The podcast aims to inspire both the canna-curious and seasoned cannabis enthusiasts. (Submitted image/High Ladies)

By Jennifer Olson

media

High Ladies podcast burns cannabis stigma and advocates for industry reform

Nov 17, 2023 | 7:00 AM

There is a unique space where cannabis, parenthood and responsible advocacy intersect.

Two Barrie, Ont. women have tapped into this space to create a community around progressive cannabis conversation where they address pertinent topics such as cannabis and parenting, regulatory and legal challenges, stigma and everyday cannabis culture.

High Ladies is a cannabis podcast that was born after a series of phone calls between Annie Dillabough and Amanda La Touche at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Both women are cannabis-friendly mothers living in Barrie. Together they recognised the need for ongoing cannabis discussions and education, while amplifying cannabis experiences commonly shared by women.

Currently, most cannabis podcasts hosts are male, and Dillabough and La Touche are paving the way towards equal representation for women in cannabis media.

“We realized there was a need for a mature, honest conversation about cannabis, specifically as it pertains to women and mothers,” Dillabough shared.

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“We felt that if we started the conversation and educated ourselves, then we would be empowering our community to embrace their own consumption and reduce the stigma around cannabis.”

The podcast aims to inspire both the canna-curious and seasoned cannabis enthusiasts – with a focus on safe, responsible cannabis use. The duo encourage proper use of language that helps to de-stigmatize cannabis, and direct conversations with family members about cannabis use.

“High Ladies has always focused on reducing stigma for parents who use cannabis as part of their routines,”  explained Dillabough.

“We encourage intentional and mindful consumption with a focus on safety. For example, when we appeared on Breakfast Television, we spoke about the importance of speaking to your children about cannabis and keeping them safe by locking up your personal supply from them.”

Beyond the podcast mic, Dillabough and La Touche advocate for reform by working alongside the Cannabis Council of Canada.  Currently, they are focused on rectifying the cannabis excise tax, renegotiating the legal limit for edibles, and eliminating dispensary window coverings in order to increase the safety and wellbeing of budtenders.

“Window coverings eliminate the ability to see who is approaching the store. Proper visibility can give staff the opportunity to better prepare and protect themselves from danger,” Dillabough noted.

“If there is an unsafe situation occurring inside a store, unsuspecting patrons could stumble into a potentially volatile situation. Also, if a passerby sees a situation

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High Ladies also features interviews with industry experts and international cannabis news. By providing a space for mature, honest cannabis conversation, not only do Dillabough and La Touche address cannabis experiences from a women’s and parent’s point of view, they also advocate for change within the industry while providing a voice of diversity and inclusion.

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info@westernbuzz.ca