Blunt Business

This episode of Blunt Business explores a significant shift in federal drug policy following a new executive order aimed at accelerating research into psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin, and ibogaine for treating mental health disorders. The newly signed executive order to direct the FDA to fast-track these compounds through new "National Priority" vouchers. Beyond psychedelics, the host discusses the impact of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs (like Ozempic) on the cannabis market, noting that dispensaries are seeing a shift in consumer preference toward lower-dose products to mitigate "the munchies."Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

As the legal landscape evolves, the traditional 4/20 retail boom is showing signs of cooling, with some markets seeing higher sales during the surrounding week than on the holiday itself due to aggressive discounting and operational strain. This shift toward a more mature market coincides with significant legal and scientific developments: the District of Columbia is currently citing federal appellate rulings to defend its licensing framework against constitutional challenges, while recent research highlights that THC can impair memory to the point of creating false recollections. Furthermore, economists warn that while legalization has spurred a wave of innovation, much of it is focused on commercial expansion rather than genuine public health benefits. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The cannabis landscape in Massachusetts and the broader U.S. market is undergoing a significant correction as regulators and major corporations grapple with the industry's economic realities. In a move toward increased oversight and efficiency, a state legislative committee has passed a plan to downsize and restructure the Cannabis Control Commission, signaling a major pivot in how the state manages its legal market. This push for reform arrives at a precarious time for the industry, underscored by the news that a major marijuana Multi-State Operator (MSO) has filed for U.S. bankruptcy protections. These developments highlight a dual trend of tightening governance and financial instability among the sector's largest players, suggesting that the "green rush" is entering a more sober, disciplined era of consolidation and reform. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of The Blunt Business, the discussion dives deep into the complex landscape of the New York cannabis market as it hits its five-year legalization anniversary. While Governor Kathy Hochul lauds the state’s achievement of $3.3 billion in total sales and the opening of its 600th licensed dispensary, the program highlights a more turbulent reality behind the numbers. Industry experts and operators share insights on the "whack-a-mole" battle against a rampant illicit market, the "red tape" and bureaucracy stifling small businesses, and the ongoing struggle to fulfill social equity promises amidst predatory loans and licensing bottlenecks. From critical BBC reports to exclusive interviews with OCM leadership, this summary explores whether New York's green revolution is truly flying high or simply struggling to find its footing.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Blunt Business dives into the shifting landscape of American cannabis, from the halls of Congress to the microscopic world of medical research. We break down the newly proposed CLIMB Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at finally opening major U.S. stock exchanges and private lending to state-sanctioned marijuana businesses. While federal deregulation remains in a "ghost town" phase of waiting for DOJ action, we highlights how these financial hurdles currently stifle minority and veteran-owned entrepreneurs.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Blunt Business tears apart the "bunk" science being weaponized by mainstream outlets like Reuters and The Guardian. By interrogating the raw data behind a widely cited Lancet Psychiatry study, the program exposes a collection of massive research failures—including tiny sample sizes, high risks of researcher bias, and a reliance on pharmaceutical synthetics that bear no resemblance to what consumers actually use. We call out the "misinformation machine" funded by Big Pharma and shifts the focus to the real story: new evidence linking legalization to crime reduction and the definitive countdown to Virginia’s retail market launch in 2027.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

David Spang, co-founder of Coastal Green Wellness, dives deep into the turbulent legislative landscape of the Southeast cannabis market. Spang discusses the high-stakes battle against impending hemp bans in South Carolina, advocating for comprehensive regulation over total prohibition to protect both small businesses and consumer safety. He highlights the human impact of these products—sharing moving stories of how they serve as vital alternatives to pharmaceuticals—and introduces his "out-of-the-box" beverage brand, Nine Dot, which aims to normalize cannabis consumption in social settings. Ultimately, Spang issues a passionate call to action for lawmakers to listen to their constituents and embrace the economic and wellness potential of a transparent, well-regulated hemp industry.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Scot Crow and Benjam Sobczak of Dickinson Wright tare back this week to discuss the industry’s significant $6 billion debt crisis and the necessary survival strategies for compromised companies. The debt crisis is separate from 280E tax liabilities, rooted in market volatility (like the sharp price drop in Michigan) and poor financial projections made by both operators and lenders. For operators facing default, the critical advice is to make an early decision: either cooperate with the lender's efforts or fight, recognizing that fighting carries the high risk of multi-million dollar personal judgment liens due to personal guarantees (PGs) on the loans. Experts stressed that honesty and transparency are paramount; struggling companies must openly communicate their financial position with existing lenders and be upfront with initial equity investors about the likely washout of their investment.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Scot Crow and Benjam Sobczak of the cannabis practice at Dickinson Wright  the impact of federal Schedule III reclassification and the increasing, albeit complex, role of private equity (PE) in the cannabis sector. Experts agreed that moving to Schedule III, while providing significant tax relief through the repeal of Section 280E, would not immediately open the floodgates to traditional banking services or major PE funds due to continued federal illegality and existing 'sin clauses' in investment documents. The current influx of specialized lenders and PE is largely driven by necessity, as distressed operators default on unsustainable loans, forcing lenders to take over assets they cannot easily resell. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Joe Salome, co-founder of The Georgia Hemp Company and Simple Leaf Wellness, and former CMO of Halcyon Organics, is a respected figure in medical cannabis policy, instrumental in the passage of Georgia’s landmark Haleigh's Hope Act (2014) and the 2019 Georgia’s Hope Act.The discussion centers on Salome's personal advocacy, which was ignited after witnessing the therapeutic benefits of cannabis in treating his mother's ovarian cancer, fueling his mission to champion natural alternatives. His legislative work was pivotal in incrementally legalizing low-THC oil access and establishing in-state production and distribution in Georgia.Key topics addressed include the ongoing struggles with federal regulatory clarity regarding hemp, the threat posed by potential bans on hemp extract products to small businesses and the legal market, and the critical need for federal reclassification of cannabis. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week we explore the dual impact of cannabis legalisation and rescheduling—focusing on both the massive financial implications for the industry and emerging scientific research on health benefits.The $2 Billion Tax Windfall The program leads with a deep dive into the potential rescheduling of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. Experts estimate that rescheduling could result in a $2.3 billion tax break, allowing businesses to finally show healthy profit margins, attract traditional investors, and move away from high-risk private capital.Cannabis as a Tool in the Opioid Crisis The discussion then shifts to a significant study from the Boston University School of Public Health. Research indicates that in states where adult-use cannabis is legal, daily opioid use among people who inject drugs fell by 9 to 11 percentage points.Brain Benefits for Older Adults Finally, the episode highlights surprising new research from the University of Colorado regarding cannabis use

