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A Guide to Black Women-Owned Cannabis Businesses

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Courtesy of Breanna Neff, Chef Kay, Sheena Roberson and Shayla Cabrera Courtesy of Breanna Neff, Chef Kay, Sheena Roberson and Shayla Cabrera

According to Marijuana Business Journal a 2017 study found that 81% of all cannabis business owners were white. This percentage was in stark contrast to the 4.3 percent of black entrepreneurs within the industry. Considering the variety of Black individuals who have been killed and imprisoned due to cannabis, this fact is shocking – and disappointing. However, some Black business owners are uniquely entering this space and turning it the wrong way up. This also includes Black women who’ve made a reputation for themselves within the cannabis industry.

Hemp dinners

“My culinary journey began long before I could look over the kitchen counter,” she says. Chef Kay, catering company and owner of The Blck Stir. This New York and New Jersey-based catering company is devoted to preparing cannabis dinners. As a baby, Kay found peace and community within the kitchen, observing the creativity of her mother, aunts and grandmother. Around 2014, she was inspired to use her inherited talent to start her adventure with cannabis. “Ten years ago, struggling with health problems, I sought refuge in cannabis, using its natural healing properties as an alternative to conventional drugs,” she says. “That moment marked the beginning of the transformation [in me], combining my culinary skills with my steadfast advocacy for microdosing cannabis. Thus, Blck Stir was born in 2021.”

Cannabis dinners are private meals prepared by a culinary skilled who seamlessly administers a rigorously measured micro-dose of cannabis over food, drinks, and sometimes dessert. This way, customers can enjoy their meal and the sunshine high that comes with it, without the fear of getting high.

A Guide to Black Women-Owned Cannabis Businesses
Courtesy of Chef Kay

For home-cooked dinners, Kay works with clients to create menus based on their food preferences and her culinary knowledge. Guests can select from dishes with or without infusion. Each dish can contain a maximum of 10 mg of THC and will be easily adjusted to a lower dose.

Today, as well as to personalized dinners, cocktails and small snacks, Kay also produces infused honey, sauces, cooking oils and lemonades that customers can buy online. Hot items on her menu include stuffed plantain French toast and pulled shrimp and grits, highlighting her love of her Caribbean heritage.

Check also:

Almaz Adeigbola – Owner of brwnbox and a cannabis catering company based in New Jersey

Nikki Stewart – Celebrity cannabis chef

Noiel avoids – Seattle-based cannabis chef

Megon Dee Cave – Founder of Oracle Wellness and Portland-based cannabis chef

Andrea Drummer – Chef and founding father of the primary Hemp Cafe within the USA (lives in Los Angeles)

Gourmet delicacies – Black-owned farm that creates cannabis brunches and dinner series in Maryland

AleCiasto – Cannabis baked goods company based in New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland

Cannabis festivals

Sheena Roberson founded Cannabis Noire and Higher Conferencethe primary cannabis conference specifically for ladies of color, with Black women at the top of the table.

“I started higher education out of necessity,” Roberson began. “[Most conferences] just don’t talk to black women and the shortage of recognition and representation is a direct reflection of the continued underinvestment we see in producers. I used to be uninterested in being reflective in these spaces, tiptoeing around, or generalizing the very real and complex women of color barriers, barriers, and disparities that deserved more attention and real reflection. Above will all the time be my love letter to black women on this space.

The inaugural 12 months of the Higher Conference was 2023, which turned out to be an enormous success. Within 90 days, Roberson organized a two-day event that featured over 500 women from over 12 states and 40 speakers from around the globe. “Relationships were mended, deals were made, contracts were secured, records were expunged, careers and spirits were lifted, black women were celebrated and given the flowers we deserve,” she says.

A Guide to Black Women-Owned Cannabis Businesses
Courtesy of Sheena Roberson

This 12 months’s conference will likely be held on June 21-23 at Billy Penn Studios in Philadelphia. It will include seminars and conversations with industry professionals on every little thing from entering into the cannabis industry and marketing, to general headshots and profession consultations (whatever the industry you wish to enter).

