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Women's Rolling Papers: How Blazy Susan Built Community Through Pink Papers and Quality
Shaung Han from Blazy Susan shares how pink rolling papers created a movement that normalized cannabis consumption for women. With 67% female consumers, Blazy Susan didn't just disrupt the rolling paper industry—they built community and accessibility through design. Learn about their French-milled papers with natural dyes, data-driven product development through budtender feedback, and expansion into traditional retail spaces like Spencer's Gifts and convenience stores. From
Ishqa Hillman
Dec 3, 20255 min read


Cannabis Packaging Innovation: How a College Dropout Built Half a Billion Units in His Own Factory
Simon Knoebel dropped out of college to revolutionize cannabis packaging innovation after recognizing that industry containers hadn't changed since 1964. Learn how he built Calyx Containers into a half-billion unit manufacturer operating their own factory in Utah, why hearing "no" excites him, and how Bitcoin funded his startup. Discover lessons from the 2020 growth trap and why sustainable expansion beats rapid scaling in cannabis entrepreneurship.
Ishqa Hillman
Dec 3, 20256 min read


Beyond the Hype: How Sun Theory Is Building Sustainable Cannabis Retail Through Data and Human Connection
Blythe Huestis from Sun Theory shares how her team manages 13 dispensaries across Colorado through data-driven operations and daily feedback systems. Learn about their Daily Business Review process, seasonal staffing strategies, and why operational fundamentals matter more than hype in building sustainable cannabis retail businesses. Featuring insights on multi-location management, customer segmentation, and creating accountability in dispensary operations.
Ishqa Hillman
Dec 3, 20254 min read


Cannabis Safety Standards: The Spock of Cannabis on Why CGMP Certification Beats Final Product Testing
Darwin Millard, "The Spock of Cannabis," explains why cannabis safety standards through CGMP certification prevent recalls better than final product testing. Learn how CSQ's multi-level certification system helps operators implement good manufacturing practices based on their actual needs, why 70% of consumers prefer certified products, and how fair trade principles expose the absurdity of destroying quality hemp fiber from THC plants. Discover why investing in prevention sav
Ishqa Hillman
Dec 3, 20256 min read


Cannabis Payment Processing: How Lüt Built a Multi-Cloud System Without Single Points of Failure
Marc Lewis from Lüt reveals how they built cannabis payment processing infrastructure from scratch to eliminate single points of failure. Learn about their multi-cloud system built by IBM engineers and India's UPI developers, next-day funding without batch holds, and budtender rewards earning 0.1% on every transaction. Discover why closed-loop systems bypass Visa/MasterCard restrictions and how one operator lost $500K to card company lawsuits.
Ishqa Hillman
Dec 3, 20257 min read


Cannabis Curing Technology: Why Post-Harvest Innovation Matters More Than You Think
Jane Sandelman of Cannatrol reveals how patented cannabis curing technology from cheese caves is revolutionizing post-harvest quality. Learn the science behind preserving terpenes while preventing mold through vapor pressure control. Discover why cultivators see 5-7% yield increases and improved terpene profiles, how trichome heads harden to seal in flavor, and why paper quality affects your pre-roll experience. From home growers to commercial operations, Cannatrol's proven t
Ishqa Hillman
Dec 3, 20255 min read


Building Cannabis Brand Loyalty: How Spherex Replaced Discounts With Community Events
Katie Mattox from Spherex reveals how free community events replaced discounts and achieved record sales while reducing promotional budgets by 80%. Learn why activity-based events like bowling outperform consumption events, how email collection drives loyalty, and why creating emotional connections with budtenders and consumers builds cannabis brand loyalty that survives economic downturns and fierce competition.
Ishqa Hillman
Dec 3, 20256 min read


Home Growing Cannabis: UK Advocate Macky's Journey & Tips
UK cannabis advocate Macky shares his 25-year journey with cannabis, from problematic consumption to healthy use, and why he believes everyone should grow their own. Learn the essential "don't tell, don't sell, don't smell" rules, beginner growing tips, and how cannabis advocacy work continues despite legal challenges in the UK.
Ishqa Hillman
Nov 26, 20256 min read


Exploring the Edible Cannabis World with Margaret Thomas
On this week’s episode of The Canna Boss Babes , I sat down with Margaret Thomas, the voice behind The Bite Me Podcast . We explored the edible cannabis world, covering homemade dosing strategies, savory recipes, and safe storage tips. Whether you're new to DIY edibles or refining your canna-chef game, this conversation is packed with real-life insights and kitchen-tested advice. From Smoking to Baking: Margaret’s Cannabis Journey Margaret didn’t start her edible adventure un
Ishqa Hillman
Nov 23, 20253 min read


