Month: May 2020

Though cannabis has made great strides in public perception the past couple of decades, certain groups are still wading through the waters of complete acceptance. The decision to partake in an edible or pull from a pipe shouldn’t make one a pariah if that person has a child, and yet, here we are.

In a world where the “wine mom” is celebrated — and even encouraged — across advertisements and social media, shouldn’t mothers who enjoy a joint here and there feel just as welcome? After all, they’re unwinding after a long day, too — why does booze tend to be the only answer to taking the edge off every once in a while?

To tear down the unnecessary shame and stigma that tends to muffle women’s (and especially mothers) voices, we spoke with three moms who proudly enjoy the fruits of legalization. Businesswomen, entrepreneurs, and advocates, these women have heard it all when it comes to raising children and opening up to the weed community.*

*Interview lightly edited for length and clarity.

Meet our interviewees: 

Jessica Gonzalez: Owner of The Mommy Jane, which was created to educate, inform, and provide women with a safe place. Jessica also does cannabis and wellness coaching.

Erin Willis: Holistic nutritionist and owner of Mother Indica, a digital source for mothers on wellness, storytelling, self-love, and advice. Erin also teaches workshops for women and is an educator of CBD use through Onda Wellness.

Natasha Best: Cannabis advocate and owner of The Stoned at Home Mom. Natasha is just as passionate about CBD as she is THC. 

On cannabis stigma

WM: Cannabis stigma has shifted considerably with wider acceptance and legalization of the plant. However, the loosening of stigma hasn’t quite reached mothers with the same open arms. Why do you think mothers tend to bear the brunt of social ostracization when it comes to consuming cannabis? What would you like to convey to people who judge your choice in partaking in cannabis products? 

Gonzalez: I feel that mothers are often so wrongly judged. Especially by their own family and other mothers they know. We get shamed if we don’t breastfeed, whether we babywear, nap our toddler, raise them with faith, I could go on and on … so it doesn’t surprise me to see this trend with cannabis as well. Which is a shame, because we are the ones who need cannabis the most. I used to really abuse alcohol on a nightly basis. I wasn’t present with my children, and I wasn’t present with myself. I needed a lifestyle change. So I traded in my nightly wine routine for daily cannabis dosing. 

Cannabis brought me closer to myself, my children and my spouse, and even helped mend my relationship with my father, who is a walking cannabis success story of his very own. I can’t recall anything else in my life that has had so many positive influences from one lifestyle change. Cannabis truly is the gateway to health and wellness. I say it all the time, but I will say it again for the people in the back: just give plants a chance!

Best: When it comes to consuming cannabis, I think mothers tend to bear the brunt of social ostracization because we get judged for absolutely everything. From the day we find out we’re pregnant, the judgment and criticisms begin. And because cannabis has been, and still is, illegal in many places, it’s a hard topic to get people to agree on. 

For some reason, there are very high expectations of mothers. But I don’t quite see how using something to alleviate our pain, anxiety, depression, etc. is so frowned upon. It’s no different than taking medications or enjoying a glass of wine. That’s what I really want to convey to people who judge my — or anyone else’s — choice in using cannabis. 

Willis: I believe maternal criticism is a deeply woven societal concept across all topics. Mother’s are the life-givers and protectors of the world’s children. As simple as that statement is, it carries profound implications that are difficult to live up to. Unfortunately, our societies put disproportionate weight on mothers to do our absolute best at all moments. Be present, but still work. Keep the home clean and orderly and teach your children. Look good and take care of yourself. There are many hats to wear and thrive in, but it’s simply unrealistic to succeed in all of these modalities without outside support.

When a woman carries an unborn child, people believe they now have a say in how she cares for her body. Whether the science is there to back it up or not, opinions seem to grow. This same concept carries over to cannabis consumption during pregnancy and postpartum. What I would like to convey to those who do not understand, is that a woman loves her child more than anything else. She also lives within and understands her own body. To judge a woman who looks to natural remedies and solutions to ease the wildness that is motherhood is stepping into grounds that do not belong to you. Simply put, it is none of their business.

