Dry January’s Done, Delta-9 THC at Concerts, & Financing Cannabis with NewLake Capital
Release Date: 01/31/2025
High Minded Pairings & Hockey Legends: 2 Years, 1 Love, and a Gusher of a Preroll
Cannabis Man
This week on Cannabis Man, Don celebrates two years of wedded bliss and a recent cannabis event with a packed episode full of flavor, facts, and fire strains. He dives into High Minded Food Pairings, spotlighting unusual but delicious snack combos and pondering why Cheez-Its are so damn addictive. Have a favorite munchie snack or pairing of your own? Call or text 872-269-2403. Don also reviews a and shares some eye-opening cannabis news, including a : cannabis users are nearly 5x more likely to exercise regularly than eat fast food. Then it’s off to Arkansas, where the while the governor...
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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, ...
info_outlineWith Dry January coming to a close, Don reflects on the challenge and the reward of completing it. This episode covers exciting news for Illinois concertgoers, as The Salt Shed announces plans to offer hemp-based Delta-9 THC products at shows. Two non-infused beverages from Lehua Brands—Voila! Watermelon Mineral Water and Refresh Fruit Punch Shot—are reviewed as part of the journey. We also explore major cannabis news, including the largest-ever study on cannabis and brain activity and two recently filed lawsuits against Illinois cannabis companies over high-potency products. Plus, it's not just alcohol consumption that's dropping in states that legalize cannabis. And of course a High Haiku to mark the moment.
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