“The majority of people that qualify for social equity didn't qualify like myself. And one of these licenses, they didn't qualify because they were arrested for cannabis or their immediate family members have and they qualify based on where they live. Now, there's some truth to that, that neighborhoods have been targeted and people suffer because of that.” - Mike Malcolm
Welcome back to the To Be Blunt podcast! In this episode, Shayda Torabi welcomes Mike Malcolm, founder of Weed Travel Food, to talk about the disorderly legalization processes, how the cannabis lottery system works, and how he equipped himself through the challenges.
[00:01 – 09:56] Mike Shares his Cannabis Journey
[09:57 – 24:09] The Mystifying Processes of Social Equity
[24:10 – 38:55] Inside the Cannabis Lottery System
[38:56 – 59:29] The Flawed Legalization Processes
[59:30 – 1:01:54] Food for Thought: Prepare for the highs and lows in the industry.
I'm Mike. I was born and raised on the south side of Chicago! I’m a real estate investor since I graduated high school in 2000 and a Realtor w/ @atproperties since 2012. I’ve always been passionate about cannabis, travel, and food so I founded the @weedtravelfood brand where I operate my media production company “WTF Media LLC” and my cannabis industry consulting firm “WTF Consulting LLC”, as featured in major media outlets like the Chicago Sun-Times, FOX News and ABC News. I work with cannabis companies and brands across the country on everything - product development, content creation, community engagement and outreach. I’m a social equity applicant and currently have 10 dispensary license applications under review by the state of Illinois. I’m an equity partner of the @cronjaculture cannabis brand. My partners have distribution, manufacturing, and delivery licenses based out of Los Angeles, California. We currently have ancillary products for sale online, dispensaries in LA and Chicago, and we’ll have cannabis products on California shelves in 2021. In March 2021, I created a syllabus and course about Cannabis Marketing and Branding for Olive Harvey College. I'm currently an Adjunct faculty member there, teaching my course weekly and I sit on the City of Chicago College's Cannabis Advisory Council. I’m a proud member of Chicago NORML, Cannabis Equity Illinois Coalition, and National Cannabis Industry Association.
Connect with Mike
Visit https://www.weedtravelfood.com/ and follow him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn @weedtravelfood
Shayda Torabi has been called one of the most influential Women in WordPress and now she’s one of the women leading the cannabis reformation conversation building one of Texas’ premier CBD brands. She's currently the CEO and Co-Founder of RESTART CBD, a female-run education first CBD wellness brand. And has formerly held marketing positions at WP Engine and WebDevStudios. Shayda is the host of a podcast for cannabis marketers called To Be Blunt, where she interviews top cannabis brands on their most successful marketing initiatives. When Shayda's not building her cannabiz in Texas, you can find her on the road exploring the best hikes and spots for vegan ice cream. Follow Shayda at @theshaydatorabi
Key Quote:
“Because we're in cannabis, a lot of it is really unclear on how to proceed and move forward. And so I think it's really cool to hear these kinds of new and interesting ways to navigate the system.” - Shayda Torabi
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068 Chicago Cannabis Lottery System Storytime with Mike Malcolm of Weed Travel Food