MiCannaCast is a podcast and web series for those who are passionate about learning everything there is to know about Michigan's cannabis community and industry. Founders, Dave and Jeremy, have been filming cannabis gatherings and interviewing notable professionals across the country since 2018. After being featured in a May '24 episode, it is beyond an honor to have been selected as their first additional co host.I have always been passionate about talking to everyone I know about the Michigan cannabis industry. Being a part of MiCannaCast, I am enthused to be able to discuss my favorite topic in the world while being able to inform the public on what makes Michigan special in cannabis.

Summer Sky Solutions LLC is a strategic consulting business specializing in providing personalized solutions for cannabis businesses in Michigan, offering data- and trend-driven guidance in marketing, sales, and events to help you thrive in the dynamic and ever-evolving cannabis landscape in Michigan.With a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within the industry, I work closely with clients to develop personalized strategies and implement effective tactics that drive growth and maximize profitability.From designing targeted marketing campaigns to optimizing sales processes, Summer Sky Solutions LLC provides the expertise and insights needed to stay ahead of the competition. Meticulous and detailed event planning ensures successful and compliant gatherings that create memorable experiences.Principal consultant and founder, Summer Skyler Peggie, believes in a collaborative approach to planning and execution. She is a young digital native that has been working in the Michigan cannabis industry since she graduated from Central Michigan University in 2021, and has cultivated a diverse network of professionals across the country. She is dedicated to delivering measurable results and helping your cannabis business grow and develop in the cultured Michigan market.

Gray Matter Extractions is the newest processing facility to open in Harrison Twp, MI. Currently, the team is in the process of rebranding the processing facility. Stay tuned!USA Lab, a Michigan-based & family-owned extraction equipment company, plays a key role in the development of the processing facility as part-founders. They supply the state-of-the-art equipment as well as consultants, who apply practices from professional sciences and engineering industries into cannabis extraction and edible development. In the coming months, they will be producing bulk distillate, live resin, live rosin, diamonds, hash rosin, and bubble hash.

Wicked Root was founded in 2019 by a Michigander with a grassroots passion for providing terpene-rich, full-spectrum cannabis products. He believed that transparency and education were fundamentally crucial. Wicked Root was sold commercially in CBD stores across the mitten.The original founder of Wicked Root passed away suddenly last year before he could live his dreams of launching a THC-based line in the METRC market.Jason Velarde is the COO and a co-founder of Gray Matter Extractions (GME). The founder of Wicked Root was his brother-in-law through marrying Jason's sister.With support from Jason's sister and their family, we're bringing Wicked Root Legacy to the METRC market with proceeds going back to support Jason's sister and her children.

As the marketing manager for Gelato Michigan, I got to experience the backend of launching a fast-paced & established brand in the Michigan cannabis market. Gelato is a high energy, engaging, colorful, and flavorful brand. Managed the active list of dispensary accounts in the state, scheduled vendor shows and communicated with dispensaries on promotions, researched events to sponsor, communicated with the in-house & CA-based graphics team for art requests and marketing materials, organized & submitted branded merch requests, organized the merch & equipment inventory, updated & managed the team Google Calendar, prepared and organized in-store merchandising items, and planned the Gelato Launch Tour 2022 where we had interactive pop-ups at 25 dispensaries.

Helped launched Ripple, the pioneers of fast-acting THC, in Michigan! Facilitated vendor shows and informed patients of the science behind Ripple's emulsified THC powder at licensed dispensaries in Metro Detroit.

Began my journey with Platinum Vape (PV) / Red White & Bloom (RWB) as the West Michigan regional brand ambassador from April - July of 2021. I then transitioned to sharing the Metro Detroit region starting August 2021. During this time, Platinum Vape was the #1 most-purchased wholesale vape in the Michigan cannabis industry.As a brand ambassador, I maintain the relationships established between PV/RWB and our dispensary partners in my region, promote the brands and our events through Instagram and WOM, operate 2-5 vendor shows per week, report feedback from stores and customers to leadership, run budtender education sessions for dispensaries on PV/RWB, ensure that our philanthropic promotions run smoothly, and maintain positive PR within the Michigan cannabis community.In August of 2021, I was promoted to an administrative assistant in conjunction with my brand ambassador role. My most notable responsibilities include organizing the regions of the nine PV/RWB brand ambassadors that maintain 335+ active dispensary relationships across 90+ cities in Michigan, and keeping track of the vendor show merch inventory with the event coordinator.Through my connection to Jess Tyler with MJBiz, I experienced the 2021 MJBizCon conference with the PV Michigan sales representatives. Attended industry info sessions and panels as a PV/RWB proxy, and networked with cannabis industry professionals from across the country.During September 2021, RWB formally acquired PV from the original founders. This time of working at PV allowed me to experience what an internal acquisition by a Multi-State Operator (MSO) felt and looked like.

