To follow up on last year’s Asians in Cannabis to Watch and this year’s Pacific Islanders in Cannabis to Watch, I wanted to highlight some more incredible Southeast Asians in Cannabis that you should learn more about. Scroll to find out about how you can support each of them!
Nina Parks is the Curator & Founder Gift of Doja, Co-Founder of Equity Trade Certification, Co-Founder of Supernova Women, and Co-Founder of Cannabis Regulators of Color Coalition.
Why are you passionate about cannabis (and/or hemp)?
Nina: I'm passionate about cannabis because I've seen it aid in the healing process for myself, and my friends and family. The whole plant magic of cannabis for me is found in the entourage effect of the ritual, and the combination for cannabinoids and terpenes.
What do you love about the cannabis industry/community? What do you hope to see change/improve?
Nina: I've always loved the willingness to expand thought and collaborate in the cannabis community, jury is still out on "Industry." I love all the impacts that cannabis has on culture, policy, social justice and environmental conversations.
What does being Southeast Asian in Cannabis mean to you? What do you hope people understand about that?
Nina: I'm really honored to be an AAPI in this industry although as a mixed race person my identity is complex & far from a monolith, as a person with Filipina ancestral roots it and very often but not never, the only Filipina at the table I want other Pinay Women to see themselves as capable of wielding power and influence in thoughtful and collaborative ways and that our ancestors has gifted us a natural intuition for wayfinding and connection with the elements. Embarking on a journey of Decolonizing of identity is crucial and far from easy but the journey allows for us to cultivate authenticity and our offerings & contributions can stand-out and define value as we understand and create it.
Anything in the works? Anything you want our audience to know about?
Nina: Gift of Doja is about to launch new packaging based on the vibes created by flowers terpene profiles. I'm really excited about offering an array of points of connection to cannabis consumers in order to help develop an intentional personal connection with the plant and our use of it.
Also working on rolling out the Equity Trade Certification & The Network in greater detail over the next coming month which will help to create more transparency in our pathway to Equity and Economic Justice. Gift of Doja is already an Equity Trade Certified Brand along with @SFROOTS @KingstonRoyal @New.Life.CA @TheHigherPurpose @Chiefing @Dreamt @LadyGemini @KGB . Being able to utilize the "Legacy to Equity Pipeline" as well as Equity Trade Allies has allowed Gift of Doja to connect and gain some network support beyond what is available in our Equity Programs and we are poised to scale the network support nationally.
Why are you passionate about cannabis (and/or hemp)?
Pia: Cannabis/Hemp changed my life professionally and personally 6 years ago when I was hired to develop a marketing plan for a cannabis delivery company. As I dove deeper into the industry, I eventually sat on the board for Small Farmers Association in Mendocino educating the farmers about the regulations and the licensing process. During this period I not only became educated in the the history and business of cannabis but the power of the plant. My own wellness journey in hemp derived CBD began 3 years after when I was in pain management program at Kaiser taking 2400mg of ibuprofen everyday with no end date. Personally, I went from climbing half dome, riding century rides to almost bed ridden. A friend recommended Hemp derived CBD for my pain and not only did it help me with my sciatica, but it helped with my fibromyalgia and perimenopausal symptoms. I knew that I had to let people know about this amazing plant and destigmatize Cannabis/Hemp.
What do you love about the cannabis industry/community? What do you hope to see change/improve?
Pia: I love watching people become a believer. I love seeing how this plant changes people mentally, emotionally and physically. I would love to see a bit more diversity in this industry. I’ve seen and experienced inequality when I was in Tech and Mortgage and sadly it exists here too. White males are the ones leading the pack as people of color and the farmers in Mendo paved the road for us and yet they are the ones who are at a disadvantage. We need to create better programs than the existing equity programs to serve BIPOC and the small farmers so they too can thrive in this industry. I also see the disparity between this industry and industries like alcohol and Pharma. We have unreasonable regulations and requirements that the other industries don’t have. It almost feels like were being set up to fail. It’d be nice to see a less restrictive guidelines in our industry in the future.
What does being Southeast Asian in Cannabis mean to you? What do you hope people understand about that?
Pia: I am VERY proud! Coming from a very religious and traditional upbringing (my dad is a Deacon), to now where my family accepts and is actually proud of my accomplishments thus far has been unimaginable. It has not been an easy journey being a a woman and a person of color in this industry but when I hear how much I’ve changed their lives, it makes it all worth it.
Anything in the works? Anything you want our audience to know about?
Pia: We are opening up our space for other BIPOC small business owners who have products in lifestyle and wellness space. Email us if you are interested!
Why are you passionate about cannabis (and/or hemp)?