This 12 months’s Higher Conference may also include a sensory secure space called the Wellness Pavilion. This section will feature massages, yoga sessions, tarot readings, a beauty bar, and essential talks on ancestral plant medicine. It may also offer one-on-one meetings with a cannabis nurse and dietitian. They will discuss how motherhood, aging, menopause and female hygiene can intersect with this medicinal plant. There may also be a pitch competition (with a hefty prize) and one-on-one meetings with CEOs and senior managers for profession advice (cannabis-related and beyond).

Check also:

Black Cannabis Week – in Philadelphia

Emerald Cup in Oakland

National Cannabis Festival in Washington

Cannabis activists and community builders

Shayla Cabrera is a social justice advocate and founding father of Tia Planta, a plant education and advocacy platform in New Jersey. “I consider myself a daughter and a victim of the war on drugs,” Cabrera says. “I actually have all the time aligned myself with outcasts and marginalized people. “My father has been in prison for over 25 years because of the war on drugs.”

Her story shouldn’t be only sad, but additionally all too common. According to HRWnationwide, 62% of all state-level drug convictions involve black people. Cabrera, considered one of countless collateral victims, turned her pain into support.

A Guide to Black Women-Owned Cannabis Businesses
Courtesy of Shayla Cabrera

He consistently speaks out at local universities and colleges in regards to the cannabis industry and the snowball effect of the war on drugs. He also prepares cannabis internships for people of all ages curious about entering the industry.

In his home state of New Jersey, he focuses most of his efforts on promoting home growing. “If the police find one plant in your house [in New Jersey]you could potentially go to prison for a very long time,” he says. “Given the present adult recreational activity market, there are some barriers to becoming a medical patient. I focus on varieties [of cannabis], and every strain has different medicinal properties. Many of those varieties usually are not currently commercially available for adult medicinal or recreational use.

Check also:

Green Muse hemp – A Portland dispensary that teaches in regards to the history of cannabis and hip-hop

CannPowerment – Black woman-owned cannabis company

Thunderwalker – International cannabis advocate and business owner

CannaCoverage Insurance Services – Full-service cannabis business insurance and risk management consulting firm

Cannabis merchandise owned by a black woman

For those that live too removed from a festival town or cannabis chef, there are several options for Black women-owned cannabis merchandise which you can purchase from the comfort of your personal home. Criteria? You have to be no less than 21 years old and live within the US

Breanna Neff is the founder and Chief Food Scientist (CFS). breliks, a group of fast-acting cannabis wellness drink blends and powdered supplements for anxiety relief, stress support and rest that act as a healthy alternative to alcohol. Like many entrepreneurial ventures, brelixi was born out of necessity. “I created brelixi out of a personal need and desire to have fast-acting but also functional cannabis-based wellness products,” says Neff. “While studying food science at Cornell, marijuana became an unexpected ally in dealing with the rigors of academia.”

She adds: “After graduating, I worked in the food and beverage industry in regulatory compliance, functional product development, and food science consulting, and gained the experience necessary to create and market my own product.”

A Guide to Black Women-Owned Cannabis Businesses
Courtesy of Breanna Neff

As an authorized food scientist and wellness advocate, Neff saw a chance available in the market to create a product that focused on cannabis as a plant medicine and empowered users to incorporate it into their every day routine. “Brelixi has made it our mission to transform the functional wellness space both on the product side, through the innovative use of fast-acting nano cannabis, and on the consumer side, with our holistic approach to cannabis as an accessible, effective and stigma-free wellness tool,” he shares.

Neff, who also practices reiki and energy work, wanted to share this side of her passion within the name and design of her product, which attracts heavily on references to the sun and moon.

Check also:

A dose of spice – Cannabis sauce company

Be Jubie – Online store with CBD wellness products

Weed Lady Gift Shop – A cannabis accessory store owned by a drug war survivor


This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

You don’t have to add sugar to your cranberry sauce this holiday season – a food scientist explains how to cook with less sweeteners

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Holidays are stuffed with tasty and filling dishes and drinks. It’s hard to resist dreams of cookies, special cakes, wealthy meats and exceptionally spicy additions.

