Retired Navy veteran Jeff DeMond went from being sent home on a cocktail of opiates and pills to handing half his prescription back and saying, “I can’t keep doing this.” In this episode, Jeff—president and co-founder of The Grateful Veteran—walks us through the surgeries, addiction, and near-collapse that led him to explore cannabis as medicine, how it felt the first time cannabis gave him real relief, and the long, messy process of rebuilding a life that didn’t revolve around opioids. 

Jeffery DeMond Audio Transcript

 

From there, we zoom out into the mission of The Grateful Veteran: helping fellow vets actually access medical cannabis by covering card costs, navigating disability ratings, and building community through yoga, sound healing, food drives, and service dog partnerships. Jeff shares what it’s been like to help over a thousand veterans into state programs, why collaboration with groups like Planet 13 matters, and how one family’s decision to “skip dinner out and help a vet instead” snowballed into a nonprofit changing lives across Florida and beyond.

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NYC BUD didn’t just open a dispensary—they built a stop on New York’s cultural route. In this episode, co-founders Giancarlo Pinto and JonPaul Pezzo walk us through how transit nostalgia, Grand Central–style design, graffiti, and 90s club culture shaped their two licensed shops in Long Island City and Midtown. We explore how visual storytelling turns each store into a living time capsule of late-90s/early-2000s NYC—photo-worthy, memorable, and deliberately built as destination retail rather than another generic counter.

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We also dig into the engine under the hood: tech-forward ordering systems that mirror train arrival boards, deep staff training around product literacy and compliance, and a full slate of DJs, comedy, art, and classes that make NYC BUD a true neighborhood hub. Giancarlo and JonPaul get candid about competing with the illicit market, navigating New York’s regulatory chaos, the surprising rise of cannabis beverages, and why hospitality, transparency, and community programming are their strongest defenses in a market that’s still finding its footing.

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In this Mosaic episode, Heather and Tyme sit down with Marine Corps veteran Javier “Cloud” Moya, who opens up about his journey from combat deployments to cannabis cultivation. After traditional treatments failed him, Javier turned to the plant with caution and intention — a choice that led him back to school to study plant biology and ultimately toward a mission of helping other veterans grow their own medicine. 

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Through candid reflection and hard-won insight, Javier shares how terpene science, gratitude, and purposeful cultivation became essential tools in managing PTSD and chronic pain. His story is both personal and universal: a reminder of how veterans continue to lead the way in redefining cannabis as a source of healing, agency, and

community.

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In this episode of Through the Oculus, hosts Heather Allman and Tyme Ferris sit down with Daniela Williams, Chief Growth Officer at Payliant, Inc., to examine the often-ignored backbone of the cannabis industry: the people who keep it running, and the systems that keep them protected.

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Daniela shares how her journey — including the now-legendary chandelier moment — reshaped her mission to bring education, accountability, and humanity into cannabis payroll and compliance. Her philosophy of “education over ego” threads through a conversation that blends humor with hard truths about what operators get wrong.

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Together, Heather, Tyme, and Daniela explore how workforce stability, shared liability, and smarter HR practices can make the difference between an operator who survives and one who sinks. It’s an honest, grounded look at the human infrastructure behind cannabis — and why investing in people is the industry’s most overlooked competitive edge.

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In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Socrates Rosenfeld — CEO and Co-Founder of Jane Technologies, MIT graduate, combat veteran, and one of the cannabis industry’s sharpest minds. From flying Apache helicopters in Afghanistan to steering the digital backbone of modern cannabis retail, Soc has charted a course defined by discipline, empathy, and innovation. What began as a personal search for healing through cannabis has become a nationwide mission to build trust, transparency, and accessibility for millions of consumers and thousands of dispensaries.

 

Soc opens up about purpose after service, the courage to evolve, and how conscious leadership shapes both the veteran community and the cannabis economy. Together, we explore how technology can humanize connection, why veterans are often the quiet pioneers of reform, and what it means to lead with integrity in an industry still finding its moral compass. This episode is equal parts grounding and galvanizing — a reminder that sometimes the most powerful battles are the ones fought within.