On positive voices in the industry

WM: You have been in the cannabis realm for some time, and have developed a path to cannabis education and involvement with women all over the world. Now more than ever, it is extremely important that women are given a voice in this industry. Which of these voices have either impacted or influenced you the most? What positive things are you beginning to see in the space for women that hadn’t been here before? 

Gonzalez:  We are very lucky to have a lot of strong females in our industry, leading the way so that women like me can shine our light onto the community and thrive as well. First, I would have to honor Jane West, whom I have never had the pleasure of meeting just yet, but she was the first “CannaMom” I ever saw on television that proved to me that I wasn’t alone. It was such a relief to witness other mothers using cannabis for various reasons, all while still getting their work done. Next, I would have to acknowledge Doreen Sullivan of My Bud Vase, who has made such a big impact on my career development. Doreen quickly brought me under her cannabiz wings and showed me how to hone in on my entrepreneurial side. She has always encouraged authenticity, bold moves, and to use our cannabis shamelessly because moms need it most! And last but certainly not least, Dana Cisneros Esq. of Cannabis Corporate Law. Dana is such a hard-working woman and such a charity fairy, sprinkling her magic on the local and cannabis communities. I am so grateful to have her in my life to inspire me to do good for our community and the future of our children.

Both Dana and Doreen have always pushed me on my path to attend meaningful industry events that leave me educated and energized every single time. It’s relationships like these that make this industry so valuable if you are willing to put in the effort and energy into them as well.

One of the things that has really blown my mind are all the collaborations that are happening that really had never been done before to the scale that they are being done now. I feel that a few years ago it was very “every woman for themselves”, but as our community has blended into many other communities, including the entertainment, health and wellness and spiritual industries, we are starting to recognize that there is so much more space for us all to succeed. It has been a blessing to see everyone collaborate and create these epic events, experiences, and social groups so female entrepreneurs — or those that are canna-curious — can find a space to connect and get support in any way that they need. 

We are so lucky to have entrepreneurial encouraging groups like Toketivity, Women Grow, and Los Angeles-based CannaBoss Babes. We also have some newer resources like the Women of Cannabis Conference, Lady Jane Branding, and new social apps like Hi.Curious which cater to community, connection, and education. Cannabis is already so healing, I know in my heart that the more we work together and help one another thrive, the more we can propel ourselves forward and help this become the best industry the world will see.

Best: I have met so many amazing women in this little world of cannabis. The first person who inspired me to even open up and go public with my use was Caitlin Fladager. When she spoke about her cannabis use as a mother and her reasons why, I felt like it opened so many people’s eyes and broke down a barrier that has been up for so long. And as I was meeting new women, I started realizing that more and more mothers are using cannabis on a regular basis. 

I really appreciate @medicatedd.mamaa because she is a cannamom who normalizes it in such a way that makes it hard for anyone to cast judgment on the rest of us. She talks about everything motherhood, but also thoroughly enjoys her dabs. It’s people like this who are paving the way for other mothers to feel comfortable opening up and caring less what other people think. I myself have found an amazing group of cannamoms, and we have the most supportive uplifting group chat. That’s what this community is all about, and that is a very positive thing for women, because the more we talk about it and normalize it, the more we erase the stigma.

Willis: When I look to the cannabis industry, I see both incredible potential and fragility. This movement can go in any direction, and it honestly makes me nervous that it may not be conveyed and represented as brilliantly as it can be. Representation is everything right now, and because women already walk around with a layer of perceived skepticism covering us, navigating the cannabis world as a woman is a tough game to play.

Having the educational background of cannabis for proper representation is a priority in my opinion. So although lifestyle and influence are exciting and thought-provoking, there still needs to be a spine of legitimacy. When it comes to the female voices speaking for this movement and medicine, Bonnie Goldstein first comes to mind. Goldstein is a medical doctor and pediatrician who began her research on medicinal cannabis in 2008 when a friend of hers was sick. She has since carried a vital role in research participation and in representing cannabis as a medicine and the children whose lives are enriched by this plant.

