Blunt Business

Blunt Business welcomes back Jonathan Robbins, head of the cannabis practice at Akerman , to talk about the cannabis industry's persistent hurdles, encompassing federal reform, banking complexities, and state-federal law discrepancies. The stalled DEA rescheduling and the need for a revised hemp bill were key points. Banking challenges, including debanking and prohibitive tax rates, were highl...

Blunt Business explores the complexities of New York's nascent legal cannabis market through a conversation with Joshua Wilson, the general manager of Culture House , a dispensary located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. The discussion illuminates the hurdles and successes encountered by social equity license holders, the regulatory challenges faced by established brands, the influence of th...

This interview with David Spradlin from Goldenhour Collective provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving cannabis industry, focusing on the challenges and opportunities presented by its transition from a patient-centric model to a more corporate, adult-use market. Spradlin’s insights, drawn from his extensive experience in the cannabis sector and his work with Goldenhour Collective, offer a...

This interview with Tara Coomans, CEO of Avaans Media , explores the transformative influence of artificial intelligence on journalism and public relations, with a particular focus on the cannabis industry. The discussion delves into the potential benefits and challenges AI presents for cannabis businesses, emphasizing the enduring importance of human creativity, trust-building, and strategic adap...

Paul Weaver, Director of Cannabis at the Boston Beer Company, shared insights into the company's Canadian Cannabis Division and their new product, Emerald Hour, a line of non-alcoholic cannabis cocktails designed for experienced consumers seeking a full-spectrum, solventless experience.  The product launch strategy, focusing initially on the Ontario market due to its regulatory landscape, was...

Rocco Del Priore, Co-Founder of Sweed POS , discusses the critical importance of compliance and enterprise-grade solutions within the evolving cannabis industry. The conversation centers around Sweed POS's commitment to data security, regulatory compliance, and robust platform functionality, highlighting their achievement of both SOC 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 certifications. 1 The discussion begins w...

Blunt Business explores the critical issues facing the cannabis industry, focusing on regulation, compliance, and investment, through the lens of the International Cannabis Bar Association (INCBA). David Ruskin, their newly appointed president, shared his insights on the organization's role and the evolving legal and regulatory landscape. Ruskin highlighted the INCBA's value as a network o...

Luna Stower, Head of Impact at Ispire Technology, joined the conversation to discuss her role as a leader and advocate in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry. With a passion for social justice, regulatory reform, and technological innovation, Luna illuminated the path Ispire is forging to shape the future of cannabis. From groundbreaking partnerships with global icons to pioneering regulatory s...

Blunt Business speaks with Dina Rollman, CEO of StrainBrain and board member of New Lake Capital Partners. The discussion explores the evolving landscape of the cannabis industry, the transformative potential of AI, and the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in this sector. Rollman shares her perspective on the uncertain legislative future of cannabis, acknowledging the political headw...

Tyler Priest, the Chief Revenue Officer at Greenleaf Business Solutions , delves into the complexities of managing HR and payroll within the cannabis industry's complex regulatory landscape. Tyler Priest emphasizes the ongoing conflict between state and federal cannabis laws, particularly concerning 401(k) plans for cannabis companies. He highlights the need for comprehensive HR and payroll so...

Socrates Rosenfeld, CEO and co-founder of Jane Technologies , explores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in the cannabis retail sector. Rosenfeld unveils "my high," a cutting-edge platform designed to enhance the in-store experience for both customers and budtenders. "My high" leverages AI to provide personalized product recommendations based on customer purch...

This in-depth discussion with Jay Virdi, the Chief Sales Officer for Specialty Practices at Hub International , provides a comprehensive overview of the insurance landscape for the cannabis industry in 2025. The cannabis industry faces unique financial pressures, including inflation, rising interest rates, and specific tax burdens like the 280E tax code. Jay Virdi emphasizes the need for robust ri...

David Vaillencourt, CEO of GMP Collective, discusses the critical role of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in the cannabis industry. David and host [Brasco's Name] delve into the impact of GMP standards on consumer safety, international trade, and building a sustainable cannabis market. They explore the implications of the Cannabis Standards and Regulations Act (CSRA), a Senate bill pushing...

