EPISODE 17 - PART 2

Add Date, 2025

00;00;04;28 - 00;00;37;10
Maria
Welcome to Just Say KNOW where we shine a light on cannabis with clarity, curiosity, and a commitment to credible conversation. I'm your host, Maria Calabrese, and you're listening live on KCAA radio 1050 AM, 106.5 FM or wherever you listen to your podcast. Hey, question who was very sad? If you want a thing done well, get a couple of old broads to do it.

00;00;37;12 - 00;01;10;10
Maria
Yep, it was Betty Davis, and while she wasn't talking about cannabis, let's let's be honest, she might as well have been, very easily. Could have been. Because as we're about to hear, women are not just participating in this industry. They're transforming it with vision, with courage, and with a whole lot of great. So this is part two of our special two part series on women in cannabis.

00;01;10;13 - 00;01;44;11
Maria
If you joined us last week, or part one, you heard firsthand stories from trailblazing women about what it was like to work in cannabis before legalization, the stigma they faced and how they navigated conversations with family about studying or working in this emerging field. And today, we're taking a deeper look at the broader systems, policies and power dynamics that shape who succeeds in cannabis and who continues to be left behind.

00;01;44;13 - 00;02;03;19
Maria
2019 there was so much hope. Women made up 37% of the cannabis exacts today, just over 23% are women and women of color even less.

00;02;03;22 - 00;02;09;20
Reel
La la la la la la la la la la.

00;02;09;22 - 00;02;49;01
Maria
Hey, we'll hear from the UCLA CannaClub, a panel with insights from leaders working at the intersection of advocacy, research, and representation. We're going to shine a light on why it is so critical for women, and especially women of color, to be at the forefront of cannabis or any science, policy and product development. Later in the show, our Product spotlight features trailblazer and design visionary Doreen Sullivan, founder of My Bud Vase, and her beautifully crafted Mermaid Bong Vase.

00;02;49;04 - 00;03;20;26
Maria
This bong made of artisanal glass, doubles as a vase. I'm going to throw to a video clip where Doreen shares her story and how she's changing the face of cannabis accessories. One elegant piece at a time. We're also going to dive into our Consumer Tips and Insights segment with the ladies of Mary Jane University. As we explore how to find a cannabis doctor and what questions to ask so you can feel confident, safe, and supported on your wellness journey.

00;03;20;29 - 00;03;47;15
Maria
Now, the purpose of today's show is to give you not just the awareness, but the tools. Tools to advocate if you wish. Tools to support equity driven in women led businesses. Tools to just change the conversation. Because together, together, we have the power to change the way the world sees green. And that includes how the world sees women in green.

00;03;47;17 - 00;03;56;22
Maria
So sit back, relax, and get ready to get smarter with some of the smartest minds in the.

00;03;56;22 - 00;04;10;27
Intro Music
Industry by 2020. Bank of America and Merrill Lynch estimate that will grow to $35 billion. And many experts believe it could eventually reach $200 billion each and every year.

00;04;11;00 - 00;04;37;13
Unknown
You make me feel better. I know one day. I just want everyone to see what I. Sky blue. And when I'm. When I feel I got high I feel. Lift me up now I can see so much fly like you're my rising.

00;04;37;15 - 00;04;44;11
Intro Music
You're my love. When.

00;04;44;14 - 00;04;45;24
Intro Music
I'm a butterfly.

00;04;45;24 - 00;05;00;02
Intro Music
Who has only begun taking me a while to get it. Had to live and cry. To appreciate life. Then what you give is what you get. When you hold to me. When you hold me so close. Someone better in under your skin.

00;05;00;10 - 00;05;00;27
Intro Music
When I leave.

00;05;00;27 - 00;05;09;24
Intro Music
I'm like so that I can be sure to remember why I should be satisfied.

00;05;09;26 - 00;05;36;28
Maria
Before we dive deeper into today's second part of our two part series on women in cannabis, I want to take you back to where this conversation began on the campus of UCLA. Just after adult use legalization in California, a group of forward thinking students launched what became the first student led cannabis organization in the country, UCLA CannaClub.

00;05;37;00 - 00;06;16;11
Maria
Their mission to educate students on the science, policy and career opportunities emerging in cannabis and to normalize the conversation around it. Long before it was even beginning to become considered mainstream, at the helm of this groundbreaking initiative was MCC co-founder of the UCLA CannaClub, who went on to moderate a really, truly powerful panel titled Limited Cannabis brought together such an inspiring and diverse group of pioneers, each of them reshaping the narrative of what women and weed who really look like.

00;06;16;13 - 00;06;46;12
Maria
We'll hear from Ophelia Chong, founder of Pot Stock Images. Doctor Brandie Cross, PhD, founder of The Pot Lab, and Felicia Carbajal, community organizer and founder of. Hi, Felicia. Hey, let's bring Maia and this incredible panel in as they discuss equity, science and representation, what it takes to build the cannabis industry that's going to work for all of us.

00;06;46;14 - 00;06;47;21
Reel
We.

00;06;47;24 - 00;07;06;12
Maha Haq
Especially at CannaClub, we are very aware of the social equity program in LA. We've had Kat Packer come in a couple times speak to us about it. I would like to hear your guys's take on that and why we need it. Why is it so important and what students should know about it?

00;07;06;18 - 00;07;30;10
Brandie Cross
So I'm going to try to kind of tie into the narrative since we're talking about our various communities. So I'm Afro indigenous, in case you couldn't tell. You usually can't. So that means I'm black and I'm North American Indian. I'm a Choctaw Nation, although I'm registered as DNA or Navajo in our communities. We are up against a lot of things because cannabis means jail time.

00;07;30;10 - 00;07;57;25
Brandie Cross
Cannabis means the cops will kill you. Cannabis means a lot more severe penalties. And this goes until Latino communities as well, because anyone knows those are indigenous people as well. And it's not Latinos that necessarily pass as white that are being murdered by the police, let's just say. So you're up against a lot of things, even if people believe in grandma keeps a secret plant in the closet that you don't know about, or that bottle of something that she gives you when you're really sick.

00;07;57;26 - 00;08;13;28
Brandie Cross
And so the same with black grandmas too. They do it too. They hide it because all they know is you could go to jail. And even if they believe in the medicinal powers, it's like, well, it might heal you, but you might die. So, you know, it's this life or death gamble. And it has been in our communities for a long time.

00;08;14;05 - 00;08;40;23
Brandie Cross
So as a black person, I go back to the history of bringing back, slavery and bringing seed here. People's teeth were pulled out for saying the word dagga, which is in different African dialects, means cannabis plant. They actually remove their teeth. So these, these things, fall into this modern history where we have black, Latino and indigenous people kind of being held back by the quote unquote, legalization efforts.

