RUFF LIFE
Prepare your pets for normalcy
LIFE AND TIMES
Vol. 2 of Jay Z’s cannabis line
BRIDGING THE GAP
Industry leaders on inclusion
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
JUSTICE
JUNE 2021
Riqua Hailes takes on racism in drug law with Just Cannabis
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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SENSI MAGAZINE JUNE 2021
sensimediagroup @sensimagazine @sensimag
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FEATURE
28
Just Cannabis
Riqua Hailes is proving that women- and BIPOCowned businesses can succeed and amplify underrepresented voices in the cannabis space.
DEPARTMENTS
13 EDITOR’S NOTE 36 THE SCENE Hot happenings and hip hangouts around town 14 THE BUZZ WOMEN LEADING THE News, tips, and tidbits to keep you in the loop GLAM ICON Visit the Beverly Hills Hotel. DIASPORA PUB Entertainment journalist Dino Ray Ramos launches a new publication. ARCHES, GOLD McDonald’s raises its wages. STOP STRESS NuLeaf Naturals CBD will help. TIKI, TIKI, TIKI Get tropical at this new bar.
20 THE LIFE Contributing to your
health and happiness DOG DAYS How to start training pets for your return to work. MIDCENTURY MOD Jay Z’s brand reimagines the work of photographer Slim Aarons. HOROSCOPES What the stars hold for you
CHARGE Laura Toomey
of The Arcview Group and Evelyn Wang of Papa & Barkley talk about how to make diversity and inclusion more than mere buzz words. BACK AT IT California is opening back up and there’s plenty going on when you get back out there this month.
ON THE COVER
Riqua Hailes
50 THE END
PHOTO COURTESY OF JUST CANNABIS
We stand at what can be the most pivotal movement in human history.
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ADVISORY BOARD
NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD COUNCIL NCRMA Risk Management COLORADO Agricor Laboratories Testing Lab Aspen Cannabis Insurance Insurance Services Canyon Cultivation Microdosing Cartology Corporation Cartridge Filling Equipment + Hardware Colorado Cannabis Company THC Coffee Concentrate Supply Co. Recreational Concentrates Emerald Construction Construction Green Edge Trimmers Trimmers Higher Grade Boutique Cannabis Hybrid Payroll Staffing & HR Benefits Jupiter Research Inhalation Hardware Lab Society Extraction Expert + Lab Supplies marQaha Sublinguals + Beverages Monte Fiore Farms Recreational Cultivation Northern Standard History of Cannabis PotGuide Cannabis Culture Source CO Wholesale Consulting Terrapin Care Station Recreational Dispensary Toast Mindful Consumption Uleva Hemp Products Wana Brands Edibles Witlon Inc. Payroll Processing SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Accucanna LLC Desert Hot Springs: Dispensary EventHI Events Flourish Software Distribution Management Helmand Valley Growers Company Medical Infrastructure Specialist HUB International Insurance Hybrid Payroll / Ms. Mary Staffing Staffing & HR Benefits Ikänik Farms Cannabis Distribution Red Rock Fertility Fertility Doctor Wana Brands Edible Gummies Witlon Payroll
NEVADA Eden Water Technologies Water System Technologies Green Leaf Money Canna Business Finanacing GreenHouse Payment Solutions Payment Processing Ideal Business Partners Corporate Law & Finance Jupiter Research Inhalatation Hardware Matrix NV Premium Live Resin Red Rock Fertility Fertility Doctor Rokin Vapes Vape Technology This Stuff Is Good For You CBD Bath and Body NEW ENGLAND Corners Packaging Packaging Curaleaf Veterans Cannabis Project Flourish Software Seed to Sale Green Goddess Supply Personal Homegrown Biochamber GreenHouse Payment Solutions Payment Processing The Holistic Center Medical Marijuana Evaluations PotGuide Travel & Tourism Revolutionary Clinics Medical Dispensary Royal Gold Soil Tess Woods Public Relations Public Relations
MICHIGAN Aronoff Law (Craig Aronoff) Licensing Law Firm Cannabis Counsel Cannabis Law Firm Etz Chaim Attestations Grapp Lerash Michigan PLLC Accounting/CPA Services Great Lakes Natural Remedies Lakeshore: Provisioning Center Kush Design Studio Cannabis Facility Design & Build MRB Solutions Human Resources Northern Specialty Health Upper Peninsula: Provisioning Center Oh, Hello Branding Promotional Marketing Perry & Drummy Inc. Commercial Insurance Pure West Compassion Club Caregiver Connection & Network Rair Medical Flower Solutions by Dr. Dave West Michigan: Hemp CBD Helping Friendly Hemp Company Hemp Topicals NORTHERN CALIFORNIA 365 Recreational Cannabis Dispensary: Recreational, Santa Rosa Green Unicorn Farms CBD Hemp Flower Humboldt CCTV Smart Ag Tech Humboldt Patient Resource Center Dispensary: Humboldt Kushla Life Sciences Cannabis Formulation and Products Red Door Remedies Dispensary: Cloverdale Southern Humboldt Royal Cannabis Company Mixed Light Farming Sonoma Patient Group Dispensary: Santa Rosa Strictly Topical Inc./Sweet ReLeaf Pain Relief Topicals Superbad inc. Premium California Cannabis Uleva Hemp Products Vaper Tip Vape Supply & Consulting Wana Brands Edible Gummies
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Women working in cannabis deserve better, so
WE BUILT BETTER
JoIN Us
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EDITORIAL
Stephanie Wilson Co-Founder + Editor in Chief stephanie.wilson@sensimag.com Doug Schnitzspahn Executive Editor Tracy Ross Managing Editor, Michigan Emilie-Noelle Provost Managing Editor, New England Debbie Hall Managing Editor, Nevada Jenny Willden Managing Editor, NorCal Dawn Garcia Managing Editor, Southern California Robyn Griggs Lawrence Editor at Large Mona Van Joseph Contributor, Horoscopes Radha Marcum Copy Editor Bevin Wallace Copy Editor DESIGN
Jamie Ezra Mark Creative Director jamie@emagency.com Rheya Tanner Art Director Wendy Mak Designer Josh Clark Designer BRAND DEVELOPMENT
Richard Guerra Director of Global Reach Amanda Patrizi Deputy Director of Global Reach Tuva Hank Music Director, Sensi Presents Neil Willis Production Director MEDIA PARTNERS
Marijuana Business Daily Minority Cannabis Business Association National Cannabis Industry Association Students for Sensible Drug Policy
