Mother’s High Tea, is the signature social event for the cannabis advocacy and business communities. It is a family friendly, public high tea, designed to normalize legalized cannabis and those who work in the cannabis industry and advocacy sectors. Mother’s High Tea features a world class educational speaker program, fun, creative activities for all ages, which benefit local (cannabis) non-profits while spending unique social time with friends, family and colleagues.
Click here for tickets and join us at McNichols Building in downtown Denver for an autumn Mother’s High Tea!
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I’ve been working on an exciting consulting project on Sustainable Development. It has the potential to shift the developmental direction the cannabis industry is headed. This blog comes out of the conversations about sustainability with my client, Catherine Drumheller as we create a service pitch tailored to this business sector. Read the post and let’s continue the dynamic discussion, our future depends on it!
When new infrastructure is being built in developing nations, Sustainable Development principles are utilized for the progress. Sustainable Development (SD) is a programmatic approach applied to large and small projects to ensure successful implementation and effective continuity. Three principle elements: environmental resources, people and the economy are incorporated into the project planning. SD programs find integrated solutions for long term project success.
Cannabis businesses and the cannabis industry need to voluntarily integrate SD principles because long term success depends on creating continuous structures and principles, like environmental management, community engagement and relationship building into the economic development of this newly legalized industry.
For individual businesses, sustainability is a practical program with beneficial impacts for the company and the community it resides. The SD program creates metrics to measure and evaluate company performance. This program can be scaled small or large depending on budget and designed to flex and adapt over time. The program metrics examine relationships, employee needs, company diversity goals and community development. By being transparent with company goals, a sustainability program shows engagement and performance to employees and the business becomes a positive community partner.
The SD project model integrates the operational structure with efficiency while developing strong community ties for continued economic growth and success for the company.
Voluntary efforts like a company sustainability program normalizes cannabis business.
When most people think of sustainability, they think about energy usage. Colorado, in the first three years of legalized and regulated marijuana sales to adults, is experiencing a surge of energy consumption from indoor growing and the demands of the nascent market. Current business regulations for most counties in Colorado, except progressive thinking Boulder and Pueblo Counties, ban outdoor grows and greenhouses, which forces indoor only cultivation. High energy usage is a problem for all legalized marijuana states. Energy consumption will change when cannabis business regulations stop treating marijuana as a controlled substance and start treating it as an agriculture crop. The demand for energy is not sustainable and cannabis business and the industry has a responsibility to shape itself by evaluating and becoming a truly green economy.
As Colorado experiences the initial and subsequent cannabis industry regulations, there is an opportunity, through sustainable development, to evaluate the effectiveness and flaws of enacted policies. If a larger state wide, regional or industry program is developed, practical alternatives can be developed to avoid mistakes. If an analysis of industry performance isn’t done, problems will be exacerbated as more states and countries legalize marijuana and model the framework of Colorado regulations.
image from https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org
Fortunately, steps toward evaluating current industry practices and providing sustainable alternatives is underway. City of Denver has created a Cannabis Sustainability Work Group that meets once a month to discuss environmental impacts and suggest best practices.
Catherine Drumheller is a member of the Cannabis Sustainability Work Group and President of Oak Services, a woman owned engineering, technical, and sustainable development service company. Oak Services is a network of environmental professionals who establish metrics, run performance evaluations, strategize for optimization, and provide technical solutions for businesses and organizations.
In addition to evaluating environmental impacts and suggest resource management strategies, Drumheller wants to see a holistic approach to sustainability. Drumheller says, “when environmental justice and social justice issues are decided separately the solutions are less effective.” It’s important to study the social and community issues in the new industry for long lasting development. Social evaluations include examining relationships, employee needs, racial disparity, social justice issues and community needs. By evaluating relationships, SD becomes a tool of transformation.
Catherine has a concern marijuana business regulations are creating a vice industry, which ultimately suppresses the industry potential. Marijuana business shouldn’t be primarily sidelined to poor neighborhoods or the outskirts of town. Let’s engage this issue through SD principles and change these relationships. “If we don’t evaluate now, inequality gets enshrined in the legal structure,” says Drumheller. With a developmental approach, relationships can be transformed between communities, other business sectors and marijuana companies.
