Podcast Summary: For Good – Episode Featuring Jesse Horton: The Cannabis CEO Breaking Barriers with Carmelo Anthony

Introduction

In this compelling episode of For Good, host Joseph "JoJo" Simmons sits down with Jesse Horton, an industrial engineer turned cannabis cultivator, and the co-founder and CEO of Loud, an award-winning cannabis brand based in Portland, Oregon. The conversation delves deep into Jesse's personal journey, the challenges he faced in the cannabis industry, his collaboration with NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, and his unwavering commitment to advocacy and community upliftment.

Jesse Horton's Journey into Cannabis

Timestamp: [00:30] - [04:23]

Jesse Horton begins by sharing his early experiences with cannabis, highlighting the dichotomy between his internal positive relationship with the plant and the external negative repercussions he faced. Reflecting on his high school years, Jesse recounts how cannabis helped him manage ADHD and improve his academic performance, particularly in challenging subjects like math. However, his personal growth was marred by his mother's strict anti-cannabis stance and his father's past involvement in the war on drugs, which led to severe consequences, including arrests and the loss of his scholarship.

“Every external experience with cannabis was bad, but every internal experience was good.” [00:30]

This stark contrast shaped Jesse's resilient approach to cannabis, allowing him to recognize its benefits despite societal and familial opposition.

Facing Career Setbacks Due to Cannabis

Timestamp: [06:01] - [09:41]

JoJo delves into a pivotal moment in Jesse's life when multiple cannabis-related charges in college jeopardized his scholarship and career prospects. Despite securing a significant job offer from General Electric, Jesse failed a mandatory drug test, leading to the withdrawal of the offer. This period was marked by profound disappointment and introspection for Jesse, causing him to question his life's trajectory.

“Cannabis had ruined the trajectory that I was going in life.” [08:21]

However, this setback became a catalyst for Jesse, propelling him towards a path that aligned more closely with his passions and values.

Transitioning to Entrepreneurship in Cannabis

Timestamp: [12:08] - [20:16]

Jesse recounts his move to Portland, Oregon, a city known for its progressive stance on cannabis. Disillusioned with his engineering career, he decided to pivot towards cannabis cultivation. Leveraging his background in industrial engineering, Jesse introduced innovative techniques to his cultivation process, such as water-cooled lights and programmable logic controllers (PLCs), which significantly increased efficiency.

“I couldn't believe it. I spent so much time looking at High Times magazines... What I'm seeing here is not what I'm smoking on a daily.” [13:24]

His technical expertise not only set Loud apart in a competitive market but also established him as a trailblazer in the industry, especially as a Black entrepreneur in a predominantly white sector.

Collaboration with Carmelo Anthony and Grand National Agency

Timestamp: [28:13] - [34:33]

A highlight of the episode is Jesse's collaboration with NBA star Carmelo Anthony. Together, they launched the brand Stay Mellow under the umbrella of Grand National, an agency aimed at supporting both celebrities and cannabis operators with limited resources. This partnership emphasizes quality, authenticity, and community upliftment.

“Melo is a cannabis consumer, right? He loves quality... So when he chose to start Stay Mellow with a Black-owned company like Loud, it was an organic connection.” [28:19]

Grand National seeks to address the lack of diversity in the cannabis industry by empowering brands from marginalized communities and ensuring their representation in emerging markets across the United States.

Advocacy and Community Impact

Timestamp: [20:16] - [27:16]

Beyond business, Jesse is deeply committed to advocacy, particularly in restorative justice efforts. He co-founded the Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA), focusing on three pillars: social justice, economic empowerment, and medical use of cannabis. Jesse believes that true success in the cannabis industry cannot be achieved without uplifting the community and addressing the historical injustices resulting from the war on drugs.

“Cannabis is a duality. You're not maximizing one without the other... you're not gonna make as much money as you can make unless you're helping the people.” [25:55]

His efforts aim to create substantial economic opportunities for those most affected by cannabis prohibition and to promote the medical benefits of cannabis for conditions prevalent in the Black community, such as cancer, diabetes, and mental health issues.

Mental Health and Personal Well-being

Timestamp: [35:51] - [37:22]

Towards the end of the episode, JoJo shifts the conversation to mental health, a core theme of the For Good podcast. Jesse candidly discusses his struggles with mental health, acknowledging the challenges of balancing the demands of cannabis cultivation and business ownership. While he advocates for cannabis as his primary tool for managing mental health, Jesse also expresses a desire to seek professional therapy to further support his well-being.

“Cannabis is without a doubt my number one go-to with managing mental health.” [35:51]

This honest reflection underscores the importance of addressing mental health openly and seeking comprehensive support systems.

Conclusion

Jesse Horton's narrative is a testament to resilience, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to community upliftment. From overcoming personal and professional setbacks to forging impactful collaborations and advocating for restorative justice, Jesse exemplifies the ethos of For Good. His journey highlights the transformative power of aligning one's passions with purposeful action, ultimately aiming to create a more equitable and inclusive cannabis industry.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “Every external experience with cannabis was bad, but every internal experience was good.” [00:30]

• “Cannabis had ruined the trajectory that I was going in life.” [08:21]

• “I couldn't believe it. I spent so much time looking at High Times magazines... What I'm seeing here is not what I'm smoking on a daily.” [13:24]

• “Melo is a cannabis consumer, right? He loves quality... So when he chose to start Stay Mellow with a Black-owned company like Loud, it was an organic connection.” [28:19]

• “Cannabis is a duality. You're not maximizing one without the other... you're not gonna make as much money as you can make unless you're helping the people.” [25:55]

• “Cannabis is without a doubt my number one go-to with managing mental health.” [35:51]

Final Thoughts

This episode of For Good offers invaluable insights into the intersection of personal growth, entrepreneurship, and social advocacy within the cannabis industry. Jesse Horton's story is not only inspiring but also serves as a blueprint for how business success can be harmoniously integrated with meaningful community impact.