In this episode of Blunt Business, Berner opens up about putting his own money on the line to co-write, co-direct, and produce his gritty Bay Area crime thriller, Splash City.

Rather than waiting around for traditional studio approval, the cannabis mogul and artist invested $2 million of his own capital to deliver a finished film to Lionsgate, exploring San Francisco’s underground wave of "bipping" through the eyes of two brothers on divergent paths.

Berner shares how he navigated two years in the editing bay whittling down a sprawling three-and-a-half-hour cut into a tight 90 minutes, the process of demanding authentic street dialogue, and the satisfaction of watching his self-funded gamble pay off on the theatrical big screen.

Splash City is streaming on demand on streaming platforms including Apple, Roku and Prime Video

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The federal government’s increasing acknowledgment of medical cannabis applications marks a pivotal turning point for the sector, granting long-sought validation to consumers and patients alike.

However, this formal legitimacy comes with heightened accountability, obligating operators to raise their standards around clinical credibility, operational transparency, and rigorous patient education.At the same time, the broader market remains caught in a turbulent regulatory transition.

While rescheduling initiatives offer a potential path forward, businesses and their legal advisors continue to navigate persistent banking bottlenecks, restricted capital access, and compounding risks of insolvency and financial distress.

Compounding these structural hurdles, major multi-state operators—including Cresco Labs, Green Thumb Industries, Curaleaf, and Verano—now face a severe wave of legal exposure. Beset by sweeping federal class actions, civil RICO claims targeting therapeutic marketing practices, and mounting insurance coverage disputes, the commercial cannabis industry is navigating an increasingly complex legal and financial battlefield.

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As the 2026 midterm elections approach, marijuana reform is proving to be a rare unifying force across the political spectrum.

Driven by high-stakes federal rescheduling efforts and a fresh wave of state-level ballot measures, cannabis policy has evolved from a fringe topic into a mainstream, bipartisan priority.

Politicians on both sides of the aisle are increasingly recognizing that "the green vote" could be the key to driving crucial voter turnout, making marijuana legalization one of the most closely watched battlegrounds of the upcoming election cycle.

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As the legal cannabis sector eagerly awaits federal reclassification judgments, industry players are aggressively pivoting toward untapped markets and hesitant, first-time consumers. In California, dispensaries are tearing down old retail friction points by introducing state-approved self-checkout kiosks equipped with multi-product RFID scanners, mimicking the familiarity and efficiency of traditional supermarket shopping. 

Simultaneously, New York is expanding access points into everyday public life by enacting legislation that allows small cannabis businesses to sell directly at local farmers' markets. 

By combining friction-free retail automation with accessible, community-based storefronts, the industry is reshaping its sales funnel to court a brand-new demographic—consumers who have never stepped foot inside a dispensary, but are now ready to engage on their own terms.

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Although the historic DEA rescheduling hearings have officially concluded, the administrative process has ended without an immediate, final ruling, leaving the federal status of cannabis temporarily in limbo.

Despite the lack of a definitive outcome, the hearings marked a monumental breakdown in federal policy: medical cannabis operators are emerging as clear near-term winners due to the immediate relief from Section 280E tax burdens and expedited DEA registration opportunities, while the broader adult-use sector remains caught between federal delays and potential legal challenges.

Operators are now urged to take swift, strategic action—from restructuring tax methodologies to preparing for stricter federal compliance—rather than passively waiting on a binding decision that could face lengthy court battles.

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As the DEA moves toward rescheduling cannabis, the industry is bracing for a complex transformation defined by regulatory uncertainty and potential legal headwinds. While federal agencies have taken an unexpectedly active role in supporting this transition, the timeline for full implementation remains long and subject to likely legal challenges. Blunt Business speaks with Chris Lynch, partner at Dickinson Wright to chime in.

For businesses, the landscape is currently defined by heavy operational burdens, such as state-specific excise taxes and residency requirements; however, upcoming shifts like Section 280E relief and the prospect of federal trademark protection signal a turning point. Looking ahead, stakeholders anticipate a wave of consolidation and capital infusion that will redefine the market, even as they remain cautious of looming legislative pushback and the potential impacts of hemp reclassification.

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Joe Bayern with MM Brands outlines a strategic roadmap for professionalizing the cannabis industry, emphasizing that sustainable growth requires moving beyond fragmented operations.

Key strategies include adopting a portfolio-based management model to share operational and manufacturing costs, implementing minimalist, needs-based branding to simplify the consumer experience, and navigating regulatory hurdles through omnichannel agility.

Furthermore, Bayern advocates for a "one plant" regulatory framework and anticipates continued industry consolidation, noting that businesses must modernize their supply chains to drive the quality, consistency, and therapeutic reliability essential for long-term mainstream adoption.

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Blunt Business welcomes Joe Bayern, the CEO of MM Brands to discuss how the cannabis industry is approaching a potential turning point as DOJ and DEA hearings conclude this July, with anticipation high for a move to Schedule 3 classification.

This reclassification could eliminate 280E tax constraints, driving better profitability, while FDA validation of therapeutic benefits promises to reduce stigma and build consumer trust.

Despite this momentum, the sector faces significant headwinds, specifically a critical shortage of experienced middle management and the ongoing difficulty of maintaining quality control and compliance amidst fragmented, state-specific regulations.

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Once again we welcome back Nick Richards, Partner and co-chair of the cannabis law practice group at Greenspoon Marder about how the cannabis and hemp industries currently face a complex landscape defined by existential regulatory threats and critical federal proceedings. Financial institutions are increasingly wary, with potential hemp reclassification jeopardizing banking access and subjecting businesses to high-risk compliance hurdles.

Meanwhile, industry experts are closely monitoring the upcoming DOJ administrative hearings, which represent a pivotal, though non-binding, opportunity to challenge Schedule I status for cannabis. Despite concerns over limited transparency and the exclusion of key industry advocacy groups, the strategy remains to leverage scientific evidence over political rhetoric to push for federal rescheduling.

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The sports industry is witnessing a landmark normalization of cannabis, highlighted by the WNBA’s recent collective bargaining agreement which removed cannabis from its prohibited substances list in favor of supportive substance abuse treatment programs. While this signals a new era for athlete endorsements and professional branding, the broader cannabis and hemp sector faces a precarious future. Blunt Business speaks with Nick Richards, Partner and co-chair of the cannabis law practice group at Greenspoon Marder.

Businesses are currently bracing for a November 12th federal deadline that could redefine “illegal hemp,” potentially outlawing 95% of current CBD products and creating significant financial and regulatory hurdles, including the looming threat of Section 280E tax penalties.

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