EPISODE 7

How are cannabis and fine wine similar? How can a thoughtfully dosed THC gummy turn life’s busiest moments into more joyful, stress-free experiences? In this episode of Just Say KNOW with Maria, Liz Rodrigo, founder of CaliLily, joins Maria to discuss the luxury of low-dose cannabis, the power of owning your choices, and how women are breaking barriers in the cannabis industry. Tune in to discover how luxury cannabis can help you unwind, connect, and embrace life—unapologetically.

Dec 13, 2024

00;00;04;00 - 00;00;36;05
Maria
Hello hello again and welcome to Just Say KNOW where we spotlight the innovators behind cannabis is newest emerging products and ideas at the forefront of the legal cannabis movement. Join me on my quest to uncover everything you need to know about cannabis. But we're never told from what it is to how it works. We'll explore it all one conversation at a time, right here on on KCAA Radio 1050 AM, 106.5 FM,

00;00;36;07 - 00;01;07;25
Maria
Coming to you from the Inland Empire and beyond. I'm your host, Maria Calabrese and today, we are going to explore how cannabis and fine wines are surprisingly similar, yet offer uniquely different ways to unwind and connect. We're also going to unpack why low dose THC products can be a game changer when it comes to creating joyful, stress free moments. A specially during special occasions.

00;01;07;27 - 00;01;37;13
Maria
And yes, we'll even touch on how cannabis can make parenting during the holiday season or any busy season a little more manageable. And here's a thought for the holidays. What if we all just stopped the apologizing so much? We're going to discuss why owning your choices, cannabis related or not, is the gift that's going to keep on giving.

00;01;37;15 - 00;02;05;28
Maria
Joining me today is Luis Rodriguez, the visionary founder of Cali Lily, a luxury cannabis edible line. Liz hold is the unique distinction of being part of the small yet powerful group of female founders, representing only 20% of funded companies. While women have made historical strides, much like the cannabis industry, there is still a lot of work to do and a long way to go.

00;02;06;01 - 00;02;38;16
Maria
Liz is going to share her passion for refined experience and empowering women to enhance their lives with cannabis unapologetically. Whether you're a consumer looking for answers, a Canna mom looking for support, or a budding female founder seeking inspiration. This conversation matters because it affects us all. So get cozy, but not too cozy if you're driving, and get ready for a lively conversation that will inspire you to rethink recharge.

00;02;38;19 - 00;02;59;24
Maria
And of course, know cannabis and maybe even yourself a little better. Because what we've seen take place in the cannabis industry over the past several years has been the most rapid transformation of any sector.

00;02;59;26 - 00;03;13;16
Intro Music
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;03;13;18 - 00;03;40;03
Intro Music
You make me feel better like no other day. I just want everyone to see what I sky blue. And when I'm with you I go higher. You lift me up. Now I can see so much farther. You're my rising.

00;03;40;05 - 00;03;47;01
Intro Music
You're my eyes.

00;03;47;03 - 00;04;04;06
Intro Music
I'm a butterfly who has only begun taking me a while to get it. Had to live and cry. To appreciate life. Then what you get this way. For when you're holding me. When you hold me so close. Someone better in under your skin. When I leave, I’m...

00;04;04;08 - 00;04;33;22
Maria
I'm absolutely thrilled to welcome today's guest, Liz Rodrigo, founder of Cali Lily, the luxury cannabis edible line being praised as a new wave of low dose joy created to help you feel your best. Liz's journey into cannabis is both deeply personal and profoundly inspiring. Her connection to the plant began during one of life's hardest moments, helping her mother through her battle with breast cancer.

00;04;33;24 - 00;05;04;22
Maria
As a teenager, witnessing firsthand how cannabis eased her mother's suffering left Liz with an unshakable belief in its healing potential. Now a mother herself raising a spirited toddler, Liz has brought her passion and expertise full circle with Cali Lily. Designed with intention and cheer, featuring low dose five milligram servings, Cali Lily products. Now get this because this is what got me.

00;05;04;24 - 00;05;30;25
Maria
Cali Lily products are crafted for those seeking to stay present and capable, while also experiencing moments of calm and relaxation. Liz, I am so excited to have you here today to share your story and your vision for how cannabis has worked for you and can potentially help others. Welcome to Just Say KNOW, Liz.

00;05;30;27 - 00;05;34;18
Liz Rodrigo
Thank you so much for having me. I'm thrilled to be here.

00;05;34;21 - 00;05;39;12
Maria
We're thrilled to have you. So let's tell us a little bit about yourself and Cali Lily.

00;05;39;15 - 00;06;09;27
Liz Rodrigo
Yeah, I'd be happy to, Well, I'm actually originally from the East Coast. I grew up outside of Boston, Massachusetts. And went to college out there. I actually majored in psychology, which wouldn't have thought it at the time, but actually set me up for my further careers, to really help dive into consumer insights. And while I always was fascinated and really enjoyed cannabis, it was never really on my mind as a career path.

00;06;09;29 - 00;06;36;22
Liz Rodrigo
And so I went through career paths, through, selling luxury items at auction houses, even working at an architecture firm, and then finally decided I needed to, grow up and get a big girl job. So I went to business school in Virginia. And that's how I found my way into the wine industry. And so I worked, in brand management, a few different wineries in California, which really led me, I think, to my calling.

00;06;36;24 - 00;06;52;18
Liz Rodrigo
I was able to get some fantastic experience, but really, I'm now excited and very passionate about applying that to the cannabis space and specifically to really, make it more approachable and empowering for female consumers.

00;06;52;20 - 00;07;03;05
Maria
I actually went to Boston University undergrad and graduate, grew up on the East Coast to Jersey girl, but, Boston, that's where my heart lives.

00;07;03;09 - 00;07;06;29
Liz Rodrigo
You're also familiar with the East Coast winters.

00;07;07;01 - 00;07;09;24
Maria
And the East Coast female founders.

00;07;09;27 - 00;07;11;25
Liz Rodrigo
There you go.

00;07;11;28 - 00;07;45;10
Maria
That's right. In, like, laying out like a lamp. All right, well, now we're going to spotlight Cali Lily. This is this week's featured product. And full disclosure, Cali Lily has not, sponsored this episode. They haven't paid for any advertising. This is purely because I found the product. I met the founder, and I want to put well meaning brands together with consumers looking for products that are going to enhance their life.

