In celebration of Black History Month, Kush Queen is sharing our current obsessions spearheaded by inspirational Black female entrepreneurs.

You may see articles circulating that say women of color are starting more businesses faster than any other demographic. But don't be fooled by the boasting headlines. Yes, the State of Women-Owned Businesses Report does confirm Black women-owned businesses represented the highest growth rate of any other group between 2014 and 2019; however, these go-getters face a unique array of challenges to get there. Often referred to as "survival entrepreneurs" because of high unemployment rates and vast gender and racial pay gaps, the study shares women of minorities are more likely to have a "sidepreneurship" out of necessity. The venture capital space comes with even more scrutiny. Business Insider confirms “before 2021, only 93 Black female founders had raised $1 million or more in venture capital”. 

At Kush Queen, we've experienced our journey as a women-owned business. It's because of your support and your support only that we exist in today's cannabis market. We know the struggles of being a small business in America, and the best thing we can do as a community is to continue supporting the businesses we want to see succeed. Our dollars truly are our power.

With that in mind, we'd like to highlight some of Kush Queen's Favorite Black Women-Owned Businesses:

Sexologist Goody Howard

We had the pleasure of being on a panel discussion with Goody back in 2019, and she left an impression on the KQ team that we sill talk about today! From her workshops to 1:1 consultation, Goody is determined to normalize sex-positive conversations as a way to ease stigma and improve sexual responsibility.

Goody Howard is a world-renown sexologist, educator, and consultant. She has dedicated her life to “Empowering through sexual exploration, education, and awareness.”

Goody teaches sexual skill workshops, offers sex-positive professional development opportunities, and creates dope, sex-centered t-shirts! She layers her focus on pleasure and education with her energetic and engaging presentation style. 

Ariana Foote, Cannabis Content Creator & Podcast Host

You might know of Ariana as @indicawife, @fruit.worship or the host of Chat About It podcast. Regardless of the channel, platform or topic - you can trust the Ariana keeps it 100% real with you whether is talking about dating, mental health, smoking, edibles or making the most drool worthy smoothie bowls. 

Ariana began creating content, giving her followers an unfiltered look into her life as she navigated her medical experience through bong rips, blunts and the occasional dab.

“The biggest part was me being very vulnerable with my followers,” she said. “Many people smoke for physical pain. But we’re all human beings and there’s a lot of emotional pain there, too.”

 Give her a follow and a listen!

KNC Beauty

Image Source: Hypebae

KNC Beauty makes our favorite eye masks of all time. You won't regret having these beauties in your bathroom. We love to use them before a big night out or while we're soaking in a Kush Queen bath bomb. Founded by beauty and fashion influencer Kristen Noel Crowley, KNC Beauty also created the KNC School of Beauty to address the inequities in the beauty industry. 

Crowley has expressed in the past “as a Black female entrepreneur, it has always been extremely important to me to pay it forward and provide opportunities for emerging talent in our community. Having a skincare brand has always been a dream of mine and I’m excited to support other Black businesswomen who share similar goals and visions.”

Snocorner 

Image Source: Mike Guardabascio for Long Beach Post

Snocorner is a Long Beach-based storefront, specializing in New Orleans-style snowballs. As Louisiana natives, we can't get enough of this delicious local treat. Sure it looks like Hawaiian ice, but New Orleans-style snowballs are different. Trust us. 

Visit their storefront in Long Beach and taste this delicious southern treat for yourself. Interestingly enough Snocorner is a legacy Long Beach business, its current owner Ashley Monconduit is the third generation to own a business at this location!

Maya's Cookies

Image Source: K.C. Alfred for The San Diego Union-Tribune

Maya's Cookies is the number one Black-owned Gourmet Vegan cookie company in America. Founded by a vegan with a self-proclaimed sweet tooth, Maya Madsen launched Maya's Cookies after several unsuccessful searches for that soft, chewy, freshly-baked vegan cookie she badly desired. Madsen spent years crafting her award-winning recipes, including her "Chocolate Chip S'mores" and "Marble Fudge". 

You can visit their San Diego storefront or order online. Recently, Maya's Cookies released their Black History Collection, which was inspired by inspirational figures such as Chadwick Bosman, Michelle Obama, and Uncle Nearest.  

Moving Forward...