00;08;40;23 - 00;09;17;17
Brandie Cross
So the social equity, bills are really important. A lot of the licensing and I've read all the dialog, and one thing I had a problem with was you have to give up your indigenous federal rights for this license. Why would I give up federal indigenous rights on my own land? Excuse me? Where my other ancestors was built for free to have a free Okie dokie license that I'm paying 10,000 and up a year to have when nobody's making that kind of money that cares about their patients.

00;09;17;19 - 00;09;46;22
Brandie Cross
Nobody's making that kind of money who labels correctly. Nobody's making that kind of money without oppressing someone else. So I have a lot of issues with the way prop 65 was written because, sorry, 6465 one. Because prop 215 could have been cleaned up a lot better. Patient advocacy groups were really against it, and a lot of community groups were against it because it took away the right for patients to cultivate for themselves.

00;09;46;25 - 00;10;14;03
Brandie Cross
And it took away their groups, their cooperatives, where people like us, we get together and say, oh, hey, we have a, this garage and we're going to grow 20 plants. We're going to split them between us, and then we're gonna have this medicine for a year. So there's a lot of problematic things. So the social equity programs are the only way to kind of bring back free cannabis, give away farms, cooperative farms and, you know, low cost medicine for people who are truly sick because being sick costs a lot of money.

00;10;14;03 - 00;10;31;16
Brandie Cross
If everyone wants to have capitalism, which I personally don't. But if we're going to live in capitalism, everything costs money. And so with nowhere to donate to and no where to give away cannabis, we're really hurting the patients while we're rewarding recreational users. That's just my opinion.

00;10;31;23 - 00;10;56;21
Maha Haq
So on that note, gender equity is also a topic that's floating around in the cannabis industry. There's articles that we're seeing countless times on, like within this industry that's all female executives are rising. The percentage, the rate, it's rising. Oh my gosh cannabis industry best for women. So I did a bit of research. I checked out some stats.

00;10;56;23 - 00;11;28;09
Maha Haq
While that may be true on some levels, it's it was reported that there was an almost 10% decrease from 2015 to 2017. The rate of female executives in the cannabis industry. So I'll tell you guys some exact stats right now. This is about 600 people cited from MJ Biz Daily. 36% of executives, were women in the cannabis industry in 2015, 26.9% in 2017.

00;11;28;11 - 00;12;01;28
Maha Haq
So that's that's a significant drop in my opinion. And when we are considering, female minority executives in the industry, there are they're even lower than that. They are at 5.3%. And like something that comes into my head is hopefully social equity changes that. Hopefully we could see more, see more female minority executives and kind of stop it from dropping because it is, it is it is on a decline.

00;12;02;00 - 00;12;19;09
Maha Haq
So when you hear that, oh, the industry is being paved for women, it is. But, you know, there's also issues that we gotta, you know, take into account. So how are some ways we could address that drop. How what what do you think happened. Why did that drop happen.

00;12;19;15 - 00;12;34;16
Ophelia Chong
Didn't you think the drop happened with licensing. Yeah. No. Because if you can't get a license you don't have a company. So a small tiny tiny little craft for women. And so with licensing and the costs that's why I dropped.

00;12;34;23 - 00;12;54;22
Felicia Carbajal
You had asked in your first question when we were talking about social equity and its relevance in the conversation and what students can do, I just wanted to touch on it a little bit more, because if we look at it like I always remember in my day it was called affirmative action. So we know that affirmative action has been ruled unconstitutional.

00;12;54;22 - 00;13;19;13
Felicia Carbajal
So we're just trying to figure out solutions. And how do we create this equal, fair and just cannabis industry like this is a new industry. We have an opportunity is as women, as people of color, as just people in general, who want to support and foster this idea that women are half of the population. So if we're half of the population, that should be reflective.

00;13;19;13 - 00;13;40;28
Felicia Carbajal
So in terms of a students, you're gonna have to dig a little bit deeper. You have to fight a lot harder, especially if you're a female. Just because we oftentimes don't get that recognition. And one of the to to touch on what a said in terms of not having the resources, it's not having the resources. And the people, women of color in particular, like, dude, nobody visits us in jail.

00;13;41;00 - 00;14;06;15
Felicia Carbajal
You know, like having to remind people like people don't visit women in jail. And this is still federally illegal. So even if you were to go through certain licensing fees and do all of the things that you necessarily have to do, this is still federally illegal. So I would I would imagine that some moms, some other people, when they were deciding what they wanted to do when they grew up, having a cannabis business isn't one of those things.

00;14;06;21 - 00;14;31;07
Felicia Carbajal
So that's why it's going to be really important that all of you young people in here who have interest in this conversation, that, number one, you support each other because that's oftentimes you don't see that. And that's such a necessity that you support each other because, well, all we have is each other, especially in the cannabis industry when it comes to, some of the male domination that we're currently seeing.

00;14;31;10 - 00;14;53;01
Felicia Carbajal
And then with that, it goes their values. So if we're going to deal with, with, sexism classes, racism, misogyny and all of these things that we're trying to eradicate from the conversation, all of you ladies who are sitting here with us and you gentlemen as well, because we're going to need those strong allies who know how to step up.

00;14;53;01 - 00;15;15;27
Felicia Carbajal
And then remember to step back, though, guys, because we've been having issues with that. But, but that's something different. But in terms of I mean, that's what we're going to have to do to have, equal fair and just cannabis industry is all of you guys are going to have to just be aware that there's going to be a lot of work, there's a lot of money for some people.

00;15;16;00 - 00;15;28;18
Felicia Carbajal
But for many of us, especially women, it's going to be a lot of work. It's digging and deep. It's that's my sister right there. How can I help you? That's my sister right there. How can I help you? And being like, sincere?

00;15;28;20 - 00;15;29;10
Maha Haq
Definitely.

00;15;29;10 - 00;16;04;01
Maha Haq
Well, on so on the topic of bringing more to female minorities. So stem education, as I mentioned earlier, we can connect cannabis with research. So Stem education is already kind of picking its way up with minority communities. It's still lacking. And it's something that, you know, we got to work on. So, doctor Brandie how would you how like, how important do you think that women of color need to be represented within the Stem community as well as a cannabis research community?

00;16;04;03 - 00;16;09;27
Maha Haq
Are they are they being represented enough? I don't think so. But I'd love to hear from you about that.

00;16;09;27 - 00;16;31;04
Brandie Cross
You never heard of me... So that answers your question. There's a reason, and it's a lot of male white male dominance. Strong arming. I don't know how many times I'm going to argue with a janitor over whether or not to use gasoline to make cannabis oil, and that you're getting it right. As a black woman, people just still look at me.

00;16;31;08 - 00;16;51;28
Brandie Cross
Actually, I don't even need these to see. I just wear them because you perceive me differently if I wear them. They're ADHD glasses for using the computer so I can read the computer more easily. But I find that when I wear them, people actually take me seriously as a PhD in biochemistry and don't think I'm an artist or a dancer, which I like to dance, or a singer or of me.

