Spring Greening, New Products & New York's Cannabis Market with Alta's Vanessa Yee-Chan
Release Date: 03/26/2025
The Great Cannabis State of Illinois: Tony Schor on Legacy, M&A, and the Cannabis Hall of Fame
Cannabis Man
This week on Cannabis Man, host Don Kleppin highlights the bustling Chicago cannabis scene with upcoming brunch events, the , and the Chi High Afters party. He also reviews a new-to-Illinois brand, Nature’s Heritage, and its flavorful hybrid flower strain, . In the news: and forms a bipartisan planning committee Don also sits down with , Chairman of the , for a wide-ranging conversation. They talk about Tony’s start in Chicago PR, the normalization of cannabis in professional life, insights into cannabis mergers & acquisitions, and why patience is essential as the...
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Cannabis on Trial: Weddings, Weed, and Supreme Court Showdowns with Pat Helmers
Cannabis Man
In this episode of Cannabis Man, host Don Kleppin shares some personal joy, giving a heartfelt shout-out to his cousin’s wedding and a birthday salute to his twin sisters. Then, it's a deep dive into the latest cannabis news: that could bring the federal cannabis ban before the U.S. Supreme Court, a that could re-criminalize certain cannabis transactions, and an intriguing proposal to use cannabis tax revenue to for Americans. Don also reviews three unique gummies from , including a high-CBD Strawberry, a balanced Sour Apple (5mg CBD/THC), and a THC-free Citrus flavor featuring 50mg of...
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Howdy, Tyson 2.0, and a Global Green Wave with Adam Wilks and Ryan Burke
Cannabis Man
In this episode of Cannabis Man, host Don Kleppin shares personal updates from Chicagoland as he prepares for a big family move and reflects on birthday wishes from listeners. He also shares his excitement for Season 4 of The Bear, especially after working on set as a background actor during filming earlier this year. Don reviews a lineup of cannabis beverages from , including their lemonade, Paloma, Ranch Water, Sweet Tea, and the bold cinnamon-spiced Howdy Hooch. Then, he welcomes Adam Wilks and Ryan Burke, CEO and COO of , to talk about their company’s international expansion—starting...
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From Europe with Bud: Michael Sassano on the Future of Medical Cannabis
Cannabis Man
In this summer-kickoff episode of Cannabis Man, host Don Kleppin celebrates Memorial Day weekend, his birthday, and the third anniversary of the podcast. He shares favorite warm-weather traditions, plans for the weekend, and reviews a new from WYNK along with a CBD patch from . This week’s guest is Michael Sassano, CEO of , who breaks down the global growth of medical cannabis and the challenges of regulation across continents. From Germany and Thailand to Spain and France, Sassano details the rise of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis and predicts a sweeping medical adoption over the next five...
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Brain, Body, and Bud: Ian McGann's Journey Back From a Stroke
Cannabis Man
Summer’s almost here, and Cannabis Man is celebrating sunshine, mothers, and plant-powered healing. Don kicks off the show with a warm tribute to moms—especially his own and his wife—before diving into reviews of Strawberry CBD Gummies from and Sleep Formula gummies from . This week’s guest, , shares his remarkable journey of survival after a brain stem stroke. In a powerful and emotional interview, Ian details what happened, what he’s learned, and how cannabis played a key role in his recovery and spiritual growth. In the news wrap: —now accepting nominations Don...
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Chicago's Weed Arsonist, New Cannabinoids & the Chaos of the Law — with Lauren Rudick
Cannabis Man
This week on Cannabis Man, host Don Kleppin opens up about his May the 4th traditions, the growing cultural impact of Star Wars Day, and a personal reflection on a late friend who shared the same birthday. Don responds to listener mail with a passionate take on the phrase “do your own research” and the importance of scientific consensus. In product reviews, Don shares his thoughts on gummies from and , and Brawler Blunts from . The featured guest is cannabis attorney Lauren Rudick of . She shares her early cannabis education from her parents, insights as a recovering litigator, and the...