In addition to integrating SD programs into individual businesses, Drumheller is in the preliminary stage of developing a sustainability think tank. The think tank will apply a programmatic approach and perform research to benefit the organization’s goals and provide integrated solutions to industry problems.
If Colorado is in the forefront as a testing ground for legalizing and regulating marijuana, cannabis businesses and the industry needs to examine its progress and adapt towards a green economy.
Contact me for more information about sustainable development programming for your cannabis business.
image from http://www.herinst.org/BusinessManagedDemocracy/environment/environmentalists/language.html
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The organized execution of the event (which seemed so easy) took 5 months of diligent and focused effort to produce. The many successes of this year’s event were possible because of the contributions and dedication from the talented women who comprised the 2015 Mother’s High Tea Committee. Meet nine other brilliant women of cannabis business and legalization in Colorado.
Mrs. Christie Lunsford, Co-Chair. Christie Lunsford returns to Mother’s High Tea Committee as Co-Chair and Event Master of Ceremonies. Christie, a skilled professional speaker, is a pivotal figure in the Colorado cannabis business community. I first met Christie in 2010 at early meetings of an (now defunct) infused product manufacturing group. (This was before the first wave of marijuana business legislation.) In the verbal fray of chaotic and charged meetings, Christie would be a voice guiding the discordant group to decisions and offering practical solutions to contribute to the goals of the developing group.
Mrs. Christie Lunsford. Photo courtesy of 5280 Magazine.
In our introductory conversations, Christie described herself as an advocate. Not a recreational consumer herself, Christie advocates for medicinal cannabis via infused topical and oral (sublingual) products blended with other synergistic and therapeutic herbs. Among Christie’s early industry accomplishments was her role as marketing and media manager for Dixie Elixir & Edibles. Christie formulated the therapeutic hemp and marijuana products for the botanical line of Dixie products. She also linked the mainstreaming company to the grassroots medical marijuana community and was a pioneer in professionalizing the Denver cannabis community.
Christie has a long legacy of mentoring women and fostering the community within cannabis business and medical circles. She was an organizer and facilitator of a regularly scheduled women’s networking breakfast, a founding board member of the Women’s CannaBusiness Network (WCBN) created in 2012. As WCBN changed and developed into Women Grow, Christie was a founding member and even was the keynote speaker at the first meeting in 2014. Many women in the community, myself included, have been encouraged by Christie.
For Mother’s High Tea, Christie developed, sparked and rolled out the Facebook historical women and tea photo campaign to create and reinforce the classy feel of the event. In production, Christie primarily served as advisor. In her performance as MC, her thoughtful tribute to the members of the audience who had dedicated five or more years of service to cannabis legalization was heartfelt and memorable.
2015 Mother’s High Tea MCs and Speakers, L to R.
Ms. Susan Squibb, Mrs. Kristi Kelly, Senator Beth Martinez Humenick, Mrs. Christie Lunsford, and Ms. AC Braddock. (Not pictured, Ms. Diane Fornbacher) Photo courtesy CliquePics.
Currently, Christie’s professional advice and development services are sought after by investors and emerging cannabis companies across the country looking to gain a knowledgeable edge in license application process and by startup companies working on cannabis product development. In addition to her consulting company, Christie is a health and wellness writer for Ladybud.com, a hemp education writer for The Hemp Connoisseur and THC Radio co-host.
Publishers of The Hemp Connoisseur: Mr. David Maddalena and Mrs. Christianna Brown. Christianna holds the primary event graphic she designed for Mother’s High Tea. Photo courtesy Cannabis Camera.
Mrs. Christianna Brown, Graphic Design Chair. Christianna is a tour de force at The Hemp Connoisseur, the Denver based cannabis culture magazine. As Publisher, Art Director and Graphic Designer, Christianna photographs and designs the monthly covers and designs the content layouts. She also directs sales and marketing. Christianna additionally consults and designs compliance labels for cannabis packaging. For Mother’s High Tea, Christianna set the elegant tone for the event by designing the graphics for Mother’s High Tea. She created images for the Facebook page, designed the beautiful postcard invitations, monthly advertisements, 11 X 17 posters, event program and round event stickers for the craft table.
Ms. Caren Kershner and Ms. Sara Conrad.