00;07;45;10 - 00;08;06;13
Maria
And you should only support trustworthy brands. You should know who is behind the brand. How is it manufactured? So Liz, using Cali Lily as our featured product, what is it on the Cali Lily packaging ingredient? It's all the things that would should draw someone to it.

00;08;06;15 - 00;08;37;09
Liz Rodrigo
Yeah. I mean, I think, like other industries or, you know, other sectors of consumption, I think look for a brand that resonates with you, look for a brand that is, checking the boxes in terms of the ingredients or you know, manufacturing practices and things like that, that work for you. And with dosage, if you're a newer consumer, look for a lower dose, look for something that you can cut in half or something like that.

00;08;37;09 - 00;09;15;05
Liz Rodrigo
That's going to make the experience more enjoyable for you. And, and just find something that's going to work for you, and for cavalierly, like I said, like we're very focused on the ingredients. We we're very, considerate. When we were choosing a manufacturer or of who we wanted to work with and someone that was going to produce something really high quality but also consistent in the effects, which is something that, you know, certainly I don't I don't think it's as prevalent now, but in the past, inconsistency was something that was a big issue for consumers when it came to edibles.

00;09;15;07 - 00;09;46;02
Liz Rodrigo
But we're we're really proud of the product that we've made and so excited to share it with consumers in California. We've gotten some really amazing feedback that has made me, me and, you know, blush in my my heart feel really warm. But people have said it's provides a really beautiful mouthfeel experience. The texture and the flavor that it can be a moment of luxury and kind of creating that ritual for someone, whether it be at the end of the day or, you know, for sleep, we have it.

00;09;46;04 - 00;10;10;21
Liz Rodrigo
I mean, that's really beautiful and helping with sleep. And you can have the jar on your bedside table, and something to enjoy right before you go to sleep. But the experience, particularly in the feeling that it provides people call beautiful elevation, which I think is such, you know, really captures the feeling in a really great way. And it's a moment of intentional luxury.

00;10;10;21 - 00;10;36;01
Liz Rodrigo
So allowing yourself a product that can be a moment of self-care, a moment of, you know, enjoyment, relaxation or connection without necessarily worrying about waking up hungover or not getting a good night's sleep. But it's taking care of yourself and doing so in a way that you don't have to apologize for is really, you know, everything that we're looking for here at Cali Lily.

00;10;36;01 - 00;10;37;22
Liz Rodrigo


00;10;37;24 - 00;11;05;29
Maria
Yes. And I have to say, I, I did sample the dozing off. Now, I haven't taken a lot of THC or CBD gummies. I'm not a big gummy candy fan. I this I wouldn't even call it a gummy. I don't even know what to call it. The mouthfeel was incredible from the moment it touched my tongue to the moment I bit into it.

00;11;06;01 - 00;11;10;29
Maria
What do you use to sweeten it? It was just the flavor was unparalleled.

00;11;11;01 - 00;11;33;12
Liz Rodrigo
Yeah. I mean, it's just, we have there is sugar in there. It's not, you know, a zero sugar, element by any means. But also important to remember, the goal is to only take, you know, 1 or 2 or half or something like that. So I had to keep reminding myself during our, you know, development stage, the goal isn't for someone to keep popping a million of these.

00;11;33;12 - 00;11;42;28
Liz Rodrigo
It's so, you know, we're not too concerned with, like you said before, it doesn't need to have artificial sweeteners or something in there. I wanted it to be as natural as possible.

00;11;43;01 - 00;12;03;12
Maria
The flavor. But what got me was the texture. My, mother in law was an assistant living. A lot of the older people did not want to try gummies. Their daughters were trying to give them gummies because they were afraid of the crowns in their mouth. This was not like a gummy. It was like a jelly in the middle.

00;12;03;17 - 00;12;34;02
Maria
I can't even there's nothing that I can compare it to it. There's no reference point. It was it was a very refined experience. It was luxurious. It's five milligrams that. Now when you say low dose, my experience, low dose is for someone who's experienced and taking cannabis. 5 to 10mg is considered a low dose. But for a lightweight like myself or some, I know myself and how I react.

00;12;34;02 - 00;12;57;21
Maria
Or for someone new to cannabis, you know you. Like you said, you're in control. You figure out what your low dose is even on your website. In The tips for beginners, you talk about starting low. Low and slow and there's no peer pressure. The texture, the texture. And this lends itself to making it so easy to cut in half.

00;12;57;23 - 00;13;13;14
Maria
I always start an edible at 2.5mg, and it was very easy to cut this in half. It's a beautiful experience. So tell us you have three different once you have dozing off, which is a star fruit flavor.

00;13;13;17 - 00;13;36;19
Liz Rodrigo
So yeah, so we have dozing off which is for sleep. So it has five milligrams of THC and two milligrams of CBN, which is a minor cannabinoid. That really is quite helpful. In sleep quality we have end of day, which is for kind of liken it to getting home from work. Kick it off your heels or shoes and pouring a glass of wine.

00;13;36;19 - 00;14;13;16
Liz Rodrigo
It has five milligrams of THC and five milligrams of CBD. And then our happy hour, which is my personal favorite, is exactly what it sounds like. It's more uplifting and really wonderful at helping you kind of connect with friends and feel more enlivened and focused. And it has five milligrams of THC, three milligrams of THCV, which is a seemingly relatively new, newly discovered minor cannabinoid that has a beautiful effect of feeling more energized and focused in your energy.

00;14;13;19 - 00;14;20;06
Maria
I'm very excited about the promise of THCV and weight loss, but we need more studies.

00;14;20;06 - 00;14;21;28
Liz Rodrigo
But oh yes. Absolutely.

00;14;22;01 - 00;14;25;29
Maria
That's interesting. Can you tell us a little bit about the flavors of each?

00;14;26;02 - 00;14;51;17
Liz Rodrigo
Yeah. So we wanted to incorporate flavors that were kind of higher end and really globally inspired. So we have coffee or lime for our happy hours. So channeling some of those, you know, margarita vibes, we have elderberry for our end of day and then starfruit for dosing off. And I just couldn't help myself with the, you know, star and star fruit and dough and sleep and night time.

