Shawn Collins of THC Group and Erik Gundersen of ERG Strategies sit down with Eric and Kristin Rogers, the husband-and-wife team behind LEVIA, to explore the rise of cannabis beverages and the rare journey of building a brand, selling it, and taking it back. They trace LEVIA from garage experiments to a statewide favorite, discuss what they learned inside a corporate structure, and share how their new venture, Second Act, reflects a vision for social, culinary, and wellness-forward cannabis.
The conversation moves through culture, entrepreneurship, identity, and the evolution of social consumption. It is a story about creating something that feels personal, stepping away, and returning to finish the work on your own terms.
🎧 New episodes drop regularly. Follow @TheHybridPod on Instagram for updates.
🔎 Topics: LEVIA, cannabis beverages, founders, social consumption, Massachusetts cannabis, Second Act, entrepreneurship, cannabis culture
Shawn Collins of THC Group and Erik Gundersen of ERG Strategies sit down with Pamela N. Epstein, one of the nation’s leading cannabis and hemp policy experts, for a deep dive into intoxicating hemp, the Farm Bill, and the future of THC regulation. They unpack how we got here—the loopholes, the patchwork of state laws, the science—and where smart policy should go next.
🎧 New episodes drop regularly. Follow @TheHybridPod on Instagram for updates.
🔎 Topics: hemp regulation, Farm Bill 2025, THC policy, cannabis industry, delta-8, hemp vs marijuana, Pamela Epstein.
Shawn Collins of THC Group (www.homegrown-group.com) and Erik Gundersen of ERG Strategies (www.ergstrategies.com) chat with Carl Giannone, former Trade Roots leader, about his cannabis journey. With their expertise, they dive into regulatory challenges, social equity, and Massachusetts market shifts, sharing insider stories. They also compete in a trivia showdown.
New episodes drop regularly. Follow @TheHybridPod on Instagram for more.
Shawn Collins of THC Group (www.homegrown-group.com) and Erik Gundersen of ERG Strategies (www.ergstrategies.com) explore cannabis testing with Stephanie McArdle of Orange Photonics (www.orangephotonics.com). With their expertise, they dive into field testing, data transparency, and reflect on consulting challenges. They also compete in a trivia showdown.
New episodes drop regularly.
Follow @TheHybridPod on Instagram for more.
Shawn Collins of THC Group (www.homegrown-group.com) and Erik Gundersen of ERG Strategies (www.ergstrategies.com) dive into the cannabis regulator's dilemma, exploring the clash of policy, politics, and public expectations. With their expertise, they share insider stories and reflect on regulatory challenges. They also break down recent headlines and compete in a trivia showdown.
New episodes drop regularly.
Follow @TheHybridPod on Instagram for more.
Shawn Collins of THC Group (www.homegrown-group.com) and Erik Gundersen of ERG Strategies (https://ergstrategies.com/) explore cannabis agency transparency with Steve Kemmerling, CEO of CRB Monitor (www.crbmonitor.com). They discuss its impact on financial institutions, CRB Monitor’s Transparency Scorecard, and share insider stories. They also tackle Texas’ THC ban and compete in a trivia showdown.
New episodes drop regularly.
Follow @TheHybridPod on Instagram for more.
Shawn Collins of THC Group (www.homegrown-group.com) and Erik Gundersen of ERG Strategies (www.ergstrategies.com/) explore the surprising similarities between cannabis and gaming policy with guest Mackenzie Slade of CPPC and GPPC. With their expertise, they uncover regulatory parallels and share insider stories. They also debate the best summer activity to pair with cannabis and compete in a trivia showdown.
New episodes drop regularly. Follow @TheHybridPod on Instagram for more.
Shawn Collins of THC Group (www.homegrown-group.com) and Erik Gundersen of ERG Strategies (https://ergstrategies.com/) explore the future of medical cannabis in an adult-use world, sharing insider stories from their days as regulators. With their expertise, they offer fresh perspectives on policy shifts and industry challenges. They also draft notable figures to join the medical cannabis market—listen to hear their picks!
New episodes drop regularly. Follow @TheHybridPod on Instagram for more.
Welcome to the premiere episode of The Hybrid, where cannabis policy collides with pop culture! Join hosts Shawn Collins (former Executive Director, MA Cannabis Control Commission) and Erik Gundersen (former Director, Maine Office of Cannabis Policy) as they kick things off with a bang. In this episode, we introduce ourselves and the podcast’s mission—to make dense cannabis policy as engaging as your favorite movie.We share behind-the-scenes insights from our years as regulators, tackling the highs and lows of shaping the cannabis landscape. Then, we dive into the hot topic of social consumption—think cannabis lounges and cafes—and what it could mean for the future. Plus, we try to stump each other with cannabis trivia, from historical tidbits to pop culture gems.