00;16;51;28 - 00;17;08;24
Brandie Cross
There's nothing wrong with these vocations. It's just interesting that I would be going somewhere with my Stem family at Hopkins, or even my UCLA Stem fam, and we have our little posters and they check everyone and they'd be like, yeah, we're going to the cell biology conference. And they get to me and they're like, oh, is this artwork?

00;17;08;26 - 00;17;32;22
Brandie Cross
I feel like what's different about me? Like there's three people from India, three people who are Chinese, a Japanese person, a three white people. And then you get to me and suddenly I'm an artist, right. So representation matters, but it also matters if you're actually representing where you came from. And this is, I got to say this to, possibly any minority.

00;17;32;22 - 00;18;00;09
Brandie Cross
Some people here, I grew up in a blue collar family. I almost had black coat, a very blue collar family. I mean, my parents are both ex-convicts. They're both convicted for murder. They're both pardoned. It was in self-defense. This is during the civil rights, thing. My mom is Caucasian, but raised me pro-black. So I grew up to fight for my sisters, learning that all, people were my sisters and brothers.

00;18;00;11 - 00;18;20;05
Brandie Cross
So going into Stem was a funny thing, because they didn't know what the hell I was doing. It's kind of like being little Sheldon, right? I was just like, oh, this thing, this thing and these rockets, and they're like, okay, whatever. But they they offered me unyielding support. And just like any poor people would, I know it's in poor families.

00;18;20;05 - 00;18;35;03
Brandie Cross
You're just like, yeah, you go a little magic and they don't know what the hell I'm talking about. They're just like, do it again. And. And I went to school, some of the richest kids in the nation. I mean, many kids, you could tell they just chewed with their mouth open. They wiped their hands on their pants. You're 25.

00;18;35;03 - 00;18;51;17
Brandie Cross
Okay. Come on. You really like. And I felt bad because I knew at least my family might be kind of messed up, but at least they love me. Like, I didn't know what they were going, or if they were going home in the holidays to anyone. And they had all these things and everything, and they were what people expect to be a scientist.

00;18;51;17 - 00;19;13;16
Brandie Cross
They were white, they're male, they were hetero sexual, they were soccer players. And, you know, they played rugby or whatever. You know, rich people do. And they were no better scientists than I were. In fact, like there are like 11th year students. I would say we're mostly white guys were just like hanging out. And I'm like, really? It must be nice for it to be that easy because I was like crying in my books.

00;19;13;16 - 00;19;34;13
Brandie Cross
And like always having to prove myself. So if you are in a Stem program and you're a woman, just know you have to be ten times better if you're black or indigenous or if your skin is darker than a paper bag or even gets that dark, you're going to be a hundred times better. And so hold yourself to that, standard and nobody will ever be able to not give.

00;19;34;15 - 00;19;52;17
Brandie Cross
That's not like a pull yourself up by your bootstraps. Not everybody is able to do that. But if you can't ask your sisters for help, turn to people and ask for help. That's something that I had to learn. Find your allies. Because there's a whole world out there saying that you can't, and they'll continue to say you can't even when you're canning.

00;19;52;17 - 00;20;21;13
Brandie Cross
Like I was in grad school, canning, winning awards, and people were still trying to like, you know, dig at me. Other grad students would always be competing with me or whatever, and I ignored it. I held my chin up. I sound so corny. And I kept doing 100 times better because that's the only way. And in our industry, there's absolutely there's like me and like one other PhD in public health I know that I know of, there's not many women to begin with.

00;20;21;15 - 00;20;39;11
Brandie Cross
Most of the dudes are trying to make money. I saw a very famous lab in the industry post it. Oh, cannabis stops the spread of HIV. And I'm like, oh my God, that was a monkey study. It's not even true. Please don't do that. Like, I'm like, freaking out because I care. And I think that's a difference between women is we're so passionate.

00;20;39;14 - 00;21;13;13
Brandie Cross
I don't identify just as a woman, but as a two spirit person. I'm so passionate about what I do, and I would never try to harm someone in that way, not even if it made me look smart and good and made me $1 million, which my family can totally use. You know that I'm more focused on remembering where I came from and helping those students that think, oh, I'm not rich and I don't fit in, and I'm weird and I'm queer and I'm this and my, my family's borrowing money from me, you know, while I'm in college, like, you can do it and you're just going to have to do it better, and you're

00;21;13;13 - 00;21;21;00
Brandie Cross
just going to have to tie your shoes a little bit tighter. You have to get up a little bit more early and, they'll learn to accept you. They'll learn to like it.

00;21;21;02 - 00;21;43;27
Maha Haq
Definitely. You know, you got supporters. We we're all here to support each other at Cana Club. That's what we do. I have a question for you. Affiliate. So with your artwork, with, stockpot images, what do you think sets your work apart from other people who are doing the same? Like what is your personal flair to your own art?

00;21;44;00 - 00;22;13;18
Ophelia Chong
Well, Stockpot Images is a stock agency, so I have 240 photographers or more pay more. Next I design so and so. Sarajevo, but none of it's my art, so that's completely different than what I used to do anyhow. So stockpot it's a it's a, it's a business model. It's based like Getty or Stocksy. So what I do is I'm the middleman between my photographers and the client.

00;22;13;21 - 00;22;39;03
Ophelia Chong
And what I do is offer all these images to our clients and we go everything from seed the sale. We have the largest collection of strains in the world, ripe flower, dry flower, indoor outdoor, everything. So how if there's any of it in in there, maybe it's just maybe how I curate the images. But other than that, stockpot is a business and there is some creativity in it.

00;22;39;05 - 00;22;41;17
Ophelia Chong
But none of mine is all my photographers.

00;22;41;17 - 00;22;44;01
Maha Haq
Nice.

00;22;44;03 - 00;22;44;29
Ophelia Chong
So ...

00;22;45;01 - 00;23;05;25
Ophelia Chong
Yeah, yeah. So, but going back to a little bit about the, people of color as an Asian American, I'm not profiled. Right. You can drive up and down the coast with buckets of weed in the back of my car in bins, and I've done that and just go

00;23;05;26 - 00;23;08;21
Ophelia Chong
I go up to five and I'm waving.

00;23;08;21 - 00;23;37;23
Ophelia Chong
Like, hey, how you doing? And he's like, oh, look, it's like a Korean PTA mom going up there. And, so for Asian Americans, we're not we have not been profiled in that way as African-Americans and Latinos. And so for for us, we haven't felt the brunt of what has been happening since the 70s. So for me, my experience as a person of color is just as an Asian American.

00;23;37;26 - 00;23;52;21
Ophelia Chong
So we do you know, we both have instances where we've had racist attacks on us, but we I feel that we are not profiled as heavily as other minorities.