Taking a page from the crypto world, we encourage our readers to continue doing their own research before investing their powerful currency into companies that don't necessarily align with their moral values. Supporting minority-owned companies, more specifically Black women-owned businesses, remains a priority within Kush Queen's roadmap and company culture. As a society striving for change, we must develop more conscientious shopping habits if we really want to make a difference.

Follow these incredibly talented Boss Babes for more info!

Even saying the word pleasure evokes feelings. This month, we are shamelessly claiming space around pleasure and the power of focusing on our mind-and-body connection. No lie, we are deep in our feelings, doing the hard work to get our needs met. 

This post digs into pleasure in its many forms, the human desire to connect, and the tools we use to help that connection flow effortlessly. 

Let’s Take Pleasure Daily

We all have ideas of pleasure. Of course, our minds instantly chart off to sexual pleasure and while we are here for that, there are more ideas to explore. By definition, pleasure is simply “a feeling of enjoyment or satisfaction, or something that produces this feeling.”

Inspired by sexologist Goody Howard, our concept of pleasure was totally shifted during a panel discussion hosted by Lover’s during lockdown. Goody challenged our basic concept of pleasure, urging the group to truly slow down and take pleasure in life’s daily movements, to lean into looking for enjoyment and satisfaction.

By tuning our attention to the act of enjoyment, senses get heightened, subtle movements become noticed and awareness of your body shifts to intentional. This is where pleasure can be found. During the discussion, Goody goes on to describe what she calls a pleasure shower. Sure, the concept of a shower can be a mundane task, but Goody asks us to flip the script and seek pleasure. Now, we are passing the pleasure shower to you. 

Take A Pleasure Shower

Prepare for your shower as usual with a towel and your favorite shower gel. You already know we’re grabbing Soaked Delta 8 THC body wash to heighten our senses and get our daily topical dose. 

Turn your shower on, then turn the bathroom lights off. That’s right, this is a lights off shower. You know your bathroom space, your shower, and your body. Time to tune into pleasure. 

Take your time, notice the lather, squeeze your wash cloth onto your body. Feel the water running down, let the darkness give you permission to explore and love your body. 

It’s easy to get caught up in the tasks list, or be consumed by our digital world - the challenge here is to slow down, to take pleasure, and open ourselves up to deepen our mind and body. 

Cannabinoids and Connection 

Cannabinoids are known to enhance our mind and body connection, but how? Whatever the therapeutic or pleasure inducing act — taking a bath, doing yoga, going on a nature walk — cannabinoids can help us develop a felt sense of presence and engagement with an activity. 

In many cases, it only takes a small dose of cannabinoids to help realign your mind and body, and allow ourselves to become immersed in the activity of choice.

Here are some of our favorites for mind and body connection and pleasure alignment. 

Gummies Rx offers a range of effects. From total chill to elevated, with a variety of points in between. Our gummies are internationally crafted to deliver consistent effects and great flavor. Perfect for when you are on the go, Gummies RX are a great option for deep chill. 

Bôost Instant Cannabinoid Concentrate gives you the ability to control your dose and the flexibility to infuse any food or drink. Described as giving you a “balanced lift,” Bôost has a quick onset and leaves you feeling lighter and relaxed, while still being able to focus.     

Water-Based Lube is infused with cannabinoids to give you just the right amount of increased sensation. Perfect for pleasure alignment and reducing anxiety and tension around sex. We’ve cracked the code of balancing extra sensation and relaxed muscles - the reviews say it all.

Conclusion

Cannabinoids are direct connectors to our pleasure centers. Every level of pleasure can be an avenue into the mind and body connection. Get fully immersed in the enjoyment of pleasure so you can bring that awareness into any experience.

Kush Queen Holiday Gift Guides

Gifts for the Litty Committee

Named quite appropriately, these gifts are curated for those who like to get elevated. 

We're talking dispensary grade, lab tested, and dosed to perfection. They’ll be lit like the tree, and you'll steal the show this season!

 

The Must Haves For Fitness Friends 

Well all have that person who is dedicated to fitness.

These gifts will help with recovery, inflammation, or be a perfect addition to their pre-workout routine. Fun fact: runners high is actually the body producing endogenous cannabinoids.

 

 

The Under $50 Gift Guide

When it comes to cannabis, hemp, THC, and the 2018 Farm Bill, understanding the surrounding legality can get confusing.