EXECUTIVE
Ron Kolb Founder ron@sensimag.com Stephanie Graziano CEO stephanie.graziano@sensimag.com Lou Ferris Vice President of Global Revenue Chris Foltz Vice President of Global Reach Jade Kolb Director of Project Management ADVERTISING
Nancy Reid Director, Team Building, Sensi East Joel Bergeson Director, Team Building, Sensi West PUBLISHING
Jamie Cooper Market Director, Michigan Abi Wright Market Director, Nevada Richard Guerra Market Director, New England Nancy Birnbaum Market Director, NorCal Diana Ramos Market Director, Oklahoma Rob Ball Market Director, S. California Angelique Kiss Market Director, S. California
MEDIA SALES
COLORADO Liana Cameris Media Sales Executive Tuva Hank Media Sales Executive Amanda Patrizi Media Sales Executive Tyler Tarr Media Sales Executive NEVADA Pam Hewitt Media Sales Executive NEW ENGLAND Jake Boynton Media Sales Executive MICHIGAN Kyle Miller Media Sales Executive Leah Stephens Media Sales Executive
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we are not girls
we are not tokens
we are not statistics
We are Altalunas, the women of cannabis. We are here to lead. You're invited to join us. alta.lunas Costa Mesa, CA • Boston, MA • Washington, D.C. PHOTO CREDIT: Nathan Dumlao
T
EDITOR’S NOTE
Magazine published monthly by Sensi Media Group LLC.
© 2021 Sensi Media Group. All rights reserved.
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The road less traveled
is always the more promising, so why is it that as a nation we continue to allow the same behavior that nullifies the idea behind our very founding: that all [wo]men are created equal? This month we celebrate diversity and inclusion, and that means more than simply saying the words. It means living a new truth and paving new roads that invite all communities of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, those with disabilities, and women into every conversation, business, industry, sector, and neighborhood. Have you ever walked across a field of wildflowers and thought to yourself, “Damn, that is beautiful”? Imagine how dull those fields would be without its sea of differences—the variety of color, shapes and sizes; flowers growing with plants, trees, and blades of grass, all amid the authenticity thriving together. That is the world in which we live. It is beautiful because of its vast array of differences. We have to move past the narrative of the same broken path that got us to this place of inequity. We have to be brave enough to demand systemic change, hold our government and public safety officials accountable, and demand our industry—media and cannabis—be an active part of that discussion through action. It’s time to be on the side of history that celebrates a multitude of cultures and values and how unique we are as individuals. We need to commit to not picking the side that prefers destruction and violence, rage and indifference. We have to choose love, unity, and hope. This issue is devoted to open minds, big hearts, and the champions of inclusion.
That is the world in which we live. It is beautiful because of its vast array of differences.
Live intentionally, TWITTER Follow @sensimag for need-to-know news and views from Sensi headquarters.
I N S TAG R A M Pretty things, pretty places, pretty awesome people: find it all on @sensimagazine
Dawn Garcia @dawngarcia
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LOCAL COMPANY
Beverly Hills Hotel Few places are as iconic and recognizable as the Beverly Hills Hotel located in the heart of Los Angeles on Sunset Boulevard. The bright pink tower-like pillars you can see as you drive in the heart of Beverly Hills and the canopies of palm trees and tropical foliage are hard to pass by. The celebrity sightings, the gorgeous design, the notable salmon-pink paint color juxtaposed by the deep palm green, and the prestige and sophistication synonymous with the hotel is why it stands as one of Southern California’s premier escapes. In fact, tourists flock to the hotel in hopes of blending into a fixture that oozes 14
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the Golden Age of Hollywood—and to escape in the sea of city chaos. True to its roots, the hotel retains its iconic style. It has remained open during the pandemic, but the ability to book a weekend escape or have a martini and their famous tortilla soup in the Polo Lounge make it one of the most wonderful ways to retreat while we all shift back to whatever the new normal is going to be. Coco Chanel was right when she claimed the Beverly Hills Hotel is unlike any other in Southern California. Room rates start at $995 dorchestercollection.com/en/los-angeles/the-beverly-hills-hotel/
PHOTO COURTESY OF BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL
“Don’t be like the rest of them, darling.”
CONTRIBUTOR
Dawn Garcia
BY THE NUMBERS
5.6
DIVERSITY IN FILM + TV
MCDONALD’S PHOTO BY NEW JERSEY GRAFFITI ARTIST, MEHANIQ
An award-winning journalist starts a new publication devoted to diaspora. Award winning entertainment journalist Dino Ray Ramos launches The Diaspora Times, a new online publication dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices in Hollywood. “I’ve been a journalist for two decades and I have witnessed underrepresented voices in the newsroom and in Hollywood that haven’t prominently been heard in the way they deserve. I have used my voice in service to other publications and have been offered a ‘seat at the table’ throughout my career—but it’s time to change that in a major way. We are building that table now,” says Ramos. In addition to the online-trade aspect of the publication, Ramos and his team tackle issues of casual racism in film and television, take hits at the industry, and demand those in positions of power step up and represent the many voices that make up viewing audiences. thediasporatimes.com
I would always rather be happy than dignified.” —Charlotte Brontë, Novelist
Fast Food Salary
Realizing wage matters, one massive chain is stepping up its game.
