Kids In Cannabis: Raising the Next Generation Of Advocates
Written By Casey & Shilo Renteria
Present day, my oldest turned eight this year. I’ve gotten the pleasure of watching her grow and evolve into this incredibly smart young (dare I say) activist. Over the years she has been by my side watching the work and long hours that I’ve put into it. She’s seen the stunning art and talented incredibly intelligent people I’ve gotten to meet and talk with.
Needless to say, she’s fallen in love with both cannabis and writing. I’ve waited years to find out who she would be and now that she wants to follow in my footsteps it seems like the right time to co-author something and give her a proper introduction to the cannabis community and all the amazing possibilities that exist here.
Interview with Lonnie Kessler: From Fighting Stigma to Facing Death
Written By Casey Renteria
Through all the ups and downs with his health, cannabis was always there. He told me he was on 13 pills - but with cannabis, he’s down to 3 pills twice a day, and I'd say that's a huge improvement! But he also talked about how hard it was to open up to his family about his choice to use cannabis. “It's finding a balance between family, friends, society, and quality of life you have to choose and I choose the quality of life…Cannabis will be the one thing I use until the very end,” he said.
An Interview with Chip Paul
Written By Casey Renteria
“We had no money, we had to beg, borrow, and steal for everything we did. It was a pretty historic moment for us, and very grassroots in the way this movement came up. I’m very proud and humbled by that. I like to think God put me in that position, cannabis just stuck and this is where he wants me to be.”
An Interview With Waxy Brown
Written By Casey Renteria
“They will either fear my footprint, or my fist print. When I’m gone, there will still be veterans who need access to this. Psilocybin is on its way, and there are still ketamine conversations to have. Talking about it is great. But what are we going to do about it? That is the line between advocate and activist. We love the advocates and we need advocates, but feel free to step over that line into activism at any time. If not, don't worry, we’ll throw full punches until the plant is on the farmer's market table.”
“Let's remember, that the intoxicating cannabis they are talking about was never toxic to begin with!”
An Interview with Jeremy Smith
Written By Casey Renteria
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.
Vermont Ski Shoppe Product Review
Written By Casey Renteria
Despite spending 5 years in rural towns in Alaska, snow really isn’t my thing. The extent of my frozen adventures began and ended with snowshoeing. I sunk up to my butt and that was the end of it. Despite my experience, there is a peaceful almost tranquil nature to being outdoors in the snow. Basically the perfect environment for a good sesh. I got connected with JB Sugar and heard how he took people's love of snow sports and meshed that with his love of cannabis. Enter Vermont Ski Shoppe.
From Marketing Agencies To The Vermont Cannabis Market: An Interview With JB Sugar, Founder of Route 7 Brands
Written By Casey Renteria
After talking with JB, it’s clear that he makes products that he loves, but also are aimed at having a good time and maybe even rediscovering a love of cannabis. “I think there's a huge market for those who are re-entering, people are kinda scared to get back into it for whatever reason: it’s too strong, stigmas, or fear. I’m trying to give people permission to have fun again, weed is supposed to be fun.”
How Cannabis Saved Me: An Interview With Richard Mitchell
Written By Casey Renteria
I was introduced to Richard Mitchell a couple of months ago. Before that, I affectionately knew him as the guy who got the Fat Nugs tattoo. Dustin made the official introduction and I’ve since gotten to talk with him about his life and what his journey has been like. Going into this interview I wasn’t sure what to expect - let me tell you it's quite the story!
It affected me so deeply to hear him talk about his experiences and it took a day or two of debriefing before I was ready to listen back to the recording. I am so inspired by him and all he’s been through has turned him into a warrior! I’m so proud and thankful to be able to share that with you. Please meet Richard Mitchell.
Learning To Feel Again: Lavinia Sex Gummies Review
Written By Casey Renteria
Summer of 2023 I became single for the first time in 5 years. One of my objectives in 2024 is to meet myself again both in and out of the bedroom. Long gone are the days of backseat tangos, and sneaking out to find a spot in the woods. That doesn’t jive well with parenthood, especially when you’re a single parent.
Needless to say, my sexplorations look a little different than before and I was beyond ready to take things to the next level. I got both the pre and post-sex gummies, so even though it was a solo venture–I had a whole experience.
CannaCon South 2024 Recap
Written By Casey Renteria
If you’re looking to make deeper connections a little faster, this is the event to go to. They aren’t big and showy but they focus on keeping the events small in order to let each region evolve and become more of an experience rather than just another cannabis event. It is a much slower intentional feel and you get that from the vendors as well, many of which have been there for several years in a row. It’s a nice change of pace and I think they deserve way more attention than they get.
