It’s difficult to see an equitable solution in the Cannabis sector without offering more than 1 busines model.
In this video I give 5 reasons why small business models is the solution.
cannABrownGirl?
Host and curator ChaVon Butler lightbulb for her video series during a time( losing her mother to pancreatic cancer in 2016) that she needed exactly what she represents, a woman of color and believer of the most high God, Christ, well informed on the medical benefits of cannabis, and an informative resource or community.
The series of conversations amongst women of color opens a healthy and comfortable space for others to share experiences, education, and create representation in the cannabis industry.
“When I started doing research on cannabis and the medicinal benefits, I was so mind blown. I knew that many people of color suffered from the stigma, I knew that it was a thing that we didn’t talk about on this level , I knew that it was shunned upon. I knew that a lot of black men are STILL institutionalized for it. I knew that I needed to be a part of the change.”
By ChaVon Butler Instagram @cannabrowngirl
Last weekend I had a crisis with my 15 year old son. He had an anxiety attack during school hours. The attack was intense enough to make my son consider suicide.
A few months ago I decided to put my teenage son in therapy. There were no real alarms or red flags. I was just being a mom that wanted my son to have good physical and mental health. As a victor over child abuse I understand the importance of being able to communicate your thoughts and feeling with someone that just gets it. I felt very alone as a teenager and I never wanted my son to feel as I did.
Many years ago I noticed my son was having a difficult time focusing in school. I started doing research on CBD and ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). I never wanted to medicate my son however all the methods we had been using weren’t having good results. All the information I read said that it could help. I knew I was having great results from using CBD oil regularly. I hopymy soon would as well.
The results were amazing and he’s been using it for years. Unfortunately it’s difficult to ensure a teenager takes his medicine EVERY DAY!
Friday, during school one of the teachers noticed ny son didn’t look himself. He questioned his physical health and my son answered he was fine. Later that day he approached a teacher he trusts and shared how he was feeling. That teacher called his uncle that works at the school he attends. By the time my brother in love got to my son my son was in full panic mode. His heart was beating fast and he was calmly suggesting he should kill himself. His panic was so real you could feel it through his chest.
My brother in love talked to my son until he felt his heart slow down. Asked had he taken his supplement, my son had not. The uncle gave him his CBD supplement and they went home. By the time it was bed time he was calm and relaxed.
Turns out my son hadn’t taken his supplements in months.
The following morning he took another dose of CBD and had a phone conversation with his therapist. Although we all agreed he was feeling better my son insisted he wanted to be checked into a center.
Saturday afternoon, 2pm I checked my son into a mental health center for youth. Yes, this black mom had to admit her black man child into a mental health Center for youth.
5 years ago I wouldn’t have EVER been able to deal with my son’s mental health with the same urgency as I do with his physical health. Before Cannabis I was under the impression only black people with real issues go to therapy and or people that can afford it. The post Cannabis me has served thousands of Black adults with non diagnosed mental health issues like anger, depression, high stress levels, anxiety, and bipolar. Many of them had been self medicating with weed since the age my son is now.
Today my son is feeling well. He’s back in school and he’s taking his CBD daily.
In the industry I joke about the guy who is still slanging marijuana as a gig. How he must really have had to learn his profession to compete with big industry. How “slanging” trees probably has had to become a passion not just a hobby. How at this point, he should consider going legit or get a new gig!
Actually, that is “I joked” past tense. My awareness to my community struggling to understand the dynamics of an industry that capitalizes on them as consumers but doesn’t allow them entry as owners is diabolical. The truth of falsely criminalizing people of color to easily marginalize them later is criminal. It’s constant with the way America works but looked upon as a habit.
I remember shrugging off the idea that Big Business would take over the Cannabis industry. Why would Big Business want to take a risk like Cannabis. You can’t bank and you can’t duplicate the model. How would Big Business find this “risk” worth taking?
I was WRONG!! Big Business is here
Simply put, the money keeps flowing. I’m sure they believe, everything else will work itself out.
Meanwhile people of color are still in prison on crimes Big Business is making billions off of. Oh, and I haven’t forgotten the fucking war on drugs was really a war on people. War is Big Business! Of course! I’m shaking my damn head at that bullshit!
I digress.
As I, a woman of color, fight the war of marginalization in life, I mean business, my bad. I see far too clearly how difficult the road ahead is
1. I’m Black in an industry where I’m 6 times more likely to get arrested for possession over my white counterparts.
2. I’m a leading woman in an industry where I’m usually best served as the pretty glorified Cannabis waitress (budtender)
3. I’m a black woman that has been depicted in media as a haughty, aggressive, foul mouthed, emotionally ignorant person.
I may not be out here like the small Cannabis busines owner “slanging” my products. But I am out here! I’m fighting my own wars in this industry. Trying to manipulate the codes and maneuver through regulations to ensure justice for that small business owner that wants HIS chance at the free flowing money risk.
Nature’s Kindest Delbert and Dyran have been working on this project for over 2 years. Congratulations to them and their partner Stephanie for being consistent and seeing this thing through.
You can ask for Nature’s Kindest at your local Nevada Dispensaries.
Interview was done LIVE on Facebook on Nov 2016 by A’Esha Goins & Eboni Browning
There has been a lot of questions about THC infused massage oils and whether or not they work and what can they effectively be used for?
Turns out you can use THC infused oils for just about anything. The formula I have been using was made by Evergreen Organix and includes essential oils of Lavender & Vanilla and Coconut oil. The fragrance is calming and sexy and the application isn’t oily.
I’ve used the oil for headaches, body aches, everyday calming care and nighttime treatment for relaxation and calming. It’s a massage oil in an easy application bottle and the aroma is heavenly.
Recently I used the oil as a therapy massage for a man I am seeing. He’s not a marijuana user but the massage oil posed as a non-intrusive product to use as an introduction to Cannabis. He works 2 full time jobs and is always on his feet. I massaged his shoulders, back, legs and feet with the oil. He fell asleep during the massage and woke up ready for the day. His immediate response was, he had received many massages before and none were as soothing and therapeutic as the one he had received with the THC oil. He said it was calming and relieved his pain all at once.
I can honestly say, I use this oil EVERY DAY. Once I am out of the shower and getting ready for the day I rub the oil on my neck and shoulders to keep me focused and relaxed.
Retail cost is approx. $35
