Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Neil McAlister. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Neil thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

The idea for cannabis infusion education was born while I was working in a licensed cannabis kitchen, where I was responsible for rewriting recipes and developing menus. During that time, I saw a growing need for accurate, approachable education around infusion—especially for patients who wanted consistency, safety, and control over their medicine.

After several months, regulatory changes forced me out of that role, which pushed me to rethink how I could remain relevant and continue serving the community. That turning point became the catalyst for my next chapter. Instead of making and selling edibles, I chose to empower patients by teaching them how to create their own.

I officially launched Chef Turtle’s Infusion Consulting as an LLC in 2020 and developed a workshop pamphlet to guide patients through the fundamentals of infusion. That material quickly evolved into my first award winning published book. Shortly after, I co-created a culinary YouTube series, Chef Turtle’s Infusion Kitchen, where we released over 60 infused recipes designed to educate, inspire, and elevate home infusion.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m the founder of Chef Turtle’s Infusion Consulting, an education-based brand focused on helping patients and home cooks safely and confidently infuse cannabis into everyday foods. My background includes hands-on experience in licensed cannabis kitchens, culinary development, and patient education, which revealed a major need for clear, reliable infusion guidance.

Rather than simply producing edibles, I chose to empower people through education—teaching infusion fundamentals, dosing awareness, and how to take control of their own wellness. I offer workshops, consulting, published cookbooks, and digital content, and I’m also the creator of Chef Turtle’s Infusion Kitchen, a YouTube series featuring over 60 infused recipes.

What sets my work apart is a commitment to education over hype and accessibility over complexity. I’m most proud of building a platform that prioritizes consistency, integrity, and patient empowerment.

To learn more, explore my work, or support the brand, visit ChefTurtle420.com, where readers can also find merchandise including hats, shirts, mugs, and more—all designed to help sustain and grow this education-focused mission.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

My reputation grew from showing up consistently and staying true to why I entered this space in the first place—helping people. I’ve worked directly in licensed cannabis kitchens, with patients, and alongside industry professionals, which gave me a real understanding of both the technical side of infusion and the human side of cannabis use.

I’ve always been transparent about what I know, what I’ve learned, and where responsibility matters most, especially around dosing and education. By prioritizing patient safety, clear communication, and long-term education over quick sales or hype, I was able to earn trust organically. That trust—built through real conversations, reliable content, and hands-on experience—is what ultimately shaped my reputation within the industry.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of the most defining moments in my journey came when regulatory changes forced me out of a licensed cannabis kitchen I had worked hard to establish myself in. Overnight, the path I thought I was building disappeared. Instead of walking away from the industry, I took that setback as an opportunity to pivot.

I asked myself how I could continue serving the community in a meaningful and compliant way. That moment led to the creation of Chef Turtle’s Infusion Consulting. I shifted my focus from producing edibles to educating patients—developing workshops, publishing my first book, and eventually launching Chef Turtle’s Infusion Kitchen on YouTube.

That experience taught me resilience isn’t just about pushing through obstacles; it’s about adapting with purpose. What started as a forced pause became the foundation for a mission-driven brand centered on education, empowerment, and long-term impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chefturtle420.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefturtle420?igsh=MXUwYnFiODh6a3VxNQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BxBdoCBW3/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-mcalister-557881161?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Twitter: https://x.com/chefturtle2?s=21&t=ZXffgTASIPupJLvOACbLkA
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMd96E3V7Gu0CNF-GpgPioA?sub_confirmation=1