Blunt Business

Blunt Business welcomes Melissa Hanson, Flowhub' s new VP of Operations, to discuss their new e-commerce platform, which aims to power online cannabis retail growth. Melissa, leveraging her 20 years of retail experience, explained that the platform was designed by former Wayfair experts to streamline dispensary operations by removing the need for multiple vendors and ensuring live inventory an...

Corinne Butler discusses Azuca's "2025 Edibles Premiumization Report," which highlights that premium cannabis is defined by efficacy and that consumers are willing to pay more for fast-acting edibles due to their predictability and consistent experience. Corinne detailed how Azuca's encapsulation method ensures fast-acting effects (5-15 minutes) and preserves Delta-9 THC, addressin...

Joe Ziolkowski, CEO of Relm Insurance delves into the evolving landscape of insurance for emerging and high-risk industries. They specifically addressed the significant insurance gaps for THC beverages and the prevalent underinsurance within the broader cannabis sector. Ziolkowski highlighted Relm Insurance's strategic diversification within the cannabis market, expanding its operations and ac...

Rama Mayo, the Founder of Hall of Flowers , discussed the upcoming Hall of Flowers events coming to Santa Rosa, California (site of their very first event) as well as hosting their first New York show and its significance for the cannabis industry. Hall of Flowers, a B2B cannabis trade show, has garnered significant praise, particularly for its California events. Rama shares his and his team's...

Cannabis Tax Attorney James B Mann highlights the ongoing frustration within the cannabis industry due to persistent delays in legalization and reform, particularly concerning the SAFER Banking Act and Section 280E. James addresses the perceived ineffectiveness of current lobbying efforts and explores various legal challenges to Section 280E, noting instances where companies have successfully disp...

Blunt Business welcomes Joshua Horn, co-chair of Fox Rothschild's LLP's cannabis law practice. We addressed several key issues impacting the cannabis industry, including the detrimental impact of California's upcoming cannabis tax increase, the challenges posed by the persistent illicit market, and the lack of state enforcement against it. We also addressed the stalled federal reschedu...

Anthony Coniglio, CEO at NewLake Partners returns to discussed a possible shifting to an optimistic outlook on cannabis policy, noting concerns about Rand Paul's efforts to strip hemp language from the agriculture appropriations bill and a proposed DOJ rule classifying cannabis users as "dangerous to society." We also covered DEA Administrator Terrence Cole's confirmation, his stra...

Joshua Bauchner, chair of the Cannabis, Hemp and Psychedelics Practice Group of Mandelbaum Barrett, P.C., discusses the intricacies of medical cannabis use and its legal implications. While some states provide protections for medical cannabis users, federal law does not, limiting the scope of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The inconsistency between state and federal laws creates additi...

Blunt Business welcomes back with Sara Gullickson, founder and CEO of CB Advisors , regarding the current landscape of the cannabis industry. Key topics included the inconsistent regulations across different states, particularly in the Southeast, and the significant challenges faced during Minnesota's cannabis program rollout. Gullickson emphasized the detrimental effects of unregulated hemp-d...

In this episode of Blunt Business, managing partners Ed Brown and Tucker Herndon of Burr & Forman discuss Georgia's sudden move to ban THC-infused drinks and restrict Delta-8 and Delta-9 products. As attorneys specializing in the food and beverage industry, they explore the potential impact on retailers, manufacturers, and the broader Southeast cannabis market. They also delve into the chi...

Thomas Winstanley, EVP, General Manager of Edibles.com discussed the severe implications of Texas Senate Bill 3, which proposes a ban on hemp-derived THC products. He highlighted the bill's flawed reasoning, arguing that it disregards consumer demand for safe THC access and would lead to the closure of thousands of businesses and job losses for tens of thousands of workers. Winstanley criticiz...

Terrence White, CEO and Founder of MONKO and Former Chairman of the I-71 Committee, explores the complex cannabis landscape in Washington D.C. Despite voter approval for legalization through Initiative 71, the Harris Rider restricts a regulated adult-use market, leading to a "gifting" model and lost tax revenue. The discussion delves into potential policy solutions beyond lifting the Rider...

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...