Many of the healthy ingredients utilized in holiday dishes could be overshadowed by sugar and starch. While adding extra sugar could also be tasty, it isn’t necessarily good for your metabolism. Understanding the food and cuisine science behind what you cook means you may make a few changes to a recipe and still have a delicious dish that won’t loaded with sugar.

Especially for those who’re someone with type 1 diabetes, the vacations can come with an additional layer of stress and soaring blood glucose levels. However, this just isn’t the time to despair – it’s the vacations in spite of everything.

Cranberries are a seasonal, tasty fruit that could be tweaked in recipes to make them more Type 1 diabetic-friendly – or friendly to anyone searching for a sweet dish without the added sugar.

I’m a food scientist and sort 1 diabetes. Understanding food composition, ingredient interactions, and metabolism literally saved my life.

Type 1 diabetes has been defined

Type 1 diabetes it lasts all day, without sleep breaks, without holidays and weekends, without remission and without cure. Type 1 diabetes don’t produce insulin, a hormone essential for all times, which promote the absorption of glucose, i.e. sugar, into cells. Glucose in your cells then provides the body with energy on the molecular level.

Therefore, people with type 1 diabetes take insulin injections using an insulin pump attached to their bodies and hopefully it really works well enough to stabilize our blood sugar levels and metabolism, minimize health complications over time, and keep us alive.

Type 1 diabetics have in mind mainly type and amount of carbohydrates in food when determining how much insulin to take, but in addition they need to understand the interactions of proteins and fats in food to use it, or bolusappropriately.

Apart from insulin, type 1 diabetics don’t produce one other hormone, amylin, which slows down gastric motility. This means food moves faster through our digestive tract and we regularly feel very hungry. Foods high in fat, protein and fiber can keep you from feeling hungry for a while.

Cranberries, a seasonal snack

Cranberries are native to North America and grow well within the northeastern and midwestern states, where they’re in season from late September through December. They dominate holiday tables everywhere in the country.

Cranberries are a classic Thanksgiving side dish, but cranberry sauce tends to be high in sugar.
bhofack2/iStock via Getty Images

One cup of whole, raw cranberries comprises 190 calories. They are composed of 87% water, trace amounts of protein and fat, 12 grams of carbohydrates and just over 4 grams of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber combines well with water, which is sweet for digestive health and might slow the rise in blood glucose levels.

Cranberries are tall IN potassiumwhich helps maintain electrolyte balance and cell signaling, in addition to other essential nutrients similar to antioxidants, beta-carotene AND vitamin C. They also contain vitamin Kwhich helps in healthy blood clotting.

The taste and aroma of cranberries comes from compounds present in fruits similar to cinnamates, which add a hint of cinnamon, vanillin for a vanilla note, benzoates AND Benzaldehydethat tastes like almonds.

Cranberries are high in pectin, a soluble starch that forms a gel and is used as a binding agent in making jams and jellies, in order that they thicken easily with minimal cooking. Their beautiful jewel tone red color belongs to a class of compounds called anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins with which they’re associated treating certain forms of infections.

They also contain phenols, that are protective compounds produced by the plant. These compounds, which appear like rings on the molecular level, interact with proteins within the saliva, causing a dry and tight feeling that causes the mouth to pucker. Similarly, the so-called benzoic acid naturally occurring in cranberries, it adds sourness to the fruit.

These chemical components make them extremely sour and bitter and difficult to eat raw. To moderate these flavors and effects, most cranberry recipes call for plenty of sugar.

All this extra sugar could make cranberry dishes difficult for type 1 diabetics to devour since the sugars cause blood glucose levels to rise quickly.

Cranberries without sugar?

Type 1 diabetics – or anyone looking to limit their sugar intake – can try some cooking tactics to reduce their sugar intake while still having fun with this holiday treat.

Don’t cook the cranberries too long once they pop. You’ll still have a sticky cranberry liquid without having to add a lot of sugar, because cooking concentrates a number of the bitter compounds, making them more visible within the dish.

