Canna Newsroom ►
KC Area Leaders in Cultivation and Ancillary Cannabis Businesses Join Forces to Help Educate the Public
by Dr Green Thumb , contributing writer
In January , the Cannabis Code Breakers and Unlock Your Potential educational events featured local Kansas City guest speakers and leaders in cultivation and the ancillary cannabis business jobs created around the Missouri cannabis industry . The three-day , three-city , one-weekend events provided participants with cultivation education , information about ancillary job opportunities , and great networking opportunities . Attendees received gifts and heard testimonials from local experts who made their way in an extremely desirable and challenging cannabis profession . The first event was held on January 17 at the Alchemy Consumption Lounge in Lee ’ s Summit , then at The Higher Event Space in Independence on the 18th , and concluded at The Garage in St Joseph on the 19th .
Stewart Wells , an organic cannabis cultivator , caregiver , cannabis educator , advocate , and ganjapreneur , was one of the featured speakers . When you talk about quality organic cannabis grown in Missouri , Wells must be on your list . He has his finger on the pulse of the KC cannabis community and can talk about cannabis science all day long . His plants , flowers , extracts , and his overall attitude are legendary . I remember when I first ran across Wells ’ Facebook profile and read his description , “ I ’ ve dedicated my life to this plant and to the continued expansion of the culture that surrounds it .” I had to click the “ Add Friend button .” Wells has inspired me in more ways than one .
Christy from Growing HealTHCare also blessed attendees with her vast cultivation knowledge and life experiences . She is nothing short of inspirational . There are very few female cultivators in Missouri , and her plants are among the highly sought-after medicine within the state . Christy will even use some of the plant materials she cultivates to produce a powerful medicine called Full Extract Cannabis Oil ( FECO ) and donate it to patients in need . Her real passion is educating people about the health benefits the plant can offer and cultivating her own medicine .
Speaker Kyle Black earned his degree in agronomy and shared information about plant health with attendees during the events . Black is also a wholesale and retail specialist . Since earning his degree , Black has focused his time and energy on the plant and the Missouri cannabis industry . Black could pass a state-required commercial turf and ornamental pest control test without a study guide . He has a vast knowledge of plants and the science that makes them grow , and his unique ability to resource products is impressive . Black is passionate about plants in general , but the cannabis plant is his favorite .
A favorite at the events was Chaka McCue , the owner of Shady Pines Mobile Bartender Service . To the attendees ’ delight , she not only served her custom mocktails and drinks , but she also shared the story of her experience with cannabis and the industry . Chaka , as she ’ s known , previously worked within the industry and later decided to create her own business . Her entrepreneurial spirit drives her to “ Unlock her Potential ” as she makes her own way by blending both the drink and cannabis industries together by offering her services to all types of local events .
Brandon Jones , founder of BGreeen Distribution , which offers the distribution of many ancillary products for the cannabis industry , spoke about his expertise in wholesale and retail along with
44 February 2025 his consultation experience with cannabis business brands . Jones was also featured in the August 2023 issue of The EVOLUTION Magazine . He captivated attendees with his stage presence as the real “ Boostman ” while sharing his story of how cannabis profoundly changed his life . Jones has been a brand consultant , event host , and media guru — even worked with Method Man ’ s brand TICAL .
Bradlee Taisi is a founder of the Cannabis Network of Kansas City ( CNKC ) and an owner of The Higher Event Space in Independence , the host location for Cannabis Code Breakers . Taisi stepped on stage at the event to share her expertise on event hosting . She is a firecracker , and you will remember the first and every other time you meet her . The Higher Event Space can host everything from private paint or murder mystery parties to no-hassle pop-up party options , fitness classes , meeting rooms , studio space rentals , and more . Taisi is incredibly driven and works with the cannabis community while hosting events in her members-only space . She has found her way in the Kansas City-area cannabis community , and there is no turning back now .
We hope in future issues to bring you more in-depth profiles about these individuals , and perhaps , they ’ ll share their knowledge and tips with our readers . Stay tuned .
More Cannabis Code Breakers and Unlock Your Potential events are planned in the coming months to help educate home growers and consumers about available resources within the cannabis community . To learn more about future events , visit www . dgtseeds . com .
Editor ’ s News : In January , Chris Kowalewycz ( aka , Dr Green Thumb ) became the Executive Director of the MO Hemp Trade Association ( MHTA ). Dr . Green Thumb stated , “ As a general contractor since 2008 , I spent a large amount of time reviewing blueprints , writing contracts , leading crews and subcontractors to finish the desired project . My only resolution for 2025 was to be full-time in the cannabis industry . I wanted to focus all my time , energy , resources , and talents on the plant we all love : cannabis . As Executive Director , I will be able to do exactly that . I ’ m honored and will work hard with the MHTA , sharing information , educating the public , and working with our legislators to create laws that will protect hemp businesses , production , and access .”
Brooklyn Hill , President of the MHTA said , “ We are pleased to announce Chris Kowalewycz as our new Executive Director . Mr . Kowalewycz possesses the skills , experiences and expertise needed to successfully guide MHTA in its next phase of growth . His deep commitment and lived perspective will not only provide strong organizational continuity but will allow MHTA to continue accelerating our own progress towards our shared vision of excellence .”
It will be a busy 2025 , but for now , Dr Green Thumb must get back to work .
Learn more about Dr Green Thumb at www . dgtseeds . com , a wholesale and retail cannabis seed broker in Missouri .