story - Cannabis, Motherhood, and Advocacy

In this episode of Joint Session, host Herb Barbot is joined by Parisa Mansouri-Rad—widely known as the Marijuana Mama—for a deeply personal conversation about cannabis, caregiving, advocacy, and leadership. Parisa shares how her journey into cannabis began as a mother searching for relief for her daughter, whose severe medical complications following spinal surgery led the family to medical cannabis after traditional pharmaceuticals failed. From there, the conversation explores how that experience turned into a public advocacy platform, the creation of Blunt Brunch as a space for women in cannabis to connect and support one another, and Parisa’s perspective on how the industry has evolved as legalization has expanded. She also reflects on the tension between medical and adult-use cannabis, the ongoing stigma around cannabis use—particularly for parents and patients—and what it will take to build a more compassionate, equitable, and patient-centered future for the industry.Joint Session: Diverse Voices in NYS Cannabis is produced by Herb Barbot, with executive production and marketing by Simlev Media.Please contact us at herb.jointsession@gmail.com if you have any questions or comments, including topics to cover.Follow the show on Instagram at jointsession.pod, on BlueSky at @jointsessionpod.bsky.social and on LinkedIn at Joint Session Podcast. If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners find the show.#ParisaMansouriRad #MarijuanaMama #NYCannabis

June 17, 2026Episode 1023 min

Licensee Highlight - Meet Sidney Barrett, the Youngest Dispensary Owner in NYS

In this episode of Joint Session, host Herb Barbot is joined by Sidney Barrett, founder of Dream Days Dispensary and one of the youngest licensed cannabis dispensary owners in New York State. Sidney shares her remarkable journey from studying cannabis and horticultural business management at SUNY Morrisville to opening her own dispensary at just 23 years old. Drawing on her personal experience, including seeing the impact medical cannabis had on her family, Sidney discusses her passion for education, building a knowledgeable and customer-focused team, and creating a dispensary centered on trust and empowerment. The conversation also explores the realities of being a young entrepreneur in New York’s cannabis industry, from raising capital and navigating regulation to competing in an increasingly crowded market. Along the way, Sidney offers candid insights into the challenges and opportunities facing social equity licensees and shares her perspective on what it takes to turn a vision into a thriving business in one of the country's most dynamic cannabis markets.Joint Session: Diverse Voices in NYS Cannabis is produced by Herb Barbot, with executive production and marketing by Simlev Media.Please contact us at herb.jointsession@gmail.com if you have any questions or comments, including topics to cover.Follow the show on Instagram at jointsession.pod, on BlueSky at @jointsessionpod.bsky.social and on LinkedIn at Joint Session Podcast. If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners find the show.

June 9, 2026Episode 926 min

The Listen and Learn Tour - Closing the Cannabis Trust Gap

In this episode of Joint Session, host Herb Barbot is joined by Lyla Hunt, Director of Public Health and Education at the New York State Office of Cannabis Management, to discuss the findings from OCM’s groundbreaking Listen and Learn initiative. Drawing on conversations with more than 450 New Yorkers—including over 300 young people—Lyla shares what the agency learned about cannabis awareness, misinformation, mental health, and the growing need for trusted, evidence-based education. The discussion explores the gap between cannabis normalization and public understanding, why parents remain the most trusted source of information for young people despite often feeling unprepared for those conversations, and how OCM is using community feedback to shape future education efforts. Lyla also offers an inside look at the role of public health in cannabis regulation and explains how New York is working to create more informed, open, and productive conversations about cannabis across generations.Joint Session: Diverse Voices in NYS Cannabis is produced by Herb Barbot, with executive production and marketing by Simlev Media.Please contact us at herb.jointsession@gmail.com if you have any questions or comments, including topics to cover.Follow the show on Instagram at jointsession.pod, on BlueSky at @jointsessionpod.bsky.social and on LinkedIn at Joint Session Podcast. If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners find the show.#Joint Session #NYSOCM #Lyla Hunt #Herb Barbot #NYS Cannabis #Cannabis Education #Listen and Learn

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