This insightful interview on CannabisRadio.com's "Blunt Business" podcast features Jeffrey Trappe, Chief Operating Officer of Florida Operations for Planet 13 Holdings Inc. Trappe and the host delve into a wide range of topics surrounding Planet 13's current operations and future plans in the Florida cannabis market. The conversation begins with Trappe's vision for cannabis consumption lounges in Florida, drawing on his experience with Planet 13's successful Las Vegas lounge. He envisions a spac...
Dec 11, 2024•46 min
Travis "Shaggy" Marshall and AK, key players in the Death Row Cannabis operation, sat down for an insightful interview exploring the brand's journey. Shaggy, with his deep roots in the music industry as Snoop Dogg's long-time sound engineer, and AK, a respected legacy cultivator, discussed their roles in transforming the iconic Death Row Records into a multi-faceted brand encompassing cannabis. They emphasized their commitment to quality, highlighting premium products like liquid diamond-infused...
Dec 04, 2024•31 min
Matt Hutchinson discussed LeafLink's new payment on sell-through model, which addresses the $3.8 billion in unpaid bills in the cannabis industry. This model guarantees payment for sold products and provides real-time insights to brands and retailers. It aims to alleviate cash flow issues by aligning cash inflows with outflows. The system is currently available in Michigan, Mississippi, and Colorado, with plans to expand. Hutchinson emphasized the importance of accurate inventory management and ...
Nov 20, 2024•44 min
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 intr...
Nov 13, 2024•38 min
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: http...
Nov 06, 2024•35 min
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 platform, wh...
Oct 30, 2024•57 min
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 utiliz...
Oct 23, 2024•47 min
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 digital...
Oct 16, 2024•32 min
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 uniqu...
Oct 09, 2024•31 min
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 complia...
Oct 02, 2024•43 min
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 authenti...
Sep 25, 2024•37 min
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 a lo...
Sep 18, 2024•29 min
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, the ...
Sep 11, 2024•32 min
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 develo...
Sep 04, 2024•28 min
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 emphasi...
Aug 28, 2024•39 min
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 deposits ...
Aug 21, 2024•35 min
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 approach...
Aug 14, 2024•34 min
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 sta...
Aug 07, 2024•38 min
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 own...
Jul 31, 2024•34 min
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 emp...
Jul 24, 2024•29 min
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 fl...
Jul 17, 2024•41 min
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 effects on ...
Jul 10, 2024•41 min
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 des...
Jul 03, 2024•43 min
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 cannabi...
Jun 26, 2024•23 min
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 the s...
Jun 19, 2024•33 min
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 into...
Jun 12, 2024•35 min
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: https://redcircle.com/brands Privac...
Jun 05, 2024•42 min
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 east c...
May 29, 2024•34 min
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, discussin...
May 22, 2024•44 min
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 st...
May 15, 2024•56 min