PERCENT Of Americans identify as LGBT. SOURCE: gallup.com, Feb. 20, 2021
9.7 PERCENT Employment rate for Black women, now lower than it was in February 2020. SOURCE: csnbc.com / Mar. 5, 2021
65.8
PERCENT Americans who say they anticipate their life satisfaction to be at least an eight five years from now. SOURCE: https://worldhappiness. report/ed/2021/happiness-trustand-deaths-under-covid-19/
Never in a million years did we think we would be including McDonald’s in the Buzz section of this magazine. But when a “We’re Hiring” banner in front of a local McDonald’s was sent to us with a line that read, “$18 dollars per hour,” It became clear that maybe The Golden Arches has started to catch on to the importance of offering a living wage to employees. The fast-food giant said it would increase wages for more than 36,500 hourly workers by an average of 10% over the next several months. Non-managerial workers at the chain’s roughly 660 company-owned restaurants in the U.S. will earn at least $11 to $17 an hour at entry levels after the increases, McDonald’s said. Considering cooks in California at the fast-food chain are still paid less than $10 an hour, maybe the increase will reflect the hardship of living in such an expensive state. Every person deserves a living wage. If they show up to work, they should be compensated fairly. Now let’s hope the franchise owners follow suit. Job postings on Indeed.com
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THE BUZZ
BILITIES BY STEPHANIE WILSON, EDITOR IN CHIEF
1 BONG CARTS. Did you hear the news? Bong carts are the new bar carts, and you totally need to get one.
2 OR YOU MAY ALREADY HAVE ONE if you have any piece of accent furniture on wheels where you store your stash in a decorative jar next to the water pipe you display like its a fine vase. It technically is a vase, at least as far as the dictionarians* at Merriam-Webster are concerned. 3 SENSI’S DICTIONARY OF CHOICE defines a vase as a “usually round vessel usually with greater height than width used chiefly... for holding flowers.” Sounds just like a bong, except for that “s” at the end. Bongs are for flower, singular; vases are for flowers, plural. Both will look great on the bar cart you’re about to transform into the hottest accent furniture trend of the century.
4 IF YOU HAVEN’T HIT A BONG SINCE COLLEGE, a) give it another whirl, but put some ice cubes in it first (gently, because: glass)—it’s a cool game changer; b) your bar cart could still use a refresh in prep for the roaring fun the 20s promise to provide. Despite what the name implies, bong carts aren’t just for bongs. Pipes, papers, grinders, stash jars, rolling trays, and other high-end accoutrements can mix and mingle with spirited accessories, books, and other objets d’art that you fancy.
5 YOU ALREADY HAVE A BONG CART, YOU SAY? Oh, you fancy! I like your style. And the world wants to see, so snap some pics, run them through a filter (I recommend “Food 1” on the free Photoshop camera app if you want to make your photos pop), and share using the #bongcart hashtag. Show the world what the cannabis lifestyle looks like from your eyes. *Side note: I have now known that “dictionarians” is a real word for as many seconds as its been since I finished typing it out, hit the space, and didn’t see a red squiggly line appear. So that’s fun.
FROM THE INSIDE OUT CBD pills for wellness.
Stress is the silent killer. It’s that thing everyone allows into their lives every moment of every day. Without proper stress management, it can sneak up on you and put you at risk for a multitude of health problems. CBD and organic hemp are nature’s answer to stress relief. One company, NuLeaf Naturals, has created what it calls, “the world’s highest quality cannabinoid wellness product” line. While that claim is one that no self-respecting magazine would tout for reasons of journalistic integrity, there does seem to be some truth to having created a genuinely unique and very high quality product. Launched in 2014, NuLeaf Naturals began with the mission of creating a product to promote a healthy mind and body with full-spectrum CBD oil. Through ample research and development, its capsules and oils are a new generation of cannabinoid wellness. CBD is something our endocannabinoid system is in sync with, and each whole-plant hemp extract NuLeaf derives is highly concentrated in CBD with significant cannabinoids like CBC, CBG, CBN present. Capsules and Oil Products range from $30-$400 NuLeafNaturals.com
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THE BUZZ
Drinking In The Garden
The opening of a brand-new tiki bar couldn’t be better timed. We have hit our official end of wanting to be in lockdown, secluded, and away from our favorite things—like bars in SoCal. Manuela restaurant in the heart of DTLA has officially opened its new Tiki-inspired bar and themed Tropical Nights in the Hauser and Wirth complex. For those familiar, this complex is plentiful in history (especially for LA). Under the culinary direction of Chef Kris Tominaga and beverage director Niki Kotantoulas, the Garden Bar is going to be your new favorite outdoor watering hole. Try chef’s Chile de Arbol chicken and wash it down with the Sea Clearly (mezcal-based) or the Merrie Monarch (gin-based). Manuela-la.com / @manueladtla
“EACH OF US HAS A SPARK OF LIFE INSIDE US, AND OUR HIGHEST ENDEAVOR OUGHT TO BE TO SET OFF THAT SPARK IN ONE ANOTHER.” —Kenny Ausubel, Social Entrepreneur
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VOX POPULI
Question: How has solitude affected you?
MANUEL RIVERA
ANGEL PAYNE
KEVIN LEE GLOVER
Martial Artist Los Angeles
Events Coordinator Atlanta
Fleet Manager San Diego
___________________
___________________
___________________
I’ve grown, focused more on being present in the moment.
I decided to use the time to level up. Learned how to cook. Hiked a lot. Garden work. Exercise. Meditation.
I have no problem being alone for long periods of time. Mostly because I like me! I just spent a week alone in the woods..
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Ruff Life
How to start training pets for your return to work. TEXT NATALIE RAGLAND, DVM, GUEST CONTRIBUTOR AT HONEST PAWS
PHOTO BY STEPHANIE WILSON
With quarantine restrictions lifted and more people getting vaccinated, many of us are returning to offices for work. This change affects not just us but our pets too. Natalie Ragland, a veterinarian and contributor to Honest Paws, shares insights and tips to help pet owners prepare their pets for life after the pandemic, shedding light on how pets are going to react when we stop working from home and go back to the office.
we realize. There are a few things we can do to make the shift easier. Here are a few tips that might help the transition for your pets, as well as decrease separation anxiety and unfavorable responses brought on by the change in company.