Will: To me, Cannabis aka Marihuana is more than herbal medicine. It's a pathway to understanding ourselves and how we connect to one another, the land, and the universe beyond what we know it to be.
What do you love about the cannabis industry/community? What do you hope to see change/improve?
Will: An aspect I absolutely love about the Canna-community is the universal language we're able to communicate with when discussing Mama Ganja. Especially with those who have developed a deeper relationship with Cannabis. My hope is that the Canna-industry will transform into a circular, regenerative, sustainable, and fair economy instead of another predominantly white-owned capitalist institution that exploits the people and extracts the land.
What does being Southeast Asian in Cannabis mean to you? What do you hope people understand about that?
Will: Being a Filipinx Queer in Cannabis is a mighty reminder to step into my truth in every space I am in. To break down barriers and challenge beliefs created by the war on drugs and know that it is a privilege and honor to be able to partake and engage with Mama Ganja. It is also a humbling reminder to pay it forward and to advocate for those who have been harmed, ostracized, and cast away for seeking a better life through this herbal element.
Anything in the works? Anything you want our audience to know about?
Will: Always down to connect, build, and collaborate with others who are reimagining the path forward. Let's connect at HighlyHuman on IG and/or at WeAreHighlyHuman.com
Why are you passionate about cannabis (and/or hemp)?
Safyany: I am passionate about Cannabis altogether whether it is Marijauna or Hemp because of its medicinal qualities that helped awaken my mind-body-spirit and its many uses as a renewable resource such as clothing. Most ancient cultures, likely starting in Asia around 500 BC, grew Cannabis using it as herbal medicine. In the 1800s Americans grew and used it for stomach pain from cholera and more recently its being used for nausea from cancer. Eventually, hemp (lower in the mind altering molecule THC) was grown for such useful things as clothing and rope. The Cannabis or hemp plant is fast growing that’s easy to cultivate for all these uses whether with high amounts of THC or low amounts of THC. Although it is not a cure all plant, I believe it is a miracle plant providing humans with many uses/cultivations that does not erode soil, it helps to reduce water pollution, and absorb toxic metals. It can provide medicine, food, and shelter for the people steering humans away from using up other resources on Earth, further damaging our ecosystems. What’s not to love about this plant?
What do you love about the cannabis industry/community? What do you hope to see change/improve?
Safyany: I love the Cannabis industry because it has provided a new path and a new wave of healers to the forefront! Meanwhile the Cannabis community shares their stories of how Cannabis has improved their lives and helped in their healing journey! People are thriving, are lighter and freer to express their feelings and creative selves. It brings a sense of togetherness and a higher sense of self that one would find difficult to tap into without it.
I do hope to see more small businesses, minority owned companies in the limelight, and overall more inclusivity as we lessen our stigma in the Cannabis industry.
What does being Southeast Asian in Cannabis mean to you? What do you hope people understand about that?
Safyany: Being SE Asian in Cannabis means that I too can show others like me or who look like me that consuming Cannabis is safe and an effective plant medicine. That my voice and my pov matters as does other cultures on the subject of Cannabis and its use.
Anything in the works? Anything you want our audience to know about?
Safyany: Yes! I have a new product on my website called SLEEP WELL, which is a CBD Herbal Supplement (capsule) that can help with better sleep at night. The formula is best for people with Stress, insomnia, and an overactive mind in individuals with underlying weakness and deficiencies; therefore, its actions are to Calm the Shen (spirit), regulates Liver qi, sedates Liver fire, tonifies deficiencies. It comes in a resealable pouch that is compostable! Doctor formulated. WOC pharmacy. @morishigeherbalpharmacy Compliant with 2018 Farm Bill. Lab Tested.
I am also working on getting 2 types of mini pre-rolled herbal smokes on deck. (This one has a tentative launch date of 7/10 and graphics will be from Will Ace @highlyhuman)
1) BALANCE - hemp CBD, mullein, holy basil, mint.
Balance is an herbal blend that you can smoke at any time of the day. It may help reduce your cortisol levels, calm the mind, enable clearer breathing, and bring you back to homeostasis from the day’s stress. It may also help boost your energy in the last hours of your workday.
2) WINE DOWN - hemp CBD, mullein, lavender, chamomile.
Wine down is an herbal blend that you can smoke at the end of the day or before bed. It may help relax the muscles and quiet the mind. It may also help ease tension in the nervous system and please your senses with its flavors and aromas.
*These will come in a cardboard pushpack. Matches included. Ready to smoke. Crafted from organic herbs. Hemp CBD sourced from licensed minority farms. Compliant with 2018 Farm Bill. Lab Tested. WOC owned.