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 Jersey for medicinal purposes. Robert highlighted his firm's emphasis on serving clients in the...

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 Sachs to co-founding ventures like Atlas Mara. We delve into his foray into cannabis investments,...

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 messaging by Smart and Safe Florida. They contrasted failed ballot initiatives with Smart and Safe's...

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 rise in vaping products in cannabis sales, with projections of vaping reaching up to 50% of retail...

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 280E tax burdens, and the impact of rising interest rates. They explore underwriting requirements, lines...

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 tackle the ongoing debate surrounding the licensing process in Minnesota. With the proposed changes...

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 management alternatives, with two trials approved, was discussed. Neff also detailed brelixi's customizable...

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 health, consumption patterns, and indigenous communities. They also discuss the challenges and...

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 government's recent analysis acknowledging the medical uses of marijuana, but also emphasized the need...

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, and responsible and equitable enforcement strategies to encourage consumers and businesses to...

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 regulatory obstacles. We also debate the impact of scheduling marijuana on businesses and public health,...

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 payment solutions and loyalty programs to drive industry growth. We go through Cannabis industry gift...

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://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 to social equity in the cannabis industry. Discover how some MSOS could take advantage of...

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 peculiarities of Minnesota's cannabis program, Mr. Standa sheds light on social equity licensing, the need...

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 such as social equity licensing, obstacles faced in obtaining cannabis licenses in New York, and...

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 cannabis landscape. Located near the Decatur Conference Center and Interstate 72, this new...

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 cognitive decline, cancer, chronic pain, depression, diabetes, insomnia, and headaches. Discover the effort...

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. Sullivan provides a sneak peek into the exciting sessions lined up, covering topics such as the...

Blunt Business welcomes back Arthur de Cordova, CEO & Co-Founder of Ziel, who takes us on a journey through the remarkable advancements since our last encounter, specifically highlighting APEX 7. This seventh-generation technology stands as an organic natural kill step, effectively annihilating harmful bacteria in cannabis with minimal THC loss and an impressive 3x throughput compared to competitors. Join us as we explore the fascinating evolution of APEX and the introduction of Ziel's...

Blunt Business delves into the concept of Fractional CMOs and Prioritizing Marketing Strategy and Execution with Laurie Parfitt, CEO & Principal: of LKP Impact Consulting.  Laurie works with cannabis and consumer products companies on brand strategy/design, consumer insights, and commercial go-to-market strategy. Parfitt’s background includes experience in large-scale, integrated cross-channel marketing and experience campaigns, including a background in traditional marketing, category...

Blunt Business reflects the ongoing congressional gridlock of federal legalization efforts and the need for more voices to reach a larger public to counteract the constant attacks made by lobbying efforts and the negative media coverage. We also look forward to the pending DEA schedule change and what it will bring to the industry in 2024. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Cannabis Podcasts Compared and Contrasted and the pressing subjects as we speak with Sean Hocking, owner of the Karma Koala Podcast and Cannabis Law Report, National Interdisciplinary Cannabis Symposium.  Sean Hocking boasts a rich and accomplished career spanning over 25 years in the professional and legal publishing, as well as bookselling industry. His journey began in the late 80s when he took his first steps behind the counter at the Aus Law Book Company Bookshop. Demonstrating...

Todd Davis, CEO of the Index Corporation and founder of CBD Unlimited, discusses the journey of getting CBD products into major drugstores and the challenges faced along the way. He emphasizes the importance of hiring the right people and collaborating with mass retail buyers to pave the way for CBD products to be accepted on store shelves. Todd also highlights the difficulties of advertising CBD products due to strict regulations and the limitations of social media platforms. Despite these...