00;14;51;17 - 00;14;53;20
Liz Rodrigo
I just, you know, had to get that in there.

00;14;53;22 - 00;15;16;18
Maria
Okay. It's got intention behind it. That's, that's substantiated for certain. Well, it's a beautiful line. It's, on apologetic. So let's let's just dive in to giving your background in the wine industry. So how do you see the wine and cannabis as being similar?

00;15;16;20 - 00;15;37;13
Liz Rodrigo
Yeah. I mean, it's absolutely I think, through this transition, I've really been able to see a lot of those similarities, which has helped me tremendously in getting Cali Lily off the ground. And I'd start by saying that I think they're both used in a variety but very similar settings. There's so much emotion that can be connected to it.

00;15;37;14 - 00;15;59;09
Liz Rodrigo
What you often will turn to alcohol or cannabis when you're feeling really happy, when you're celebrating something, or maybe when you've had a tough day or are, you know, sad about something else. You turn to both of them when you're with friends and looking to connect. I think they can both be, very useful in all types of those settings.

00;15;59;12 - 00;16;18;22
Liz Rodrigo
And they're also using some of my marketing language, very ego based. With so many different brands in both industries, you're able to gravitate and pick ones that really speak to who you are as a consumer and what we call your emotional needs state and what it is that you're looking to kind of fulfill through that experience.

00;16;18;24 - 00;16;28;16
Maria
Yes, but unlike wine, if you're using it for emotional support, could be a slippery slope, correct?

00;16;28;18 - 00;16;30;25
Liz Rodrigo
Absolutely. Of course. Yeah.

00;16;30;28 - 00;16;34;13
Maria
And you're from the wine industry and you're saying that.

00;16;34;16 - 00;16;47;06
Liz Rodrigo
Yeah. I mean, certainly, you know, working in the wine industry, you see, all of the beautiful ways that people can interact with wine but are certainly aware of, you know, some of those, the negative, situations that can occur as well.

00;16;47;12 - 00;17;19;02
Maria
I, I've read a lot of, studies and, and, pieces in the news about Gen-X moving away from alcohol and, and turning toward cannabis. Do you think cannabis has the same potential to create the same kind of social rituals we associate with wine? For instance, I know a lot of wine connoisseurs who love to pair their wine with a beautiful dark orange.

00;17;19;05 - 00;17;34;04
Maria
Do you see people pairing their gummies with a nice meal or or some of the social rituals that are associated with wine? What's happening with cannabis?

00;17;34;06 - 00;17;57;29
Liz Rodrigo
Yeah, well, I think, you know, you've you're absolutely accurate in what you're saying. But I would also add that Gen X is certainly not the only group that is behaving this way. So I think certainly younger generations are also being very mindful about their alcohol consumption and exploring other ways to get the same effects of whether it be relaxation or, you know, uplifting and connection.

00;17;58;02 - 00;18;36;23
Liz Rodrigo
But to answer your question, I think absolutely, I think finding rituals that work for you, I mean, a lot of people will talk about their skincare rituals or their sleep rituals to help set them up for that. I think a lot of people now are finding their rituals, whether replacing that, you know, end of day glass of wine with a gummy who's also up in a long standing, I feel like ritual that people will have with the flower itself of cannabis and kind of whether it be, you know, rolling a joint or packing a bowl, there's something that people can find very therapeutic around the ritual, setting up themselves, knowing that that kind of feeling

00;18;36;23 - 00;18;42;17
Liz Rodrigo
of, you know, relaxation or what have you is going to be coming along with that ritual.

00;18;42;20 - 00;19;13;02
Maria
It's it's exciting. And these new forms and ways of consumption are very, very exciting. How would you say the century experience of wine and cannabis compare? I know they always say in wine and in cannabis, the knows knows. So particularly in how they engage our taste or smell or our mood. A lot of people I have been socialized with the rituals of wine so they know what their limits are.

00;19;13;04 - 00;19;21;13
Maria
Could you talk a little bit about the onset and the duration? For edibles or gummies?

00;19;21;15 - 00;19;48;15
Liz Rodrigo
Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I think it's well, certainly very different of it's when you're comparing edibles to wine, a very different sensory experience because you're going to take, you know, maybe 1 or 2 gummies, whatever your preferences. So the actual consumption part of it will be much shorter. But certainly there is going to be flavor and texture, and mouthfeel that comes along with the eating of the edible.

00;19;48;17 - 00;20;07;13
Liz Rodrigo
But then I think the sensory experience will be a little bit different because you wait to start to feel it, and then slowly you start to feel it effects and see how it kind of impacts your mood, your, energy levels, you know, all of those sorts of things. So I think it is a bit of a different sensory experience.

00;20;07;13 - 00;20;27;17
Liz Rodrigo
But I think you hit on a really good point before where there is precise dosage. And so, you know, kind of and are going to be able to predict the more you get to know a brand and the dosage amounts, you'll be able to understand how it is that you're going to feel and have that kind of consistency in experience, which is nice.

00;20;27;19 - 00;20;48;20
Liz Rodrigo
And it doesn't have the same type of snowball effect as drinking might where, like you said before, one glass turns into three and you're, kind of keeping up maybe in conversation and and don't notice how much it is that you're drinking. I think it can be a little different when it comes to gummies, because it's more, predictable and reliable in that way.

00;20;48;22 - 00;21;12;17
Maria
In California, we're 20 minutes into the show, and that means it is 420. And what better thing to do or offer on 420 than to drop a knowledge bomb? We have a little segment was called Quick Hits and I'm going to put my tweet. I'm going to put you on the spot, for 20. Can you drop a knowledge bomb for us?

00;21;12;17 - 00;21;16;04
Maria
Can you give us a quick hit?

00;21;16;06 - 00;21;39;11
Liz Rodrigo
Thank you. Maria. Yeah. No, I'm so excited. And, in honor of this, and in honor of the season, if you're listening to this in December during the holidays, my tip today goes out to all the other canna moms out there. I don't know about you, but my to do list has been growing by the minute, and, my tip for you today is just to make sure.

