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
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)

Opal Lee with President Biden and VP Kamala Harris

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 

Enslaved laborers work on hemp farm. Source: John Winston Coleman Jr. via the University of Kentucky.

“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. 

Graph of racial disparities in cannabis arrests (2018)
(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. 

Walmart's Exploitative Marketing
(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

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
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
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.

Kush Queen Pride Collection 2022

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.

Kush Queen CEO Olivia Alexander protesting
Pride inspired Crystal Cult vape

 

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.

By: Ben Mervis

Model wearing rainbow crop top & wristbands is placing 2019 Pride Edition Ignite lube into pocket on knee socks.

Since the clock struck June the commercial color of the season seems to be rainbow. So far the reviews have been mixed, and I get it. In the grand scheme of things, I’m proud of corporate America’s rush to embrace the LGBT audience, although I’m also skeptical.

The marketing world has placed a high value on “their” LGBT audiences. Most pride campaigns paint a picture of highly educated men and women on a socioeconomic level akin to our straight counterparts — and that’s great, aspirational, inspirational and something we can’t take for granted. When I was a kid, I would have felt so much relief by seeing today’s marketing campaigns.

That being said, commercial advertisers paint this picture because it’s their ideal customer – someone who can actually afford to go shopping and will participate in the free PR that comes along with our overly social, super-documented lives.

But when you’re addressing pride — which I’ll remind you, started as a riot — you can’t just stop at the parts of our population that are doing well.

  • The Williams Institute does some of the nation’s leading research on LGBT topics and estimates that 40% of homeless youth served by agencies identify as LGBT

  • According to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) so far in 2019, seven transgender people have been violently killed: all black trans women. Additionally, trans women of color make up four out of five anti-trans homicides, the HRC has said.

  • The Transgender Military Ban is still an ongoing issue, which even if it has not removed people from their posts, has certainly caused stress for our armed forces, and could keep some of our nation’s brightest minds from joining their ranks.

It’s easy to understand why those at either end — from the most disenfranchised to the trailblazers — are quick to feel like rainbow logos and two boys holding hands isn’t quite enough to call your company supportive. It doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate it… it’s just hard to take it as seriously.

I was recently in a pride event-related meeting where one of the organizers had a hard time saying the acronym “LGBT,” and nobody was throwing them a bone. Not only could this person not get the letters right, but when one of their peers offered something almost right, they still resolved to a default “whatever” to end the sentence. I was honestly offended that this person had probably put more thought into their celebration outfit than the community they were celebrating, but I helped them find their words, and I always will in these types of situations.

via GIFER

I’d like to think that when one group within our LGBTQ+ communities gains representation and more of a voice, we all win. I recognize that as a cisgender white gay male, I’m one of the “easier” concepts for the simple mind to grasp; I feel and act upon the weight of that responsibility. I certainly can’t speak for other gays, but with this voice of mine and the spotlight I’ve been given, I will use it to raise up my less represented peers no matter their gender, race or religion.

Among the variety of progress displayed by big brands this year – the ads, logos, icons, packaging, shelf designs – there’s a big difference between pandering and representation. Here are some organizations that did it RIGHT this year.

  • Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg’s pride gear incorporated black and brown into the rainbow, which is inclusive AF.

    • Bonus points for Pete(‘s social manager) adding his preferred pronouns to his Instagram bio

  • Calvin Klein  a brand synonymous with bodies and sexuality — featured a variety of homosexual and gender non-conforming models in their pride campaign.

    • This is huge in a world where we’re beginning to learn more about the ethos behind a brand, and it’s not always in alignment with our own.

  • Kush Queen’s Pride 2019 Collection hit the trifecta.

    • Kush queen put actual history on the pride collection packaging, educating consumers of the intersections between cannabis and LGBT progress.

    • Donating 20% to the Trans Lifeline is a generous donation by most corporate standards. This is an organization that puts boots on the ground and helps people every day – they need cash!

    • Kush Queen’s Pride campaign is 100% queer-produced creative.

Kush Queen CBD Pride Edition Bare Tincture stands out among smorgasbord of rainbow items like wristbands, slinkies, fans, and confetti.

