Blunt Talk

Welcome to Blunt Talk 2.0! In this episode, you'll get to know our co-hosts Rami and Brit, and the stories of their personal connection to the world of weed.

Blunt Talk host Brit Smith describes what CBD is, its legal status, and what former Patriots player Rob Gronkowski is doing to support its use across professional sports.

Patriots Star Rob Gronkowski announces his advocacy for CBD as a pain and recovery medication, and calls on governing bodies of US Sports to rethink their stance on the hemp and marijuana extract.

We are back! This week Brit checks in on some of the summer marijuana news we missed with Dr Marion McNabb and Randy MacAffrie, Ann Brum, and Stephen Mandile. We're talking rules on hemp and CBD, new marijuana bills in congress, results so far from their study on how veterans use cannabis, and info about the next Cannabis Advancement Series Event in Lynn MA on 8/22.

WBZ News Radio Anchor Nichole Davis speaks to Presidential Candidate and NJ Senator Cory Booker about his legislation "The Marijuana Justice Act." If it passes, it would remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act and expunge low level marijuana-related offenses.

Seven months after the first Rec Cannabis sales on the east coast, Brit talks to Jen Miller, Director of Operations for Cultivate Dispensary in Leicester MA, about transitioning from the retail industry to work in cannabis as a new grad.

Harvard Cannabis Specialist Dr Jordan Tishler of InhaleMD talks to Brit about what we know about how marijuana affects Post Traumatic Stress. With a focus on veterans' health, Dr Tishler discusses his experience working as a VA emergency room doctor, a cannabis specialist, and what the studies say on the efficacy of cannabis for PTSD,

Brit talks to Presidential Candidate/Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton, about the three veteran related medical marijuana bills he just reintroduced. Congressman Moulton talks about his own bouts with PTSD, the lack of access to MMJ for veterans across the nation, the push for more cannabis research, and the possibility of educating VA doctors on medical marijuana practices.

Brit talks to the CEO of AmeriCann, Tim Keogh, and the CEO of Bask Medical Dispensary, Chapman Dickerson, about the newly completed 30,000 square foot cannabis greenhouse on the southern Massachusetts coast. AmeriCann is the publicly traded agricultural tech company behind the building of the million sq.ft of grow space in Freetown MA, and Bask is going to be the first cannabis company to move in and scale up.

Brit talks to Naomi Martin, one of the newest additions to The Boston Globe's Cannabis Reporting team. Naomi discusses her background, the Globe's recent investigative report on the Hidden Titans of Pot, what her reporting might signal about the future of marijuana in MA, and best practices for other cannabis reporters to consider.

Brit talks to the guys behind the canna-comedy shows at the Boston's Improv Asylum in the North End. Andy, Joey and Billy tell us what it takes to run Lit Night, High Hamlet, and why one audience member decided to join in by smoking some mayonnaise.

Brit talks to Ashlyn Plunket, the Executive Director of Programs for Sira Naturals, about the early days of working for a brand new legal marijuana company, and how you can use the skills you already have and translate them into a new career in cannabis. Ashlyn also discusses Sira's Accelerator Startup Program and the upcoming Cannabiz educational event in Milford MA.

Brit talks to George Groccia of Future Farm Technologies about the implications of the 2018 Farm Bill and its provision that federally legalized hemp across the U.S. Discussion includes hemp vs. marijuana cultivation, the hemp industry, CBD product manufacturing, and the new opportunities for farmers.

Brit talks to Niambe McIntosh, the youngest daughter of late reggae legend Peter Tosh, the guitarist for Bob Marley and The Wailers. Niambe tells the moving story of how the War on Drugs has impacted her family, putting her brother Jawara behind bars where he suffered a brutal attack that left him in a coma. Brit and Niambe discuss prison reform, the progress of cannabis laws in Massachusetts, and opportunities for education and activism through the Peter Tosh Foundation. Happy International Peter Tosh Day 2019!

Brit talks to legendary cannabis activist, cultivator, author, educator, and advocate, Ed Rosenthal, about the place of cannabis in today's politics, and ideas for promoting social equity in the new cannabis industry.

Brit talks to Ellen Brown of Sensimilla Seminars about the anatomy of a cannabis plant. Ellen breaks down the terminology of Hemp vs. Marijuana, THC vs. CBD, Indica vs. Sativa, Cannabinoids, Terpenes, Flavinoids, and the endocannabinoid system.

Brit talks to cannabis educator Cara Crabb-Burnham about the history of humans using cannabis, dating back to ancient times, through to the prohibition of marijuana in the U.S. in the early 20th century with the War on Drugs and the DARE programs, to the current state of semi-legalization.

Brit talks to Alternative Treatment for Veterans, a non-profit group focused on studying how veterans use cannabis in an effort to change national legislation around vets access to MMJ. ATV is made up of Dr.Marion McNabb and Randy MacCaffrie, cannabis researchers from "C3RN", Sergeant Stephen Mandile, founder of the veterans advocacy group "Veterans Alternative Healing," and PR/Comm whiz Anne Brum of "Joint Venture & Co." Veterans can take part in ATV's new study and earn discounts and benefits at https://c3rn.wildapricot.org/VETERAN

Brit talks to Beth Waterfall about Women in Cannabis for Women's History Month. How many women are leading in the new US cannabis industry? Beth has advice for women thinking about transitioning into cannabis, and we tell our own stories of starting in cannabis journalism and marketing. Also, Brit tells the tale of Brownie Mary- a female MMJ pioneer. Beth is co-founder of Elevate NE, and the managing director of New England Cannabis Convention at the Hynes Convention Center, where Brit will be part of the Media Panel on 3/23/19.