00;21;39;11 - 00;22;10;14
Liz Rodrigo
And this might sound like, you know, duh. Please prioritize your self-care. And during the holidays, double up. A lot of times, a lot of the magic falls on our shoulders. And I don't want you to forget to make magic for yourself. So whether it is taking a cannabis infused bath or a regular bath, having a gummy or, you know, whatever you need to do to make sure that you're checking in with yourself and taking care of yourself this season or whatever this applies throughout the entire year.

00;22;10;16 - 00;22;25;05
Liz Rodrigo
Just know that the more that you take care of yourself and show up for yourself, the better and more able you'll be able to take care of and show up and bring the magic for everyone else around you. So can moms just, take five minutes for yourself today?

00;22;25;07 - 00;22;48;21
Maria
I love that, and I love that you did. And just say to do it. And you gave them a very doable goal that will be tolerable. Start by taking five minutes for yourself. I love that, Liz, could you just share with us, a couple of the things that you do in addition to taking five minutes for yourself?

00;22;48;26 - 00;23;17;17
Liz Rodrigo
Yeah, I, I try to work out almost every day, even if it's just like a 15 minute spin class. On my peloton, I find that for me, that that exercise or going for a walk, 15 minutes stretching, you know, whatever it is just allows me to kind of recenter and, feel a little bit better in my own body, in my mind, all of that.

00;23;17;17 - 00;23;39;22
Liz Rodrigo
So I exercise a lot. I take a lot of baths. I'm a big bath person. And whether I'm, I say the other thing that I do that my husband always makes fun of me for. I play a lot of games on my iPad, so that's kind of how I at night I will. And my godmother always, you know, hits me up with the latest and greatest games.

00;23;39;24 - 00;23;52;27
Liz Rodrigo
But just playing a game on my iPad, even if it's like 5 or 10 minutes, brings me joy, distracts me, and allows me to just, have fun for myself for ten, ten, 15 minutes.

00;23;53;00 - 00;24;21;27
Maria
I love it, and it's such great advice. It's a great tip, and it's a great knowledge bomb, because what I take away from it is I'm seeing a theme here. I love that you have love. So does gummies, and your goals are doable. We don't have to overdo it. It's about finding balance. I love that you said 15 minutes a day maybe on the peloton, because when I hear anything in excess of 15 minutes, I just, I'm out of here.

00;24;21;28 - 00;24;49;14
Maria
I it's overwhelming to me when I hear you have to do it 30 minutes. And I love the self-soothing. I love the baths. And, I, I'm a candy crush girl, so maybe we will connect. And, I will say new being new to cannabis, I'm. I did get addicted to video games, but I've never felt an addictive reaction to cannabis.

00;24;49;16 - 00;24;52;20
Maria
Go figure. But I'm all right with.

00;24;52;20 - 00;24;53;24
Liz Rodrigo
That.

00;24;53;26 - 00;24;55;20
Maria
Right? Right.

00;24;55;23 - 00;24;57;12
Liz Rodrigo
Absolutely.

00;24;57;14 - 00;25;28;21
Maria
Now, when we were talking about the different ways to to consume cannabis or the different, social rituals compared to wine, wines used to wine down or try to feel a little less social anxiety, maybe in a social setting so that you could connect. But, it seems that cannabis, compared to wine is more versatile. Can you speak a little bit about that?

00;25;28;24 - 00;25;52;12
Liz Rodrigo
Yeah, absolutely. I think you hit it on the nose in, in that there's so many, many different types of occasions or different types of feelings that cannabis can elicit. And I think for me, the biggest thing is that there's a little bit more of a lightness or a softness to the effect or the experience than I often get with alcohol.

00;25;52;14 - 00;26;14;16
Liz Rodrigo
But I think you can have it when you are looking to relax. You can have it when you want to be creative and maybe do some kinds of art projects, or if you need to be focused and uplifted, if you're like going to be cleaning the house or something like that. Like it can there's because there's so many different types of strains and minor cannabinoids now, there's so many different types of effects that you can experience.

00;26;14;16 - 00;26;35;19
Liz Rodrigo
So I think there is a wonderful versatility in that. For cannabis. And I think the other thing is there's not as much or maybe no, of the pretentiousness that can sometimes come along with wine. That's certainly not saying that it's always there, but I do think that that's a connotation that a lot of people associate with wine.

00;26;35;22 - 00;26;51;06
Liz Rodrigo
And, you know, you can have certainly I've had friends that have opened very expensive bottles around me and, and are describing, you know, the smells or the aromas and the flavors that they're getting. And I'm like, yeah, sure, I'm cracked leather. Yeah, I'm getting that.

00;26;51;08 - 00;27;31;29
Maria
Well, you taste the cracked leather, right? Yeah. Oh, you got that in it. Yeah. Oh my God, that's such an incredible point. Backtracking a little bit. There's the versatility that the cannabis affords is there's so many different intentions behind it. And and it offers there's something for everybody. Whereas wine is usually with a meal or for celebration. But all the different reasons you could the versatility of the plant in terms of taking it medicinally or adult use, or for creativity or for wellness or as part of a self-care routine.

00;27;32;01 - 00;27;53;12
Maria
And, it comes in so many different forms. But yeah, that's really funny. I have to tell you, I'm new to this. I'm completely new to cannabis, and I am, but I do thank you. And and please, let's let's if we have any control over the way this market evolves, let's let's try it out of cannabis snobs.

00;27;53;12 - 00;28;14;03
Maria
I don't think we're ever going to have cannabis snobs. You crack me up about the wine snobs. I could tell you, being new to it. See, the first thing you said to me was welcome. It's welcome being I walk into a dispensary. I don't I will I'm not asked about did I taste the crack the leather or did I I feel empowered.

00;28;14;03 - 00;28;46;07
Liz Rodrigo
I think you're absolutely right in that it is. And maybe it's because we're still, you know, kind of coming out of prohibition and, and there's many different people that are trying to bring awareness and break some of the stigma that does exist in the cannabis space. But I've found it to be a very welcoming space. Everyone being willing to help you out or introduce you to new people or, you know, talk to or answer questions that you might feel dumb asking because you're just not as in the know, but I think punchline for your show.