This post breaks down how Delta 9 THC can be sold online and what to expect from this cannabinoid's effect. Plus, meet our new Gummies Rx Delta 9 THC Chews!

Let’s go! 

For starters, what is Delta 9 THC? 

On the most basic level, Delta 9 THC is a cannabinoid found in hemp and cannabis plants like CBD, CBN, and CBG. 

Of all the cannabinoids, Delta 9 THC is the most commonly known. By default, Delta 9's euphoric effects are what most people think of when they think of the plant. 

When it comes to scientific formalities, Delta 9 THC is known as Delta 9 Tetrahydrocannabinol and is the plants component for psychoactive effects. Of the many therapeutic benefits of Delta 9 THC, many users describe the effects as deeply calming, euphoric inducing, relaxing, and tension-releasing.

How does Delta 9 THC make you feel?

At Kush Queen, we describe our Delta 9 THC products as dispensary strength. High-quality Delta 9 THC products should deliver a noticeably intoxicating shift in consciousness even at low doses.   

Why the stronger effects? At its molecular function, Delta 9 THC has a stronger binding affinity to CB1 receptors found in our central nervous system than other cannabinoids. This strong binding ability is how we feel stronger effects from Delta 9 over Delta 8 for example. If you have tried Delta 8 products, the effects of Delta 9 products should feel stronger. 

How Delta 9 THC makes you feel also comes down to tolerance or your exposure to the cannabinoid and how much Delta 9 THC is in the product. 

For people that use THC, you can expect similar effects. New users that have never tried Delta 9, should start with lower doses to experience the shift in mind and body before trying full dose sizes. 

Now, why can you buy Delta 9 THC online?

This is where the 2018 Farm Bill comes into the picture. Under the 2018 Farm Bill certain amounts of THC content, 0.3% of dry weight to be exact, were deemed compliant, making it legal to sell hemp-derived full spectrum products containing limited amounts THC.  

When buying Delta 9 THC products, be sure to look at the COA (certificate of analysis). For the product to be sold in stores or online and meet the Farm Bill requirements to be considered hemp-derived, the product should feature less than 0.3% of THC by dry weight. All Kush Queen products meet the standards set in the 2018 Farm Bill to be considered hemp-derived. 

We also recommend you check local laws as some states regulate cannabis and hemp products differently even when buying products online. 

Meet Kush Queen’s New Gummies Rx Delta 9 THC

Y'all know we love releasing a new cannabinoid to the KQ community more than just about anything! We are so excited to share Gummies Rx Delta 9 THC Chews. Here are the most important things to note. 

With Gummies Rx Delta 9 THC, you get more full spectrum, whole-plant benefits that unlock new levels of cannabinoid wellness. Perfect for when you want to feel uplifted!

The fast-acting, intoxicating effects of Gummies Rx Delta 9 can shift your mood, release tension and bring an extra sense of calm day or night. Featuring our best-selling fresh strawberry flavor, these gummies are a whole vibe!

Expect to feel delightfully shifted.

• Dispensary Strength 
• Includes 8 mg of Delta 9 THC and 12 mg of CBD Per Gummy
• Farm Bill Complaint 
• Vegan and Gluten-Free

It’s also important to note this is an adult-use-only product that is recommended for 21+ users. 

Conclusion

When it comes down to choosing which cannabinoid gummies are right for you, the most important factor to consider is how you want to feel. If you are looking for a balanced euphoric vibe try Gummies Rx Delta 9 THC Chews. 

* Disclaimer - Even with Farm Bill compliant levels of THC, users taking these gummies could fail a drug test which test for THC. 

National CBD Day started back a few years ago, five to be exact. Was it created by a major player in the CBD industry? Yes. Is it a marketing play? Yes. Has Kush Queen celebrated the day? Yes. 

While we celebrate National CBD Day, we’ve also been vocal about the need for a rebrand since it began. Every year as this day rolls around, our rally cries are the same; more conversation, education, and work to be centered around cannabinoids rather than only one cannabinoid and we ask our community to listen. 

But First, Let’s Give CBD The Cookies It Deserves

There is nothing wrong with celebrating the CBD molecule, we do wanna give CBD its cookies. CBD or Cannabidiol is one of at least hundreds of molecules we derive from the cannabis plant that interacts with your internal endocannabinoid system. CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory that has done so much for the entire industry and cannabis movement. 

