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The Cannabis Conversation Podcast
The Cannabis Conversation is the leading English-speaking podcast exploring the legal cannabis industry from a European perspective.
Founded in 2019 by commercial lawyer Anuj Desai, the show has spent six years bringing together the people shaping this industry - operators, scientists, investors, clinicians, policymakers, and entrepreneurs, for honest, evidence-based conversations that go beyond the headlines.
With 194 episodes, The Cannabis Conversation has become a trusted resource for professionals navigating one of the world's fastest-moving sectors.
In late 2025, Anuj passed the reins to Nikita Cretu & Thomas Gray from Lumino - Europe's leading cannabis recruitment agency, who have taken stewardship of the podcast's next chapter. Powered by the belief that an industry is only as good as the people in it, the show continues its mission: to illuminate the industry by bringing the right voices into the seat.
Guests span the full spectrum, from founders and operators deep inside the cannabis world to leaders from other highley regulated markets like pharma, Tobacco, Alcohol, and beyond who are paying close attention.
The Cannabis Conversation Podcast
EPISODE #178: Cannabis in Mexico with José Lugardo Espejel & Anndrea Hermann from HGrown Consulting
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On the latest episode of The Cannabis Conversation, we speak with José Lugardo Espejel & Anndrea Hermann from HGrown Consulting - a hemp consultancy focused on Mexico.
We explore what’s happening with hemp and the situation of medical cannabis in Mexico, alongside the adult-use scenarios, and how Mexico can play a part in the hemp ecosystem.
The Cannabis Conversation is sponsored by Lumino - a boutique HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the Global Cannabis Industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant Facing.
Get in touch at www.luminorecruit.com/
About José Lugardo Espejel
José Lugardo Espejel, MSc, BMS, Co-founder of HGrown Consulting, co-foundeer of HPS Latam, Founder of Grupo Sativa Health. He started his career as a researcher and consultant in the private healthcare sector and has gained experience as a conferencist and ambassador for the medical cannabis industry in Mexico and Latin America. José currently also advises multiple cannabis startups, researchers, healthcare and pharmaceutical organizations, as well as legislators. His first startup Grupo Sativa Health, developed Sativa Care, the first medical cannabis clinic in Mexico.
About Anndrea Hermann
Anndrea Hermann, M.Sc, B.GS, P.Ag., Director of Inside Sales HPS Food & Ingredients, Principal The Ridge International Cannabis Consulting, Founder HGrown Consulting Mexico, Owner Hemp Technologies Canada, Founder iHempRadio, Founding Instructor OSU WSE266 Course, Canada Hemp Licensee who has advised Industry for 21+ years. President Emeritus & board Hemp Industries Association and Vice President Emeritus Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance. In 2021, she co-founded the rural non-profit Gerhard E. Dekker Regenerative Education Center. She was the first woman inducted into the Hemp History Hall of Fame (2017), recipient of the HIA Lifetime Achievement Award (2018) and listed on Hemp History Week top 10 advocates (2019). Anndrea is recognized and revered as a true ambassador of the highest caliber. Presenting she is publishing “Everybody Loves Trallala” a children’s book about a little hempseeds journey.
Connect with José on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pepelugardo
Connect with Anndrea on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anndrea-hermann-89647b37
HGrown Consulting Website: https://hgrown.mx/
Follow José on Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/pepe_lugardo
❇️ Get in touch at https://www.thecannabisconversation.co.uk
Connect with Nikita Cretu on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikita-cretu-b24b83a8/
Connect with Thomas Gray on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-c-s-gray/
🔋 The Cannabis Conversation is powered by Lumino - Europe's leading HR and Recruitment Agency specialising in building high performance teams for the legal cannabis industry. They work in three main verticals: Commercial, Medical and Plant-Facing. From HR advisory and executive search services to hiring support for full-time placements, consultants, or contract staff, Lumino has helped hundreds of companies of all sizes in the industry scale sustainably through the right people.
🌱 Need support finding the right talent to GROW your business? Book a call with our recruitment team at: https://calendly.com/d/zvg-y2d-tgc