00;28;46;07 - 00;29;02;16
Liz Rodrigo
I didn't even mean that. But, no, I found that it's very much everyone is focused on, you know, a rising tide lifts all boats. And how how do we just kind of help each other to bring out more education and talk about this beautiful plant?

00;29;02;19 - 00;29;33;10
Maria
Yeah, it's very, very inclusive and comes from a spirit of just helping you have your need met. Both have a learning curve, but, you know, flavor profiles, potency effects, how can people new to cannabis approach it with the same kind of curiosity and enjoyment that they do with wine?

00;29;33;12 - 00;30;00;01
Liz Rodrigo
Yeah, I mean, lean into it. I think having that kind of curiosity is wonderful, and there's so many amazing resources out there that I think you can just go and educate yourself. And, you know, it's just looking online, and just googling, you know, different types, all almost all dispensaries, I would think, have their menus online. So you could even start exploring and then have another browser open to be googling, you know, what is this?

00;30;00;01 - 00;30;27;17
Liz Rodrigo
Me and or, you know, finding the answers to that, Cali lily, we have really tried to create a website that is for those that are newer to cannabis. We have a ton of resources on there from FAQs to a glossary and articles about, you know, starting with I'm a first timer. Like, what should I expect? I'd say Buddhist is another wonderful app that you can download, and they're doing a lot of reviews.

00;30;27;17 - 00;30;45;22
Liz Rodrigo
So if you're curious about a particular product, you could go on there and see if there's any kind of information that you could get to understand, you know, how the effect might be or what the experience. And I know that you have put together a beautiful library of information on, you know, the podcast website. So people can check that out as well.

00;30;45;22 - 00;31;13;24
Liz Rodrigo
But I think educating yourself, but having fun with it and exploring and trying different things and just kind of taking a poll of how that make me feel that I like it. Should I try it again or, should I try something else? And when you're going into a dispensary, Bud, tenders are, I've always found, so helpful. There's not that, intimidating factor that you get sometimes when you're wine tasting or something like that, that they're really curious.

00;31;13;24 - 00;31;28;25
Liz Rodrigo
What is it you're looking for? How do you feel? Or, you know, how are you looking to feel? They're there to help you and guide you towards the right product. So I'd say don't be afraid of just going in and walking up and saying, hey, I'm new, I don't want to. I don't know what I want. Can you help me figure it out?

00;31;28;25 - 00;31;32;14
Liz Rodrigo
And I will guarantee that they'll help you figure that out.

00;31;32;22 - 00;32;04;19
Maria
All right. Well, finishing up on what we were talking about, the importance of education. And I appreciate your shout out for green Bay life, but I have to shout out to you guys. I mean, I understand you're sponsoring that profile series, female Bud Tenders in the, MG magazine beginning this month in December. We'll have a link for our viewers, because I think they'll be able to get it through your, press section of your website.

00;32;04;21 - 00;32;12;00
Maria
But tell tell us about this, profile series on female bud tenders. Tell us a little bit about that.

00;32;12;02 - 00;32;38;14
Liz Rodrigo
Thank you so much for asking about it. Yeah. We've been so excited to work with MG magazine, and we are profiling female bud tenders in the Southern California area, which has been wonderful, you know, but to meet them, but also hear their stories about what got them into the industry, what they enjoy about it, how they enjoy interacting with consumers, particularly female consumers.

00;32;38;16 - 00;32;54;19
Liz Rodrigo
And you know what it is that they've been learning and noticing throughout their time. So it's been wonderful to both highlight them, and draw attention to the work that they're doing because, like all industries, I think the cannabis, space needs more of that.

00;32;54;22 - 00;33;26;22
Maria
It does. And for consumers out there, you really want to know who's behind the product you're supporting. And I can't say enough about Cali Lily and about Liz, who really tries to pay it forward. She's got a tough road to hoe any well-meaning brand trying to pave the way while there's federal inaction and a patchwork of inconsistent laws, it's a challenge.

00;33;26;22 - 00;33;55;15
Maria
So we're going to, as an industry, succeed together or fail individually. And, Liz, you know, Cali Lily, it's a beautiful brand that you have in a beautiful mission that you're on. And I love that you guys are sponsoring to profile female bud tenders. This is, it's a medicine, is a refined experience. A plant is multifaceted. It should not be marginalized.

00;33;55;21 - 00;34;23;20
Maria
So I'm going to make a little, little plug to, d schedule it, not reschedule it. Before legalization in California, women were exploited. It would be the girls in the bikinis on Venice Beach bringing you in to a funky looking, booth where there's a doctor to give you your medical marijuana card. It's a serious plant. It improves people's lives.

00;34;23;20 - 00;34;46;17
Maria
The genie's out of the bottle. And so women need to be empowered and not exploited the way they were. So I love that you're profiling. It's it's. You have a new wave of cannabis in your innovative product, but there's a new wave of bud tenders and there's there's a new wave of respect for the women going into those roles.

00;34;46;21 - 00;35;11;03
Maria
Liz, I agree with you about holiday stress. For me, it often feels like I'm trying to run a marathon and flip flops and a great deal of the seasons. Magic, as you mentioned, falls to all of our mothers and wives out there. Let's face it. You know, mom moms, they make it happen and they make the moments magical.

00;35;11;05 - 00;35;29;11
Maria
But it shouldn't be at a great cost to them and nobody wants that. So how can low dose THC products help create a more relaxed and balanced holiday mood or mood in general? Why low dose THC gummies?

00;35;29;13 - 00;35;51;26
Liz Rodrigo
Well, first I just want to like. I love that description of running a marathon and Flip-Flops because that's sometimes what it feels like. I mean, the holidays are a magical time, but they also come especially for moms, or parents of all kinds. It comes a lot of pressure and a long to do list, as do many other times throughout the year as well.

00;35;51;26 - 00;36;22;17
Liz Rodrigo
But like you said, I think there's a lot that falls on our shoulders to take care of this time of year. And I think low dose THC products can be such a beautiful pairing because like I said earlier in the podcast, they they can add a feeling of lightness or softness around some of the stress that tends to come, you know, with life or any time of the year, but particularly the holidays and I think there's many different ways that you can integrate them into the life, you know, the day to day.

