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Date: 1/18/2022
HOLYOKE – Meg Sanders, Canna Provisions CEO, believes that linking her company with that of musician, author and actor Stevie Van Zandt’s is a logical step in cannabis products and philosophy. The Lee-based company with a dispensary in Holyoke, recently introduced the relationship between Little Steven’s Underground Apothecary with their line of low THC and high CBD products.
Sanders explained the company developed the strain at its growing facility in Sheffield and saw a tie-in with the health care products Van Zandt is selling. The strain was dubbed “Smash Hits.”
Realizing what Van Zandt was doing with his wellness products, Canna saw an opportunity. Van Zandt had released a line of holistic teas, lollipops, and candles.
“The United States may be the only country in the world that considers healthcare, both physical and mental, as an afterthought. Little Steven’s Underground Apothecary was created to help combat that issue by focusing on natural, holistic remedies. Some will help relax you, some will help energize you, all will help you take charge of your own wellness,” Van Zandt wrote on his website.
Sanders explained the strain is “an approachable, low-THC and high-CBD cannabis that is less about the recreational high, and more for people seeking the benefits of cannabis and cannabinoids like high-CBD cannabis on the body and mind.”
Sanders explained to Reminder Publishing that the level of THC in cannabis “is driving consumer decisions.” She added, “THC is not the whole story” and equated fixating on how strong a cannabis may be is not unlike just drinking Everclear instead of an alcoholic beverage with flavor one sips and enjoy.
Pursuing THC levels is “not very thoughtful,” she added. Sanders noted the strain “has something for people who are too nervous that have too much THC and worried about getting too high.”
Sanders questioned the perception that today’s cannabis strain may be stronger than those smoked 30 or 40 years ago. “Back then, there was no testing,” she explained.
Today, cultivating cannabis is done more thoughtfully, she added.
The strain seemed to be a good match with the products Van Zandt sells on his website and Canna has introduced pre-rolls as the first collaborative product
According to the company’s website, “This cannabis is meant to provide a powerful feeling of well-being and enriching your endocannabinoid system with high-CBD and low-THC flower, so it’s less of a stoned-high and more a full body balancing effect with uplifting pep.”
Sanders said the next product will be infused honey sticks which can be used in teas, and after that, edibles.
No stranger to collaborations, while working in Colorado at the start of the legal cannabis movement, Sanders had partnered with singer Willie Nelson and produced “Willie’s Reserve” cannabis. “It was just the silliest thing,” she recalled with a laugh.
Sanders believes what Canna is doing with its branding program with Van Zandt is not unlike what General Motors does with its Eddie Bauer Jeep.
“Why not work together?” she asked. Sanders is adding that Canna is looking for other branding opportunities.
“We need to help spread cannabis education, destigmatization, and stop unjust criminalization for a plant that not only does a lot of good,but has proven during COVID[-19] to be essential to people’s well-being and quality of life,” Van Zandt said.