00;23;52;23 - 00;23;54;17
Maha Haq
We don't share the same verities.

00;23;54;17 - 00;24;03;17
Ophelia Chong
Yeah. We haven't I have an an advantage that I'm not. So not that I'm taken more seriously or as a woman or anything else, but I don't have that profile on me.

00;24;03;25 - 00;24;25;06
Maha Haq
Exactly. Yeah, there's definitely a lot more disparities amongst, you know, black and Hispanic communities compared to other people of color. And thank you guys so much. Thank you, everyone, for showing up for supporting. It's it's been a wild ride with this cannabis student group. This is something I've always wanted to do. So glad you guys are all a part of it.

00;24;25;06 - 00;24;30;07
Maha Haq
And thank you so much to these amazing panelists. Felicia.

00;24;30;07 - 00;24;40;01
Maha Haq
Thank you, Doctor Brandie. Ophelia, thank you so much.

00;24;40;03 - 00;25;12;03
Maria
They are, amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing. And, I had the, good pleasure of running into, Ophelia Chong, Chong after the the event. Let me let me just share that quick clip with you guys. Maria Calabrese, our green bee life. We just heard the most inspiring, empowering panel. And Ophelia Chong, I mean, you are.

00;25;12;04 - 00;25;23;01
Maria
You're just a trailblazer. I you had my attention immediately when you started. You started the panel with talking about being a mom. May I share some of it?

00;25;23;04 - 00;25;23;24
Ophelia Chong
Oh, yeah. Sure.

00;25;23;25 - 00;25;35;11
Maria
Oh, you still back in the day when we would make fun of people right now? Not us who smoked pot. The mom who was making her kids pee in a cup.

00;25;35;12 - 00;25;36;28
Ophelia Chong
Yep, that was me.

00;25;36;28 - 00;25;39;07
Maria
And now you've morphed into the mom.

00;25;39;07 - 00;25;40;28
Ophelia Chong
Who offers them weed.

00;25;41;01 - 00;25;46;13
Maria
Oh, well, Ophelia, you. We captured your panel. You are amazing.

00;25;46;18 - 00;25;47;04
Ophelia Chong
Thank you.

00;25;47;04 - 00;25;54;01
Maria
Anything you'd like to say about Maha Haq who put this together? And the UCLA CannaClub.

00;25;54;04 - 00;26;07;11
Ophelia Chong
I'm just so proud of her. And I wish we had this when I was younger, because if I had it when I was younger and my mind would have been expanded a lot sooner, and not now later. But I wish we had it too.

00;26;07;14 - 00;26;09;00
Maria
But you know who else wishes?

00;26;09;07 - 00;26;09;22
Ophelia Chong
Who?

00;26;09;25 - 00;26;10;13
Maria
Your kids.

00;26;10;15 - 00;26;17;15
Ophelia Chong
I know. Well, not really, because they were under 18, so it wasn't good for them then?

00;26;17;15 - 00;26;22;04
Maria
No, but they went, but maybe they wouldn't have had a pee in a cup. But you're right, you're right.

00;26;22;11 - 00;26;24;11
Ophelia Chong
No would still make him pee just for the hell of it.

00;26;24;12 - 00;26;25;14
Maria
That's a good point.

00;26;25;14 - 00;26;26;16
Maria
That's a good point.

00;26;26;18 - 00;26;29;21
Ophelia Chong
This is a no no. Don't even test it. But just to make a point.

00;26;29;21 - 00;26;31;25
Maria
But the under 18, you're 100% right.

00;26;31;25 - 00;26;32;26
Ophelia Chong
We're that kind of family.

00;26;32;28 - 00;26;36;01
Ophelia Chong
Just pee in the cup.. All right,

00;26;36;03 - 00;26;36;23
Maria
All right Ophelia

00;26;36;26 - 00;26;40;11
Maria
Well was a great, great conversation. Thank you.

00;26;40;14 - 00;26;43;24
Ophelia Chong
Thank you

00;26;43;26 - 00;27;17;00
Maria
She's a trip. And she shared such wonderful insights about being, against cannabis, being a mom, wondering what her kids were doing with the apples, carving them into a bong. And she just had great stories. But her evolution from, you know, kind of against it to, curious and then enlightened, and now an advocate. It's, it's there's nothing like, a cannabis convert.

00;27;17;00 - 00;27;53;13
Maria
What can I say? So those insights really remind us the why equity isn't it's not just an abstract idea. It's about access, fairness, and building a future that includes everyone, whether it's funding for women owned businesses, representation in decision making, or mentorship in science. These stories make one thing clear. Equity is action, and we can all play a part as advocates, consumers and content creators media.

00;27;53;16 - 00;28;21;15
Maria
But first, we have to acknowledge the roadblocks women in cannabis are still facing. And that debate that's happening in the C-suite positions, you know, it's imperative to recognize that these challenges are amplified on top of it for women of color. You know, one of the panelists said afterwards to me, we're not just asking for a seat. We're still building the table with scraps.

00;28;21;18 - 00;29;05;08
Maria
And that really summed it up from lack of capital, leadership opportunities and mentorship to gender stereotyping, workplace harassment, exclusion from industry networks and tokenization. These aren't just checkboxes, guys. These these still barriers that shape who get to lead and who get left behind. You know, representation in science. It isn't just about fairness. It's about outcomes. It's about making sure the products we're putting out into the world actually serve the people who are using them and who need them.

00;29;05;10 - 00;29;49;16
Maria
When we talk about science and product development, the stakes are even higher. I mean, who better to design wellness solutions for women than women? From menstrual pain and menopause to intimacy and mood, we need women in labs, in R&D and on innovation teams not just to make products for women, but to make them better. History has shown us what happens when women are left out of 2011, National Institute of Health study found that only 1 in 4 clinical trials considered sex differences back then, leading to drugs designed for men that didn't work or, even worse, caused harm for when women.

00;29;49;18 - 00;30;27;24
Maria
Now, this underscores the importance of including women in clinical research to ensure that the medical findings are comprehensive enough to be applicable to all genders. The underrepresentation of women in the field of medical research has long been and remains an issue, but for black and other women of color, this exclusion has led to even greater health disparities. You know, black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women, despite similar incidence rates.

00;30;27;27 - 00;30;59;26
Maria
This is an alarming statistic. You know, it's it's partly due to their underrepresentation in clinical trials, which results in treatments that may not be as effective for them. On top of that, the historical exclusion of women of color from medical research is perpetuated. Systemic biases leading to a lack of understanding and misdiagnosis is of conditions that just disproportionately affect them.