00;36;22;17 - 00;36;49;23
Liz Rodrigo
So you could have one before setting off to cook a big family meal. You could have one before doing a big, you know, gift wrapping marathon and put on some of your favorite music. But I think that there is a way that you still feel in control while also just having like, I like the softening of the edges or a lift of some of that, stress that you can kind of feel that, you know, not everything's going to get done.

00;36;49;23 - 00;37;17;23
Liz Rodrigo
And I have to go run and do this. It just makes you feel like, yeah, I got this and I'm going to have fun while I do it. So, I think that it's a beautiful way, having low dose edibles to, still tackle everything on your list, but do it with a, just a different feeling and a, like, a more of a lightness, and a sense of if I'm going to have all of this to do, I can at least do it while I'm feeling better and, have fun with it.

00;37;17;25 - 00;37;50;03
Maria
I love that you're crushing this stigma because it's it's it's prevalent. And many people outside of the cannabis community, I still believe it's about chasing a high. And, you know, I'm not there's nothing wrong with that. There's a time and place for everything. But like wine, it's it's not. You can't reduce it to spring break. Drinking out of a box, waking up on the side of a street, on a curb.

00;37;50;05 - 00;38;13;16
Maria
I don't mean to bash spring break, but that that is. I mean, anything could be used responsibly or not. And just because in cases where wine is mixed, use it. Yeah, I love this conversation and I love speaking with you. And I love that you're bringing, the the potential for low dose. And as you said, it's a versatile plant.

00;38;13;16 - 00;38;27;20
Maria
There's so many different uses. Right. And applications. And it's not just about, you know, getting completely and totally, disoriented.

00;38;27;20 - 00;38;59;27
Liz Rodrigo
So it's a huge thing to point out because I think that there's, a concern or a stigma that if I use cannabis, I'm going to be out of control, or I'm going to be so high that I can't get off the couch. And I think that it's really important for people to know that, that low dose gummies aren't going to make you feel that way, you're still going to be completely in control, and you can start off with just like a nibble of a gummy and take it from there as your comfort level allows.

00;38;59;29 - 00;39;18;07
Liz Rodrigo
But you can make it work for you. And by using it isn't mean. You're automatically going to subscribe to, you know, a cannabis culture that doesn't work for you. It's still you. It's still your lifestyle. It's still your culture, and you're just integrating it into it as you would wine or a cocktail or something like that.

00;39;18;13 - 00;39;44;02
Maria
Hey, man. I mean, the first time I spoke to you, I was shocked when you explained it as you are these this product is for people seeking to stay present. I said it in my opening because my favorite thing about your brand is for people who are looking to stay present and capable while experiencing a moment of calm and relaxation.

00;39;44;06 - 00;40;07;00
Liz Rodrigo
Yeah, absolutely. And I think it also, brings about a more openness, like there's when you're connecting with other people, whether it be family or friends. I think that there's, there's just it's different feeling that you get, I've never seen someone, you know, using cannabis get really angry or really violent. I have seen that some people that are drinking.

00;40;07;00 - 00;40;11;09
Liz Rodrigo
So, just just something to to think about.

00;40;11;11 - 00;40;44;01
Maria
So it adds a bit of softness, which without intoxicating you, making you cognitively impaired. Just make a little bit of softness. Just some people can use a fine wine for that or a chardonnay. I've heard the expression Chardonnay moms, they don't suffer the same stigma that cannabis moms are up against. Speaking of moms and dads, parents who consume cannabis, particularly in states where it's not legal, they faceless.

00;40;44;01 - 00;40;58;14
Maria
I'm sure you could tell me more about the societal and legal challenges so have you experienced personally the stigma as a parent, using cannabis and any help to challenge the stigma through Cali Lily?

00;40;58;16 - 00;41;38;04
Liz Rodrigo
Yeah, I mean, I'm very lucky to live in California. So a state where it is recreationally legal. So, I'm, you know, I certainly don't have any stories that I'm sure parents in, you know, in other states would have around the stigma or the difficulty in getting it. But, for me, I think it's really challenged and quite frustrating when I see examples or see it negatively referenced in all types of media, especially, you know, movies or TV shows when drinking or even binge drinking is celebrated.

00;41;38;05 - 00;42;18;15
Liz Rodrigo
You know, the memes around a Chardonnay, mom or my mom needs a margarita are all funny. I laugh at them as well. And yet, having a low dose at a bottle is, you know, criticized or could threaten, you know, you taking care of your child. Well, to me that's just comical, but I think it's very important to work against that stigma and, and bring about education, having podcasts like this and talking about the effects and how you feel, and me sharing real life examples of how I incorporate cannabis into my life while still being a present and in control parent.

00;42;18;20 - 00;42;44;13
Liz Rodrigo
I think is really important. And at Cali Lily, we're working on a couple of different fronts to try to do that. You know, first, like I mentioned before, education and all of the resources that we have on our website, talking about low dose, talking about how to be a beginner, how to find cannabis in a way that will work for you, and empowering women to do that exploration and have fun with it.

00;42;44;15 - 00;43;07;29
Liz Rodrigo
I think emphasizing the fact that low dose is just that it is a low dose and it it's almost equivalent to having half of a glass to a glass of wine, you know, in kind of that type of effect of that you're going to feel, and so I think doing like that, we also share a lot of stories in our blogs and articles from women and how they incorporate cannabis into their lifestyle.

00;43;07;29 - 00;43;51;28
Liz Rodrigo
So I think talking about that and sharing stories will allow other women to kind of see themselves in that scenario and maybe view it in a different light. And to packaging, you know, will be people still judge a book by its cover, people still judge a bottle of wine by its label. And so bringing a brand to the marketplace that looks and feels elevated and has a beautiful, you know, package to it with a glass jar inside, we're creating an experience and we're creating a luxury experience and something that can feel beautiful and elevated in someone's life and, you know, mirror that of other products that are already in their repertoire.

00;43;51;28 - 00;43;57;18
Liz Rodrigo
I think also having that, with the brand works to break some of that stigma as well.

00;43;57;20 - 00;44;32;00
Maria
So, yeah, I agree with everything you said and I applaud you. You're brave. You're you're brave. You're brave to come on the podcast. Yes, you're lucky to live in California, but we can't forget guys. It's still federally illegal now. Hopefully it will be rescheduled. Needs to be scheduled because there are legal challenges and moms do face in states where it's not legal.