How Jenny Lamboy’s Ultra-Marathon Mindset Fuels Cannabis Business Strategy
Why Cannabis Business Strategy Requires More Than Just Marketing Jenny Lamboy never set out to be in cannabis—or marketing. Her career started in sports broadcast journalism, working in radio and TV before moving into digital media. But life had other plans. After training in SEO, UX/UI, and PR at a SoCal tech startup, she launched her own agency in Colorado focused on conservation and outdoor recreation. Then came her first cannabis client—and a crash course in a fast-changi
Ishqa Hillman
Nov 23, 20252 min read


Real Estate Financing for Cannabis Professionals: A Homebuyer's Guide
Understanding real estate financing for cannabis professionals has become increasingly important as more industry workers seek to build wealth through property ownership. Cannabis employees face unique financing challenges due to federal regulations, but homeownership is still achievable with the right strategies. Learn how to navigate loan restrictions, explore alternative financing options, and build wealth through strategic property investment.
Ishqa Hillman
Aug 19, 20255 min read


Empowering Women in Cannabis Compliance: Nicole Miller’s Journey in California’s Regulated Market
Nicole Miller of CH Compliance joins me on The Canna Boss Babes to share her bold journey from cabinetry to cannabis. We dive into the chaos of California cannabis compliance, what it means to lead as a woman in the industry, and why building compassionate, compliant businesses is on us. This episode is a masterclass in grit, growth, and grassroots leadership.
Ishqa Hillman
Jul 31, 20253 min read


Embracing Compassion in Cannabis: The Journey of Diane Kessler
Diane Kessler has been quietly shaping the cannabis industry since 2011—blending compassion, culture, and creativity into every role she steps into. From her early work with compassion programs to launching “All My Friends Are Dope,” Diane shares how cannabis, art, and community intersect in powerful ways.
Ishqa Hillman
Jul 15, 20253 min read


From Prosecutor to Psychedelic Advocate: Victoria Cvitanovic on Healing, Justice & Plant Medicine
“The biggest delusion we’ve all been sold is that there’s such a thing as other people.” – Victoria J. Cvitanovic This episode features Victoria Cvitanovic, psychedelic advocate and attorney, as she shares her personal story of healing and transformation through plant medicine. When Victoria Cvitanovic sat down with me for this episode of The Canna Boss Babes , I knew we’d be covering a lot of ground—but I didn’t expect to walk away feeling so deeply moved, inspired, and hope
Ishqa Hillman
Jul 8, 20253 min read


New Platform for The Canna Boss Babes! Also, Fuck Meta! Instagram Deactivated My Account - Again
After years of building community, content, and connection on Instagram, The Canna Boss Babes has been deactivated—again. No warning. No explanation. Just gone. But we’re not stopping. We're launching a new platform built on our terms, where real voices can’t be silenced by shadowbans or biased algorithms. Because we’re done playing nice with platforms that profit from our culture and erase our presence.
Ishqa Hillman
Jul 1, 20253 min read


From Emergency Room to Plant Medicine: A Nurse's Journey with Cannabis and Psychedelics
Emergency room nurse Ariane Williams reveals her plant medicine journey at EntheaCare. Overcame depression, PTSD, and addiction using cannabis and psilocybin. Discusses conscious cannabis use, microdosing integration, CHS warning signs, and helping families navigate pediatric cannabis applications safely.
Each excerpt captures the personal transformation angle, clinical expertise, and key topics covered while optimizing for search terms like "plant medicine," "cannabis nurse,
Ishqa Hillman
Jun 23, 20257 min read


From 12 Prescriptions to Freedom: How MexiCanna RN Reclaimed Her Health with Plant Medicine
Diagnosed with lupus at a young age, Odilia Hernandez Underwood, aka MexiCanna RN, refused to accept a life limited by chronic illness and pharmaceuticals. Through plant medicine, holistic healing, and self-advocacy, she’s now living completely pharmaceutical-free and helping others reclaim their health.
Ishqa Hillman
Apr 8, 20253 min read


The Artist Tree Cannabis Dispensary and Art Gallery Experience
At Hall of Flowers, we discover how The Artist Tree, co-founded by Lauren Fontein, is redefining the cannabis retail and lounge experience. From art gallery-inspired dispensaries to community-focused events, The Artist Tree blends cannabis culture with creativity, making it an inviting space for both new and seasoned consumers.
Ishqa Hillman
Mar 19, 20252 min read


Juāna Cannabis Wellness Brand — Women’s Wellness Meets Chinese Herbal Roots
At Hall of Flowers, Juāna founder Rachel Xin and Creative Director Jean Tran shared how they’re redefining cannabis wellness by blending ancient Chinese medicinal herbs, adaptogens, and premium cannabis. With products designed for six intentional effects—Sleep, Calm, Recover, Uplift, Focus, and Arouse—Juāna creates a multi-sensory experience rooted in cultural heritage, authenticity, and women’s wellness.
Ishqa Hillman
Mar 18, 20252 min read
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