Everyone loves a "ceremony that radiates joy," even Ms. Mari Juana - that's what Brandon and Angela learned after they dove into an entry from 1895. While involved in the hustle and bustle of the blessed event, she happened to spot an article in the newspaper that described the 1894 Indian Hemp Commission Report results. (This report remains one of the most comprehensive studies ever done about cannabis!) The findings of the report, which confirmed the notion that cannabis did not lead to criminality, immorality, and societal downfall, brought Mari some comfort, even though the association with opium was upsetting. The NYT article was titled "Opium and Hemp in India."

"We were under the definite impression that the extracts of hemp, in whatever form consumed, were invariably pernicious, the drug, taken in moderation, destroying the nerves and taken in excess, producing homicidal mania. The Ghazees swallow it before their rushes, and so did the Scandinavian Berserkers a thousand years ago. That impression, however, turns out to be an illusion of ignorance."

Angela's phone was noisy during this episode, as she received some mysterious texts. The duo realized that the texts were clues, as they all involved the diary. It hit them like a lightning bolt when they figured out who was behind the messages ...

Stay tuned - Season 3 returns in 2025!

We're always learning some new from Mari and the cannabis professionals interested in exploring her diary!

Do you remember the first time you consumed? Do you remember what you were watching on television? Cannabis professional, music-maker, photographer, branding ace, and all-around fantastic fella Brian Aufdenberg does! He shared a bit about his cannabis journey when he joined Brandon and Angela to explore Mari's diary entry from 1943. The trio learned that the first mention of marijuana in Time Magazine occurred in 1934. It was notably brief mention, simply stating that marijuana was “a drug, long common in Mexico, made from a variety of hemp weed." Nine years later, in 1943, Time Magazine published its first full article. It wasn't a coincidence that the piece, "The Weed" came out after a high profile arrest of a prominent jazz musician. Mari's insight about the feature drew attention to the realities of marijuana usage. She reflected in her writing, noting "Curiously, the power of mental concentration appears to increase rather than diminish...But in spite of the legends, no case of physical, mental or moral degeneration has ever been traced exclusively to marijuana." Thank goodness Vinny and the Captain had a copy of Time (mostly to use for auctioneering practice) so Mari was able to review an article that had some actual truths in it. Be sure to subscribe; new episodes drop on the 4th and 20th of each month. Only 1 more episode left in Season 2, so don't miss out.

About Brian Aufdenberg

Throughout his career, Brian has worked with emerging brands as well as established companies, helping them become iconic mainstays both on a national and international stage. He has built brands in cannabis, apparel, music, and liquor. He enjoys nurturing and bringing out the essence of brands and their products with sales, marketing, brand strategy, and building each brands unique voice. Brian is currently the Associate Director of Field Marketing at Fernway. Also, he's the force behind the Triple Bolt Gazette and makes music as B.M.A. Follow him at on IG at Fernway Brian, BMA_DNB, and Triple Bolt Gazette.

You've got questions...and Angela and Brandon have answers! On this episode, the pair explored questions posed by listeners about Mari and her fascinating diary.

In early 2023, when Angela received an anonymous package containing an old diary with no explanation beyond a note that said "use this as you see fit," there were immediate questions. Who sent it? Why was it sent to Angela? What should be done next? The list went on and on.

Since then, as she and Brandon have learned more about Ms. Mari Juana's extraordinary life, the questions have continued to pile up. Each week, they learn a little bit more about Mari and her experiences. Since Angela and Brandon started sharing Mari's writings with listeners through the podcast, every day, they field inquiries about Mari and her diary.

On this episode, they talk through the questions that others have posed. They cover:

- thoughts on formula in the box.

- Mari's residence and activities.

- descriptions of Mari.

- favorite entries that highlight important cannabis history.

With Mari, there always seem to be more questions than answers, which encourages good cannabis conversation. They've come to realize - that's likely exactly what Mari wanted all along.

One thing is for sure, Mari knew what she was doing when she mailed her diary to Angela. Each episode of "Use This As You See Fit: The Diary of Mari" puts reliable, accurate cannabis information out into the world, which chips away at misinformation and problematic stigma.

Questions or comments about Mari and her diary? Send 'em in and Angela and Brandon will be sure to share their insight.