Without CBD’s mainstream run starting in 2018, we probably would not have the progress and proliferation of other cannabinoids we see today. 

Our point is the conversation we should be having is about how all cannabinoids work together and the benefits of the whole plant rather than just isolating CBD. As we say time and time again, it’s not just about CBD it’s about cannabinoids.  

Cannabinoids, Cannabinoids, Cannabinoids 

At Kush Queen, our products have never been just CBD, we’ve always been serving up full and broad spectrum plant extracts. Why? Because it’s more effective. 

We also believe that one cannabinoid should not define all cannabinoids. With CBG, CBN, THCV, and delta 8 THC you can see and understand these molecules, and their effects are unique.Some are best at night and others are better for the day. Some are psychoactive and others are non-psychoactive.

Just like how all CBD is not equal, all cannabinoids aren’t the same. And one CBD or THC isn’t better than the other. Like humans, they are all better together. 

We’ve never called ourselves a CBD company because we’ve always been a cannabis or cannabinoid company. One of our brand missions at Kush Queen isn’t to just sell CBD or any singular molecule, but to completely mainstream and normalize the daily use of cannabinoids. 

The Pursuit of Living Your Best Life 

Our second and biggest gripe about National CBD day is the capitalism of it all. Sure, we are a brand and we are participating in the sales aspect of National CBD Day but the heart of Kush Queen lies in the fact that wellness and plants shouldn’t be defined by capitalism. 

We’re here for something beyond ourselves and everything we do at Kush Queen is in the vision of using our passion for the plant and the people that use it for the highest good.

Cannabinoid wellness shouldn’t be defined by capitalism, but by the human pursuit of living your best life. The cannabis molecules are more than just a National Day, they are a protest and a rebel yell. 

Find all of our cannabinoids on sale for 40% off this week! No code needed. 

Before jumping right in, we must go back to when we began our quest to answer a different version of this same question 6 years ago…how to make an instant cannabinoid concentrate.

It's 2016 and the California cannabis market was still in what we call the “early days.” At the time, the brains behind product development at Kush Queen were focused on solving two seemingly impossible problems… trying to make a great cannabis beverage and developing a topical that could provide serious relief. 

Back then cannabis extract mostly came in oil form and we all know that oil does not mix with liquids. Oil can’t penetrate your skin due to particle size or get mixed into beverages due to density reasons. Not to mention with the use of cannabis oil, the effects can take up to an hour to feel.

Our very own Chief Visionary Officer, Michael Sawyer, wan't satisfied with using oil for these types of products, so he got to work in the lab. He spent countless hours combing through the known science and technology available. It was possible to turn oil into water with several different methods, now we just had to apply the concept to cannabis.

Turning Oil Into Water

Then like magic (read as tons of experimenting and hard work), Michael developed the first batch of what we now call Amplifi nanotechnology. This nanotechnology would become the backbone of our customer-loved topical formulas like Water-based Lube, Soaked Transdermal Shower Gel, and Melt Relief Lotion. 

By solving the problems of particle size and density, this technology is what makes our topical products truly transdermal and more bioavailable. 

So back to the original question…what is an instant cannabis concentrate?

An instant cannabis concentrate is really just cannabis concentrate in liquid form. The instant part is where the magic happens. 

As most of us know, “cannabis concentrates are extracted, condensed parts of the cannabis plant that contain the highest concentrations of cannabinoids." Most concentrates make use of extracted oils from cannabis, which are rich in terpenes and cannabinoids. We take cannabis extract in oil form and with science and technology turn the oil into a nano-sized, water-soluble particle using our proprietary formula. This creates a liquid concentrate (water, extract, and natural flavors) that can infuse anything, instantly. 

Got a favorite beverage? Infused it. Have the perfect lotion? Add a few drops. Want to take it straight to the dome? No problem! 

Meet Bôost, Kush Queen’s Instant Cannabinoid Concentrate

The first of its kind, Bôost is a true water compatible, instant onset, flavorless concentrate that allows you to infuse any food, drink, personal care, or beauty product. Limits? There are none.

To recap, our proprietary, patent pending nanotechnology delivers the brains and beauty behind Bôost’s instant onset of effects. Cannabinoids get transformed into a size smaller than you can imagine so your body can absorb and transport the benefits quickly. We are still surprised at the speed!    