The Jaine Aid Awards: An Afternoon of Inclusivity
Written By Casey Renteria
Good vibes were swirling through the air and women of all shapes, sizes, & backgrounds were there for one purpose: to uplift and learn from each other and advocate for the plant we all love so much. When you first walk in you’re greeted by the registration table and immediately to the right is a breakfast bar complete with mimosas & coffee.
CannaCon: A Family Affair & The Call to Cannabis A Q&A W/ Angela Grelle
Written By Casey Renteria
Event season is here and I’m so excited to share the first of many conventions I’m attending this year and arguably the one I’m most excited for so far. I got the chance to talk with the Director of Marketing Angela Grelle about not just how CannaCon came to be but also how she came to cannabis. She is such an amazing, passionate woman & you can tell she truly loves what she does. I can’t wait to meet the whole team and see how they manage to make it happen every year.
The Future of Cannabis Science: An Interview with Jeff Rawson
It was my pleasure to sit down and talk with the Founder of the Institute of Cannabis Science Jeff Rawson. I’m a bit of a science junky myself so I was thrilled to hear Jeff’s thoughts on where the industry is headed & what he’s doing to help it get there… I left our conversation so eager to see where the institute is in a couple of years. With someone like Jeff behind it, the changes this industry needs are closer than we might think.
Vegas Bud & Breakfast: My Home Away From Home
Written By Casey Renteria
I don't know about you, but I can't relax in a hotel; it's impossible. A little yes, but to actually rest and recharge, hell no! When I heard we had a Bud & Breakfast my ears perked up a little. One of the biggest, if not the biggest deciding factor on where to stay when I travel, is if I can medicate. Cannabis is a huge help in shutting off, and when you’re at MjBiz having a little help to shut off at the end of the day is like heaven.
NMBR9 Drink Mix Review
Written By Casey Renteria
I opened my mailbox and found a small white bubble mailer. A Grinch-like smile crept up on my face as I rushed home to enact my plan.
I’m allergic to gluten which means basically all alcohol is off-limits for me. Not that I miss drinking but wine gets old, and I never pass up a chance to consume cannabis. I and fellow CannaMom had a moms' night in, here's how it went.
Trojan Horse Cannabis: Gummy Review
Written By Casey Renteria
A trojan horse isn't typically something you'd be overjoyed to see show up at your house. It has a long history shrouded in mystery. This trojan horse isn't that but it is a mystery how they pack such a huge punch in such a small vessel. After looking over their website I was immediately engulfed by the nostalgia of "Orange Creamsicle". My heart was ready to burst by the time the package got to me and so I dug in immediately!
FLYT EDIBLES ARE MY SILVER BULLET
Written By Casey Renteria
I found several packs of micro-dosed edibles wrapped up sweetly in a drawstring bag. I’m embarrassed to admit I squealed like a kid in a candy store. I was hoping these would make a great companion to my morning coffee. The low dose really intrigued me. I was approaching these with let's say hopeful skepticism. That quickly changed a couple of hours later.
Herbie My (New) Love
Product Review By Casey Renteria
I like to think I’m an active person, at least four days out of the week. After working out, my back becomes so uncomfortably tight that it causes headaches, neck pain, and cramps. I take my self-care seriously, and one constant ordeal is tight muscles.
I love topicals for muscle recovery post-workout for this reason. I have found that it is a critical key in my recovery. Although I have so many lotions, potions, rubs, and balms I am still kind of picky about my topicals, since I use them multiple times a week.
One day, while doom scrolling on LinkedIn, I came across a post featuring Herbie Pain Balm. I knew right then and there, there wasn't a doubt in my mind, I wanted to get my hands on it. Or more like 'get it on me!
Casey’s Fat Nugs Field Trips: Black Ridge Cannabis
Dispensary Review Written By Casey Renteria
Black Ridge Cannabis is a veteran-owned and operated dispensary in Calera, Oklahoma.
When I found out the dispensary opened in March of 2023, this of course sparked a Fat Nugs field trip! I wanted to meet the owners Harvey Thompson, Edward Gann, & Kody Edwards to see what they were really all about.
The Warrior Spirit of Mike Robinson: Awakening Into Confusion
Written By Casey Renteria
In a blurry haze, Mike slowly came back. Even though his life seemed to have paused, his strong will could not. “I worked my way out of the hospital bed into a recliner that sat next to it.” The fog from the anesthesia was so heavy that when the nurse spoke to him, it was just a voice in the breeze.
“I had been injected with what I didn't want, but there was a true need. I was comfortably numb with the drugs they had supplied and Cannabis Oil.” The surgical oncologist came in right as Mike was putting away a syringe. The report came in. “There was conflicting data, so CT Scans and PET scans were being paired with the films of what he saw inside of me," Mike recalls. “My blood counts had dropped to 20% below the normal level.”