00;30;59;29 - 00;31;43;07
Maria
This not only affects individual health outcomes, but it also undermines the overall efficacy of medical advancements in the cannabis industry, where research and product development, they're still evolving the inclusion of diverse perspectives. It's it's critical. It's crucial. Who better to understand and address the unique health needs of women of color than the scientists and researchers who share those experiences by opening doors for women of color and cannabis science research, we not only foster innovation, but we also ensure that the benefits of cannabis are accessible and effective for all communities.

00;31;43;10 - 00;32;15;09
Maria
And when we include women of all colors, we get better results. Listen. By way of example, yeah, here's a wonderful brand take for your wellness. It's a top shelf CBD brand for sexual health. Now, while not women founded, it's male co-founders made intentional moves to build a women led brand focused on cannabis and botanical products for pleasure and pain relief.

00;32;15;11 - 00;33;03;07
Maria
In 2020, Michelle Harrington, a black woman with deep roots in the cannabis industry. She joined Fauria as head of strategic partnerships. In that leadership role, she's been instrumental in expanding the brand's reach and building meaningful collaborations, particularly around educating and empowering women of color about the benefits of CBD for their sexual wellness and intimacy. You know, this brand's success proves that when women lead and when leadership reflects the full spectrum of lived experience, we create solutions that are smarter, safer, and more inclusive.

00;33;03;09 - 00;33;32;22
Maria
According to McKinsey and McKinsey report, companies in the top quarter for gender diversity on executive teams, they were 25% 25% more likely to outperform on profitability. So leaving women out of cannabis science and leadership. It isn't just an equitable. It's a missed opportunity for innovation and economic growth. So as we continue the conversation today, I invite you to think about your role.

00;33;32;25 - 00;34;09;29
Maria
Whether you're in the industry or just tuning in, you have power through your voice, your vote, and the brands you choose to support. You know, whether it's in formulation, product testing, dosage design or marketing strategy. We need diverse minds in the room. When we design with more people in mind, we serve everyone better. And when we include women at the table, we we don't just build a better cannabis industry, we build a better future.

00;34;10;02 - 00;34;40;24
Maria
And this goes for any industry. But speaking of women leading the way in this industry and our very own green life, we've always believed in shining the spotlight and celebrating the feminine power rooted in this plant and in this entire movement. After all, cannabis is a female plant. She heals, she nurtures, and she grows stronger when cared for in the right environment.

00;34;40;27 - 00;35;16;03
Maria
Just like, you know, incredible women shaping this industry. Up next, we're sharing a special quick it's episode from GBL TV that shines a light on that very energy. Women celebrating women in the cannabis space. It's a short, spirited look at how far we've come. How we continue to lift each other up, and why honoring the feminine side of cannabis matters now more than ever.

00;35;16;05 - 00;35;28;03
Maria
Let's have a look.

00;35;28;06 - 00;35;32;15
Barbie 
This is very much celebrated as a female plant and feminine energy.

00;35;32;22 - 00;35;34;27
Maria
That’s why it is Mary Jane and not Mary

00;35;34;27 - 00;35;38;05
Reel
John. Yeah, yeah.

00;35;38;10 - 00;35;49;26
Barbie 
And its roots are in compassion and caregiving. And as women, we're kind of programed to do that. And yeah, I've always felt that way.

00;35;49;27 - 00;35;50;24
Emily Ann Plizak
Within the cannabis.

00;35;50;24 - 00;35;54;26
Emily Ann Plizak
Industry. What is the biggest obstacle that you think we as women face?

00;35;54;26 - 00;36;02;28
Chela
It's the same thing everywhere. It's patriarchy. So we have to deconstruct patriarchy, but it's a female plant, so why not?

00;36;03;01 - 00;36;04;29
Emily Ann Plizak
We're a nurturing spirit. We’re a nurturing sex just like the plant.

00;36;04;29 - 00;36;14;23
Maha Haq
So the first time I went into a dispensary, I walk in excited, got my fresh new medical card. It was just crisp paper. I see these two miserable girls.

00;36;14;23 - 00;36;17;17
Reel


00;36;17;19 - 00;36;18;18
Maha Haq
In like.

00;36;18;20 - 00;36;19;28
Maha Haq
Uniforms.

00;36;19;28 - 00;36;33;13
Maha Haq
They were scantily clad. They were totally uncomfortable. And I'm like, you guys can't be doing this. And I ended up working there and managing that dispensary and killing all those rules.

00;36;33;15 - 00;36;56;02
Felicia Carbajal
Yeah. How do we create this equal, fair, and just the cannabis industry like this is a new industry. We have an opportunity. Is as women, as people of color, as just people in general who want to support and foster this idea that women are half of the population. So if we're half of the population, that should be reflective.

00;36;56;04 - 00;37;30;01
Felicia Carbajal
All we have is each other, especially in the cannabis industry when it comes to, some of the male domination that we're currently seeing. So if we're going to deal with, sexism classes, racism, misogyny and all of these things that we're trying to eradicate from the conversation, all of you ladies who are sitting here with us and you gentlemen, as well as all of you guys, are going to have to just be aware that there's going to be a lot of work, there's a lot of money for some people, but for many of us, especially women, it's going to be a lot of work.

00;37;30;01 - 00;37;38;19
Felicia Carbajal
It's digging in deep. It's that's my sister right there. How can I help you? That's my sister right there. How can I help you? And being like, sincere.

00;37;38;22 - 00;38;03;00
Windy Borman
The fabulous problem I had is there are so many women in cannabis today. So what I tried to do was create a really great cross-section of all the types of women involved in the industry, and it was a difficult task to try to narrow it down. So we have 40 women represented in the film. We have a social responsibility to show that it's possible for women to come into this space.

00;38;03;00 - 00;38;07;28
Windy Borman
So Geena Davis says, if you can see it, you can be it. And I took that to heart.

00;38;07;28 - 00;38;21;26
Chela
Spend where you want to see your dollars being spent. Find female dispensaries, use the products that are made by female companies, or at least equity based companies. You know, it doesn't have to be, you know, all women all the time.

00;38;21;28 - 00;38;35;12
Chela
But that would never actually be the case because women only own about 25, 26% of the companies.

00;38;35;14 - 00;38;59;26
Maria
I love that that's on, greenbeelife.com GBL TV. That's our Quick Hits series. Hey, guys. Stick around. I'm going to be back after a really short break for our Consumer Tips and Insights segment, where we'll hear from the women of Mary Jane University on how to find a cannabis doctor. Stay tuned.

00;38;59;28 - 00;39;04;06
Reel
Did you know THC and CBD are just two of more than one.

00;39;04;06 - 00;39;06;01
Reel
Hundred cannabinoids.

00;39;06;03 - 00;39;12;28
Reel
At Greenbeelife. You can watch GBL TV with an evolving slate of original programing.

00;39;13;03 - 00;39;14;01
Reel
And going up, up.

00;39;14;01 - 00;39;14;16
Reel
Up up up.