Two other voices I’d like to honor, if I may, are Mennlay Golokeh Aggrey and Chelsea Leyland. Both are insanely creative, strong, and intelligent women who represent the deeper aspects of cannabis as a necessity in this world. Mennlay is a prolific journalist with a deep love for and understanding of cannabis as both medicine and cultural tool that unites women across the world. She also wrote the book The Art of Weed Butter, which I highly recommend you check out. Chelsea is a British DJ and cannabis/epilepsy advocate who has an aggressive form of epilepsy herself. Both cannabis and epilepsy carry a strong stigma, so Chelsea advocates for the education and destigmatization surrounding both. She is the voice for thousands of children and adults with epilepsy who could benefit from CBD-rich cannabis, and is the co-producer of the not-yet-released documentary, “Separating The Strains”.

On the future of cannabis and motherhood

WM: How do you see cannabis and motherhood changing in the future? Do you believe the stigma will let up, and if so, where do you see that happening first? 

Gonzalez: Now more than ever, women are flipping the script on what we knew motherhood was when we were children. Unlike most of our mothers, women are talking out loud about how impossible it is to try and “do it all.” We are now bonded over the hidden undersides of parenting that aren’t so taboo anymore, we have been expressing the hardships of parenting and the incessant need for wine and coffee to function. But what about cannabis? I believe with this pandemic and parents being forced to be home and scrolling through social media, I can see us changing conversations to involve more benefits of cannabis and parenting that will eventually make 4:20 as casual as “wine o’clock.” 

The thing is, motherhood isn’t meant to be stressful. It is meant to be a fulfilling experience. If that means mom needs to take a 1:1 gummy before her day starts so that she can be a more present and patient parent, then so be it. We shouldn’t be shaming anyone for anything anymore. We are all in survival mode. And this means we should be seeking what is best for our physical and mental health. Once we start opening up the conversation and begin sharing our experiences more, we can show the people in our lives how cannabis has helped us and explain to them, “hey, this plant is really helping me with so many ailments including my sleep and arthritis.” 

Statements like that will help get the wheels going in the right direction toward normalization and eventually, full legalization. As brands, consumers and advocates begin to spread more education and demystify this plant, we can communicate to others that there are dozens of reasons why this plant helps so many people of all ages, and why millions of us are thriving today because of cannabis. So spark the conversation and spread cannabis education and normalization like fire.

Best: In the future, I think cannabis and motherhood will be much more widely accepted. With more and more states legalizing, the stigma is already changing. There is power in numbers, so the more mothers speak out and open up, the faster we can shift these attitudes. I totally realize that it’s not possible for everyone, whether it be jobs or legality. However, for the ones that do have the luxury of being public with their use, they really need to do it. It starts with educating your family and friends. A lot of people only think cannabis is bad because they were told so. Most of the time it comes down to people not being educated.

Willis: When it comes to cannabis being reintroduced into the household, I have high hopes. Opportunity and relevance are outstanding because mothers all over the world are struggling. What I mean by this is there is a social construct currently in place that simply does not work. In more developed parts of the world, mothers are more separated from one another more than ever before. We are isolated and overly medicated, we buy and consume foods that are depleted of nutrients, and we are being forced or pressured back into work before our babies are even old enough to cognitively understand they are a separate person.

Cannabis has this beautiful ability to lift the veil of societal conditioning. This is, of course, thanks to our endocannabinoid systems and the connections that are being made between neurons. Cannabis makes us question things that just moments ago were absolute. It can make us evaluate the very fabric of our societies. That is profound and imperative. 

Although I have my doubts that stigma will be dismantled in the near future, I do believe it will eventually let up. This is especially true if more mothers speak up. Speak up to their doctors, their partners, speak about it to their children … The more we use our voice to express why we feel called to consume cannabis, the more normalized it will become. It has to.

On cannabis and Covid-19

WM: How has Covid-19 impacted you as a mother? Has cannabis helped during this time and if so, in what ways?

Gonzalez: I know a lot of people cringe when they hear people say this, but this quarantine has been one of the best things to ever happen to my family. And cannabis has actually made me a better mother. I was working a lot right before we went into lockdown. Most weekends I was out of town for travel or attending industry events, so I missed some milestones from my girls, but I feel like these past three months have rendered me so much missed time that I felt I had lost before. I now have time to truly connect with my children. I know what’s going on in their day. I know what their struggles are in school. I know if they really ate the veggies in their lunch. It has been a humbling and eye-opening experience for us as a family. We have always been very close, but somehow, we managed to get closer through all of this. 

