Let's be Blunt with Montel

In this episode of Let’s Be Blunt with Montel, Montel sits down with pediatric pharmacist, clinical researcher, and patient-rights advocate Codi Peterson to explore one of the most discussed — and often misunderstood — topics in cannabis science: Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS).

Codi brings a unique perspective to the conversation, bridging clinical healthcare, public policy, and cannabis research. As a board member of Americans for Safe Access, Codi has been deeply involved in the fight for federal cannabis reform, patient access, and evidence-based cannabis education.

The discussion dives into Codi’s upcoming clinical research study surveying more than 1,100 individuals experiencing symptoms consistent with CHS, offering new insight into this emerging condition and how it is being interpreted in medicine and media.

Montel and Codi break down what CHS actually is, why it occurs in some individuals but not others, and how the lack of federal cannabis research has contributed to confusion, stigma, and misinformation around the topic.

The episode also explores the broader issues surrounding cannabis patient rights, physician education, harm-reduction strategies, and the future of cannabis medicine in the United States.

This is a thoughtful and science-driven conversation about how we can move beyond fear and misinformation toward responsible cannabis education and patient safety.

In This Episode

• What Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) really is

• Why some heavy cannabis users experience cyclical vomiting

• What new research from a 1,100-person CHS survey reveals

• Why federal cannabis prohibition still blocks medical research

• The role of patient rights and advocacy in cannabis policy

• How physicians and pharmacists should approach cannabis education

• Why responsible cannabis use requires better public health information

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Migraine is not just a headache — it’s one of the most disabling neurological conditions in the world. It steals time, productivity, and quality of life from millions of people. And despite decades of pharmaceutical innovation, far too many patients are still left searching for real relief.

In this episode of Let’s Be Blunt with Montel, I sit down with one of the most respected neurologists in the country, Dr. Laszlo Mechtler — President and Medical Director of the DENT Neurologic Institute — to unpack what’s really happening in migraine care today… and where it’s headed next.

Dr. Mechtler has treated tens of thousands of neurological patients, including more than 15,000 within his cannabis-focused clinic. What he’s seen firsthand is something many patients already know: the current system often relies on trial-and-error, cycling through medications that don’t always work — and sometimes come with significant side effects.

So the question becomes:

We explore how cannabinoid-based therapies are being integrated into modern neurology — not as a replacement for traditional medicine, but as part of a more personalized, patient-centered approach. From reducing migraine frequency to improving sleep and quality of life, Dr. Mechtler shares what the data — and his clinical experience — are beginning to reveal.

But this conversation goes even deeper.

Dr. Mechtler is now partnering with Cannformatics on a groundbreaking initiative to develop Cannabis-Responsive biomarkers — a data- and AI-driven approach designed to predict which patients are most likely to benefit from cannabinoid therapy.

In simple terms:

We break down:

This is where the conversation shifts — from stigma to science, from anecdote to evidence.

For patients who feel dismissed…

Because this isn’t about replacing medicine.

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Recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all—and for millions of people seeking healing, traditional approaches don’t always meet them where they are.

On this episode of Let’s Be Blunt with Montel, Montel sits down with Quinn Lapeyre, founder of CaliSober Recovery, a growing movement that’s challenging outdated ideas about recovery and creating inclusive, judgment-free spaces for people navigating substance use, trauma, and mental health.

Drawing from his own lived experience, Quinn built CaliSober Recovery around an all-pathways philosophy—one that embraces harm reduction, peer support, and individualized healing journeys. Instead of rigid rules or stigma, the CaliSober approach focuses on meeting people where they are and empowering them to move toward healthier, more stable lives at their own pace.

In this powerful conversation, Montel and Quinn explore how recovery communities are evolving, why compassion and inclusion are essential, and how nontraditional approaches—including cannabis-inclusive recovery models—are helping many people rebuild their lives when other options have failed.

Quinn shares the story behind founding CaliSober Recovery, how peer-led support communities can transform lives, and why creating safe spaces for honest conversations about mental health, addiction, and trauma is more important than ever.

The discussion also dives into the role of harm reduction in modern recovery, how stigma still prevents many people from seeking help, and how rethinking traditional frameworks like the 12-step model through a trauma-informed lens can open doors for those who have felt excluded from recovery spaces.

Whether you’re on your own recovery journey, supporting someone you love, or simply interested in new perspectives on mental health and healing, this episode offers an eye-opening look at a movement that’s reshaping the future of recovery.

In this episode, Montel and Quinn discuss:

• The personal journey that led to the creation of CaliSober Recovery

• What the term “CaliSober” really means

• Harm reduction and why it’s gaining momentum in recovery communities

• Cannabis-inclusive recovery and addressing the stigma around it

• Reimagining traditional recovery models through a trauma-informed lens

• The power of peer support and community in healing

• How families can better support loved ones navigating recovery

• Why recovery should be as unique as the individual experiencing it

Quinn Lapeyre’s work reminds us that healing doesn’t follow a single path—and that compassion, connection, and open-mindedness can help transform lives.