Photo courtesy Cannabis Camera.
Ms. Sara Conrad: Social Media Chair. Sara Conrad, comes to the cannabis community from a career background in technology. She became an active volunteer in the cannabis community during the Amendment 64 campaign and currently is a booster for NORML, National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) and Marijuana Business Association (MJBA). Sara is a social media strategist and adept at social media platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, Google +, Pinterest Tumbler, Instagram and Facebook– (of course). For Mother’s High Tea, Sara focused on frequent posting, tweeting and sharing Mother’s High Tea on social media to increase presence and drive awareness (and ticket sales). Sara added value to the event promotions by interacting with the sponsoring companies.
Ms. Susan Squibb and Mrs. CiCi Dunn. Photo Courtesy of Cannabis Camera.
Mrs. CiCi Dunn, Ticket Chair. CiCi joins the Colorado cannabis community by way of Amsterdam, where she has been an integral part of the well-established hemp clothing store, Hemp Works and notable hemp clothing company, Hemp Hoodlamb (HHL). CiCi established the North American hub for HHL with the innovative art and lifestyle concept store, Hoodlab. Additionally, CiCi has significant production management experience from producing the yearly fashion show at the Amsterdam High Times Cannabis Cup. For Mother’s High Tea, CiCi was in charge of guest services, managing ticket sales, organizing guest name tags and directed the check in table.
Miss Miss Kara Janowsky. Photo courtesy of Kara.
Miss Kara Janowski, Volunteer Chair. Kara, an enthusiastic, kind and ambitious college graduate, has proven leadership skills developed from CU Boulder chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy and as Boulder Chapter organizer of Women Grow. Kara additionally is an established event volunteer for NCIA and The ArcView Group. Post graduation, Kara is developing her career in cannabis business and is set to develop and accomplish her goals. For Mother’s High Tea, Kara developed the day of production time schedule and coordinated volunteers at the event.
Ms. Caren Kershner and Ms. Sara Conrad. Photo courtesy Cannabis Camera
Ms. Caren Kershner, Craft Chair. Caren is the Executive Director of the Colorado Industrial Hemp Coalition. Caren is a familiar face to the residents of the San Luis Valley and she smartly utilizes her local educational authority as a retired science and art teacher to advocate for hemp agriculture in the valley. For Mother’s High Tea, she is a dedicated, helpful and kind contributor. Caren developed the multiple activities at the art table, including the tea time word search and coloring pages. Caren contributed a letter to the letter writing table for New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez regarding recent hemp legislation she vetoed from the widely supportive state legislature.
Ms. Jill Lamoureux.
Photo courtesy LinkedIn.
Ms. Jill Lamoureux, Letter Writing Chair. Jill Lamoureux began in the cannabis community as owner of the first licensed dispensary and grow in Boulder County. In the initial development of cannabis business in Colorado, Jill served on the first state task force for the development of regulations. Currently Jill is a legislative liaison and regulatory consultant with development accomplishments with Americans for Safe Access, Denver Relief Consulting and Carbon Bond Holdings. For Mother’s High Tea, Jill, coordinated the event letters written to federal, state and local representatives by the Mother’s High Tea Committee and assembled guests. The purpose of the letter writing table is to continue and foster communication with elected officials on the various topics related to legislative reform. Jill coordinated the event letter writing efforts from notable nonprofit organizations, SSDP and Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) and brought in the inspiration voice of recent DU Economics graduate, Caitlin McKennie for the rousing letter to President Obama. Jill, excitingly was unable to attend Mother’s High Tea this year because she accepted a great opportunity to consult in Israel!
Ms. Belita Nelson speaking at launch of Womens Marijuana Movement, 2010. Photo Courtesy of SAFER.
Ms. Belita Nelson, Speaker Chair. Belita, a former drug warrior (a debate coach for DEA!) has experienced catastrophes of the Drug War first hand and now advocates for cannabis legal reform as a lobbyist in Colorado. Belita’s heart felt speech helped the launch of Women’ s Marijuana Movement in 2010. In her home state of Texas, Belita ran her own large scale event production company. For Mother’s High Tea, Belita with her Republican party contacts, persuaded and confirmed our surprising keynote speaker, Senator Beth Martinez Humenik.
