Branching out for positivity and growth

A few of the members of the NSCC ventured into the city proper to support the Cannabis Society of Boston and their Toasty Tuesday networking series at the Liquid Art House.  After a few seconds of shaking off the cold, I was met with warm and friendly greetings from the gathering.  The Cannabis Society is a member-based organization that is "dedicated to creating events around marijuana's social, medicinal and creative properties".  After a few self introductions, I found myself deeply engaged in conversation surrounding the future of the cannabis business industry.  The state is busily crafting a framework for for the retail sale of recreational cannabis but the individuals building a niche within this emerging industry are still gripped with concern.  It is truly unfortunate that the will of the people is being manipulated by a couple of closed-minded elected officials.  

All-in-all the Cannabis Society provided a fantastic venue for the exchange of knowledge between many of the players in the local cannabis community.  We were fortunate to have a space to identify connections for the continued growth of our industry.  One of the unfortunate consequences of prohibition is secrecy.  Conversations regarding cannabis cultivation between perfect strangers were uncommon prior to legalization and it is obvious that many are still reluctant to exchange all of the details of their efforts. As the prohibition of cannabis comes to a demise, we have to remind ourselves that Normalization will take time.  The days of "not talking on the phone" and worrying about undercover cops are gone but the uneasy lasting effects of prohibition are still around. 

The healing process will take a while.  By networking together, we can begin to wash away the stain of the failed policies of our past.  If a networking group of this type does not exist in your community make the effort to organize one yourself.  Meet up and talk story.  The fading anxiety of a failed war on drugs will eventually wash away if we all step out of the shadows and build unity.  I would like to extend a warm "Mahalo" to the Cannabis Society for their continued efforts of creating connections within our community.