Upon completion of my undergraduate internships, I immediately started my career in the Michigan cannabis industry as a budtender at Meds Cafe. While a short-lived experience given the opportunity with Platinum Vape that arose, budtending at Meds Cafe was a meaningful experience overall. I got to learn how to open and close a dispensary, engaged with patients and guided them to cannabis flower and products based on their needs, assisted with inventory counts at close, facilitated curbside orders, and deep cleaned the store with the team.

16-week internship with the notable West MI-based youth sports company with multiple facilities, Michigan Sports Academies (MSA). I primarily worked at the MSA Fieldhouse location in Grand Rapids. MSA specialized in league volleyball, futbol (soccer), lacrosse, and basketball. They also offer futsal and pickleball leagues. Worked various shifts from early mornings to evenings, and all throughout the weekend. Managed the facility during drop-in sports, league tournaments, and court/field rentals. Was responsible for ensuring that the facility was transitioned to what it needed to get turned into, such as transitioning basketball courts into volleyball courts for a tournament, or turning pickleball into various court rentals throughout an evening. Would also input rentals onto the internal schedule and collect payment upon arrival. Had various other projects, such as writing day camp curriculum to organizing club volleyball merch.An extra layer of challenge was handling the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the safety of athletes and their families. We took extra precaution by following protocols set by the state of Michigan, including mandating wearing masks inside and sanitizing surfaces multiple times per day.

14-week internship with the start-up business, Isabel's Market + Eatery (IMAE) in Douglas, MI, where I was a teammate that helped establish this culinary destination from the ground up. This opportunity provided me with a unique, invaluable experience in learning and understanding the different facets that need to come together in relation to organizing and establishing a commercial and recreational business venture from the ground up as well as experiencing a grand opening. This included market and product research, engaging in marketing events, facility/operational development and maintenance, ensuring proper recycling of materials, building relations with the community, and training fellow front-of-house teammates in the various roles.Developed the draft of the IMAE Sustainability Guide and took initiative by collecting recyclable materials during a time with limited recycling resources/collection and properly disposing of it in the city of Grand Rapids. Created room/space layouts in plannogram software.First met managing partner, Garnet Lewis, at the CMU 2020 Summer Job Fair that I helped organize and facilitate.

Organized post-class surveys from PED courses into excel and analyzes the data.Reviewed and reorganized interdepartmental databases and resources.Uploaded photos of courses on the new departmental Instagram to promote the PED courses to students.

Lifeguarded patrons at the pool of the Student Activity Center (SAC) at Central Michigan University (CMU). Completed monthly in-service safety training with the fellow CMU SAC lifeguards. Was an American Red Cross certified lifeguard for four years.

Organized post-class surveys from PED courses into excel and analyzes the data.Reviewed and reorganized interdepartmental databases and resources.Uploaded photos of courses on the new departmental Instagram to promote the PED courses to students.

Facilitated outdoor adventure programming including (and not limited to) boating, climbing wall, low ropes, archery, outdoor cooking, and fire building to girl scouts during resident camp and weekend troop events and lodging rentals.

Balanced coordinating and planning the art program area while managing resident campers. Prepared and facilitated themed activities while encouraging girl/camper-led initiatives. Ensured the well being, health, and safety of campers 22 hours per day/6 days per week, five weeks per summer. Analyzed new methods to manage and facilitate the art program in the future.

Student organization sales specialist for University Tees in providing custom apparel on CMU's campus. Worked with 9 student organizations for 14 orders, amounting to over $7,000 in sales. Has donated a cumulative $246 to 2 philanthropies through philanthropy donation orders.

Overnight counselor during the summers of 2017 and 2018 (June through August). Ensured the safety and leisure of campers while facilitating outdoor program areas, problem solving, managing camper conflict and homesickness, and maintaining Camp Linden traditions.