MJBizCon 2022 highlights booming business, innovation in cannabis industry

It wasn't long ago that marijuana and other cannabis products were illegal and relegated to the black market. After years of decriminalization and legalization efforts, the cannabis industry is thriving legally in many parts of the United States as well as around the world.Eddie Celaya, host of the Here Weed Go! podcast and a reporter for the Arizona Daily Star in Tucson, Arizona, recently attended MJBizCon 2022, a conference and exposition in Las Vegas dedicated to the growing industry. He recorded several interviews with innovators and newsmakers, and seven podcast episodes are presented below. (Note: Tap here for a complete playlist of episodes or if the players below fail to load.) Nebraska DMV launches new license plate, offers 52 specialty plates for 2023 Nebraskans cringe as celebrity chef Alton Brown visits Lincoln, pours chili on cinnamon roll Nebraska volleyball player Evans enters transfer portal Two Lincoln Taco Bell employees arrested after fighting customer, police say The Journal Star's 2022 Super-State, all-state volleyball teams and honorable mentions Controversial call in overtime goes against Huskers, spurring social media scrutiny Building that housed iconic Lincoln restaurant being torn down As the portal turns: Transfer season just starting as early Nebraska trends emerge Approaching winter storm expected to hammer parts of Nebraska with snow, rain Quarterback William Watson decommits from Nebraska's 2023 class High court rules that Acklies of Crete Carrier owe Nebraska tax Facing felony charge, Mickey Joseph no longer part of Nebraska football program Former Nebraska players Akana, Caffey talk return to Omaha with Texas Omaha man, 18, identified as motorist killed in crash near Waverly Former Huskers Wong-Orantes, Cook sign with new U.S. pro league For the uninitiated, Weedmaps connects adult use and medical marijuana consumers with dispensary locations, doctors' offices, brands and delivery services. Consumers can also place online orders to partnered dispensaries or delivery services using the Weedmaps website. Morgan explains the idea and concept behind Cannaland, how it would work on a practical level for consumers and businesses alike and where he believes the industry as a whole is heading.Chris Chiari is owner of The Patterson Inn and the founder and owner of The 420 Hotels, a budding hotel chain amongst the nation's first where, according to the company's website, guests will be able to consume cannabis onsite in legally licensed lounges.Anna-Sophia and Niklas Kouparanis, the co-founders of Germany's largest cannabis company, Bloomwell, discuss Germany's evolving cannabis laws.Weiwei 'Vivian' Fellman lives in Fargo, North Dakota, and is founder and Chief Visonary Officer for Kota Botanics, a line of Hemp CBD products. Monica Werkheiser is a former pharmacy manager who also managed a line of medical cannabis dispensaries in Pennsylvania before being awarded a recreational license in New Jersey, where she is readying here shop, Canna Remedies. Both women joined the podcast to discuss running their small businesses.It's 'Highsman' with Ricky WilliamsFormer NFL running back Ricky Williams, winner of the 1998 Heisman Trophy, is now co-owner and the face of his own budding cannabis brand -- Highsman (wink, wink).Layke Martin, executive director of the Nevada Dispensary Association, talks about license structures between western states, the state's new experiment with cannabis consumption lounges and other topics. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.