My husband and I had to also assess which roles we could step into in order to help our family thrive, which meant me coming to terms that even though I am a great educator in the cannabis space, I am not suited to be my children’s educator, so that’s where my husband steps in.

And then there are moments I have had to get creative as “Jessie,” to honor alone time for myself so that I don’t lose myself in motherhood — which is also why cannabis is so important. For those moments that I feel myself losing patience, becoming out of alignment with myself and my values, or going down the road to anxiety and fear, cannabis always brings me right back to where I want to be as a mother and as a human. 

Best: To be honest, I am a stay-at-home mom and a bit of homebody, so Covid-19 hasn’t impacted me as a mother too much. There are times when I get very stir-crazy sitting at home all day. I would love to be able to take my daughter to the zoo, go to the park or have a playdate. It can get very lonely and depressing having no adult interaction and constantly catering to a toddler. But that is why I am so grateful for cannabis. My consumption has definitely gone up, but if it’s keeping me sane then I’m not complaining. I do use it for depression and anxiety, which is exactly what has increased during this time, so it is extremely helpful right now.

Willis: There are a few factors playing into my experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. That is, my partner, 4-year-old son, and I recently moved to Colorado from California where I was born and raised. We came out here for a sick relative who has since passed. We do not know many people out here nor do we have any family members close by. I am also 7 months pregnant and have missed out on some wonderful milestones when it comes to celebrating this new life inside of me. 

Although we are only so grateful to have our health and employment, loneliness can be all-consuming. Cannabis has definitely played its role in easing the storms. I am working as an educator and social marketing contractor for my favorite CBD company, Onda Wellness, and get to dapple with my favorite products to help my body relax and recalibrate. My livelihood is cannabis and that’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

Featured illustration by VectorMine/Shutterstock

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There are very few people who have been compared to both a superstar homemaker and kitschy advice columnist, but Ed Rosenthal — aka the Guru of Ganja — is that person. According to the NY Times, “Mr. Rosenthal is the pothead’s answer to Ann Landers, Judge Judy, Martha Stewart, and the Burpee Garden Wizard all in one.” 

Over Rosenthal’s 35-year career in the cannabis world, he has been an educator, writer, researcher, culture expert and activist, and is continuing to leave his mark on the ever-growing industry to this day.

Widely considered to be the world’s leading expert on marijuana cultivation, Rosenthal boasts a large body of written work including Marijuana Grower’s Handbook, The Big Book of Bud, Beyond Buds, Closet Cultivator and his long-running column, Ask Ed, which ran in High Times Magazine for many years. 

And of course, he continues to be a horticulture expert for cannabis training programs like those at  Oaksterdam University and Cannabis Training University. In fact, the Marijuana Grower’s Handbook is often referred to as the cannabis grower’s bible and features a forward from pot culture icon Tommy Chong. 

Mixing cannabis and business with Ed Rosenthal

Rosenthal has said, “Marijuana may not be addictive, but growing it is,” and his Handbook bears witness to his enthusiasm and knowledge. Geared toward both beginners and advanced growers, it features more than just growing tips, and includes scientific research, developments in technology, best practices for both indoor and outdoor grows, and how to save time, labor, and energy. In fact, Oaksterdam, based in the city of Oakland, uses the Marijuana Grower’s Handbook as the official course text for classes on marijuana cultivation.  

But his expertise is much broader than that. Rosenthal’s unceasing contributions to cannabis culture and widespread marijuana acceptance include founding the cannabis organization Quick Trading Publishing and marijuana consulting and technology company Quantum 9. 

Currently, he works as CEO for the charity Green Aid: The Medical Marijuana Legal Defense and Education Fund, whose mission is to provide services to protect the interests of the medical marijuana community in the United States. He is also a member of the International Cannabinoid Research Society, a group dedicated to a deeper understanding of cannabis compounds like CBD and THC.

Advocating for cannabis patients and dodging jail cells

Rosenthal has always viewed cannabis as a crucial social issue, and in the early 1990s, he dedicated his time and research to examine the medicinal effects of cannabis. His objective, he told The New York Times in 2003, was to determine which varieties of marijuana could be most effective in alleviating the symptoms of diseases that today’s patients do without second thought, including cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and depression. 

