Blunt Business

Jason Little, Lead of The Cannabis Practice Team at Farrell Fritz, returns to discuss the recent federal appeals court ruling that New York State's cannabis licensing criteria, which excluded individuals with federal or out-of-state cannabis convictions from receiving priority, were likely unconstitutional.

They also discussed how tariffs impact the cannabis industry and how potential federal tax...

Blunt Business welcomes Darren Gleeman, author of "The Cannabis ESOP Architect," to discuss how Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) offer a revolutionary, IRS-approved, zero-tax exit strategy for cannabis businesses, making the 280E tax irrelevant.

Darren explained that ESOPs are the only significant M&A activity in the cannabis sector, fostering employee engagement and retention by tu...

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 and de...

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, addressing common inconsistencies in traditi...

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 achieving 50-state Managing General A...

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 connection to New York City and prov...

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 disputed its application and received ta...

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 rescheduling of cannabis...

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 strategic prioritie...

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 additional challenges for both employers ...

Blunt Business welcomes back Nishant Reddy to talk about the launch of Phases and Smack Studios as extensions of A Golden State, aiming for approachable pricing while maintaining quality across vaporizers, edibles, and infused pre-rolls.

Nishant highlighted the challenges in California's cannabis market due to taxation and regulation, but noted the success of their brands due to a focus on quali...

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-derived cannabinoi...

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 chilling effect on innovation, legal cha...

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. Winstanle...

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, including replicating Maryland'...

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, using Texas and Georgia as case stu...

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 provide transparency and connect wi...

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 highligh...

Barbara Vaughn, Founder and CEO of Cannabicity and co-founder Stefan Sanzi discuss the 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 guidance, and fund...