THE BUZZ

Dope Talk

Five Questions with Sarah Tupper, owner of Sarah Jane Cannabis Company

I love that you named your cannabis company after yourself. Why did you?

We imagined what would happen if Mary Jane grew up and became a mother and businesswoman who wanted to share honest conversation around integrating cannabis into a modern woman’s lifestyle. We wanted Sarah Jane to feel like a dependable, relatable, ambitious, and open-minded friend.

You are a champion for women in the cannabis space. Why so much focus on women in the industry?

Women are the ultimate networkers, multitaskers, and problem solvers. We know how women work, the obstacles they face, and the products they’re looking for as consumers because we are our target market. We envision the 59 percent of new cannabis users in Michigan, all women, having better options to fi t their specifi c needs. We also believe there is a way to do business that empowers entrepreneurs with diff erent values, and that there is power in sharing resources.

You say you believe that mothers can use cannabis intentionally to “open their minds to creativity, enjoy being present in the moment with their children, let loose, and remember what it feels like to play.” What would you say to women who are fearful of trying cannabis, related to your statement?

Cannabis is fun, relaxing, and engaging. I use it for similar reasons as much of parenting culture views the use of alcohol. I reside in the Midwest, where being a “wine mom” is celebrated but being a “weed mom” is still stigmatized and misunderstood because education about the cannabis plant, its diverse range of uses, and access to trustworthy resources are signifi cantly lacking.

We know that women like to talk to women, so we’re working to bring these conversations from private whispers to public shouts. The more we talk about our experiences with cannabis, the larger our community will grow and fl ourish. No judgment, no stigma, no rules except what works best for you— whether you’re consuming wine, weed, or something diff erent, we

support women fi nding the support that works best for them.

What if I’m kind of uptight as a mother. How will cannabis help me let go?

Cannabis helps me ease my stress, quiet my anxiety, and soften my sharp edges as a parent. It turns my to-do list into background noise drowned out by enjoying whatever small moment is currently happening. It makes me more patient, kinder, and defi nitely taps into my emotionally mature side where I can help my kids learn how to control their own emotions. It even helps me to bring a level of creativity and enthusiasm to the craft table that my kids can enjoy.

What do women know about cannabis that men don’t?

It’s not necessarily about knowing something men don’t as much as it’s about experiencing life diff erently and, therefore, needing diff erent types of support. Particularly these days, women are carrying the weight of so much responsibility on their shoulders. Between working from home, home schooling, childcare shortages, and increasing workload in the home, it’s time to demonstrate diff erent ways of helping to ease some of that mental load. Cannabis helps and is much better for you than other ways of managing stress and anxiety to support rest and relaxation.

PHOTOS (FROM LEFT) COURTESY OF SARAH JANE; LOS MARISCOS DE PANCHO yoursarahjane.com / @your.sarah.jane

BY THE NUMBERS

80K

Number of pot plants the company 305 Farms will be able to grow in its new 350,000-squarefoot grow facility in Lawrence, Michigan. That’s a lot of space for a lot of plants in a village with only 300 families, six stores, and one restaurant. But the $100 million facility from a Florida-based company promises good-paying jobs, annual revenue for the village, and a viable plan for vacant land, reports the nonpro t news source, Bridge Michigan.

1971

Date that ve high school students in Rafael, California, planned to search for an abandoned cannabis crop, based on a treasure map made by the grower. The rst High Times mention of 4:20 smoking and a 4/20 holiday appeared in the May 1991 issue. And in 1998, the term, spread widely by Grateful Dead followers, adopted its current meaning, calling for 4:20 p.m. to be the socially accepted time of the day to consume cannabis.

EAT, SHOP, STAY

It’s March and the crocuses are starting to bloom, the crickets are starting to sing, and cannabis lovers are starting to ramp up the party. Make the most of this month (and every one) with stops at our favorite places to shop, stay, and eat in Michigan.

EAT: LOS MARISCOS DE PANCHO WHERE: GRAND RAPIDS Gabriel Sanchez, aka Pancho, hails from the West Coast, where people love seafood. His parents came from Jalisco, Mexico, home of the original birria. His mom always hustled to sell food on the side of her other jobs, and Pancho looked up to her. “When I arrived in Michigan and met my wife, Vanessa Sanchez, her family owned a restaurant. So, we put our heads together and came up with Los Mariscos De Pancho. Our inspiration is the love for the food, and it’s all of my family working behind us,” he says. If you go, be on the lookout for Pancho, Vanessa, their sons, and their daughter, as well as Pancho’s mom and Vanessa’s mom working together. As for food choices, he says the quesa birria, the pizza birria, and the famous cucaracha shrimp are the way to go.

PHOTOS (FROM LEFT) COURTESY OF GLAZED AND CONFUSED; VRBO

SHOP: GLAZED AND CONFUSED WHERE: CRYSTAL FALLS In 2021 Glazed and Confused was named best dispensary in the country based solely on its logo, which owner Dan Rosek rst drew on a napkin. But, as we all know, one shouldn’t judge the location of one’s cannabis provider based a cartoon. Good thing Glazed and Confused lives up to the award Cannabis and Tech Today magazine gave it in Las Vegas.

STAY: MUFFY’S WEST VILLAGE POP-ART TOWNHOUSE SUITE WHERE: WEST VILLAGE, DETROIT Mu y Kroha is a former member of an all-girl glitter band that toured around France and Serbia, and she says, “If you love a wild explosion of color, French bulldogs, and having a host who has never met a stranger, I’ve got you covered for a cannabis-friendly stay in Detroit.” Her campy townhouse lies in the West Village, with multiple bars and restaurants (including Metropolitan Kitchen, Two Birds, and Marrow) and co ee/snack houses (including Red Hook, Snack Camp, and Sister Pie) within walking distance. Or you can take a short Uber ride to downtown and the quaint medical marijuana boutique, Utopia Gardens. Visit a museum. Take in Detroit’s history. And then head back to Kroha’s suite for a cocktail or pu on the u y couch. Kroha says her decorating style is colorful and eclectic—her profession for 30 years was window dresser. Bonus for you if you have an interest in fashion, design, or rock-and-roll. Maybe Kroha will tell you a few stories from the latter if you can catch her at home.

Price: $85/night; book: vrbo.com/1928315?unitId=2490834

VOX POPULI Question: What springtime activities go hand-in-hand with cannabis?

SARAH TUPPER

CEO at Sarah Jane, Grand Rapids ___________________ Playing with my kids at the playground! Feels fun to run and jump and play without tracking steps, scheduling exercise, and getting lost in the moment of having fun.

DREW S. MCCARTHY

Manager at Gage Cannabis Company, Grand Rapids ___________________ Picnics and parks! Camping, gardening. Cannabis is very spring honestly. New life, growth, healing from winter.

KEVIN BEEBEE

Owner at Iconic Wellness & Provisioning, Grand Haven ___________________ Kayaking before we should to see the young wildlife and everything starting to bud. Every pun intended.

SHEENA ROBERSON

CEO at Cannabis Noire Consultants and Education Group, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ___________________ Our infused tea party tour and cannabis and camping event

CHANDRA BATRA

Marijuana Legislation Activist, Boston, Massachusetts ___________________ Skinny dipping at midnight on Beltane at Walden Park.

From Michigan, For Michigan

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