The Hybrid

The Hybrid Podcast
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Politics
  • Monthly

Two former state cannabis regulators talk policy, politics and pop culture with the people shaping it. Shawn Collins was the first executive director of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission. Erik Gundersen was the first Director of Maine's Office of Cannabis Policy. They sit down with regulators, operators, advocates and researchers for long, candid conversations about licensing, hemp, ballot fights, banking and the culture around all of it. Watch every episode on YouTube at youtube.com/@thehybridpod and find every link for the show at bio.site/thehybrid.

  1. 2d ago

    Five states to watch: cannabis and the 2026 elections | Ep 26

    Cannabis doesn't have to be on the ballot to be at stake in your election. Shawn and Erik go guest-free through five states where the 2026 elections could change the cannabis map. Two former regulators who built programs after the vote walk through what each race could mean for cannabis policy. Iowa, where there's no ballot initiative and legalization would have to go through the legislature, and Erik makes the case for building an agency from scratch instead of folding cannabis into a liquor model. New Hampshire, the one New England state without legal adult use, and what the governor's one medical veto (SB 468), which the legislature overrode, tells us. Wisconsin, and whether a state starting from nothing should go medical first or build both at once, plus why Erik wants one supply chain. Pennsylvania, where the fight is less about whether to legalize and more about who regulates it and who sells it. And Massachusetts, where Question 8 would end adult-use retail sales starting January 1, 2028, while the medical program continues. Then a debrief from the Blank Rome cannabis conference, where rescheduling and hemp drew a lot of questions and not many answers. Plus two new segments: a Blind Ranking of the worst weed puns, and Cease and Desist, where Erik takes on adults who take their birthday off work and Shawn takes on the coffee shop tip screen. Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/35MbVjVILdmfmyPK6vo99l Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hybrid/id1802607848 Every link for the show: https://bio.site/thehybrid Get Policy, Decoded, Shawn's weekday cannabis policy briefing: https://policy.homegrown-group.com/subscribe?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=pd_edition&utm_content=ep_description_20261030 Chapters 0:00:00 Cold open 0:00:12 Intro 0:00:44 Welcome and run of show 0:03:19 Five States to Watch: Iowa 0:15:36 New Hampshire 0:23:25 Wisconsin 0:30:30 Pennsylvania 0:37:43 Massachusetts Question 8 0:42:29 Blank Rome conference debrief 0:56:17 Blind Ranking: the worst weed puns 1:00:42 Cease and Desist 1:09:39 Wrap The Hybrid is hosted by Shawn Collins, the first executive director of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, and Erik Gundersen, the first Director of Maine's Office of Cannabis Policy. New episodes regularly.

    Five states to watch: cannabis and the 2026 elections | Ep 26

  2. Sep 30

    Jeremy Berke on who tells the story of cannabis | Ep 25

    The industry keeps winning licenses and losing the argument. Why? Jeremy Berke of Cultivated tells two former regulators what the press sees that they might not. Cultivated: https://www.cultivated.news Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Hbz8FhJydo0 Get Policy, Decoded: https://policy.homegrown-group.com/subscribe?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=pd_edition&utm_content=ep_description_20261023 Every link: https://bio.site/thehybrid Hosted by former state cannabis regulators Shawn Collins and Erik Gundersen.

    Jeremy Berke on who tells the story of cannabis | Ep 25

  3. Sep 14

    Ricky Williams on cannabis, the NFL and Highsman | Ep 24

    Heisman winner Ricky Williams on cannabis, social anxiety and walking away from the NFL. Then Project Champion's Gretchen Gailey on taking that story to lawmakers. Project Champion: https://www.projectchampion.org Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/s5HYJxP1YSE Get Policy, Decoded: https://policy.homegrown-group.com/subscribe?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=pd_edition&utm_content=ep_description_20261023 Every link: https://bio.site/thehybrid Hosted by former state cannabis regulators Shawn Collins and Erik Gundersen.

