In this episode of the Goldenhour podcast, we explore women's experiences in the cannabis industry, particularly in Northern California. Guests include Goldenhour Collective co-owner Haylee Parker, and Leah Cerri, a cannabis brand marketer, event producer, writer, Ganjier, and founder of Northern California Women in Cannabis. Leah shares her journey from growing up in a cannabis-friendly household in Mendocino County to working in nonprofits and eventually returning to cannabis for its community aspects. She discusses founding Northern California Women in Cannabis, which hosts free events for women across the region. Hayley talks about her decade-long career in cannabis and her commitment to maintaining the compassionate core of the industry at Golden Hour Collective. Both discuss the challenges women face in the industry, including sexism and the difficulties of navigating a market dominated by corporate interests rather than patient-centered approaches. The conversation covers the importance of community-building among women in cannabis, the value of understanding retail and consumer needs, and advice for women entering the industry. They also discuss the upcoming Northern California Women in Cannabis event in Santa Rosa on March 22nd, featuring women-owned brands, a seed swap, and cannabis history exhibits.
Speaker 1
[00.00.05]
Welcome to another episode of the Goldenhour podcast. Today we're with Goldenhour Collective co-owner Haylee Parker and Leah Cerri, a cannabis brand marketer, event producer and writer that you can connect with on Instagram at NorCal Women in Cannabis. Let's dive in. Leah, thank you so much for joining us. We're so excited to get to know you and all of the very, very many things that you are involved with in the cannabis industry.
Speaker 2
[00.00.32]
You are a brand
Speaker 1
[00.00.33]
marketer and event producer, a writer. So walk us through your origin story, right? How did you get started and how did you get here?
Speaker 2
[00.00.41]
Oh, thanks, Laura. Happy to be here. I, I grew up in Mendocino County in Ukiah. My parents were part of the back to the land movement in the late 70s, early 80s. And they grew cannabis, actually, for personal use. So I sort of grew up as a child, just always having it around. And it was pretty normalized, at least in my younger years. Um, and then, you know, I lived in Arcata for a while after college, I moved to New Orleans, and I was not using cannabis at all. Um, and it came back into my life when I moved back to the Bay area and I started using it for stress, anxiety, sleeping. Um, but at the time, I was actually working in nonprofits. I was, um, leading marketing a marketing team and designing events, and cannabis was really helping me. Um, I had friends that I grew up with that were in the industry and, and friends that were doing events that I was attending and helping with that were really cool and creative. And it just. The. I think the thing that really brought me into the industry was the community, and it really resonated with me. So I started doing sales part time, and eventually I went to work for Flo Khanna. Um, and I was designing events for them and doing marketing. And that led to, you know, I've worked for several brands since then. Um, but I started producing events, um, during Covid actually before Covid. I had a few different cannabis event companies, and then I started writing last year. It was a goal of mine to get back into journalism. I had a background in journalism, so, um, I've been able to write some really cool interviews and speak to really interesting people through this journey, which has just been so fun. Um, and I got my ganja certification about a year and a half ago, so I've been able to judge for a Cannabis Cup or two, and that's been really fun. But really, I would say that the the thing I'm most proud of thus far in my career has definitely been producing the events for Northern California women and cannabis. That's
Speaker 1
[00.02.57]
really, really cool. And I think, I mean, right away, one thing that strikes me different that makes you so unique is, you know, you weren't a marketing professional, you fell into cannabis,
Speaker 3
[00.03.07]
you grew up in cannabis, right? And then ended up in professions and doing things professionally that then help the industry. So that's really I that's really cool and really unique. How do you think that that's how. How
Speaker 1
[00.03.22]
does that shape your approach to your work?