Episode Summary

Even though there's no national holiday celebration in August, we had plenty to celebrate on this episode! Returning for another entry, South Jersey cannabis attorney and all-around interesting human Mike Hoffman joined Angela and Brandon to read through another one of Mari's writings from the 1970s. Mike shared some insight about what motivated him to get involved in the clean-up of the failed War on Drugs. That proved to be a natural segue to discuss Mari's reflections about her time with NORML founder Keith Stroup and how the Playboy Foundation got involved in cannabis activism by funding the advocacy start-up. Keith, Hugh Hefner, and Bobbie Arnstein were all involved in conversations that ultimately helped to launch one of the most well-known cannabis advocacy organizations in the country. The trio of entry-explorers ended up swimming around in an "emotion ocean" (as described by Mari - "happy tears and giggly sorrow") and learning more about cannabis conversations in the 1970s. The passing of the Controlled Substance Act was a major factor in cannabis at that point in America. Mari reinforced the lesson: The 1970s were a particularly important decade in cannabis history and those who stood up to advocate for the reformation of marijuana laws had to fight hard.

About Mike Hoffman

Mike Hoffman is a true solo attorney, focusing on expungements, cannabis & social equity, and municipal court/DWI impairment. He founded The Hoffman Centers in 2017. According to Mike, "This is a company formed as the labor of my loves. Everything I have ever done and everything I have ever considered will be given an opportunity through this position. I have formed this company, in structure, to allow me to begin practicing law again, on my own terms. It also, as there are multiple "Centers" involved, allows me to pursue the governmental affairs, policy analysis, and legislative opinion services that have intrigued me. Finally, as part and parcel of the "innovation" center, I will have an incubator to help those ideas that have potentially seemed profitable to me, whether mine or others, take those ideas, and bring them to a place where they might achieve the recognition and profitability they deserve."

Episode Summary

In memory of John Sinclair, American poet, writer, and political activist

October 2, 1941 – April 2, 2024

What is medicine? Which state had legal cannabis for 22 days in the 1970s? Is advocacy a default for anyone working in the cannabis industry? These are all questions that the diary entry review crew talked through while reading through Mari's writing from 1972. While exploring topics about what qualifies as medicine, John Sinclair's activism and impact, and what Albert (the guy who doesn't wear socks) had to say about celebrating cannabis advancement, Brandon and Angela talk with Dr. Alan Ao, pharmacist and Founder/Chief Everything Officer at Vigor Dispensary. Mari's account of John's release and his "I wanna smoke some joints, man!" declaration helped them understand more about the pioneer advocates who made it their mission to see cannabis change happen. The best thing about this episode? A surprise guest who knows a thing or two about Chicago, cannabis and the law, and how fear and anger motivate getting involved. Mari reinforced the lesson: advocating for access to cannabis is not for the faint of heart. But it’s worth it.

About Dr. Alan Ao

With 20 years of retail experience and a specialization in various niche areas of alternative medicine, Dr. Ao aims to incorporate traditional community pharmacy practices into the newly developing cannabis industry. He is a champion for utilizing scientific evidence-based education paired with a holistic approach to provide the best quality care to medical patients and adult-use consumers alike. Using a community-based focus coupled with his operational expertise, his goal is to bring cannabinoid-based therapy into mainstream conversation as a standard of medical care. Dr. Ao is in the process of opening Vigor Dispensary in Matawan, New Jersey.

Episode Summary

"Does anyone smell that skunk weed?" The scientific reason behind why we equate skunk spray smell with the aroma of cannabis was just one of many things explored from this 1975 entry.

In this episode, the conversation was nonstop. Brandon and Angela talked with cannabis educators and advocates Andrea Raible and Sam Reichbart about Mari's writing that described a fun night of painting at Omar and Dana's house that included the 1974 Maya Angelou memoir “Gather Together in my Name.” The foursome bounced back and forth between strains and terpenes to literature and how cannabis and food intersect. Methods of growing, why home grow matters, and how life "amused" Maya Angelou (a fan of grifa) are all interesting parts of this diary entry exploration. Mari reinforced the lesson: perfect sentences are worth celebrating.

About Andrea Raible and Sam Reichbart and education in New Jersey

Andrea Raible and Sam Reichbart are cannabis professionals working in the New Jersey cannabis industry. They both have experience in cannabis advocacy and helping people understand more about cannabis and plant medicine. In 2023, they kicked off the process to form CaMPS, the Cultivation and Plant Medicine Society. This grassroots effort is aimed at helping people learn more about plant medicine and at-home-cultivation.

