Creator & Executive Producer: Dr. Alyza Brevard-Rodriguez
Producer: Jalen Thomas
Editor: Jalen Thomas

✨ New to C&C? Start here: @Coffeecannabis.podcast

In Episode 8 — (Ep 75) of Coffee & Cannabis, Dr. Beast and political strategist Gretchen Gailey close out the political series with none other than the legendary Wanda James — dispensary owner, cannabis pioneer, and now hopeful future Congresswoman.

Filmed LIVE at NECANN in Atlantic City, this episode captures a groundbreaking moment as Wanda officially announces her run for Congress right here on Coffee & Cannabis. 🇺🇸

She opens up about sustaining as a minority operator for over 15 years, the importance of generational wealth and license transferring, and why she can’t understand why politicians are still fumbling cannabis policy.

Wanda doesn’t hold back — from sharing her challenges as the only Black Regent at the University of Colorado, to calling out her opponent Diana DeGette, to breaking down the failures in governance that keep communities criminalized and patients underserved.

Dr. Beast and Gretchen keep the energy sharp and candid, mixing in humor, hard truths, and gratitude for Wanda’s trailblazing leadership.

This season finale is more than a conversation — it’s a call to action. Wanda James reminds us what it means to fight for our plant, our people, and our future 🌱💪

Politics, pot, policy — and yes, even academia — all collide in this unforgettable closer. ☕🌿

📍 Filming: NECANN, Atlantic City
📌 Full episode premieres today, September 29, 2025 at 11AM

Creator & Executive Producer: Dr. Alyza Brevard-Rodriguez
Producer: Jalen Thomas
Editor: Jalen Thomas

✨ New to C&C? Start here: @Coffeecannabis.podcast

In Episode 7 -- (Ep 74) of Coffee & Cannabis, Dr. Beast and political strategist Gretchen Gailey sit down with Pennsylvania State Senator and candidate for Congress Sharif Street for an unfiltered conversation about the future of adult-use cannabis in his state.

Senator Street breaks down the uphill battle of legalization, from the cultural stigma that frames cannabis as a “sin,” to Pennsylvania’s notoriously strict alcohol laws, to the resistance of conservative legislators. He makes it clear that legalization isn’t just about access — it’s about budget shortfalls, public safety, and keeping cannabis out of the hands of children.

Dr. Beast and Gretchen don’t shy away from pressing questions, weaving in humor and sharp critique as they unpack the hypocrisy in how lawmakers measure “sin,” and why political will often bends to convenience instead of principle.

This conversation is both candid and timely — offering insight into why cannabis reform in PA has lagged, and why Senator Street believes the tide is finally turning.

Politics, pot, and policy collide in this episode — and the stakes couldn’t be higher. ☕🌱

📍 Filming: Plant and People, West Philadelphia
📌 Full episode premieres Monday, September 15, 2025 at 11AM

In Episode 6 — (Ep 73) of Coffee & Cannabis, Dr. Beast and political strategist Gretchen Gailey take a step back from guest interviews for a candid conversation between the two of them.

This episode is part recap, part reality check. After sitting down with policymakers, candidates, and stakeholders in recent weeks, Dr. Beast and Gretchen share what they’ve learned so far, where the conversations need to go next, and how the cannabis industry continues to wrestle with its biggest challenges…from lack of funding and political delays to unchecked egos, straight-up delusion in the marketplace and confusion in the political arena .

They also talk about the upcoming NECANN Atlantic City 2025, where Coffee & Cannabis will host a live show featuring a very special guest to close out the political series. Expect raw insights, behind-the-scenes reflections, and a deep dive into the state of both cannabis and politics as the team gears up for one of the biggest conferences in New Jersey.

This is an unfiltered conversation about where the industry is headed, the lessons learned from past episodes, and why platforms like Coffee & Cannabis matter more than ever for building community, accountability, and change. Filming: The Other Side Dispensary, 36 Congress St, Jersey City NJ Full episode premieres Monday, August 18, 2025 at 11AM Don’t forget to subscribe, drop your thoughts in the comments, and let us know what YOU want us to cover at NECANN 2025.