Blunt Business

In this episode of The Blunt Business , the discussion dives deep into the complex landscape of the New York cannabis market as it hits its five-year legalization anniversary . While Governor Kathy Hochul lauds the state’s achievement of $3.3 billion in total sales and the opening of its 600th licensed dispensary , the program highlights a more turbulent reality behind the numbers. Industry expert...

Blunt Business dives into the shifting landscape of American cannabis, from the halls of Congress to the microscopic world of medical research. We break down the newly proposed CLIMB Act , a bipartisan bill aimed at finally opening major U.S. stock exchanges and private lending to state-sanctioned marijuana businesses. While federal deregulation remains in a "ghost town" phase of waiting f...

Blunt Business tears apart the "bunk" science being weaponized by mainstream outlets like Reuters and The Guardian. By interrogating the raw data behind a widely cited Lancet Psychiatry study, the program exposes a collection of massive research failures—including tiny sample sizes, high risks of researcher bias, and a reliance on pharmaceutical synthetics that bear no resemblance to what...

David Spang , co-founder of Coastal Green Wellness , dives deep into the turbulent legislative landscape of the Southeast cannabis market. Spang discusses the high-stakes battle against impending hemp bans in South Carolina, advocating for comprehensive regulation over total prohibition to protect both small businesses and consumer safety. He highlights the human impact of these products—sharing m...

Scot Crow and Benjam Sobczak of Dickinson Wright tare back this week to discuss the industry’s significant $6 billion debt crisis and the necessary survival strategies for compromised companies. The debt crisis is separate from 280E tax liabilities, rooted in market volatility (like the sharp price drop in Michigan) and poor financial projections made by both operators and lenders. For operators f...

Scot Crow and Benjam Sobczak of the cannabis practice at Dickinson Wright  the impact of federal Schedule III reclassification and the increasing, albeit complex, role of private equity (PE) in the cannabis sector. Experts agreed that moving to Schedule III, while providing significant tax relief through the repeal of Section 280E, would not immediately open the floodgates to traditional banking s...

Joe Salome, co-founder of The Georgia Hemp Company and Simple Leaf Wellness, and former CMO of Halcyon Organics, is a respected figure in medical cannabis policy, instrumental in the passage of Georgia’s landmark Haleigh's Hope Act (2014) and the 2019 Georgia’s Hope Act. The discussion centers on Salome's personal advocacy, which was ignited after witnessing the therapeutic benefits of can...

This week we explore the dual impact of cannabis legalisation and rescheduling—focusing on both the massive financial implications for the industry and emerging scientific research on health benefits. The $2 Billion Tax Windfall The program leads with a deep dive into the potential rescheduling of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. Experts estimate that r...

After a much-needed hiatus following eight years of consistent broadcasting, Blunt Business has returned in 2026 by reaffirming the show's commitment to raw, unfiltered industry commentary. This "re-launch" episode marks a strategic shift as the program absorbs its companion series, Grassroots Marketing , to create a single, centralized home for long-form interviews and expert insights...

Blunt Business discusses the evolving landscape of cannabis banking, where Kevin Hart (CEO of Green Check Verified ) explained that financial institutions are increasingly engaging with the sector, driven by data transparency, robust compliance standards, and the realization that there is no codified rule preventing them from doing so. Hart details that Green Check Verified facilitates banking by...

Thomas Winstanley from Edibles.com is back to discuss the critical issue of federally recriminalizing hemp-derived THC products like Delta 8 THC via the congressional spending bill, despite the industry being legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill. Winstanley emphasized the dire economic consequences for farmers, noting that recriminalization would wipe out a $6.6 billion industry, and argued for a si...

In what is being hailed as a "watershed moment" for the cannabis industry, President Trump has officially signed an executive order to move cannabis from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3 of the Controlled Substances Act. This historic shift, which follows a bipartisan initiation process started by the Biden administration, formally recognizes the plant's medical benefits for the first time in...

Attorney Joshua Bauchner is back to talk about the potential reclassification of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, spurred by reports of an impending executive order from President Trump. While the move is seen as a beneficial step for research, both speakers and the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (Normal) prefer full declassification, expressing concern that reclas...