    Ricky Williams on cannabis, the NFL and Highsman | Ep 24

  4. Sep 3

    Eric Taubel on regulating three cannabis markets at once | Ep 23

    Minnesota built a new agency to run adult use, medical and hemp at the same time. Eric Taubel of the Office of Cannabis Management on what that cost, what it bought, and what's next. Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management: https://mn.gov/ocm Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/anoCr_tUU_4 Get Policy, Decoded: https://policy.homegrown-group.com/subscribe?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=pd_edition&utm_content=ep_description_20261023 Every link: https://bio.site/thehybrid Hosted by former state cannabis regulators Shawn Collins and Erik Gundersen.

    Eric Taubel on regulating three cannabis markets at once | Ep 23

  5. Aug 17

    Ryan Dominguez on the fight to stop the repeal | Ep 22

    Question 8 would repeal adult-use cannabis in Massachusetts, ten years after voters passed it. Ryan Dominguez, who chairs the campaign against it, on what's at stake and how the fight is going. No on 8: Stop the Repeal: https://NoOn8MA.com Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AgXRiMW64rM Get Policy, Decoded: https://policy.homegrown-group.com/subscribe?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=pd_edition&utm_content=ep_description_20261023 Every link: https://bio.site/thehybrid Hosted by former state cannabis regulators Shawn Collins and Erik Gundersen.

    Ryan Dominguez on the fight to stop the repeal | Ep 22

  6. Jul 1

    #21 | The Future of Cannabis Regulation with California's Christina Dempsey

    California is the biggest cannabis market in the country, and one of the hardest to regulate. Christina Dempsey of the Department of Cannabis Control on trust, tools and what comes next. California Department of Cannabis Control: https://cannabis.ca.gov/ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MeOv4CgXcTk Get Policy, Decoded: https://policy.homegrown-group.com/subscribe?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=pd_edition&utm_content=ep_description_20261023 Every link: https://bio.site/thehybrid Hosted by former state cannabis regulators Shawn Collins and Erik Gundersen.

    #21 | The Future of Cannabis Regulation with California's Christina Dempsey

  7. Jun 7

    Would you rather regulate? Cannabis policy nightmares | Ep 20

    Oversupply or market concentration? THC beverages or lounges? Pick one. Shawn and Erik play Would You Rather Regulate, starting with Virginia. Shawn and Erik go guest-free for a looser episode about the messy middle of legalization. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4Yoe6jcnGPc Get Policy, Decoded: https://policy.homegrown-group.com/subscribe?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=pd_edition&utm_content=ep_description_20261023 Every link: https://bio.site/thehybrid Hosted by former state cannabis regulators Shawn Collins and Erik Gundersen.

    Would you rather regulate? Cannabis policy nightmares | Ep 20

  8. May 7

    Adria Berry on taming Oklahoma's Wild West market | Ep 19

    Oklahoma's medical market grew faster than almost anyone could regulate it. Adria Berry on rebuilding OMMA as a standalone agency and what it took. Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority: https://oklahoma.gov/omma/about/about-omma.html Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4AsesrGuAt4 Get Policy, Decoded: https://policy.homegrown-group.com/subscribe?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=pd_edition&utm_content=ep_description_20261023 Every link: https://bio.site/thehybrid Hosted by former state cannabis regulators Shawn Collins and Erik Gundersen.

    Adria Berry on taming Oklahoma's Wild West market | Ep 19
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Two former state cannabis regulators talk policy, politics and pop culture with the people shaping it. Shawn Collins was the first executive director of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission. Erik Gundersen was the first Director of Maine's Office of Cannabis Policy. They sit down with regulators, operators, advocates and researchers for long, candid conversations about licensing, hemp, ballot fights, banking and the culture around all of it. Watch every episode on YouTube at youtube.com/@thehybridpod and find every link for the show at bio.site/thehybrid.

Information

  • Creator
    The Hybrid Podcast
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Hybrid Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Hybrid

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