Miss Katie O Block, Ms. Sara Conrad and Ms. Susan Squibb. (Mother’s High Tea selfie)
Miss Katie O Block, Sponsorship Chair. Katie, a relative newcomer to the cannabis community, is full of fresh energy as Marketing Director for Surna, an efficiency engineering company for cannabis grows. Katie was effective and professional at communicating and coordinating the event sponsors prior to the event. She is a fantastic young talent!
These are the amazing women that contributed to the many successes of this year’s Mother High Tea. Everyone, of course, did more than what is specifically featured here, their efforts are significant and appreciated. A toast to the 2015 Mother’s High Tea Committee!
Mother’s High Tea 2015. Photo courtesy Cannabis Camera.
Senator Beth Martinez Humenik
Our keynote speaker is Republican Senator Beth Martinez Humenik of Adams County. Senator Humenik is a freshman senator, and fourth generation Coloradan.
A former teacher for elementary schools and college students, Senator Humenik joins us as a freshly elected official getting her first legislative experience with marijuana law and regulation.
She serves on the Health and Human Services Committee and Local Government Committee.
Ms. AC Braddock
Ms. AC Braddock, a career entrepreneur, is currently CEO of Eden Labs in Seattle Washington. Ms. Braddock has guided and transformed the extraction technology company into the highly respected multi-million dollar company. Ms. Braddock is regarded as a thought leader in cannabis business and supports community organizations as a member of two of Washington’s Cannabis Business Women’s groups; WOW (Women of Weed) and the MJBA’s Women’s Alliance. Ms. Braddock is determined to create a new corporate structure in the emerging cannabis industry.
Mrs. Kristi Kelly
Mrs. Kristi Kelly is principal and founder of Good Meds Network, a medical marijuana company in the Denver area. Mrs. Kelly has founded several marijuana business organizations; served on state and local rulemaking committees and workgroups and has been a voice for the community as a business owner, association leader, and patient advocate. She is currently a board member of Marijuana Industry Group; a sustaining member of National Cannabis Industry Association; and founding board member of The Fourth Corner Credit Union, the world’s first marijuana financial institution.
Mrs. Kelly grew up under the influence of strong and empowered women. From this foundation, she has a developed an enduring passion for helping those in need and investing in areas that benefit women and children.
Ms. Diane Fornbacher, is founder of Ladybud Magazine, a lifestyle site for politically engaged women who enjoy cannabis. Ms. Fornbacher is co-founder of the NORML Women’s Alliance and recipient of the NORML Pauline Sabin Award in 2012, has contributed nearly 20 years of activism to local grassroots and national drug policy reform organizations. Her role as mother to two sons inspires her to create a more compassionate and sensible world for them.
Mrs. Christie Lunsford. Photo courtesy 5280 Magazine.
Mrs. Christie Lunsford is a Denver based cannabis business consultant, specializing in license applications and infused product business development. Since the beginning of her first cannabis company, she has encouraged women’s development in cannabis business. Mrs. Lunsford is a founding board member of the Women’s CannaBusiness Network (WCBN), Co Chair and MC for Mother’s High Tea in 2012 and founding member of Women Grow in 2014.
Ms. Susan Squibb
Ms. Susan Squibb, Cannabis Maven, is currently Director of Operations at Steep Hill Colorado.
She is a legalization advocate and hemp and marijuana business trailblazer since her days as a CU-Boulder student.
Ms. Squibb founded the event Mother’s High Tea in 2011, for the growing community of women in legalization and business.
Join us for Mother’s High Tea this year. Tickets are purchased on Eventbrite.
]]>Mother’s High Tea celebrates the accomplishments of women on the forefront of cannabis reform and business. The biennial event creates speaking opportunities for accomplished women to share their perspective on the changing cannabis times.
The 3rd Biennial Mother’s High Tea is May 14 from 2-5pm at the History Colorado Center in Denver. Join us for tea!
The first Mother’s High Tea began in 2011 as a community event featuring inspiring speakers around Mother’s Day for women and mothers in cannabis business.
In 2012, Mother’s High Tea was the launch of Women’s CannaBusiness Network, a project of the National Cannabis Industry Association, the women’s group that developed into Women Grow in 2014.