The quest to turn oil into water was long and now that it is complete, you can add Bôost to anything. Drop your desired dose into any food or beverage for instant infusion. It’s that simple. 

Bôost features our first liquid concentrate 8:1 ratio of hemp-derived Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC (Farm Bill Compliant). Micro or macro, this gives you the power to control the intoxicating effects. Each bottle comes with a dosing guide to help you get started.  

Sign Up For Early Access and Be One of The Firsts

We do not want you to miss out on the first batch of our revolutionary new formula! Get access to Bôost before it launches later this week; sign up here.

Written by Arian Roman

As 2022 marches on, we can observe tangible changes in the celebration of Black History Month, Pride Month, and (now) Juneteenth. 

What Does Juneteenth Represent?

On June 19, 1866, a year after the emancipation announcement, freedmen and women in Texas formed the first annual  "Jubilee Day". Early celebrations of this holiday were primarily used as political rallies to give voting information to newly freed African Americans. 

In 2016, at the age of 90, Opal Lee, the "grandmother of Juneteenth", walked from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington D.C. to petition for federal holiday status. Juneteenth finally became a federal holiday on June 17, 2021. Juneteenth is the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day became one in 1986. Juneteenth is a day of celebration and remembrance that although slavery has ended, there is still so much work to be done in the United States.

Opal Lee, 94, and hundreds of others walk towards downtown Fort Worth from Evans Avenue Plaza during the first national Juneteenth holiday on June 19, 2021. (Photo by AMANDA McCOY via Star Telegram)

US Vice President Kamala Harris and Opal Lee (2nd L), the activist known as the grandmother of Juneteenth, with US President Joe Biden before signing the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, in the East Room of the White House, June 17, 2021, in Washington. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Cannabis History and Black History Are Closely Tied Together 

“Black history is cannabis history. Black history is the United States history. The good, the bad, and the ugly are all permanently interlaced. So when we celebrate hemp legalization or pop fireworks on July 4th, we also need to acknowledge in the same breath that Black people’s literal blood, sweat, and tears are behind those celebrations.”

– DM Blunted

American cannabis is deeply intertwined with Black history and our nation’s troubled legacy of institutionalized racism. In fact, in the United States, cannabis was originally cultivated by enslaved people. Born in Kentucky, the American hemp industry flourished because of the forced labor of West Africans in which they grew the hemp seeds carried by their Virginian slave-masters. Kentucky became the biggest producer of American hemp and home to one of the largest populations of enslaved people. Things remained this way for almost a century until the Civil War forced a decline in demand.

Cannabis Businesses Have a Unique Role in the Celebration of this Holiday

We must not forget that black and brown folks sit behind bars in cities and states where recreational and medical cannabis prohibition continues. Even in Colorado, where adult use is legal and cannabis consumption is equal across racial demographics, Black people face much higher arrest rates than white people. Although cannabis arrests are down, there is a distinct and unsettling racial disparity. 

With legal cannabis programs in place, the public eye is finally addressing the cannabis-related inequalities and injustices in communities of color. These discussions range from equity programs that include business incubation, technical assistance, and distribution of new business licenses to no-charge expungements for cannabis-related arrests. 

(Image by SHAYANNE GAL/Business Insider)

Juneteenth is an example of a holiday that only Black businesses should rightfully commoditize. For some African Americans, Juneteenth is synonymous with financial liberation. The legalization of cannabis and the creation of social equity programs do not equal reparations for slavery by any means. But these equity programs can level out the playing field and start transforming the lives of descendants of enslaved people, ultimately helping them build generational wealth.  

Juneteenth in the 21st Century Faces Predatory Capitalists

From Walmart’s tone-deaf “Juneteenth” flavored ice cream to aisles filled with companies' cringe-worthy attempts to capitalize on historically-excluded populations, we have sadly reached a point in history where cultural movements are quickly manipulated for profit. 

(Photo by LAINE DOSS via MIAMI NEW TIMES)

Social media platforms, targeted ads, and fast-moving corporations seeking to capitalize on messaging that will give them a competitive advantage rather than serve the collective. Cannabis industry stakeholders, for example, should focus on ending the stigma and unfair targeting African Americans face daily concerning marijuana charges. 