00;44;32;02 - 00;45;03;19
Maria
There's there's risk of child custody issues, criminal penalties, employment risks. If to worry about, child protective services. This is real, guys. In states where it's not legal. And this is why it affects all of us. Liz. So many things I love about Cali Lily, the brand, the mission yourself. But I have to tell you, I love that it was founded on the idea of living unapologetically.

00;45;03;21 - 00;45;18;25
Maria
Why do you think it's important for women and everyone to stop apologizing for their choices, especially especially when it comes to cannabis?

00;45;18;27 - 00;45;28;12
Liz Rodrigo
I mean, so many reasons. I mean, I think I read that women tend or women apologize about 20% more than men do. And so I think.

00;45;28;12 - 00;45;35;22
Maria
In I'm a, I'm a, I'm a Cali Lily girl not sorry not sorry guys.

00;45;35;24 - 00;45;58;00
Liz Rodrigo
And I know we're turning sorry into it into a curse word. But I think in general, I think women should just try to take stock and notice when you're apologizing, how much you're apologizing. Just ask yourself, is that something I really needed to apologize for? You know, like, do you see your your male colleagues apologizing for things like that?

00;45;58;00 - 00;46;32;12
Liz Rodrigo
Because I do think that it matters. And I think apology izing less will have an effect of of women feeling more confident and more empowered and showing up and feeling the right to take up space or having a voice or questioning decisions that you see being made. So I just think that when it and especially when it comes to cannabis, apologizing less for using it will really work against it, stigmatizing it and showing that it is whether it be for, you know, medicinal use or recreational, you know, just having fun.

00;46;32;15 - 00;46;48;25
Liz Rodrigo
Will show that it can be a part of your daily life, like alcohol, like food, like, you know, the medicine that you're taking and just showing that it is an ingredient in your lifestyle. We like to say at Cali Lily that we make edibles that are for any reason or no reason at all.

00;46;48;27 - 00;46;53;01
Maria
I love it, I love it for any reason or no reason at all.

00;46;53;08 - 00;47;17;09
Liz Rodrigo
I find when you're apologizing for things, it will internalize it and it makes you question your own behavior or choices or opinions when you shouldn't. You know, and I think especially we as women tend to do that. So just being more mindful of it and calling yourself on it when you see doing it or calling, you know, a good girlfriend on it and saying, you don't need to apologize for that.

00;47;17;09 - 00;47;22;12
Liz Rodrigo
Why are you apologizing for that? And kind of keeping each other in check could be really helpful.

00;47;22;14 - 00;47;48;06
Maria
You know, ladies, it's it's not obvious, but if you think about it, it undermines confidence and and the authenticity in our lives. It's it's it's so true, but it's knee jerk. It's hard wired, and it's something we really have to pay attention to. But we are conditioned to. We are socialized and conditioned, especially as women. And,

00;47;48;09 - 00;48;04;24
Maria
Hey, it's a female plant. So how do you think we can shift the narrative, then normalize cannabis as a valid lifestyle choice, particularly for women and parents. Aside from stop apologizing for it.

00;48;04;27 - 00;48;29;00
Liz Rodrigo
I mean, I think podcasts like this are doing a beautiful job and and conversations like this and just seeing more examples on, you know, the media that people consume. So whether movies, TV, social media, I think, I see it starting for sure on social media of people getting out there and, and living unapologetically and saying, yeah, I am a mom.

00;48;29;00 - 00;48;56;27
Liz Rodrigo
And yeah, I'm going to have a gummy, you know, at night or when I'm hanging out with my kids because guess what? I can do that and still be present and play with them and maybe even have more fun with them. So I think it's just showing examples around that and, and, highlighting all the beautiful resources that are available for people that, you know, maybe are curious but don't know enough, or want to educate themselves.

00;48;56;27 - 00;49;00;27
Liz Rodrigo
So, I think it's just students doing more of this.

00;49;00;29 - 00;49;32;28
Maria
Well, you make a fantastic point. I mean, I just cannabis hasn't crossed the mainstream divide in terms of media. It's, either sensationalized and they like to tell these crazy horror stories, or they just don't talk about it because the advertising dollars aren't there yet because of the legal landscape. So what you said is absolutely spot on.

00;49;33;00 - 00;49;55;22
Maria
All right. Well, we've been dispelling a lot of myths around the stigma and trying to crush the stigma, which is a perfect segue into our Nip It in the Bud segment. So let's knit this in the bud, Liz trill. So affection all gummies are created equal fiction.

00;49;55;25 - 00;50;20;27
Liz Rodrigo
I was so excited to come on and be able to talk about this because, in no sense are all of the gummies or edibles out there created equal. And I think it's so important for consumers to know that and to know what to look for. There's so many people that are being more conscious in the choices that they're making about what food they buy, what produce they're looking at, what kind of wine they're doing.

00;50;20;27 - 00;50;42;11
Liz Rodrigo
They're being very as they should be, looking at the ingredients and the sourcing and where things are coming from. But I want you to apply that to cannabis as well. And I think a lot of times some of the big brands that are out there are mass producing these gummies, and they're using cannabis inputs that are, distillate, but they're made with the use of solvents.

00;50;42;11 - 00;51;05;12
Liz Rodrigo
And so the gummies that you're getting do still have trace amounts of those solvents, you know, like butane in there. And so knowing that and just having more of an understanding of what broad market gummies are made of will help you make purposeful choices. And, you know, speaking for us at Cali Lily, of course, I can really only speak specifically to what we're doing.

00;51;05;12 - 00;51;27;21
Liz Rodrigo
We were very particular about the inputs that we were using. We use a solvent list, live rosin that is made by our manufacturer, with buds that have been flash frozen and sent down to their facility is actually made using an ice water bath. So really can't get more natural than that. And we use all natural ingredients and flavorings and nothing that we don't need to.

00;51;27;22 - 00;51;55;11
Liz Rodrigo
We had a very minimalist approach when we were doing the formulation of our gummies. And so I think just being mindful of that as a consumer and doing your homework and looking online into what's going into this and is it okay with me or not? And it might be, and that's completely fine. But just knowing that like other areas of your life where you are maybe double clicking and looking into things a little bit more and want you to apply that to your cannabis as well.

