There are countless podcasts out there, with new ones emerging every day. As the cannabis world continues to grow, so too do the podcasts associated with the broader community, industry and overall cannabis culture. Though a new cannabis podcast stands apart as the first to feature a host who is also a U.S. lawmaker.
CannabisRadio.com launched the limited series podcast, “Planting Seeds,” launched earlier this month, featuring co-hosts Joe Hodas, the chief marketing officer of edible company Wana Brands, and Pennsylvania Sen. Sharif Street. The podcast aims to educate and enlighten citizens, policymakers and industry professionals in Pennsylvania on the modern state of cannabis, according to a news release.
The podcast is especially relevant today, as Pennsylvania inches closer to potentially legalizing cannabis after Gov. Josh Shapiro advocated for recreational legalization in his recent 2024-25 budget address earlier this month.
During the Feb. 6 address, Shapiro proposed legalizing adult-use cannabis in the state by July 1, 2024, citing the increase in tax revenue and new economic opportunities for those in the state. Shapiro heavily emphasized the need to compete with neighboring states in this regard, as all surrounding states except for West Virginia have legalized cannabis. Shapiro also cited that legalizing cannabis could usher in more than $250 million in annual revenue.
Sen. Street said that he is pleased with Shapiro’s commitment to prioritize adult-use legalization for the upcoming fiscal year.
“Our goal is to implement a just and equitable adult-use program in Pennsylvania which can only be accomplished through bi-partisanship, which is why the conversations we are having on ‘Planting Seeds’ are so essential,” Street said. “The time to end the prohibition of cannabis in Pennsylvania has come. It is critical we provide accurate education surrounding cannabis reform and what it means for the residents of Pennsylvania. This podcast provides a unique opportunity for our community to be in the passenger’s seat during the process.”
Hodas nodded to the various factors that must be considered when a state looks into enacting cannabis reform policies.
“I have had the privilege to work in the cannabis industry for over a decade,” Hodas said. “While we witness Pennsylvania’s efforts to become the 25th state to enact a regulated recreational cannabis program, it is compelling to consider the potential and pitfalls of the states that came before.”
Naturally, the podcast will address a number of these topics and more as Pennsylvania treks forward to potentially become one of the next states to legalize recreational cannabis.
The first episode focuses on the challenges of passing cannabis reform legislation, alongside the prevailing stigma and misinformation around cannabis among lawmakers. Street said legislators are still talking about the 1936 propaganda film ”Reefer Madness” which features a cautionary tale of two teens who become addicted to smoking weed and subsequently turn to a life of crime.
“The reality is that we know that addiction to serious drugs like opioids and narcotics goes down when you move toward cannabis legalization,” Street said.
The second episode hones in, looking closer at Pennsylvania’s SB 1028, which is looking to decriminalize cannabis. Street also notes the distinction between decriminalization and legalization, adding that jailing citizens for possession of small amounts of cannabis is a “drain on taxpayers’ money.”
Street is also the co-sponsor of SB 846, alongside Sen. Dan Laughlin, which would amend state statutes to legalize adult-use cannabis and provide a framework for regulation. It is currently under consideration in the state legislature.
Both episodes are currently available to stream. “Planting Seeds” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Podcasts and CannabisRadio.com’s mobile apps.