In 2015, with the generous sponsorship from a growing community of businesses, Mother’s High Tea continues making history with a beautiful venue, an expanding audience of women and an exciting program of speakers. Special thanks to Mary’s Medicinal’s, Julie’s Natural Edibles, MiNDFUL, Steep Hill, The Farm and Ideal 420 Soil.
Accomplished cannabis educator and entrepreneur, Mrs. Christie Lunsford is returning Master of Ceremonies, along with myself. This year’s speakers will be announced next week!
Children and well-dressed gentlemen are encouraged to attend! Event activities include a craft table, letter writing and photo booth.
We suggest buying tickets early as the event will most likely sell out. Purchase Eventbrite tickets here!
Join the community and like the Mother’s High Tea Facebook page!
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For those who love cannabis and love sex, the thought of combining the two is pretty titillating.
Note: elephantjournal.com
Enter Foria, a marijuana-based oil used before sex.
Foria, made from coconut oil, hash oil (and love), is marketed as a stimulating oil for women, to be directly applied to the lady’s business (if you know what I mean) as a pre-lubricant.
It’s advertised to naturally enhance a woman’s pleasure and heighten orgasms. That’s not all—the oil is also edible, gluten free, sugar free and vegan.
Originating in California last year, Foria is new to the recreational marijuana market in Colorado. This is a novel way to enjoy sex and marijuana. Oh my Goddess, I had to get my hands on a few bottles.
Continue reading at elephantjournal.com for the shagging details!
]]>To cover issues related to legal recreational marijuana, The Denver Post created an online marijuana news and culture site, named The Cannabist by marijuana editor Ricardo Baca.
I was hired at the beginning to write the weekly marijuana advice column Ask The Cannabist. I answer reader questions about anything related to marijuana. I got the gig, I believe, because I had experience writing a marijuana advice column for The Hemp Connoisseur and I’ve been an advocate in the cannabis movement and been developing cannabis businesses since the mid-’90’s.
As a marijuana advice columnist, I am a reference librarian for cannabis. I search for facts and connect readers to vetted experts. The column is a vital method for passing along useful and pertinent information and creating understanding.
To a curious online audience, I describe the news and changing legal realities of cannabis. I primarily discuss current news, gather stats and data, cite law and track down credible information and professional opinions. I give historical context to the issue in question. Sometimes readers share a nostalgic experience and ask a fun question that takes me into cannabis culture and history.
I am fascinated with the questions and situations readers want to discuss relating to marijuana. Readers want to understand how the new reality impacts their life or how current times differs from what they already know. I get asked about: employment and careers, purchasing limits, strain and product recommendations, dosing guidelines, DUI’s and blood testing, investing and stocks, cannabis business development, first time growing, medical diagnosis and treatment options, appropriate locations for consumption, tenant rights, probation, employment drug testing, synthetic marijuana, and traveling with marijuana to name major topics of reader interest.
The reader questions reflect the concerns and relevant thoughts about current news. Answering questions is fairly immediate and the topics changed over the year. At the beginning of the year, lots of people wanted to know how much they could buy, where to go, and where to find information. A couple Denver area hospital visits attributed to use of synthetic marijuana yielded concerned “spice” questions. In the spring and summer, home grow questions were more prevalent. Tourists always need current advice for appropriate accommodations and shopping tips.
One of the earliest pieces of writing advice from Ricardo was the reminder The Cannabist is not a pro-marijuana publication. Facts need to be supported by reputable sources. As a result, my writing style is pretty factual and straight forward. Sometimes, I jest and joke, but it’s important the humor doesn’t detract from the credibility of the information. I wouldn’t want the validity of the information to be questioned because I told too many pot jokes. My expression of silliness and humor is crafting the reader names. My appreciation of syncopated syllables, alliteration, tongue twisters or homages to historical figures is expressed in the names I give the readers.
Here are my Top 10 links to memorable columns from 2014.
Know your rights during a police encounter. I consider this one of the most important things I have written.
How to calculate THC dosage in homemade marijuana foods. This column is very educational.
This is one of my favorite columns on vape pens versus pipes, baby boomer dance nights and education advice for college kids.
I don’t often give business advice, but this joint rolling question was a fun.