00;39;14;16 - 00;39;49;16
Reel
Up, up from a diverse group of on air personalities. I want my GPL TV, where we cover everything from pets to wellness, compliance, social equity, culinary arts, sustainability and much, much more. You can learn from articles on our journal, and you can shop or know and go for carefully curated, high quality products for a conscious lifestyle. Watch. Learn.

00;39;49;18 - 00;39;52;15
Reel
Shop.

00;39;52;17 - 00;40;00;16
Reel
Greenbeelife changing the way the world sees. Green.

00;40;00;18 - 00;40;32;08
Maria
All right. In keeping with celebrating the women in cannabis and oh my God, is it an embarrassment of riches here? Next up, it's time for our Consumer Tips and Insights segment featuring the wise and witty women of Mary Jane University on the topic of women's representation in science. If you've ever wondered how to find a cannabis doctor, what do you look for?

00;40;32;11 - 00;41;01;02
Maria
You're not alone. For many people, navigating this part of the journey can feel very, very intimidating. And let's be honest. Googling weed doctor near me doesn't exactly give you the guidance or reassurance you need. So here are a few things to keep in mind when finding trying to find the right cannabis doctor for you. Look for legitimacy. Make sure the physician is licensed and in good standing.

00;41;01;03 - 00;41;31;29
Maria
That goes for any physician. Bonus points if they specialize in integrative or cannabinoid medicine and they're out there. It's also beneficial if they have additional certifications in cannabis medicine. Seek recommendations. Talk to friends, family, patient advocacy groups, even bartenders who have experience with medical cannabis. Personal referrals, I find, lead to the to the to the best, best, trusted professionals.

00;41;32;01 - 00;42;02;00
Maria
Check the vibe. Are they focused on wellness and education or just pushing paperwork? You know, a good cannabis doctor should take time to understand your health goals, not rush you through a recommendation form and come prepared. Okay. Bring your medical history. Of course. A list of current medications and the symptoms or conditions you're hoping to treat with cannabis, or learn more about whether you can treat them with cannabis and know your state's rules.

00;42;02;02 - 00;42;31;25
Maria
Every state has different requirements for qualifying conditions, documentation, and the type of recommended action or card you'll need. And if you're still unsure where to start, platforms like Leafly Leaf for one one Rivera Hill, they can help connect you to qualified, patient focused doctors in your area. We'll have their resources on our show page at greenbeelifelife.com.

00;42;31;28 - 00;42;49;26
Maria
Now don't just take it from me. Let's hear from the ladies of Mary Jane University, who I absolutely adore. And I've learned so much from who know first hand how powerful it can be to have a medical professional now important it is in your corner.

00;42;49;28 - 00;43;04;29
Frances
That's part of why Barbie and I started the networking group for cannabis professionals was because there was a hunger for this information. How I heard that cannabis can help my my kid with ADHD. My nephew. Well, where do I find it? Got it.

00;43;04;29 - 00;43;07;04
Maria
So as opposed to Ritalin, right?

00;43;07;08 - 00;43;08;27
Frances
Right. Or Prozac,

00;43;08;27 - 00;43;10;00
Maria
Baby Prozac.

00;43;10;00 - 00;43;11;17
Frances
Well, where do I find a doctor?

00;43;11;21 - 00;43;12;05
Barbie 
Well.

00;43;12;12 - 00;43;18;23
Maria
Oh, yeah, where do you find doctor. Can you tell us some of the kind of heroes about the pediatricians out there?

00;43;18;26 - 00;43;21;18
Barbie 
Doctor, Bonnie Goldstein is one of our favorites.

00;43;21;18 - 00;43;23;28
Maria
Someone we really would love to have on.

00;43;24;00 - 00;43;34;17
Barbie 
Yes. And I have no idea how long her wait list is these days, which only speaks to the fact that we need more medical professionals. The time is now. That's the missing link.

00;43;34;18 - 00;43;41;07
Maria
I understand she stands on the shoulders of her predecessors, who risk their medical licenses and potentially going to prison.

00;43;41;08 - 00;43;43;05
Barbie 
Yeah.

00;43;43;08 - 00;43;44;02
Frances
Absolutely.

00;43;44;05 - 00;44;08;20
Barbie 
But that's the only way to, to really help children in a legal way is to get that doctor recommendation from a physician like Doctor Bonnie Goldstein, which is a different type of physician than the prop 215 doctors, where you just get a five minute interview and you get your, your doctor's rec. This is a full examination. She she has extensive knowledge in the endocannabinoid system.

00;44;08;20 - 00;44;13;07
Barbie 
She's a speaker, she's an author. And we need more doctors to step up.

00;44;13;14 - 00;44;15;05
Maria
Goldstein. And where is she located?

00;44;15;06 - 00;44;22;00
Barbie 
She has several centers. They're called. Canna, Canna centers, right, I believe, yeah, I think there's one in Lakewood.

00;44;22;00 - 00;44;23;27
Maria
And throughout Southern California

00;44;24;00 - 00;44;27;25
Barbie 
Yes, yes, I hope she opens more and recruits more doctors.

00;44;27;26 - 00;44;33;13
Maria
Well, recruits more doctors and teaches them how more doctors can feel safe or.

00;44;33;15 - 00;45;07;07
Barbie 
Yeah, because cannabis, it's a big thing for people to who are still against cannabis to say, oh, we'll save the children from drugs. But I love to say how cannabis is saving the children. It's really making a huge difference in in children's lives, especially the ones that suffer from severe epilepsy. There's a form of epilepsy called Gervasi syndrome, and they can have 300 seizures a week, introduce cannabis in their system and that drops to ten or less per week.

00;45;07;09 - 00;45;16;15
Barbie 
So you can imagine just the relief that the parents get. And it's natural and there's no side effects. Oh, maybe you giggle and you get hungry. Sign me up for those side effects.

00;45;16;20 - 00;45;21;23
Maria
So thank God I got for ... Yeah, right right right. Thank God for

00;45;21;23 - 00;45;27;11
Maria
Organizations like Mary Jane University because that's a resource a parent can turn to. And it's a safe resource.

00;45;27;11 - 00;45;28;18
Maria
And it's not threatening.

00;45;28;18 - 00;45;34;07
Frances
We're trying to promote normalization through education.

00;45;34;09 - 00;46;05;01
Maria
Hey guys. They are trying to promote normalization through education. And, it's very important. And the FDA requires me to make this disclaimer that whenever medical claims are made, they have not been evaluated by the FDA. And, it's cannabis or CBD has not been evaluated to treat or cure. Any type of, medical condition.

00;46;05;01 - 00;46;44;11
Maria
So that's another episode because the FDA dragging their feet on evaluating the efficacy is is really not helping, move the needle forward and, by the way, there are tens of thousands of studies out there. So we'll have resources on the show page, but I had to, give us the little disclaimer. So one name that comes up again and again when we talk about trusted cannabis doctors is Doctor Bonnie Goldstein.