“If you have a pet, it’s time to prepare them for your return to normal— whatever that may look like postpandemic. And, according to some animal experts, it’s going to take time for them to adjust.”
2. Develop your routine. If you are given ample notice before returning to work, remember that most animals, including our pets, are creatures of habit. Pets know when you are due home and what time you usually leave each day. Reestablishing your routine a few days beforehand may be necessary. You can start by: • reestablishing walk times. • reinstituting normal feeding schedules. • leaving for the day and placing a camera in the house to monitor for any signs of separation anxiety.
1. Leave more often during the day as “D-day” approaches. As departure day approaches, leave your space more frequently. —CNN If you need to run an If you are like most errand or go for a walk, of the world, sheltering block out time away from in place took on a new the house to acclimate meaning because of the your pet to longer abCOVID-19 pandemic. sences. If you are going For pets, the extra time back to work in person with you has been welwithout much notice, comed. But, as we begin consider using a few vato trickle our way back cation half-days in order to working in our offices, to build in a daily routine the shock of absence may before implementing your original schedule. impact them more than
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THE LIFE
3. Look for signs of stress and anxiety. If your pet is more prone to being stressed out or anxious when you leave, watch out for such behavior as going to the bathroom in the house and destroying household items such as window blinds and furniture. Seeing these signs may warrant a call to a veterinarian or a tele-health appointment with a behavioral expert. If you are pressed for time as we are all these days, consider increasing your pet’s exercise to release stress hormones and increase endorphins, leading to longer napping times. 4. Consider in-home or daycare service. If you can arrange for someone to come to your home to either sit with your pet or walk your animal as needed, this may be the best option to start. Some local daycare centers for animals may offer inhome services and drop off and pick up. An even better option would be to have a relative or loved one come visit; coordinate the time when you will be out of the house so that there is some company when you exit.
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THE LIFE IN STYLE
The Life and Times of Shawn Carter
PHOTO COURTESY OF MONOGRAM
A new campaign for Jay-Z’s Monogram cannabis brand reimagines the iconic photos of mid-20th-century American photographer Slim Aarons through a contemporary lens. This is a scene from the Life and Times of Shawn Carter, Volume Two. (Volume One, if you missed it, was that hard-knock life you heard Jay-Z —Carter’s public persona—rap about in a track that samples the famous line from the 1982 Annie movie.) It’s a good life, a high life, and the people depicted living it are good and high on cannabis. The image is the first installment of a threepart campaign for Jay Z’s (also known as HOV) new Monogram cannabis line, which launched this spring in California. The campaign is a modern take
on the legendary work of Slim Aarons, a midcentury photographer who built his fame by photographing “attractive people doing attractive things in attractive places,” as he famously described it. The photographs Aarons captured during the Rat Pack era have become synonymous with midcentury luxury, beauty, and leisure. Carter’s Monogram tapped legendary hip-hop photographer/ director Hype Williams to reimagine a series of Aaron’s most notable vignettes. Shot at the stunning Frank Sinatra House
in Palm Springs, the series has been cast with a diverse group of creative talents like Grammy nominee Chika, Ghetto Gastro, Curren$y, designer Aleali May, and model Slick Woods—all styled by High Snobiety fashion director Corey T. Stokes. The creatives are seen lounging on floats with Monogram product in hand, basking in outdoor opulence. The resulting imagery illustrates the dynamic, expanding landscape of modern luxury, and how it intersects with a new chapter in cannabis culture. “The percep-
tion around cannabis has shifted a lot since the 20th century. If you were to ask me and my peers how we’d define the good life today, weed would definitely be a part of it. Whether we’re smoking to inspire creativity or to celebrate an achievement, cannabis has a rightful place in modern-day culture,” says Williams. “HOV has a vision for the industry that he’s bringing to life through Monogram. His focus for this campaign was to showcase how beautifully cannabis fits into the good life today, and I am honored to be a part of it.” J U N E 2021
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THE LIFE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mona Van Joseph is a professionally licensed intuitive reader in Las Vegas since 2002. Author, radio host, and columnist, she created the Dice Wisdom app and is available for phone and in-person sessions. mona.vegas
HOROSCOPE
JUNE HOROSCOPE What do the stars hold for you? TEXT MONA VAN JOSEPH
OCT. 23-NOV. 21 earned. You have created your reality; you can change SCORPIO Yes, you typically like to or recreate that reality. You Be the ultimate politician have a plan. However, this this month. Recognize peoare still the hero of your is the month to see what ple around you for the skills own story. presents itself while you foand benefits they present. cus on what gives you peace AUG. 23-SEPT. 22 This is the month to seek and purpose. What you need VIRGO value, not to be cheap or will be easily found. The thorn is out! Past pain is thrifty. You are establishing no longer a reflection of your your long-term goals now. JUNE 21-JULY 22 future. It’s time to act as NOV. 22-DEC. 21 CANCER though all things are openAvoid highly emotional peo- ing up for you to have the cli- SAGITTARIUS ple this month because they ents, personal relationships, Handle high-maintenance are just a toxic void that and good vibes you deserve. people on your own and shield them from the peoseeks attention. Detach ple they bother. You are a from anyone who tends to SEPT. 23-OCT. 22 leader. It’s time to step back dump emotional baggage on LIBRA you. Ask them, “So, how are You will ultimately become from people you have no you going to handle that?” so skilled at a creative proj- power to change. ect that other people will JULY 23-AUG. 22 want to learn from you. Let DEC. 22-JAN. 19 LEO nature inspire you even fur- CAPRICORN No one can take away what ther. You are creating your You are being guided toyou’ve ever learned or future with your expertise. ward your priorities, and MAY 21–JUNE 20
GEMINI
GEMINI, THIS IS THE MONTH TO SEE WHAT PRESENTS ITSELF WHILE YOU FOCUS ON WHAT GIVES YOU PEACE AND PURPOSE.
