Karma Koala Podcast

KARMA KOALA PODCAST

The Karma Koala Podcast by Sean Hocking the founder and editor of Cannabis Law ReportThis podcast is one on one conversations , long-form and short-form covering all aspects of cannabis law, biz, compliance, issues, updates etc from around the world.Listen in - learn something new I speak with lawyers, politicians, CEO's, founders, regulators about the new global push for regulating cannabis use.

  1. JAN 28

    Karma Koala Podcast 286: Guernsey (Channel Islands) UK – Even In Microcosm The Same Issues Turn Up

    Where the hell is Guernsey some of you might be asking? A few weeks ago we spoke to Simon Harrison of “End Cannabis Prohibition Jersey” in the UK Channel Islands, so I thought it would also make sense to see what’s happening over in Guernsey, Jersey’s little sibling. Simon introduced the koalas to Bruce Caruso, former native of Portland Oregon, who came to Guernsey for work in 2020 and never left! He now runs one of the island’s two small cannabis clubs, The Green Retreat , where people can consume their prescriptions. The island, with its population of around 65,000, has already issued over 17,000 prescriptions ITV x wrote in a 2025 In Guernsey, the latest statistics have revealed there were 17,000 prescriptions issued last year, compared to 12,000 the year before. The Green Retreat is Guernsey’s first ‘cannabis club’ and has had a successful first year, allowing islanders to use medicinal cannabis in a shared social setting. However, upon entry, islanders must provide proof of their prescription, a form of ID showing they’re 18 and above. There is no charge for people to enter the lounge, but instead, bosses wanted to create a welcoming environment for consumption. There is a similar business also operating in Jersey too; The Vaporizer Hut. Both have to self-regulate, abiding by strict restrictions and only allowing those with prescriptions to enter. There are about 1,500 to 2000 people who have cannabis prescriptions.” Medicinal cannabis was legalised on the island in 2019 but work continues to decipher what exactly the health benefits are. Read more at https://www.itv.com/news/channel/2025-01-08/cannabis-club-new-spaces-designated-for-medicinal-cannabis-in-channel-islands   In our chat we learn where Guernsey currently stands with cannabis regulation, what the next developments are, What products are issued as prescriptions, where they are sourced and what effects a semi-regulated environment has had on the black market.https://cannabislaw.report/karma-koala-podcast-286-guernsey-channel-islands-uk-even-in-microcosm-the-same-issues-turn-up/

    26 min
  2. JAN 19

    Karma Koala Podcast 285: Sasha Nutgent Vice President of Retail, Housing Works Cannabis Co. What’s Going On In New York As We Enter 2026?

    I chat with Sasha of NY's Housing Works a nonprofit organization that has been running a dispensary for a while in the wild east of cannabis. Against all odds they are surviving and thriving and building the sort of approach to cannabis retail and social equity that many had hoped for . We touch on the growth of the market, the OCM, METRC, the possibility of expansion, 280e and much more Thankyou Sasha Sasha Nutgent serves as Vice President of Retail for Housing Works Cannabis Co (HWCC) and oversees all aspects of the dispensary’s operations. Leveraging her skills as a gifted connector and relationship builder, Sasha has built the HWCC team from the ground up. Day to day, her responsibilities include not only recruitment and training but also inventory management, scheduling, customer service, cannabis education, creative problem solving and building both revenue and morale. Prior to stepping into the Vice President of Retail role, Sasha enjoyed a long, rewarding relationship with the Housing Works team. She began her career at the Crosby Street thrift store and was promoted to assistant manager within six months. After a year, she was managing the whole store. From there, Sasha contributed her talents to the flagship Housing Works store in Chelsea and was invited to participate in the Miami Design on a Dime event as well as other special projects. Sasha also enjoys activism and advocacy with the Housing Works team, including taking part in demonstrations for affordable housing, safe consumption and AIDS awareness. ⁠https://cannabislaw.report/karma-koala-podcast-285-sasha-nutgent-vice-president-of-retail-housing-works-cannabis-co-whats-going-on-in-new-york-as-we-enter-2026/⁠

    23 min

About

The Karma Koala Podcast by Sean Hocking the founder and editor of Cannabis Law ReportThis podcast is one on one conversations , long-form and short-form covering all aspects of cannabis law, biz, compliance, issues, updates etc from around the world.Listen in - learn something new I speak with lawyers, politicians, CEO's, founders, regulators about the new global push for regulating cannabis use.