00;46;44;11 - 00;47;12;15
Maria
That little ladies of Mary Jane mentioned. Yeah. She's the founder and medical director of Canna Center's Canna centers. Also will be on our resource, under our resources on our show page at green Bay Live.com Cana centers is a California based practice that has helped thousands of patients, especially children with epilepsy and autism. She's helped them find relief through cannabis medicine.

00;47;12;18 - 00;47;42;11
Maria
Doctor Goldstein is also the author of a game changing book, Cannabis Medicine. It's a go to guide for patients and health care providers. She's a leading voice in cannabinoid science. She's not only a women woman of cannabis who's blazing trails in cannabis education. She's humanizing the patient experience. She's helping families and individuals reclaim their health with confidence and compassion.

00;47;42;11 - 00;48;25;04
Maria
So remember, finding the right cannabis doctor is a personal journey. But some very, very, very formidable doctors and studies are emerging. Take your time, ask questions, and ensure you feel comfortable with any doctor you're looking for. Approach to your care. So as we talk about the importance of gender equity and cannabis, in this episode's legal update, it's important to remember that policy alone doesn't create change that that's what I want to say, because there's not a whole lot of legal updates moving the ball forward.

00;48;25;04 - 00;49;01;21
Maria
But, yeah, it's important to remember the policy alone doesn't create change. People do. Especially those who push boundaries, challenge outdated norms, and prioritize patient care. People like Doctor Bonnie Goldstein, she's a true pioneer in the medical cannabis space. You know, her work alone has helped so many people, particularly children with really complex conditions. And she's helped them find personalized cannabis therapies that improve their quality of life.

00;49;01;24 - 00;49;31;00
Maria
She's a powerful reminder that when women are included not just as patients, but as practitioners, researchers and policy shapers, the outcomes are better. Whether it's shaping how cannabis is prescribed, researched or understood. Women like Doctor Goldstein prove that inclusion in science and and doctor. Brandie Brandie cross it when approved. That includes when women are included in science.

00;49;31;00 - 00;49;57;19
Maria
It it isn't just about fairness. It's about advancing care, improving outcomes and expanding access. That's why continuing to fight for equity in licensing, research funding and health care representation. And it isn't just the right thing to do. It's the smart thing to do. I want to take a moment to spotlight the evolving legal landscape when it comes to social equity and cannabis.

00;49;57;19 - 00;50;28;09
Maria
Now in California, local equity programs, they've been expanding. We have a whole episode on social equity. Just Say KNOW episode, that you could get at green Bay, Live.com or wherever you listen to podcasts. But, the local equity programs here in our state, California, they've been expanding, including new funding for technical assistance, grant opportunities and business incubation.

00;50;28;09 - 00;51;05;10
Maria
However, many of these programs, they face challenges with rollout and accessibility. But groups like the Supernova Women and the more, the Cannabis Equity Policy Council, they're pushing for accountability transparency and measurable outcomes nationally. Lawmakers, they've introduced federal proposals like more Act, the Safe Banking Act, both of which could improve access for minority owned cannabis businesses.

00;51;05;10 - 00;51;36;18
Maria
But as of now, our grass is still slow, almost stalled. With the new administration. It's more important than ever to stay engaged, so we'll support local cannabis equity coalitions and keep informed, because real change depends on public pressure and participation. When we return, we're going to you're going to want to see our product spotlight. So stay tuned.

00;51;36;18 - 00;51;44;27
Maria
We're going to be back after a very, very, very short break brought to you from leave for one on one.

00;51;44;29 - 00;51;48;09
Leaaf411
Whether you're brand new to cannabis or a long time user, we know you

00;51;48;09 - 00;51;49;21
Leaaf411
have questions and leaf411

00;51;49;21 - 00;52;06;07
Leaaf411
One is here to help. Leave for one one is a nonprofit that provides free or low cost cannabis education through our Nurse Guidance services that can answer your health related questions like the benefits of CBD versus THC, potential prescription interactions, and the best ratios for pain, sleep, and anxiety.

00;52;06;07 - 00;52;07;26
Leaaf411
Get your questions answered today.

00;52;07;26 - 00;52;16;24
Leaaf411
Call us to speak with a cannabis nurse or visit our website to schedule your call and find ways to support this much needed public service.

00;52;16;26 - 00;52;53;12
Maria
All right. There are there are great resources. And you could catch Katherine Golden, their founder, on Ask a Nurse, our Asking Nurse episode of Just Say KNOW. So now it's time to feature one of the most creative, empowering, female led brands in this space. And this week's products spotlight. My Bud was founded by the incredible Doreen Sullivan. Doreen has redefined what cannabis accessories can look like, infusing beauty function ality and a strong sense of identity into every My Bud Vase piece.

00;52;53;15 - 00;53;23;10
Maria
These are stunning vases that double as fully functional bongs. They're designed for women who want something discreet, elegant, expressive and proudly their own. I caught up with Doreen at the Fabulous 99 High Tide dispensary in Malibu, and let's take a look at my conversation, where Doreen Sullivan shares a little about her journey and inspiration for The Incredible Mermaid bong.

00;53;23;10 - 00;53;43;07
Doreen Sullivan
Remember when used to have to hide the rings and put it behind your couch to put them in the closet? Now you don't have to do that. You can just put a flower in it, turn it around and you're at the door anyhow. So that's just one of the features of our products. But we're very honored to make smoking more beautiful and to be bringing some creative choices to your cannabis lifestyle.

00;53;43;09 - 00;53;48;12
Maria
And our viewers would love to know anything new on the horizon?

00;53;48;13 - 00;54;05;15
Doreen Sullivan
Okay, so since we're here and we're celebrating at 99 High Tide, I will tell you that our next collection is going to be Mermaid inspired. And we were just talking with Yvonne and Sam and we're going to launch it here. We would love to have you come back and cover it.

00;54;05;18 - 00;54;29;15
Doreen Sullivan
And we're going to launch you towards the end of the summer as soon as, fingers crossed the mermaid gets out of the ocean in time. Her name is going to be Yemaya, and Yemaya is the goddess of the ocean. And she protects the waters and the animals of the sea. And I'm so into this piece, and I'm literally flying to China to find things to go with it, because I'm, I just feel it creating in me.

00;54;29;15 - 00;54;43;10
Doreen Sullivan
This piece. I live on the ocean. I look out at the ocean, I'm in the ocean speaking to me. And I just really want to make a beautiful piece that is Mermaid and ocean inspired and, fingers crossed and it all looks good.

00;54;43;10 - 00;54;46;22
Maria
And you're leaving for China tomorrow morning?

00;54;46;25 - 00;54;50;06
Doreen Sullivan
Yeah, I'm meeting with product developers, manufacturers, glass companies.