they may not align with tapped for a project where what you’re doing now. It’s your awesomeness is actualtime to let go of anything ly appreciated. that causes you pain. Things MAR. 21-APR. 19 are lining up for the outcome you desire. ARIES Be open and imagine some JAN. 20-FEB. 18 people as though they are AQUARIUS a slot machine that doesn’t When you realize that no pay off. It’s difficult for you one does what you do exto stay still, so transfer that actly the way you do it, you energy to finally tackle forare magic. It is time to enjoy gotten home projects. what you’ve created and allow the big rewards to mani- APR. 20-MAY 20 fest for you later this year. TAURUS Your actions and words repFEB. 19-MAR. 20 resent the truth. Step onto PISCES that soapbox with the right Do what you love, be with group and keep expressthe people you love, and de- ing your truth. Your writer’s cide your next step based on block is suddenly lifted, and that vibration. You will be words flow from you now. J U N E 2021
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Cha T H E
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anging C O N V E R S AT I O N Just Cannabis founder Riqua Hailes talks about how women- and BIPOC-owned businesses can succeed and amplify underrepresented voices.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF JUST CANNABIS
TEXT DAWN GARCIA
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on how hair is processed, marketed and sourced from the beginning to when the product reaches consumers. After the film’s success, Hailes was ready to tackle something even bigger and more impactful: cannabis. And in 2018, Just Cannabis was born. A firm believer in the power of the plant, it began with her stylists whose hands would tire and cramp from putting extensions on all day. “I started developing the product with my team of hairstylists I worked with.” With the intention of easing her stylists’ discomfort, the product development was really coming along … until Hailes’ mom was diagnosed with pancreatic no secret that the Just Getting Started cancer in 2019. She knew then cannabis space is Hailes’ success began when she that she needed to press pause on not well represent- founded Shoe Addict in her home- product launch. “When Mommie ed when it comes to women and town of Washington, D.C. In got sick, I paused the launch to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People 2009, she entered the hair extencare for her full-time, but I conof Color). So when a savvy, success- sions industry and opened Weave tinued to formulate products,” ful, woman-founded, Black-owned Express. Having found success says Hailes. Her mother was business comes on our radar, we with that company, in 2012 she struggling with painful neuropwant to know more. This month, launched Just Extensions on the athy ignited by the cancer. “The we had the pleasure of talking with West Coast in Los Angeles. neuropathy was so annoying. We Riqua Hailes, founder of the fe“The success of Weave Express tried everything the doctors sugmale-owned cannabis lifestyle and led me to LA to open Just Extengested—nothing helped. I insisted events brand, Just Cannabis. sions and document my journey my mom try using some of my Hailes is one of the only female with my film Just Extensions.” The CBD products and it immediately BIPOC-owned and operated exec- documentary film exposes medieased her pain. It gave her more utives in the cannabis space, and ocre hair products and Hailes’ de- sensation in her fingers and toes. her expansion into cannabis was termination to travel to the source That’s how the name was created. motivated by two personal connec- until she found the best products I knew the formula was effective.” tions: seeing how cannabis helped for her clients. Making the docuHailes’ relationship to cannabis her mother cope with cancer and mentary opened Hailes’ eyes to so started long before her mother was witnessing how social injustice for much more. Her global travels led diagnosed, but that journey was non-violent cannabis crimes disher to villagers who cut then sold pivotal in her decision to devote proportionately impacts BIPOC. their hair for survival, women and her time to developing Just CannaHer goal is to amplify more BIPOC children who sacrificed their hair bis. “I was involved in cannabis bevoices as a Black-owned cannabis for religious beliefs, and vendors fore my mother’s illness, but it was brand, and change the stereotypes who unapologetically manipulather illness that allowed me to see far too often associated with peoed the system for financial gain. how powerful and useful the plant ple of color and cannabis. Just Extensions educated viewers can be,” she says. “Pancreatic can-
it's
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cer is painful and she handled that well, but the neuropathy pain was nagging and trying. Once I started to use the product I developed, I could see how it relieved her pain. That’s when I embraced being a true believer in the power of my vision and product. I began sharing it more with people who had intense pain, and the results were continually great. That word of mouth led to launching the company and going to market.” Justice and Racial Equity Growing up in D.C., Hailes saw first-hand the inequities and continued arrests Black and Brown communities face when it comes to non-violent cannabis crimes. Witnessing these communities marginalized and stigmatized by a system in need of reform was one of the primary reasons she wanted to get into the space. She wanted to be instrumental in changing the narrative, to help destigmatize and decriminalize cannabis. “Society generally sees Black people, especially Black men as a threat. Just Cannabis is a Blackowned brand built on education, resources, and funding by Black people. Once people of color are at the table, we can start to change the narrative and Just Cannabis will be at the forefront of that change.”
“Society generally sees Black people, especially Black men, as a threat…. Once people of color are at the table, we can start to change the narrative and Just Cannabis will be at the forefront of that change.” —Riqua Hailes, Just Cannabis
Despite similar cannabis usage rates between whites and non-whites, Black Americans are arrested for cannabis offenses at a rate of nearly 4:1 compared to whites. And in a nation with nearly 700,000 cannabis-related arrests each year (a number that was over 800,000 a few years ago), these policies affect an enormous number of Americans. Passionate, driven, and determined, Hailes has a clear message. “The wave of cannabis legalization efforts has put a spotlight on the war on drugs related to racist policies that harmed communities of color for decades. Just Cannabis is uniquely positioned to reinvest in these communities.” With 12 percent of Americans (who admit it) using cannabis, the market is primed for growth, and that is immeasurably true of BIPOC and female-owned cannabis companies. Hailes knows there are challenges and victories that happen along the way, and navigating through those is how you gain momentum. “The awesome thing about Just Cannabis is I have a passion for the product and the industry,” she says. “The challenges are the policies that are ever-changing, and an industry led by men. The victories are my business experiences in California and my consultant team.” J U N E 2021
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Fighting for freedom is Join the revolution at norml.org
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Just Cannabis justcannabisla.com @justcannabis.la
As for her advice to those looking to get into the space, she cautions, “Always have a plan of action. Many entrepreneurs I speak to have the passion and vision, but they lack a plan-of-action and realistic budget goals. I know it’s hard and frustrating but it’s the key to having a successful brand.” Hailes has been an active board member of Girls With Gifts for the last 10 years, committed to helping raise others up starting with education and leadership. “I enjoy paying it forward,” she says. When we asked her how the media can play a more critical role in helping spread that message, she responds, “The media can start by highlighting everyday women that are relatable. The media focuses too much on celebrity life which creates unrealistic life goals.”
