Brian Kuo True Terpenes — Asian Americans for Cannabis Education

I met up with Brian Kuo at MJBiz Con a few weeks ago and the first thing we do is talk about cat memes and how cats are the most amazing furry alien to have landed on Earth. Brian is a renaissance man, fit model (those ABS!), CFO of True Terpenes (the MATH!), CFO of Vape-Jet, and the Master of the Cat Meme. About True Terpenes, they produce the best selection of terpene strains, flavors, and diluents and True Terpenes is the cannabis industry’s trendsetter for custom terpene blends and the benchmark for quality, compliance, and education. - Ophelia Chong

How have your views on cannabis changed?

My views generally have not changed. As long as I can remember, I have believed cannabis (and other substances, for that matter) should all be legalized. However, unlike most people, I did not use cannabis until I became part of the industry back in 2016. I had no interest in altering my experience of reality, nor did I feel a need to medicate. So, my change wasn't my view, but a change in the actual usage of cannabis.

What was the impetus of that change?

I have worked with a broad array of clients, from billion-dollar revenue companies down to companies making $500k+. The one common factor is that I believe that a CFO should dive into the product, and understand it thoroughly. For example, when I used to have restaurant clients, I would go eat their food. If I brought friends to eat the food, and the consensus was that it wasn't good, it generally meant the business was doomed. Thus, the moment I realized I would be working in the cannabis industry, I toked up the weekend afterward. Then, I consumed as much knowledge as possible, in a short time.

How did you enter the cannabis industry?

I got hired at McDonald Jacobs, P.C., an accounting firm in Portland to do advisory work and CFO services in 2016. At the end of the interview, my boss Tyee Carr asked the fateful question, "oh, just for full disclosure, we work with cannabis clients, are you okay with that?" It's been a rollercoaster ride ever since. Thanks, Tyee!

Did you do research into cannabis before entering?

Yes. I watched YouTube videos, bought books, went to trade shows, and fully immersed myself with hands-on experience. My clients got a kick out of the fact that I was just using products to understand their businesses. I still remember entering my first extraction facility and seeing the beautiful processes take place. I still have the outlay of the lab memorized; I find that if I can see everything physically, it helps tie it back to the accounting numbers.

How does your family feel about your cannabis businesses?

They are completely supportive. My Dad asks for samples. I may have conservative Chinese parents, but they definitely believe in legalization and choice. In particular, my Dad loves Empower BodyCare's products. He's also tried samples of products with True Terpenes in it as well, as well as Wyld products. When my grandma was on her deathbed in Taiwan, the one lament my Dad had was that he couldn't try giving her cannabis to ease the pain of transition to the afterworld.

What is the most frequent question you are asked about cannabis?

Are cannabis businesses making money? I think the general population is fascinated by economics. Interestingly, I get asked about the banking side a lot, even by the general population.

I also get asked if I have free samples.

What is your favorite way of ingesting cannabis?

It depends. I am very sensitive to THC. If I take a few hits off a joint, I will hallucinate. Vape allows me to control dosage easily and the high is more manageable for me. Edibles are great before I go to bed to feel a nice body high.

The first time a dabbed, I was at a cannabis event, and it was around 9 pm. About 10 minutes after, my only thought was "I HAVE TO GO HOME RIGHT MEOW." I called a Lyft, and I remember standing there with a completely altered perception of time and space. When the lyft picked me up, I realized we were going the wrong direction, so I surmised I was being kidnapped. My rational side kicked in, and I knew I must have typed in the wrong address. But I was too high to use my phone anymore, so I just said to the driver "I just dabbed for the first time, and I am high AF, can you please figure out how to get me home, I can't figure out the app anymore." He laughed and took me home. Then, I played with my cat, Sir Tybalt Ham: The Prince of Cats for what seemed like an eternity (still could not sense time and space correctly). Tybalt put a reassuring paw on my chest and purred until I fell asleep, he's the best cat.

I have not tried a cannabis suppository yet. So, will get back to you if that's a preferred method.

Where do you see the cannabis industry in five years?

I believe it will be federally legal within five years. Although I want cannabis to be federally legal, I believe this will change the entire face of cannabis, and it will become corporate. Right now, the strange limbo of having cannabis legalized state-by-state, while federally illegal, is somewhat a blessing for small companies. This is the gate that keeps the industry dragons, such as Monsanto, out of the game. In five years, I see a lot of the cool funkiness of the industry disappearing. You can already see it if you go to large trade shows, such as MJBizCon.

Why do you think some Asians are against cannabis?

The same reason any other ethnic group is against it: the preconceived notion that it's "bad". We, humans, like to be the grand arbiters of what is right and wrong in this world, and we seem to like to impose our wills on others. I have always found this strange, I have no desire to force others to believe the same things I do. Fear from misunderstanding the plant is also a likely reason. In truth, the Asians I know are all for it. Maybe I just don't associate with the Asians that are against it.

Brian Kuo: Linkedin

AACE INTERVIEW: Brian Kuo of True Terpenes