Blunt Business

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

Josh Kesselman and Scheril Powell discuss the new RAW seeds fellowship for legacy cannabis operators. RAW Rolling Papers (BBK/HBI), the independent international brand of high-quality rolling papers and smoking innovations, announced today a donation of $100,000 to The JUSTÜS Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to facilitating the entry of legacy cannabis operators to the legal cannabis market.The RAW Seeds Fellowships aim to provide opportunity to legacy cannabis operators - those involved in the cannabis industry prior to its legalization - who are trying to navigate the new, legal market.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We speak with George Jage, best known for producing the bi-annual MJ Unpacked Conference, one of the most influential cannabis events of its kind that places passionate cannabis retailers, brands, and accredited investors at the center of it all, with unique opportunities to connect, collaborate and access capital. We also the conference's commitment to social equity and their upcoming Fall 2023 event in Detroit, Michigan, from October 10th through 12th at the Motorcity Casino Hotel.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Maryland is becoming the 23rd state to legally sell adult-use cannabis. About 100 stores that already have been licensed to sell cannabis for medicinal purposes have begun selling it recreationally, more than five years after the state started selling medical marijuana. Today we talk about the changes in Maryland is one of those dispensary owners, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Remedy Maryland. Brandon Barksdale.Remedy Maryland is on a mission to give Maryland’s registered Medical Cannabis patients a curated selection of the highest quality, most effective, and clean products available today. And they do it all in a safe, welcoming, and comfortable environment; that’s why they’re Maryland’s leading cannabis dispensary.Cannabis today is much like acupuncture when founder Bob Duggan crisscrossed the globe to bring understanding and legitimacy to natural healing. Unfortunately, cannabis is a stigmatized plant, despite its growing acceptance and legality, but, like their founder, they believe knowledge is healing,

Ricardo Baca is a 20-year veteran journalist and cannabis futurist, widely respected in both modern media and drug-policy circles. He was appointed The Denver Post’s first-ever cannabis editor in 2013 and founded the news vertical The Cannabist, where he extensively covered the advent of the U.S. adult-use cannabis market and related issues around the world, as seen in the feature documentary Rolling Papers.We talk to Ricardo about the intersection of cannabis and psychedelics based on his observations attending the 2023 Psychedelic Science Conference in Denver. We also talk about the positive media coverage from the likes of Rolling Stone and Vice about the event and how that compares to the critical coverage cannabis gets. We also discuss the paths of legalization with psychedelics getting leverage by needing only FDA approval for each treatment while cannabis needs policymakers. We also discuss Ricardo’s appointment as a board member to the Natural Medicine Advisory Board in Colorado under the leadership o

We discuss Cannabis Attractions and Exhibits to Visit with April Arrasate  the Executive Director, Core Social Justice Cannabis Museum, and Founder & CEO of Seed Dispensary in Boston. We also hear from the Co-Founder of The House of Cannabis, Robert Frey. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Our next guest has 25 years of experience working in the food and beverage industry and has guided multiple startups from concept to table and shelf. Her expertise is in the intersection between food, science, and technology. She entered the cannabis industry in 2015 and is known for being a provocative thought leader in the realms of the future of food and cannabis consumable innovations.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today we catch up with Chris Chiari about his work on Denver’s historic Patterson Inn, the keystone of The 420 Hotels portfolio. We discuss the obstacles to building up cannabis hospitality and what the upcoming Las Vegas consumption lounges are currently dealing with.  Chris Chiari is a driven entrepreneur and award-winning film producer with a wealth of experience in corporate strategy and regional politics. Skilled in marketing and messaging, he has engaged exclusively with the cannabis industry since 2011 and is a tireless advocate for cannabis policy reform and fostering industry growth. Chris owns and operates Denver’s historic Patterson Inn, the keystone of The 420 Hotels portfolio. As CEO, he uses his expertise in hospitality, operations, and community outreach to address the stigmas and ignorance that still exist around cannabis use while creating a unique and upscale environment for cannabis consumption. With a deep appreciation for the power of collaboration, Chris has built a wide-ranging network

Our next guests represent a widely recognized cannabis line of flowers, G-pens, exclusive merch, and lifestyle products, that recently announced a partnership positioned to take the brand on its way to global expansion, and its products are set to be sold at top dispensaries across the nation gaining access to 22 states and 15 countries.The announcement from last November we prefaced at the top of the show was that Gumbo Brands would now be sold by Cookies. Karim said, “Uniting Cookies and Gumbo just made sense—we all share the same values when it comes to helping others, producing quality products, and expanding our footprint, while still keeping it true to the culture.” We talk about connecting with Berner to make this relationship.Gumbo Brands also hosted a sold-out 4/20 Gumbo Pop-up and live concert in Elizabeth, New Jersey, marking the first-ever 420 market and concert. Our guests had vendors showcased various cannabis-infused products and strains, food vendors, and a live concert with Chinese Kitty, Lol