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Cherry Blossoms & Cannabis Breakthroughs: Kirsten Velasco, VapenProp & Nature in the City
Cannabis Man
Text Cannabis Man! In this episode of Cannabis Man, host Don Kleppin opens with a reflective story about a family trip to Chicago’s Jackson Park during cherry blossom season, including a visit to the serene Osaka Garden. He shares a live review of Fable’s Into the Woods botanical cannabis beverage, featuring hints of stone fruit, pine, and rosemary. Don’s expert guest is Kirsten Velasco, author and creator of VapenProp, a cannabis vaping tool designed to solve key issues with portable vape us...
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High Hopes & Holy Smoke: A 4/20 Easter Special with TribeTokes' KymB
Cannabis Man
Text Cannabis Man! This year, Easter Sunday lands on 4/20—and we’re lighting up both holidays with a Cannabis Man celebration! Don reflects on the occasion with a festive monologue, then dives into the latest cannabis headlines: Why rescheduling is delayed, not dead, according to a top cannabis lobbyistNew Illinois Senate bill would ban police stops based solely on cannabis odorSolvent vs. solvent-less extraction: which is healthier?Next, Don shares a 4/20 Gift Guide courtesy of Grasslands, r...
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Milestones & Marketing Amid Stigma with Sauce Essentials' Dylan Spencer
Cannabis Man
Text Cannabis Man! In this milestone episode of Cannabis Man, host Don Kleppin reflects on a year of life, love, and cannabis. Don shares heartfelt personal news as his daughter Violet turns one, offering a candid look at parenthood, purpose, and the joy of watching a little human grow. We dive into the latest Illinois cannabis sales figures and product registration news in the News Joint Wrap, along with a cautionary list of products to avoid. Don also spotlights Lyon Legacy Cookie Company, ...
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April Fools Is Over + WYNK's New THC Seltzer & Narmin Jarrous of Exclusive Brands
Cannabis Man
Text Cannabis Man! Has April Fool’s Day lost its place in the modern world? In this episode of Cannabis Man, Don Kleppin makes the case that the era of misinformation has turned April 1st from a day of fun into a source of frustration. He shares a firsthand experience from Chicago that illustrates the issue and highlights the challenges April Fool’s presents for marketing efforts. He also celebrates the launch of his wife’s new business—Lyon Legacy Cookie Company. In the product review segmen...
info_outlineAfter a brief break, Cannabis Man returns with fresh energy and big updates! Host Don Kleppin kicks off the episode by revisiting the show's mission: to normalize and destigmatize cannabis by sharing expert conversations, industry news, and insightful perspectives.
Don shares some exciting personal news—his voice can now be heard on a Walmart radio commercial airing in New York and another upcoming ad for an insurance company. He also steps in front of the camera with a background role in Season 4 of The Bear, currently filming in Chicago.
In this week’s Product Showcase, Don reviews Tyson 2.0 pre-rolled joints, highlighting three strains—Dynamite Cookies (his favorite), Gelato 44, and Knockout OG. These "shorty" pre-rolls impressed him with smooth airflow and great effects. Plus, he gives his thoughts on a Banana Runtz vape cartridge from Tickled Pink, breaking down its flavor and potency.
Later in the episode, Don welcomes Vanessa Yee-Chan, Founder of Alta, who shares insights on New York’s evolving cannabis market. They discuss licensing challenges, consumer trends, and what’s next for the Empire State’s legal industry.
Some recent news headlines that Don shares include an expansion of cannabis farmer's markets and pop-up events in New York, Texas' senate passing a bill to ban all consumable THC products, a new report showing federal cannabis trafficking cases have dropped significantly over the past decade, and a list of the top cannabis tourism destinations in the U.S.
Tune in for cannabis news, reviews, and expert insights—plus a few Hollywood surprises!
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