After the passage of Prop 215 — the trailblazing 1996 initiative that legalized medical marijuana in California — Rosenthal was made an “officer of the City” by Oakland officials in 1998. His job? To grow medical marijuana for patients in the city of Oakland. 

Following that dictum, Rosenthal sold starter plants to many Oakland co-ops and medical marijuana clubs. However, he was arrested by federal authorities and charged with marijuana cultivation and conspiracy in 2002. 

But his conviction and subsequent legal fallout never landed him in jail for any substantial amount of time. In fact, after his conviction, several jurors, who had not been told that Rosenthal had been appointed by the city of Oakland to grow medical marijuana, renounced their previous guilty verdicts because the information had been withheld at the judge’s order during the trial. 

Rosenthal was sentenced to one day in prison, and in 2006, his conviction was overturned. However, he was re-indicted in 2007 and convicted on three of five counts, including conspiracy, cultivation, and intent to distribute. Once again, he escaped the courtroom relatively unscathed, serving no prison time. 

What’s Ed Rosenthal up to now?

During the years of Rosenthal’s legal battles, Green Aid was founded to support Ed’s trial. The 501(c)(3) continues to advocate for medical marijuana patients and has worked with marijuana reform organizations like the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) to keep the children of medical marijuana patients safe from home removal by Child Protective Services, and to help patients travel by air with their medicine. 

The organization also advocates to cease the practice of asset forfeiture, a dubious legal tactic whereby local law enforcement may seize money and property without evidence and without a charge or conviction. Ostensibly created to protect society at large from drug traffickers, the funds from asset forfeiture are typically fed back into law enforcement agencies who see the marijuana industry — whether operating legally or not — as easy targets. 

The founder of NORML, Keith Stroup, has said of Rosenthal, “Ed has always been an out-front marijuana legalization advocate, someone willing to push the envelope, often at some personal risk, to achieve social change.” 

Rosenthal continues to show up and challenge the War on Drugs — even in courtrooms as an expert witness for federal, state and civil marijuana cases — and will continue to leave his mark on a cannabis industry that is growing in acceptance and accessibility.

Featured image by Harold Adler/Shutterstock

The post The Guru of Ganja: Learning about cannabis with Ed Rosenthal appeared first on Weedmaps News.

Source: wm

Outbound Brewing is offering proof of concept to other hopeful producers of CBD beer — but it’s an uphill battle. 

CBD, the non-intoxicating cannabinoid of cannabis, is more popular than ever, showing up in everything from activewear to lip balm. CBD doesn’t produce any mind-altering effects and is federally legal (albeit with a few caveats), which means it is accessible to adults nation-wide who want to take advantage of cannabis’ non-intoxicating properties.

While not all CBD is created equal, infusing it into beverages for mind and body relaxation is a growing trend, with drinks like VYBES, Recess, and Beam in full swing. As of 2020, the craft beer industry has also made its first foray into the world of non-alcoholic CBD infusions. 

While most of the existing so-called weed beers replace alcohol with THC, swapping one mind-altering substance for the other, there is currently only one CBD only beer brand available in the United States: Outbound Brewing. There are several hemp beer brands in the UK, such as Hop & Hemp Brewing Co. and Green Times Brewing. There have been other companies that attempted to pioneer the CBD beer scene as early as 2017, like the Two Flowers IPA from Coalition Brewing and Medicator from Longtrail Brewing Co. (who now makes CBD seltzer), both with short runs and ultimately halting production or shutting down. 

What does CBD beer do?

First, the most pressing question: does CBD beer get you high?

No, it doesn’t get you high in the traditional weed sense. CBD doesn’t have the intoxicating effects associated with THC.

The major difference between CBD beer and THC beer is the effect that each produces. THC-infused beers induce the typical mind-altering feelings of being high, with the strength of the effects dependent on the dose and number of servings consumed. CBD infusions, on the other hand, will produce effects that are not mind-altering at all. Consumers report feelings of relaxation and mood improvement. 

CBD beer is expanding the reach of the cannabis-infused beer industry to include those who do not want the psychoactive effects of cannabis, but still want to enjoy the benefits (and taste) of infused beer. 