Khari Edwards is an experienced leader in healthcare and government. During his 25 years of public service, Khari worked for several elected officials, non-profit organizations, and city agencies with a dedicated focus on strengthening communities by advocating and addressing racial, health, and civic disparities.He most recently ran for Brooklyn Borough President after serving 8 years as the Vice President of External Affairs at Brookdale Hospital Medical Center – the hospital’s first Vice President of color. Khari has also served as the Brooklyn Council President for Make-A-Wish New York, where he led a two-year campaign to enlist volunteers to enroll over 400 wish granters for children in Brooklyn.As Ayr’s Head of Corporate Responsibility, Khari is responsible for providing strategic leadership and advancing Ayr’s commitment toward being a Force for Good by creating a culture of inclusion and providing avenues of opportunity in the cannabis industry.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivac

Today we welcome back a guest, CEO, and Co-Founder of Simplifya Marion Mariathasan, who appeared on the program in May 2020 during the peak of COVID. He manages the cannabis industry’s leading regulatory and operational compliance software platform. Under RMA, eligible cannabis operators can easily opt in and take advantage of best-in-class insurance coverage and services with partner carriers and brokers. They can also access industry-leading compliance tool Simplifya services as well as have the majority of the cost paid for, which will help businesses stay compliant and up-to-date with ever-changing state regulations – a crucial step in ensuring financial strength and consumer safety.The new offering brings qualifying cannabis operators working with participating RMA insurance carriers and/or brokers to receive 70% off the cost of Simplifya’s core suite of operational and regulatory compliance solutions – paid for by participating RMA insurance carriers and brokers. Simplifya customers are also eligible to

Our next guest is an entrepreneur, investor, and corporate dealmaker with more than a decade of experience building and scaling businesses personally and professionally. She has presented alongside Tony Robbins in the U.S. and Canada and has six cannabis licenses that are minority or women-owned. She has more than a decade of experience building and scaling businesses, including a tech platform and turnkey retail model tailored to the cannabis industry. MJBizDaily recently wrote that the cannabis industry is expected to endure more layoffs and pain in 2023 – and perhaps beyond – after a tough year marked by companies cutting hundreds of employees amid falling wholesale prices and slowing demand.Sara was interviewed for an article by Cannabis and Tech Today about how while the cannabis market expands worldwide with new strains, upstart cannabis manufacturers, and many established entities, the need for cannabis companies to differentiate themselves is immediate. She said that people involved in the cannabis wo

Paul Dunford is Co-founder and VP of Knowledge at Green Check Verified. Paul has extensive experience leading digital transformation initiatives predominantly in the healthcare and retail verticals. Previously he was retained by a Fortune 100 insurance company to design and implement a sophisticated solution for managing their field sales teams. At Green Check, Paul leads the compliance team that designs cannabis banking programs for financial institutions. Paul is an active member of the cannabis banking regulatory community, contributing to trade publications and speaking virtually and in person across the country on the subject.Established in 2017, Green Check Verified brought together leaders in banking, compliance, and technology to build a company that enables financial institutions to safely and successfully offer services to the legal cannabis industry by utilizing best-in-class technology solutions and advisory services.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https:/

Our next guest is a nationally recognized marketer with a background in cannabis, fashion, beauty, and wellness. She is recognized among Green Entrepreneur's list of "Top 25 Cannabis Brands that Killed it in Marketing in 2019 and has been awarded three Cannabis CLIO Awards. Before joining Statehouse Holdings, Angela led a dynamic team across marketing, research and development, and scientific affairs, she launched two new brands, introduced 70 new products, and directed an existing portfolio of 12 brands at CannaCraft. StateHouse Holdings Inc. recently joined the Cannabis Research Coalition, a collaborative research partnership between The Hemp Mine and Clemson University. The partnership will address cannabis cultivation and postharvest challenges.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Angela Mays, CEO and Founder of the Blunt Accountant runs an innovative cannabis accounting firm that works with new licensees and new plant-touching business owners to help them become IRS compliant. She created CannAccounting in a Box™, a turnkey accounting solution designed for newly licensed plant-touching startups to ensure they are IRC 280E compliant and audit-ready before they open their doors. CannAccounting in a Box™ is part of a comprehensive set of cannabis accounting services The Blunt Accountant™ developed to help plant-touching canna-business owners better manage their accounting operations. CannAccounting in a Box™ is a proprietary solution that gives canna-business owners the tools they need to set up IRC 280E-compliant accounting operations. The solution is based on the three audit areas the IRS will focus its audits. The goal is to make sure a new business is IRC 280E compliant before generating the first sale.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://

Qredible Transparency, Integration, and Quality for Cannabis, CBD, and Hemp as we talk with their CEO, Brian Fitzpatrick. Qredible is a cloud-based platform for transparency, integration, and quality in the Hemp, CBD, and Legalized Marijuana supply chain.Brian Fitzpatrick is the chairman and CEO of Qredible and has been a CEO and Executive Leader of software and related platform companies for over 25 years. His specialty is innovative cloud-based software that solves complex industry issues using advanced technologies like machine learning, robotic process automation, and blockchain.Brian explains: "A CBD company owner was literally in tears when she saw how our platform helps her to stand out in a crowded space and that our only mission is promoting trust and transparency. She was amazed that we don't take revenue from her when a consumer or wholesale buyer finds her on the Qredible platform." He told her that "this would be a conflict of interest". Qredible's goal is to vet and verif