This episode originally aired 9/11/18. Brit talks to Blunt Talk's resident Cannabis Physician Dr. Jordan Tishler of InhaleMD, about cannabis for Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease.

Brit and Dr. Peter Grinspoon of Harvard and BU, discuss their own drugs addictions, their roads to recovery, and how cannabis played a role for each of them.

Brit talks to Shanel Lindsay of Ardent Cannabis, and Karima Rizk of Cafe Vert. They're two prominent MA cannabis activists who are also mothers. Discussion includes talking to kids about pot use, scares at schools, stigma, juggling a growing cannabis industry alongside a family, and how parent activists can get more involved.

Brit talks to Rob Toof, the CEO/Founder of Altatude Beverage Company. We're chatting about starting a cannabis business, licensing and advertising, the process of turning bud into a beverage, and the future of Rec bars serving pot-drinks.

Brit talks to Peter Bernard, President of the MA Grower's Advocacy Council, and Jeremy Borjeson, Founder of the Harvest Cup, about growing cannabis at home. Topics include picking strains, growers rights, and bad edible stories.

Brit talks to Dr. Dale Buckman of Green Nurses of America. We're discussing cannabis for depression, chronic pain, teenagers, and pot as a way to reduce pharmaceutical medication.

Brit talks to BT's resident cannabis physician, Harvard's Dr Jordan Tishler of Inhale MD. We're talking about CBD, how its used for pain and anxiety, and THCA extraction and medical uses. Also, a round up of this week's cannabis policy news.

Brit discusses a recent news story about a fatal crash involving a driver who vaped CBD. Dr Tishler explains the facts behind intoxicated driving, and where CBD fits into the equation.

Our resident cannabis physician Dr Jordan Tishler explains CBD from hemp versus CBD from Cannabis Sativa.

Our resident cannabis physician, Dr Jordan Tishler explains what to look for when choosing a CBD product.

Brit talks to Sam Barber, the founder and CEO of Cultivate Cannabis Dispensary in Leicester MA - one of the first shops to sell pot to adults in Massachusetts. We discuss sales, town issues and solutions, stigma, the black market as competition, and much more. Plus your weekly rundown of cannabis news.

Brit talks to Kamani Jefferson and Joe Gilmore, the President and Co-founder of the Massachusetts Recreational Consumer Council. We cover current laws surrounding social consumption, delivery, growing, possession, expungement, license types, social equity, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Brit talks to the founders of the Worcester MA Harvest Cup Cannabis Event - coming to the DCU Center 12/15 and 12/16. Peter Bernard and Jeremy Borjeson tell us about the vendors, speakers, judges, artists, and the 110 foot long gold-leaf plated joint that will be rolled and on display at the Cup. Also- your weekly cannabis news roundup.

Audio of Congresswoman-Elect Ayanna Pressley speaking on 12/5 at the Boston City Council Meeting regarding Equity in the Cannabis Industry.

Brit has your weekly cannabis news roundup, plus the first ever Blunt Talk Ganja Gameshow featuring WBZ News Radio's Morning Drive Team as the contestants!

In this mini-sode, Brit takes a trip to Cultivate Dispensary in Leicester, MA, to talk to the first adults buying legal cannabis on the east coast. We check in with people in line, Cultivate's social media manager, and CEO Sam Barber about the first day of sales.

Brit is joined in the studio by three groups of cannabis entrepreneurs, whose companies have been selected by Sira Naturals Dispensaries to be the first participants in their Canna-Business Accelerator Program. In the studios this week are HotHouse Holyoke, a craft edible company... 612 Studios, a couple from Mattapan with an infused bedroom product line... and Healing Tree Edibles, a THC-infused health-food maker from Cape Cod. Also, your weekly cannabis headlines, and updates on this week's pot-policy, cannabis related stock market news, and MMJ studies.

Brit discusses the rundown of new cannabis laws voted on during the midterm elections, the exit of Jeff Sessions and what it could mean for cannabis at the federal level, and the newly elected lawmakers who are in support of legalization. States affected include MI, UT, MO, MA, OH, WI, NM, MN, TX, IL, NY.

Brit has your complete rundown of cannabis-related ballot initiatives across the U.S. for this November 6th 2018 midterm election. We cover pot-related voting in MI, ND, UT, MO, OH, WI, CA, FL, CO, and MS.

Brit talks to Mikki Bennett of Healing Tree Edibles about the importance of buying local in the upcoming recreational cannabis industry (8:00). Also, your weekly cannabis headlines (00:30), medical cannabis advances (2:30), cannabis policy (4:15), cannabis investment update (6:30), and THE best Top Shelf Story of the Week you've ever heard, featuring a stoned state senator.

Brit has your weekly cannabis headlines from UK, Canada, and the U.S. Plus Medical Cannabis News (4:05), Financial Cannabis News (5:25), and new Cannabis-related Policy news (7:00.) And Brit covers the changing laws in Canada, now that Recreational Cannabis is legal at the federal level (9:00)

Brit runs down this week's cannabis news out of MA, OH, CA, UT, AZ, IA, MI, Canada, Australia, and Space. And WBZ news Anchor Nichole Davis joins Brit in the studio to discuss a new University of Montreal study on how cannabis effects teenage brains long term.

Brit has this week's Global, National, Local Cannabis Headlines (00:30) Scientific/Medical Cannabis News (2:30) Financial Cannabis News (4:32) and Political Cannabis News (5:20) And Canadians and other foreigners are being given lifetime bans from entering the U.S. if they have anything to do with cannabis (7:18.) Brit talks to CA/NV Cannabis Attorney, Shoshanna Silverberg, about what this means for Green Card/Visa holders who want to invest in pot (11:20)