<p>If you enjoy cannabis, then you owe a debt of gratitude to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dhbrearley/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Dana Brearley</a>.</p><p>Why? Because Brearley, along with his co-founder, James Folan, spent YEARS lobbying at the state house in Maine, running a medical marijuana company (Arcana), and learning all of the ins and outs of the business, all of which helped to pave the way for the legalization of recreational cannabis in Maine in 2016.</p><p>Now, the two best friends own <a href="https://www.instagram.com/eastcoastofficial207/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">East Coast Cannabis</a>. They opened their flagship shop in Eliot, Maine, in 2020 - the first recreational cannabis store south of Portland. Since then, business has EXPLODED, and they now own two more locations in Waterville and Lebanon, Maine.</p><p>On today's special 4/20 edition of the episode, Brearley joins <a href="https://www.instagram.com/troy_farkas/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">host Troy Farkas</a> to discuss his path from payroll to plants, the numerous medical benefits of cannabis and how it "changes people's lives," the long fight to legalize recreational cannabis in Maine, how ECC became the Seacoast's most recognizable cannabis brand, and more.</p><p>Plus, why hasn't New Hampshire legalized it yet?</p><p>To learn more about ECC's offerings, visit <a href="https://eccannabis.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">ECCannabis.com</a>. </p><p>EPISODE CHAPTERS:</p><ul><li>SS Live at Stone Church! (00:00)</li><li>Dana's introduction to cannabis (01:20)</li><li>Working in the medicinal marijuana scene (10:00)</li><li>Lobbying to get recreational legalized (20:55)</li><li>SPONSOR: Studioh! Salon (22:55)</li><li>BTS of building ECC after Maine legalized recreational (24:38)</li><li>Why Meta keeps taking down ECC's social media accounts (46:42)</li><li>Expanding to three stores (50:45)</li><li>SPONSORS: Brass Tacks Photography &amp; Budget Blinds of the Seacoast (54:35)</li><li>When will N.H. legalize? (57:38)</li><li>Inside the shopping experience at ECC (01:06:20)</li></ul><p>SPONSORS:</p><ul><li><a href="https://studiowellness.org/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠Studioh! Salon⁠⁠</a>: Get $100 off your consultation regarding preventative hair loss! Visit <a href="https://studiowellness.org/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠their website⁠⁠⁠</a>, book an appointment, and say that "Seacoast Stories" sent you for your discount.</li><li><a href="https://www.budgetblinds.com/the-seacoast-nh/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠Visit Budget Blinds of the Seacoast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> for local windows, shades, &amp; creating your cozy Seacoast dream home!</li><li><a href="https://www.brasstacksphotography.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠Brass Tacks Photography⁠</a>: Book your Mother's Day session for your mother, grandmother, or wife TODAY by clicking <a href="https://www.brasstacksphotography.com/family-sessions" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠this link⁠</a>.</li></ul><p>UPCOMING EVENTS:</p><ul><li>Seacoast Singles (35+) at 3S Artspace: THIS FRIDAY: 16 brave singles will stand on stage in a room full of single folks. It's hilarious, wholesome, and (single or not) we'd love to see you there. <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/seacoast-stories-wild-ivory-present-seacoast-singles-tickets-1985455861930" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy your ticket here.⁠⁠⁠</a></li><li>Seacoast Stories Dinner Club: May 6 in Exeter, N.H. + May 20 in Portsmouth's West End! <a href="https://seacoaststories.dnnr.io/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></li><li>Seacoast Stories LIVE: On Thursday, May 7, the Seacoast's No. 1 podcast hits Stone Church in Newmarket, N.H.! ⁠⁠Space is limited. <a href="https://products.spothopperapp.com/checkout?spotId=475961&amp;externalProductId=2770631&amp;_gl=1*b6zs71*_ga*MTk4ODcyOTUwNS4xNzc0ODQ0ODcy*_ga_VG24VK2VKT*czE3NzY2ODIxNzEkbzQkZzAkdDE3NzY2ODIxNzkkajUyJGwwJGgw*_ga_P560TQLM4H*czE3NzY2ODIxNzEkbzQkZzAkdDE3NzY2ODIxNzkkajUyJGwwJGgw" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Secure your tickets here.⁠⁠</a></li></ul><p>AFFILIATE LINKS:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.3bridgesyoga.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠3 Bridges Yoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>: NEW yoga students can unlock a stellar deal of $45 for unlimited classes at the Seacoast's top yoga studio for a month! Visit <a href="https://www.3bridgesyoga.com/schedule" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠3BridgesYoga.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>, select the "Seacoast Stories" special, and type in promo code SEACOASTSTORIES to activate the deal.</li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/studioonecycle/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Studio One⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>: Use the code COASTIE26 at checkout on <a href="https://studioonecycling.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Studio One website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> to unlock a 1-month trial of UNLIMITED spin, yoga, strength, pilates, and barre classes for a special price of $25 for "Seacoast Stories" listeners ONLY!</li></ul>