Tokeativity, a global network for feminist cannabis culture, put together a night filled with panels, booths, main stage entertainment, and the perfect means for the connection of people within the cannabis space. In part of an increasing movement to celebrate psychedelics and their health benefits as research on mushrooms and plant medicine become more legalized, the event included info sessions, Tarot readings, music, and perspectives from all communities represented in cannabis. The Psychedelics and Plant Medicine Tokeativity Social opened a space for people to come together and explore not only their passions for the topics at hand, but also engage with leaders in all aspects of the sector, from justice system experts to holistic healers and media mavens.
Check out what five women at Tokeativity HQ had to say about the event:
“It was so magical, next-level, and cutting-edge that I felt honored to be there, myself, even as the CEO and Co-Founder of Tokeativity. The vast array of experiential evidence that was shared, speaking to the power of psychedelics and plant medicine, was mind-blowing.” – Samantha Montanaro, CEO
“We believe in the normalization of plant medicine and that all people are capable of radical self-healing. We do not get a how-to guide when it comes to healing ourselves. Since Oregon has legalized psilocybin for therapeutic use and decriminalized all ‘drugs’, it’s so important that we learn from one another as a community so we can apply what works for us into our own lives.” – Lisa Snyder, Co-Founder & Chief Innovation Officer
“The psychedelics and plant medicine social was a beautiful example of the magic we all can create if we push ego aside in the name of collaboration. We all spoke power to the sacred and taboo practice of healing with plants. As we all know, representation matters in all sectors, and it feels damn good to gently show the way in this space” – Nickia Delaware, Chief Creative Officer
“The Tokeativity Socials are and always have been the highlight of my month – the feeling you get walking (or clicking) into these events has always been so powerful, like walking into a warm hug that just gets better. The vibe of mutual understanding and acceptance is hard to match – It’s one of my greatest joys; being able to bring the experience I never knew I needed until I found it, to others.” – Wendy Mintey, Chief Community Liaison
“It brings me so much joy to help create a space for our community to come together and learn about plant medicine from each other.” – Casey Wiser, Chief Operations Officer
Opening Up On The Main Stage
The event began with an amazing DJ session on the main stage with DJ Frenchie Jams. The digital doors opened early, allowing attendees to dedicate the time to networking. Networking helped individuals and businesses to connect, support, and learn more about each other. In a typical year, Tokeativity Socials would have most networking happen casually during an in-person event, but due to the pandemic, this year it was digital and the networking sessions were a great way to replace that loss.
Tokeativity industry leaders took the time to officially open the event by speaking about some things that are near and dear to their hearts. They took a moment to honor indigenous healers through acknowledgment of their forgotten history. The Tokeativity headquarters currently resides on indigenous land, which when they found this out made them feel it was their duty to honor the forgotten history.
They released the following statement to that effect: “Tokeativity HQ Team wishes to share Land Acknowledgement and honoring of the sacred indigenous healers and medicines that have led to this time and place. By taking this step, we honor the forgotten histories of the original people of this land and the knowledge and culture of their descendants who are living here today.
We respectfully acknowledge that the Tokeativity HQ Portland, Oregon office rests on the traditional village sites of the Multnomah, Wasco, Cowlitz, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Bands of Chinook, Tualatin, Kalapuya, Molalla, and many other tribes who made their homes along the Columbia River creating communities and summer encampments to harvest and use the plentiful natural resources of the area. The Tokeativity community spans beyond Portland, Oregon, and even the borders of the United States. We take this opportunity to thank the original caretakers of this precious land, our collective home, that our expansive, beautiful community resides on now.
We are honored to share the land and have a part in safekeeping the resources for future generations. While we are guests in their home, we set our intention to care for the land, its waters, its airs, and protect the gifts of these lands. We are committed to respecting the rights, traditions, and knowledge of the many communities who came before us.
This event seeks to connect the greater cannabis, psychedelics, plant medicine, feminist, and natural healing community together to gain knowledge and understanding of plant medicine, psychedelics, and global healing in a critical time. We are grateful to be here together in this space and we honor all of those who came before us.”
To watch or read about the Womanifesto click here.
Session 1: Psilocybin, Caregivers and Psychedelic Experience
During the first round of chats and panels, attendees had a hard time choosing from learning about Oregon’s psilocybin legalization, a Missouri’s Caregivers Panel, and a chat about the psychedelic experience.