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In this episode of Through the Oculus, hosts Heather Allman and Tyme Ferris head straight into the heart of Midtown Manhattan to meet Josh Wilson, General Manager of Culture House NYC — one of the most talked-about new dispensaries redefining cannabis retail through compliance, connection, and culture.

 

Josh shares his journey from California’s evolving cannabis market to New York’s emerging scene, reflecting on how lessons from the West Coast can shape a smarter, more sustainable East Coast industry.

 

From his philosophy on compliance-as-creativity to the rhythm of running a dispensary across from Madison Square Garden, Josh paints a portrait of cannabis retail as community building, not just commerce.

 

Expect laughter, insight, and moments of reflection as Josh, Heather, and Tyme explore how Culture House NYC is proving that education and empathy belong at the center of every brand story.

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In this episode, hosts Heather Allman and Tyme Ferris sit down with Gregory Tannor, CEO & Co-Founder of FlowerHouse New York — one of the Empire State’s most recognized cannabis brands.

 

From Tesla leases to terpene profiles, Greg shares how two decades in Manhattan real estate led to his role pioneering a new kind of cultivation business in the Hudson Valley.

 

Together, they unpack FlowerHouse’s formula for success: strategic partnerships, BIPOC ownership in action, rapid market adaptation, and what it means to build responsibly inside New York’s still-forming cannabis ecosystem.

 

“We have to get it right in New York first before we think about anywhere else.” — Greg Tannor

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In this episode, we step into the Catskills with Joanne and Michael Kudrewicz, founders of Ravensview Genetics—a family-run microbusiness rooted in love, resilience, and reverence for the plant. What began as a shared healing journey after the loss of their daughter Nina has become a living legacy: a cultivation company built on passion, purity, and precision. Joanne’s holistic nursing background meets Michael’s decades-long obsession with genetics, creating a partnership where heart meets horticulture—and every cultivar carries a story.

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From landrace preservation and soil science to the real challenges of being among New York’s first adult-use cultivators, Joanne and Michael pull no punches. They speak candidly about loss, legacy, and learning to grow through grief—literally and figuratively. This conversation isn’t just about cannabis; it’s about perseverance, purpose, and the families keeping the New York market’s roots intact while everyone else chases the next trend.

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In this episode, we explore Mosaic—Pantheon’s vision for weaving together the people, projects, and philosophies shaping the future of cannabis and hemp. What happens when we stop treating sectors as silos and start seeing the system as art—each tile a story, each voice a vital piece of the whole?

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From community innovation and industrial evolution to cultural design and environmental restoration, Mosaic connects the dots between industries and ideas that rarely share a table. This conversation isn’t about echo chambers—it’s about integration: how fragmented movements find form and how the cannabis and hemp industries can build something enduring, together.

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We step through the Oculus with Jennifer Gierum, Founder & CEO of Highlife Health—a woman-owned, family-run adult-use dispensary redefining community cannabis in New Rochelle, NY. Jennifer shares how her family’s journey led to plant medicine, why “education is part of the product,” and what she’s learning about customer behavior in a still-maturing market.

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Together, we unpack how trust, transparency, and collaboration—not corporate muscle—are powering Highlife’s growth and why authentic community connection may be the most disruptive force in New York’s cannabis landscape.

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In this special rewind episode, Heather and Tyme take listeners on a playful and reflective journey through the first eight episodes of Through the Oculus — revisiting their favorite guests, insights, and outtakes that have shaped the show so far.

 

As the team rewinds the tape, they celebrate growth, evolution, and the laughter that has marked every step along the way.

 

This episode also introduces Mosaic, Pantheon’s newest short-form segment that shines light on the many voices, perspectives, and experiences shaping the cannabis community today.​​​​​​​​

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In this episode, we sit down with James Mann, Attorney and Founder of the Law Office of James B. Mann, to unpack how decades of cannabis law experience intersect with today’s rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. From navigating federal contradictions to shaping state policy and defending licensed operators, James brings a rare, pragmatic clarity to an industry still caught between promise and prohibition.