Ryan Hurley, founder of Litix Legal , discusses the "full swing market correction" in the Arizona cannabis industry, stressing the critical need for lean, compliant operations for survival. He introduced Litix Legal's model of "killing the billable hour" through flat, subscription-based rates, making legal services more accessible and predictable for businesses burdened by cost...

Blunt Business speaks with Joel Latham, CEO of Incannex Healthcare (NASDAQ: IXHL), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the use of proprietary combination medicines. Latham breaks down their strategy of fusing synthetic cannabinoids and well-characterized active drug components to target chronic conditions with significant unmet needs, emphasizing a robust intellectual property po...

Blunt Business welcomes back Paul Weaver, Director and Head of Cannabis at the Boston Beer Company, to Blunt Business to discuss the expansion of their Emerald Hour cannabis line, which now includes cocktail-inspired THC gummies made with live rosin, launching in Ontario and Alberta following last year's beverage debut. Paul explained the company’s bifurcated cannabis strategy, focusing on Tea...

Jackson Rund, a recipient of the DaySavers Higher Potential Scholarship and co-founder of Higher State Brands , shared his journey in the cannabis industry. He overcame felony charges at 17 to pursue his passion, earning dual bachelor's degrees in cannabis chemistry and business. Rund's company, Higher State Brands, focuses on technology and beverages, including dispensary software and a h...

LeafLink CEO Ashwin Raj discusses the changes for their customers involve a shift back to a flat-fee pricing model from a usage-based structure. discuss the company's shift in its pricing model. Leaf Link is reverting from an unpopular usage-based structure back to a flat-fee structure and simplifying its product tiers from three to a Starter and a Pro package. We also discuss Ashwin's bac...

Founder and Chief Communications Officer of Cornbread Hemp and Cornbread Mafia Author Jim Higdon discusses the critical federal threat to the $28.4 billion hemp industry posed by a minibus appropriations bill seeking to ban hemp-derived THC nationwide, noting the government shutdown provides a temporary advocacy opportunity and highlighting that Florida has three congressional members on the relev...

Daniela Williams, Chief Growth Officer for Paylient , discusses the critical role of HR and the benefits of the Professional Employer Organization (PEO) model in the cannabis industry. Daniela detailed how PEOs like Paylient manage HR complexities, ensure compliance with labor laws, and mitigate risks through a co-employment model, allowing businesses to offload administrative tasks while retainin...

Shabbaz K Virani, Co-Founder of The Cannabis Collective and a key speaker at the upcoming Business of Cannabis NY event, delves into the dynamic New York cannabis market. We cover the market's rapid growth, compliance and regulatory hurdles, the crucial role of Dr. June Chin, the new Chief Medical Officer at the New York State Office of Cannabis Management, and the modernization of medical can...

Zakiya Watson-Caffe, principal attorney at Watson Law LLC , and Rancheros Fortune, Founder and CEO of Good Fortune Group, discussed the lawsuit "Grassroots Association Incorporated versus the state of Georgia." This lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of the Georgia Hemp Farming Act (SB 494) due to federal preemption, burdensome licensing requirements, and significant revenue losses e...

MJBizCon is evolving to offer a more consumer-focused experience, introducing initiatives like the MJBowl, a bi-coastal cannabis competition, and hosting offsite consumption events at NuWu. This shift aims to gather consumer feedback and integrate the consumer aspect into the "seed to sale" lifecycle. Emilie Lewis, Senior Vice President & Brand Leader, MJBiz and VP of Sales Harrison Ra...

Jason Little, Lead of The Cannabis Practice Team at Farrell Fritz , returns to discuss the recent federal appeals court ruling that New York State's cannabis licensing criteria, which excluded individuals with federal or out-of-state cannabis convictions from receiving priority, were likely unconstitutional. They also discussed how tariffs impact the cannabis industry and how potential federal...

Blunt Business welcomes Darren Gleeman, author of "The Cannabis ESOP Architect," to discuss how Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) offer a revolutionary, IRS-approved, zero-tax exit strategy for cannabis businesses, making the 280E tax irrelevant. Darren explained that ESOPs are the only significant M&A activity in the cannabis sector, fostering employee engagement and retention by...