Blunt Business

Khari Griffin, a Cannabis Attorney at Clark Hill Law, joins Blunt Business to delve into the complexities of inconsistent state regulations on THC products. Key issues highlighted included concerns over high potency, youth access, and the lack of federal oversight, particularly regarding the 2018 Farm Bill and FDA inaction. The discussion also explored the influence of lobbying and public opinion,...

Hanna Brand, co-founder and chief sales officer of Autumn Brands , talks about their commitment to sustainable cannabis cultivation, including their 100% spray-free practices using beneficial insects and their innovative water conservation methods, such as bio-swell systems and water reclamation from greenhouse runoff. Hanna also shared insights on the company's public farm tours, which aim to...

We hear from Clark Wu, a partner with Bianchi and Brandt about the complexities of the cannabis and hemp legal landscape. The conversation covers regulatory hurdles, compliance issues, investment opportunities, and the impact of campaigns and FDA actions. Key challenges discussed include inconsistent federal and state regulations, securing capital, and landlord hesitancy. The discussion also highl...

Barbara Vaughn, Founder and CEO of Cannabicity and co-founder Stefan Sanzi discuss th e New York State cannabis market's social equity licensees face significant challenges, including lengthy licensing processes, predatory lending, and navigating complex grant applications.  Cannabicity, founded by Barbara, launched the "Powered by Cannabicity" initiative to provide consulting, legal g...

We learn about Qredible 's compliance platform for the cannabis industry with Chairman and CEO Brian Fitzpatrick. The discussion highlights Qredible's use of blockchain technology and automated compliance checks, as well as its marketplace approach. Specific software solutions like Q Monitor, Q Transact, and My COA are detailed, along with the platform's ability to adapt to changing re...

Terry Mendez, the new CEO of Safe Harbor Financial , the newly appointed CEO of Safe Harbor Financial, emphasizing their experience in the cannabis industry and business transformation . We discussed Safe Harbor's success in processing over $25 billion in cannabis-related funds, their strategies for navigating industry challenges (including regulatory hurdles and taxation), and their vision fo...

Anthony Coniglio of New Lake Capital Partners returns to Blunt Business to discuss the current state of the cannabis industry. Despite delays in federal reform and setbacks like the failed Florida ballot initiative, New Lake Partners maintains a strong financial position. Coniglio highlights the company's disciplined capital allocation strategy, focus on limited-licensed jurisdictions, and key...

The Supreme Court's 5-4 decision in  Medical Marijuana, Inc. v. Horn  has created a significant new legal risk for cannabis and CBD companies, as it permits plaintiffs to pursue civil claims under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act for business or property loss that stems from a personal injury. The case specifically involved a mislabeled CBD product leading to a fai...

Zachary Kobrin, transactional and regulatory attorney at Saul Ewing LLP discusses the merging of the cannabis and alcohol industries, driven by shifting consumer preferences and the emergence of hemp-derived beverages. Kobrin discusses regulatory challenges such as stock exchange restrictions on cannabis companies and inconsistent federal regulations. The conversation also addressed the importance...

Jason Schwent, cybersecurity attorney at Clark Hill, addresses the growing cyber security risks facing the cannabis industry. The discussion highlights the unique vulnerabilities of cannabis businesses due to heavy regulation, reliance on third-party vendors, and challenges with payment processing. Clark Hill wrote an article on The Growing Cybersecurity Risks in the Cannabis Industry An attorney...

Zone Vapor CEO Josh Hoffman delves into the company's strategies for the 510 thread vape market, focusing on the innovative Zone Opto vaporizer. He highlights its customizable modes, user-friendly display, and quality commitment through a three-year warranty. Hoffman addresses concerns related to the vape crisis, emphasizing the safety of regulated products and the industry's focus on comp...

Ryan Burke, COO at Carma HoldCo shares news of Tyson 2.0's expansion into South Africa, its 17th international market. We highlight the strategic decision to enter the South African market due to its legalized personal cannabis use and market potential. We also emphasize the importance of local partnerships for regulatory compliance, adapting business models to diverse legal environments, and...

Keshawn Warner of Dazed Cannabis and Emiliano Cuellar of Ganja Gang detailed their blockchain-based inventory management system, designed to combat revenue loss and enhance compliance in cannabis dispensaries. Their system utilizes smart contracts linked to inventory, preventing unauthorized sales and reducing human error. They emphasized the real-world utility of their project, moving beyond trad...

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...