Blunt Business

We dive deep into the evolving landscape of the cannabis industry from a PR perspective with Jordan Isenstadt, SVP, Marino PR / Founder of Marino Cannabis Practice. In this episode, we explore the synergy between strategic PR efforts and the dynamic changes in the cannabis sector, particularly in light of the recent DEA rescheduling of cannabis. Jordan shares how he prepares clients to comment on...

More of Blunt Business, recorded live from the floor of Benzinga Miami 2024. We hear from three key figures in the cannabis investment space: Matt Hawkins, Managing Partner at Entourage Effect Capital, a leading private equity firm focused on the cannabis industry. Matt shares his expert perspective on the current investment landscape, discussing emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities for...

Blunt Business is on location at Benzinga Miami 2024. In this episode, we sit down with Kyle Sherman, CEO of Flowhub, and Jeffrey Trappe from Planet 13 for exclusive conversations about the future of the cannabis industry. Kyle Sherman shares his insights on the evolving landscape of cannabis technology, discussing how Flowhub is empowering dispensaries to streamline operations, enhance customer e...

Kevin Williams & Craig Small, Attorneys at Clark Hill, discussed the recent changes in the classification of cannabis and their implications for international trade and the cannabis industry.  Kevin clarified his expertise on importing and exporting of cannabis accessories, while Craig, based in Colorado, offered insights on other areas of cannabis reclassification. We also discussed the upcom...

We discuss cannabis investment opportunities, and regulatory hurdles with New Lake Capital Partners. CEO Anthony Coniglio,  Anthony highlighted the importance of cash flow, cost reduction, and operational efficiency in navigating challenges and seizing growth opportunities.  We also discuss the potential for individual investors pre-institutional entry, strategic investments, and regulatory comple...

Robert M. DiPisa from Cole Schotz discusses recent developments in the cannabis industry in New York and New Jersey, with a focus on concerns about third-party advertising leading to consumer confusion. Legal challenges such as Leafly litigation and supply chain issues due to licensing delays were discussed. Additionally, insights were shared on proposed bills for psilocybin legalization in New Je...

We dive into the world of investment with Will McDonough, a titan in the financial industry and co-founder of Nancan Companies, as well as Chairman and Founder of Corestone Capital. With a track record spanning across continents and sectors, McDonough's insights are invaluable. In this episode, we explore McDonough's journey through the financial industry, from managing billions at Goldman...

Matthew Ginder, Partner in the Cannabis Law practice group at Greenspoon Marder talks about Florida's adult use cannabis legalization, with a focus on achieving voter approval for Amendment Three in 2024. Matt Ginder and Brasco debated THC restrictions, consumption locations, and industry support, highlighting concerns about opposition from healthcare industries and the importance of strategic...

Blunt Business welcomes Michael Wang, Co-CEO and CFO with ISPIRE, a company specializing in e-cigarettes and cannabis vaping products. Discussions included collaborations with Hidden Hills, new device launches like Switch One, and partnerships with Burna Boy. Safety measures, regulatory challenges, and quality assurance with ISO and GMP certifications were highlighted. Market trends indicated a ri...

Blunt Business welcomes Sundie Seefried, CEO, Safe Harbor Financial to talk about Safe Harbor Financial's recent operations and future plans. Seefried highlights the company's successful earnings call, showcasing an 85.3% revenue increase in 2023 and strategic moves to expand services and launch new lending products. We delve into topics such as lines of credit for clients, challenges like...

Sara Gullickson, Founder and CEO from CB Advisors offers a sneak peek into her upcoming presentation at the Lucky Leaf Expo, where she will unveil strategies for executing operational plans for a successful cannabis launch in Minnesota. As the state gears up to join the ranks of legalized cannabis territories, her expertise promises to shed light on navigating this burgeoning market. We also tackl...

Blunt Business discusses standardizing laboratory practices in the cannabis industry for accurate testing. We welcome Breanna Neff, Founder and Chief Food Scientist at brelixi, who shares insights on vetting labs for data integrity. Breanna introduced brelixi's products like THC/CBD powders for fast-acting functional solutions in daily life. NFL-funded research on cannabinoids as pain manageme...

