Let's be Blunt with Montel

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Gourmet Cannabis: The Cannatela Story Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

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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How Cannabis Nurses Are Changing Patient Care | Katherine Golden Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

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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Staying Blunt About Home Grow Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

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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The Cannabis Identity Crisis with Anna Schwabe PhD Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

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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Legal Cannabis, Broken System with Larry Sharpe Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

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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Steve DeAngelo and the Unfinished Revolution Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

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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NECTARBALL: The Story of Cannabis Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

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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The Case That Changed Cannabis Forever Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

This week on Let’s Be Blunt with Montel, Montel sits down with pioneering cannabis activist and author Owen Smith for a powerful, firsthand look at one of the most consequential legal battles in global cannabis history.

Owen’s journey began behind the scenes at the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club, where his work producing cannabis edibles for medical patients led to his arrest in 2009—and ultimately to a constitutional challenge that reached the Supreme Court of Canada. That case would forever change the law, resulting in the legalization of cannabis extracts nationwide.

Now, nearly 30 years into his advocacy work, Owen joins Montel to discuss his new book, Legalizing Cannabis Extracts, an in-depth, fully illustrated account of the people, science, and legal strategy behind the landmark ruling. Together, they explore the personal cost of activism, the role of patient testimony and scientific evidence in the courtroom, and what legalization has—and hasn’t—delivered for medical cannabis patients today.

This conversation goes beyond policy headlines to examine grassroots advocacy, the ongoing challenges facing patients, and the lessons cannabis reform offers other emerging movements. It’s a must-listen for anyone interested in cannabis history, patient rights, or how determined individuals can reshape the law.

Stay informed, stay inspired—and stay blunt.

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Breaking Barriers, Changing Policy: Senator Connie Johnson Unfiltered Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

This week on Let’s Be Blunt with Montel, Montel sits down with one of the true architects of modern cannabis reform: Senator Connie Johnson.

A fourth-generation Oklahoman and trailblazing policymaker, Senator Johnson has spent more than 40 years in public service breaking barriers and driving change. She made history as the first African American woman nominated to the U.S. Senate from Oklahoma and has been a relentless champion for criminal justice reform, reproductive rights, government transparency, and expanded civic participation.

Long before cannabis reform was politically safe, Senator Johnson authored Oklahoma’s first medical cannabis legislation in 2007—work that laid the groundwork for the voter-approved program that helped make Oklahoma one of the most robust medical cannabis markets in the country. In this powerful conversation, she and Montel Williams explore the evolution of cannabis policy, the intersection of legalization and criminal justice reform, and what today’s proposed hemp regulations could mean for patients, veterans, and the industry at large.

They also dive into her advocacy for veterans reentering society, the role of education in shaping the future of cannabis, and her broader vision for equity, justice, and people-powered government.

This is a must-listen episode about courage, foresight, and what it really takes to create lasting policy change.

Policy & Reform

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#EvidenceBasedPolicy #Justice & Equity #JusticeReform #EquityInAction #CivilRights

#SocialJustice #EndTheStigma #PeoplePowered

Veterans & Health

#VeteransAdvocacy #VeteransHealth #WholePersonCare #PatientAccess #HealingJourneys

#QualityOfLife

Leadership & Advocacy

#WomenInLeadership #BlackLeadership #Trailblazer #Changemakers #BoldLeadership

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Patient Cannabis Rights Under Pressure: Steph Sherer Part 2 Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

In Part Two of this critical conversation on Let’s Be Blunt with Montel, Montel Williams continues his deep dive with Steph Sherer, one of the most influential patient advocates in the world and the founder, Board President, and Executive Director of Americans for Safe Access.

Steph takes us back to 2002, when she launched ASA in the early days of the medical cannabis movement—at a time when patients faced criminalization, stigma, and little to no legal protection. From those roots, ASA has grown into the nation’s largest patient advocacy organization, shaping policy, advancing science, and defending patient rights for more than two decades.

This episode tackles some of the most urgent issues facing patients and the cannabis and hemp industries today, including the proposed FY2026 Minibus hemp regulations, which could dramatically reshape access, compliance, and consumer safety. Steph breaks down what’s in the language, why it matters, and the real-world consequences for patients and businesses if it passes.

The conversation also explores:

The current state of medical cannabis legalization across the U.S.

Ongoing federal barriers patients still face

Widespread misconceptions around hemp-derived products

The vital role of science and research in shaping future policy

Steph’s work on international cannabis reform, from Capitol Hill to the United Nations

ASA’s “second act” and what’s next for the patient rights movement

Steph also shares powerful patient stories, lessons learned from working with resistant lawmakers, and practical advice for new advocates looking to make a difference.

If you care about patient access, evidence-based policy, and the future of cannabis reform—this is a must-listen episode.

🔗 Learn more or get involved: SafeAccessNow.org

This is Let’s Be Blunt with Montel—where real conversations drive real change.

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