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, which aims to enhance the customer experience, drive revenue, and streamline operations, with a focus on compliance and advanced payment solutions. The conversation also explored the ongoing DEA rescheduling process, potential policy changes like the MORE Act and Safe Banking Act, and the differing approaches of Democratic and Republican-led states.

Additionally, optimism about upcoming state ballot measures in Ohio and Pennsylvania was expressed, alongside recognition of hurdles in more conservative regions.

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 utilizing the 471C tax code provision, which allows small businesses to deduct certain inventory costs but can also trigger IRS audits if not applied carefully.

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 marketing. BJ also shared insights on the potential changes in cannabis advertising with the possible rescheduling of cannabis, outlining both opportunities and obstacles ahead.

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 unique industry, coupled with potential regulatory changes like the reclassification of cannabis, positions them for continued success.

The potential shift in tax regulations could lead to substantial savings for cannabis operators, potentially exceeding half a billion dollars across the sector. Such savings could bolster balance sheets, attract new investors, and positively impact the net present value of future cash flows, making the cannabis business more attractive to the investment community.

The recent Federal Reserve rate cut, while potentially premature, could signal further reductions in borrowing costs, potentially fueling investment in the cannabis sector. While challenges persist in the industry due to factors like overbuilding and pricing pressures, the long-term growth trajectory remains strong, particularly in states like Ohio and Florida.

New Lake Capital Partners emphasizes the importance of due diligence for investors, highlighting the need to scrutinize a company's balance sheet and debt load before making investment decisions. Their strategic approach to real estate investment, combined with in-depth industry knowledge and the potential for regulatory and economic shifts, solidifies their position as a leader in the dynamic cannabis landscape.

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 compliance, and the potential for future lending services. The app, available on Apple and Google, is designed to streamline payments and tax processes, offering a more secure and efficient alternative to cash transactions.

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 authenticity and brand meaning, the rapid pace of change in the cannabis industry, and the potential for disruptive brands and companies.

Angela also spoke about her new role at CCELL, where she'll be focusing on the non-plant touching side of the business, expressing excitement about developing new standards and exploring new opportunities to support CCELL's customers in the cannabis industry. Their ongoing efforts to drive consumer education and awareness were also discussed, with an emphasis on creating effective marketing campaigns that can be measured for their impact. In addition, they discussed the evolution of vape cartridge and battery technology, highlighting CCELL's significant investment in research and development. Angela confirmed her intention to visit CCELL's facilities to ensure the devices are properly calibrated and maintained for safety.

A key focus of the discussion was CCELL's new Vision Box series technology, designed to address the common issues of burnt taste and clogging in vape devices. The Vision Box incorporates anti-burn and anti-clogging technology to ensure a safe and enjoyable consumption experience. Angela explained the anti-burn technology shuts the device off if it reaches an unsafe temperature, while the anti-clogging feature prevents oil leakage. The company's commitment to sustainability was also emphasized, showcasing devices that consume less energy and a campaign promoting recycling.

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 long-standing center for research in cannabis, and she wanted to reach a broader audience by publishing her findings in Addiction. She also revealed that her research was funded by a grant from the Bureau of Cannabis Control in California, which allowed her team to obtain data from retailers without having to purchase cannabis for research purposes.

Connie also discussed the analysis of a large dataset on retail sales, focusing on the purchasing patterns of customers with loyalty cards. They noted that this approach allowed them to study legal sales without the complications of obtaining permission to use products on human subjects. They also touched on the issue of obtaining products for research due to legal restrictions, with Connie clarifying that their campus does not cultivate cannabis. The conversation then shifted to the research conducted on the effects of cannabidiol and THC on driving performance, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and stress responses among older adults.

Connie also discussed the challenges and progress of research on cannabis. Connie explained that while research papers are published in journals as soon as possible, studies involving human subjects are facing delays due to bureaucratic hurdles and the need for extensive oversight.

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 ongoing consolidation of businesses, and the significant growth potential in emerging markets, particularly those legalizing adult-use cannabis. Additionally, experts touch on the potential impact of federal rescheduling and the subsequent tax benefits for companies. The dialogue underscores the dynamic nature of the cannabis industry, emphasizing the need for businesses to adapt and innovate in order to thrive amidst a rapidly evolving landscape.