A row of spoons, each filled with a pile of powdered spice.
Adding spices to cranberries can improve the flavour of the dish without the added sugar.
klenova/iStock via Getty Images

The addition of cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg and other warming spices gives the dish a depth of flavor. Adding heat with hot chili pepper it might make a cranberry dish more complex while reducing sourness and astringency. Adding salt can reduce the bitterness of cranberries, so you will not need a lot of sugar.

For a richer flavor and glossy quality, add butter. The butter also moisturizes the lips, which reinforces the natural tartness of the dish. Other fats, similar to cream or coconut oil, also work.

Adding chopped walnuts, almonds or hazelnuts may decelerate the absorption of glucose, so your blood glucose levels may not rise as quickly. Some recent forms of sweeteners, similar to allulosethey taste sweet but don’t raise blood sugar levels and require minimal or no insulin. Allulose has GRAS – Generally Regarded as Safe – status within the US but just isn’t approved as an additive in Europe.

During the holiday season, you may easily reduce the quantity of sugar added to cranberry dishes and revel in the health advantages without spikes in blood glucose levels.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

Willow Smith’s debut collection with Moncler is now available – Essence

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Moncler

Willow Smith’s debut collection with Moncler has been launched. The capsule is a mixture of the inside of a musician, actress, writer and creator. In it, a futuristic and unbelievable world is explored through clothes. Smith’s personal style was also showcased. The lineup was originally revealed in Shanghai.

Willow Smith's debut collection with Moncler is now available
Moncler

“Minimalism and utilitarianism. Femininity and masculinity. Black and white. “Putting ideas together in an elegant way is something that really excites me and I wanted to explore that with this collection,” Willow shared.

“Willow’s magnetic energy is captured in a series of images exploring the primary themes of the collection: clashing contrasts, rebirth and renewal, yin and yang, recent beginnings – inspired by Moncler’s mountain origins and love of nature. “Willow’s creativity influences every aspect of the videos and photos accompanying the collection: she not only drives the concept, but also models her designs, narrates the short film and provides the soundtrack,” the brand said in a press release. The launch is accompanied by black and white campaign photos – the dramatization of those photos ushers in an exciting era for Smith.

Willow Smith's debut collection with Moncler is now available
Moncler

The collection is dominated by knitwear perfect for layering, a down jacket and heavy sweatshirts created in shrunken proportions. The capsule is accomplished with extensive outerwear options and a brief-sleeved T-shirt with silver eyelet. The T-shirt is also available in an extended-sleeved version. The collection includes cream and black shades. The down vest with a hood and a brief cut stands out.

Salix leather boots are characterised by an interesting design. In addition to nodding to punk influences, this footwear option is designed with a Moncler logo on the toe, elastic panels on the front and a rubber sole.

Willow Smith's debut collection with Moncler is now available
Moncler

“I am incredibly passionate about the outdoors and exploring this wonderful land. I imagine these pieces can easily transition from overnight camping to fashionable evening wear,” Willow added, emphasizing the natural duality of the collection.

Moncler X Willow Smith is currently available in chosen Moncler stores and more moncler.com .

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Women are less likely to undergo cardiopulmonary resuscitation than men. Training on breast mannequins could be helpful

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If someone’s heart suddenly stops beating, this may increasingly have happened minutes of life. Performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation may increase their probabilities of survival. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation keeps blood pumping, delivering oxygen to the brain and vital organs until specialized treatment arrives.

However, research shows that bystanders are less likely to intervene to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation if the person is a girl. AND latest Australian study analyzed 4,491 cardiac arrest cases between 2017 and 2019 and located that bystanders were more likely to perform CPR on men (74%) than on women (65%).

Could this be partly because CPR training mannequins (so-called dummies) shouldn’t have breasts? Our recent research we checked out mannequins available all over the world to train people to perform CPR and located that 95% of them were flat-chested.

Anatomically, breasts don’t change the cardiopulmonary resuscitation technique. However, they’ll influence whether people try to accomplish that – and hesitation at these key moments could mean the difference between life and death.

Differences in heart health

Cardiovascular diseases – including heart disease, stroke and cardiac arrest – are probably the most common diseases important reason behind death for ladies all over the world.

