In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Sista Vee Nohombile Bush, a Rastafarian from South Africa and the author of "Cannabis is the Human Companion Plant." Sista Vee. shared her incredible journey and deep connection with cannabis, which she has been working with since she was 12 years old.

Sista Vee. explained her African name and her close ties with the Isikosa tribe, who protected her during her field research. She currently resides in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa, where she serves as the medical officer at the Cannock Club, a private cannabis club. As a registered traditional healer, she uses the whole cannabis plant in her treatments, including the bud, leaves, roots, and seeds, and emphasizes the importance of using virgin organic coconut oil.

We delved into her book, which was inspired by her grandmother, also a healer. Sista Vee. shared how her grandmother continues to guide her through visions and dreams, helping her stay on her path of healing with plant medicine. She discussed the challenges she faced, including multiple arrests and the need to work in secret due to the legal status of cannabis in South Africa during apartheid.

Sista Vee. highlighted the medical benefits of cannabis, noting its effectiveness in treating a wide range of conditions, including liver diseases and even cancer. She also touched on the fascinating history of the endocannabinoid system, which dates back 350 million years, and its presence in various animals, except for bees.

We also discussed the current legal landscape of cannabis in South Africa, where it is now legal for private use but not for trade. Sista Vee expressed her concerns about the challenges facing the hemp industry in the United States and the need for more collaboration and understanding of the plant's benefits.

To wrap up, Sista Vee shared how listeners can purchase her book and connect with her on social media. It was an enlightening conversation that showcased the profound impact of cannabis on health and well-being, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to share Sista Vee's wisdom with our audience.

xhosastyles.blogspot.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sista-vee-nohombile-bush-b2072418/?originalSubdomain=za

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I had the pleasure of speaking with Laura Hand, the founder of Laura Loo Experience Design. Laura is a fractional Chief Marketing Officer who works with cannabis brands across the United States and globally, helping them navigate the complexities of marketing in a highly regulated industry.

Laura shared her journey from working in a large healthcare membership organization in Iowa to diving into the cannabis industry. Her transition was fueled by personal tragedies, including the loss of her brother to opioid addiction and her father's battle with brain cancer. These experiences ignited her passion for cannabis as a wellness product and motivated her to help other families avoid similar heartaches.

We discussed the unique challenges of marketing in the cannabis space, such as social media restrictions and banking issues. Laura emphasized the importance of thought leadership and creating memorable experiences to build brand presence. She also highlighted the significance of owning your media and being strategic with lead generation.

Laura's advice to women in the cannabis industry is empowering: "You are good. You are enough. You belong. Give yourself the green light to just go." She encourages women to overcome imposter syndrome and be their authentic selves.

Throughout our conversation, Laura's resilience and dedication shone through. She described herself as a "lighthouse," steadfast and strong despite the waves of personal loss. Her story is a testament to turning tragedy into a force for good, and her work continues to inspire and support others in the cannabis industry.

Biography:
Laura Hand is the CEO and Founder of Laura Loo Experience Design (LLXD). She is an award-winning marketing executive rooted in technology and customer experience design. With 20+ years of leading a digital advertising agency to corporate healthcare marketing teams, Laura offers executive-level fractional marketing expertise for companies that want to remain lean but recognize they need marketing leadership to take them where they want to go. She works with wellness brands that want to reach their desired audiences, be seen as the authority in their space and practice the “Less but Better” marketing mindset of doing what is most impactful to move their business forward. She is a Board Member and Marketing Chair for the Cannabis Travel Association International (CTAI), a mentor for women-owned businesses and has served at the national level of the American Advertising Federation on the Council of Governors and still serves as an AAF creative competition judge. Learn more at www.customerdelightprocess.com

You can find Laura:

Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/lauralooexperiencedesign/

Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhand/

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From Family Roots to Industry Leadership: Jamie Pearson's Cannabis Story

Today I had the pleasure of speaking with Jamie Pearson, a dynamic leader in the cannabis industry. Jamie is the CEO of New Holland Group, a global consultancy that helps cannabis companies and brands expand across borders. She shared fascinating insights into her work, including helping a woman-owned company that makes vaginal suppositories and assisting a major European seed company in entering the U.S. market.

Jamie’s journey into the cannabis industry is deeply personal and unique. Growing up with a father who has been cultivating cannabis for over 57 years and a cousin who is the DJ for Cypress Hill, Jamie was surrounded by cannabis culture from an early age. Despite initially distancing herself from the industry, her path led her back when she helped Cypress Hill navigate endorsement deals in the burgeoning legal cannabis market.

Her tenure as CEO of Bhang, a well-known cannabis brand, was particularly enlightening. Jamie discussed the challenges and triumphs of leading a company through public listing and navigating the complexities of the cannabis market. She emphasized the importance of integrity, emotional intelligence, and understanding the unique culture of the cannabis industry.

Jamie also touched on her current role at New Holland Group, where she leverages her extensive network and industry knowledge to help clients succeed. She candidly shared her internal debate about whether to scale her consultancy or continue operating on a more personal level, highlighting her commitment to helping others, especially women and people of color, without always seeking financial gain.

Throughout our conversation, Jamie’s passion for the cannabis industry and her dedication to supporting others shone through. Her advice to reach out to admired individuals, embrace curiosity, and approach challenges with humility is invaluable for anyone in the industry.

You can connect with Jamie on LinkedIn under Jamie Lurie Pearson or follow her on Instagram at @jboogie.22. Thank you, Jamie, for sharing your incredible journey and wisdom with us.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamielpearsonnhg/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/newholland-group/

https://bhangnation.com/

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