Blunt Business

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/brandsPrivacy & 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 dedication and ambition, Sean quickly progressed in his career, taking on the roles of Manager and salesperson for Sydney's indie legal bookseller, "Point of Law," during the early 90s.In 1996, Sean's career took an international turn as he ventured to London to serve as the Sales Manager for Legalease (UK) until 1999. Returning to Sydney in late 1999, he embarked on an entrepreneurial endeavor, founding Australia's inaugural independent legal news and legal book-selling website, "Excata." Sean's inno

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 challenges, CBD Unlimited has become a leading brand in the industry, with a high rebuy rate and a strong presence in major retailers. Todd also discusses the acquisition of Hyla, a non-nicotine vape company, and the potential growth of the CBD and vape markets.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Blunt Business welcomes Keshawn Warner, the co-founder of Dazed Cannabis who Went From originally Being Arrested For Cannabis To Leading A Multi-Million Dollar Dispensary in Dazed Cannabis. Taking cues from legendary hip-hop moments, the atmosphere and branding of Dazed Cannabis infuse old-school vibes with bright and modern elements. From dope merch, curated playlists, celebrity-hosted events, and meet & greets, the brand is bridging the gap between cannabis, entertainment, art, and music. Dazed is a space where you can unwind, have a great time, and connect with like-minded individuals.Dazed Cannabis is on the precipice of a major brand expansion, with three new dispensaries opening across New York City and Massachusetts this Fall. Additionally, the brand has several collaborations upcoming with like-minded brands across multiple vertices from art, to streetwear, to cannabis. Watch this space.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Katie Neer, Of Counsel at Dickinson & Avella joins us on Blunt Business to discuss New York State and Their Cannabis Compliance Challenges. We go in-depth on a NY Cannabis Insider investigation which found labs were reportedly breaking rules for reporting pesticides and other contaminants as well as companies misreporting numbers and selling cannabis that has failed tests.We also talk about the education, training, and licensing of social equity applicants and the possibilities that legacy operators can have to participate. Katie is an attorney with a leading New York government affairs law firm, where she assists dozens of clients on NY regulatory compliance issues in heavily regulated industries, including cannabis, gaming, and financial services.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

DC Legacy Operators Fight for Cannabis Legalization and Social Equity. Today to dive into this our guest is Terence White, the CEO and founder of the cannabis lifestyle brand Monko and the chairman of the I 71 Committee. We'll be discussing the unique challenges and opportunities of operating a cannabis business in Washington, DC, and the implications for the wider industry.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jesse Channon, Chief Commercial Officer of the Cannabist Company, discusses the recent rebranding of the company and its plans for national growth. The company, formerly known as Columbia Care, has changed its name to Cannabist to better reflect its focus on the cannabis industry. Channon explains that the rebranding represents a shift from a medical-focused brand to a more retail-oriented brand that serves a diverse consumer base. The company plans to consolidate its retail brands under the Cannabist banner and provide a consistent and innovative retail experience for customers. Channon also discusses the challenges and opportunities in the cannabis industry, including the need for product consistency and the potential impact of federal legalization.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

One of the major challenges faced by the legal cannabis industry in New York is the presence of a thriving illicit market. To discuss this we have a special guest, Jason Little, the lead of the cannabis practice team at Feral Fritz. As of October 4th, the State of New York has opened up the license application window once again. This time, there are five license types available: Cultivator, Processor, Distributor, Retail Dispensary, and Micro Business. Jason Little explains the background behind this decision.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Pure Spectrum CBD Plays Ball with a Major League Baseball Team as we speak with their CEO Daniel Huerter. The Kansas City Royals are now one of the first MLB teams to officially partner with Pure Spectrum CBD. The new section of Kauffman Stadium isn’t just about cooling down. It’s also a new spot for Royals fans to learn about Dan Huerter’s Pure Spectrum CBD. Pure Spectrum will have ambassadors at the site to educate fans for free during all the Royals home games.Plus, we have a great discussion on How Branding Is Much More Than Just Marketing with Andreas (“Dre”) Neumann, Jushi Holdings’ Chief Creative Director and GRAMMY® award winner. Dre is the Chief Creative Director of Jushi Holdings and has been at the forefront of advertising, branding, entertainment, and technology for the last three decades. In addition to being a known and respected leader in the creative and technology arenas, Dre is known for his photography and work with artists such as Queens of the Stone Age, Iggy Pop, Foo Fighters, ZZ Top, Le