How You Can Get Involved

Supporting Black cannabis brands is the bare minimum non-Black consumers can do, especially since this demographic is routinely imprisoned and arrested at 3x the rate for this plant. 

The fact that this industry was built on the backs of African Americans, much like the rest of the United States, and yet Black cannabis brands continue to struggle is unacceptable. As an industry and a community, we can do better. We need to support one another, especially during this grueling socio-economic time.

Check out Cannaclusive's "Accountability List" for more information on how cannabis brands are showing up, and the ones making a difference in the space. 

At the start of my career in cannabis, long before I founded Kush Queen, I learned about the path to legalization in California and the shared history of the LGBTQIA+ community with cannabis.

From that moment on, I made it my mission to honor the Queer activists who came before us, the true OGs we can thank for providing us with safe access to this plant.

At Kush Queen, Pride is Honoring a Shared History

In the 1980s, Queer community leaders in San Fransisco ushered in the beginnings of legal cannabis as they worked to ease health and wellness struggles around the AIDS epidemic. Their real-life needs brought legitimacy to the medical cannabis conversation. Pictures of my Queer community heroes hang in my office; Cleve Jones, Dennis Peron, and Mary Jane Rathburn look over me as I run Kush Queen.

Brownie Mary, wearing one of her signature buttons. SCOTT SOMMERDORF / SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE / POLARIS

Also on my wall of heroes is Marsha P. Johnson, another great reminder of gay liberation and how we got here today. Her beautiful smile beams back at me as I write this. 

For those not familiar with her story, Johnson was a trans activist, self-identified drag queen, and a true survivor living in New York City. She was also one of the first protesters at the Stonewall riots in 1969. Many recall Johnson having thrown the first brick outside of the club, but the truth is no one really agrees on who or what started it (was it a brick? a bottle? or city cobblestone?). 

Marsha P. Johnson Poster by MICAH BAZANT

Nonetheless, everyone does agree that Johnson and fellow trans activist Sylvia Rivera played a massive part in the spontaneous protest against a police raid in those early morning hours. This act of social uprising is often viewed as the first Pride celebration, sparking a series of events that would change the LGBTQIA+ community forever. 

Pride is Revolutionary and Non-Conforming

Pride (as we know it today) is all about Queer celebration and love, but its roots are steeped in the journey of equal rights, visibility, and the acceptance of LGBTQIA+ people. It was never about rainbow-tinted capitalism, fleeting social media icons, and albeit, even super fun parades. Pride is about Queer liberation. 

"Stonewall was, at its core, about people reclaiming their narratives from a society that told them they were sick or pitiful or didn’t even exist," writes Shane O’Neill, a journalist for the New York Times. 

A 1970 photo of Marsha P. Johnson handing out flyers in support of Gay Students at NYU is seen here courtesy of the New York Public Library's "1969: The Year of Gay Liberation" exhibit. Diana Davies/NYPL/Handout via Reuters, FILE

After Stonewall, a new generation of gay activists emerged and organized, creating resources like the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR). These events and grassroots organizations focused on Queer individuals gaining access to equal rights as citizens while also helping the community find dignity, acceptance, and a sense of belonging within society. STAR, for example, provided housing and support to homeless LGBT youth and sex workers in New York City.

Pride is About Community and Peers Supporting Peers

For everyone at Kush Queen, Pride is about more than just a seasonal festivity, it’s about taking a stand, increasing visibility, and supporting our Queer communities all year round. 

This year Kush Queen is donating 20% of proceeds from our Pride Collection to The Social Impact Center, founded by beloved Queer cannabis hero Felicia Carbajal, as well as to the Trans Latina Coalition, a local Los Angeles community-led, and founded organization.

Kush Queen 2022 Pride Collection

Our Pride Collection for 2022 features a Delta 8 THC water-based and latex-safe infused lube and 1:1 Delta 8 THC and CBD Trans Flag-inspired bath bomb in honor of our trans brothers and sisters.

Queer Liberation is Still Needed

Currently, countless pieces of appalling legislation are moving through state governments as an attempt to target the rights of trans people, attack trans youth, and reverse decades-worth of progress. 

According to the advocacy group, Human Rights Campaign, over 300 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were proposed in 2022 alone.