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What happens when Italian gourmet chocolate meets modern plant-based innovation?

In this episode of Let’s Be Blunt with Montel, Montel Williams sits down with Lou Agresta and Mark Weinberg, the co-founders of Cannatela, a groundbreaking brand that’s redefining the edible category with the first-of-its-kind spreadable infused chocolate and hazelnut treat.

Launched in April 2025, Cannatela has quickly gained traction across New York State, now available in more than 175 dispensaries. Their flagship product combines premium Italian chocolate and hazelnuts with a carefully balanced infusion designed to deliver a smooth, elevated experience while maintaining exceptional flavor.

Lou and Mark share the full story behind the brand—from the moment the idea was born to the five-month journey to perfect the formula, the challenges of manufacturing a gourmet infused product, and the science behind their unique combination of cannabinoids including THC, CBD, and CBG.

Montel also explores why CBG is emerging as one of the most exciting compounds in the plant, how innovation is transforming the edible category, and what the future holds for functional infused foods.

The conversation also dives into Cannatela’s newest product: DubHigh Pistachio Cream, a decadent spread inspired by the viral Dubai chocolate trend and crafted with imported Italian pistachio cream.

If you're interested in entrepreneurship, food innovation, wellness trends, and the evolving world of plant-based products, this episode offers a fascinating look at how culinary tradition and modern science are coming together to create something entirely new.

If you're in New York, you can find Cannatela products in more than 175 dispensaries statewide.

Because sometimes the future of cannabis isn’t just smoked or vaped… sometimes it’s spread on toast.

🎙 About Let’s Be Blunt with Montel

Hosted by Montel Williams, Let’s Be Blunt explores the science, culture, policy, and innovation shaping the plant-based wellness movement. Each episode features leading scientists, entrepreneurs, advocates, and pioneers who are changing how the world understands this powerful plant.

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In this episode of Let’s Be Blunt with Montel, Montel sits down with Katherine Golden, RN, one of the leading pioneers in the rapidly growing field of cannabis nursing and cannabinoid medicine.

With nearly 30 years of experience in the healthcare system, Katherine has spent the last decade helping bridge the gap between traditional medicine and evidence-based cannabis therapeutics. She is the Founder and CEO of LEAF411, a national nurse-led organization that provides trusted cannabis education and guidance for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals seeking credible information about the safe use of legal cannabis.

As cannabis becomes more integrated into modern healthcare, patients often struggle to find reliable medical guidance on dosage, safety, drug interactions, and therapeutic applications. Katherine and the LEAF411 team are helping solve that problem by connecting patients with licensed nurses trained in cannabinoid science.

Montel and Katherine explore the emerging role of cannabis nurses, the growing need for medical cannabis education, and how healthcare systems are beginning to recognize cannabinoid medicine as part of patient care.

The conversation also covers Katherine’s work shaping clinical standards and policy through her roles as Cannabis Clinical Director for the state of Maryland and Cannabis Nurse Care Coordinator for the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s Workers’ Compensation Division.

In this episode, they discuss:

• What cannabis nursing is and why it’s becoming an important healthcare specialty

• The mission behind LEAF411, a trusted cannabis nurse hotline and education platform

• How patients can safely explore medical cannabis as a treatment option

• Common misconceptions about cannabis medicine among healthcare professionals

• The evolving role of nurses and clinicians in cannabinoid therapeutics

• Current challenges and policy barriers facing medical cannabis patients

• The future of cannabis research, patient education, and healthcare integration

Whether you are a patient curious about medical cannabis, a healthcare professional interested in cannabinoid therapeutics, or someone looking for credible information about the science and safety of cannabis, this episode provides valuable insight from one of the field’s most respected leaders.

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On this episode of Let’s Be Blunt with Montel, we turn the spotlight away from corporations and lobbyists — and toward the everyday grower.

As policy pressure builds across New England, including a potential ballot initiative in Massachusetts that could restrict existing home grow rights — and similar conversations emerging in Maine — one group is feeling the impact more than most: home cultivators and the independent shops that support them.

Montel sits down with Joe Casey, owner of Green Zone Grow Shops in Worcester, to explore what’s really at stake.

But this conversation isn’t about controversy — it’s about culture, education, and responsible participation in a regulated market.

For decades, independent grow shops served as community anchors — places where people learned the craft, understood compliance boundaries, and built responsible growing practices long before legalization. Today, many of those same businesses are under economic and regulatory strain.

Joe offers a grounded, compliant, and deeply informed perspective on:

🌿 Why home grow rights matter beyond economics

📚 The educational role independent grow shops have historically played

⚖️ How policy shifts ripple down to everyday citizens

🏪 What happens when community-based knowledge hubs disappear

🔍 What smart, balanced regulation could look like

This episode gives listeners a rare, ground-level view of how cannabis policy affects real people — not just operators with lobbying power, but individuals exercising legal rights and small businesses operating responsibly within evolving state law.