Charlotte Blocker, who was Political Outreach Director for Measure 109 (the measure allowing for psilocybin legalization), gave an update on the recent news that Oregon became the first state to legalize psychedelic mushrooms during the 2020 election, putting the state way ahead of the game. Some states have not even legalized the medical use of cannabis, but Oregon has recognized the benefits that “magic mushrooms” can have and the harm that comes with keeping them illegal.
Destiny Simon, the founder of the cannabis-specialized Leo Accounting firm, took the time to talk about being a caregiver in Missouri and the help the state can possibly provide to people who are looking to become a caregiver or are a caregiver. With years of expertise in the medical industry, Simon was able to provide help and a personalized chat to the audience.
Libby Cooper, the president and co-founder of the popular craft cannabis brand Space Coyote, had the chance to engage with her audience about how she got started with Space Coyote and her experience with psychedelics. Libby spoke about how her experience has influenced her decisions especially when it comes to her decisions with developing product lines and branding for Space Coyote.
Session 2: Feminine Energy, Black Women & Cannabis, Get Moving and Tarot
The second round of chats and panels was jam-packed with things to do. Attendees could get spiritual guidance on unanswered questions, hang out with the tokeativity leaders, get moving or learn about plant medicine and Black women within the cannabis industry.
Amanda Reiman, the founder of Personal Plants, took the time to engage watchers with her guidance of plant medicine as feminine energy. An Earth medicine subscription service, Personal Plants provides classes and kits for people looking to learn how to grow mushrooms or infuse plant-based materials like CBD and mushrooms into consumable items such as cocktails and oils.
Tiffany Watkins, the founder, and CEO of Vanguard Media joined Bianca Prachyl, founder of Bliss Molecules, to talk about Black women and cannabis. They shared personal stories and expanded on the unique experience Black women have within the cannabis space. Bianca spoke about going after her dreams and starting her business Bliss Molecules.
Women.Weed.WIFI, a Seattle-based cannabis art collective, took the time to do a stretch and get a moving session. This was all about finding yourself, grounding yourself, and getting your stretch on.
Jenna Bowers, also known as The Way Witch, provided personalized Tarot sessions for attendees. You could ask a question and gain some spiritual guidance through the cards.
Tokeativity leaders hosted a hang sesh which allowed people to jump into the conversation or sit back and watch. This was another perfect moment that helped recreate the feelings of connectivity from in-person events that we have all missed, distinguishing this Tokeativity Social from any other virtual event out there.
Session 3: Live Crafting, Cannamoms and Why Don’t More Black People Use Psychedelics
Robin Divine, the founder of Black People Trip, spoke on the topic of the Black community’s relationship with psychedelics. Divine spoke about past experiences and how that led to the development of Black People Trip, a safe network for Black womxn to learn about psychedelics.
Angela Stocker, the founder of Highly Crafty, hosted a live crafting event. Angela shared her extensive knowledge of crafting while making some cool things with the audience. There has been substantial research showing that people who craft or engage in activities like painting or drawing while using cannabis and/or psychedelics experience positive effects (much like the good endorphins released during exercise).
Katy Ibsen, founder of Sweet Jane Magazine, and Amy Chin, founder of the CBD brand Calm Better Days, took time as cannamoms to talk about life as a cannamom and how it is different from what it may seem. The general public may perceive cannamoms as lazy but with insight in this panel, it is clear that that assumption is far from the truth. Cannamoms find time to relax with cannabis similar to wine moms.
Session 4: Changes In Plant Medicine, Hemp Huntress, and People Of Color In Cannabis
Self-proclaimed “Queer Vibrationalist” Gigi Robinson took the time to explain to viewers how plant medicine is changing the game. She paid particular attention to the benefits of plant medicine and why one should avoid Big Pharma.
Cannabis educator Mskindness B. Ramirez spoke about race, equity, and inclusion within the cannabis space. As we move towards federal legalization many forget the people who have been taken down due to the previous cannabis laws. This panel focused on how it is important we incorporate equity and inclusion as we move forward.
Startup advisor Beth Van Elswyk, also known as the “Hemp Huntress,” and Amy Donohue, founder of Get Hybrid Social, talked about their relationships with cannabis and the healing benefits they have found by using it. Van Elswyk is the co-founder of Hoi Polloi Advisors, a cannabis consultancy. Donohue shared how cannabis has helped her with managing day-to-day struggles she faces with PTSD and depression.
Tiffany Woodman, the co-founder of Canna Bella Lux, spoke about Latinas within the plant medicine industry. Tiffany was joined by Stoned Dairy Farms for the chat. Tiffany spoke about equity and the space Latinas hold within the emerging cannabis industry.
The Psychedelics and Plant Medicine Tokeativity Social was a virtual event for the ages.