A THC beer question by “Chickenlooper” reminds me of a story about hemp beer and then President Clinton.
This column has an interesting array of topics, ice cream trucks, cannabis vocation schools, and investments.
Cannabis culture questions are not the most common questions I am asked, but they are the most enjoyable to answer. Here’s Q&A’s about traditional hash, 1970’s strain hunting, Amsterdam tourist memories
This 6 month summary piece, 100 Questions, is a combination of my columns and stats from reporter John Ingold.
This year end summary highlights the top 15 questions of 2014.
My sense of humor and consumer reporting skills come out on for a tour review of a Saturday marijuana limo tour.
if you have a question for Ask The Cannabist, I can be reached at askthecannabist@gmail.com.
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I enjoy working in the cannabis science sector. From an overall perspective, my efforts are developing a business model in lab testing. My approach is to apply services marketing principles to the business of a production lab. The services are adapting to the needs of the clients as the industry evolves. My goals are to build integrity for lab testing and manage client expectations well.
My role at the Denver lab is Operations Director and I work with a team of scientists. On a typical day in the production lab, I am the liaison between clients and the science team. I schedule the sample flow, deliver reports, and manage the business side of the lab. The scientists prepare samples, run the instruments, analyze the data and create reports. Together we are building a production lab with the goals of providing consistent data with the fastest turnaround time possible for regulation tests.
The hallmark methodology of Steep Hill Halent is the 15 cannabinoid and 8 terpene method developed by Donald Land, a University of California at Davis chemistry professor. In addition to the research and development testing developed in Oakland, the Colorado lab offers local analytical services for businesses that require regulatory testing.
Currently we test cannabinoid potency, homogeneity for edibles, and residual solvent in concentrates. As the State rolls out more of the regulation testing program, the lab will offer microbial, pesticide, and heavy metal tests.
In our first year of business in Colorado, we occasionally host esteemed out of state guests looking for information and practical experience to help guide the development of marijuana testing programs in other states. Government officials and lawmakers tour the facility and ask questions regarding lab testing and implementing testing standards. The Steep Hill Halent of Colorado lab tour is included in a Ladybud recap article of fact finding tour by Pennsylvania state Senator, Daylin Leach to Colorado. It’s an honor to facilitate greater understanding and thoughtful conversation.
In my role as Operations Director, I enjoy the challenges being along the frontier of cannabis testing and analysis. Building a successful service model for lab testing is an exciting challenge in a increasingly competitive business sector. For lab and testing inquiries, I can be contacted at susan@steephilllab.com.
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“Wild Women Don’t Get the Blues” by Lyle Lovett featuring Francine Reed on vocals. Lyle Lovett and his large band are amazing seasoned musicians who perform a wide range of musical styles. Francine Reed wails on this track. Listen up, ladies!
“Brick House” by Lionel Richie. Are you kidding me? I heard this song live at Red Rocks?! Bucket list! Sexy, sassy from the 1970s. Uh Uh Uh! This show was a standout early in the season thanks to Richie’s mastered performance skills and extensive catalog of hits.
“Black as Night” by Nahko and Medicine for the People. I saw this show at Arise Fesitval, an amazing conscious community festival. The energy and polyrhythms of Nahko remind me of early Michael Franti and Spearhead. I love the song’s promising lyrics and happy declaration of unguarded love. “I believe in the good things coming, coming coming…”
“Tall Boy” by Widespread Panic. I love jam bands, don’t you? What’s not to love in straight up rock n roll twisted with mind melding improv? This song always gets the boisterous WSP crowd in a feel good groove.
“Used to Get High” by John Butler Trio. Last time I saw JBT, the 2010 live album was being recorded at Red Rocks while I was selling Hemp I Scream! on the top plaza of the amphitheatre. JBT rocks a solid and smooth live groove, and it was good to see them again.
“Democrazy” by Congo Sanchez. Congo Sanchez and Flex Matthews are my new discovery this year from South Park Music Festival. I had a fun video assignment for The Cannabist on the Fourth of July holiday, asking people, “what are you smoking?” Of all the posted videos, the most viewed interview was Flex Matthews saying he wasn’t high on marijuana at all, he was high on music, good love vibrations, and adrenaline. Aww, yeah!
