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I speak to Varin about the parlous state of the Northern Ireland hemp industry.

It has remained too long a cottage industry and without buy in from local government, Stormont and of course Westminster that’s the way it’s going to stay.

It’s the story I hear the planet over, a complete lack of investment to develop proper processing facilities for industrial hemp.

Being part of the UK Northern Ireland has the same issues as England & Scotland a beyond useless  labour government with zero understanding  of and desire to develop hemp and don’t forget the standard UK party political nepotism which means quietly a limited number of people get to line their pockets.

Also, being Northern Ireland,  there is also an element of Irish politics at play where north and south aren’t really talking to one another in anything but the flimsiest way.

Now.. wouldn’t it be great if it were hemp and cannabis that led the charge in change. Yes i know that’s somewhat naive looking at the power of the black market drugs trade in the south at the moment but it’s a nice thought.

Thankyou Varin for talking to the Karma Koalas but also finding positives in a landscape that isn’t offering too many at the moment.

Varin Marshall

Founding Director at Northern Ireland Hemp Association

Varin founded the Northern Ireland Hemp Association in early 2019 after life long passion, enthusiasm and knowledge of hemp. With a vision of protecting the fast emerging industry here in Northern Ireland he brought to life a fully transparent body of representatives who support the hemp industry across Ireland and the UK through education, business consultation, networking and advice in all areas of the industry.

Having developed his networking skills through an 18 year tenure in digital media production with multiple businesses and music industry promotion with globally known artists, currently operating Botanic Media (Belfast) As the previous owner of Azora Health & Wholefoods (Hillsborough) now ‘Azora Cooperative’ and Eatwell Foods (Belfast), he leverages 10 years of invaluable health foods knowledge and industry experience to strengthen Ireland’s resurgent hemp industry.

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Thankyou to Matt for taking time out to discuss the new psychedelics program in Colorado and how it compares to Oregon’s program.

We also discuss what being a psychedelics lawyer means in terms of the practicalities of day to day work and also what it means in terms of how as a lawyer he now operates.

He also highlights how the Psychedelic Bar Association looks at the way way law is practised and how the body aims to use education to look at different ways of doing things

In short psychedelics law is more than just putting programs into effect and servicing clients but also a tool to looking at law itself and how it can change the status quo.

Matt began his career in Chicago with a national law firm, where he navigated layers of insurance coverage in multi-million dollar multi-state commercial litigation.

Following a brief time crafting policy in DC, Matt relocated to Denver, where he assumed a number of health-industry focused roles. He was a member of the healthcare practice group of an AmLaw100 firm, assistant general counsel to a health insurance company, and practiced corporate and regulatory law with a prominent boutique cannabis law firm before joining Antithesis.

His current practice primarily involves the law, business, policy, and (sometimes even) politics of drugs. Specifically, he focuses on psychedelics, cannabis, and other controlled substances, both in the context of healthcare/ wellness as well as drug policy reform.

Experience

Bethany has worked in the cannabis sector for the last decade and has amongst other things been the Manager of Regulatory Permitting, USA  @Canopy Growth Corporation, the Chief Compliance Consultant  at the American Cannabis Company Inc and also the President at the Industrial Hemp Research Foundation fromNov 2023 – Nov 2024. 

She has now launched her own mediation company and we discuss what she hopes to do with the business, why private mediation is better than the courts ( it’s cheaper and quicker) and what types of dsputes she is dealing with. We also discuss forthcoming devlopments and changes in the US cannabis and hemp sectors.

Bethany Niebauer

Bethany writes..

With a deep and diverse background in cannabis compliance and conflict resolution, I bring clarity and confidence to an industry often characterized by complexity.

As the founder of Axial Resolutions, I specialize in mediation and conflict resolution for the cannabis sector, helping businesses navigate disputes while preserving relationships and fostering collaboration. My approach combines industry knowledge, professionalism, and a commitment to practical solutions that empower companies to focus on growth and innovation.

Previously, I founded Axial Compliance Consulting, where I guided cannabis businesses through the intricate and often overwhelming maze of regulatory requirements. From securing licensure to creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), I worked with cultivators, dispensaries, consulting firms, and law offices across states like Colorado, California, Oregon, Washington, and Massachusetts. My meticulous attention to detail, legal expertise, and vast industry network earned me a reputation as a trusted resource for navigating even the most challenging compliance issues.

Throughout my career, I’ve not only tackled the nitty-gritty details of compliance but also educated and empowered clients to make informed decisions. Whether it’s ensuring safe cultivation practices, training employees on regulations, or navigating the gray areas of marketing, I offer actionable insights to keep businesses compliant and thriving.

Today, I continue to serve the cannabis industry as both a mediator and a resource for solving regulatory, operational, and interpersonal challenges. Let’s work together to resolve conflicts, build stronger partnerships, and ensure long-term success in this dynamic and evolving market.

Contact Bethany  at https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethany-niebauer/