00;51;55;13 - 00;52;00;21
Maria
Absolutely. And your rods and is sun grown, is that. That's correct.

00;52;00;23 - 00;52;16;09
Liz Rodrigo
So the bud is coming from sun grown farms across California, and it's then when it's harvested, it's actually flash frozen and transported down to our manufacturer where they're making their own solvent, less rosin in-house.

00;52;16;12 - 00;52;18;13
Maria
And can you explain what rosin is?

00;52;18;16 - 00;52;47;18
Liz Rodrigo
Yeah. So I mean, there's there's many different ways of taking the cannabis plant and kind of, distilling it down into the material that you're going to use. And different edibles, there's distillate, there's resin, and then there's rosin. And it's really the, the manner in which you treat it, that determines the name. And, and we specifically wanted to use rosin because it doesn't use solvents, and it's extraction process.

00;52;47;18 - 00;52;56;23
Liz Rodrigo
So it's we use an ice water bath and kind of agitating and shaking the plant to get the materials off of it versus using something like butane.

00;52;56;26 - 00;53;03;19
Maria
Whoa. So do dislodge some resin as an extraction method. Include sometimes solvents.

00;53;03;22 - 00;53;13;02
Liz Rodrigo
Yes. Many times they do. And so the gummies on the market will have, you know, mind you, very small and trace amounts. But they are present.

00;53;13;04 - 00;53;23;01
Maria
Okay. But that's also why what I'm seeing on, your packaging is, it's triple lab test. It. Correct.

00;53;23;03 - 00;53;50;02
Liz Rodrigo
Yeah. Our manufacturer helps with the lab testing. That is, I mean, part of being a legal cannabis company in California is following all of the rules and being really careful around, you know, the ingredients, the manner in which it's made and making sure that everything is lab tested so that before it goes to the market, we are sure about the, the, the dosage, you know, the cannabinoid presence and that everything has been, you know, triple check to make sure that it's safe for consumer use.

00;53;50;04 - 00;54;13;09
Maria
Right. And you want those lab reports, guys to be able to verify the purity and the potency. So so what are the best ways just, what are some of the best ways for consumers to advocate for themselves in the cannabis market so that we can have more well meaning brands and female founders.

00;54;13;11 - 00;54;52;02
Liz Rodrigo
Always want more female founders and cannabis, but any industry. But I think ways that consumers can advocate for themselves is doing their own homework, you know, doing research themselves, whether it be on your website, my website, or all of the other wonderful resources that are out there and asking questions, you know, not being afraid to go in and ask Bud tenders about, certain products or, you know, strains or what have you, but just feeling more empowered and confident and, and taking it into their own hands to make the experience, what they want it to be.

00;54;52;05 - 00;55;22;14
Maria
That's right. And that's why the profile that you're sponsoring in MG magazine about female bartenders is very, very important. And consider the source. You must consider your source. But it all starts with going full circle here, Liz. Being unapologetic so that you have the confidence and step into your right to demand accurate information to make the best choices for yourself and your family.

00;55;22;17 - 00;56;00;06
Maria
So hey, knowledge is power. Always read the labels. Research claims and support brands that prioritize transparency and compliance. I think, Liz, before we close, I just want to take a moment to give you a big thank you for all that you're doing to move the industry forward, to move female founders forward, and to help make people be able to tolerate life a little easier and stay present for it.

00;56;00;09 - 00;56;01;12
Maria


00;56;01;15 - 00;56;13;24
Liz Rodrigo
Well, thank you so much, Maria. It's, you know, that means so much coming from you. It's truly been my pleasure to talk with you about the brand and about how more women can make cannabis work for them.

00;56;13;26 - 00;56;47;01
Maria
Yes. And, yeah. I just love how you are out there sharing your story, which is so inspiring. And from exploring the parallels between wine and cannabis to learning how low dose THC can transform the stress of the holiday season, or any season that's overwhelming into moments of calm, Liz is truly showing us the power of living unapologetically and embracing cannabis with confidence.

00;56;47;03 - 00;57;15;16
Maria
As we head into the holiday season, let's take her advice to heart, guys. Whether it's finding balance, staying present, or letting go of unnecessary apology, geez, we all we all deserve to approach life and cannabis with intention and joy. Next week we're going to dive into an equally fascinating topic with our guest, Seth Rutherford from 253 Farmacy.

00;57;15;23 - 00;57;27;02
Maria
This is Massachusetts top cannabis dispensary and the only dispensary in the United States that offers kosher cannabis. How's that? Is kosher cannabis? Is that a new one?

00;57;27;02 - 00;57;29;05
Liz Rodrigo
I love it, I can't wait to tune in.

00;57;29;08 - 00;58;01;23
Maria
Great. So whether you're new to cannabis or a seasoned enthusiast, this is a conversation you're not going to want to miss. Hey guys, your feedback is invaluable, so please don't hesitate to reach out with questions, comments, and ideas for topics you'd like us to explore. You can connect with me on social media. Just Say KNOW radio or visit our website at green Bay, Live.com and Liz for people to find out more about Cali Lily, I know they can visit Cali Lily hannah.com.

00;58;01;25 - 00;58;08;19
Maria
That's Carly Lily canna.com or how can they connect you on social media?

00;58;08;21 - 00;58;17;17
Liz Rodrigo
Yeah, absolutely. So you can find us on Instagram at Cali Lily underscore HQ. And you can also find us on LinkedIn.

00;58;17;19 - 00;58;56;14
Maria
Oh, fantastic. Well, thank you for joining me today, everyone. I just say, now remember, knowledge is power. And together we're redefining cannabis, one conversation at a time, one guest at a time. Until next time. Stay informed, stay curious, stay lit and Just Say KNOW. That's with a k and a W, k-N-O-W. Just say know is a greenbeelife presentation airing live weekly on Friday afternoons from 4 to 5 p.m. Pacific on KCAA radio and KCAA TV.

00;58;56;16 - 00;59;29;25
Maria
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 at Just Say Know Radio to apply to be a guest on the show or for sponsorship and advertising opportunities,

00;59;29;28 - 00;59;50;28
Maria
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.