INTERVIEW
MARYLAND LEAF BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH
EMILY SHAPIRO-LANG WHEN DID YOU START USING CANNABIS? I started experimenting in high school when my friends would bring it out, so it was more of a social thing at first. As I started getting older, I [learned] I had Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome – which is something I realized that Cannabis could definitely help with. So I started getting more information to bring to my parents, so they would allow it. They didn’t know I was smoking at all, but were very receptive once I explained my side of the story and gave them information. Then I started coming to Mana because it’s a smaller, family-friendly place, which was good for my anxiety. HOW DOES EHLERS-DANLOS AFFECT YOU AND HOW DOES CANNABIS HELP? So, it’s a connective tissue disorder where basically my joints are a lot weaker than your typical person because the connective tissue doesn’t develop properly. My joints started “I NEVER THOUGHT I dislocating when I was young, and I loved WOULD BE playing sports so it was a big issue and QUALIFIED TO hindrance to me. I use RSO as a topical WORK IN THIS on my dislocations – I straight up put it on INDUSTRY … a bandage and let it sit for a day or two I STARTED FROM before washing off any residual oil.
THE GROUND UP AND BEGAN TO BUILD MY KNOWLEDGE.”
12
DO YOU STILL SEE PEOPLE WITH A NEGATIVE STIGMA AROUND CANNABIS? It’s definitely getting better and now that I am deeper in the Cannabis community, I have been able to meet a lot of different people and see different aspects of the industry. I don’t really see the stigma as much anymore, because of what I do for work and the people that surround me.
DO YOU STILL RIDE HORSES? I do not ride anymore. I used to train off-the-track thoroughbreds. Honestly, I use Cannabis before my workouts at the gym. I take my pre-workout joint with me and it has definitely helped with my mind-muscle connection.
leafmagazines.com
MY HOCKEY PLAYER FRIENDS USED TO SMOKE A BUNCH OF GOOD WEED! WAS THAT YOUR EXPERIENCE ON THE VARSITY HOCKEY TEAM? No, not for that high school – at least that I knew! I was also one of only two freshmen to make the team, so I was very reserved. I went to Archbishop Spalding specifically for hockey, so I kind of got in and got out. DID YOU EVER SEE YOURSELF ENDING UP IN THE MEDICAL CANNABIS INDUSTRY? I did not think I would end up in the industry, period – but I am very happy that I made the decision that I did. I never thought I would be qualified to work in this industry, because I didn’t know the ins and outs of Cannabis, terpenes, etc. I started from the ground up and began to build my knowledge from being around it so much.
E
IS YOUR EXPERIENCE AT MANA DIFFERENT FROM YOUR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY? As a smaller dispensary, I get to have more meaningful one on ones with patients. It makes me feel better about what I am providing to the patients with the experience. Everyone here is happy and like a family. My second day I felt like I was at home, working on the register without issues … and I had a lot of guidance.
M I LY S H A P I R O - L A N G didn’t originally envision herself working in the Cannabis industry, but her personal appreciation for the healing powers of the plant nonetheless led her to an unexpected profession – as well as the opportunity to positively impact the lives of Maryland medical Cannabis patients.
apR. 2022
MANA SUPPLY CO
3005 SOLOMONS ISLAND RD, EDGEWATER, MD MANASUPPLYCO.COM | @MANA.MARYLAND (410) 317- 4825 | OPEN 10AM-8PM DAILY
INTERVIEW & PHOTO by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT/MARYLAND LEAF SEND NOMINATIONS FOR BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH TO WYATT@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM
