Why I Write For The Cannabis Industry

The cannabis industry is set to generate billions of dollars in my home state of California alone. But this doesn’t erase the misinformation and stigma at the foundation of its prohibition history, or the undeniable wrongs done to communities of color as a result of the failed War on Drugs.

When considering a niche in 2016, I originally chose cannabis because of my experience taking it for wellness. But in the months leading up to voter approval of California’s Prop 64 I found myself networking with with activists, advocates, formerly incarcerated individuals, patients and others who simply wanted to improve access to the medicine while keeping more people from being arrested. After taking a weekend seminar at Oaksterdam University to educate myself further, it became clear that my marketing background and writing skills were how I could best help this burgeoning industry.

These days I’m very selective about the cannabis brands I work with, choosing instead to focus my efforts on Wondering About Weed (formerly know as Let’s Sesh), the cannabis workshop business I co-founded. But my favorite cannabis copywriting projects are those that reduce stigma, provide education, and help consumers understand how cannabis could be a viable holistic option for their needs. As a Gen X African-American woman, my journalistic focus is on the women and people of color doing amazing things in the industry, especially in my hometown of Oakland.