Blunt Business welcomes the CEO of Motif Labs Founder Mario Naric. We discuss the current state of the Canadian cannabis market, with Mario sharing insights on Motif Labs' success in the vapes and infused pre-rolls market. We highlight the significance of the upcoming review of the 2018 Cannabis Act, while later discussing the ongoing review of the Federal Cannabis Act and its impact on public...

We continue our discussion with Cat Packer, Director of Drug Markets and Legal Regulation, Drug Policy Alliance about the Biden Administration's proposal to reschedule cannabis from schedule one to schedule three under the Controlled Substances Act, arguing that while this move is significant, it falls short of the promise of decriminalization made by President Biden.  We also the federal gove...

Cat Packer, Director of Drug Markets and Legal Regulation, Drug Policy Alliance joins Blunt Business for a 2-part interview where we first discuss the need for a comprehensive approach to cannabis policy reform that prioritizes social equity and harm reduction. We talk about the importance of addressing social equity concerns, such as the concentration of unlicensed activity in local jurisdictions...

Paula Savchenko, Esq. Founder, Cannacore Group discusses cannabis licensing and regulatory compliance and the challenges and opportunities therein. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Robert Hoban, Chair, Cannabis Practice, Clark Hill discusses the current state of cannabis legalization and industry development. We also discuss recent halts in licensing due to court decisions and Robert sharing his firm's expansion into the European Union. We also highlight discussed difficulties faced in New York's licensing process, challenges in social equity licensing, and legal and...

Blunt Business welcomes Jeffrey Harris, the CEO of springbig to discuss the importance of loyalty programs in the cannabis industry, We follow up on Springbig's growth and expansion to over 3000 retail locations. We also look into the challenges and opportunities in the industry, including investment strategies, regulatory changes, and tax benefits. Both emphasized the need for convenient paym...

Adam Wilks, CEO of Carma HoldCo is back on Blunt Business to talk about his work operating his global licensing company behind the nation’s fastest-growing celebrity brands, working with icons like Mike Tyson (Tyson 2.0), Ric Flair (Ric Flair Drip and Wooo Energy drinks), Future (EVOL) and Hulk Hogan (Immortal) to turn their cannabis brands into lucrative businesses. Advertising Inquiries: https:/...

Blunt Business speaks with the dynamic managing partners of Galaxy 1, Rick and Michelle Ringold. We hear about their option to enter the Illinois cannabis market through the social equity pathway given met the qualifying criteria but has set a new standard. Join us as they share their insights into building craft grow facilities that support non-multi-state operators, emphasizing their commitment...

David Standa, partner at Greenspoon Marder, takes us on a journey through the intricacies of Minnesota's adult-use cannabis rollout. As a seasoned advisor in the cannabis industry, Mr. Standa shares insights into the challenges faced by the state, from issues of illegal possession to delayed dispensary openings and the crucial role played by the Cannabis Control Board. Delving into the peculia...

Blunt Business speaks with Christian Chavez, the seasoned CEO of Statis Cannabis Co., who brings 17 years of real estate expertise, including a robust 5-year stint in the cannabis industry. We delve deep into the intricate world of cannabis licensing, funding, and social equity challenges, specifically focusing on the burgeoning cannabis scene in New York. The discussion unfolds through key topics...

Blunt Business gets an exclusive account on Opening a Dispensary After Winning The Illinois Social Equity Cannabis Lottery with one of those social equity applicants. Shankar Ramakrishnan is COO of Indus365, the company behind Mystic Greenz. . Central Illinois has been transformed by the opening of Mystic Greenz’ inaugural dispensary in Macon County, marking a significant shift in the region’s can...

Blunt Business speaks with Dr. Benjamin Caplan, a distinguished family medicine doctor and member of the American Medical Association, who has overseen the healthcare journey of over 250,000 patients exploring the benefits of medical cannabis. Dr. Caplan recently published "The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook," delving into the safe use of cannabis for managing various conditions like co...

Brian Sullivan, CEO of Indoor Ag-Con fills us in on details of their upcoming Indoor Ag-Con, the premier trade show and conference dedicated to vertical farming, greenhouse, and controlled environment agriculture. Returning to Caesars Forum in Las Vegas on March 11-12 for its 11th annual event   For the first time, Indoor Ag-Con introduces a dedicated Cannabis Conference track for cultivators. Sul...