Speaker 3
[00.03.25]
Oh, that's such a good question. You know, I think that I mean, obviously I live in the Bay area. I live in Oakland. I've been here several years, but I still feel so connected to rural communities, to Northern California. It just feels kind of, um, part of me and really the community is what draws me into the industry. Not not vice versa. Um, and so I really take a heart centered approach to my work. Community is really important to me. And, you know, wanting to work with good people who put the plant first. That hasn't always been possible just because of the nature of the industry and the economy. But I'm I'm really trying to right now make decisions that are more aligned with my values and, and lead with that, because it just feels this point in history is really important at this point in our industry is is really difficult. So I'm trying to be really intentional about my efforts. Um, and I don't know if that's different than other people. I think a lot of people that entered cannabis through CPG or spirits and beverage or or fashion or what have you, you know, they bring great skills and you know that marketing and. Looking at ROI and looking at data and all those things are really important. Um, but sometimes I think the people and the community get lost in that. Um, and it's really important to center, uh, consumers and the community first and the plant first. And that's what I'm striving to do.
Speaker 1
[00.05.02]
Yeah. Haylee, does that resonate
Speaker 2
[00.05.04]
with with you and what you're trying to do with Goldenhour? I mean, that sounds spot on to your mission. It's
Speaker 3
[00.05.10]
100% spot on. Um, I've. I've spent most of my adult career in the cannabis industry. Um, and initially when I moved to California at 18 years old, got into it because I thought it was the coolest job ever to be a bud tender. Um, and slowly learned throughout, you know, my first year being there, how compassionate and authentic the community is. And that's what's kept me in it for so long. Um, and exactly kind of what we're trying to anchor back to with Golden, our collective. I think that, you know, we've seen the industry take lots of twists and turns, but I think that we can right the ship if we really do anchor to the plant the compassionate core of what this community is and keep it patient centric and really focus on education and skill set building to provide some legitimacy to the industry because there is still stigma that exists. But I mean, everything you said is just hitting really, really close to home. So it's it's wonderful to hear that we have some leading ladies in the industry that are committed to what the community was founded on.
Speaker 2
[00.06.24]
I love that, Haylee. Yeah, I agree, and, you know, I think getting to meet and spend time with folks in this community and industry who who put that first is so rewarding. And really what again, brought me to this space initially was was getting to meet and see and spend time with people that and realize when I first entered that it could be possible to build a new industry that really championed those things. And I got a little disillusioned in the midpoint of my career, when that wasn't the reality that I was that I found myself in. But I still think it's possible. And and I know that there's enough people that that think we do. So my fingers are crossed that we get there
Speaker 3
[00.07.14]
the same, same same. We just got to keep working together. That's
Speaker 1
[00.07.18]
right. Especially I mean, look, there's a lot of great regions that grow wonderful cannabis and there's a place for all different types of business models. But, I mean, where else in the world other than Northern California and especially up in the North State, are you going to find that level of just passion and expertise and, you know, using sustainable farming methods and, and stewarding the land and all of it? I mean, it's such a special place, you know, we we, we never to compare cannabis to alcohol. Right. But in terms of just heritage of culture and community and the land, it's so similar to Napa in that way. Right. And you can't imagine you can't imagine wine without, without it. And so I think it is something that needs to be protected. And I love it, feel that there's a little bit of a paradigm shift happening where it's less about big brands and, and consolidation and corporate cannabis and getting really, I mean, clich, pun intended, getting back to the roots of the plant. Right. And the whole plant and sun grown and outdoors and all of it. Um, and so, Leah, so, you know, with this being March and Women's History Month, what's it been to be a woman working in this industry. You
Speaker 2
[00.08.27]