“Live Like A Warrior” by Matisyahu. At South Park Music Festival, Matisyahu played in a drizzling rain and had me mesmerized. I was so enchanted, I don’t remember if he played this exact song. Regardless, I love the expression of emotional bareness. The significance to me, is sometimes the struggles of living every day on the legal and social cannabis frontier is exciting, intense, exhausting and at times, frustrating. The message to me is live like a warrior, pick up the shattered pieces, and keep going…
“Puff the Magic Dragon” by Peter Yarrow. Pinch me! This nostalgic tune of youthful imagination is the most soothing of all lullabies. At Arise Festival, Peter Yarrow and his talented family played this song to an adorable cluster of costumed children onstage. There was not a dry eye in the room. Plus, this song has long been rumored to refer to marijuana.
“Fat Spliffs” by Slightly Stoopid. Though they are constant favorites in the cannabis scene, I forget how much I enjoy Slightly Stoopid. They are a great live band, energetic with a fun, ska, Caribbean flecked sound and lyrics about ganja appreciation.
“The Man in Me” by Bob Dylan. This Dylan song is part of the soundtrack of The Big Lebowski. Watching the Dude with a rowdier than usual movie crowd is an annual opportunity at Film on the Rocks. As a fun and inexpensive way to spend time at Red Rocks during the summer, there’s a dozen or so movies in the series.
“Get Up Stand Up” by Thievery Corporation. Thievery is a great group to see live. They are smooth and are so easy to dance to. The band backs a rotation of singers who change the band’s style with their voices. This homage to Bob Marley is easy and beautiful. At this summer’s Red Rocks show, I enjoyed seeing Hare Krishnas drumming and chanting before the show in the upper north lot.
“Such A Lovely Thing” by Devotchka. Denver based Devotchka is my favorite gypsy cabaret band. For the past two summers I’ve seen Devotchka play in an innovative form. The Colorado Symphony Orchestra pairs with popular touring musicians to create exciting new musical collaborations. When Devotchka plays with CSO, the orchestral sounds sweep the songs’ emotions to extraordinary dramatic heights. Love it!
“Just One Drink” by Jack White. Jack White is one of my favorite musicians in all his myriad of forms. I love to hear him at Red Rocks. This song perfectly captures a frustrating side of dating and looking for love. The lyrics express the blues of the classic conundrum, “I love you, honey why don’t you love me?”
“If I had My Way” by Bethany Yarrow and Rufus. Discovering the energy and passion of Bethany Yarrow at Arise Music Festival was a musical highlight of my summer. I admire her voice, as a performer and activist cultivated by growing up at environmental, peace and human justice rallies alongside her famous father. Also known as “Samson and Delilah” to Deadheads, this song is a fresh and soulful version of a familiar favorite.
“Suzy Lee” by The White Stripes. Jack White sang this during his rainy Red Rocks gig and I can’t help thinking that he sang this song for me. Ahhh!
“I’m Alright” (Theme from CaddyShack) by Kenny Loggins. Kicking off the Film on the Rocks series this summer was Caddyshack. The charms of the dancing gopher and the high jinx of the golf caddies at the country club pool is nostalgic comedic gold.
“Magic Dance” by David Bowie. Labyrinth, another Film on the Rocks movie was unexpected fun because during the movie, every time David Bowie’s goblin kingly “package” was on screen, the crowd would roar with enthusiasm. Family jewels, Woo!
“Genius Of Love” by Tom Tom Club. Start Making Sense was a summertime fundraiser for Students for Sensible Drug Policy hosted by National Cannabis Industry Association. The late summer event screened the Talking Head concert film, “Stop Making Sense”. This fantastic pop song, with opening lyrics asking “what are you going to do when you get out of jail?” subtly underscored the importance of drug policy reform. (Really, it’s about the dance groove!)
“Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” by Wham! Dave Chappelle got this 80’s pop song stuck in my head at his birthday comedy show at Red Rocks. Thanks, Dave! With several Wham songs played during the DJ sets, I am led to believe Dave Chappelle is a big Wham! fan. True or not, this song was stuck in my head days afterward. I laughed so much at the show. I admit, it was easier to chat about Wham! songs afterward than retell any of the pussy juice jokes that had me tittering in my seat!