I’ve been working with content producers/photographers/ directors/models for 6+ years, and the majority of that work focuses on our LGBT communities. I have two simple rules when it comes to this:

  • Only LGBT photographers should shoot LGBT storylines

  • Only LGBT talent should star in LGBT storylines

I’d like to take this moment to thank Courtney Charles for bringing queer creatives together to produce a beautiful, conceptual shoot for Kush Queen. I also want to thank our CEO Olivia Alexander for being one of the truest allies our communities could ask for.

It’s easy to be a hater, but easy isn’t the name of this game. I’m proud of everyone for speaking their feelings and not settling for what we’re given, but make sure you’re talking about the things that matter, not just shouting into the void.

Model wearing 3D blue & red glasses pictured infront of white bathroom tile with bubbles floating around.

I’m also going to take this moment to remind everyone that Ignite is Kush Queen’s INCREDIBLE water-based CBD Lube, which is condom safe. Health is wealth! STD’s are everywhere, and not always treatable. You can take care of yourself and have a good time. So do that.

Happy Pride, everyone.


Don’t forget to follow and tag @kushqueenshop & @kushqueenco in your Instagram posts and stories!

 

Kush Queens Pride Collection is Limited Edition and going fast! Grab yours before their gone and we will donate 20% of your purchase to Trans Lifeline!

Shope Pride!

2019 Pride Collection by Kush Queen featuring Bare 1,000mg Tincture, Ignite Water Based Lube & Rainbow Pride 25mg CBD Bath Bomb.

 

Celebrating the shared history of cannabis progress, and the LGBTQ+communities, Kush Queen presents our limited edition 2019 Pride Collection. The Pride CBD bath bomb with 25mg CBD, Pride Ignite Water Based CBD Lubricant, and our 1000mg Bare CBD Tincture.

Our access to cannabis would not exist without the incredible men and women who fought for Proposition 215. Because of them, California would adopt its first medical cannabis legislation in 1996, opening the doors for AIDS patients and many others to gain access to plant medicine.

As a womxn-owned company, Kush Queen is dedicated to honoring the shared history of the LGBTQ+ communities and cannabis. We are committed to the pursuit of equality and fostering a more accepting world not just during pride season, but all year long.

2019 Pride CBD Tincture with 1,000mg Broad Spectrum Hemp by Kush Queen25mg Kush Queen Rainbow CBD Bath BombIgnite water based lube with Rainbow packaging for 2019 Pride collection.

20% of all pride collection sales will directly benefit Trans Lifeline; a national trans-led 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the quality of trans lives by responding to critical needs with direct service, material support, advocacy, and education. Their vision is to fight the epidemic of trans suicide and improve overall life-outcomes of trans people by facilitating justice-oriented, collective community aid.Celebrating the shared history of cannabis progress, and the LGBTQ+communities, Kush Queen presents our limited edition 2019 Pride Collection. Our access to cannabis would not exist without the incredible men and women who fought for Proposition 215. Because of them, California would adopt its first medical cannabis legislation in 1996, opening the doors for AIDS patients and many others to gain access to plant medicine.

Check back all summer long for amazing pride content!


Don’t forget to follow and tag @kushqueenshop & @kushqueenco in your Instagram posts and Stories!

Grab your Kush Queen Limited Edition Pride Collection below!

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By: Angela Viesti

Hands holding small plant ready to be put in soil.

Each year In April we celebrate Earth Day: a holiday created in 1970 to raise awareness on the environmental impact humanity has on our planet. Almost 50 years later, the topics of global warming, sustainability, and climate change fill our newsfeeds and conversations, yet change seems so distant.

As individuals, the best thing we can do is lead by example and be the change we wish to see in the world. This is much simpler than you may think and only requires small, daily changes that will become a habit over time. Here are some ways to limit your environmental footprint and repay Mother Earth for nurturing Life.

 

Keep it in the Community

Customer reaches for apple from fruit vendor at outdoor market.

One of the biggest sectors that negatively impact our world is the food and agriculture industry. Not surprisingly, given how connected we are to the Earth, it can also negatively impact our health. In addition to the use of pesticides in produce and antibiotics in animals, foods that travel long distances to their destinations generate more fuel emissions and often arrive after their peak of freshness, making them less nutritious. The pollution winds up in the atmosphere and in our bodies via our lungs and digestive system—yuck!

Here are some shifts you can make to lessen your dependency on industrial agriculture:

  • Shop at farmer’s markets: A quick Google search will turn up all kinds of farmer’s markets in your area, especially if you live near a major city. While you’re there, get to know the people behind the product and build relationships with them. You’ll find local, seasonal foods that you may have overlooked at the grocery store.