know, I have definitely. I'm every woman I've spoken with in cannabis has encountered a certain amount of sexism. Um, and I just think that that's the reality of it. Um, you know, whether it's at an event or, or whatnot, you know, I've been in, in interviews where I was told that, um, this is when I used to do sales, that women couldn't be good salespeople or what. Have you just treated differently, not promoted. You know, so many things. And when I look at the landscape, you know, when I first entered this industry, there were so many cool women owned brands, women founders, um, just doing amazing things. And I was that's what brought me here. I saw these women, I saw what they were doing, and I was so inspired that we could create this different kind of industry. Flash forward to now. So many of those women have shut down their businesses. They couldn't get funding or just the way legalization rolled out. They couldn't. They couldn't do it. They couldn't survive, um, women growers, you know, going fallow so many things. And. It's been really sad. I had a kind of a crisis maybe two years ago. I was I was at BlizzCon and I just was, what am I doing here? This is not what I thought I would. This isn't what I was signing up for. This isn't where is the community? Where are the women that I feel aligned with? A lot of them had left the industry, and I. I was going to leave. I just felt I'm just helping brands that I don't believe with to get richer. And this isn't this doesn't feel aligned with with my heart. And so I started about a year and a half ago, I hosted an event in my home, um, and I invited a whole bunch of other women in the industry just just to see, to have a conversation. It started just to have a conversation. But then I decided, well, let's let's make it a little event. So we had sound healing yoga, and we did vision boards, and we just talked about what's going on for you, what's going on for the industry. And there was 35 women who came in my tiny little 1200 square foot house. Um, and it was just I was, okay, these women are still here. You know, maybe we just need to meet in person and gather and build our own community and get, you know, start to have conversations and see how we can support one another. So that's kind of what actually started me to produce these events. And it has been 100% a game changer for me. I feel so much more inspired and reinvigorated to stay and to keep fighting and to try to uplift other women in this space. Um, so, you know, I have hope now. If you would have asked me this question two years ago, um, when I was thinking of leaving, I, you know, I would, I would, I would give you a much different answer, I think. Laura.
Speaker 1
[00.11.31]
Yeah, that makes so much sense. And I think so many people can relate to that. And I think it starts with women getting literally together, convening, collaborating, organizing and creating community. And once that community is created, it feels there's really not much we can't do. Um, but it feels the barrier is in the actual face to face connection and community building on the front end. Would you agree?
Speaker 2
[00.11.54]
100%. I mean, I think that was a struggle for me during Covid was I was on all these I was trying to build community and I was on all these zoom calls. And it just, you know, that can be great, especially getting to talk to people all over the world. But for me, in person, there's just no substitute. And especially regular in person, the the friendships that I've seen blossom from in-person events, regular ongoing in-person events. It's just watching a community blossom is is really special and getting to be a tiny part of it. Feel like one of the the most important things I've done in my career.
Speaker 1
[00.12.32]
Well, and that's a really natural segue to talk to us about this event coming up in Santa Rosa. It looks so good. There's a million. I mean, there's something for literally everyone. Yeah.
Speaker 2
[00.12.42]
So I, I've been producing these events now for about a year and a half. They are once a month. They are always free for women. Um, and they're held in a different location each time because obviously I'm calling it Northern California Women in Cannabis. They can't all be in the Bay area. Right? So I try to host them in different locations. I'm trying to bring them to all regions and counties. Um, but each one is different because different women step up to lead a workshop or teach a class or speak about something, host a table. Um, sometimes they're really restorative and healing. We just had a retreat in Guerneville, which was really lovely. We did cacao, we did s'mores. We had a coffee and hash pairing. Um, we had chair massage and energy healing. The one on March 22nd in Santa Rosa is a little bit different. I decided that, you know, it's Women's History Month and I'm trying to highlight. Women in cannabis history, but specifically Northern California women. Um, you know, this is my community is Northern California. So I'm really trying to take a micro approach to this really building community where I'm at. Um, and so highlighting women here in this region that have contributed to cannabis history, um, but I have a bunch of women owned brands that will be there Sonoma Hills Farm, Moon Maid Farms. I have some women makers that are going to be selling their artwork and crafts. We're going to have a seed swap that Megan Prew is leading. Amy Fisher is going to have an exhibit on cannabis history. Just so many fun things. Um, and it's going to be a little different from some of my other events. But, um, that's kind of the fun of it is getting to do something different each time.
