To follow up on last year’s Asians in Cannabis to Watch, I wanted to highlight some incredible Pacific Islanders in Cannabis that you should also be paying attention to. Scroll to learn more about each of these individuals and how you can support them!
Why are you passionate about cannabis (and/or hemp)?
Ivoree: Cannabis changed my life; she gave me the ability to see myself for what I’ve always been: worthy of love and life—
What do you love about the cannabis industry/community? What do you hope to see change/improve?
Ivoree: The industry has come a long way since I’ve been in it, but there’s still more work to be done regarding decriminalization and social equity programs. We definitely also need to see more cannabis C-Suite’s filled with women and more BIPOC; I’m tired of this monopoly board game.
What does being a Pacific Islander in Cannabis mean to you? What do you hope people understand about that?
Ivoree: It means decolonization. Everything I do in this space, is with the hope and prayer that I’m able to pass on what I learn, to future generations. I want all of Oceania to divest from white colonial mindsets and to reinvest into holistic, ancestral wisdom and strength. It’s time to tap back into our natural roots to heal ourselves, and those who come next. Cannabis has given me the platform, space, and voice to feel confident enough to do just that, every single day.
Why are you passionate about cannabis (and/or hemp)?
Me: I have had the honor and privilege of watching this plant truly heal and transform thousands of patient's lives. My oldest patient is 103. My youngest is 3 months. Teaching patients how to optimize their endocannabinoid system and create true wellness has been really profound. I had always loved this plant. When I was 19 years old, I went on the Hemp walk with the late Jack Herer, which was a pivotal moment. Since then, I have been advocating for the complete liberation of this plant.
What do you love about the cannabis industry/community? What do you hope to see change/improve?
Me: I love the community a lot. This community taught me how to heal myself, grow my own remedies, formulate and prepare my own medicine. That's true empowerment. The cannabis industry is still new and is growing at a rapid pace. Sometimes I think there needs to be a shift in priorities. I love the framework of the green renaissance instead of the green rush.
What does being a Pacific Islander in Cannabis mean to you? What do you hope people understand about that?
Me: Being Samoan in the cannabis space is different. I have a lot of responsibility to act on behalf of my family. I always assume that everything I do, someone in my family might find out about it, and I want them to feel a sense of respect, love, and joy and not shame. Before I opened my clinic, I went to all of my elders to get permission. I knew that if I was going to do this, I couldn't do it alone. They are now some of my biggest cheerleaders, even if half of them are cops and military.
Anything in the works? Anything you want our audience to know about?
Me: I have my clinic and do cannabis education on Tik Tok! I am also working on a dosing app. This has been a long-term project of mine.
Why are you passionate about cannabis (and/or hemp)?
Topher: It's nature, it's chemistry, it's science, it's community, it's a love language!
What do you love about the cannabis industry/community? What do you hope to see change/improve?
Topher: I love the people that I've connected with over it, the community and network I've grown, and these people and connections over this plant easily become family/Ohana because the passion and drive is the same. Heal. I would like to see those who are new the field take the time to respect respect culture it came from. I want the community to move forward with the ideas of quality, and integrity to all aspects of the business and the end user. This plant is medicine, it's food and yes it can be recreational and that's something that needs to be understood.
What does being a Pacific Islander in Cannabis mean to you? What do you hope people understand about that?
Topher: Being a Pacific Islander, makes me feel like a pioneer in my field, yet also makes me feel absolutely connected to the people and culture. Its so deeply rooted here we have our own coined term for it, "Pakalolo" (pakalōlō / pah-kah-low-low which literally means "crazy tobacco") People should know we may be in the middle of the ocean but this plant connects us around the world.
Anything in the works? Anything you want our audience to know about?
Topher: I have soo many projects all at once, but yes, website coming soon, which will help you get connected to me, would it be doing workshops, dinners, podcast, questions on infusions, travel and collaborations local and nationwide soon. Yes, I'll be able to leave this rock soon and pop up in a state near you!