Lift Conferences and Expos Expands Into The United States and we learn more from their Director of Marketing Lisa Petty. The Lift Expo has been a staple in the Canadian cannabis scene since 2016, bringing different aspects of the industry together for networking, education, and merry-making at their annual Toronto and Vancouver events. The Expo has undergone several changes over the years, with new ownership and branding and, like all large events, a hiatus during COVID. The event remains the same industry staple, though, with people from across Canada flocking to those two cities to ensure they don’t miss out. The Lift Expo was initially a part of Lift Cannabis (and briefly Lift & Co), an online news and review site for the industry, from 2014 to 2020. The Expo was purchased by a new owner in 2020, MCI Group, an international leader in event management. Following a hiatus due to COVID restrictions, the Lift Expo returned to Toronto in late 2021 and May 2022, followed by Vancouver in January 2023. Lift

Mike McDonald is President at Dablicator and how their patented oil applicator continues to connect with more brands. Experienced in consumer products manufacturing, finance, marketing, and sales, Mike has guided Ammonite’s rapid development from a start-up to one of the most innovative hardware platforms in the cannabis industry.Originally created by one of California’s leading cannabis brands, Dablicator partners with vertically integrated operators and premium extract brands to deliver the easiest, most versatile way to experience cannabis. Their patented Dablicator™ oil applicator is designed to replace a messy syringe and is ideal for all oil types including live rosin, solventless, live resin, RSO, distillate, hemp CBD, and more. The Dablicator brand partner program provides a turnkey solution with fully brandable hardware, packaging, and marketing materials that drive product innovation and accretive retail revenue with your brand and your oil.Dr. Jim Woody, CEO and Director of 180 Life Sciences, a cli

Millennial environmental trailblazer Eloisa Lewis is this generation’s fiercest champion and a changemaker. A climate scientist and founder of New Climate Culture, Lewis leads a think tank that designs “disaster-proof” human environments using biomimicry and low-cost, high-yield protocols. With so much knowledge to impart with a distinct sense of urgency, Lewis is a frequent speaker at global events on topics ranging from redesigning and rewilding built environments to the future of psychedelics (The National Psychedelic Conference 2022) to the role of permaculture in preventing natural disasters (Natural Disasters Expo 2023). https://www.newclimateculture.com/Dr. Safiya Lyn-Lassiter recently joined the interesting debate focusing on the effectiveness of medicinal marijuana (MMJ) use among Florida residents. As an advocate of MMJ, she created a user-friendly website (www.askdoctorlyn.com) to identify, evaluate, and recommend MMJ for qualifying patients.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivac

Blunt Business is joined by David Nathan MD, Founder, Past President, and Current Board Member for Doctors for Cannabis Regulation (DFCR). David founded the Doctors for Cannabis Regulation, the first national physicians’ association dedicated to the legalization and effective regulation of cannabis in the United States. We learn how, prominent public health, social justice, and patient advocacy groups, are compelling cannabis policymakers and regulators from the U.S. and around the world to adopt a universal International Intoxicating Cannabinoid Product Symbol (IICPS) for all cannabis product packaging.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Blunt Business welcomes back Larry Scheffler to update us on their recent membership interest purchase agreement to acquire all of the ownership interests of VidaCann, LLC. giving Planet 13 30 Florida stores plus a state-of-the-art Cultivation and processing facility with the capacity to supply up to 60 dispensaries. We also learn more about their first Nevada State Consumption Lounge License.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The burgeoning cannabis industry, once heralded as a beacon of economic growth and innovation, is now facing a significant red flag that bears striking similarities to the legal action taken against the creators of RoundUp. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) once cannabis is federally legalized could launch into a formal investigation into pesticide use in the cannabis industry amid mounting concerns over potential health risks and environmental damage.The EPA's eventual inquiry focuses on the utilization of pesticides in cannabis cultivation, which would echo the landmark legal battles waged against RoundUp's manufacturer, Monsanto, in the previous decade. While the cannabis industry has experienced explosive growth and widespread legalization in recent years, the regulatory framework surrounding pesticide use has struggled to keep pace.The EPA could allege that some commonly used pesticides in the cannabis sector pose serious threats to human health and the environment.The EPA's inqu