Speaker 1
[00.14.30]
Yeah. And I imagine you pull in a really diverse audience and, and what's so fun about that is, I don't know, just me personally. Any time you find yourself among people that are there for the same reason, right minded fellowship, it just hits differently. And sometimes you can end up having even more amazing conversations than maybe with your best friend, right? Because you can just go real deep, real quick on a very specific subject that you both feel super passionate about. So have you have you made new girlfriends from the experience as well?
Speaker 2
[00.14.58]
100%. Um, I started this because I, the community I had built up when I was looking around me at two years ago, you know, again, a lot of those women left the space and I all of a sudden have new best friends, which is just awesome for me. But, you know, I think one thing that's been really important to me is that I want any woman. Whether she works in the industry or she's part of the cannabis community to feel welcome. I have been to events for women in cannabis that are just for the C-suite, right? And it feels really exclusive. If you're a bud tender, if you're a brand ambassador, if you're laid off and you're not working in cannabis right now, I want you to feel welcome at these events and I want them to be friendly. This is not my intention for these events is that it doesn't feel clicky. Um, and, you know, that's my goal, but I really try to foster that vibe as much as I can. Well,
Speaker 1
[00.15.57]
and so talk to me. I love the idea that you guys do seed swaps. So what's what's that all about?
Speaker 2
[00.16.02]
This is actually the first time we've done it. And, um, that is one thing that I love about these events is women just say, hey, I want to do this, and I make space for it, you know? Um, I had a woman who went through her training to become an herbalist and wanted to start leading cacao ceremonies, and I think it's been a really nice place for her to try this out and spread her wings, because it's such a in my opinion. Obviously I'm biased, but it's a pretty welcoming, non-judgmental community. So it's a great place to to try something out. Um, so Megan wanted to Megan Prue wanted to host a seed swap at this event and great, let's do it. So she's going to be bringing some seeds. We're inviting other women to bring seeds and just trade and get an early start on their gardens. And if it if if it resonates with people, we'll do it again. We've also done clothing swaps at these events, which I love. I love reducing and reusing and recycling, and I love seeing women in my old clothes. It's seeing a new friend and an old friend or something. I
Speaker 3
[00.17.08]
just want to chime in and say that I think that that is such a cool idea, and what's really resonating with me is doing the seed swaps or, you know, borrowing each other's clothes, exchanging, sharing artwork. That almost gives you a pathway to continue to reconnect with the the women that you meet at these events. You can check in on how their plan is doing or, you know, is one phenotype doing better than the other. And I think that that's just such a fun and authentic way to make sure that the community stays integrated even after the events and provide some, some cohesion the next time that you guys see each other. I just think that that's so.
Speaker 2
[00.17.49]
I love that, Haley. Thank you. That's a great way to frame it. I'm going to I'm going to think about it in those terms now. That's wonderful.
Speaker 3
[00.17.58]
Laura, you spoke a lot about how community is so important, and I think that that is exemplified within this industry. It is male dominated and especially for, you know, younger women who are just getting into the industry, or younger women who are kind of moving up in their companies. It's really important to have a mentor, have somebody to follow a role model and have people around you supporting you because there is some inherent sexism. Um, and it can be really difficult and intimidating to continue speaking your truth and sharing your ideas if you don't have that sense of community behind you. So something so small is, as a seed exchange can make such a huge difference for so many women in the industry and provide inspiration and motivation just to kind of keep pushing through. So I just love it. It's resonating a lot. Well, and let's stick with that for a second, because I think, you know, for folks who are listening, for women who are listening that want to get into the cannabis industry for
Speaker 1
[00.19.03]
whatever reason. What would be your advice? What are the what are the entry points where, you know, if you knowing what you know now, right. What would you advise to a young a younger woman wanting to get into
Speaker 3
[00.19.14]
this? I think it's important to anchor to your values. And people are drawn into the industry for different reasons, particularly for me, it was community and patient advocacy, but for some other women, it might be that they're just really interested in the science of the plant and are taking a more scientific approach to what they want to do. So I think maintaining your anchor within the industry and what you feel passionate about is the most important thing. And I would say secondary to that is, is building some sense of a community for yourself and making effort to expand your community, because ultimately that's how you're going to share ideas. That's how you're going to learn about some things that maybe could support you in whatever role that you're working in from other women. Uh, and so I would say those are the two most important things based on my experience.