The reefer man invades college campuses! Special guest Northeast Corridor Provisions Inc. CEO and New Jersey Cannabusiness Association vice president Dr. Marianne Bays helps to delve into this entry from 1937, a notable year in the history of cannabis. On this episode Marianne, Brandon, and Angela explore what happened when two colleges publicly denied marijuana invasions on their campuses during a year where marijuana headlines were becoming more common and contributing to widespread fears. The trio talked about media messaging, Robert C. Randall and Alice O'Leary Randall and their pioneer advocacy efforts, and the role that nurses have played in helping patients access cannabis. Mari reinforced the lesson: her warnings of the war on drugs were loud and clear.

About Marianne Bays and Northeast Corridor Provisions Inc. (NEC Provisions)

Dr. Marianne Bays is a cannabis industry business consultant, analyst and entrepreneur and a lifetime resident of New Jersey. She has been studying and working in the cannabis industry since 2008. She has been the lead consultant on cannabis business license application projects in 8 states, and the District of Columbia, helping to build business plans and win licenses for her clients in 6 of these locations, including one of the initial 10 licenses granted in New York State. This required reading and understanding State cannabis laws and business regulations in each of those states. She was a founding operations member of Kalyx Development, a real estate investment trust in the cannabis industry, and also a Managing Director of Mingleridge Business Resources, LLC, providing consulting services to the industry.

Marianne has over 25 years of previous experience working as a management consultant with Fortune 2000 businesses and government agencies on process, performance and structure improvement. In these projects she organized and led consultant and client teams of up to 100 people, working 3-12 months or more to solve complicated organizational problems. Much of her early work experience was done in Federal and State agencies, providing her with a strong understanding of a regulated work environment. She was also previously an Assistant Professor of Management at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey. She has managed an independent organizational consultancy for much of her career, working in both private industry and government. She holds a PhD in Business – Organization and Policy Studies from CUNY Graduate Center in NYC.

Dr. Bays is a founding Board Member of the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association (NJCBA), its current Vice President, and the past chair of its Higher Education Committee. In this latter capacity, she has worked with New Jersey universities developing curricula, programs related to careers in the cannabis industry, and encouraging cannabis research. She is also a member of the NJCBA Policy Committee and has authored position papers for the association on adult legalization and regulation of cannabis, recommending NJ policies on manufacturing of infused edibles and beverages, and recommending regulations for operation of licensed cannabis consumption areas. She has also provided support to the NJCBA Laboratory Testing Committee in their efforts to recommend improved laboratory testing policy to the CRC. Most recently, she is working with a task force focused on needed NJ regulation of intoxicating cannabinoids derived from hemp and another focused on streamlining processes for hiring and approval of product production plans in start-up businesses licensed by the state. Dr. Bays brings a combination of business strategy and organizational management knowledge and experience and cannabis industry knowledge and experience to the NEC Provisions CEO role.

What wasn’t balderdash was what was included in this entry from August 22, 1843, “If the resin be swallowed, almost invariably the inebriation is of the most cheerful kind, causing the person to sing and dance, to eat food with great relish, and to seek out aphrodisiac enjoyment.” Spencer Belz of Last Mile Consulting and SunnyTien Dispensary joined Brandon and Angela to explore Mari’s writing about Royal Medico-Botanical Society and the explanatory words of Mr. Ley, who asserts the health benefits. The trio was delighted to come across a familiar guest star in the "Provincial Medical Journal and Retrospect of the Medical Sciences," the cannabis pioneer Dr. William Brooke O'Shaughnessy. Mari reinforced the lesson: we need more voices who speak truths.

About Spencer Belz

For the past six years, Spencer Belz has played an active role in the New Jersey cannabis market. Beginning his journey as a budtender in one of the first medical dispensaries, Spencer facilitated over 2,000 private consultations with patients exploring cannabis for the first time. Since then, Spencer has developed and executed retail operations, marketing and advertising departments, wholesale and delivery operations, and held instructor roles with the UFCW Union, Rowan University, and Minority Cannabis Academy programs. In his current roles, Spencer is Chief Operating Officer of SunnyTien Dispensary, a luxury retail environment in the heart of Atlantic City focused on providing a high-quality experience with a next level assortment of craft products. As owner and operator of Last Mile Cannabis Consulting, Spencer works with licensed operators on business development, operational readiness, brand development, and creating a sustainable ecosystem for all within the sector to thrive.