When it comes down to what makes her happiest? “I love my family and friends—they make me so happy,” she says. “Especially my soon-to-be husband, a wonderful life partner. That is happiness.” As for what’s next and what is most important to her, Hailes tells us, “I am super excited about the growth of Just Cannabis Beauty, which will include a men’s grooming line from shampoos and scalps treatments, to beard oils. Just Cannabis will also specialize in non-toxic, effective products for men and women.” Returning to the things her mother taught her and what her mother has meant to her, Hailes says, “I am mostly inspired by my mother because she walked it like she talked it—and that’s rare. I am a black woman born and raised in D.C. I have built a legacy with
integrity, passion and love. Even through my mother’s death I am still inspired by her and her words every day.” That ethos shows up in every aspect of how Hailes continues to build her empire and product line. “The proof is in the products. I believe people can appreciate an alternative to traditional medicine.” Just Cannabis launched in April with its Ease the Pain balm, a hemp-infused CBD, soothing salve made of organic lavender + patchouli flavors from Oregon that is a cold-pressed and full spectrum extract that is 100mg, high-potency, 100% organic, and retails for $32 on the Just Cannabis website. The brand will expand into live beauty and cannabis events featuring THC and CBD products this summer. J U N E 2021
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PHOTO COURTESY OF PAPA & BARKLEY
Gender and Race Gaps in Cannabis A candid conversation with two leaders-of-industry about how to make diversity and inclusion more than mere buzz words. TEXT DAWN GARCIA
The cannabis industry hasn’t traditionally been known for being the most inclusive and diverse industry, but we wanted to get to the core of how change can happen. In order to investigate how the industry can open up to more women and people of color becoming owners, cultivators, and marketers, we spoke to two major players in the market: The Arcview Group and Papa & Barkley. Laura Toomey is chief of staff at The Arcview Group and her experience spans the cannabis, fashion, tech, and marketing industries among many. Evelyn Wang is the CEO of California-based cannabis wellness brand Papa & Barkley and her career spans over 15 years in senior management for major beauty brands included L’Oréal and Estee Lauder. Recently, the two joined forces to discuss gender and racial disparity in the industry and what the industry can do to support the evolving conversation. They met with Sensi to discuss unique perspectives on how to showcase efficacy in their brands, approach growth, and implement lasting change in the cannabis industry.
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As the industry strives to include more women and people of color, what can brands do to create more opportunity? What insight can you offer to those who want to change the narrative? Laura Toomey: Research on this subject, especially as it pertains to the cannabis industry, can be challenging to navigate. That’s why The Arcview Group’s Women’s Inclusion Network partnered with NCIA to release the white papers, Building New Foundations in the Cannabis Industry: Creating Gender Parity through Ownership, Leadership, Boards, Pay Equity, Branding, and Capital, authored by 14 incredible women in the industry. The papers are focused on research, data, and personal stories and they’re accompanied by toolkits that allow readers to work towards implementing change. There is a very long road ahead to equality, but if you are looking for a place to start, I would suggest downloading the papers and beginning to research for yourself. They are free to access at arcviewgroup.com/ncia. Here’s a quote from the Gender Parity in the C-Suite white paper—authored by Christine De
La Rosa (The People’s Dispensary), Kelly Perez (kindColorado), and Elise Serbaroli (Strimo)— that might inspire you to rethink the way your current organization is structured and start making real change: “According to the latest gender-parity report from McKinsey & Co. and LeanIn.org, just 72 womxn for every 100 men are promoted and hired as managers. Only 58 Black womxn and 68 Latinas for every 100 entry-level men get promoted to the manager level, while 64 Black womxn and 57 Latinas for every 100 men are hired as managers. In fact, womxn of color, womxn with disabilities, lesbian and bisexual womxn report ‘by and large worse’ experiences on the job than womxn on average. Black womxn and womxn with disabilities overall say they have received less — Laura Toomey, Chief of Staff manager support and of The Arcview Group less sponsorship than womxn in other groups.” Evelyn Wang: Surround yourself with a diverse team. Period. Change can’t happen without the right people around the table to surface their viewpoints and drive transformation from the inside out. Critical decisions about investments, products,
“I do not believe women should have to act like men in order to be successful. Women are incredible exactly as they are.”
campaigns, and key partnerships will reflect the team that had a voice in making them. As a member of an underrepresented group, you carry the dual-edged privilege and burden of representation and responsibility. Once you Laura Toomey, chief of staff at The Arcview get through the door, Group. you need to create deliberate pathways for those behind you to succeed. That is how you change the narrative. What are some of the most critical obstacles we need to overcome as women, industry influencers, and innovators? LT: Women in every industry face the same challenges with C-suite and board representation, pay equality, and access to capital—just to name a few. Not to be repetitive here, but the white papers mentioned above dig into many overarching issues. Personally, I have a hard time with how opinionated everyone is about the way a woman should act in the workplace—if they are authoritative it’s often perceived as “too bossy”, if they are introverted it can be perceived as “not confident enough”, if women ask for a raise they need to go into granular detail about the exact reasons J U N E 2021
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Evelyn Wang, CEO of California-based cannabis wellness brand Papa & Barkley.