Sam Ames, the director of advocacy and government affairs for The Trevor Project recently explained to CBS news "research has shown that as many as 85% of trans youth say that they are watching these debates over their identity play out,". Ames continues "the direct results of these bills when they pass are to take away things that we know are correlated with increased mental health and decreased suicide risk: sports team participation, seeing yourself represented in a classroom, being accepted by your parents and your healthcare professionals. These are all associated with significantly lower odds of attempting suicide." 

It feels like Queer liberation is more important than ever, especially with such blatantly coordinated attacks against people who identify as such. 

Pride is Personal

Inclusivity and visibility are part of Kush Queen’s DNA. From the all-gender restroom to the Queer individuals who appear in our content and work behind the scenes, Kush Queen's identity as a brand is unapologetically gay.

As I get choked up thinking about my own experiences and identity, I can’t help but think about what a personal intimate experience celebrating Pride is for me. As a human, I self-identify not only as the CEO of this company but as a Queer woman surrounded by countless other Queer people in my life. People who are my family, friends, and frankly, my inspirations. I think of my parents raising a Queer son in South Louisiana and not once did anything but accept him for who he was. 

Since its inception, Kush Queen has celebrated Pride (year-round) and has raised well over $40,000 for Queer organizations, something I'm incredibly proud of.

Shop the 2022 Pride Collection and join our community for community support.

Hi, it's Olivia Alexander here, founder of Kush Queen. I pretty much live and breathe our brand. But when I'm not at HQ working, I'm usually on the interwebs, and lately, I have been doing a ton of podcasting.

Kendalls World | Mindset | Spirituality | Travel

I sat down with Kendall Furman, content creator and social media influencer dedicated to exploring travel, wellness, and more on Kendall's World.

In my episode of Kendall's World, we chat about all the healing benefits this plant offers. Furman isn't as experienced with cannabis, and she can't seem to find the right type of high, so I obviously dive into the complexity and uniqueness of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). I also teach her about endogenous cannabinoids and the myths surrounding cannabis.

Furman is an engaging host and even has video episodes on her Spotify. Her favorite new Kush Queen product is our CBG-infused Diamond Hands Gummies (which she's been raving about on her IG stories). Thanks, boo!

From Pot To Popular

Rosie Mattio is an acclaimed and accomplished woman in cannabis. Mattio is the founder of Mattio Communications, a powerhouse cannabis PR agency based in New York City. In addition to lifestyle and cannabis, the firm is also interested in working with brands from another emerging market, psychedelics.

On this industry-focused podcast, From Pot to Popular, we discuss what it's like to be a woman in cannabis, why representation in this industry matters, and why small businesses really, really matter (especially in cannabis).

While you're at it, check out this amazing byline by Mattio, on "Why 2022 will be a defining year for women in cannabis".  

That Budtender Podcast

Finally, I stopped by That Budtender Podcast for some serious girl talk and Seth Rogan slander. Hosted by cannabis journalist and Kush Queen ally, Bianca Blanche, listening to just one episode will have you craving a full sesh with the ex-budtender.

As a former budtender myself, fun fact: we actually got our start at the same dispensary but different years, Blanche and I give a well-deserved nod to the OG days of cannabis. Trust us, a lot has changed since then.

On my episode of That Budtender Podcast, we're getting a little stoney and speaking from the heart. We go over why I hate celebrity-driven cannabis brands, my experience consuming entheogen plants for my mental health, and dealing with the anti-cannabis tyrants at Instagram and TikTok.

There’s truly such an endless world available of podcasts and conversations. From Thirdwave to The True Beauty Brooklyn Podcast, I have over 16 hours of content on this playlist. I also have a bunch of exciting interviews coming up, so make sure to check them out. Not so much for me, but for the incredible women behind these amazing podcasts, especially if you're interested in learning more about women entrepreneurship, wellness, cannabis, and other psychedelics.

Follow us at Kush Queen for more interviews and brand updates!!

At Kush Queen, when it comes to the perception of cannabis, our POV has always been the same — it’s a plant. Oh, and that it’s a plant with numerous wellness benefits that can help people of any age treat everyday ailments like aching muscles, nervous energy, and sleep issues. 

If you are reading this article, you probably fall into one of three categories: you are either Gen Z, a millennial, or a Mom who was curious enough to get the tea on what the kids are doing. 

