Talking Plant is your guide through the journey into the basics of cannabis, the cannabis industry, and where we try to answer all your questions about our favorite plant.

In this episode of Talking Plant I talk about new Assembly Bills making their way through the California legislature regarding cannabis at farmers markets and protections for employees who smoke cannabis.

But FIRST, I ask the question “Do you have to smoke cannabis to be an effective leader in the cannabis industry?” To be successful in this industry, you want to collaborate with those who understand the culture, the promise, the health benefits of cannabis.

I see so many people in the industry who I know damn well don’t smoke but there they are. Do I think less of them? As a person no, but as someone I want to collaborate with in this business, perhaps I do feel differently.

Some may question their motive for being in the industry. Is it a money grab? The IN thing? Do they advocate for it or are they merely cashing in?

I’ve actually been in conversations where a cannabis quote unquote “leader” of a business questioned whether or not hiring someone who did not smoke was the right move to make.

I’ve seen non-cannabis users thrive in the industry. As a LEADER though? That’s different.

I want to see them roll one up.

Employee Protections for those who use cannabis.

A.B. 2188, a new California bill offers employee protections for those who smoke cannabis. For far too long, many employers have tested applying, new or existing employees for drugs and any cannabis found in their system can be a cause for termination.

If the proposal becomes law, California will become the seventh state to protect adults who legally use cannabis from employer sanctions. An additional 15 states have narrower laws that protect medical marijuana patients from adverse treatment from employers for their legal use of cannabis, according to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.  

From farmer to consumer, cannabis may be sold at local farmer’s markets.

Assembly Bill 2691 could bring a lucrative revenue stream and new products to farmers markets in municipalities across the state. If it is passed, farmer’s markets could expand their products and access to the cannabis market could be further expanded. It would definitely signal a big change in how cannabis is regulated in the state of California because it would allow casual farmer’s market patrons to buy vegetables and cannabis products in the same open-air space.