Speaker 2
[00.20.09]
Yeah, 100%. Haley I, I think if again, if it wasn't for the women I had met in this space, I really would have left, I believe, two years ago. Uh, and I've really tried to give back to this community to support the women who encouraged me. You know, I wouldn't have stuck it out. And, um, I think that's important. I think really, um, being certain about why you want to work in this space is important. If you have your own personal, um, connection and story to the plant, and, you know, you really want to bring cannabis as a medicine to more people, or if you're really driven by the community, you really need to have a true, in my opinion, a true desire to better this space because it's, you know, those green rush days are over and they they didn't serve anyone. And, you know, this is this is a hard industry, especially where we are in, in Northern California. Uh, as someone who's worked for a bunch of brands, it is tough there. The the job market right now is really tough. And it's they're not plentiful jobs. They're they're not always paying well. And so you really need to want to do this for a reason other than, than yourself because it is hard work. Um, and there's not a lot of stability. That being said, I love this space. So much. I love this industry. I love this community. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else, but I would never, um, you know, someone with rose colored glasses. I'd really want them to know what they're getting into, because I think it's it's changed a lot and it's really hard. And if you don't have those true core inner value reasons for wanting to do it, it can be really tough, especially for women. And so, yeah, what you were saying about needing to have your own community, you 100% do. Um, and so I've encouraged people that want to enter this space to show up to events, start to get to know people. It can be hard, you know, um, when new folks, newer to the industry reach out, there can be a level of distrust from people. But, um, I just kept reaching out to people showing up, trying to meet people. And eventually I found. I found my way. You made a really good point, Leah. The rose colored glasses thing. I think these types of conversations are also really important because there are people who still view this industry with those rose colored glasses on, especially people in other states. Right? I know where in California we're focused on NorCal. But I'm also very interested in improving the the nationwide industry. Right. And so I think being really transparent about how all the regulatory changes and all the laws and taxes and how often things change in this industry is important to educate people on how much hustle and grind you really have to have to be successful in the industry because it's it can be misleading sometimes, and it would
Speaker 3
[00.23.18]
be so unfortunate if, you know, there was a woman or a man or anybody wanting to get into this industry with a misinterpretation of how things really are, and they get discouraged and then they they never are interested in it again. You know, we we need to build a coalition of people in it for the right reasons that that see things for the way that they are to really make a difference. Those are both such great points. I mean, who would have thought in 2016 that in 2025, Michigan that has one quarter of the population of California and not, in my opinion, as great of land to grow cannabis right, is now
Speaker 1
[00.23.58]
surpassing us in sales.
Speaker 3
[00.23.59]
It's just it's wild.