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why they deserve it. The list goes on and on. It’s belittling and creates a toxic work environment. I do not believe women should have to act like men in order to be successful. Women are incredible exactly as they are. Like their male colleagues, they should be given the space to grow confidently into their own unique sense of self. I have been in many situations where men have spoken down to me or treated me like I was not worthy to be contributing to the conversation. It definitely leaves a lasting impression. Men and women should take extra care, now and in the future, to mentor women and minorities. Empowering others with knowledge is invaluable. EW: Having the confidence to believe in your voice, direction, and perspective is the most difficult and critical obstacle to overcome. When you do not necessarily have a clear role model you identify with, you need to find your own path and realize it’s ok not to follow a traditional template of what leadership looks like. Personally, I’ve found more and more success as I’ve leaned into my own intuition of how to lead, influence, and innovate. Avoiding J U N E 2 02 1
the desire to conform to traditional notions is something you have to actively work on. What can womenfounded brands do to gain more access to growth capital and brand visibility in a predominantly male dominated industry? LT: Join our Women’s Inclusion Network, for a start. We created the network to help address the inequalities in this industry by providing networking and educational opportunities. We have bi-weekly interactive mentorship workshops that teach women about financial modeling, investments, marketing, building the right team, and everything in between. Once a month, we host virtual happy hours and we have an active, private Slack channel for instantaneous member-to-member communication. We host pitch competitions for female founded companies, exclusive shopping opportunities that feature female — Evelyn Wang, CEO of Papa & founded brands. You’ll Barkley be connected with an incredible, supportive community of investors, operators, and employees at every level in their career journeys. And , yes, in case you were wondering, we do
“The most important thing for us is to continue to educate on the integrity of our process, why it creates a better product, and to scale the reach of that education both in California and beyond.”
allow men to join as well. We don’t believe that women should have to implement change alone. Everyone needs to contribute to the movement. As long as the men in our network also rally behind equality, they are more than welcome to join. It’s a tricky industry to navigate, and we don’t want any woman to feel like she needs to go it alone! EW: That is an interesting question because I see a split between women-founded and -owned brands versus women-operated brands. There are a lot of amazing women entrepreneurs in cannabis who are building uniquely positioned, creatively expressed, but oftentimes smaller scale brands. I have a lot of admiration for them. On the other hand, there are fewer women in my situation of being hired into leadership positions at already established, larger scale companies. These are two very different situations with different levels of access to growth capital. The truth of my situation is that I have access to a board that is well-versed and connected to the capital markets. My experience has been that of a hired operator rather than an entrepreneur.
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As an operator, I have learned the importance of ensuring you work with investors that share your vision and appreciate brand building. From that perspective, I would advise female entrepreneurs to seek out investors who have a track record and interest in investing in women-led brands. I know the value of investors who have an intuition and appreciation for your mission statement and product category. I would also say get comfortable telling your success story and asking for introductions to the people you want to meet. While I do not typically like to speak in generalizations, I will say that women tend to be less boastful. Men tend to go for it in terms of speaking to their successes! A humble and pragmatic model of leadership is better for organization-
approach, and we believe it’s worth it because it keeps the full range of cannabinoids and terpenes intact, resulting in a more efficacious product. Our end products truly deliver on our mission to unlock the power of cannabis to Papa & Barkley is one of improve people’s lives. the most trusted brands Every time we have the in the industry. What do opportunity to educate someone and get them to you, as a company, feel is most critical in terms consider a natural cannabis-based solution to of awareness in the cannabis community, a wellness issue, we have especially for those just made another step in the beginning to understand journey to de-stigmatize this amazing plant. the healing aspects of The most important the plant? EW: We’ve stayed true thing for us is to continue to educate on the to innovation principles integrity of our process, of using a solvent-less why it creates a better whole-plant approach product—and to scale to our input materials because we know that the reach of that education both in California cannabinoids work best when they are present in and beyond. combination with each What’s on the horizon other. Our whole-plant for Papa & Barkley? infusion process is a How have you prepared difficult and expensive al management and growing a company in a solid way, but a more boastful and aggressive style of leadership may be more effective for the short-term purpose of fundraising and access to capital.
for the world opening back up? EW: We’re on a journey to become a global best-in-class wellness brand powered by cannabis. We are preparing to scale in a way that holds true to what is authentic and purposeful. I have a vision of Papa & Barkley’s balm in every American medicine cabinet! As the world opens back up again, there is a wonderful sense of optimism and rejoining back into communities. We are evaluating what this means for how we evolve as an organization and interact with each other, our consumers, and our key partners. Health will continue to be a top-of-mind priority for the world and we intend to be there to support consumers’ wellness needs. To learn more about both brands, visit: thearcviewgroup.com, papaandbarkley.com
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THE SCENE CALENDAR
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On the Calendar
California is opening back up and there’s plenty going on when you get back out there this month.
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TEXT ELI DUPIN
Surfing, live music, dining indoors, going to amusement parks, being in the presence of people again? That is what all Southern Californians can finally get back to doing thanks to COVID-19 vaccinations and a decline in cases. But don’t ruin it for everyone, public safety is still the most critical aspect of us getting to indulge in some beautiful summer living.
Sun, June 5 Rancho Mirage Tickets $260 per table. desert-theatricals.com
Join the duo for dinner and a show.
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Studio City Tickets $99-$279, annual pass $180-$259. Reservations required universalstudioshollywood.com
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Meet with companies devoted to diversity and inclusion.
Annual passholders were invited back mid-May and with re- A Conversation stricted capacity, the with Angela park is officially open Davis Wed, June 16 to the public again.
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Get your thrills at this adventurous theme park now open to all California residents.
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Conversation live via Zoom visionsandvoices.usc.edu
A live conversation with activist and scholar Angela Davis to discuss the necessity of social justice.
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San Diego is ready to re-open and say goodbye to quarantine and hello to the dining and party scene again. Tickets $16-$30. J U N E 2021
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ADVISORY BOARD NCRMA
Stay Safe Here’s what you need to know about budtender safety and OSHA compliance in a dispensary.
