Sara Payan

Sara Payan is the Executive Producer and Host of the two-time EMJAY Award-winning podcast Planted with Sara Payan, where she sits down with leading voices across cannabis, policy, science, culture, and business. Known for thoughtful, wide-ranging conversations examining the evolving global cannabis landscape, Sara has become a trusted figure at the intersection of media, advocacy, and market development. Through Planted, she has interviewed policymakers, scientists, cultural icons, and business leaders shaping the future of cannabis. At Cannabis Europa, Sara will be conducting exclusive 1:1 interviews with leaders advancing innovation, policy, and commerce across Europe and beyond. Sara is also Partner and Vice President of PR & Communications at Pulse Signal Agency, where she helps cannabis and regulated-market brands navigate complex industries through strategic communications, audience engagement, and data-informed storytelling. A longtime advocate, educator, and industry leader with nearly two decades in cannabis and more than 25,000 hours of experience working directly with patients and consumers, Sara serves as Vice Chair of the California Cannabis Advisory Committee and previously co-chaired the San Francisco Cannabis State Legalization Task Force. She has trained healthcare professionals at Kaiser Permanente and UCSF on medical cannabis and patient communication. As a journalist, educator, and communications strategist, her work spans media, public policy, and industry leadership across the global cannabis industry.