The EVOLUTION Magazine August 2022 | Page 47

Nicole visited Colorado twice . During the second visit , she knew this sort of camaraderie within the community was something the Missouri market not only needed but was a necessity . “ I stayed at a 420 hostel during my second visit , and that for me was it ,” explained Nicole . “ That ’ s when I started asking myself , ‘ how I can bring something like this back to Missouri ?’” With that question , she networked with a cannabis-centered platform that connects the canna-friendly to the canna-curious .
Nicole ’ s quest for community led her to several ideas she plans to bring to fruition once she settles more into motherhood . Nicole ’ s instincts kicked in when her youngest was diagnosed with special needs . Managing a group home for Developmentally Disabled adults , she was able to identify the road her child would face immediately . “ She ’ s [ Nicole ’ s daughter ] currently in therapy five days a week so she can be ready for the world , and it won ’ t be something that she ’ ll feel she can ’ t face ,” said Nicole . Her priorities immediately shifted to her children ’ s needs . “ As much as you want to pursue things all the time , sometimes you must take your own interests and put them aside for your children . However , you can be a canna-friendly family and still be the best version of yourself all at once . I ’ m finding out that it doesn ’ t have to be either-or , and it ’ s made me a better mom because of it .”
Nicoles ’ s understanding of smoking cannabis was , at the time , riddled with what the world had to say about parents who smoke cannabis . “ When I first started smoking after having my daughter , I was so paranoid that she would be affected in the same way with my connection to cannabis ,” she said . “ From research , I ’ ve discovered there is always a healthy balance that can be found . If you ’ re uneasy , do the research or find me on Instagram . Because that ’ s the mark I want to make on the cannabis community — the chance to provide resources and to help moms who may be struggling .”
Alexandria Stith ( Alex ) is a St . Louis , MO , native and experienced budtender . She is a freelance writer who quickly identified that her love and understanding of cannabis could leave a positive impact on someone ’ s life . She expresses that through her writing . A graduate of the University of Central Missouri , she is currently studying for her Master ’ s at Webster University . Never expecting to change the trajectory of her Digital Media Production career to cannabis , Alex hopes to elevate her career in both cannabis and writing by capturing stories and voices of an ever-expanding and ever-changing industry .
Notice : The information contained herein is not intended as medical advice , diagnosis or treatment , but rather a sharing of knowledge and information based on research and experience . The content is for general informational purposes only .
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