E
mployees are a company’s most valuable assets, thus requiring every business to have a safety program that aims to prevent injury and illness in its workers. In addition to the threat of personal injury, there are also financial reasons to keep employees safe, including direct costs such as lost time, replacing workers, increased workers’ compensation, and lost or damaged equipment. And then there are Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) violations, which can exceed $136,000. OSHA and state agencies enforcing occupation-safety standards have begun writing violations to cannabis businesses. The General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety & Health Act of 1970 requires that, in addition to compliance with hazard-specific standards, all employers provide a work environment that is “free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause
death or serious physical harm.” The question is, how do dispensaries keep their budtenders safe and become OSHA compliant? The answer is to develop that program. The first step in developing a safety program is to identify a facility’s hazards. Then establish controls to prevent or mitigate them. While it is impossible to identify all hazards a dispensary may have, there are some basic safety plans that should be a part of every business. Hazardous Communication Plans protect workers from the hazards of chemicals. Identify and list all chemicals on site, ensuring chemical containers are labeled, and then keep all chemical-safety data sheets accessible to all employees. Training must be established to inform personnel about chemical hazards, especially training personnel who do special tasks such as cleaning chemicals. There must also be procedures to update and maintain the plan as new chemicals come on site.
Fire Prevention Plans must include a list of all major fire hazards, proper handling and storage procedures for hazardous materials, potential ignition sources and their control, and the type of fire-protection equipment necessary to control each major hazard. Emergency Action Plans must include at a minimum: procedures for reporting a fire or other emergencies (i.e., robberies and natural disasters); procedures for emergency evacuation, including the type of evacuation and exit route assignments; procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before they evacuate; procedures to account for all employees after evacuation; procedures to be followed by employees performing rescue or medical duties; and alarm systems maintenance and training. First Aid Plans should also be a part of every business and, at minimum, include adequate first aid supplies, a list of all local emergency numbers, and, in the absence of an infirmary, clinic, or hospital in proximity to the workplace that is used for treatment of all injured employees, a person or persons should be adequately trained to render first aid.
Category: Safety and Training Author: Alex Hearding is the Chief Risk Management Officer for the NCRMA, providing services including occupational safety and health training and risk management for the cannabis industry. To learn more about Hearding and the NCRMA, visit ncrma.net.
The Sensi Advisory Board comprises select industry leaders in a variety of fields, from education to cultivation. They are invited to share specialized insight in this dedicated section. For a full list of board members, see page 9.
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oCal-based PodTones isn’t your average vape. Launched early last year, this premium all-in-one live rosin vaporizer is the first of its kind. Featuring full-spectrum bud-only extract in four “Tones” that let you choose your high, PodTones delivers a prestigious, rigorously tested live rosin experience with true entourage effects. Not into the dab rig and blow torch? Co-founder and CEO Alex LeVine gets it. Taking a dab, and the intense high that follows, isn’t for everyone. That’s exactly why PodTones was created. “When I first learned about and tasted rosin, it was just clear to me that it was the best extract yet. And once we started making it from fresh-frozen hash, it was clear that was the ultimate extract—it was the actual flavor and high of the plant on day of harvest,” says LeVine. “But I wanted
live rosin. The extract is then put into the all-in-one vaporizers, without any additives, via a proprietary process that preserves all the cannabinoids and terpenes, delivering the best possible fidelity to the plant’s flavor and high in each hit. The result? You experience the full essence of the plant with a pure, delicious taste and a true entourage effect. While a young company, PodTones is growing fast and gaining traction across the industry, especially with cannasseurs, budtenders, and dispensary owners. PodTones confidently delivers a curated, full-spectrum experience—from sativa to indica, or more simply from morning to night— with each hit delivered at the perfect temperature and through a simplified, easy-to-use design. The company’s full lineup of rosin vaporizers—Up, Fun, Chill, and Dream—is available at dispensaries and via delivery services across southern California and up to the Bay Area. To find out how you can taste and feel the difference, check out PodTones.co.
to find a way to make the magic of live rosin accessible for everyone, not just hardcore smokers.” With an electrical engineering degree from Harvard, Alex used his expertise to design PodTones’ unique vaporizers and patented manufacturing processes. But he is also a master grower. “I personally have been cultivating in Los Angeles for a decade and a half now,” he says. “Starting in the mid-2000s, I was supplying the top-shelf at some of the biggest dispensaries in Hollywood, and within a couple years, I was supplying medicine to Snoop Dogg directly.” LeVine’s high-ranking clients are a testament to his expertise, and now, to the quality of PodTones. The product is made with organically grown cannabis flower, harvested at peak ripeness and PodTones flash frozen then extracted without Live Rosin Cannabis Vaporizers solvents to create 100 percent pure PodTones.co
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More Than Mere Words We stand at what can be the most pivotal movement in human history. TEXT DAWN GARCIA
America is undeniably racist, exclusive, and inequitable in more ways than one. When we watched in horror as George Floyd gasped for his last breaths and saw Breonna Taylor murdered in her own home, it no longer became 50
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safe to assume that racism was finally a thing of the past. In fact, we know with certainty that racism, sexism, homophobia, and social and economic inequity are very much a part of the fabric of what it means to be American.
That’s sickening. As women, LGBTQIA+, Black, Brown, Asian, and marginalized Indigenous communities continue to be targeted by violence, the people who believe in unity can no longer stay silent. So many of us used our voices, our civic duty and exercised our rights. We marched. We voted. And we will continue to fight until every marginalized member of society is not only seen, respected, and heard, but more so given equal protection under law, access to resources and education. We must level the playing
field so that we live up to the words: diversity and inclusion. As it stands, diversity and inclusion have been ignored as critical characteristics society needs to thrive. Until now. Support brands, companies, people, and systems of government that live that messaging of inclusion and diversity. That’s how we all make the kind of noise that changes the world we live in for the better. Don’t make diversity and inclusion buzz words. Make them mandatory social norms.
PHOTO BY ANASTASIA YANISHEVSKA
THE END
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