{"podcast":{"title":"BIOACTIVE","slug":"bioactive-6545085","podcast_index_feed_id":6545085,"rss_url":"https://feeds.megaphone.fm/bioactive","website_url":"https://bioactivepodcast.com/","image_url":"https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/1b9102fc-2359-11ef-b492-d766a942e4cd/image/aefeaefa99852c82e07c128f3e985279.jpg?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress","author":"Riley D. Kirk, Ph.D.","episode_count":91,"summary":"Dr. Riley Kirk is a cannabis research scientist and educator. She obtained her Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences, specializing in natural product chemistry, studying the traditional and contemporary uses of hundreds of medicinal plants. She is currently an assistant associate professor at the University of Rhode Island, has worked as an immunology scientist in the biotech industry, and works in the cannabis industry studying the chemical complexity of cannabis smoke. Riley is also the co-founder of the cannabis research and education non-profit organization called the Network of Applied Pharmacognosy (NAP). Through NAP and on her podcast, Riley uses science as advocacy to research and communicate findings that highlight the unique power of natural products. The goal of Riley’s work is to unite people in the Cannabis industry, academia, and consumers to further the reach of Cannabis education and reduce harm. Riley is passionate about making Cannabis science accessible through social media channels and alternative media which lead to Bioactive; an educational podcast which disseminates the chemistry and pharmacology of natural products. On this bi-weekly podcast, she covers current…","last_synced_at":"2026-07-31T08:18:58.543133+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/bioactive-6545085"},"episode":{"title":"Schedule 3, Hemp Bans, and Cannabis Law with Thomas Howard","slug":"schedule-3-hemp-bans-and-cannabis-law-with-thomas-howard","published_at":"2026-02-06T14:49:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/bioactive-6545085/schedule-3-hemp-bans-and-cannabis-law-with-thomas-howard","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/bioactive-6545085","url":"https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/p.podderapp.com/8355482824/pscrb.fm/rss/p/prfx.byspotify.com/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/SOMC2040447211.mp3?updated=1772292859","audio_url":"https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/p.podderapp.com/8355482824/pscrb.fm/rss/p/prfx.byspotify.com/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/SOMC2040447211.mp3?updated=1772292859","summary":"In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Riley Kirk welcomes cannabis attorney and legalization advocate Tom Howard to unpack the complexities of cannabis law and regulation in the United States. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience, Tom shares how he helps clients navigate licensing and application processes for dispensaries and cannabis businesses across multiple states. Together, they explore how state-by-state regulatory systems function, the challenges of securing permits, and the financial barriers facing cannabis entrepreneurs, particularly social equity applicants. The conversation also examines the federal effort to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, discussing what rescheduling could mean for taxation, scientific research, and cannabis operations nationwide. Additional topics include the recent hemp ban and its impact on THCA products, seed sales, and interstate commerce, ongoing banking challenges in the cannabis industry, advocacy organizations pushing for reform, and legal strategies for remaining compliant in a shifting regulatory environment. Tom also offers insight into his work with Cannabis Legalization News before the episode closes with a forward-looking discussion on the future of legalization and cannabis policy. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Bioactive Podcast 00:36 Tom Howard's Journey in Cannabis Law 01:17 Navigating State Regulations and Applications 03:46 Challenges and Legal Complexities 06:24 Financial Hurdles in the Cannabis Industry 15:13 The Impact of Federal Law and Rescheduling 30:27 Advocacy and Future of Cannabis Legislation 34:17 THCA and Synthetic Cannabinoids Ban 34:41 Congressional Actions and Implications 37:14 Banking Challenges for Cannabis Businesses 38:53 Project 2025 and Political Climate 40:22…","meta_description":"In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Riley Kirk welcomes cannabis attorney and legalization advocate Tom Howard to unpack the complexities of can…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":3898,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/bioactive-6545085/episodes/schedule-3-hemp-bans-and-cannabis-law-with-thomas-howard/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/bioactive-6545085/schedule-3-hemp-bans-and-cannabis-law-with-thomas-howard.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}