In this episode of the Ganjapreneur Podcast, host TG Branfalt speaks with Blake Johnson, president of Prairie Island CBH, and Ben Halley, COO and founder of Honest Cannabis. Together, they explore how the Prairie Island Indian Community developed Island Peži, a vertically integrated cannabis enterprise in Minnesota, built on tribal sovereignty, Indigenous values, and regenerative agriculture.
The conversation covers the complexities of launching cannabis programs on tribal land, the importance of community engagement, and the tribe’s decision to invest in a 13-acre cultivation and processing campus. Blake and Ben discuss the intertribal collaboration taking shape in Minnesota, product trends at Island Peži, the tribe’s education and training efforts, and how this model of values-driven development can inform the broader cannabis industry as state markets mature.
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In this episode of the Ganjapreneur Podcast, host TG Branfalt speaks with Blake Johnson, president of Prairie Island CBH, and Ben Halley, COO and founder of Honest Cannabis. Together, they explore how the Prairie Island Indian Community developed Island Peži, a vertically integrated cannabis enterprise in Minnesota, built on tribal sovereignty, Indigenous values, and regenerative agriculture.
The conversation covers the complexities of launching cannabis programs on tribal land, the importance of community engagement, and the tribe’s decision to invest in a 13-acre cultivation and processing campus. Blake and Ben discuss the intertribal collaboration taking shape in Minnesota, product trends at Island Peži, the tribe’s education and training efforts, and how this model of values-driven development can inform the broader cannabis industry as state markets mature.
Highly Enlightened: One-Hitter Interviews from MJ Unpacked Missouri, WomenGrow Leadership Summit, and Benzinga New Jersey
The Ganjapreneur Podcast
1 hour 23 minutes 36 seconds
6 months ago
Highly Enlightened: One-Hitter Interviews from MJ Unpacked Missouri, WomenGrow Leadership Summit, and Benzinga New Jersey
In this fast-paced compilation episode of Highly Enlightened, host Jon Purow hits the road—capturing quick, insightful interviews with leading voices across the cannabis industry. Filmed at MJ Unpacked Missouri 2024, the WomenGrow Leadership Summit 2025, and the Benzinga New Jersey Cannabis Market Spotlight, this lineup showcases perspectives from founders, marketers, security experts, and more. These "One Hitters" may be short, but they pack a punch—perfect for a snapshot of where cannabis is going next.
Featured Guests (in order of appearance):
1. Precious Osagie-Erise
Founder, Precious Cannabis Co.
📍 Filmed at WomenGrow Leadership Summit 2025
2. Corey Bix
Director of Business Development, Silverstar Protection Group
📍 Filmed at MJ Unpacked Missouri 2024
3. Tawnie Scarborough
Principal, Fox Foot Inc.
📍 Filmed at WomenGrow Leadership Summit 2025
4. Amna Shamim
Director of Content Marketing, The Cannabis Community
📍 Filmed at WomenGrow Leadership Summit 2025
5. Tor Hamer
CEO, Green Nexus
📍 Filmed at WomenGrow Leadership Summit 2025
6. Ben Burstein
Corporate Development Manager, LeafLink
📍 Filmed at Benzinga New Jersey Cannabis Market Spotlight
7. Sarah Trent
Founder & CEO, Valley Wellness NJ
📍 Filmed at Benzinga New Jersey Cannabis Market Spotlight
8. David Zelinger
Partner, Canis Major Partners
📍 Filmed at Benzinga New Jersey Cannabis Market Spotlight
9. Bran Noonan
CEO, OGeez!
📍 Filmed at Benzinga New Jersey Cannabis Market Spotlight
The Ganjapreneur Podcast
In this episode of the Ganjapreneur Podcast, host TG Branfalt speaks with Blake Johnson, president of Prairie Island CBH, and Ben Halley, COO and founder of Honest Cannabis. Together, they explore how the Prairie Island Indian Community developed Island Peži, a vertically integrated cannabis enterprise in Minnesota, built on tribal sovereignty, Indigenous values, and regenerative agriculture.
The conversation covers the complexities of launching cannabis programs on tribal land, the importance of community engagement, and the tribe’s decision to invest in a 13-acre cultivation and processing campus. Blake and Ben discuss the intertribal collaboration taking shape in Minnesota, product trends at Island Peži, the tribe’s education and training efforts, and how this model of values-driven development can inform the broader cannabis industry as state markets mature.