Speaker 1
[00.24.01]
The the green rush did not quite pan out the way it was set out to be a few years back. Well,
Speaker 2
[00.24.08]
and so, you know, with it being
Speaker 1
[00.24.10]
so tight and with it being so challenging, where
Speaker 2
[00.24.13]
do you all see see
Speaker 1
[00.24.14]
opportunities for young women to get involved? So is it as simple as, you know, starting at that bud tender level? Is it kind of paving your own path and starting to create content? Is it getting more into the concierge space? I mean, where where do you sort of see, um, the next generation of careers emerging
Speaker 2
[00.24.33]
again? I think everything is helpful. I do personally believe that having some one on one experience with the plant in. A retail or a consultative type of setting is really, really beneficial because you get to hear how the this medicine is truly affecting people's lives. And for me, that really is what fulfilled me being able to help people. And I think that everyone could agree that that's essentially what the cannabis community is about. We want to make show people compassion. We want to be caring. We want to help those in need. And so I think that is a really, really core skill set that everybody should explore. And that's not to say you can't be successful in the industry if you skip that step. Um, but I do believe as someone who's been in the industry for over a decade now, which is crazy to say,
Speaker 3
[00.25.29]
and worked with people who, you know, came up just me, started as a bud tender and worked my way up the corporate ladder to people who just jumped in, um, at a C-suite level. The the difference is, is pretty clear. And that's not to say it's a negative thing because everybody has a different role in a different skill set. But I think that if we want to achieve the type of change that that we're all striving for, that is a is a very, very crucial piece, just having some type of personal connection to the plant and the patients and really what it does for people.
Speaker 2
[00.26.07]
I totally agree with you, Haylee. And I think I actually think being a bed tender is is a great entry point. I think it's really important, no matter what you do in cannabis, that you understand how the retail landscape works and that you get a chance to talk to consumers. So, you know, that doesn't have to be at a bud tender level, but you need to understand how other people are using this plant, what kinds of questions they're asking, what they're seeking, whether you go work for a brand or you, you know, become a journalist or you launch your own company or whatever, it's really important that you have an understanding about patients and consumers, especially if you don't use much cannabis yourself. Um, I've worked for and with so many people that don't have that understanding and don't really care too, and don't think it's important, and you make business decisions that are flawed when you don't understand what people are looking for and why, um, or you or you look down on them for it. You know, I've worked with people that have negative view points of consumers and, you know, why are you in this space? But those people exist, especially in the C-suite level. And it's it's. It's a disservice to to the plant if you don't respect the people that are actually using it. So I really agree with what you said, Haylee.
Speaker 1
[00.27.31]
Yeah, it does feel like there's been this pendulum shift lately. Both in what? Leah, you're, you know, you're producing and and creating and then Haylee with you and David doing Goldenhour. If there's this pendulum shift away from corporate cannabis, where there is this big gap between the folks with money and in charge may have the MBAs, but they've never had hands in the soil. Right. And on the other end, it's the folks who have generations of farming experience and so much passion for for the plant medicine, the woo woo beautiful side of it that I know that we, we all love. And do you feel that that gap is, is inevitably widening or getting smaller or. I don't know, I just feel like there's a little bit of a pendulum shift. Again, getting back to the roots of the plant and through collectives and cooperatives or, excuse me, through collectives and cooperatives. Building a different type of industry.
Speaker 3
[00.28.27]
Yeah. And I think that that's it's such a unique thing about this industry specifically is to your point about making business decisions, the purchasing patterns and the retail environment of a dispensary compared to, you know, any other type of retail environment is so unique because we're we're working with a plant that some people use recreationally, which is awesome. Let's have a great time. You know, and I think that that's kind of where the the industry has shifted in a large sense. But for those patients that are coming in to really use it for medicine, it's so important to respect that and honor that. And I have also been in, you know, many board meetings or, you know, executive meetings where people who have no true experience with the plant are suggesting ideas that I just inherently know aren't going to resonate with the consumers because they don't have, you know, an understanding of really what the consumers are looking for and, and how they want to be provided. Yeah.
