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 conservative states. Meanwhile, Nebraska achieved a significant win with Initiatives 437 and 438, which...

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 social equity applicants and the disparities in access to medical dispensaries. Advertising Inquiries:...

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, emphasizing the need for compliance to maintain consumer trust.  Bryan introduced its Dutchie 2.0...

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, Head of Cannabis Practice at Sax LLP. Polyniak explains the potential benefits and risks of...

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 challenges, including inventory management, supplier relationships, and the evolving landscape of...

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 cannabis real estate market. Their expertise in underwriting credits and properties within this...

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 accounts. He also mentioned partnerships with cities like Desert Hot Springs for tax collection and...

Blunt Business welcomes Angela Pih, the Global Chief Marketing Officer at CCELL, She tells us about the future of CCELL and the cannabis industry as a whole. They emphasized the importance of understanding consumer behavior, the unique dynamics of the cannabis industry, and the vital role of "bud tenders" in retail stores. They also discussed the necessity of improved training and education for bud tenders, consumers, and patients. The conversation further touched on the significance of...

Blunt Business speaks with Connie Pechmann, professor of marketing with UC Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business and an expert in consumer behavior.  She is the lead author of a paper that published in Addiction about research that focuses specifically on the California cannabis retail market, examining purchasing trends and product preferences among young adults (age 21-24) in comparison to older adults (age 25+) from 2018-2021. Connie shared that the University of California, Irvine, has...

Blunt Business explores the multifaceted landscape of the cannabis industry, focusing on both labor challenges and market dynamics with Marc Rodriguez, Co-Founder and CEO of Green Leaf Business Solutions. We delve into the complexities of high employee turnover rates, ongoing unionization efforts, and the critical need for specialized job training within the sector. The conversation also highlights the current state of the market, including delayed investments due to regulatory uncertainty,...

Blaze CEO Chris Violas discussed Blaze’s newly updated retail point-of-sale (POS) system, which was designed with efficiency and user-friendliness in mind. The system offers features that enable front-of-house employees to get trained within five to ten minutes and check inventory levels quickly, which makes it highly intuitive. A key feature of this system is its hardware-agnostic nature, allowing dispensaries to use their existing hardware without needing to invest in new equipment.  The...

Blunt Business welcomes Tucker Herndon, managing partner at Burr & Forman, who addressed the FTC and FDA's issuance of cease and desist letters to companies marketing Delta-8 THC products that mimic children's snacks. This raises compliance concerns with the Federal Trade Commission Act and the Food Drug Act, highlighting the lack of a clear regulatory framework for hemp-derived products. Herndon noted the potential risks of federal oversight that could override state regulations and...

Pete Sahani, the newly appointed CEO of the Blinc Group, is at the forefront of several groundbreaking initiatives aimed at addressing challenges within the cannabis vaping industry. One of the key strategies introduced under his leadership is a revamped supply chain system designed to mitigate issues faced by smaller companies due to long lead times and international shipping disruptions. This innovative strategy allows customers to order smaller quantities without the burden of large...

Blunt Business welcomes Autumn Shelton, co-founder and Chief Financial Officer of Autumn Brands. Shelton shares her journey in cultivating 100% pesticide-free cannabis using beneficial insects to maintain a healthy ecosystem. We explore the recent LA Times investigation exposing widespread pesticide use in California's legal cannabis market and discuss the critical role of responsible cultivation practices. Shelton offers insights into the challenges of transitioning to a pesticide-free...

Larry Scheffler, co-CEO of Planet 13, reveals ambitious plans to propel the cannabis giant into the mainstream limelight through strategic partnerships, innovative product expansion, and aggressive market penetration. Collaborating with UFC star Chito Vera, Planet 13 seeks to fuse its cannabis credibility with a fresh lifestyle brand, tapping into sports, fashion, music, and entertainment realms. This move includes expanding into apparel, accessories, and potentially MMA gear, leveraging the...

Craig Small, Attorney with Clark Hill returns for a discussion on the reclassification of cannabis and its far-reaching ramifications for the firearm industry. We explore the intricate legal conflicts between federal and state cannabis laws and their profound impact on gun owners. Our conversation unveils how reclassifying cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III substance could potentially harmonize federal regulations, eliminating the legal peril for cannabis users who are also firearm...

We speak with Deborah Saneman, the visionary CEO of Wurk. She explores the dynamic rebranding journey of Wurk and the transformative evolution of the cannabis industry over the past decade. Deborah shares her expertise on how data-driven decisions are revolutionizing workforce management and employee benefits in this burgeoning sector. We delve into the challenges and opportunities within the cannabis industry, discussing the potential impact of federal legalization, the importance of robust...

Paul Weaver, Head of Cannabis at Boston Beer Company, takes us through the company's bold venture into the cannabis market with their THC-infused iced tea product, Teapot. Discover how Boston Beer Company's expertise in crafting high-quality teas led to the creation of this refreshing, non-carbonated, ready-to-drink cannabis beverage, available in various blends for different times of the day. In our conversation, Paul shares the strategic growth plans for Teapot, including expanding into new...

We welcome Jay Virdi, Chief Sales Officer for Specialty Practices at HUB International, to discuss the evolving landscape of the cannabis industry and the complex world of cannabis insurance.   Jay discusses the intricacies of interstate commerce limitations and the potential scenarios if neighboring states collaborate on cannabis trade before full federal legalization. They delve into the recent DEA rescheduling of cannabis to Schedule III, its impact on the industry, and the possible...

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 pivotal industry moments like rescheduling reform and safe banking, which play a crucial role in...

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 investors in the cannabis space. Rick Cytrynbaum, Founder and CEO of VIST LABS, a pioneering...

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 experiences, and drive sales. Jeffrey Trappe dives into the world of cannabis retail, revealing...

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 upcoming changes to the classification of cannabis, which would allow for greater scientific research...

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 complexities affecting the industry's trajectory. Advertising Inquiries:...