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We explore the roots of modern cannabis regulation, the unintended consequences of reform, and what real legal progress looks like for both entrepreneurs and everyday consumers. This conversation peels back the legal layers to reveal the human stories—and high stakes—behind compliance and justice in cannabis today.

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In this conversation, we sit down with Rama Mayo, Co-Founder of Green Street Agency and Hall of Flowers, to explore how creative branding, retail experiences, and cultural authenticity are driving the next evolution of the cannabis industry. Rama shares how Green Street became a hub for artists, entrepreneurs, and brands shaping modern cannabis culture, and how Hall of Flowers built the most influential B2B trade show in the space.

 

From merging design and advocacy to curating events that balance hype with heart, this episode dives into what it takes to build trust, community, and longevity in an industry that’s still defining itself.

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In this conversation, we sit down with Peter Homberg, Partner at Gunnercooke LLP and head of its Life Sciences & Cannabis Practice Group, to unpack the evolving landscape of European cannabis regulation. Peter shares insights from his decades advising international companies on compliance, market entry, and cross-border investment—from Germany’s new CanG reforms to Switzerland’s pilot projects and the EU’s cautious harmonization efforts.

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We explore how legal frameworks, patient access, and public-health policy intersect across Europe—and what that means for U.S. operators looking to expand abroad. This episode sheds light on how regulatory clarity, patient advocacy, and international collaboration are shaping the future of the global cannabis industry.

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In this conversation, we sit down with Tiyhann Bryant, Founder & CEO of Roll Up Life, to explore how New Jersey’s first Black-owned cannabis delivery company is redefining access, equity, and convenience in the industry. Tiyhann shares what it took to launch and scale a compliant delivery platform, the hurdles of navigating municipal approvals, and why building infrastructure matters for long-term sustainability. From the business mechanics to the cultural impact, this episode highlights how Roll Up Life is more than delivery—it’s a blueprint for equitable participation in the cannabis economy.​​​​​​

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In this conversation, Heather and Tyme sit down with Erica Halverson, founder of Tiny e Paper, to explore how hemp can reshape everyday products. From sustainability challenges to the promise of plant-based paper, the discussion blends business insights with personal vision. This episode highlights what it means to innovate with hemp while navigating the realities of scale, culture, and community.​​​​​​​​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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In this eye-opening episode, Heather and Tyme sit down with Michael Mayes, CEO of Quantum 9, who shares the harrowing moment his daughter picked up a 600 mg cannabis-infused Skittles package from a playground. Together, they explore the urgent need for smarter packaging, stronger safeguards, and a cultural shift in how the industry protects children. This conversation moves beyond shock value into practical solutions, making it a must-listen for parents, policymakers, and cannabis professionals alike.

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Through the Oculus: Episode 2 –In this second episode, Heather and Tyme share heartfelt reflections with Jeffrey DeMond and Jeffrey Trappe, pose challenging questions, and highlight everyday moments that show how much cannabis intersects with identity, justice, and human connection. Whether you're a seasoned advocate or just cannabis-curious, this episode offers something to shift your lens.

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In our conversation with Audrey Johnson, Executive Director of Maryland’s Office of Social Equity, we explored how state-level cannabis policy can center equity, the challenges of implementation, and what real inclusion looks like for legacy operators and underrepresented communities.​​​​​​​​​

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In Heather's conversation with Laganja Estranja—drag icon, cannabis activist, and guest judge on Chopped 420—we discuss the deep ties between queer and cannabis communities, fighting stigma with visibility, and why education, equity, and knowing your worth are essential in shaping an inclusive cannabis industry..​​

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Heather chats it up with  with 9th Prince—founding member of Killarmy and Wu‑Tang affiliate—and Dave Brown—entrepreneur and CEO of Shine Papers—we unpack the origin and vision behind Shine’s luxury 24K gold rolling paper brand, exploring how cannabis, culture, and premium lifestyle intersect through their groundbreaking product.

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