Sparq Cannabis is located in North Adams, Massachusetts. In this episode, we’re joined by Shawn Depietro, head of cultivation, along with his right-hand man, Liam Bannon Esparrago, and occasional insights from Art, the owner of Sparq Cannabis. Although Art carries the “owner” title, he emphasizes that everyone at Sparq works as equals, collaborating as a cohesive team—a dynamic that’s infused into every product they send out.

From Connecticut to Mendocino County, California, and from grunt worker to grower, Shawn’s journey took him on a path of deepening knowledge and cultivation. Just four days after graduating, he left Connecticut and drove to Mendocino County, beginning a journey that would eventually lead him back east to Sparq Cannabis. In this episode, we explore the passion and dedication that drive Shawn and his team to deliver consistent, high-quality harvests.

We also discuss what it means to be "Certified Remediation Free" and how this certification reflects Sparq’s commitment to ethical, consumer-centered cannabis cultivation.

Meet Michael Marinaro, a seasoned cannabis cultivator, and Tara Hopper, a skilled lawyer. No, Mike didn’t catch another case—together, they’re building a cannabis cultivation business in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts. Bada Bloom started as an idea that evolved into a brand, combining Michael’s cultivation expertise with Tara’s legal know-how. We discuss the "right place, right time" moments that brought them together and how they raised funds, turning investors into a supportive extended family.

With a provisional license and construction underway, they’ve had time to observe the industry they’re about to enter. We dive into the challenges they’ve noticed that are holding the industry back, what consumers don’t know, and the limited information available to them about cannabis products. Michael and Tara share their commitment to producing a high-quality product, one they believe will help them stand out in a struggling market. We also explore the current climate for cannabis consumers in Massachusetts and ask the question: do people really know what’s dank?

Meet Yasha Kahn from MCR Labs, the man with the data. In this episode, we discuss how a friend's donation of an HPLC machine, combined with $200 spent on eBay to test weed before legalization, eventually led to the founding of the first licensed cannabis testing lab on the East Coast. Yasha, his brother Mike, and their friend Scott turned that early curiosity into a groundbreaking business.

Yasha shares the journey of building a successful lab, detailing the highs, the lows, and the pivotal events between MCR Labs and the Cannabis Control Commission that pushed him toward a data-driven mission. His goal? To transform an industry plagued by rapid fraud into one where consumers can trust the Certificates of Analysis (COAs) provided by labs. We also dive into the data Yasha obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, which clearly reveals how fraudulent labs operate. He highlights the serious public health risks that come with inaccurate COA reporting and explains the steps he's taken—and continues to take—to urge regulators to enforce testing regulations to protect consumers in Massachusetts.