Eric V Stacks - He Fought Big Pharma With Cannabis, Then Everything Changed...

Apr 6, 2025

Eric V. Stacks, a cannabis producer and Bitcoin maximalist, shares his fascinating journey from the underground cannabis scene to advocating for Bitcoin as hard money. He reflects on his distrust of pharmaceuticals shaped by personal experiences, and the challenges of building a cannabis business amidst evolving regulations. Stacks discusses the transformative potential of Bitcoin within local economies and critiques the fiat system, while drawing intriguing parallels between cannabis and Bitcoin’s impact on societal values and investments.

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ANECDOTE

Pharmaceutical Influence

Eric's mom changed after using pharmaceuticals, inspiring his cannabis advocacy.
This was further fueled by her suicide attempt with a barbiturate.

INSIGHT

Bitcoin as Solution

Eric realized that fiat incentives drive many pharmaceutical industry problems.
His cannabis production led him to discover Bitcoin and hard money principles.

ANECDOTE

Cannabis Journey

Eric's interest in cannabis grew alongside life's challenges.
He transitioned from trimming to growing in Humboldt County.

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In this episode, I chat with Eric V. Stacks, a cannabis producer, consultant, and proud Bitcoin Maxi, about his incredible journey from the underground cannabis scene in to embracing Bitcoin as a form of hard money.

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––– Chapters –––

00:00 – Intro

01:12 - Eric V. Stacks Background

06:20 - Eric’s upbringing and distrust of pharmaceuticals

08:38 - Becoming a legal cannabis producer in California

09:38 - The economic rabbit hole and discovering Bitcoin

14:29 - Building a cannabis business in the gray market

17:41 - The state’s attempt to regulate an existing billion-dollar industry

20:04 - Regulatory hurdles and corporate takeover

20:57 - How legalization changed the risk dynamics

25:15 - Early spiritual influences and outside-the-box thinking

26:14 - Dropping Out & Rejecting Credentialism

31:33 - From Trimming to Growing: Building a Cannabis Career

36:45 - Corruption, Compliance & the 280E Trap

41:50 - The Broken Incentives Behind Cannabis Regulation

47:16 - Bitcoin as a Tool for Sovereignty and Economic Freedom

52:04 - Final Reflections on Decentralization and Freedom

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