Join industry experts in a comprehensive exploration of the evolving cannabis landscape with featured guest, Richard Zwicky, host of The Green Peak on Cannabis Radio. This in-depth discussion delves into the complex world of cannabis legalization, market trends, and social impact, offering valuable insights for entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers alike. Experts analyze the impact of the new...

Ziel is a leading provider of microbial control solutions for the cannabis industry, specializing in high-throughput, non-ionizing radio frequency (RF) technology. Driven by a commitment to innovation and compliance, Ziel offers cutting-edge solutions that ensure product safety, maximize efficiency, and meet stringent regulatory requirements, particularly in the rapidly growing European market. Un...

This insightful interview on CannabisRadio.com's "Blunt Business" podcast features Jeffrey Trappe, Chief Operating Officer of Florida Operations for Planet 13 Holdings Inc. Trappe and the host delve into a wide range of topics surrounding Planet 13's current operations and future plans in the Florida cannabis market. The conversation begins with Trappe's vision for cannabis con...

Travis "Shaggy" Marshall and AK, key players in the Death Row Cannabis operation, sat down for an insightful interview exploring the brand's journey. Shaggy, with his deep roots in the music industry as Snoop Dogg's long-time sound engineer, and AK, a respected legacy cultivator, discussed their roles in transforming the iconic Death Row Records into a multi-faceted brand encompass...

Matt Hutchinson discussed LeafLink's new payment on sell-through model, which addresses the $3.8 billion in unpaid bills in the cannabis industry. This model guarantees payment for sold products and provides real-time insights to brands and retailers. It aims to alleviate cash flow issues by aligning cash inflows with outflows. The system is currently available in Michigan, Mississippi, and Co...

In the wake of the 2024 U.S. elections, cannabis reform has reached a crossroads, marked by victories and setbacks that reveal the complexities of the legalization landscape. Florida’s Amendment 3 garnered majority support at 56%, but due to the state’s 60% supermajority requirement, it narrowly failed, showing the strong yet complicated path for recreational legalization in traditionally conserva...

Jahmila Edwards, co-founder of Stash Queens, a woman-owned cannabis brand, discusses their journey and commitment to social equity. Edwards highlights the brand's focus on quality and accessible cannabis products for all communities, prioritizing these values over luxury branding. She also shares insights into navigating New York's complex cannabis market, including the challenges faced by...

Bryan Barash, Senior Director, Assistant General Counsel at Dutchie discusses the potential impact of the 2024 Presidential election on cannabis legalization, emphasizing the importance of social equity in Florida’s cannabis market and the need for federal relief to address corruption and ensure fair competition. The challenges posed by the absence of a SAFE banking act were highlighted, emphasizi...

Gibran Washington, CEO of Ethos Cannabis, shares his unique journey from the food and beverage industry to leading a major cannabis company. He discusses his focus on operational efficiency, brand building, and customer satisfaction, drawing parallels between his experience in both industries. The article also delves into the complexities of cannabis taxation, featuring insights from Todd Polyniak...

BJ Carretta, Senior Vice President of TerrAscend, joins us to explore the complexities of maintaining brand consistency across various state markets in the cannabis industry. Emphasizing personalized marketing strategies, BJ highlighted the importance of leveraging customer data to create tailored experiences while navigating state-by-state regulations. The conversation delved into marketing chall...

Blunt Business welcomes back Anthony Coniglio, the CEO and co-founder of NewLake Capital Partners. New Lake Capital Partners has distinguished itself in the cannabis industry by providing non-diluted capital to operators through property acquisition and long-term leasing. With a diverse portfolio of 32 properties, including cultivation facilities and dispensaries, New Lake is a key player in the c...

Christian Fea, co-founder and CEO of Monarch Technologies, discussed the launch of their closed-loop mobile app, BFLI, designed for the cannabis industry. BFLI aims to reduce cash transactions, which currently constitute 50% of cannabis payments, by offering a compliant, digital payment solution. FEA highlighted the challenges of cannabis banking, with only 200-250 banks accepting cannabis account...