An Interview with Jeremy Smith
I’ve known Jeremy for about 2 years now. Our paths crossed during one of the roughest points in my cannabis career. I was working sales for a less-than-stellar company. His story was one of those that nudged me in the direction of following a purpose in my career, not just a paycheck. I’m happy to share his story and give space for it to be heard. Without further ado please meet Jeremy Smith
Who is Jeremy Smith?
Jeremy Smith’s recipe for success is his determined focus on health and education. This passion shows in his work with CCTA, Canadian Cannabis Tourism Alliance, which aims to destigmatize and make high-quality information accessible, while pushing for a holistic and well-rounded approach to health.
The health battles he has endured demonstrate the power of his life story, which includes narrowly escaping death. He told me that he had stomach problems dating back to his teens. No one had given him any clear cause even when he was consuming 5k-10k calories a day and struggling to put on weight. At 23 years old he was 6’2 and 120lbs. It wasn’t until he started working at a hospital that he got some answers.
At 35 years old he was diagnosed with Crohn’s and eosinophilic esophagitis. Three weeks later he collapsed at work when blood clots hit his heart. “My CK levels skyrocketed, becoming severely anemic, herniated discs in my neck, a tumor was found on my pituitary stock, and I started to develop arthritis”, he recalled. Not long after that incident he narrowly escaped losing a child from the side effects of pharmaceuticals.
That wild ride is what led him to cannabis activism. Something about that brush with death and subsequent healing journey ignited a passion in him to ensure others don’t go through the same battles he faced. There’s a lot to unpack, but it’s surely a story that will inspire you to make the most of every day.
10 Questions with Jeremy Smith, Canadian Cannabis Tourism Alliance
What was the attitude towards cannabis when you were growing up?
Jeremy: Growing up, cannabis was always a horrible drug that destroyed lives. Many members of my family were in law enforcement and spoke about cannabis as if it were the worst thing. When I was 17, my family held an intervention with me and brought out their yearbooks. Told me this person is homeless, doesn’t work, an addict, and destroyed their lives all because of cannabis. Cannabis was never even seen medical, just a horrible drug.
What made you choose cannabis?
Jeremy: I moved from a small town of 340 people into a big city at 14. I started using cannabis and alcohol in grade nine. I tried many different substances, but nothing was as good as cannabis. I was able to rollerblade, work, and draw while using cannabis.
Then at age 23, I decided to stop drinking and doing any drugs; including cannabis. I went back to college and studied policing to follow in my family's footsteps. Over a decade clean, and then I almost died after being diagnosed with Crohn’s and eosinophilic esophagitis at age 35. I herniated disks in my neck after blood clots hit my heart and I collapsed at work; almost dying. My neurologist suggested getting off opioids and using cannabis instead. I spoke with multiple doctors and started using cannabis medicinally. This changed my life forever and led me to advocate for cannabis.
What is your area of expertise in cannabis?
Jeremy: I advocate for cannabis medicinally and I am now the VP/Director of Government Relations at the Canadian Cannabis Tourism Alliance (CCTA). My knowledge has become more diverse as I am growing and advocating. I am now meeting with Canadian politicians and regulators to create changes in the cannabis industry all across Canada.
What is your goal in your work in the industry?
Jeremy: My goal is to make changes for the industry and those who use cannabis. Alongside Substance Law, we have proposed a Cannabis Act amendment and cannabis regulations proposal.
I want to make Canada the world's number one destination of choice for cannabis hospitality and tourism. I want people from all over the world to come to Canada and enjoy tourism from music festivals, dog sledding, golfing, camping, spas, restaurants, Indigenous experiences, trails, and more– to make Canada one of the top leaders in the hemp trade. This could range from hemp plastics, insulation, clothes, biofuel, EV batteries, animal feed, medicine, and thousands of other goods. To get people off opioids and put an end to the opioid epidemic by having doctors educated in our cannabinoid systems and prescribing cannabis before opioids.
How can we help support your mission?
Jeremy: The CCTA advocacy is changing the Canadian cannabis industry and aims to expand globally; already having other countries reaching out to us. Having support from amazing cannabis magazines like Fat Nugs is critical to getting our work/voice out to others interested in the industry and those already in the industry looking to expand into cannabis hospitality/tourism.
What is your preferred and most common mode of consumption?
Jeremy: My consumption varies. I prefer to consume edibles to help with my Crohn’s. But I typically smoke bongs or 1:1 pre-rolls before the gym. I also use tinctures during the day around my kids.
How do you approach cannabis use as a father?
Jeremy: As a father, my approach to cannabis is mostly on education and medicinal benefits. My children understand daddy uses cannabis as medicine, what it does, and how it helps. My son with Autism was put into a coma after doctors refused to give him cannabis as medicine and gave him prescription medicine instead. Since then, my advocacy has grown stronger than ever before. My goal is to ensure no other parent or child has to endure what we went through due to ignorance of cannabis. I don’t want to use the fear of cannabis to scare my children away from it like how I was raised. I aim to educate them and provide a safe space once they are older, if they choose cannabis.
What does advocacy mean to you?
Jeremy: Advocacy means proper changes for the people who make up the industry and educating those who have learned misinformation. Not the 1% of companies who have lobbyists looking out for self-interests. It means speaking up for medicinal users like myself. Educating our government officials and growing the industry properly helps not with just economic growth, but also with improving people’s quality of life while considering dignity for those who choose cannabis.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Jeremy: I would tell myself to not listen to others and to educate myself. Many people have been misled and follow the government's narrative without question. Ask questions, an opinion is not facts, take them with a grain of salt.
What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
Jeremy: My dream legacy is for my kids. I want to show them that it’s okay to get our butts kicked. That we can still get back up and fight. Just because someone says no, doesn’t mean you can’t do it. Life can throw curveballs and it’s okay to change your swing because you can still hit home runs.