Introducing MAISON BLOOM All-Natural Hemp-Based THC Elevated Seltzers: A Revolutionary Craft Cannabis BeverageMAISON BLOOM, renowned for its position as a premium craft cannabis beverage beloved by bartenders and mixologists, proudly announces the launch of MAISON BLOOM All-Natural Hemp-Based THC Elevated Seltzers. This release marks an evolution from the brand's established lineage of Strain Specific, Whole Plant, Single Barrel craft cannabis beverages, showcasing an artful fusion of botanical alchemy. Crafted with an exclusive blend of all-natural hemp-based delta-9 THC, THCV, CBD, CBG, CBN, and a proprietary botanical terpene blend, these seltzers epitomize innovation and elevated craftsmanship.With its pioneering spirit, MAISON BLOOM redefines everyday experiences as the world's first purveyor of craft cannabis-infused beverages. Driven by a commitment to transform well-being and recreation, the brand masterfully combines the enchantment of plant magic with culinary ingenuity. This dedication shin

We discuss Cannabis Equipment Challenges and Compliance Issues, including AI integration and automation and more. We speak with David Mantey, editor-in-chief of Cannabis Equipment News Host of the Cannabis Equipment News Podcast, and Editorial Director of Digital Media at Industrial MediaDavid is the Editorial Director of Digital Media at Industrial Media, a publishing company that owns some of the most recognized websites in the manufacturing industry, including Industrial Equipment News, which has been around since 1933, Manufacturing Business Technology, Manufacturing.net, and Food Manufacturing.Millions of manufacturing professionals consume Industrial Media content, including manufacturing industry news, deals, insights, product reviews, user reports, and more, monthly, using it to save time and money when researching machinery and accessories and make the best decisions for their manufacturing businesses.David has been covering the design engineering and manufacturing industries for 15+ years and is res

Nidhi Handa, founder and CEO of LEUNE, discusses her experience in brand building and marketing, and how it led her to start her own cannabis lifestyle brand. She shares her insights on the importance of understanding the consumer and challenging gender stereotypes in the industry. Nidhi also explains how LEUNE's neutral packaging and universal branding appeal to a wide audience.Nidhi Handa is the founder and CEO of LEUNE, a California-based lifestyle brand that aims to redefine the narrative surrounding cannabis culture. With a background in luxury brand communications and working with influencers and talent, Nidhi brings a unique perspective to the cannabis industry.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We speak with Ben York, the CEO of Genetica, the Kansas City-based tech company behind Flora AI and their new advanced AI solution, Flora Match. The Flora Match platform, designed specifically for the cannabis and CBD industries, offers personalized product recommendations based on an analysis of over 650 million data points, including product components, customer lifestyle factors, and desired effects.Ben explains that by bridging the data gap, brands can benefit from a more holistic understanding of their consumer base, and consumers can find products that best cater to their needs. This partnership signifies a significant step towards a future where technology and retail merge to provide a seamless, personalized, and efficient cannabis shopping experience.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We discuss California Cannabis Flower Testing with Myron Ronay, Co-founder and CEO of BelCosta Labs. Myron Ronay is the Co-founder and CEO of BelCosta Labs. Myron founded the lab in 2017, with the mission of providing the highest quality, dependable, and timely cannabis testing and analytical services. He has played a vital role in implementing the lab's testing methodology and service offerings, helping BelCosta become one of the most trusted names in lab testing for the cannabis industry and the leading lab for all California cannabis flower testing. We also talk about Pest Management, Organic Pesticides, and More For Cannabis and Hemp with Aaron Appleby, Owner of White Coat Laboratories.Aaron recently Spoke on "Understanding Cannabis Ecology to Better Manipulate Secondary Metabolites and Pest Populations" at NoCo Hemp Expo 2023. Recognizing the lack of research and dissemination of information from universities and extension agents to the cannabis industry, Aaron created White Coat Laboratories