Joe speaks thoughtfully about boundaries, compliance, and education — keeping the focus squarely on lawful operations and community preservation.

Because when conversations about cannabis policy happen without everyday growers at the table, the cultural foundation of the movement can quietly erode.

If you care about education, responsible cultivation, and the preservation of community spaces that helped shape the modern cannabis landscape, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Stay informed. Stay engaged. Rights are easiest to lose when people stop paying attention.

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This week on Let’s Be Blunt with Montel, we go deep into the science behind the plant with one of the leading voices in cannabis genetics.

Montel sits down with Dr. Anna Schwabe — cannabis geneticist, researcher, educator, and Chief Science Officer at True Cut — for a conversation that challenges some of the biggest myths in today’s marketplace. From misleading strain names to inflated THC numbers, Dr. Schwabe explains why much of what consumers think they know about cannabis may not be grounded in science.

They unpack the reality of genetic inconsistency in commercial flower, the limits of labeling, and why aroma, environment, and cultivation practices can dramatically change how a plant expresses itself. The discussion also dives into THC inflation, lab shopping, and the industry’s obsession with potency over true quality — and what that means for safety, transparency, and trust.

Dr. Schwabe also breaks down the risks surrounding unregulated intoxicating hemp products, synthetic cannabinoid conversions, and the urgent need for standards that protect consumers. Along the way, she shares insights from her academic work, her role in advancing genetic traceability, and her mission to bring evidence-based cannabis education into the mainstream.

This episode is a masterclass in cannabis science — and a reminder that the future of the industry depends on honesty, data, and respect for the complexity of the plant.

If you care about consumer safety, accurate labeling, or simply want to understand what’s really inside the jar, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

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This week on Let’s Be Blunt, Montel sits down with Larry Sharpe, Libertarian candidate for Governor of New York, for a candid conversation about why legalization alone isn’t enough—and how broken implementation can hurt the very people reform was meant to help.

Larry shares his perspective on New York’s troubled cannabis rollout, the barriers facing small businesses and legacy operators, and why overregulation is pushing entrepreneurs out of a market that was supposed to create opportunity. Together, Montel and Larry dig into the lingering effects of prohibition, the slow pace of expungement, and the economic potential New York is leaving on the table.

This episode isn’t about party politics—it’s about personal freedom, fairness, and whether government policies actually deliver on their promises. Larry outlines his vision for a system that empowers communities, supports responsible entrepreneurship, and treats cannabis like the legitimate industry it is.

If you care about smart reform, economic growth, and the future of legalization in America, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

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This week on Let’s Be Blunt with Montel, Montel sits down with one of the true pioneers of the modern legalization movement — activist, entrepreneur, and Harborside co-founder Steve DeAngelo — for a conversation that goes beyond policy and straight to the heart of justice.

Legalization has spread across the country, yet arrests continue. Communities are still paying the price. And the plant that launched a grassroots civil rights movement is increasingly being absorbed into a corporate system that often leaves behind the very people who fought to make change possible. Steve has spent decades on the front lines of that struggle, advocating when it was risky, unpopular, and deeply personal.

In this episode, Steve reflects on what first pulled him into activism, the sacrifices that came with taking a stand, and the moment he realized this fight would define his life’s work. Montel and Steve explore why legalization alone isn’t liberation, who the current system benefits — and who it excludes — and how the original spirit of the movement became diluted along the way.

The conversation also dives into Steve’s newest initiative, the One Plant Alliance, built around a simple but powerful belief: no one should be punished for a plant. Together, they unpack why home cultivation matters, why justice keeps getting sidelined in legalization debates, and how patients, veterans, parents, and everyday citizens can take meaningful action right now.

This episode is about freedom, fairness, and the unfinished work of reform. It’s a reminder that real progress demands more than laws on paper — it requires people willing to stay engaged and keep asking not just what’s legal, but what’s right.

If you care about justice, personal liberty, and the future of the movement, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

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Award-winning filmmakers Mark Schulze and Patty Mooney join Montel for an unforgettable conversation about storytelling, stigma, and the global journey of cannabis.

With more than four decades of documentary filmmaking behind them, Mark and Patty have captured everything from extreme adventure to deeply human social issues. Their latest project, NECTARBALL: The Story of Cannabis, is a sweeping, award-winning film that explores the plant’s history, culture, healing potential, and the real people whose lives have been transformed by it — veterans, medical patients, advocates, and pioneers pushing for safe access and justice.

In this episode, Montel and his guests discuss what inspired them to tackle one of the most misunderstood subjects in modern history, the emotional interviews that shaped the film, and the concept of creating a “high quality life” through plant-based wellness. They unpack how education dismantles stigma, how documentary filmmaking can influence policy and perception, and why cannabis remains one of the most important social and medical conversations of our time.

This episode isn’t just about a film — it’s about truth, healing, and the power of storytelling to change how we see a plant, a movement, and each other.

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