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.