But if a girl goes into cardiac arrest outside the hospital (meaning her heart stops pumping air properly), that is actually what happens. 10% less likely receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation than a person. Women too less likely survive cardiopulmonary resuscitation and are at greater risk of brain damage following cardiac arrest.

Bystanders are less likely to intervene if a girl needs cardiopulmonary resuscitation compared to a person.
Doublelee/Shutterstock

These are just among the many health inequalities experienced by women, in addition to transgender and non-binary people. Compared to men, their symptoms they are more likely to be rejected or misdiagnosed, or it could take longer to receive a diagnosis.

Reluctance of the witness

There can also be growth evidence women are less likely to start cardiopulmonary resuscitation compared to men.

This may be partly due to the concerns of those being accused of sexual harassmentworry may cause damage (in some cases based on the assumption that ladies are more “fragile”) and discomfort related to touching women’s breasts.

Bystanders may also get into trouble recognition the lady has a cardiac arrest.

Even in simulated scenarios, researchers found that interveners were less likely to remove women’s clothing prepare for resuscitationcompared to men. And there have been women less likely to receive Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or defibrillation (an electrical charge to restart the center) – even when the training was in the shape of a web based game that didn’t require touching anyone.

There is evidence of how people behave in resuscitation training scenarios reflects what they do in real emergency situations. This means it is amazingly vital to train people to recognize cardiac arrest and prepare for intervention, no matter gender or body type.

Attached to men’s bodies

Very Cardiopulmonary resuscitation training resources depict male bodies or don’t specify gender. If bodies shouldn’t have breasts, it’s a male default.

For example, the 12 months 2022 test taking a look at CPR training in North, Central, and South America, it was found that nearly all of available mannequins were white (88%), male (94%), and slim (99%).

The woman's hands press the torso of a mannequin wearing a blue jacket.
It is amazingly rare for a mannequin to have breasts or a bigger body.
M Isolation photo/Shutterstock

This research reflects what we see in our work once we train other healthcare professionals to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We noticed that every one the mannequins available for training are flat chested. One of us (Rebecca) had difficulty finding training mannequins with breasts.

Single mannequin with breasts

Our recent research we checked what cardiopulmonary resuscitation mannequins are available and the way diverse they are. In 2023, we identified 20 cardiopulmonary resuscitation mannequins in the worldwide market. Mannequins are often torsos with no head and without arms.

Of the 20 available, five (25%) were sold as “female”, but only considered one of them had breasts. This implies that 95% of obtainable CPR training mannequins were flat-chested.

We also checked out other diversity characteristics, including skin tone and bigger bodies. We found that 65% had more than one skin tone available, but just one had a bigger body. Further research is required on the impact of those elements on bystanders when performing CPR.

Breasts don’t change cardiopulmonary resuscitation technique

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation technique doesn’t change when someone has breasts. The barriers are cultural. And although you could feel uncomfortable, starting cardiopulmonary resuscitation as soon as possible can save your life.

Signs that somebody may have cardiopulmonary resuscitation include not respiration properly or completely or not responding to you.

Perform effective cardiopulmonary resuscitationit’s best to:

  • place the heel of your hand in the middle of your chest

  • place your second hand on top of the primary and interlace your fingers (keep your arms straight)

  • press firmly to a depth of about 5 cm before releasing

  • press your chest with a frequency of 100-120 beats per minute (you may sing a song) in your head to show you how to keep time!)

An example of performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation – using a flat-chest manikin.

What a couple of defibrillator?

You haven’t got to remove someone’s bra to perform CPR. But you could need to accomplish that if a defibrillator is required.

AND defibrillator is a tool that uses an electrical charge to restart the center. An underwired bra may cause minor skin burns when the debrillator pads apply an electrical charge. However, in case you cannot take your bra off, don’t let it delay your care.

What should change?

Our research highlights the necessity for a big selection of breast CPR training mannequins, in addition to a wide range of body sizes.

Training resources need to higher prepare people to intervene and perform CPR on individuals with breasts. We also need greater education on the chance of developing and dying from heart disease in women.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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