Does CBD beer have alcohol?

First and foremost, it’s worth noting that CBD-infused beer doesn’t have alcohol. In fact, neither style of cannabis-infused beer contains any alcohol. Production for both types of beverages is very similar, starting with the development of the non-alcoholic flavor base that will satisfy beer drinkers, most commonly achieved by de-alcoholizing a traditionally brewed beer. 

Once the alcohol is removed, a cannabis nano emulsification is infused into the liquid, which provides more than one benefit, as Lyden Henderson COO of Outbound Brewing explains: 

“[in addition to] suspending properly into a liquid, you also get a higher bioavailability and faster uptake time with nano emulsification. It’s actually an ideal delivery system for cannabis products. This improved delivery was an unintended benefit of a process originally designed to avoid separation between the beer and liquid cannabis solution.” 

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In addition to production basics, THC and CBD beer both serve similar markets. One primary customer of cannabis beer is someone looking to minimize or eliminate alcohol consumption, while still enjoying a delicious and effective beverage. “Our ideal customer is anybody who is looking to enjoy fun flavored carbonated drinks, and interested in living a healthy lifestyle…[our products] are great for people who want to moderate their alcohol intake, including recovering alcoholics, or those with an allergy to alcohol,” says Lyden. 

Customers also want to enjoy the effects without smoking, as Henderson explains: “you can’t always smoke a joint or rip a bong in a social situation… but you can drink our beers in front of people.” By incorporating cannabis into an already socially intuitive format, it integrates easily into existing cultural norms: a beer before or after dinner, by the grill with friends, casually enjoyed as part of a healthy lifestyle and free of illicit implications. 

Getting around the red tape 

Like so many cannabis products, there is significant bureaucratic and legal red tape delaying the development and widespread availability of CBD beer. Henderson describes the CBD beverage world as “a little bit of the wild west” compared to the THC side, which has mandatory testing and is more regulated. THC-infused beers have a similar status as edibles, which can be legally bought and sold in select states where medicinal and recreational use is allowed. CBD beers, on the other hand, are stuck between two worlds.

The lack of clear legal status, higher price points than regular edibles, and the need for refrigerated storage present real challenges. 

“CBD can be sold as a dietary supplement, but infused in food or beverage, it is considered an adulterated product…we are expanding into unknown territory,” admits Henderson, noting that “the CBD industry as a whole is waiting with bated breath for the FDA to make legislative updates that were hinted at in press releases in February.”  

While the current legislative murkiness is problematic, Henderson is confident that “there is better opportunity with CBD [versus THC] in the short term” when thinking of a brand that can cross state lines:  

“CBD is a hot topic with a high level of interest. CBD products are flying off the shelves, so if you get a good brand that you can back with science, there’s a lot of opportunity for rapid growth.” 

What does it taste like

Nano emulsifications can be made relatively neutral, allowing the producer more control over the final flavor profiles. Below are the current offerings from Outbound Brewing with tasting notes for each one. 

• Pale Haze: Pouring a hazy amber in the glass, it has a mild but pleasantly hoppy aroma. Crisp bubbles make a fine effervescent texture with flavors of citrus, flowers, and a hint of bitterness for a well-balanced brew that is neither too strong nor too weak. 
• Grapefruit Haze: Pale and golden in color, aromas are citrusy and light. Small tight bubbles add to the overall refreshing quality of the lemon and grapefruit zestiness. The tangy finish makes for easy drinking. 
• Blood Orange Haze: The tan brew shows herbal and earthy notes with deep aromas of blood orange peel. The texture is a piquant fizz that complements the juicy orange flesh flavors, with undertones of citrus zest and an earthy finish. 

Where to find CBD beer

Currently, Outbound Brewing seems to be the only manufacturer making CBD beer. Outbound Brewing is a non-alcoholic beer maker based out of San Diego, and their CBD-infused beer sold in southern California as well as Arizona and New Mexico. The exact availability is a bit hard to pin down given the shifting regulation, Charlie Reed, VP of Brand & Impact says “we are building out our retail footprint and are excited to be partnering with grocery, liquor, convenience and speciality stores soon as well as exploring opportunities with bars, restaurants.” 

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Source: wm