Ed found the power of cannabis as a result of a Parkinson’s diagnosis. Like most individuals treating conditions, Ed needed a particular strain, in a particular dose, all the while being a clean medicine.  Out of an understanding of what the medical cannabis patient needs, District Cannabis was born. 

However, Ed has a past and it involves Ronald Reagan, a name that causes more than just an eyebrow raise to anyone who knows even a little about the War on Drugs.  

While I am left with more questions about Ed and his thoughts on what fair and equitable future in cannabis looks like and what the license holder’s role is in correcting the past and the damage, I felt like this was a great start. 

This interview is a great look into what a license holder thinks the place of “the legacy market” is in the now “legalized market.” “They” belong in the ancillary businesses. From their mouths they will say “we are only where we are today because of them,” and yet, that is not reflected in their actions. 

This is not the first time I have heard this sentiment. I took a class fall of 2018 at AACC. The class was Cannabis and Entrepreneurship. There, week after week I listened to license holders echo a very similar sentiment. You can listen to old podcasts of them saying exactly how they feel about us. 

I am hopeful that Ed is one of those true cases of a changed heart that leads to greater action. 

Enjoy the conversation.