“You Are” by Lionel Ritchie. I forgot how much I loved this uplifting love song! Lionel Ritchie is a master at his craft; his Red Rocks show was amazing.
“Who am I (What’s My Name)?” by Snoop Dogg. Checking out the cannabis scene for The Cannabist, I saw Snoop at Red Rocks for 4/20 for the Snoop Dogg Wellness Retreat. The crowd was stoned and completely into the jams. This was a rejuvenating way to spend Easter this year!
“Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes. Jack White’s alluring blend of musical styles and spare light show has converted me to a soldier in his Seven Nation Army. This song was a unifying moment with me and everyone around waving our hands in the air in ritualistic rock n roll devotion.
“Not A Crime” by Gogol Bordello. To me, this song reminds me of an anti-prohibition attitude. “Drop the charges! In the old time, it was not a crime.” Gogol Bordello played this song at Riot Fest in Denver and to be honest, I went totally apeshit in the mosh pit when they played this song.
“You Don’t Know How It Feels” by Tom Petty. Tom Petty played this song at my last show of the Red Rocks summer season. “Let’s get to the point. Let’s roll another joint. You don’t know how it feels to be me.” The lyrics, to me, express the differences I feel working in the frontier of a freshly legalized business compared to normal society.
“Climb To Safety” by Widespread Panic. The good advice in this live jam is a good way to end this summer’s music mix.
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The first three months into the end of marijuana prohibition in Colorado and I still can’t sleep at night. My nerves are pulsing with excitement. Now is an incredibly powerful time. Now always is, but this particular time feels extra special.
Marijuana legalization has been a long time coming, both in my lifetime and in American history. I can’t believe it, I’ve worked on changing laws to free a plant for 18 years of my life. And marijuana prohibition was federally put in place 77 years ago.
Colorado played a part in kicking off this lengthy prohibition. The first arrest under the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 happened in Colorado. This fact has inspired and motivated me to create change in Colorado and reverse a historical wrong. Colorado is now an epicenter for the end of marijuana prohibition.
The new reality of legalization is significant to me both as an activist and an entrepreneur. As an activist, since my years as an idealistic anthropology student at CU-Boulder, I’ve worked on changing laws and changing attitudes about cannabis and cannabis consumers. My goal is to free the plant.
I am also aware of the social ills created by marijuana prohibition laws in America. Why does the US have the highest incarceration rate in the world, in proportion to its population? What’s going on? Why are people going to jail? The highest percentage of people being imprisoned are nonviolent drug offenders. It’s important to not forget among the excitements of legalization, this significant problem of prohibition needs addressing.
To continue inspiring action all over the world, I want to share this feeling of legitimacy that has come with marijuana legalization. We are making a difference and the validation feels amazing! I want all cannabis activists and advocates to feel this expanding freedom as they change the marijuana laws in their states. The euphoric and liberating expressions on some people’s faces as they purchase cannabis in a safe and legal environment is priceless.
Legalization brings new and unexpected opportunities. Since the start of the year, I write a weekly marijuana advice column for The Denver Post. In Ask The Cannabist, I answer readers’ questions related to cannabis and appropriate cannabis use. The column isn’t an activist platform, it is an amazing opportunity to help the public navigate our changing social and legal landscape.
As a cannabis entrepreneur, I am busy developing and implementing new businesses and projects. I am utilizing my well-versed knowledge of uses, applications and markets for cannabis products from industrial hemp to medical marijuana and recreational marijuana.
I recently created two new companies to develop the cannabis market, promote quality products and further the professionalism and business integration of the fledgling cannabis industry.
As a business developer, I am creating cannabis marketing and social trends by writing freelance articles and product reviews. I share the coolest products in my website column, Consumer Confidential. I want to promote hemp products, lifestyle clothing and accessories, marijuana edibles, nonsmoking alternatives and cannabis culture and style.
I’m ready to go, are you? ~ Susan Squibb
Susan Squibb lives in Denver, Colorado. In addition to writing, Susan operates Kitchen Development Services, a consulting firm providing organizational services to infused product manufacturers. Susan also produces cannabis-themed social and marketing events through her business 4 & 20 Blackbirds. Follow her on Twitter @CannabisMaven.
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