  • Find a local community garden: Urban farming is becoming far more common these days, and it’s truly a way to heal communities, families, and the Earth. For a minimal fee, you can use a small plot of land and tend to your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs. You’ll save money and reap the rewards of gardening, which is known to reduce stress.

  • Buy locally sourced product: When shopping at the grocery store, select items labeled “Local” and choose smaller grocery chains or food co-ops, if available.

  • Grow your own: This applies to both food and weed. Aside from the benefits listed above, you reduce the amount of packaging and plastic exposure to your food and cannabis, making them less contaminated.  You can start small and have a small herb garden and experiment more as you gain confidence in your gardening abilities.

Hand drawn "Trash" image featuring figurine tossing paper into wastebasket.

A great way to make an impact on your community and the world is to pick up trash or debris anytime you see it out of place. We can be conditioned to think, “It’s not my mess, so I’m not cleaning it up!” but that’s the wrong attitude to have. Yes, trash should be discarded properly to begin with, but by walking past a mess and ignoring it, you do nothing to make it better. I see garbage all over the place while walking my dogs and I’m sure you’ll begin seeing it too if you pay attention. Make it a point to pick up one item that someone else discarded every day. Who knows, someone may see you and be inspired to join your efforts.

 

Energy In, Energy Out

Model washing shoulder using green loofah in shower.

The culture in the Western world is largely one of excess and convenience. This contributes to a huge amount of wasted energy and natural resources, but it’s also very simple to remedy in our day-to-day lives.

I remember a few years ago when California was in a drought and we were all urged to save water at every opportunity. The urgency became even more apparent when I visited Catalina Island that year, where water was truly scarce: Bottled water was very expensive and our Air BnB host requested we take 5-minute showers.  It was a stark reminder that we take for granted having clean, running water in our homes under normal circumstances.

As we move closer towards the summer months, inevitably we’ll have warnings of blackouts if a heat wave strikes. This is caused primarily by increased air conditioning, but there are many ways we inefficiently use power when we could be conserving. The undue burden on the grid can be prevented by changing habits and paying attention to where we’re being wasteful.

Save energy and natural resources by:

  • Take shorter showers and turn off the water when not in use (like when you’re shampooing your hair, brushing your teeth or Waiting for your Kush Queen Soaked CBD Shower Gel to absorb.)

  • Run dishwasher and washing machine with full loads only

  • Use fans to help circulate air so you can use less A/C

  • Keep curtains drawn to keep sunlight out, close windows to keep cool air in

  • Use common sense—don’t run the A/C on full blast while you bundle up under a winter quilt!

 

Be the Change

Kush Queen's Anti-Aging Skin Serum, Defynt, pictured with frankincense and sweet orange essential oils on white desk.

Not long ago, I was chatting with a friend while he washed his trash in the sink. Confused, I wondered WTF he was doing. I later learned that there’s a right way and a wrong way to recycle while listening to an episode of one of my favorite podcasts, Getting Curious with JVN. One bit of wisdom that stood out was that residual foods and liquids can cause contamination, which can ruin other recyclable and can be easily avoided if you rinse your plastic items before recycling them—full circle moment!  By being the change I needed to see, my friend helped me to view recycling through a new lens.

Taking this a step further, think about ways you can reuse items, rather than simply recycling them. At Kush Queen, we’ve built this into our product line and use all recyclable materials and many materials that can be easily used again. Defynt, Bare, and Ignite all come in glass bottles that can be repurposed for your DIY skin care potions,  essential oil blends, and custom cannabinoid tinctures. Just make sure you thoroughly clean the container to avoid contamination!

 

Treat Every Day like Earth Day

Reusable glass water bottle with quartz crystal inside sitting next to Broad Spectrum CBD tincture, Bare.

Here in California, we’ve voted in favor of banning single-use plastic bags and now straws. You don’t have to wait for the laws to change or for the next earth day to adopt practices that keep our planet thriving. The Environmental Protection Agency has great resources to educate the public on making conservation, recycling, and greener living a lifestyle.


Tell us how you’re transmuting the Earth Day vibes into your life all year long by following and tagging @kushqueenshop and @kushqueenco in your Instagram posts and stories!

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