About Cannabiscadia
Presented by Michael “the Aging Ent” Schroeder
Join
us to learn about the 10,000-year history of human use of cannabis, beginning
in the Stone Age. Archaeology, literature, and other documented historical
evidence will provide an introductory overview of the relationship between
humans and cannabis from ancient times through the late 20th century.
Beginning
with the 1998 passage of I-692, the Medical Use of Marijuana Act, the prime
focus of Cannabiscadia is the interval from the beginnings of the
medical cannabis revolution in Washington and leading to the first legal,
recreational cannabis industry in the US, established with the passage of I-502
in 2012. It concludes in real-time, with prognostication for the future of
cannabis legalization, and the related industries and cultures.
The
Aging Ent will specifically explore the challenges faced by the pioneers of the
cannabis industry from a mix of perspectives: licensees and stakeholders, state
agencies, consumers, and critical ancillary industries. Also addressed will be
the impact of cannabis legalization socially, legally, and politically, modeled
on the five years of data since the first cannabis retailers began operating.
About
the Speaker:
Michael
Schroeder arrived in Washington early in 2015, moving with his wife and three
children from the Chicago suburbs to Lewis County. Nearly immediately, he
established the online identity of “the Aging Ent” aka “Michael the Ent” and
started reviewing, advocating, and documenting cannabis in Washington. He began
with taking photos of and writing in-depth reviews of cannabis at AgingEnt.com,
then started the Marijuana Encyclopedia podcast. All told, over 50 episodes
were made featuring a variety of cannabis-industry professionals sharing their
stories and experiences. The longest was an 11-hour session with a medical-era
cannabis extraction expert and glass collector.
A
year in, having explored a few ideas, and leaving a role as a tiny but
well-paid cog in a global corporate machine, Michael created a
cannabis-advertising agency, working with many small businesses in the cannabis
sector. Through social media and at his website, ancillary to the advertising
process, he’s reviewed and documented several thousand different cannabis
products from hundreds of producers and processors in every market in
Washington. While developing this entrepreneurial business, he also had
the opportunity to travel through 4 other legal or medical states - Oregon,
Arizona, Colorado, and Illinois - and document the cannabis culture and
industry in many forms. While in persona, he has also provided actionable,
advisory input to the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board, as a citizen
activist.
Now, in processing the copious volumes of anecdotes, video interviews,
and other accumulated information, his work has evolved into that of an
historian, author, and advocate. Michael the Aging Ent has worked with deep
dedication to sharing the story of the pioneers of the legal cannabis industry
while advocating for expanded access and amnesty for all cannabis POWs in all
prisons.