It's 2022, and parents want to know what we're thinking about cannabis and wellness. A lot of us have been using cannabis since high school, but have we all broached the subject with our Mom? Not exactly. But Mom is cool and curious, so it’s up to us to educate her and give her the power of using cannabinoids.

Let’s Break Down This Conversation Into 4 Focus Areas

Planning this conversion around wellness, science, policy, and history makes it easy to bring up, state the facts, and make it about helping them feel better. After all, that's what we want, right!?

Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion. Rest assured that you are coming from a place of education once you share the information in this post, and if they don’t want to see the greener side of things, then that’s ok too! 

Just let them know you’ll continue to say, "you’d probably feel better with a little Mary Jane"! 

Start Low and Slow, Finding Wellness In The Middle Ground

Yes, we apply the same concept of taking edibles with how to talk to parents about cannabis. Most of their understanding of cannabis breaks down into 2 categories - using “pot” to get so stoned you're out doing crazy things with some dude in a dorm room (insert devil emoji) or it pertains to medical cannabis for cancer patients. 

In today’s modern cannabis market, we have the warm, welcoming middle ground of using cannabis as a daily wellness tool. 

Now, you can choose from a range of effects and delivery methods that are accessible to just about anyone. Just thinking about the Kush Queen product line, we have CBD bath bombs, Delta-8 THC infused gummies, relief lotions, and vegan-friendly skincare products. That’s a far cry from ripping hits from a giant bong!

Kush Queen products use the benefits of cannabis in a way that helps people of any demographic access this plant without having to fit into either the stoner character or be in need of serious medical level attention. 

Times Have Changed And Our Favorite Plant Has Real Support

The modern-day cannabis industry has come a long way from some guys making weed brownies in their apartment with no dosage guidelines or buying a dime bag with no knowledge of what you were smoking. We’ve all been there, and thankfully, we aren’t any longer!

We know legal cannabis has a ton of downsides, LIKE A TON, but a few of the good things to come from it include testing and the use of technology to understand the benefits of individual cannabinoids, strain-specific qualities, and ratio products that have come from standardization processes.

Plus, we're starting to see more research around using cannabis to treat specific issues by isolating individual cannabinoids to highlight their benefits and unique properties. 

Although CBD and hemp industries are not regulated by any government body, you can find quality products from companies that focus on transparency like Kush Queen, which self-governs using the same guidelines as legal markets. 

Blow Mom’s Mind, Introduce Her To THCv

Through the power of scientific research, over 140 different cannabinoids have been identified — that’s way more than just THC and CBD. 

One, in particular, is THCv, an exciting minor cannabinoid that has known benefits of boosting energy levels, curbing the appetite, and increasing focus. That’s right Mom, no munchies, no spacing out! (This is the part where you give Mom a bottle of Kush Queen Bare+ THCv and CBD tincture and challenge them to a 30-day experience effects test.)

Policy and History, Where Did These Negative Opinions Form?

Why do parents generally have a negative opinion of cannabis? Reefer Madness. 

"Reefer Madness" poster courtesy of Retro AdArchives / Alamy Stock Photo

Our friends over at Jane Street perfectly sum up this crucial part of your conversation: 

"In the early 20th century, reefer madness was used to demonize the cannabis plant and its perceived users — mainly African Americans and Latin Americans. Prohibition was due in large part to institutional racism. Then in the 1960s, Nixon used prohibition to criminalize his major political enemies: African Americans and peaceniks." 

The article also quotes Nixon's domestic policy chief John Ehrlichman saying "We knew we couldn’t make it illegal to be either against the war or black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and blacks with heroin, and then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities. We could arrest their leaders, raid their homes, break up their meetings and vilify them night after night on the evening news. Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course, we did." The leaders of our nation, folks. Sadly, not much has changed. 

To this day black individuals are 3.7 times more likely to be arrested for cannabis than white people, even though studies show equal rates of cannabis consumption between both demographics. Again, it's an evil agenda and system based on racism.  

Ultimately, only you know if/when there is a right time to talk to your Mom about incorporating cannabis into her lifestyle. If you choose to swipe right on getting Mom elevated, honesty and authenticity are your best friends. Share the healing truth about this miraculous plant, and be open about your own personal relationship with it.

Sending flowers to all the canna-mommas! Happy Mother's Day <3

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