Speaker 2
[00.29.31]
And you you're starting you're maybe not starting to, but it is taking off mainstream. Even in Tennessee where I am, it's it's a big part of the conversation of just wanting clean, organic, pesticide free, non-toxic products, right? Whether it's food, water or beauty products. Um, and so I do love that that shift towards health over convenience seems to be happening everywhere. And hopefully that, you know, that sticks with with cannabis as well. Because you're right, there's nothing better than the whole plant being grown outside under the sun. Ladybugs, pest management. Right? That's the kind of cannabis that you want to consume and where you're going to find the most benefit. Just tomatoes grown on someone's farm are going to be better than under a bright light in a warehouse, I would say. So I think in California is a unique environment because. Our cannabis culture is kind of integrated in our identity in a way. And, you know, once legalization hit, I think that all the prop two, 15 dispensaries that were able to kind of transition over into the adult use market, who were smaller operators and, you know, establish these, you know, collectives or cooperatives for the right reasons. They got kind of stomped on because all these other
Speaker 3
[00.30.53]
corporations saw it is just a money grab opportunity. And so I think that now we've had a significant amount of time to kind of let that play out. And people are starting to realize, especially all the farmers up north, how detrimental that was. And it did not go the way that any of us intended or hoped that it would go. And so I think that that is starting to spill over into the consumer or patient side of things as well,
Speaker 2
[00.31.22]
because, you know, there's there's quality issues with a lot of these products because it's, again, all these corporations are just trying to pump out as many units as they can and not investing in making sure these these products are quality. And that's one very small example. Um, but I myself have had personal experience and in our dispensary and weed and working at other dispensaries throughout the state that, you know, patients are a little bit upset by it. And, um, just kind of questioning why it's this way now when it wasn't, you know, just a couple of years ago. Um, so I kind of hope to see that movement continue to build momentum because it's obviously I
Speaker 3
[00.32.04]
think it's really important. Um, but my, my ultimate hope is that we can really translate that to make changes on a bigger scale, you know, in the C-suite and have create an environment where these executives of the bigger corporations are interested in having conversations with people and learning more about it so that they can also make positive changes.
Speaker 2
[00.32.29]
Spoken with a lot of small farmers that, you know, I think they tried to launch brands and struggled with the marketing or or understanding the costs of, of of doing business and looking at, you know, the prices and how they were making a profit. Um, but I think that, uh, I really hope that, um, you know, what you were asking earlier, Laura, about education. And, you know, that was one reason that I wanted to do the program. And and I love judging is getting to kind of pay attention to quality. And for me, I really love sun grown cannabis. I love clean cannabis. That's, you know, I know that there's no pesticides and, you know, grown with love. Um, and I feel when I first worked for Flo Conner, that was a bigger part of the conversation. And as it's become more and more corporate and. People's packaging and has become more and more plastic and wasteful. And, you know, there are so many products failing testing now, I think we've just really gotten away from trying to grow clean medicine for people. And I really hope that that is something that we can educate more folks about what you're putting into your body and the effects that, you know, full spectrum cannabis will have on your body. And as opposed to not distillate products or what have you. I just think it's it's missing. And when people understand and try some of these products, it can be life changing. If you've never tried really pure, clean cannabis, and I really hope that we see more of that in the future as well. But yeah. So how
Speaker 1
[00.34.10]
did how did you become a ganja and what is that and tell me all about it. That sounds
Speaker 2
[00.34.15]
awesome. So great question. I, I knew a little bit about the program. I saw, you know, when they first launched, I read about it, Um, and at the time, I was working for an employer that, um, offered to pay my way. Um, they were. I had to apply, but they had a certain amount of scholarships to pay our way to go through Gonzaga, and it seemed kind of a once in a lifetime opportunity, because when I initially looked into it, it was kind of expensive. Um, and so that's really how I got started. Is, is my employer paid for it? But then I was laid off from that employer. So many of us in this unstable, uh, work environment. But I still was able to complete the program. So it was a blessing. And I, I loved the experience. I loved being on campus. The teachers are really great. But I think the thing that was really cool for me is getting the tools to really assess and appreciate, um, the different levels of quality and cannabis, you know, so many of us that even grow up, grew up consuming it. Um, I just I never knew I knew if I liked something or I didn't get, but I didn't really have the tools or words to explain why or what made one one cultivar better than another to me. So that was just really life changing and also getting to learn more about different aspects of the industry that I hadn't worked in. You know how things are grown and how things are manufactured and parts of that. So it was a great experience, and it's helped me to be able to now judge a few cannabis cups, which is just so much fun. I love doing it. Um, and I'm really excited to do more of that.