00;54;50;06 - 00;55;16;25
Doreen Sullivan
I'm trying to, kind of reorg some of the mechanisms of the typical Bong. And then just fine decorative pieces, you know, like, and things that inspire me. I want to make product globally. I don't want to be limited to a country or a place or a piece like everything to me, like this little this is a small bottle brush, flower and coyote, but like it actually is when in spite of the color of the glass.

00;55;16;28 - 00;55;24;21
Doreen Sullivan
And so I obsess over the details of a product. And so I love all these elements that add to the balance.

00;55;24;21 - 00;55;28;13
Maria
It's a feminine trait. You talk about that women are eccentric.

00;55;28;13 - 00;55;30;28
Doreen Sullivan
eccentric Yes. You remember that

00;55;31;00 - 00;55;33;01
Maria
I do. I mean, I've learned so much from me.

00;55;33;01 - 00;55;39;21
Doreen Sullivan
So I think women we eccentric we want the eccentric right bong with the eccentric right phone with the eccentric right flower.

00;55;39;21 - 00;55;42;28
Doreen Sullivan
Maybe we want the eccentric right nails with the eccentric makeup

00;55;43;00 - 00;55;44;07
Maria
The eccentric right man.

00;55;44;07 - 00;55;52;21
Doreen Sullivan
Oh, yeah, that's the man we are. So we can't see the eccentric the men when you're trying. Sorry, we're not trying to male bash anyhow. I know it's like

00;55;52;21 - 00;55;58;11
Doreen Sullivan
the eccentric right man eccentric of a man for me. And have a boat and pick me up at the end of the month.

00;55;58;13 - 00;55;59;14
Maria
Hahaha.

00;55;59;16 - 00;56;18;00
Doreen Sullivan
And yeah, I know that. And yeah, so that's kind of part of why I'm sourcing. I mean, when you go to another country, like so many people today, they spend all their time looking through a computer to find what they need. But when you can actually get out into another country and you can see all that's available.

00;56;18;02 - 00;56;25;26
Doreen Sullivan
So I'm praying that my trip is, easy and that the universe leads me to things that are going to make beautiful pieces that we can offer.

00;56;25;27 - 00;56;28;25
Maria
That's fantastic. And how long will you be in China?

00;56;28;28 - 00;56;35;14
Doreen Sullivan
A week. And then when I get home, we get into May and my favorite holiday of the year, Mother's Day.

00;56;35;16 - 00;56;37;29
Maria
So something special for Mother's Day.

00;56;37;29 - 00;56;40;07
Maria
Last year was the Rose. Yes,

00;56;40;09 - 00;56;45;23
Doreen Sullivan
Rose was supposed to be a mother's day piece, but it didn't come to Rose day, which was a month late. Okay.

00;56;45;23 - 00;56;47;07
Maria
Yeah. June. Yeah.

00;56;47;07 - 00;56;52;03
Doreen Sullivan
So it was intended for Mother's Day. Okay. Pieces doing so well. So now that was available.

00;56;52;03 - 00;56;53;10
Maria
Oh it's gorgeous.

00;56;53;15 - 00;56;59;04
Doreen Sullivan
Yeah. We'll get Rose there and get your code up there because for Mother's Day Rose would be a beautiful piece for you to get.

00;56;59;05 - 00;57;01;16
Maria
And are you doing you're doing something special for Mother's Day.

00;57;01;16 - 00;57;16;12
Doreen Sullivan
I'm going to do Rose. Yeah, I'm gonna do Carson and Jacob for my children. They're going to come visit me. So they're going to be home for Mother's Day and we might get tattoos together. We say we're going to do it every year. But anyhow, I'm so glad to tell you I haven't shared at all about these pieces.

00;57;16;12 - 00;57;20;14
Doreen Sullivan
And, thank you for asking. And thank you for your support and your love.

00;57;20;17 - 00;57;28;06
Maria
No, absolutely. I think this information should be a sneak peek for My Bud Vase subscribers and Greenbeelife subscribers only, maybe.

00;57;28;12 - 00;57;49;07
Doreen Sullivan
Yeah, well, we can work on something like that for sure. All right, do that. We'll figure it out. The master Stallion minds are going to get together and join one.

00;57;49;09 - 00;58;24;09
Maria
I have to tell you, it is truly been an honor and a privilege putting together this two part series. And, as we wrap it up before we go, I want to leave you with the words of someone who helped lay the groundwork for California's legal cannabis industry. Lori Ajax, California's first cannabis czar, in this clip recorded shortly after her appointment in 2016 at the first ever Cannabis Film Festival in Palm Springs, Lori reflects on her early impressions of what she called a magical plant.

00;58;24;09 - 00;58;36;07
Maria
This is a reminder, as we close of this shared respect, responsibility and hope. This plant represents.

00;58;36;09 - 00;59;00;27
Lori Ajax
So I'm going to tell you one last story. Okay, so early on up in Humboldt County, didn't know anything. Somebody came up to me, a gentleman, and said, Lori, do you know cannabis is a magic plant? And of course, at that time I'm like, what? Like like I, I didn't know that. I said no. And he said, it is.

00;59;00;28 - 00;59;33;14
Lori Ajax
And he told me all about the properties of the cannabis plant and said it's helped so many people. It's really up to you to make sure we honor it and respect it as a magic plant. I don't know at that moment in time, I truly understood what he was trying to convey to me. But over these last couple of years, I'm going to tell you, it means a lot to me that moment in time, I go back and think it is magic, right?

00;59;33;17 - 00;59;56;00
Lori Ajax
But not just because it's helped heal people. But look at all of us together in this room. Look at all the different people it's brought together to the table. Look at how it's changed all of our lives. I'm going to tell you, I don't consume cannabis, but it's changed my life, and I think it's probably changed all of your life.

00;59;56;03 - 01;00;08;29
Lori Ajax
So yeah, I think it's magic. Thank you very much and have a wonderful weekend.

01;00;09;01 - 01;01;32;28
Maria
I'm Maria Calabrese and this is Just Say KNOW. Stay bold. Stay curious and let's keep changing the way the world sees green together. And, yes, have a wonderful weekend. Take care everybody.

Just Say KNOW is a greenbeelife presentation airing live weekly on Friday afternoons from 4 to 5 PM. Pacific on KCAA Radio and KCAA TV. Archived audio episodes are on greenbeelife, greenbeelife.com, iHeart Radio, Spreaker and most third party major platforms.

For archived videos, check them out on GBL TV on greenbeelife, YouTube and Rumble. To follow us!Our Instagram and Facebook is @JustSayKnowRadio to apply to be a guest on the show or for sponsorship and advertising opportunities, go to greenbeelife.com/just-say-know and feel free to reach out to me Maria for any questions at Maria@greenbeelife.com or (818) 758-6925.