After a much-needed hiatus following eight years of consistent broadcasting, Blunt Business has returned in 2026 by reaffirming the show's commitment to raw, unfiltered industry commentary.This "re-launch" episode marks a strategic shift as the program absorbs its companion series, Grassroots Marketing, to create a single, centralized home for long-form interviews and expert insights.The discussion quickly moves to the critical news shaping the year, specifically analyzing the slow and uncertain process of rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III following an executive order by President Trump.From the looming federal hemp ban extension to the cultural surge of THC-infused beverages during "High January," showcases how the industry is pivoting toward mainstream acceptance while still grappling with a dire need for better medical research and physician educationAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Blunt Business discusses the evolving landscape of cannabis banking, where Kevin Hart (CEO of Green Check Verified) explained that financial institutions are increasingly engaging with the sector, driven by data transparency, robust compliance standards, and the realization that there is no codified rule preventing them from doing so.Hart details that Green Check Verified facilitates banking by providing compliance data to financial institutions, enabling services beyond deposit accounts, and anticipated that the potential reclassification of cannabis to Schedule 3 will unlock traditional banking services, reduce capital costs, and attract major players from other industries.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Thomas Winstanley from Edibles.com is back to discuss the critical issue of federally recriminalizing hemp-derived THC products like Delta 8 THC via the congressional spending bill, despite the industry being legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill.Winstanley emphasized the dire economic consequences for farmers, noting that recriminalization would wipe out a $6.6 billion industry, and argued for a six-month extension to the November 2026 deadline to prevent farmers from harvesting useless crops.As a political concession to preserve the category, he suggested a focus on codifying the market with a 5-milligram per serving limit for hemp edibles. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In what is being hailed as a "watershed moment" for the cannabis industry, President Trump has officially signed an executive order to move cannabis from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3 of the Controlled Substances Act. This historic shift, which follows a bipartisan initiation process started by the Biden administration, formally recognizes the plant's medical benefits for the first time in over 50 years. Beyond rescheduling, the order explores directing Medicare to cover CBD products and encourages Congress to pass the Safer Banking Act to grant legal businesses access to traditional financial institutions. Industry experts anticipate the move will eliminate the heavy federal tax burdens of IRS Code 280E, spark a surge in clinical research, and skyrocket institutional investment. While the President emphasized that this is not full federal legalization, the order opens the door for future clemency for non-violent offenders and marks a significant step toward ending the stigma of prohibition.Advertising

Attorney Joshua Bauchner is back to talk about the potential reclassification of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, spurred by reports of an impending executive order from President Trump.While the move is seen as a beneficial step for research, both speakers and the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (Normal) prefer full declassification, expressing concern that reclassification could stall further reform for decades.They also detailed the expected regulatory complexities of a Schedule III move, including the possibility of prescription requirements for dispensaries, as well as the ongoing challenge of creating accurate workplace and roadside impairment tests. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ryan Hurley, founder of Litix Legal, discusses the "full swing market correction" in the Arizona cannabis industry, stressing the critical need for lean, compliant operations for survival. He introduced Litix Legal's model of "killing the billable hour" through flat, subscription-based rates, making legal services more accessible and predictable for businesses burdened by costs like Section 280E. Hurley cautioned that exploiting the intoxicating hemp loophole threatens voter trust and the industry's future. He expressed cautious optimism about federal Schedule III reclassification as a positive step. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Blunt Business speaks with Joel Latham, CEO of Incannex Healthcare (NASDAQ: IXHL), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the use of proprietary combination medicines. Latham breaks down their strategy of fusing synthetic cannabinoids and well-characterized active drug components to target chronic conditions with significant unmet needs, emphasizing a robust intellectual property position and synergistic drug action.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Blunt Business welcomes back Paul Weaver, Director and Head of Cannabis at the Boston Beer Company, to Blunt Business to discuss the expansion of their Emerald Hour cannabis line, which now includes cocktail-inspired THC gummies made with live rosin, launching in Ontario and Alberta following last year's beverage debut. Paul explained the company’s bifurcated cannabis strategy, focusing on Teapot for mainstream consumers and Emerald Hour for experienced users, capitalizing on the gummy category's larger market size compared to beverages. We also covered the market validation of cannabis beverages, the high-growth demographics of younger consumers and women driving sales, and the importance of national regulation—rather than prohibition—for a sustainable industry amidst challenges from groups like the Beer Institute.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jackson Rund, a recipient of the DaySavers Higher Potential Scholarship and co-founder of Higher State Brands, shared his journey in the cannabis industry. He overcame felony charges at 17 to pursue his passion, earning dual bachelor's degrees in cannabis chemistry and business. Rund's company, Higher State Brands, focuses on technology and beverages, including dispensary software and a hemp-derived protein drink, aiming to position cannabis as a wellness product. He advocates for student voices and university partnerships in cannabis research. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy