Higher Ground: Rediscovering The Ancient Wisdom of Cannabis & CBD W/ Stephen Smith #294

Stephen Smith is a good friend of mine and the co-founder of Onda Wellness, a company that makes hemp- and cannabis-based products with uncompromising quality. And in this conversation, we look at the current state of cannabis, hemp, CBD, and THC—the whole industry. For those of you curious about all of the noise in the industry, this episode is going to answer every question you could ever possibly have and then some. We talk about biodynamic and regenerative farming practices (especially as they pertain to the hemp industry), and the huge opportunity we have right now to set the course for the hemp industry, actually empowering the people and farmers who produce it along the way—but if people like Stephen don’t capitalize on this opportunity now, the industry will follow the same commoditized industrial agricultural model that is already slowly killing us. Consider this the reintroduction of this ancient medicine with new, environmental, and climate-friendly practices. Sit back, relax, and enjoy some cannabis in whatever form suits you—legally, of course—and learn everything you could ever want to know about this incredible plant medicine with Stephen Smith. And if you want to get your own sustainable CBD products, you can use code LUKE15 for 15% off at www.ondawellness.com.   10:11 — From biodynamic farming, grape growing, to hemp farming Falling in love with the grape-growing region of Mendoza Seeing a high-level view of regenerative agriculture Becoming connected with the OG biodynamic farmers Seeing hemp as the next frontier and opportunity for non-commodity industrial farming What permaculture is The drawbacks of “monocropping” How farmers get the short end of the stick—and how to fix that   26:34 —How, when, and why the hemp plant was made illegal, as well as the various uses of hemp The pressures from the paper industry who felt threatened by hemp How the country used propaganda to associate cannabis or “marijuana” with immigrant latino populations How the controlled substance act made hemp illegal Being blown away by the many uses of hemp that aren’t being explored How we are just scratching the surface of what these plants can do The different classifications for the cannabis plant How cannabis is still the wild west of regulation and understanding Using cannabis as a mechanism for good   47:46 —The difference between growing cannabis and hemp naturally versus artificially The race to the top of high-THC cannabis Going old-school cannabis The risk of cross-pollination from neighboring farms   57:26 —The best and worst growing/processing practices The cost of growing indoors Why there’s a rush to cutting corners The importance of biodiversity for your crops Why “organic” doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good for you How biodiversity has the biggest impact on the environment Rewarding our farmers fairly Taking a pharmaceutical approach versus slow infusion  ...