Blunt Business

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...

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 regulations. 

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 for expanding into ...

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 p...

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 of...

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 specializing in cyber security empha...

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 compliance. He also outlines Zone Vapor...

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 tailoring product offerings to local ...

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 traditional NFT applications by providi...

Blunt Business welcomes back Jonathan Robbins, head of the cannabis practice at Akerman, to talk about the cannabis industry's persistent hurdles, encompassing federal reform, banking complexities, and state-federal law discrepancies. The stalled DEA rescheduling and the need for a revised hemp bill were key points.

Banking challenges, including debanking and prohibitive tax rates, were highlighted, with the Senate's limited...