Speaker 1
[00.36.04]
That's really cool. I'm gonna have to go Google that and see what that process looks like, because that would be a lot of fun. Well, and have you have you crossed paths by chance with, um, Nicolas Gerardo from Swami Select? Oh,
Speaker 2
[00.36.16]
Nicky. Yes. And I actually was able to stay with her and Swami when they were going through their samples for the Emerald Cup. So I was able to sort of. I know them for a bit and help them assess, but their property is gorgeous. I love them so much they they are just true bright lights in this industry. Even though they have exited the legal industry, they are their heroes to me and I really just love them.
Speaker 1
[00.36.42]
Same big shout out to Nikki. I've gotten to stay on their farm a couple of times as well, and it's just there's she's just a beam of light, just pure light just walking around and she's so loving and so patient, and she was just made to be a mentor.
Speaker 2
[00.36.57]
I definitely love Nikki. Tina from Moon Made. I love her, her energy and what she's doing. Um, friends of mine, my friend Colleen, who is a Ganges and Buddhist as well. She has just been so encouraging to me. But but so many women. I don't even think I could name them all. And they're not. They're not all in this space anymore, but they really helped me.
Speaker 1
[00.37.19]
That's great. Well, so tell folks, how do they connect with you? How can they find you online? And how can they get registered for your event? Uh, coming up in Santa Rosa.
Speaker 2
[00.37.27]
Yes, I have an Instagram. It's NorCal Women in Cannabis. I have a new website that will be live soon. Um, NorCal women in cannabis. But you can reach out to me anyway. Uh, all of these events are free, So, um, you know, and they're held in different locations. March 22nd in Santa Rosa, in April, will be in Berkeley in May, will be at Sonoma Hills Farm. Um, and June, I think will be at Plant Shop in Ukiah. So, um, happy to share the the event pages with anyone. But again, these are these are free events. Welcome to anyone.
Speaker 1
[00.38.02]
Well thank you. We really appreciate your time. This was a really great conversation. Anything we've got six minutes. Anything that we didn't ask you that you want to talk
Speaker 2
[00.38.10]
about. You know, I guess I'll just say that, you know, if you're if you're working in the industry right now and you are feeling the way I felt a few years ago where you're, God, what am I doing here? This is really hard, and your cup isn't being filled and you are thinking of leaving. Think back about what brought you here initially, and if you are able to build your own community to support you, or if you see something small that you can do to try to make it better, do it. You know, I when I was struggling, the thing that I realized I was missing was community. And if this group already existed, I wouldn't have had to to create it myself. But it didn't, at least not in the way that I envisioned it. And so, you know, I wasn't waiting for permission. I just started it myself. And it's this whole ethos of, um, you know, build the things that you want to exist in the world. It doesn't have to be perfect, you know? I'm doing this all in my free spare time. And it's it's a non monetized product project that I'm doing. But I, I was a little unsure at first. Who am I to start this group? I've only been working in the industry for six years. Well you know what? Why not do it? It's helping me. It's helping other people. And I think so many of us just wait to be asked to do something when you can take action and try to make things better at any time. And it can be a small thing or a big thing. But until we all try to start making things better, things aren't going to get better, right? And whether that's the industry or our country or the planet, we all have to try to take whatever action we can to create a better world. Ah,
Speaker 1
[00.39.48]
this was so much fun. Thank you both so much for sharing your time and your wisdom and your insights. I really appreciate it. For folks wanting to connect with Leah, you can do so on Instagram at NorCal Women in Cannabis all one word NorCal Women in Cannabis. You can check out Goldenhour Collective in Weed, California on Main Street online at Goldenhour Collective. Org and on Instagram.